journeyfirstnlr's Podcast

Book of John: Chapter 21

Tonight we wrapped up our series through the Book of John by diving into chapter 21 and reflecting on everything we have learned throughout this journey—the authority of Jesus, His relationship with the Father, His compassion for people, and the truth He consistently spoke in love. One of the biggest themes tonight was **Agape Love**—a love that is sacrificial, truthful, corrective, and willing to cost something. Jesus demonstrated throughout John that true love is not just comforting people, but leading them toward truth, growth, and relationship with God. We reflected on Jesus appearing to the disciples after the resurrection at the Sea of Tiberias and how even in uncertainty, the disciples responded to His voice. John recognized Jesus first and Peter immediately jumped into the water to get to Him. It reminded us how important it is to stay familiar with the voice of God. A powerful part of the discussion centered on Jesus asking Peter three times, “Do you love Me?” We talked about how this mirrored Peter denying Jesus three times and how Jesus was not condemning Peter—He was restoring him. Jesus reminded Peter that failure was not the end of his calling. ✨ You can mess up and still be called. ✨ God can restore what failure tried to destroy. ✨ The process prepares you for the purpose. We also discussed the difference between lambs and sheep and how Jesus charged Peter to both *feed* and *tend* them. New believers need guidance, protection, and nourishment, while mature believers still need direction, accountability, and shepherding. The call to disciple others belongs to all of us. Another major takeaway tonight: ➡️ Stop comparing your assignment to someone else’s. When Peter became concerned about John, Jesus essentially told him, “Focus on following Me.” We cannot fulfill our purpose while distracted by someone else’s journey. We closed by reflecting on John 21:25—everything Jesus did could not even fully fit into books. God cannot be limited or placed in a box. The more we walk with Him, the more He reveals Himself through every season, process, failure, and victory. If you missed tonight, make sure to catch the podcast replay. Thank you to everyone who has walked through the Book of John with us these past weeks. We pray this series helped you grow deeper in truth, relationship, obedience, and understanding of who Jesus truly is. “Follow Me.” — Jesus

The Book of John Ch. 19-20

Tonight we continued our study through the Book of John focusing on chapters 19–20 and walked through some of the most powerful moments in scripture—the suffering, crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We reflected on Pilate questioning Jesus and how Jesus never lost sight of the bigger picture. Even in suffering, betrayal, and pain, Jesus stayed focused on the promise, the purpose, and the will of the Father. We discussed how easy it is for us to become distracted by life, stress, uncertainty, and hardship and forget that God is still working behind the scenes. One of the biggest takeaways tonight: ✨ Don’t let the process make you forget the promise. We also talked about how Jesus, even while dying on the cross, still stopped to care for others. He looked at His mother and His disciples and reminded them they were family and not alone. Even in pain, Jesus demonstrated love, relationship, and compassion. We spent time reflecting on Mary at the tomb and how she did not recognize Jesus until He spoke her name. The moment He spoke, she knew exactly who He was. That led us into a powerful discussion: ➡️ Are we close enough to God to recognize His voice when He speaks? ➡️ Are we rooted in relationship or only familiar with information about Him? We closed by reflecting on the beauty of the cross and resurrection. Because of Jesus, we now have direct access to the Father. No more separation. No more striving through rituals and sacrifices trying to earn relationship with God. Jesus became the sacrifice once and for all so we could have life, freedom, grace, and relationship with Him. “It is finished” was not the end of the story—it was the beginning of victory. ✝️ If you missed tonight, make sure to catch the podcast replay and join us next week as we wrap-up the Book of John together. There is so much richness, revelation, and encouragement in these conversations, and we would love to have you with us

