The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast

Question to consider: Does prayer change God’s mind?  We often think if God answers our prayers in the way we want Him to, it validates He heard us, values and loves us. But we can easily become attached to our idea of what the outcome to those prayers should be. But what if prayer is supposed to release us from carrying the weight of the outcomes of our prayers? What if, instead, prayer is supposed to be us trusting God will provide peace no matter the outcome? Join Lysa TerKeurst and Joel Muddamalle as we unpack three truths to bring into our prayer lives and tackle the question: Does prayer change God’s mind? You might be surprised by the answer.Related Resources:- When we hear or read a teaching or sermon that challenges us, it's natural to ask, "Now what?" What do we do with the information we’re given? How should this affect us? How should it change or transform us? That’s why we created, “Now What?” A Guide to Process & Apply Biblical Messages, to help you take action with the next practical step to be able to apply that message. - How do we trust God with certainty when our situations seem so uncertain? Identify your trust issues with the Lord and how to overcome them in Lysa TerKeurst’s latest Bible study, Trustworthy: Overcoming Our Greatest Struggles to Trust God. To download the transcript for this episode, click here.

What could church history teach me that would be helpful to me today? Those authors and what they wrote feel out of date, out of time, and out of context for life here and now. But let's consider a quote from Winston Churchill, “Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”   On this episode of the podcast, Joel Muddamalle shows us why it’s crucial to apply the good from history so we are able to prevent repeating mistakes. We will look at how people have responded heroically in the midst of tragedy and crisis that was outside of their control, just like any crisis we find ourselves in. More than that, this episode unpacks how we can respond with the hope of Christ in a desperate, hurting world.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

Do I have to get past all my weaknesses before God can use me?    At some point or another, we've all battled the negative narrative of I can't or I'm not worthy. But those lies we tell ourselves are not true. In each of us is a hidden potential that God is ready to use.  Today's guest, author Wendy Pope, teaches us about our own hidden potential using the story of Moses in the book of Exodus. Wendy shows us how to replace those lies with this truth: God will not allow our failures and past to exempt us from our potential. In fact, He'll use them! 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!   - Purchase Wendy's book, Hidden Potential, from the Proverbs 31 Ministries Bookstore. Every purchase you make from us goes back to funding ministry initiatives, like this podcast!   - Connect with Wendy on Instagram and Facebook. Click here to download the transcript for this episode. 

We all want to be happy. But what is true happiness? And how do we find it?  In this episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast we are joined by our friend, Derwin Gray, the lead pastor of Transformation Church and author of The Good Life: What Jesus Teaches about Finding True Happiness. Using Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount, Derwin helps us unpack three ways to find true happiness.  You'll learn that the happiness you long for is found in becoming the person you were created to be. This “happiness” is not found in what we accomplish; it comes through what God is accomplishing in us to make our hearts like His. Happiness can be found daily, by sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening and learning from Him.Related Resources: - - Purchase Derwin's new book, The Good Life: What Jesus Teaches about Finding True Happiness.  - Here’s what our president, Lysa TerKeurst, said about Derwin’s book: "This book has the most solid teaching on happiness I've ever read. Not only is this message helpful but it's also refreshingly honest and carefully researched. This is wisdom I've personally seen Pastor Derwin live out both through these pages and in everyday life."  - 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.-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 life is hard and we see suffering all around, it's easy to wonder, does God really love me? And if God does love me, where exactly is He in all this? Is He really who He says He is, who I believed Him to be, who the Bible tells me about?  Today on the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, our guest, Kia Stephens, uses the story of Hagar in Genesis to tackle these difficult questions. In this episode, she will unpack five truths that we can believe about the love of God in the midst of our difficult situations.  You’ll learn that in the midst of feeling lonely, desperate and doubtful, God meets you right where you are with exactly what you need. Because He loves you, He sees you. He hears you. And He will restore you. Related Resources:Receive daily, biblical encouragement from women who get you and what you’re going through delivered straight to your inbox when you sign up for our FREE Encouragement for Today devotions.Connect with Kia, find out more information on “The Father Swap,” and more on her website at kiastephens.com.Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

