The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast

Are there books of the Bible you hesitate to dive into?  Sometimes they can seem boring, heavy or just plain confusing. We understand, and that's why we invited, our friend and First 5 writer Kayla Ferris to the podcast! On this episode, Kayla walks us through 8 things you might be surprised to learn from the book of Leviticus. Through this book of laws, we get to see the goodness of the Lawgiver and why God's holiness is good news for us. Understand the cultural context of why some of these laws still apply to us, and why some do not. Tackle the hard and holy things God's Word offers us for a more abundant life today.Related Resources:Download our free First 5 mobile app and spend the first moments of your day with God before the hustle of your to-do list begins. We also have study guides to help you dig a little deeper into God's Word.Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

If your schedule feels full and your soul feels weary, our friend Shae Tate has a word for you today.  Using Psalm 103:1-5 as our guide, Shae shows us the power that comes from remembering the Truth of God's word so we can live that Truth and pass it along to those around us in need. Together we can leave this episode saying, "God has not forgotten me, so I will not forget His promises to me." Get out your journal, friends, because you'll want to keep your notes from this one. Related Resources: Has the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast helped you grow in your faith or gain fresh, biblical perspective? Tell us about it by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. When you review and rate the podcast, it helps us reach even more people with biblical Truth. Our staff loves the opportunity to pray for you. Head over to our Prayer Wall and let us know how we can be praying for you in this season. Check out our FREE resource library! We've got tons of topical and study resources you can download to use for whatever you're going through right now.Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

We've got some good news for you: It's not your job to make everyone happy!  Have you ever said "yes" when you knew you should have said "no"? Maybe you've gotten caught in the trap of people-pleasing. When we find ourselves feeling afraid to disappoint or upset the people we love, it's time to look at what's driving those fears. In this practical and honest episode, author and speaker Karen Ehman will show us what the Bible says about people-pleasing. Addressing different seasons and relationships, Karen will help us bust out of the prison of trying to make everyone happy and put our priorities in the right place.Related Resources:Get a copy of Karen’s book, When Making Others Happy Is Making You Miserable: How to Break the Pattern of People Pleasing and Confidently Live Your Life today!Connect with Karen on Instagram at @karenehman or on her website at karenehman.com Are you looking for a woman who knows how to teach the Bible? Someone dynamic — who can encourage, uplift and inspire audiences both big and small? Check our our Proverbs 31 Speaker Team to find the perfect speaker for your event!Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

The excitement of a new year means new goals to look forward to tackling ... but why is it so easy to find ourselves in the same old cycle of restarting after just a few weeks?    Maybe there's a way to break the cycle. What if it's not about finding a new "how to" method, but it's about finding a new "want to" motivation? In this chapter of her book I'll Start Again Monday, Lysa TerKeurst shares the one choice she made that changed her heart and attitude about being healthy. Learn to break the cycle of unhealthy eating habits with lasting spiritual satisfaction.Related Resources:Purchase Lysa TerKeurst’s book, I’ll Start Again Monday, based on her bestselling book Made to Crave. Lysa offers a new perspective to all those stuck in the cycle of losing weight but then gaining it back, equipping readers with the deeper spiritual and emotional motivation they need to make lasting changes.Aren't sure how to make the most of your time with God? God is inviting you into deeper connection with Him through His Word. Start developing the habit of spending time in Scripture with our FREE guide: The 21-Day Invitation: Steps to Reconnect with God.Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

Sometimes God's protection comes in packages that don't feel like protection.  The Bible says Jesus has overcome the world. But what about when it doesn't feel like it right now, in this situation? On this episode of the podcast, Lysa TerKeurst and Dr. Joel Muddamalle will walk through places in Scripture that show us the unlikely places where Jesus' protection is actually present. We'll learn that just because we can't see what God is doing, does not mean He is not working. Just because we feel afraid, does not mean we have to live afraid. We just have to train our eyes and ears to where Jesus is present in our lives today so we can find comfort in Him no matter the circumstances.Related Resources:Your life is crazy, but your Bible study doesn't have to be. Online Bible Studies is a place where you can dive deep into books by your favorite Christian authors alongside a community of women from right where you are. Check out our latest Online Bible Study now!Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

