How to Study the Bible

Today, we are exploring one of my favorite biblical narratives—the vision of the dry bones in Ezekiel 36 and 37. This story is a profound illustration of revival, where God promises to cleanse us from impurities, give us a new heart, and put a new spirit within us. We see this promise come to life in Ezekiel's vision of dry bones being reassembled and brought back to life through the breath of God. This story has connections to other parts of the Bible. We see the theme of God breathing life into humanity, from the creation of Adam to Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit onto his disciples in John 20. This act of revival is not just about being physically alive; it's about being spiritually awakened and empowered by God's Spirit. Revival is not exclusive to certain people or moments. It's available to all of us, regardless of where we are or what we're going through. God is constantly ready to breathe life into our dry bones, renewing us day by day. It's not something we can generate on our own; it's a gift from God that we receive when we surrender to Him. No matter where you are or what you're facing, God is a God of revival, and He's ready to breathe new life into you. RESOURCES: Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/  Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/  Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com FOLLOW NICOLE:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome back to another episode of How to Study the Bible. I'm Nicole Unice, and today we're continuing our journey through Scripture, focusing on words to build our lives upon in 2024. This week, we're diving into the concept of "restore" and what it means for God to restore us. Firstly, I want to express my gratitude to all the new listeners who've joined us, especially those who've been drawn in by our 2024 series. It's heartwarming to see you exploring earlier episodes where we laid out our Bible study method. Remember, this isn't about relying solely on devotions or studies by others; it's about encountering God directly through His Word. I'm also excited to announce my upcoming book, "Not What I Signed Up For," releasing in March. We'll be delving into it in a special series on the podcast later in the spring, exploring resilient faith when life doesn't go as planned. Now, let's talk about restoration. In Isaiah 58, we find a vision of what it looks like to follow God. It's not about external actions but about aligning our hearts with God's desires—caring for the hungry, fighting oppression, and being a light in the darkness. This chapter promises that as we align with God, we'll experience personal restoration and become restorers ourselves. I've identified four types of restoration that God promises: Joy of Salvation: Psalm 51:12 encourages us to pray for the restoration of the joy of our salvation, reminding us to approach each day with a willing spirit. Restoration of Life: Psalm 71:20 and 1 Peter 5:10 assure us that despite our troubles, God will restore our lives, making us strong, firm, and steadfast. Restoration of Everything: Acts 3:21 speaks of a time when Jesus will restore everything, fulfilling the promises made through the prophets. Restoration of Fortunes: This Old Testament phrase isn't about wealth but about a fullness of life, safety, and experiencing the richness of God. As we embrace these promises, we can pray for restoration in our daily lives while holding onto the eternal hope of complete restoration in God's kingdom. This hope can indeed transform our everyday experiences, from our work life to our personal relationships. RESOURCES: Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/  Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/  Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com FOLLOW NICOLE:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Acts 4:13 shows us the courage of Peter and John, ordinary men who astonished others because they had been with Jesus. This courage is not about worldly qualifications but about the transformative relationship with Jesus. Jesus often encouraged people to take heart or have courage, usually in the context of inner transformation. In Matthew 9, He tells a paralyzed man and a woman with a bleeding issue that their faith has healed them, linking courage to forgiveness and healing. In John 16:33, Jesus promises that despite trouble in the world, we can take heart because He has overcome the world. This episode invites us to consider how courage, as an invitation for 2024, connects to Jesus' promises of healing, forgiveness, and presence. Reflect on how these promises can cultivate courage in your life and bring you closer to God's transformative power. Remember, courage comes from within, from the deep work Jesus is doing in us. It's not something we manufacture but something that grows from our relationship with Him. Take heart in knowing that you're on the right team with Jesus, who has overcome the world.   