Book of John: Chapter 17-18

Tonight we continued our Book of John series focusing on chapters 17–18 and walked through one of the most powerful prayers in scripture—Jesus praying to the Father before His betrayal and crucifixion. We discussed how Jesus repeatedly emphasized “knowing” God, keeping His Word, and fulfilling the assignment He was sent to complete. Jesus prayed with confidence because He knew He had done the work the Father called Him to do. It challenged us to reflect on our own lives: “Are we truly seeking and walking in the assignment God has given us?” One of the major themes tonight was “glory.” We often think of glory as praise, but we discussed how glory also carries weight, responsibility, sacrifice, and obedience. “Well done” is greater than “well said.” God receives glory when we keep His Word and remain faithful through the process. We also focused on Jesus praying for His disciples—and ultimately for us. He prayed for unity, protection, sanctification, and for believers to continue carrying the Gospel forward. Jesus understood the cost of discipleship and reminded us that the mantle of ministry, obedience, and sharing truth would continue through those who follow Him. Some key reminders from tonight: * God’s Word has power—our opinions do not * We are vessels; God gives the increase * Unity in the body of Christ matters * The pruning process is necessary for growth * Following Jesus comes with responsibility and sacrifice * The love of God in us is what allows us to truly love others We closed in chapter 18 with Jesus’ betrayal and the sobering reality of Judas’ choices. Even knowing Judas would betray Him, Jesus still gave opportunity, grace, and access until the very end. Jesus remained intentional, calculated, and focused on preparing His disciples for what was next. Join us next week as we wrap up the book of John. Feel free to catch up on the podcast.

Book of John: Chapters 14-16

Tonight’s discussion in our Book of John series focused on faithfulness, remaining connected to Christ, and trusting God through every season of life. We opened with John 16:25-33 and reflected on how often we say, “that’s just life,” while recognizing that many of us are currently walking through difficult seasons. As a class, we defined faithfulness as loyalty, consistency, steadfastness, commitment, trustworthiness, and remaining full of faith even when the process is uncomfortable. Faithfulness means continuing to obey God even when feelings, logic, or circumstances try to pull us away. In John 15:1-8, Jesus reminds us to remain connected to the Vine. Apart from Him we can do nothing. Growth requires process: planting, cultivating, pruning, patience, pressure, and perseverance. Sometimes the moment we decide to grow is the moment life gets harder—but staying connected to Jesus gives us the strength and nourishment we need to continue. We discussed how difficult it can be to fully trust God with the areas we try to protect, hide, or control. Often the areas God presses on the hardest are the places we struggle most to surrender. Yet God desires obedience over performance and relationship over appearances. We also reflected on: * Trusting God instead of leaning on our own understanding * Staying intentional in prayer, the Word, and community * Not comparing our journey to someone else’s * Learning to expect hardship without losing faith * Understanding that obedience is evidence of love for God Jesus prepared His disciples—and us—for the reality that life will not always be easy. But He also promised that we would never walk through it alone. Through the Holy Spirit, God guides, strengthens, convicts, comforts, and empowers us to continue the journey. No matter the season, remain connected to the Vine. God is still working through every process, every struggle, and every moment of growth. #trustyourprocess

Book of John: Chapter 11-14

Tonight we continued our study through the Gospel of John, walking through one of the most powerful moments in Scripture—the raising of Lazarus—and what it reveals about **trust, timing, and truly knowing Jesus. Why Did Lazarus Get Sick? (John 11) Jesus makes it clear: 👉 This happened so that the Son of God would be glorified. That challenges us—because it means not every delay, pain, or unanswered prayer is absence… ➡️ Sometimes it’s **purpose.** Even though Lazarus was deeply loved, Jesus “waited.” Not because He didn’t care— But because He had “unfinished business” and a greater plan. When God Doesn’t Answer the Way You Expect: Martha believed in Jesus—but her expectation was limited: ✔ She believed He could heal ❌ She didn’t yet believe He could raise the dead Jesus responds with truth: “I am the resurrection and the life… Do you believe this?” ➡️ It’s not just about what God can do ➡️ It’s about **who He is** Sometimes we: • Say the right things with our mouth • But struggle to believe it in our heart Like Martha, we can “know of Jesus” without fully “knowing Him.” “Dead” Situations & Real Faith By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus wasn’t just dead— he was “stinking.” Why? 👉 So there would be no doubt about the miracle. If you think your situation is dead… ➡️ It’s not dead if Jesus is involved. **Key Takeaways** ✔ God’s timing ≠ our timing ✔ Delays do not mean denial ✔ Faith must move from head knowledge → heart belief ✔ Trust is built by **knowing God**, not just watching what He does Testimony Matters We were reminded: 📖 When people saw what Jesus did—some believed, others resisted ➡️ When God moves in your life: Go and tell. Your story builds faith in others. The Cross Was Coming Even in this miracle, we see the setup: The religious leaders begin plotting— And the high priest unknowingly prophesies: 👉 One man would die for all ➡️ Jesus knew His time was coming ➡️ But He still had work to finish 💡 Final Reflection Are you trusting God based on what you want Him to do… or based on who He has proven Himself to be? Because real faith says: 👉 “Even if I don’t see it yet—I still believe.” #GospelOfJohn #TrustGod #FaithJourney #ResurrectionPower #BibleStudy #KeepBelieving

