Discover the Word Podcast

One proclamation announces availability to and for God: Here am I – or Here I am! From Abraham to Moses to Samuel to Isaiah and eventually to Jesus Himself, those obedient to God’s call say so – with this declaration. How does Jesus Himself provide insight into such a response – when in Revelation 3 He proclaims Here I Am to the church? What does it mean for each – and what can it mean when we utter this proclamation today?

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A simple, yet profound proclamation announces availability to and for God: Here am I or Here I am! From Abraham to Moses to Samuel to Isaiah and eventually to Jesus Himself, those obedient to God’s call say so with this declaration. And they get to see how God provides for their needs when they answer His call. 
The responses from these Bible figures can be examples of how we can respond when we feel God calling us. 
Instead of running or hiding from God, let’s prayerfully and boldly respond to God with our own Here I am!  
 
Reflect  
What was God’s purpose in this exchange with Abraham in Genesis 22:1–18?  
How does God respond to Jacob’s fear in Genesis 46:1–7? 
In Exodus 3:1–10, why did Moses respond the way he did? How did God respond to Moses?  
Why was it difficult for young Samuel to recognize it was God calling him in 1 Samuel 3:1–21?  
Based on Isaiah 6:1–8, how was Isaiah able to go from, “Woe to me,” to “Here am I?”  
How does Jesus’ “Here am I” in Revelation 3:20 influence our own “Here I am?” 

Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You for calling me to follow and serve You! Help me to have the courage to say, “Here I am,” whenever I hear you calling me. Help me to remember that You will help and equip me to answer Your call on my life.” 
 
Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Our Daily Bread subscription 
Listen: 
Answer the Call  
Changing Your Life for the Call of God with Dr. Bridget Kolade  
Read: 
Called by God  
When God Calls Us Out of Comfort   
Watch: 
Outside Your Comfort Zone | Acts 10  
A Call to Something New | Matthew 4:19-22

For those who often feel forgotten, it is good to be reminded that our God doesn’t forget us. In this brief topical study, we consider three people in the Bible who called out to God that He remember them, and we see what He did in response to their cry.

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If you ever struggle with feeling forgotten, it’s good to remember that our God doesn’t forget us. God has promised to never leave or forsake us.  
As we consider three people in the Bible who called out to God and we see that He remembered them, we get a beautiful picture of how God hears our cries and remembers us. 
How could trusting that God hasn’t forgotten you help you, especially in your times of trials? 

Reflect  
How does Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1 comfort you knowing that God remembers you even in your pain, sorrow, and heartache? 
How does Samson’s story found in Judges 16 encourage you that God remembers you even in your times of weakness and failure? 
How does the story of the thief on the cross in Luke 23 encourage you that Jesus remembered you when He was on the cross? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You that You always remember me and never forget me! Help me to trust that You are always with me. Help me to know You are near no matter what trials I’m facing.” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Discover the Word Podcast Archive 
Listen: 
In God's Presence  
Are You There God? (with Sally Lloyd Jones) on God Hears Her Podcast  
The Rebel Next to Jesus  
Read: 
Where Is God When I feel lonely? 
Answered Prayer | Hannah  
When You Pray and God Doesn’t Answer: 4 Simple Things to Practice  
Watch: 
Where Is God? - Psalm 25:6   
Let's Talk About Prayer

Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But in this series of 12 conversations with author Carolyn Custis James, Mart DeHaan and Elisa Morgan discover that this story of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz is not all about romance. It’s about God’s ability to make much of broken lives, and how he calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.

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When Naomi’s world fell apart, she may have felt that she had lost God’s “hesed,” or His sacrificial, costly, voluntary love. But God used Ruth and Boaz to show Naomi He had not abandoned her. Bolstered by God’s hesed love, Naomi can then pour out that love on Ruth, Boaz, and her grandson.  
As we ponder the blessed alliance between Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, we see how God provided and protected this humble family that was in the lineage of King David and His Son Jesus. We also get a beautiful picture of how God wants His daughters and sons to work together to build His kingdom on earth. 
 
