So Much More: Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina)

Dr. Joye Baker has taught and discipled women in the church for more than thirty years. Her heart's passion is to encourage women in their walk with the Lord and share the love and hope that God alone can give. Dr. Baker currently serves as an adjunct professor at DTS training and equipping women for ministry. Take a few minutes to meditate on Exodus 4:10-17 and then listen in to hear where God led Joye. Some highlights from our conversation: How the Lord reminded Joye that when he calls, he will equip. We talk about the promise Jesus makes to the disciples in Mark 13:11 that says, “do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” This was the verse I couldn’t remember. We talk about why being surrendered to God’s will is essential to a vibrant walk with the Lord. Fianlly, Joye gives sage advice on how to handle transitions and disruptions in life. You can find our more about Dr. Joye Baker here And you can listen to her message on surrender here   The exact verses read in this podcast are Exodus 4:10-17 10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” 13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” 14 Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Dr. Tara Jenkins is a powerful and inspiring teacher of God’s word. She is also the founder of Ministry Mates, an organization designed to minister to Senior Pastors’ wives. And she has authored three books. Her most recent is - Enoughness: The Journey to Discovering Who You Already Are.   Take a few minutes to meditate on Exodus 3:1-5 and 10-12 and then listen in to hear where God led Tara.   Some highlights from our conversation: Why the words you and I stood out to Tara and how they encouraged her. When God calls us to follow him, he often doesn’t call us to places of comfort or convivence. God doesn’t promise us a perfectly laid out plan, but he does promise that he will be with us. Why we are enough for what God has called us to. How Tara knows God’s calling in her own life.   You can find Tara at https://tarajenkinsonline.com/ Follow on Instagram: @drtarajenkins Follow on Facebook: DrTaraJenkins   The exact verses read in this podcast are Exodus 3:1-5, 10-12 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” … 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Erica is the founder of Every Life Ministries and is the author of both Bible studies and books. Her most recent Bible study is An Unexpected Revival which studies the book of Ezekiel. She is also the author of Letting God be Enough: Why Striving Keeps You Stuck & How Surrender Sets You Free - which focuses on the life of Moses.   Take a few minutes to meditate on Acts 7:20-25 and then listen in to hear where God led Erica.   Some highlights from our conversation: How Erica thought the Bible was confusing when she started reading it – and how she wondered why she didn’t get the secret decoder ring everyone else seemed to have. God’s very specific timing – in the life of Moses, the nation of Israel and in our lives. How God viewed Moses versus how Moses saw himself… and how this may be true for us as well. The lessons we can learn from Moses’s problem with relying on his own timing and method.   You can find Erica at https://ericawiggenhorn.com/ Follow on Instagram: @ericawiggenhorn Follow on Facebook: @EricaWiggenhornAuthor   The exact verses read in this podcast are Acts 7:20-25, NIV 20 “At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for by his family. 21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. 22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. 23 “When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites. 24 He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. 25 Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Dominic is the founder of Pursuing Faith and the author of a new book Your Longing Has a Name: Come Alive to the Story You Were Made For where he uses 2 Peter 1:5-8, the exact verses we are mediating on, to show us how our souls can and should flourish in difficult times. Dominic has a master’s in theology from the University of Oxford and has served as a pastor, a professor and a missionary.   Take a few minutes to meditate on 2 Peter 1:5-8 and then tune into this interview to hear where God led Dominic.   Some highlights from our conversation: How God led Dominic to write an entire book on 4 verses of Scripture. What flourishing looks like according to Jesus – and how it’s very different than what the world says flourishing is. What Peter means when he tells us to, “make every effort.” What goodness is, according to Scripture, and how we can find goodness in our lives. How Pursuing Faith is helping those who are deconstructing. (If you know someone who is deconstructing or has walked away from the faith all together, this ministry will be a gift to you.) You can find Dominic at www.pursuingfaith.org Grab a copy of his excellent book, Your Longing Has a Name, here Find Dominic on Facebook Instagram @dominicdone Twitter: DominicDone The exact verses we discuss are: 2 Peter 1:5-8, NIV 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Reece is a pastor at Christ Freedom Church – a three-year-old church in Lewisville Texas. He is also a graduate of DTS and an insightful teacher of God’s word.    Take a few minutes to meditate on Acts 4:8-13 and then listen in on this interview to hear where God led Reece.   Some highlights from our conversation: Reece helps us understand why the men are astonished by Peter’s courage. We discuss how understanding where our hope truly lies should give us courage. We talk about the radical grace and mercy that was extended to Peter And we talk about how Reece knew he was called to vocational ministry.   The exact verses read in this podcast are Acts 4:8-13 in the NIV.   The exact verses read in this podcast are Acts 4:8-13, printed below, in the NIV.   