Psalm 110 doesn’t mention a manger, shepherds, or angels. Yet it gives us one of the clearest pictures of who the baby in Bethlehem really is: the eternal King and Priest who will rule over all and bring His people back to God. 

In this Christmas episode, we trace how Psalm 110 reveals the identity and mission of the Messiah and how the New Testament writers apply this ancient psalm directly to Jesus. 

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Why it matters that Psalm 110 is “a Psalm of David” and how Jesus Himself uses that authorship to reveal the Messiah’s greatness 
• What it means for the Messiah to sit at God’s right hand and how that image explains the authority and scope of His reign
• How the promise that enemies will become a “footstool” points to a final, decisive victory over all evil and opposition to God
• The surprising declaration that the Messiah is “a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” and why that matters more than the Levitical priesthood
• How Matthew 22, Acts 2, and 1 Corinthians 15 each reach back to Psalm 110 to identify Jesus as David’s Lord, God’s chosen King, and our eternal Priest 
• What Psalm 110 adds to our understanding of Christmas: not just the birth of a child, but the arrival of the One who will rule, judge, and reconcile forever

After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer, richer vision of who Jesus is at Christmas, not only the promised son of David, but the greater Lord whom David himself calls “my Lord.” You’ll see how Psalm 110 anchors the Christmas story in God’s larger purpose: a reigning King, a forever Priest, and a sure promise that history is moving toward the day when every enemy is subdued and God’s people stand secure in His kingdom.

Series: Christmas

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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How can a believer live with real confidence that they belong to God, even while they still struggle with sin? 

In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, Krisan Marotta walks through key New Testament passages to show how God marks His people inwardly (by a changed heart that endures through testing) and how that mark becomes the basis of true assurance of salvation. 

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Why the question “How do I know I’m saved?” is not only common but crucial
• The biblical idea of God “marking” His people—not outwardly, but by circumcising the heart
• How holiness is first a change in direction of the heart, not instant moral perfection
• The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 and what these qualities reveal about a heart inclined toward God 
• How the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 describe the inner life of those who will enter the kingdom of heaven 
• The difference between sinners who don’t care about their sin and “righteous sinners” who grieve it and hunger for righteousness
• Why common approaches to assurance—like relying on a remembered prayer or only on God’s general promises—can give false or incomplete comfort 
• How Romans 5 teaches that tested faith, proven through suffering and perseverance, produces a hope that “does not put us to shame” 
• Why God uses trials to reveal, both to us and to others, that His Spirit is truly at work in our hearts

After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer, more biblically grounded understanding of assurance. You’ll see that the evidence of salvation is not a flawless life or a perfectly steady heart, but a tested faith that continues to seek God, hate sin, and long for His kingdom. And you’ll be encouraged to view your trials not as proof that God has abandoned you, but as the very means by which He makes it visible that you belong to Him.

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we confront a bold question: “How do you know you’re truly in the faith?” Drawing on Paul the Apostle’s letter to the church at Corinth (2 Corinthians 12–13), we explore how genuine faith is more than appearances, more than impressive speech or credentials. It’s about the living power of Christ at work in weakness and integrity in community.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Why Paul refused financial support from the Corinthians and what that taught about his motives and their spiritual health.
• How Paul responded to accusations of deceit and weakness—not by hiding, but by pointing to God’s power in human frailty.
• The challenge and invitation of Paul’s command to “examine yourselves” to see whether you are in the faith.
• The difference between outward appearances (strong, impressive, successful) and the reality of Christ’s power working through brokenness.
• How Paul’s ultimate aim was not his own reputation but the restoration, maturity and unity of the church.

After listening you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how the gospel changes the way you view strength and weakness. You’ll feel encouraged that authentic faith isn’t about putting on a show—it’s about letting Christ live through you in honesty, dependence, and love for others. You’ll be equipped to ask yourself healthy questions about your own walk with God and your community in light of what Paul lays out here.

Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we wrestle with one of the most surprising turns in the Christian life: sometimes faith doesn’t bring relief, it brings reliance. Turning to 2 Corinthians 12, we hear Paul the Apostle describe a persistent struggle, a “thorn in the flesh,” and how it becomes the very soil in which Christ’s power grows.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Why Paul mentions his weakness and how that challenges our usual ideas of spiritual strength.
• What the “thorn in the flesh” might mean and why God didn’t remove it from Paul’s life.
• The key statement: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
• How admitting our limitations doesn’t mean giving up; it means opening space for God’s strength.
• Practical ways to live when the problem remains, the promise holds, and you are still waiting.

By the end of this episode you’ll understand that faith isn’t a guarantee of trouble-free living. You’ll feel the freedom that comes when you stop hiding your weakness and let the gospel carry you. And you’ll be equipped to walk through challenges with the confident humility that turns brokenness into a platform for God’s strength.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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in this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we wrestle with a tough reality: just because someone looks like a spiritual leader does not mean they are pointing us to the true gospel. Drawing on 2 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul exposes the danger of “false apostles,”impressive-speaking teachers who distort the message of Christ. He invites us to discern leadership by substance, not style. 

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• How Paul uses the language of a betrothal to illustrate the church’s loyalty to Christ and the risk of being seduced by something false. 
• What Paul means when he calls his opponents “false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.” 
• Why eloquence and polish are not themselves proof of gospel truth and how Paul’s example flips our expectations. 
• The role of suffering, weakness, and authenticity in credible gospel leadership. 
• Practical ways to evaluate the teachers and voices you listen to: what questions to ask, what red flags to watch for, and how to hold to Christ even when others diverge.

By the end of this episode you’ll be equipped to recognize when a message sounds right but leads wrong. You’ll feel empowered to trust substance over surface, and you’ll be better able to choose leaders who reflect the true gospel. You’ll walk away with a clearer sense of how to ground your faith in Christ alone and follow him, no matter how polished the alternatives may appear.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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in this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we look at what it really means to confront error with the meekness of Christ. Through 2 Corinthians 10, Krisan shows how Paul stands up to false teachers without copying their showy style, and how real spiritual authority uses strength to serve, not to impress.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• How 2 Corinthians fits together and why this confrontational section belongs in the same letter.
• The accusations against Paul that he is bold in letters but weak in person, and why his opponents see that as a flaw.
• What the meekness and gentleness of Christ look like in real leadership, and how Paul follows that pattern.
• Paul’s “warfare” language and what it means that his weapons have divine power to destroy arguments raised against the knowledge of God.
• The difference between leaders who commend themselves and build their brand, and an apostle who boasts only in what the Lord has truly given him.
• Why Christian leaders must care more about God’s approval than human applause, even when that makes them look unimpressive.
• A modern ministry story that shows how hard it can be to challenge a popular, charismatic leader when the truth of the gospel is at stake.
• Practical ways for churches and believers to evaluate teachers by faithfulness to truth instead of personality, polish, or platform.

By the end of this episode, you will better understand how Paul confronts lies without becoming harsh or self-protective. You will feel both challenged and reassured as you see that humble, servant-hearted leadership can still be strong and decisive. And you will be more equipped to evaluate the voices you listen to, to value truth over entertainment, and to stand for the gospel with the same mixture of gentleness and courage that Paul learned from Christ.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we rethink what it really means to give generously. Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 show that Christian giving is not about pressure, formulas, or getting rich. It is a voluntary response to grace that expresses our unity as God’s family and our trust that he will care for us as we care for others.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• The historical background of the Jerusalem collection and why it mattered so much to Paul.
• How this gift connected Gentile churches to their Jewish spiritual “family” in Jerusalem.
• Why giving to the collection was both an act of mercy and a confession of the gospel.
• How Paul handles money with integrity, including multiple trusted co-workers overseeing the funds.
• The difference between an apostolic command and an apostolic opinion, and why Paul chooses persuasion instead of pressure.
• What it means to give “according to what you have” rather than being pushed into hardship.
• How money exposes what we really trust, and why generosity is part of learning to love God and love our neighbor.

