Your Jesus Journey Daily Bible Podcast with Pastor Thad

Is your desire to be a "nice" Christian making you spiritually naive?
In a world full of smooth-talking online gurus and conflicting ideas about faith, it's tough to know who to trust. Today, we're kicking off our study of 2 John, a powerful, short letter from the Apostle John that serves as a direct, no-nonsense warning. Learn how to balance Christian love with absolute truth without being a "sucker" for false teachers. We set the scene by uncovering the identity of "The Elect Lady" (a specific house church!) and the dangerous heresy of the "traveling salesmen" who threatened to collapse the foundation of the Gospel. Discover why spiritual discernment is the ultimate act of Christian love and how to stick to the truth in a messy world.
 
Check out the Bible Study Guide that goes along with this episode: https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/post/intro-to-2-john-hey-nice-christians-don-t-be-suckers
 
Learn more about our exciting out-of-the-box ministry at: www.YourJesusJourney.com
 
Did you know... we create awesome in-depth Bible Study Guides to go along with every podcast episode?
 
Sign up to get them for FREE 👉🏻 Get our FREE in-Depth Bible-Study Guides delivered to your inbox: https://forms.wix.com/r/7330608166566101604
 
Remember, this is the audio version of our live, interactive video podcast which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/@YourJesusJourney

Is there a sin too serious for a Christian to pray about? 🤯
You want your faith to be certain and your prayers to count. But what does the Bible say about who not to pray for? In this deep-dive wrap-up of 1 John 5:13-21, we’re getting to the meat of the passage, tackling two massive topics: Intercessory Prayer and the meaning of the "sin that leads to death." We’ll explore the relationship between this passage and the unpardonable sin (blasphemy), how to gain certainty in your faith, and the mysterious power of your prayers to transform a person struggling with sin. Learn to pray with genuine confidence as we study John's final, foundational truths for every believer.
 
Want to dig into the Bible Study Guide for this passage: https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/post/1-john-5-13-21-who-not-to-pray-for-more
 
Learn more about our exciting out-of-the-box ministry at: www.YourJesusJourney.com
 
Did you know... we create awesome in-depth Bible Study Guides to go along with every podcast episode?
 
Sign up to get them for FREE 👉🏻 Get our FREE in-Depth Bible-Study Guides delivered to your inbox: https://forms.wix.com/r/7330608166566101604
 
Remember, this is the audio version of our live, interactive video podcast which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/@YourJesusJourney
 

Let's face it, some of the most important things Christians should know are also the hardest to talk about. Most awkward conversations about faith happen because we're just not ready. Think about it: we train and practice for so many other things in life.
Got a new product at work? We learn all its benefits and practice what to say. Looking into investing or retirement? We do our homework, ask experts, and learn the jargon. Starting a new hobby? You bet we research all the tools and gadgets.
 
The truth is, we know how to study, research, and practice talking about stuff that truly matters to us. So, let's take those same skills and use them to become better at sharing our faith. We can learn to weave God's Word and key parts of our faith into everyday talks without it getting weird.
 
That's exactly what this Word of the Week study guide is for. We're going to dig into one of the most basic ideas in our faith: being Born Again. It's crucial to understand what it means, how Jesus taught it, and how others explained it. But it's just as important to know how to bring it up in regular conversations.
 
So, grab your journal and a pen, pour another cup of coffee, and get ready for some hands-on training. We're here to help you go from awkward to awesome!
 
Learn more about our exciting out-of-the-box ministry at: YourJesusJourney.com
 
Did you know... we create awesome in-depth Bible Study Guides to go along with every podcast episode?
 
Sign up to get them for FREE 👉🏻 Get our FREE in-Depth Bible-Study Guides delivered to your inbox: https://forms.wix.com/r/7330608166566...
 
Remember, this is the audio version of our live, interactive video podcast which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/@YourJesusJourney

Ever feel like being a Christian is just a never-ending list of rules, or maybe you're not even sure what it really means to be "born again"? You're not alone. Lots of folks get tangled up in what they think Christianity should be, missing out on the simple, powerful truth of what it is. Today, we're cracking open 1 John 5:1-11 to cut through the noise and get straight to the heart of what it means to follow Jesus. It's about getting back to basics: faith, real love, and the victory that's already yours.
 
Learn more about our exciting out-of-the-box ministry at: YourJesusJourney.com
 
Did you know... we create awesome in-depth Bible Study Guides to go along with every podcast episode?
 
