How do I live in today’s world as a Christian and not only live but thrive in the gifting, calling and love of God? Join me as we journey together through entire books of the Bible, studying with the understanding that the people in the Bible were real people and had minds and emotions like us. We are going to study their stories to find the truths that apply to our lives today. The key is to meet Jesus and encounter Him so we can be changed by Him more and more into our true selves, not ham ...
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Ep83 Jesus as Our High Priest, Gen 14, Hebrews 7:1-10, 25-28
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9:47With the example of the priest-king Melchizedek in Genesis 14 as a springboard, we take this episode to look at what the author explains in Hebrews about the similarities between Melchizedek and Jesus. And by the end we see how having a high priest like Jesus can be such a comfort to our souls.By Katrin Hagman
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In this episode, we watch Abram and his allies fight and defeat some Mesopotamian kings, save Lot, and head home to the hills. But on the way back, Abram meets a unique individual who is unlike almost every other person in the Bible. Join me as we lay some groundwork on understanding Melchizedek. We will discuss his and Abram's interactions and how…
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Ep81 Finding Hope in Slow Growth, Gen 13:5-18
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19:23In this episode we watch the next chapter of Abram's story unfold with his nephew Lot. We are focusing this episode on the theme of spiritual growth and on being patient with the process the Lord has us in because there is an absolutely wonderful reward in store for us at the end. Listen to find out what unique reward we have to look forward to! Ke…
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Ep80 How to Make Decisions: Lessons from Abram and David, Gen 12:10-20
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19:57In this podcast episode, we explore the process of decision-making for Christians using biblical examples from Abram and David. I emphasize the importance of faith, the need to renew one's mind and the necessity of seeking God's guidance in making decisions. The discussion highlights the consequences of fear-driven choices and provides practical st…
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Ep79 Building Altars: A Tool for the Tool Belt Pt 2, Gen 12:6-9, 13:1-4
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19:04In this episode I discuss the significance of building altars in our lives as a means of remembering God's promises and sustaining our faith. I emphasize the importance of returning to these altars to strengthen our relationship with God and to remind ourselves of His faithfulness. Through practical examples and personal anecdotes, I illustrate how…
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Ep78 Building Altars: A Tool for the Toolbelt Part 1, Gen 12:6-9
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21:08In this episode we explore the concept of building altars in the life of a Christ follower, using Abram as a model. We talk about why it was so important for Abram to have built an altar and call on the name of the Lord. We'll see the importance of committing to our own current spiritual assignment, and we'll look at an example of drawing on the Lo…
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Ep77 The Three Areas of Christian Calling with Marc Hagman
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20:15In this conversation, Marc Hagman and I explore the concept of calling in the Christian faith, discussing the different types of calls believers have, including the call to salvation, holiness, and ministry. We emphasize the importance of understanding that a person does not need to be perfect to step into ministry and that calling can manifest in …
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Ep76 The Preparations of a Bride, Isa 61:10, Rev 19:7
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8:58In this episode, I shares reflections from my son's wedding, drawing parallels between the preparations for that wedding and the spiritual preparation of every Christian as the bride of Christ. I emphasize the importance of growing our inner character as we depend on the righteousness of Christ to clothe us. The conversation culminates in a hopeful…
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Ep75 Embracing Your Calling: A Modern Perspective w/Sarah Miller Pt 3
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14:23In this last conversation, Sarah Miller and I continue to explore the concept of calling in a modern context, discussing how God can call each of us to different ministries, jobs, and even locations in our lives. We delve into the importance of understanding one's identity and values, the process of stepping out in faith, and the significance of co…
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Ep74 Embracing Your Calling: A Modern Perspective with Sarah Miller Pt 2
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19:27In this second conversation, Sarah Miller and I continue to explore the concept of calling in a modern context, discussing how God can call each of us to different ministries, jobs, and even locations in our lives. We delve into the importance of understanding one's identity and values, the process of stepping out in faith, and the significance of …
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Ep73 Embracing Your Calling: A Modern Perspective, with Sarah Miller Pt 1
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17:56In this conversation, Sarah Miller and I explore the concept of calling in a modern context, discussing how God calls individuals at different times and in different ways in their lives while at the same time calling us always into more of who He has made us to be. We delve into the importance of understanding our values, the process of stepping ou…