Book of John: Chapter 7-10

Tonight Andre continued our study through the Gospel of John, focusing on chapters 7–10 with a powerful reminder: 👉 **God still speaks—and we can hear Him.** Andre shared how during COVID 📖 Gospel of John 10:27 became his anchor: *“My sheep hear My voice…”* His encouragement to us: ➡️ When you seek God, **He will meet you.** 🐑 **The Shepherd & The Sheep (John 10:22–30)** Jesus gives us a clear picture of relationship: ✔ His sheep **hear His voice** ✔ His sheep **know Him personally** ✔ His sheep have **eternal life** ✔ His sheep are **protected and secure** Sheep depend fully on the shepherd— and in the same way, we are called to “stay close, listen, and trust.” 🧠 Christian Meditation: Learning to Hear God We practiced intentional reflection—meditating on Scripture and the role of the sheep: • What does it mean to be led? • What does it feel like to be protected? • How does it change how I see God? ➡️ Meditation is not complicated—it’s “focused time thinking on God’s Word.” ➡️ Sometimes one verse is enough for God to bring clarity and direction. 📖 Abiding in the Word = Freedom In John 8:31–47, Jesus teaches: 👉 To be His disciple, you must “abide in His Word” 👉 Then you will “know the truth” 👉 And the truth will “set you free” Freedom from: • Sin • Worldly thinking • Cultural expectations • False identity ➡️ Relationship with God requires “intentional pursuit.” 📚 Can We Trust the Bible? We also addressed John 7:53–8:11 and the note about early manuscripts. Through textual criticism (like early manuscripts such as P66), we see: ✔ Transparency in Scripture ✔ Careful preservation over time ✔ Confidence in what has been consistently affirmed ➡️ The Bible doesn’t hide questions—it “addresses them”, reinforcing its credibility. 💡 **Key Takeaway** You may not always hear God audibly… but He is always speaking through His Word. ➡️ If you are His, you can hear Him ➡️ If you abide in Him, you will know Him ➡️ And in knowing Him—you will walk in freedom 💭 **Reflection** When was the last time you slowed down enough to truly hear from God? ➡️ Next week: Continuing the journey through John #GospelOfJohn #HearHisVoice #BibleStudy #FaithJourney #AbideInHim #TruthSetsFree