By the end of this episode, you will see giving in a richer and more hopeful light. You will understand why Paul cares more about cheerful, willing generosity than impressive amounts. You will feel encouraged to think about your own resources in terms of family, gratitude, and faith rather than fear or pressure. And you will be better equipped to use your money in ways that reflect the grace you have received and the unity you share with other believers.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we step behind 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 to uncover the story of the Jerusalem Collection. Krisan shows how this long term fundraising project was never just about money for a famine. It was about caring for real people in real need, healing tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers, and strengthening the bond between Paul and the original apostles in Jerusalem.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• What the Jerusalem Collection was and why it mattered so much to Paul.
• Paul’s early, fragile relationship with the Jerusalem church and how Barnabas helped bridge the gap.
• Key moments from Acts and Galatians that shaped the relationship between Paul, the apostles, and the Gentile churches.
• Why the question of Gentile believers and the Law created so much conflict and confusion.
• Why the apostles in Jerusalem asked Paul to "remember the poor" and how that became a long term calling.
• How this background helps us read 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 with fresh understanding instead of treating them as random fundraising tips.

By the end of this episode, you will see the Jerusalem Collection as a living picture of one worldwide church family, not a dry historical footnote. You will understand how generosity can express unity, gratitude, and shared faith across distance and difference. And you will be better able to read 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 in context, with a clearer sense of what God was doing through Paul, the Jerusalem apostles, and the many believers who gave so that others could stand firm in Christ.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we look at one of the hardest parts of real relationships: when to say the hard thing that might hurt in the moment but heal in the long run. Walking through 2 Corinthians 7:2-16, Krisan traces Paul’s emotional journey after sending a painful letter to the Corinthians and shows how God uses honest words, godly grief, and true repentance to restore broken fellowship.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• How this section fits into the story of Paul’s troubled relationship with the Corinthians.
• What was at stake in Paul’s “sorrowful letter” and why he risked sending it.
• The difference between godly grief that leads to repentance and worldly sorrow that leads to death.
• How the Corinthians’ response showed their real loyalty to Paul and to the gospel he preached.
• Practical questions to ask yourself when you are deciding whether to speak up or stay silent with a friend.

By the end of this episode, you will better understand how God can use painful conversations to bring real change, not just hurt feelings. You will see more clearly what godly grief looks like and why repentance is a gift you will never regret. And you will be better equipped to examine your own motives, to speak hard truth in love when needed, and to receive loving correction as part of God’s care for your soul.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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in this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we look at what Paul really means when he warns believers not to be "unequally yoked." Far from a random rule about who you can associate with, this passage in 2 Corinthians 6:13-7:2 is a heartfelt plea for the Corinthians to open their hearts to Paul, turn away from idolatry, and recognize that believers and unbelievers are walking two very different roads.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• How this section fits the flow of 2 Corinthians and why it is not an awkward interruption in Paul’s argument.
• The image of being "unequally yoked," where two very different animals try to pull together, and why that picture helps us understand Paul’s concern for the church.
• How this principle applies first to the local church, then to other relationships like marriage, business partnerships, and close ties that shape our daily choices.
• A simple "stoplight" way to evaluate relationships and commitments: green ties that help you follow Christ, yellow ties that pressure you off course, and red ties that require you to live as if God is not your God.

By the end of this episode, you will see that Paul’s warning about being unequally yoked is really an invitation to clarity and courage. You will better understand what it means to fear the Lord, to pursue holiness, and to recognize when a relationship or partnership is pulling you down the wrong road. You will feel encouraged to love unbelievers well without pretending you are headed in the same direction, and you will be more equipped to make wise choices about whom you walk closely with as you follow Christ.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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What does it really mean to receive God’s grace in a way that changes you, not just your labels? 

Looking at 2 Corinthians 6:1-12, Krisan shows how Paul urges the Corinthians to stop judging by appearances, respond to the message of reconciliation, and treat the gospel like a check you actually cash, not a nice idea stuck on the fridge. 