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Ep72 The Journey of Faith: The Beginnings of Abraham's Story, Gen 11:27-12:10
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20:47In this episode, we begin the story of Abram (eventually Abraham), focusing on his journey of faith as depicted in Genesis 12. We discuss the significance of God's promises to Abram, the challenges he faced and how these experiences will eventually contribute to the growth of his faith. The conversation emphasizes the importance of trusting God, st…
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Ep71 Lessons from the Tower of Babel, Gen 11:4
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13:30In this second episode about the Tower of Babel, we are focusing on the motivations behind its construction. And you might be surprised to see some similarities between these ancient tower builders and yourself! We highlights the significance of humility, contentment, and the dangers of seeking fame and power. And we end by encouraging listeners ho…
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Ep70 Unraveling the Tower of Babel, Gen 10: 8-12, Gen 11:1-9
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12:22In this episode, we delve into the biblical account of the Tower of Babel, exploring its historical context and archeological confirmation. In this two-part episode, we focus first on understanding the fine points, so that next time we meet, we will be ready to look closely at the personal application. If you like knowing the juicy details of a sto…
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Ep69 Communicating with Love: Strategies for Family Conversations with Donna Jones
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18:47We're continuing our conversation with Donna Jones today! Check out Donna's new book on Amazon: Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life Also listen to her on: That's Just What I Needed Podcast found on Spotify, Podbean or wherever you listen to your podcasts! Donna and I shift the focus from discussing how to bolster our own child's faith level to talking …
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Ep68 Modeling Faith: The Key to Raising Children with Donna Jones
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21:46We have author and speaker Donna Jones with us today to talk about prodigals! Check out Donna's new book on Amazon: Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life Also listen to her on: That's Just What I Needed Podcast found on Spotify, Podbean or wherever you listen to your podcasts! In this conversation, Donna and I explore the challenges and strategies relate…
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Ep67 Ham's Downfall: A Cautionary Tale, Gen. 9:22-25
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17:13In this episode of Love God First, we explore the story of Noah and his son Ham, focusing on the themes of personal responsibility in faith and the consequences of one's actions. The discussion highlights how Ham's choices affected his father and emphasizes that each individual is responsible for their own faith journey. The episode also addresses …
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Ep 66 The Consequences of Ham's Actions, Gen. 9:21-29
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16:08In this episode we delve into the complex dynamics of family relationships, particularly focusing on the actions of Ham and the subsequent curse on Canaan at the end of Noah's account. We talk about God being a just God, the consequences of one's actions on family members, and the importance of living with integrity. Through a careful examination o…
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In this episode we talk about the biblical account of Noah's drunkenness and its implications for understanding our own human flaws and failures. The discussion transitions to the New Testament, focusing on a few moments of Peter's mistakes, highlighting that Jesus is not looking for perfection but rather for a relationship with us. We emphasize th…
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In this episode, we explore the themes of our needs, God's promises, and the emotional aftermath of traumatic experiences through the lens of Noah's story. The discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's faithfulness and the fact that God can bring us the right promise or perspective change for our situation.…
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Ep63 Hearing God's Voice: A Conversation with Nancy Hill
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29:22In this episode, the conversation revolves around the theme of hearing God's voice and understanding how He communicates with us. Prayer ministry leader Nancy Hill shares insights on the various ways God speaks, including through the Bible, silence, worship, and through other people. The discussion emphasizes the importance of tuning our spiritual …
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We are continuing to talk about the fact that God still speaks! This part two episode explores the theme of hearing from God because God desires to communicate with everyone, not just people in the Bible. I give examples of times when the Lord has spoken to me or others so listeners can see how important it is to cultivate this important skill. Acc…
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In this episode we explore the theme of hearing from God because God desires to communicate with everyone, not just people in the Bible. The conversation delves into the various ways God speaks to us and the importance of developing our ability to recognize His voice. Why is this so important? Because accurately hearing from God ultimately leads to…
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In this episode, we explore the transition into the post-flood world as described in Genesis 9. The conversation delves into the new commands given to Noah and his family, emphasizing the importance of surrendering our natural way of thinking to God. We talk about the significance of renewing our minds through Scripture and how this transformation …
