Well Soul Podcast
Life leaves our souls feeling parched. Come away to drink in Scripture, reflect, and pray for refreshment. Seana Scott, a seminary-trained writer and speaker, guides you in this weekly devotional podcast designed for you to connect with God. Refresh your soul at the Well of Living Water that never runs dry.
Well Soul Podcast
Ep. 26 | LUKE 24 | Living with Certainty of Faith
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We all have doubts at times—especially when we have been hurt or experienced trauma. The disciples were no different. They left everything to follow Jesus—and then Jesus died and they thought all was lost.
In this last episode in the Gospel of Luke, consider the wrestling faith of the disciples and the patient love of God for them—and for you.
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LENT GUIDE: 5 Steps for Confession
The 40 days leading up to Easter are the time to reflect on the state of our souls. The practice of confession helps us examine ourselves, turn to God for forgiveness, and walk more free and empowered in the Christian life. Use this guide as a tool to help you in your confession practice.
BIBLE STUDY RESOURCES:
Bible Study for Luke: Latte with Luke by Dr. Sandra Glahn.
Videos for Luke: Bible Project Luke 1–9, Luke 10–24
Well Soul Resources
- 10 Questions to Ask for Spiritual Renewal
- Is it okay to question God?
- S.I.M.P.L.E. Guide to Inductive Bible Study.
- 4 Simple ideas to read Scripture when you don't have time.
- 1 Practice to walk closely with Jesus.
BIBLE READING APPS:
CONTACT:
seana@wellsoullife.com
WEBSITE
NOTE: This is the script used to record the podcast, but edits may have been made in post-production.
Welcome to our Lenten Series, “God, I Need You: A Journey in the Book of Romans”
Lent is the season that begins on Ash Wednesday, when worshippers receive the mark of ash on their foreheads. This remind us of our humility before God, and our humanity—from dust we came and to dust we shall return. Some suggest the ash also reminds us of the ash from the temple sacrifices for the forgiveness of sin in the Old Testament and points us to the necessity of the death of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins.
In Christian tradition, this season is marked with fasting and repentance to prepare our hearts for Jesus’ passion and resurrection. For resources on fasting, prayer, and repentance, see the links in the show notes.
In this season leading up to Easter, we will focus on Scriptures that remind us of our need for Jesus and the power of the Gospel from the book of Romans.
Now, the Book of Romans is rich and layered with Paul’s thick explanation of the Gospel and uses big words that can sometimes feel confusing. When we come across those words in this series, I will help define them for us so we can understand what Paul is saying as we reflect.
Welcome to “God, I Need You: A Lenten Journey in the Book of Romans
(CHIME)
The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Rome a letter to express his love to them and his hope to see them soon— and to help correct some tension that existed among them. Namely, the differences in the local church between Jewish believers who followed the Old Testament law and saw Jesus as the promised Messiah who was to come—and Gentile, non-Jewish believers who did NOT follow the Old Testament Jewish law and came from pagan traditions,. but none the less, were also saved from the penalty of everlasting death because of sin through faith and forgiveness in Jesus.
How were they to live and worship together?
Paul focuses on one sticking point with the Jews—circumcision, the cutting of the foreskin of male Jews as a symbol of their devotion to God and their mark as God’s people. Paul says that true circumcision is that of the heart, by the Spirit. In other words, beyond religious tradition, God sees our hearts.
In Chapter three, Paul continues to be almost arguing with himself, imagining the thoughts of his readers, and contends that a sinful lifestyle—even if it reveals the holiness of God by contrast—does not glorify God. Then in verse nine and ten, Paul expresses that Jews and Gentiles alike are ALL under the power of sin. For there is no one who is righteous. Not even one.
On other words, apart from the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the forgiveness of Jesus—we can never be righteous. We always fall short of God’s glory.
We now come to the scriptures I would like us to drink in slowly today.
I will read it, then define some of the theology words we hear, then read it slowly again so you can drink in the truth and power of God’s Word.
Before I read, take a deep breath and put aside all other distractions, handing to God all worries, all thoughts, so you can be completely focused on His Word.
Come, Holy Spirit, come. Wash us in Your Word.
Romans 3:21–25a.
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.
What stuck out to you from these verses? meditate on that for a moment.
Before I read the passage again, I’d like to clarify a few things. The Old testament law and prophets told about the coming Messiah, as revealed in Jesus.
Righteousness means whatever is in line with God’s character, his holiness.
To be justified is to be set right legally before our holy, just God.
Redemption is to be bought back from eternal death into eternal life through the payment of Jesus’ sacrifice.
And Atonement in Jesus is HIS making amends to pay for our guilt of wrong doing through the shedding of Jesus’ blood.
This is a lot of theology for a reflective podcast, but it is important to our faith to really soak in the immense cost and gift of salvation in Jesus as we prepare our hearts for Holy Week.
Now, I will read the scripture slowly again. Listen to the meaning and power of salvation in Jesus.
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.
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Do you believe?
Take some time to reflect and pray about your faith in Jesus.
Let’s pray.
Thank you for joining me today on the well soul podcast for “God I need you: A Lenten Journey in Romans. I created a FREE reflection and confession guide for this Lent season to help us renew our relationship with God as we prepare for Jesus’ passion and resurrection. See the link in the show notes.
I also invite you to join our well soul community for FREE by subscribing to the Well Soul Monthly digital newsletter. This community resource is designed to help us grow to know God’s Word, walk with God, and live with purpose so that we can live with a well soul. Click in the link in the shownotes to join us for FREE.
REMEMBER TO subscribe to the podcast and share with others so that more people can be encouraged in their faith.
If this episode encouraged your faith, I invite you to help support the production of the podcast by visiting buymeacoffee.com/wellsoulpodcast. For the cost of a cup of coffee you can help others drink in scuprutre, reflect, and pray.
I would like to give a special thanks to my late friend Brian Vasquez, who made this podcast possible.
God bless you and I pray that you have a well soul.