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• How 2 Corinthians 6 connects to Paul’s call to “be reconciled to God” at the end of chapter 5
• What it means to “receive the grace of God in vain” and why Paul is not assuming everyone in the church is automatically a true believer
• Four core convictions that mark genuine saving faith, not just religious activity or church involvement
• Isaiah’s servant song and Paul’s claim that “now is the day of salvation” and the time of God’s favor
• Paul’s list of hardships and character qualities that actually commend him as a true servant of God, even though he looks weak and unsuccessful

By the end of this episode, you will have a clearer picture of what it means to truly respond to God’s grace instead of letting it slide past you. You will understand why Paul presses his readers to examine what they really value and who they really trust. You will feel both challenged and encouraged to stop judging the gospel by how flashy its messengers look, and instead to cling to the simple message that brings real reconciliation with God and real hope for your life.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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in this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we ask what really changes when someone comes to Christ. Walking through 2 Corinthians 5:12-21, Krisan explains how believers become a “new creation” and why that means we can no longer judge ourselves or others by outward appearances, natural talent, or worldly success. Instead, we learn to see people through the lens of the gospel and God’s work of reconciliation.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Why some in Corinth judged Paul by his speaking style and personal presence instead of his message and motives.
• What it means for the “love of Christ” to control Paul and shape the way he lives and serves.
• What Paul means when he says we no longer “regard anyone according to the flesh.”
• The powerful promise that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation, with the old passing away and the new coming.
• Paul’s role as an ambassador for Christ and what it means to hear God’s appeal, “Be reconciled to God.”
• The striking summary of the gospel in 2 Corinthians 5:21, that the sinless Christ became sin for our sake so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

By the end of this episode, you will have a clearer picture of what it means to be a new creation in Christ and why that truth reshapes how you see yourself, other believers, and even your spiritual leaders. You will understand the heart of Paul’s message of reconciliation, feel encouraged that your worth does not rest on your resume or reputation, and be better equipped to evaluate people by the quiet work of God’s Spirit rather than by surface impressions.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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Facing death is not just an abstract topic for Paul. It was built into his daily life as an apostle. 

In this episode, Krisan walks through 2 Corinthians 5:1–11, exploring how Paul can be brutally honest about suffering and the fragility of life, yet deeply confident about his future with Christ. As he reflects on tents and buildings, groaning and glory, judgment and reward, we see how the hope of resurrection shapes the way he lives, speaks, and serves right now.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Paul’s imagery of our present bodies as “tents” and the promise of a permanent, resurrection “building from God”
• How the gift of the Holy Spirit functions as God’s guarantee that believers really will share in future glory
• Why Paul can say he is “of good courage” even while facing constant danger, rejection, and the possibility of death
• The long-standing debate over what happens between death and resurrection and why it is as a secondary, not central, issue
• What it means to “walk by faith, not by sight” in the middle of real discouragement and pressure
• How the reality of appearing before the judgment seat of Christ shapes Paul’s priorities and whom he ultimately fears
• The relationship between faith and works: why our deeds do not earn salvation, yet still reveal the genuineness of our faith
• Paul’s longing for the Corinthians to see his heart and motives clearly—even as he rests in the fact that God already does

After listening, you’ll come away with a steadier grasp of how the hope of resurrection is meant to steady your own heart in the face of weakness, aging, loss, or fear of death. You’ll be invited to think less about how others evaluate you and more about living openly before the Lord who knows you, to anchor your courage in the promise of eternal life, and to let that coming “weight of glory” reshape how you suffer, serve, and trust Christ today.

Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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When ministry feels discouraging, confusing, or simply exhausting, how do you keep going? In this episode, Krisan walks through 2 Corinthians 4 and traces Paul’s repeated conviction: “We do not lose heart.” By unpacking Paul’s imagery of light in darkness, treasure in jars of clay, and an “eternal weight of glory,” she shows how his battered, unimpressive life as an apostle actually highlights the power and beauty of the gospel he proclaims.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• How 2 Corinthians 4 fits into Paul’s larger defense of his ministry in this letter
• Why Paul refuses to “tamper with God’s word,” even when many people reject his message
• What Paul means when he says the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers
• The significance of “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ”
• Why Paul describes himself as a fragile “jar of clay” carrying a priceless treasure
• How his afflictions mirror the sufferings of Jesus
• Why Paul can call his very real hardships “light and momentary” in contrast to the eternal glory to come
• How Paul’s sufferings serve both the Corinthians’ spiritual good and his own confident hope of resurrection

After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer understanding of why Paul did not give up, even when his ministry looked weak and unsuccessful by human standards. You’ll be encouraged to see your own weaknesses and trials in light of God’s purposes, to remember that the results of faithful service belong to Him, and to keep speaking and living for Christ without losing heart, anchored in the promise of eternal life and glory with Him.

Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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Paul takes the dramatic story of Moses’ shining face and uses it to explain what God is doing in every believer today. In this episode, Krisan walks through 2 Corinthians 3:7–18, tracing Paul’s comparison between the old covenant under Moses and the new covenant in Christ. We see how the law came with real glory, yet could only condemn, while the gospel comes with an even greater glory that brings forgiveness, transformation, and boldness before God.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• How Exodus 34 and Moses’ veiled, radiant face set the background for Paul’s argument in 2 Corinthians 3
• Why Paul calls the law a “ministry of death” and “condemnation,” even though it came from God and carried glory
• What Paul means when he says the new covenant “far exceeds” the old in glory and is permanent rather than passing
• The significance of the veil—first on Moses’ face, then over Israel’s heart and how it pictures both separation and spiritual blindness
• How the Holy Spirit “removes the veil” so that believers have direct, free access to God’s glory
• What it looks like, in practical terms, to be “transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another”
• How Paul holds together two truths: we are weak “jars of clay,” yet entrusted with a glorious message that is worth proclaiming with courage
• The tension between speaking the gospel clearly without watering it down and caring wisely about how our words land on others

After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer sense of what it means to live as someone whose face is “unveiled” before God. You’ll be encouraged to honor the courage of Paul’s ministry, to take your own opportunities to speak about Christ seriously, and to cling to the glory of the gospel even when it is misunderstood, resisted, or costly to share.

Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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When trying harder still leaves you discouraged, what does God offer instead? In this episode, Krisan turns to 2 Corinthians 3:1–6 to explore Paul’s defense of his ministry and his astonishing claim to be a “minister of a new covenant.” Along the way, she shows how this new covenant does not simply give us better instructions or more spiritual effort—it gives us new hearts, written on by the Spirit of the living God.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Why “try harder Christianity” leaves so many believers frustrated, and how Paul addresses that struggle in 2 Corinthians 3
• Paul’s question about “letters of recommendation” and how the Corinthian believers themselves function as his living letter
• What it means for the Corinthians to be a “letter from Christ,” written not with ink but by the Spirit on human hearts
• The contrast between tablets of stone and hearts of flesh, and how that echoes key Old Testament promises in Deuteronomy 30, Ezekiel 36, and Jeremiah 31
• What Paul means by the “new covenant,” and how it fulfills God’s long-standing promise to forgive sin and transform the heart
• The true meaning of “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” and why it’s not about breaking the “letter” but keeping the “spirit” of the rules
• A careful look at Victorious Christian Life / Keswick teaching and why it misreads this passage and misunderstands the role of the Holy Spirit
• How Paul can say he is “not sufficient” in himself, yet boldly claim that God has made him sufficient as an apostle—and why that matters for how we read his letters today

After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer grasp of what is truly new about the new covenant: not a fresh technique for spiritual success, but God’s promise to forgive, to give His Spirit, and to change His people from the inside out. You’ll be invited to lay down the burden of self-improvement as your primary hope, and instead rest in the God who not only points you toward life, but is actively making you into the kind of person who loves Him and walks in His ways.

Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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Paul’s ministry in Corinth was marked by conflict, misunderstanding, and deep personal pain—and yet, through it all, he remained convinced that God was leading him in triumph. 

In this episode, Krisan walks through 2 Corinthians 2:5–17, unpacking the story behind a painful offense in the church, the Corinthians’ response, and Paul’s call to both discipline and forgiveness. From there, she turns to Paul’s striking image of the triumphal procession and the “aroma of Christ,” showing how his fragile, often troubled ministry still becomes the vehicle for God’s victory in the world.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• What we can piece together about the unnamed offender in Corinth and how his actions wounded both Paul and the church
• How the Corinthians initially responded with church discipline—and why Paul now urges them to forgive, comfort, and reaffirm their love
• Why Paul insists that the real damage was not to him personally, but to the unity and spiritual health of the congregation
• The anxious journey from Ephesus to Troas to Macedonia as Paul waits for Titus and news of how the Corinthians received his “severe letter”
• How Paul can say that God “always leads us in triumphal procession” even when his ministry looks weak, messy, and unimpressive
• What it means for Paul’s ministry to be the “aroma of Christ,” bringing life to some and exposing death to others
• Why Paul refuses to “peddle” God’s word, and what that teaches us about faithfulness in teaching, parenting, and sharing the gospel
• The hard but freeing reality that we can speak truth and love others—but we cannot control their response

After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer sense of Paul’s heart: tender, anxious, and yet deeply confident that God is at work through his flawed ministry. You’ll be encouraged to take seriously both church discipline and restoration, to hold fast to the gospel without packaging or manipulating it, and to entrust the people you love—children, friends, prodigals—to the God who alone can make the message of Christ a fragrance of life.

Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church was anything but simple, and in this passage we begin to see just how much history and heartache stand behind 2 Corinthians. 

In this episode, we walk through 2 Corinthians 1:12–2:4, tracing Paul’s “painful visit,” his “severe letter,” and his change of travel plans and showing how all of it fits with his claim to be a faithful apostle whose message and motives are anchored in God’s unshakable “Yes” in Christ.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• The timeline of Paul’s relationship with the Corinthians, including the “lost” letters, the painful visit, and the severe letter
• Why some in Corinth questioned Paul’s integrity and accused him of being changeable, insincere, or unreliable
• How Paul defends his conduct by appealing to a clear conscience, simple sincerity, and God’s grace rather than human cleverness
• What Paul means when he says that God’s promises are all “Yes” in Jesus Christ—and how that supports his ministry
• How the gift of the Holy Spirit functions as God’s seal and guarantee that believers truly belong to Him
• Why Paul chose not to visit them again when he said he would, and how that decision was meant to spare them, not abandon them
• The difference between “lording it over” someone’s faith and working with them for their joy in Christ

After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer grasp of the backstory behind 2 Corinthians and a deeper confidence in God’s steady faithfulness, even when relationships with Christian leaders are strained or confusing. You’ll see how Paul ties everything—his plans, his tears, his letters—back to God’s trustworthy promises in Christ, and you’ll be encouraged to rest your hope not in human reliability, but in the God who has sealed you with His Spirit and is committed to your lasting joy.

2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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Paul opens 2 Corinthians with a personal, almost vulnerable defense of his ministry and a rich picture of how God meets His people in suffering. 

In this episode, Krisan Marotta walks through 2 Corinthians 1:1–11, unpacking Paul’s troubled relationship with the Corinthian church, his claim to be a true apostle, and his confession that he despaired even of life itself. Along the way, we see how God’s comfort is not the removal of hardship, but the courage to endure it—and how that encouragement is meant to flow from one believer to another.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Why understanding the history between Paul and the Corinthians is essential for reading 2 Corinthians
• How Paul’s use of “we” in this passage often refers specifically to himself and his ministry
• What it means for Paul to be an “apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” amid rejection and suspicion
• How 2 Corinthians 1:3–7 portrays God as the “Father of mercies and God of all comfort” in real affliction, not easy circumstances
• The way Paul’s sufferings and encouragement are for the Corinthians’ sake—and what that reveals about true Christian ministry
• How trials make the truths of the gospel move from ideas in our heads to convictions that shape our choices
• What Paul teaches about prayer: not as spiritual “credits” or force, but as an expression of shared trust in God and shared gratitude when He answers

After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer grasp of how 2 Corinthians 1:1–11 frames the whole letter: a rejected ambassador appealing to those he loves, inviting them to see his hardships—and their own—through the lens of God’s mercy. You’ll be encouraged to think more carefully about how God uses suffering to mature faith, how your own encouragement can strengthen others, and how prayer binds believers together before the Father who raises the dead.

2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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Corinth was one of the most influential and morally corrupt cities in the Roman Empire. Yet it became home to a growing church. In this episode, we study Acts 18 to explain how and why Paul founded a church in Corinth, what made Corinth strategic, and how God used unexpected partnerships to advance the gospel.

Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

Series: 1 Corinthians: Pride & Prejudice in the church

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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Wednesday in the Word Season 26 kicks off July 9 with a series on 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts.