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In this episode, we explore the themes of God's mercy and our perpetual need for it using the end of Noah's story as a foundation. No one will ever fully arrive at perfection on earth, and we will always need God's mercy, but we do have a powerful reminder of Jesus' compassion and the assurance of His forgiveness for us today! Keywords: God's mercy…
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Ep58 Finding Grace in the Waiting w/Dr. Ray Pritchard Pt 3
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16:52In our last conversation with Dr. Ray Pritchard, Ray opens up about his recent struggles with waiting, cancer and finding hope in the midst of it all. His insights will help any Christian who is struggling through their own set of difficult circumstances! Dr. Ray Pritchard is President of Keep Believing Ministries. Check out his books and other res…
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Ep57Finding Grace in the Waiting w/ Dr. Ray Pritchard Pt 2
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16:02In this conversation (the second of three episodes), Dr. Ray Pritchard and I explore the theme of waiting in faith, drawing lessons from the story of Noah's Ark. We discuss the challenges of waiting for God's promises and the importance of remembering God's past faithfulness to us. Dr. Ray Pritchard is President of Keep Believing Ministries. Check …
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Ep56 Finding Grace in the Waiting w/ Dr. Ray Pritchard Pt 1
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15:21In this conversation (the first of three episodes), Dr. Ray Pritchard and I explore the theme of waiting in faith, drawing lessons from the story of Noah's Ark. We discuss the challenges of waiting for God's promises and the importance of remembering God's past faithfulness to us. Dr. Ray Pritchard is President of Keep Believing Ministries. Check o…
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Ep55 Finding Hope in Times of Waiting Pt 2
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15:11In this part two conversation on Love God First, we continue to explore the theme of waiting. We discuss how to find hope and encouragement during periods of waiting by looking at four different points from Noah's story in Genesis 8. Ultimately, this episode will encourage listeners to trust in God's timing and to remain faithful, patient, and fill…
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Ep54 Finding Hope in Times of Waiting Pt 1
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16:51We have transcripts available for the first time on this episode! In this conversation on Love God First, we explore the theme of waiting through the story of Noah in Genesis 8. We discuss the challenges of waiting, the importance of active waiting, and how to find hope and encouragement during periods of waiting. We will look at the first of four …
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Ep53 What Does the Flood Tell Us about God?
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19:10The account of the flood in Genesis 7 and 8 can trip up many people because they assume it shows God to be a mean and vindictive God. But by taking a closer look (and exercising our biblical worldview), we see a different story revealed about God's character. Join us today as we come back to Genesis and consider what is really shown about God's att…
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Ep52 What is a Christian's Primary Goal? Pt 3
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12:14We are wrapping up our time in First Timothy and applying what we have learned about loving from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. This episode will bring it all home to our own lives!By Katrin Hagman
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Ep51 What is a Christian's Primary Goal? Pt 2
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14:32We are picking up again on this question of how to love from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith from 1 Timothy 1:5. In this second episode we are defining more terms and then looking at the good effects of loving this way and the bad effects if we do not regularly tend our heart, our conscience and our faith.…
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Ep50 What is A Christian's Primary Goal? Pt 1
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16:46We are journeying far from Genesis on this episode and looking at a verse from First Timothy that addresses what our primary goal as Christians is. You may not be surprised to hear the answer: the primary goal is love. But the deeper question is how do we love the way Paul describes in this passage? Listen to find out!…
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What can we learn from such a simple act as God closing the door of the ark? There is actually a lot! Join me on this five-minute snippet (ok, so the snippets are actually getting a bit longer) as we consider what the act of closing the door says about God's character and about His involvement in our lives.…
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In this five-minute snippet (that is really 7 minutes) we look at how Noah's family boarded the ark. They didn't give in to fearing what others would think of them while obeying God. For us, it can be difficult to do that, especially considering the cutting remarks people make on social media. So let's step back in this short episode and ask oursel…
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This episode is another five-minute snippet where we take an extra brief look at something from Genesis. In the flood story, Noah's family isn't described much at all. In fact all we know is that they got on the ark. So what can we learn from that?! Find out on this episode!By Katrin Hagman
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Ep46 How is the Story of the Flood Relevant to Us Today?