Acts 4:8-13   8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Richella Parham is the author of Mythical Me: Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison. She also co-host’s the Friends in Formation podcast and serves as a member of the Ministry Team for Renovaré. Her heart is to help people dismantle their preconceived myths about identity and worth as a way to help them clear a path for surrendering to our compassionate God.   Take a few minutes to meditate on John 21 and then tune into this interview to hear where God led Richella.   Some highlights from our conversation: God’s encouragement to Richella that she can be presumptuous with him – when it comes to him always meeting her with grace and love. No matter what. What the Lord helped her notice about Peter’s “more than” confidence before he denied Jesus and how Jesus reframed this with his questions to Peter about loving him “more than.” That even though it must have been really important for Peter to know what would happen to John, Jesus said he didn’t need to know. What was most important was following God – not worrying about others. How Richella used to create a “mythical” woman in her head that was the best of everyone – and how God invited her to let go of and reframe this tendency to one that celebrates the attributes of others instead of envying them. (Friends, don’t miss this part of our conversation. It’s so helpful and good!)   You can find Richella at: https://www.richellajparham.com/ On Instagram @richellaparham On FaceBook @richella.parsons.parham On Twitter @RichellaParham The exact verses read in this podcast are printed here for your use. John 21:15-22, NIV *Note a few words have been removed from v. 20 to keep the passage focused on Peter   15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” 20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. … 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Julie holds a Master's and a Doctor of Educational Ministry degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. She is the host of The Bearing Life Podcast and the author of two books with a third releasing in early 2023. Her heart is to use her voice and experience to equip others to define steps and practical ways to move through and beyond the fallout of unplanned events.    Take a few minutes to meditate on Matthew 26 and then tune into this interview to hear where God led Julie.   Some highlights from our conversation: Julie’s ministry to equip people with practical compassion How she imagined the evening in the garden to be calm and peaceful – but also with an air of foreboding. Why it comforted Julie to notice that Jesus took his inner circle into the garden and let them know what he needed. How the Lord convicted Julie about keeping watch and what that means for her life right now.   You can find Julie at: https://drjulieshannon.com/ On Instagram @julieshannonofficial On FaceBook @drjulieshannon     The exact verses read in this podcast are printed here for your use. Matthew 26:36-46, NIV   36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Scott McClellan is the Outreach and Strategic Alignment Pastor at Irving Bible Church. And he’s the author of, Tell Me a Story – Finding God and Ourselves Through Narrative. Take a few minutes to meditate on John 13:3-17 and then tune into this interview to hear where God led Scott.   Some highlights from our conversation: Scott asks a great question we all need to consider – Is it easier to give or receive. He reflects on which one is harder for him. And I imagine you will resonate with his answer. We discuss the heart postures we can have when serving – and how to take on the posture of Jesus versus gutting it out to check the serving box. What transformed Peter and what sustained Peter.   You can follow Scott on Twitter @ScottMcClellan   The exact verses read in this podcast are printed here for your use. John 13:3-17, NIV   Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Natalia leads the ministry Girlfriends in the Word, which has a podcast by the same name and multiple published Bible Studies. Her heart is to encourage women to spend regular time in God’s word. She is also pursuing her masters at Dallas Theological Seminary. She lives in SW Florida with her husband and three boys. Take a few minutes to meditate on Matthew 17:1-8 and then tune into this interview to hear where God led Natalia. Some highlights from our conversation: How Jesus made the intentional decision to take the three disciples up the mountain with him and how he makes intentional decisions to take us places too. How our world documents and shares everything – and how sometimes we need to keep experiences with God private. How Jesus met the disciples needs with both his words and actions. What time with the Lord looks like for Natalia as she homeschools her three boys, pursues her master’s degree and manages her ministry.   You can find Natalia at https://www.nataliadrumm.com/ You can follow Natalis on Instagram @nataliadrumm And on Facebook: @nataliadrumm   The exact verses read in this podcast are Matthew 17:1-8, NIV … Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Mark has served in ministry for over 33 years – as a pastor, a hospice chaplain, and professor – not necessarily in that order. He’s also the host of the podcast, Hope Along the Journey, which helps people experience God’s grace, healing and hope in their journeys.   Take a few minutes to meditate on Matthew 16:21-25 and then tune into this interview to hear where God led Mark.   Some highlights from our conversation: How Mark was challenged as a natural people pleaser to refocus himself on pleasing God. How a Christ-centered worldview turns everything upside down. Why Mark started his podcast ministry and why he wants to share the hope of Chirst through the podcast.   You can find Mark at https://www.hopealongthejourney.org/ And follow him on Instagram @hopealongthejourney And Facebook @hopealongthejourney   The exact verses read in this podcast are Matthew 16:21-25, NIV   21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.