Join The Journey

God’s fingerprints are all over our days, but we can be straining to see them...and sometimes, we miss them! Emma Dotter is joined by today’s devo writer, and Watermark Teaching Pastor, John Elmore. John and Emma discusses how the life of Elijah was full of faith and God’s provision, despite his mistakes. They leave us with the question: How much is left on the table because we don’t pray?   Additional Scriptures referenced in today's episode:  Luke 4:24-27, “Were there not many widows…”  James 5:17, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours,”  Grab a  Join The Journey Journal that coincides with this part of the Join The Journey Reading Plan: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7TCKPR1/ref=sr_1_14crid=3MDHUUF0FW85G&keywords=join+the+journey+volume+2&qid=1686688452&sprefix=join+the+journ%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-14  Join the Journey Jr. https://www.jointhejourney.com/jr/5781-do-you-remember-god-s-promises-to-abraham

Emma Dotter is joined today by Christ Sherrod, Watermark’s Marriage & Family Director. The book is really saying that all of creation is good, but it is never intended to satisfy us. It’s not that life has no point, but that these things are “hevel.” The word “hevel” means “mere breath”. Christ said that the book has made him a joyful realist! Accept that life is fleeting, enjoy this life, but do not forget that this life is “hevel.”   Book, Living life Backwards  Psalm 39: 5, “Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!”  Proverbs 31:30 “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain…”  Ecclesiastes 3:8, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also he has put eternity into man’s heart…”

1 Kings 15-16 can be a passage that is heavy, seeing that we heard about 5 horrible kings. Emma Dotter and Watermark’s Creative Director, David Penuel, unpack how we don’t have to be dismayed when evil doers gain power, wealth or influence. Learning about these evil kings can have believers turn to praise God for King Jesus, who will reign forever.   Additional Scriptures Referenced in Today’s Podcast: Psalm 73:12 & 19, “Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease…” Matthew 20:25-28, “The Son of Man are not to be served but to served…”  Grab a NEW Join The Journey Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7TCKPR1/ref=sr_1_14crid=3MDHUUF0FW85G&keywords=join+the+journey+volume+2&qid=1686688452&sprefix=join+the+journ%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-14  Join the Journey Jr. https://www.jointhejourney.com/jr/5781-do-you-remember-god-s-promises-to-abraham

All of these imperfect kings have wrong ideals for success. Where real success is being faithfulness. When we read 1 Kings, it is really important to keep the Gospels in mind. Israel’s bad kings point to the need for the greater King, King Jesus. Emma Dotter is here with today’s devo writer and Watermark’s City Engagement Coordinator, Parker Primrose.   Additional Links that are helpful:  Find your Serve: https://www.watermark.org/events/5591-find-your-serve  Impact Dallas: https://www.watermark.org/engage/neighborhood/impact-dallas  Here is Parker’s previous episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2-096-numbers-18-8-32/id1600151923?i=1000613969352  Grab a NEW Join The Journey Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7TCKPR1/ref=sr_1_14crid=3MDHUUF0FW85G&keywords=join+the+journey+volume+2&qid=1686688452&sprefix=join+the+journ%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-14  Join the Journey Jr. https://www.jointhejourney.com/jr/5781-do-you-remember-god-s-promises-to-abraham

A lion attack? A disobedient prophet? Today, our Join The Journey Watermark Institute fellow, Hannah Staubs, fills in for Emma and interviews Blake Broekemeier—one of Watermark’s High School Students. Hannah and Blake cover 1 Kings 13.   Hear more from Blake in the episodes below:  How should Christians respond to mass shootings? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-should-christians-respond-to-mass-shootings/id1519875455?i=1000627448066 Should Christians want to win? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/should-christians-want-to-win/id1519875455?i=1000603906076 You get to choose your actions & not your consequences - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey/id1600151923?i=1000628555620  Additional scripture referenced in today’s episode: James 3:5 - the power of the tongue Proverbs 18:21 - you build up and you tear down with the same tongue   The Join The Journey staff team would love the opportunity to get to know you! The upcoming prayer gathering will be held during the normal Watermark prayer gathering (a take over, if you will) on December, 3rd at 5:30 PM. Join us as the podcast family gathers IN PERSON to pray, thanking God for all He’s taught us this past year & looking forward to all that he will do in 2024. For more information:  https://www.watermark.org/prayer    Grab a Join The Journey Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7TCKPR1/ref=sr_1_14crid=3MDHUUF0FW85G&keywords=join+the+journey+volume+2&qid=1686688452&sprefix=join+the+journ%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-14   Join the Journey Jr. https://www.jointhejourney.com/jr/5781-do-you-remember-god-s-promises-to-abraham 