MY NEW BOOK: As we celebrate our fourth anniversary, I'm reminded of how this podcast began as a small project from my book "Help My Bible is Alive." It's been a journey of finding comfort and encouragement in God's Word, and I'm grateful for the community we've built. I'm excited to announce my new book, "Not What I Signed Up For," and encourage you to check out the free download of the intro and chapter one: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupforbook   RESOURCES: Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/  Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/  Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com   FOLLOW NICOLE:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We’re continuing our word of the year series with a focus on the word JOY this week. (Be sure to listen to last week’s episode on Trust and Isaiah 40 if you missed it). This week, I want to introduce you to a study tool in the back of your Bible called the concordance. A concordance is an alphabetical index of words used in the Bible and the main Bible references where the word occurs. This week, I’m using my concordance to help me study the word joy. I loved this phrase in my concordance. It's from 1 Peter 1:8 and it says, “an inexpressible and glorious joy.” Inexpressible and glorious? That is the kind of joy that I want to find! That is the kind of joy that I want to invite all of you to find as well. I flipped back over to 1 Peter, and much to my surprise, even though this is a familiar passage, it still struck me anew when I read it. So let me read you our passage for today, and then we're going to walk through our Bible study method. This joy is intriguing because it's mentioned in the context of suffering and trials, challenging us to understand how we can experience such profound joy amidst difficulties. We start by asking, "What does it say?" and realize that to understand the passage fully, we need to consider the preceding verses. Peter is essentially pulling us into a huddle, reminding us of the living hope we have through Jesus Christ's resurrection and the inheritance that awaits us – imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. The joy mentioned is not dependent on external circumstances but is an internal energy that remains undisturbed by life's storms. It's accessible and available to us in Christ, though we may need to ask for it repeatedly. So, if you're seeking joy or it's been absent from your life, perhaps this is your word and your year to embrace it. Remember, joy is always within reach, and it's our inheritance as believers in Christ. RESOURCES: Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/  Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/  Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com FOLLOW NICOLE:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about the importance of spending time at the beginning of the year reflecting on the previous year and thinking about the year to come, rather than rushing into setting New Year's resolutions. It is God who orders our steps and therefore, let’s spend time listening to what God has for us this year as we step into Bible Study. The central question posed in this episode is: What is the evidence for your trust in God? I challenge listeners to think about what external signs in their lives demonstrate their trust in God. We explore the idea that trust in God often grows through seasons of struggle and uncertainty and that these difficult times can lead to a deeper and more profound trust in Him. We dive into Isaiah 40, a chapter that doesn't explicitly mention trust but sets the stage for understanding how to trust in God. The passage begins with a message of comfort and a vision of a future where every obstacle is made straight, revealing the glory of God to all. It contrasts the greatness and power of God with the fleeting nature of human life, emphasizing God's sovereignty over creation and His tender care for us. RESOURCES: Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/  Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/  Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com FOLLOW NICOLE:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever chosen a word for the year? Whether you pick a word each year or never have before, I think this episode will help you order your life in the year to come. If you don't know what your word is, today might be a great day for you to hear some of the things that we are promised in Christ that you in faith can claim for yourself for 2024. Keep in mind, each of these words requires faith. Looking ahead to 2024 with these 5 words: Trust: Isaiah 40 Joy: 1 Peter 1:6-9 Courage: Acts 4:13 Restore: Isaiah 58:10-12 Revive: Ezekiel 36:25-27 RESOURCES: Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/  Sign Up for Nicole's Newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/  Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com FOLLOW NICOLE:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This episode was part of our summer series on creating spiritual rhythms. If you missed the series and liked today's episode, here are the other episodes in that series: Week 2: Creating Digital Rhythms That Quiet Your Soul in an Age of Distraction Week 3: Learning to be Shaped by Scripture: Creating a Spiritual Rhythm of Bible Study Week 4: Creating Rhythms of Silence and Solitude Week 5: Finding Sabbath: How to Create a Regular Rhythm of RestWeek 6: Celebration as Spiritual Rhythm: Why Is It So Hard to Believe Our God Is a God of Celebration? The right pace creates the right perspective. The right perspective is wisdom and peace. The purpose of our series:1. Take a minute to think about the pace of your own life. What do you notice?2. What does the way you spend your time say about what you care about the most?3. Is there any aspect of your life that feels overwhelming right now? What does that look like?4. Take a minute to reflect on your life with God. How would you describe it?5. If you could change something about your schedule, what would it be? Passage: Matthew 11Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.