When we really love our people, we go above and beyond to show them we care. But sometimes, loving and serving others isn't easy, especially when it seems like we are the one putting the majority of the effort into the relationship.  But ... are we really understanding or appreciating the way others might be loving or serving us back, in their own unique way? Today on the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, our friend Amanda Bacon shares the three problems we face when our expectations aren't met, and how to love and live freely out of an overflow of Christ's sacrificial love for us.Related Resources:Your life is crazy, but your Bible study doesn't have to be. Online Bible Studies is a place where you can dive deep into books by your favorite Christian authors alongside a community of women from right where you are. Check out our latest Online Bible Study now! Connect with Amanda on Instagram @amanda_bacon_ and subscribe to her At Night podcast to keep learning from her. Dig deeper into this topic by listening to this episode of the podcast with Lysa TerKeurst,  What the Humanity of Jesus Means for Us. Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

Disclaimer: We want to be mindful of all listeners when we discuss a topic that may be triggering to some, or not age appropriate for children. In this episode, we will be talking about the realities of addiction. Please see our related resources below for additional tools on this topic.  What does it mean to live full and walk free in a world where temptations are on every corner? So often our humanity gets in the way of who we are in Christ, and leads us down paths we don't want to be on.  On this episode of the podcast, Cindy Bultema shares her personal testimony of recovering from addiction and how to live fully and walk freely in Christ. In this honest conversation, we process how to avoid the triggers of temptation, how to get to the root of what causes us to be tempted, and ultimately the freedom we have in Christ to renew our hearts and minds each day. Cindy shares that what we believe about God, and therefore ourselves, matters, and starting with that foundational belief is the key to a full, free life in Christ.Related Resources: If you or someone you love is looking for a Christian counselor, the American Association of Christian Counselors is a great resource for finding one that's right for you. Connect with Cindy at https://www.cindybultema.com/gems/ or on Instagram at @cindybultema. Get Cindy’s book, Live Full Walk Free, to explore Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians and see how believers today can navigate their way in a wayward and confused culture. Subscribe to receive free Encouragement for Today weekday devotions in your inbox. Download the "Temptation Victory Plan" on Cindy's website, cindybultema.com. Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

Deep down, do we really believe that God is worthy of our trust?  We learn of God's holiness in the Bible and sing about it in songs and hymns, but have we let that knowledge inform our faith? On this episode of the podcast, author, teacher and speaker Jackie Hill Perry will teach us what holiness is, what it isn't and why it's the foundation for our trust in God.Related Resources: Make sure you order a copy of Jackie's new book: Holier Than Thou: How God’s Holiness Helps Us Trust Him. In these pages, we will see that God is not like us. He is different. He is holy. And that’s exactly what makes Him trustworthy. As it turns out, God being “holier than thou” is actually the best news in the world, and it’s the key to trusting Him. Your life is crazy, but your Bible study doesn't have to be. Online Bible Studies is a place where you can dive deep into books by your favorite Christian authors alongside a community of women from right where you are. Check out our latest Online Bible Study now!Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

Do you doubt if you can really handle it all?  The headlines are disheartening; routines we just set seem like they'll be disrupted (again) at any moment and life seems so very unpredictable.  When your world seems to be spinning out of control, fear will tell you it's easier to hide from it all rather than face it. On this episode of the podcast, our dear friend — pastor Max Lucado — walks us through the book of Esther to show us that despite how we feel, we were made for this moment. Made to parent our children, reach our communities and be a light in the midst of darkness. In the moments when we feel like it's all too much, Max reminds us to bend our knees in prayer, open our Bibles to fill our hearts with Truth and look up to remind ourselves God hasn't left us. Related Resources:If this podcast ministered to you today, would you leave us a review on Apple Podcasts? Reviews help us reach more people, which helps us accomplish our mission of eradicating biblical poverty! Make sure you order Max's newest book, You Were Made for This Moment: Courage for Today, Hope for Tomorrow, and discover your role in God’s story even during tough times.Did you know we have Facebook groups created just for you? Find community for your specific season of life. If you are a 20-something, wife or mama, click on the link to join.Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

Chances are, your life hasn't turned out the way you thought it would. Maybe you've gone through seasons of brokenness that made you scratch your head and wonder, Why is this happening to me?  Lysa TerKeurst deeply understands how that feels. But in her study of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, she found a new way to look at brokenness: as something that makes us all more relatable, more trustworthy and ultimately more like Christ. What if being blessed actually looks more like being broken?  This is an episode you'll want to take notes on, so grab your pen and paper, and press "play."Related Resources:At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we offer professional and biblical training by industry experts for women who are called to write, speak and lead, through our She Speaks Conference and COMPEL Writers Training membership site. Click the links to learn more!Click here to download the transcript for this episode.