Today, Emma Dotter unpacks the two unwise decisions made by the two “Boams”: Rehoboam and Jeroboam. Through the lens of Proverbs 3:5-6, Emma explains who without trusting in the Lord to guide in decisions we too can fall victim to decisions based on folly or insecurity.   Additional Scriptures in the passage:   Proverbs 11:4, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls…” Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”  Grab a NEW Join The Journey Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7TCKPR1/ref=sr_1_14crid=3MDHUUF0FW85G&keywords=join+the+journey+volume+2&qid=1686688452&sprefix=join+the+journ%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-14  Join the Journey Jr. https://www.jointhejourney.com/jr/5781-do-you-remember-god-s-promises-to-abraham

We are looking at the last chapter of Solomon’s life, which is the beginning of the decline of the nation of Israel. For the man who was the wisest king who ever lived, we really see a huge character flaw and a vulnerability to fall into sin. Today Emma Dotter is joined with today’s devo writer Pon Sakungew! It wasn’t an over night change in the life of Solomon, it was a slow turn of compromises.  Grab a NEW Join The Journey Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7TCKPR1/ref=sr_1_14crid=3MDHUUF0FW85G&keywords=join+the+journey+volume+2&qid=1686688452&sprefix=join+the+journ%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-14  Join the Journey Jr. https://www.jointhejourney.com/jr/5781-do-you-remember-god-s-promises-to-abraham

It is generally understood that the main author of the book of Proverbs is Solomon. The Proverbs are the wisdom of the king who couldn’t live up to his own ideals, and they are simultaneously principles and not promises. Today Emma Dotter & Oren Martin dive into who understanding this book is helpful as we continue to learn about Solomon.  Additional Scriptures in the podcast: Genesis 3:15, “Offspring will crush the head of the serpent.” Revelation 21 & 22 Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child…” 2 Peter 1:21, “Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”  Proverbs 26:4-5, “Answer not a fool…Answer a fool…” Matthew 12:42, “Something greater than Solomon…” 1 Corinthians 1:30, “Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom…” Colossians 1: “Fullness of God was pleased to dwell…”   Grab a NEW Join The Journey Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7TCKPR1/ref=sr_1_14crid=3MDHUUF0FW85G&keywords=join+the+journey+volume+2&qid=1686688452&sprefix=join+the+journ%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-14  Join the Journey Jr. https://www.jointhejourney.com/jr/5781-do-you-remember-god-s-promises-to-abraham

Starting off with the hilarious question you may have heard growing up, “Who do you think you are, the Queen of Sheba?” Emma Dotter is joined by today’s devo writer Steve Pennypacker. The Queen of Sheba was able to right see that Solomon’s wisdom and riches didn’t allude to himself, but all to the blessing of God.    Additional Scriptures in the podcast: Deuteronomy 17:16 Rules for Kings of Israel Psalm 20: “some trust in chariots and some in horses…”  Grab a NEW Join The Journey Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7TCKPR1/ref=sr_1_14crid=3MDHUUF0FW85G&keywords=join+the+journey+volume+2&qid=1686688452&sprefix=join+the+journ%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-14  Join the Journey Jr. https://www.jointhejourney.com/jr/5781-do-you-remember-god-s-promises-to-abraham

Starting to drift, not stewarding what God gave him well, and that is resulting in a lack of obedience in his actions. Emma Dotter is joined today on the podcast with Wendy Park, who is today’s devo writer. Wendy challenges us with this quote, “I will be faithful to the things he has called me to be faithful to, for the time he has called me to be faithful to them.”   Want to learn more about Kaleidoscope, our additional needs ministry? Check out the link here: https://www.watermark.org/ministries/kaleidoscope  Additional Scripture in the passage: Leviticus 25:23, “The land shall not be sold irrevocably; for the land is mine…”  Grab a NEW Join The Journey Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7TCKPR1/ref=sr_1_14crid=3MDHUUF0FW85G&keywords=join+the+journey+volume+2&qid=1686688452&sprefix=join+the+journ%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-14  Join the Journey Jr. https://www.jointhejourney.com/jr/5781-do-you-remember-god-s-promises-to-abraham