Sign up to get them for FREE 👉🏻 Get our FREE in-Depth Bible-Study Guides delivered to your inbox: https://forms.wix.com/r/7330608166566...
 
Remember, this is the audio version of our live, interactive video podcast which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/@YourJesusJourney

Are you feeling like your faith journey is more about checking off boxes than truly experiencing God's presence? Maybe you work hard and play hard, trying your best to do what's right, but God sometimes feels distant. You hear about God's love, but it's hard to reconcile that with the tough breaks life throws your way or even your struggles loving people who rub you the wrong way. If you've ever wondered if there's more to "God is love" than just words, this message is for you. We're going to cut through the fancy talk and get down to what God's love really means for real people living real lives.
Today, we're digging into some powerful words from the Bible, 1 John 4:7-21. Don't let the chapter and verse numbers scare you off; this isn't some dusty old text. This is about the very heart of who God is and what that means for you and me.
 
John, the guy who wrote this, was talking to folks who were having a tough time. They were arguing amongst themselves, and outside forces were trying to pull them away from what was true. So, John laid down a foundational truth: God is love. He's not just loving sometimes, or has love as one of his good qualities. No, His very nature, His core being, is love.
 
Think about that. It's not some deep, confusing idea only smart people can grasp. It's a simple, powerful truth. Back in the day, people thought gods were moody, demanding, or just plain absent. But John said, "Nope! Our God is different. He's love, through and through." This was a mind-blower for everyone, whether they were used to a God who made demands or gods you had to constantly bribe with sacrifices. The idea of a God whose very essence is selfless love was revolutionary.
 
John also hammered home this idea of love because some folks were getting sidetracked, thinking that knowing God was all about secret knowledge or fancy theories. But John said, "No way. Knowing God, truly knowing Him, is about love. And not just thinking about it, but actually living it out." True faith, the real deal, shows up in how we love.
 
Learn more about our exciting out-of-the-box ministry at: YourJesusJourney.com
 
Did you know... we create awesome in-depth Bible Study Guides to go along with every podcast episode?
 
Sign up to get them for FREE 👉🏻 Get our FREE in-Depth Bible-Study Guides delivered to your inbox: https://forms.wix.com/r/7330608166566...
 
Remember, this is the audio version of our live, interactive video podcast which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/@YourJesusJourney
 

Back in John's day, figuring out who was a real teacher in the Christian crowd was a bit simpler. Think about it: no fancy church buildings, just folks meeting up in homes, courtyards, or down at the public square. If someone wanted to teach or share, they had to actually show up, stand up, and put in the work right there in front of everyone.
 
But even then, some bad apples snuck in. They weren't just a little off; they were trying to pull people away from the core truth: that Jesus was a real, flesh-and-blood person. Instead, they spun crazy tales about him just being some spirit, a ghost that looked human. John, though, gave his crew a simple, no-nonsense test to tell the real deal from the snake oil salesmen: What do they say about Jesus? That was the litmus test.
 
Fast forward to today, and sorting out the true teachers from the frauds is a whole lot harder. Why? Because there are just so many of 'em! You can flip through YouTube, scroll through social media feeds, tune into radio programs, or pick up a book – and suddenly you've got hundreds, even thousands, of "Bible teachers" pouring into your ears and your mind. It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack, figuring out who's actually telling the truth and who's just slinging lies.
 
But here's the good news: John's straightforward test is still the best tool in your toolbox. Want to learn how to use it? Let's take a deep dive into 1 John 4:1-4.
 
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Learn more about joining an online small group (we call them Journey Groups): https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups
 
There's lots more to see and learn on our website, from our "what we believe" page to hundreds of blogs. We encourage you to swing on by and take a look around at https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/
 

Have you ever watched the show "Pawn Stars"? In every episode, you'll see people bringing in different items they want to sell or pawn for money. Inevitably, there is a story behind the item and a claim of authenticity. Predictably, the guys behind the counter will banter over the value and try and talk the seller down. Eventually, they decide that they'll need to call in an expert to see if the item is authentic. Whether it's a rare coin, an ancient document, movie memorabilia, or a painting, they seem to have an expert for everything, which is pretty cool when you think about it. Often, the experts do authenticate the items, and it helps the seller get far more money for the item than they were about to settle for. Well, this idea of authenticating things to see if they are real or a fake didn't originate in the pawn shop. The apostle John was teaching this principle long ago. And today we're going to dive into 1 John 3:4-24 to get a masterclass in how to know if someone is a real Christian or a fake. Welcome to the Apostle John's two-part authenticity test that every Christian should learn.
Get our FREE in-Depth Bible-Study Guides delivered to your inbox: https://forms.wix.com/r/7330608166566101604
 