When we go through trials, it’s easy to wonder, is this from God or caused by God? Am I under attack?  Today on the Proverbs 31 Podcast, Wendy Blight, our Online Bible Studies Biblical Content Specialist, addresses these questions in her teaching on the armor of God from Ephesians 6. Wendy shares a five-step process for praying through the armor of God, using the letters A-R-M-O-R. You’ll discover what each piece of the armor of God means, why you need it, and the importance of guarding your heart and mind on a daily basis.   Whatever you’re facing today, friend, you can rejoice knowing God’s already equipped you with what you need to stand victoriously.Related Resources: Purchase Wendy's book, Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner, to learn more about Wendy’s story and her relationship with the Lord. Our Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner Teaching Series includes teachings on fasting, spiritual discipline, studying and memorizing Scripture, and more! Click here to get access to the teachings. Click here to download Wendy's Armor of God prayer. Download our free First 5 app to spend the first five minutes of your day in God’s Word. No matter where you are in your faith journey, we hope you’ll join us in the app today! Click here to download the transcript for this episode. 

Chances are, at some point or another, you’ve found yourself “in the middle of something” in life and you can’t help but ask the question: How long will this last? If you're reading this in 2020, maybe your “in the middle” is the COVID-19 pandemic, or maybe you find yourself in the middle of a battle with infertility or navigating a difficult family relationship.  No matter what "middle" we find ourselves in, it's hard to move forward when we don't know how long this season will last. In the midst of managing the tension, we can either spiral up or we can spiral down. On this episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, our co-host, Kaley Olson, shares Truth that's helpful to you right now.    "3 Things to Consider When You're in the Middle" uses Scripture to remind you of who God is, how He is faithful, what that means for us and how to share that with others.Related Resources:Check out our FREE resource library! We've got tons of devotions, prayers and other tools you can download.If you would like to support Proverbs 31 Ministries as we continue to provide free resources during these uncertain times, you can make a donation here.Click here to download the transcript for this episode. 

In times of uncertainty, our tendency is to hold tightly to everything we have. We want to feel safe and in control of the things we can control. But what if instead, we choose to let go, open our hands and pray prayers of surrender? What if God is calling us to trust Him more with everything?  In this episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, author and pastor Craig Groeschel sits down with Kendra Schwarz and discusses a two-word prayer that can change everything: Send me. You'll find that praying "send me" might not mean you'll be sent to another physical location, but it always means you'll be nudged out of your comfort zone. You'll learn why when you pray dangerously, you can't live life the same. And that's a good thing. Click the links below to check out the resources we mention in this episode of the podcast: 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! Grab a copy of Dangerous Prayers by Craig Groeschel here. Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

We all want to know what God’s will is for our life, right? And wouldn't it be so much easier if there were a formula we could follow to know exactly what to do next?    In this episode of the podcast, Shae Tate offers a new approach to think about the term "calling" by beginning with our call to a daily relationship with the Lord. You'll learn that no matter what your mission field is — your school, home, career or ministry — God is calling you to use your story to bring others to Himself.  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.  

When we face fear, it’s hard to know how to pray for God’s covering and protection in the moment. What passage of Scripture speaks to what I’m facing? Where can we find what we need in the Bible?   In this episode, author and speaker Nicki Koziarz teaches us practical ways to pray God’s principles and promises over our situations using Psalm 91 as a guide. You'll learn to take one small step of faith in the midst of your fears, instead of doubting God will come through.   Click the links below to check out the resources we mention in this episode of the podcast: Connect with Nicki on her blog and on her InstagramSubscribe to our Encouragement for Today DevotionsRead Nicki’s devotion “When Our Feet Face Fear"Sign up to learn more about our She Speaks ConferenceVisit the Proverbs 31 Ministries Prayer WallClick here to download the transcript for this episode.