Reflect  
How did Ruth “break the rules” to show God’s hesed love to Naomi in Ruth 1:22–2:7? 
How did Boaz join Ruth in “breaking the rules” in Ruth 2:4–17? What do we learn about Boaz’ character and about the power of men and women working together to serve God? 
How can we see God’s fingerprints in Naomi’s life based on Ruth 1:6, Ruth 1:20 and Ruth 2:17–23? 
How do we see God at work in the lives of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz in Ruth 3:1–13? 
Based on Ruth 3:1, Ruth 3:5–13 and Ruth 4:13–22,  how does Ruth’s story embolden you to step out, take responsibility for needs you see, and live more courageously for Jesus? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You that You are always at work in my life. Help me to look for Your fingerprints in every season of my life. Help me to live boldly for Jesus and to share Your hesed love with others.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
The Gospel of Ruth   
Listen: 
God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 2—A “Chance” Meeting  
God Is At Work Part 3—A Strange Proposal  
God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 4—The Providence of God 
Read: 
Transformed by Love  
Keep Yourselves in the Love of God  
 Watch: 
God Loves YOU!   
God's Daily Love

Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But in this series of 12 conversations with author Carolyn Custis James, Mart DeHaan and Elisa Morgan discover that this story of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz is not all about romance. It’s about God’s ability to make much of broken lives, and how he calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.

Receive 
What do we do when life doesn’t follow the Cinderella script? How do we respond when the life we get doesn’t seem to have the happily-ever-after ending that we hoped for?  
Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But there’s so much more to the story than meets the eye. As we dig deeper into the stories of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, we get a picture of God’s ability to make much of broken lives, and how He calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.  
How can the story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz encourage you as you face hardships in your life? 
 
Reflect  
Based on Ruth 1:1–5, how is Naomi’s story similar to Job’s story of suffering? How was Naomi’s situation perhaps even more dire than Job’s? 
How does the end of Naomi’s story in Ruth 4:13–17 remind us that God gives us beauty for ashes? 
How can we relate to Naomi’s laments in Ruth 1:6–13 and Ruth 1:20–21 when we’re going through times of sorrow, grief, or hardship?  
Based on Ruth 1:14-18, why did Ruth refuse to leave Naomi? Who was she really clinging to? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You that You are close to the brokenhearted. Help me turn to You even in the midst of any sorrow or pain I’m experiencing. Help me feel Your comfort and love during any trials I face.”  
 
Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
The Gospel of Ruth   
Where Ya From? Podcast - Fighting Battles Together (Carolyn Custis James) 
Listen: 
The Book of Naomi  
God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 1—The Worst of Times  
Read: 
Journeying Through Grief to Find Healing   
A Season of Suffering – Meeting Jesus in Our Pain  
Watch: 
Running on Empty - Ruth 1:21  
Unshakable Moxie

Do you ever enjoy a good argument? In the scriptures, there are a surprising number of folks who argue with God. This week we'll consider several of the people in the Bible who argued with God, and try to see what motivated them to argue with the Lord and the result of that argument.

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Fear, insecurity, arrogance, and unbelief are just some of the reasons why people argue with God in the Bible. Maybe you’ve argued—or are arguing—with God over similar feelings?  
As we look at the Bible accounts of Moses, Peter, and Ananias, and times they questioned/argued with God, let’s also reflect on the powerful portrait we get of our God for their experiences. God is patient and doesn't simply override our human resistance, but often works through it toward ends that we could never have anticipated. 
How can you trust God even when you don’t understand or agree with your circumstances?  

Reflect  
Why was Moses arguing with God in Exodus 3–4? How did God respond? 
Why did Peter argue with Jesus in Matthew 16:22?  
In Luke 22:31–34, why did Peter argue with Jesus? 
What caused Ananias to argue with God in Acts 9:13–14? 
How did Peter justify arguing with God in Acts 10:14? 
 
Respond 
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 
“Dear God, thank You for being so patient with me! Help me not to argue with You when I don’t understand or agree with what You’re doing in my life. Help me to trust that You have the best plan for my life.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Our Daily Bread Ministries App 
Listen: 
The Times of the Judges | Week 1 
The Times of the Judges | Week 2 
Read: 
Why Should I Trust God? 
To the Spiritual Rebels 
Watch: 
John 11 - Arguing with God 
Jeremiah 33:3 - Getting Real with God