Book of John: Chapter 4-6

Tonight we continued our journey through the Gospel of John, focusing on chapters 4–6 and seeing a consistent theme: 👉 **Jesus meets people exactly where they are—and invites them deeper.** 💧 **The Samaritan Woman (John 4)** Jesus intentionally crossed cultural, social, and religious boundaries to meet the Samaritan woman. ➡️ He saw her fully ➡️ He knew her story ➡️ He still chose her Despite norms, labels, and her past—Jesus revealed Himself to her. **That’s the heart of God: pursuing people others overlook.** 🍞 **The Bread of Life (John 6)** As we moved into chapter 6, we saw the tension between: 👉 Physical understanding vs. Spiritual truth The crowd—and even the disciples—struggled to grasp what Jesus was saying. They focused on the natural… while Jesus was speaking spiritually. Yet even in their confusion, doubt, and “grumbling,” ➡️ Jesus still taught ➡️ Jesus still revealed truth ➡️ Jesus still stayed **Their misunderstanding didn’t disqualify them—and ours doesn’t either.** 👥 **The Crowds & The Miracles** From the Samaritan woman to the synagogue in Capernaum, we see: ✨ Massive crowds ✨ Powerful miracles ✨ Growing curiosity—but also growing resistance Even those closest to Jesus didn’t fully understand Him yet— a reminder that **growth is a process.** 💡 **Key Takeaways** ✔ Jesus sees beyond the surface—He looks at the heart ✔ God meets us in our questions, not just our clarity ✔ Reflection matters—remembering what God has done builds faith for what’s ahead ✔ We must learn to see both the **physical and the spiritual** 🙏 **Final Reflection** Sometimes… **we are the closest thing to Jesus that people will see.** How we love, respond, and show up matters. Let’s invite God into the **small, everyday moments**— so we can better recognize what He’s doing *in us, through us, and around us.* ➡️ Next week: Chapters 7–10 #GospelOfJohn #BibleStudy #FaithJourney #BreadOfLife #SeePeopleLikeJesus #SpiritualGrowth

Book of John: Ch. 1-3

Tonight we continued our study of the Gospel of John, diving into chapters 1–3 and centering our discussion on one powerful question: 👉 **Who is Jesus?** ✨ **Jesus: The Word Made Flesh** John 1 takes us back to the beginning, echoing Book of Genesis and revealing Jesus as the **Word (Logos)**—present with God and *as* God. 📖 Epistle to the Colossians 1:16–17 reminds us: Everything was created *through Him and for Him.* So how did the Word become flesh? 👉 Through the fulfillment of prophecy (see Book of Isaiah 6) 👉 Through Jesus entering humanity to bring heaven’s **truth, grace, and authority** to earth 💡 **Grace, Truth, and the Law** John contrasts what came through Moses (the Law) with what came through Jesus: ➡️ **Grace + Truth** The Law was a guide… But Jesus is the **access point** to relationship, life, and transformation. Truth isn’t just information—it’s **the original, living reality found in Christ.** 🐑 **“Behold the Lamb of God”** John the Baptist identifies Jesus as: ✔ The Lamb of God ✔ The Son of God From the very beginning, people recognized: 👉 *“We have found the Messiah.”* Just like them, we come seeking truth—and find it in Him. 🔍 **Chapter 2 Reminder** We can’t hide anything from God. He sees fully, knows fully, and still invites us into relationship. **Chapter 3: You Must Be Born Again** Nicodemus, a religious leader, came to Jesus at night—seeking answers. Jesus’ response was clear: 👉 **You must be born again** This isn’t physical—it’s spiritual: ✔ A reset ✔ A new life ✔ A personal transformation through the Spirit 📖 John 3:16 reminds us: Belief in Jesus leads to **eternal life** ➡️ You have to believe in life to receive life. 📉 **“He Must Increase, I Must Decrease”** John the Baptist models humility and purpose: 👉 His role was to point people to Jesus 👉 Not to elevate himself This is our call too— To make Jesus known, not ourselves. 👑 **Final Takeaway** Jesus is not just part of the message— He *is* the message: ✨ The Word ✨ The Light ✨ The Truth ✨ The Son of God And through Him, we have **everlasting life.** 💭 **Reflection:** Do you know about Jesus… or have you truly experienced new life in Him? #GospelOfJohn #BibleStudy #BornAgain #JesusIsTheWord #FaithJourney #TruthAndGrace