Learn more about joining an online small group (we call them Journey Groups): https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups
 
There's lots more to see and learn on our website, from our "what we believe" page to hundreds of blogs. We encourage you to swing on by and take a look around at https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/
 

Ever feel like you’re waiting for Jesus to come back, but deep down, you're not so sure you're ready? Maybe you’re thinking, “Man, I’ve still got a lot of stuff to clean up before then!” You're not alone. A lot of us Christians wrestle with that feeling – like we’re on a spiritual to-do list that just keeps getting longer, and the deadline is looming.
 
Think about little kids when their dad pulls into the driveway after work. They don't need a lesson on how to be excited; it just bubbles out of them. That pure joy? It's a natural byproduct of the loving time they spend with a dad who provides, cares for, and treasures them. What if our anticipation for Jesus's return could be that natural, that full of pure excitement? What if getting ready wasn't about frantically checking off boxes, but about something much simpler, yet deeper? What if it's about connecting with Him right now, in a way that truly changes how you live? That’s what we're talking about today.
Get our FREE in-Depth Bible-Study Guides delivered to your inbox: https://forms.wix.com/r/7330608166566101604
 
Learn more about joining an online small group (we call them Journey Groups): https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups
 
There's lots more to see and learn on our website, from our "what we believe" page to hundreds of blogs. We encourage you to swing on by and take a look around at https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/
 

Don't Fall for the Antichrist Hype: Why the Bible's "Last Hour" Matters More Than Predicting a Villain
 
If you've spent any time watching Christian movies, reading end-times novels, or even listening to some pastors, you've probably heard a lot about "the Antichrist." It's often portrayed as one big, bad guy, a single person we need to be constantly watching out for, whose arrival will signal that "the end" is finally here. This idea is everywhere, from blockbuster thrillers to hushed conversations in church hallways.
 
But here's the thing: this popular picture of the Antichrist, as a lone super-villain who kicks off the "end times," often misses the mark on what the Bible actually says. In reality, the New Testament's teaching on the "last hour" and "antichrists" is much broader and, frankly, more practical for us today.
 
The problem with fixating on one future, ultimate Antichrist is that it can lead regular, everyday Christians down some unhelpful paths. We might spend our time anxiously scanning the news for a specific political leader or world figure, constantly trying to "identify" him. This kind of speculation can cause unnecessary fear, distract us from living out our faith right now, and even make us wary of people who don't fit our mold of a "good" Christian. It can also make us blind to the subtle ways "antichrist" ideas are already at work in the world, trying to pull us away from Jesus.
 
Instead of looking for one person to arrive, the Bible points us to something much more immediate and ongoing. It tells us that the "last hour" isn't a vague future event, but a present reality that started with Jesus. And when it talks about "antichrists," it's not just about one distant villain, but about real challenges and deceptions that were already happening in the early church, and continue today. Understanding this changes everything about how we live our faith.
 
Get our FREE in-Depth Bible-Study Guides delivered to your inbox: https://forms.wix.com/r/7330608166566101604
 
Learn more about joining an online small group (we call them Journey Groups): https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups
 
There's lots more to see and learn on our website, from our "what we believe" page to hundreds of blogs. We encourage you to swing on by and take a look around at https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/
 

Life throws a lot at you. You work hard, you put in the hours, you get your hands dirty. But what about your faith? Does your spiritual life feel like another endless shift, a never-ending treadmill where no matter how much ground you cover, you just can't seem to get to where you're going?
 
Maybe it's more like a yo-yo: one day you're feeling on top of the world, close to God and clear-headed; the next, you're back down in the dumps, feeling miles away. Or, and this might be the worst, is it just cold? Like you put the kettle on high, walked away, only to come back later and realize you'd somehow set it on the wrong burner, and the water didn't even warm up a degree. No spark, no heat, just… nothing.
 
If any of that hits home, listen up. It's time to ditch the spiritual grind, the ups and downs, the cold shoulder. It's time to discover what it truly means to abide.
 
Get our FREE in-Depth Bible-Study Guides delivered to your inbox: https://forms.wix.com/r/7330608166566101604
 
Learn more about joining an online small group (we call them Journey Groups): https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups
 
There's lots more to see and learn on our website, from our "what we believe" page to hundreds of blogs. We encourage you to swing on by and take a look around at https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/