– Jesus, Matt. 11:28-30, The Message I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.– Jesus, John 15:5, The Message What does it say?Rest and relationship are God’s priorities-recover your life? What does that mean to you? What’s the backstory?1-3 God, my shepherd!    I don’t need a thing.You have bedded me down in lush meadows,    you find me quiet pools to drink from.True to your word,    you let me catch my breath    and send me in the right direction.Psalm 23 You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in You.– St. Augustine, Confessions, 1.1.1. What does it mean?The Christian life is meant to represent the fruit of the spiritOur Christian character is based on our Christ connection What does it mean for me?personal touch RESOURCES:Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com FOLLOW NICOLE:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleuniceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Merry Christmas everyone! On this glorious Christmas Day we are sharing Nicole's Christmas message from last year on Mary and the visitation from Gabriel. Whether you are cleaning up wrapping paper, making a Christmas feast, or quietly taking in the day, let's ponder the miracle of Jesus' birth and the awe Mary experienced together.  WHAT DOES IT SAY? Luke 1 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY? What do we know about Mary: -she knew some scripture-she was faithful-she was among the believers [not venerated, but in community] Acts 1:14  14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. Mary had no qualifications for being chosen. This beginning also mirrors our beginning when it comes to receiving the good news. All of the good news is contained here: You who are highly favored. In the context of the world, she is not highly favored. When we think of what makes someone highly favored, we tend to think of the examples we have in the world. But that wasn’t Mary at all.  You have found favor with God. [favor=charis=grace] -Not dependent on anything that she (or us) can do. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers. (Deuteronomy 7:6–8) What was given through the Israelites is now passed to everyone: Galatians 3:14 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. The Lord is with you.  Matthew 1:23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).  You aren’t alone. You aren’t isolated. God knows you. *Emmanuel But God with us, as in He comes to live inside us, giving us strength in place of weakness, courage in place of fear, and vibrant life in all those dark places that once felt dead. – Jennifer Slattery The power of being “with”. When people are hurting, we want to be with them. Waiting in hospital rooms. [Brantley/AJ] She receives two promises: highly favored, Lord with you. Crazy surprise – 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Basil Pennington: “my self-worth my value depends on what I have, what I can do, and what others think of me” My false self protects me with: I am what I do.I am what I have.I am what others think of me. My true self: I am. (I am worthy)I am the Lord’s. (I belong)I am the Lord’s servant. (I have purpose) Living in our true self is about a radical acceptance of who we are, based on what God has decided. “Some Christians base their identity on being a sinner. I think they have it wrong—or only half right. You are not simply a sinner; you are a deeply loved sinner.”  David Benner Accepting the incredible surprise of the good news means releasing control. Receiving the gift of our favor is the ability to open our hands to everything God gives, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word be fulfilled.” Radical acceptance unlocks the joy of surprise. surprise-find-shift-change WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME? What sets Mary apart is her radical acceptance to God’s invitation, and what defines us as children of God is our radical acceptance to the same invitation. Radical Acceptance: God has not given up on me, no matter how I feel. I do not need to try harder. My pain and struggle is not wasted. My false self protects me with: I am what I do.I am what I have.I am what others think of me. My true self: I am. (I am worthy)I am the Lord’s. (I belong)I am the Lord’s servant. (I have purpose) FOLLOW NICOLE:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleuniceInstag

Welcome back to the How to Study the Bible podcast. We have something a little bit different for you today. We are in the holiday season and getting ready to round down the year. So we're going to be sharing a few different things with you. We decided to post a few of my past sermons here as much as we can as well. Today you’ll hear a sermon I preached this month at Hill City Church here in Richmond, Virginia. It's about the power of invitation and the virtue of hospitality that we receive through Jesus as we “come to the table.” Enjoy! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We're wrapping up our Bible Highlight Reel series today, as we look at the book of Isaiah and specifically, at chapters 52 and 53. In this chapter, as we are reminded of Israel's exile, that God has not abandoned them. In the midst of this, Isaiah introduces a new character to the story via prophecy: the promise of a suffering servant. In this episode, Nicole and Rachel discuss: 1. How we know that this prophecy is about Jesus2. Why this passage can be hard for us to read and really think through3. Why this is a central passage for entering into Advent (which means "waiting") Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.