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6:23In this six-minute snippet, we talk about one way the story of the flood is relevant to us, and it has to do with the first command the Lord gives Noah in Genesis Chapter 7. God tells Noah to "Enter the ark." Listen to find out how in the world that simple command can be such a comfort and help to each one of us!…
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Ep45 How to Walk with God over a Lifetime with Mary Bursch Pt 2
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27:13Walking with God requires surrender, obedience, and courage. Listen to a conversation with Pastor Mary Bursch and myself where we talk about times when the Lord has wanted us to step out in faith in different ministries, how we organize our daily devotion time, and more, in this wrap up to the question: how do we walk with God faithfully over a lif…
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Ep44 How to Walk with God over a Lifetime, with Mary Bursch Pt 1
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20:21We have seen how Noah walked with God and obeyed so well, and now we are going to talk about some practical aspects of walking with the Lord successfully over a lifetime. The topic is so broad that we won't hit everything, but we will talk about some key elements like: • taking the first step of faith and surrender to become a Christian • letting t…
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Ep43 Noah: A Righteous and Obedient Dude Pt 2
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17:35Noah obeyed God amazingly. So what was the key to his success? In this part two episode, we get into more of the practical aspects of walking with God so that we too can obey all the Lord commands us, just like Noah did.By Katrin Hagman
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Ep42 Noah: A Righteous and Obedient Dude Pt 1
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17:15Noah wasn't just a blameless man in his generation. Today we begin to explore the other characteristics Noah had and talk about the one thing that made him stand out. In this part one of two episodes, we lay the foundation for answering the question, "How do we live at Noah's faith and obedience level today?"…
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Ep41 How to Stay Blameless in Today's World
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23:47Noah did an amazing thing. He built an ark. And that is mostly what we focus on when we talk about Noah. But the guy was also a stellar man of God! In this episode we are going to look at one of the elements that made Noah unique in his generation: he was blameless. And we are going to find that being blameless is actually achievable and essential …
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We are hearing the conclusion of our family story about how we followed God's leading to move to another state and start serving at a whole new level of ministry in Oregon. We were living out the concept that God initiates, and we respond. That's what the great forefathers and foremothers of faith modeled in the Bible for us, even in Chapter 5 of G…
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There are all kinds of examples in the Bible of the Lord giving a profound promise to someone and then waiting for a really long time to fulfill it. In this episode, I share a family story where we saw that exact truth played out. Hopefully it will build your faith and help you to persevere when He does that in your life too!…
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Ep38 Waiting in Faith (but still wondering)
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18:07Sometimes it is easy to wonder if the Lord is actually doing anything in our lives. Is He working in us or in our circumstances to fulfill the promises He has made? This episode focuses on a chapter in Genesis where it is difficult to see the Lord's active involvement, but the truth is God was indeed working and doing something amazing. And if we w…
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We are taking a short break from Genesis and jumping over to Joshua 1 to finish up this study on courage and how to practice it in our lives as we walk in faith with God. What do we do when fear rises up? How can we train our minds to turn from it? We'll look at some practical helps and hopefully lay down any fears that have become too large in our…
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Who doesn't need more courage? Between sickness, responsibilities, children, parents, money, accidents, and regular life, I think we would all agree there is enough to worry about and have fear over. So what's the solution? A good first step is to take a look at a person in the Bible who could have had a lot of potential fear of his future and then…
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Ep35 Becoming a True Disciple Pt. 2: A Conversation with Dr. Steve Schell
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32:04We wrap up our conversation with Dr. Steve Schell today on discipleship. We continue discussing the question: how do I become a disciple? And we also talk about how to stay a disciple our whole life. Pastor Steve brings his usual deep insights to any conversation, so you don't want to miss this episode!…
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Ep34 Becoming A True Disciple: A Conversation with Dr. Steve Schell
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23:26Our very special guest, Dr. Steve Schell, is going to help us in this episode to truly understand how to become a sold out disciple of Jesus. Prepare to be engaged and challenged!By Katrin Hagman
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