Comments? Questions? Send Krisan text

Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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In this episode, Krisan and David John Marotta present a biblical perspective on money. Drawing from Scripture and their extensive experience in financial management, they blend theological insights with practical advice.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• The biblical principle of stewardship, showing how everything we have comes from God and belongs to Him.
• How to use financial resources to fulfill the responsibilities and calling God gives us.
• The importance of work to meet those responsibilities, with practical encouragement for starting your career.
• Common pitfalls like overspending or over-giving, and how to avoid them through balanced planning.
• Practical strategies for spending, earning, and saving/investing, including budgeting tips and the power of compound interest.
• The virtues of justice, mercy, and faithfulness in handling money contrasted with the sins of pride, greed, and fear.

Comments? Questions? Send Krisan text

Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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In this episode of the Wednesday in the Word, we summarize the themes of the Gospel of John as we learned in this series. We focus on John 20:30-31 as a lens to understand John’s purpose and the transformative power of belief.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• The significance of Jesus’ miraculous signs and their role in proving his identity as the Messiah.
• The critical role of the apostles as eyewitnesses who pass down Jesus’ teachings through written testimony.
• The theme of belief versus unbelief and why it’s central to John’s message.Jesus as the Christ—prophet, priest, and king—and what that means for salvation.
• The promise of eternal life and how faith in Jesus offers forgiveness, freedom from sin, and victory over death.

By listening, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of John’s purpose in writing his Gospel and how its themes of signs, testimony, and belief apply to your life today. Krisan Marotta breaks down complex ideas into an accessible overview, showing you how to connect the dots between Jesus’ actions and the hope of salvation. Whether you’re new to the Bible or a seasoned reader, this episode offers practical insights into why faith matters and how John’s words continue to resonate 2,000 years later.

Series: Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life

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Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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In this episode of the Wednesday in the Word podcast, we tackle the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17) where Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure. Jesus addresses both the unique role of his apostles and the universal call for all his followers to live faithfully in his absence. 

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Jesus’ Departure and Return: Jesus announces his leaving but reassures his disciples of his eventual return, offering hope through the promise of his second coming.
• Commissioning of the Apostles: Jesus explains to his apostles their mission and the challenges they will face.
• The Role of the Holy Spirit: Jesus promises he will not leave them alone. He will send the "Spirit of Truth" to eguip and guide them in their ministry.
• Ethical Teachings for Believers: Jesus gives a new commandment to love one another, modeled after his own sacrificial love and service.
• Perseverance in Faith: Jesus explains the importance of persevering in faith while he's gone.
• Assurance of God’s Protection: Jesus’ prays for his disciples and all future believers, promising that they will be preserved and protected by God.

By listening, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the Upper Room Discourse’s historical context and its profound implications for Christian life today. You'll understand what applies uniquely to the apostles and what extends to all followers of Jesus. You’ll also discover practical insights into living out Jesus’ teachings on love, perseverance, and faith in a world where he is no longer physically present. This episode not only enriches your knowledge of the Gospel of John but also offers encouragement through the assurance that, though Jesus has left, his Spirit remains with us, and he will one day return.

Series: Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life

Comments? Questions? Send Krisan text

Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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In this episode of the Wednesday in the Word podcast, we study the narratives of Mary anointing Jesus and his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. These events underscore Jesus’ identity and mission while contrasting the responses of belief and unbelief, culminating in his voluntary path to the cross.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Mary’s anointing of Jesus: Her act of devotion with costly perfume signifies loyalty and foreshadows Jesus’ burial.
• Judas’ contrasting reactionl: His objection to Mary’s act reveals his self-interest and sets the stage for his treachery.
• The triumphal entry: Jesus enters Jerusalem as a peaceful king on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy and accepting the crowd’s acclaim.
• The dynamics of belief and unbelief: Mary’s faith starkly contrasts with Judas and the Pharisees’ rejection, highlighting the complexity of genuine faith.
• Jesus’ acceptance of his destiny: He acknowledges his imminent death as necessary for salvation, affirmed by a voice from heaven.
• The end of public ministry: Jesus summarizes his mission as bringing light and eternal life, urging belief before his withdrawal from public view.

Listening to this episode offers a compelling look at how John chapter 12 weaves together key themes of faith, sacrifice, and divine purpose. You’ll gain insight into the significance of Jesus’ action.

Series: Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life

Comments? Questions? Send Krisan text

Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9. Pre-order your copy now so it's ready on launch day. Visit StartStrongBook.org for more details. 

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