Book of John: Introduction feat. Brian Roden

Tonight, guest speaker Brian Roden led us into a powerful overview of the Gospel of John—a book often described as *simple enough for anyone to enter, yet deep enough to stretch even the most seasoned believer.* We explored how John’s Gospel stands apart from the others, not just in structure but in purpose. While Gospel of Matthew, Gospel of Mark, and Gospel of Luke share overlapping accounts, John provides unique insight—intentionally selecting moments that reveal who Jesus truly is. 🧠 **Key Focus: The Logos (The Word)** John opens by echoing Book of Genesis: *“In the beginning was the Word…”* This introduces Jesus as the **Logos**—God in the flesh—coming not to conquer, but to dwell among us and reveal the fullness of life. 🔢 **Patterns with Purpose** John builds a compelling case through: ✨ **7 Signs (Miracles)** – revealing Jesus’ power and authority ✨ **7 “I AM” Statements** – identifying Jesus with the God of Israel (see Book of Exodus 3:14) These aren’t random moments—they are intentional evidence. 🎯 **The Purpose of the Book** 📖 John 20:30–31 makes it clear: This Gospel was written so that we would **believe Jesus is the Messiah** and experience **life in His name.** And while John acknowledges there is so much more that could be said (John 21:25), what *is* written was carefully chosen to build faith. 💡 **Takeaway** The Gospel of John invites us beyond surface-level faith: ➡️ Not just to read about Jesus ➡️ But to truly **know Him, believe in Him, and experience life through Him** 💭 **Reflection** Are you approaching Jesus for information… or transformation? #GospelOfJohn #BibleStudy #FaithJourney #KnowJesus #ScriptureStudy #Logos

The Power of Sharing feat. Cherith Dollar 3.25.26

Tonight, was a powerful night of encouragement as we were incredibly blessed to hear from Pastor Cherith Dollar as she shared her heart, her journey, and a powerful reminder: **God is still speaking—if we are willing to listen.** 🕊 **A Word for the Year** Pastor Cherith shared her practice of seeking God for a word each year: • 2019 — *Change* • 2021 — *Joy* (a year marked by movement, family milestones, and celebration) • 2025 — after prayer and counsel… her word became **Rest** And with that word came a scripture: 📖 *“Be still…”* This wasn’t just a phrase—it became an anchor. **When Life Gets Heavy** She shared how **January 2026** was one of the hardest seasons her family has faced. But instead of striving, she and Pastor Brian leaned into the word God gave them: **Rest. Be still.** And in that surrender—they found peace. 🔁 **Confirmation After Confirmation** God didn’t just whisper once—He confirmed it again and again: 📖 Psalms 37 — *“Be still…”* A friend in crisis — received the SAME word Another friend’s devotional — SAME passage Divine alignment without even knowing ➡️ God is intentional. ➡️ God confirms His Word. 🙏 **A Powerful Healing Testimony** Pastor Cherith shared about her sister-in-law: After severe nerve damage and little medical hope… She believed God for healing. She came forward for prayer—not seeing immediate results— but **held onto faith anyway.** And on January 1st… Complete healing was confirmed by doctors. ➡️ Mobility restored ➡️ Medical record documented ➡️ Even the doctor believed **God is still healing.** • Pastor Dave Richard healed from cancer • A woman delivered from insulin dependence after years • Jordan (Pastor Cherith’s son) receiving a positive health report 📖 *“They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony…”* — Revelation 12:11 **A Real & Honest Moment** Pastor Cherith vulnerably shared that even in a season of “Rest,” she felt like quitting. But in surrender, she prayed: **“Lord, take control.”** And something shifted— not just in circumstances, but in her **heart and mindset.** ➡️ Rest is not quitting ➡️ Rest is trusting ➡️ Rest is surrendering control **A Kingdom Perspective** We also celebrated Simeon stepping into purpose—completing his certification and preparing to go to help rescue victims of trafficking. ➡️ Even in a dark world, God is raising up light. 🎶 **Final Encouragement** *“Be still, my soul…”* — a reminder that God is working even when we cannot see it. **Take This With You:** Ask God for a word for your life. Let it ground you. Let it guide you. Let it anchor you when life feels uncertain. Share your Testimony and remember what God has done as it will encourage and inspire others to do the same! Because even in turmoil— **He is moving. He is speaking. He is healing.** #BeStill #TestimonyNight #GodIsMoving #FaithJourney #Healing #RestInGod #Revelation1211