The Bible is the most-read, most-loved, and yet most misunderstood book in history. Is it just a collection of ancient writings, or is it truly the living Word of God? In this episode, we’ll explore what the Bible really is, why it matters, and how we can approach it in a way that not only informs our minds but transforms our lives.
We’ll uncover how all 66 books come together as one unified story pointing to Jesus, and I’ll share practical steps for reading with the right posture, the right tools, and the right goal.
🎶 Featured Hymn: Gentle Shepherd (Hymns on Ukulele)
🎶 Background Music: Break Thou the Bread of Life (Kaleb Brasee, piano instrumental)
Join me as we begin this foundational journey into HIS Story — Told in Scripture, Lived in Us!
The Christian life isn’t powered by willpower — it’s fueled by abiding in Christ daily. In the final episode of our Lord, Teach Us to Pray series, we explore the Tabernacle Prayer Pattern — a biblical, step-by-step pathway into God’s presence. From thanksgiving in the outer court to intercession in the Holy of Holies, each station points to Jesus and shows us how to draw near to Him every day.
We’ll walk through all seven stations, accompanied by short example prayers, as we discover how this pattern helps us remove barriers, deepen intimacy, and live in the Spirit’s strength instead of our own.
Hymn Feature: Abide With Me
Primary Scripture: John 15:4–5
Supporting Scriptures: Psalm 100:4, Psalm 103:2–5, Romans 12:1, Isaiah 11:2, Joshua 1:8, Proverbs 18:10, 1 Timothy 2:1–4
Listen and learn how to turn prayer from a duty into a daily abiding relationship with Jesus.
Featured Music:
🎵 Abide With Me – Reawaken Hymns – Watch here
🎵 Abide With Me (Piano Instrumental with Lyrics) – Kaleb Brasee – Watch here
Intercession is love in action — especially when we pray for others to know Jesus. In this episode, we explore 1 Timothy 2:1–4 and discover five biblical ways to pray for the lost, drawn from the Pray First guide. You’ll learn how to align your prayers with God’s heart, invite His power into someone’s life, and participate in the miracle of salvation.
Featuring the hymn Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me by Three Reds, and background piano by Kaleb Brasee.
In this episode of HIS Story, we explore what makes some prayers powerful while others fall flat. From Jacob wrestling with God to the woman with the issue of blood, Scripture shows that God honors fervent, faith-filled, and even desperate prayer.
We’ll learn from the examples of Jesus, the prophets, and ordinary people whose prayers moved heaven—and how our own prayer life can grow deeper when fueled by faith.
Featuring insights from E.M. Bounds and R.A. Torrey, we’ll see why prevailing prayer is about relationship, persistence, and confidence in God’s ability to act.
Featured Music:
I Am Thine O Lord, I Have Heard Thy Voice (Draw Me Nearer) | BEKOFI Creative Hub – Watch on YouTube
I Am Thine O Lord (Draw Me Nearer) – Piano Instrumental Hymn with Lyrics | Kaleb Brasee – Watch on YouTube
Primary Scriptures: James 5:16–18; Genesis 32:24–30
Supporting Scriptures: Luke 8:43–48; Luke 7:1–10; Luke 18:1–8; Mark 9:24; Luke 22:44; Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 15:21–28
Too often, prayer becomes our last resort—something we turn to when nothing else works. But Jesus modeled a different approach: prayer as our first response, not our last resort.
In this episode of HIS Story, we contrast the reactive prayer of King Saul with the proactive posture of Nehemiah, explore the transformative “Pray First” pattern, and reflect on how beginning each day with surrender brings peace, clarity, and strength.
You’ll learn how to:
Plus, we close with a timeless reminder from the beloved hymn “I Need Thee Every Hour.”
Let’s stop reacting—and start responding.
Let’s pray first.
🎵 Featured Music:
Episode 46 – The Power Is in the Secret Place
We long for spiritual power—but are we willing to meet God in the secret place? In this episode of HIS Story, we explore the life-changing power of private prayer. Jesus said to pray in secret—and promised our Father would meet us there. We'll unpack the hidden strength that comes from being alone with God, explore the practice of praying Scripture, and highlight the wisdom of prayer warriors like E.M. Bounds and R.A. Torrey.
You’ll also hear about how quiet morning hours—once filled with delivering newspapers—have become sacred time for prayer, creativity, and communion with God.
This episode features the hymn “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” with music by LoudVoice (Linus, Randy, Shaun, and Rap) and Kaleb Brasee’s piano instrumental accompaniment you'll hear in the background.
Whether you’re feeling dry, busy, or burned out—this is your invitation to return to the quiet place where the real work gets done.
Music Credit:
“Sweet Hour of Prayer” by LoudVoice | Linus, Randy, Shaun, Rap
Piano background: “Sweet Hour of Prayer (and thanks to you all!)” – Kaleb Brasee
Welcome to Episode 45 of HIS Story — In the Garden: Where Prayer Becomes Communion.
Before we embark on a journey through the Bible in chronological order, we pause for a 6-part series on something essential: prayer. This series is called Lord Teach Us to Pray, taken from Luke 11. In this episode, we explore Jesus’ model prayer and discover that prayer is far more than a spiritual discipline—it’s the lifeline of the believer.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why pray if God already knows?”—this episode is for you. We’ll walk through the Lord’s Prayer as a pattern of intimacy and surrender, reflect on the beautiful names of God, and hear a testimony of how a life was transformed by prioritizing prayer.
We’ll close with the cherished hymn “In the Garden,” a timeless reminder that prayer is not just about talking to God—but walking with Him.
Church of the Highlands Prayer Guide
Featured music:
🎷 In The Garden Hymn | Saxophone Instrumental Cover – Emmanuel Garilus
🎶 In the Garden – Songs and Everlasting Joy
Let’s draw near and rediscover prayer as communion—not just communication.
In this special relaunch episode of the HIS Story Podcast, host A.J. Herrmann shares a deeply personal testimony, marking 25 years since placing his faith in Jesus Christ. From childhood church memories and teenage rebellion to a transformative encounter with the gospel and a lifelong journey of discipleship, this episode is both vulnerable and victorious.
Using the story of Jacob's wrestling with God and the clear call of Jesus in Luke 9:23, A.J. unpacks what it truly means to follow Jesus—by faith, through surrender, in obedience, and with the power of the Holy Spirit. This episode officially launches a new era for the podcast: telling the Story of JESUS through Scripture, Song, and Testimony.
Whether you're new to faith, wrestling with doubt, or desiring deeper surrender, this heartfelt message will encourage and challenge you to reflect on your own walk with Christ—and to make the bold declaration: "No turning back."
Show Notes
Featured Hymn: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus – A powerful declaration of surrender and discipleship.
Primary Scripture:
Luke 9:23 – “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Supporting Scriptures:
Genesis 32:24–28 – Jacob wrestles with God
Genesis 47:9 – “Few and evil have been the days of my life…”
Acts 8:35–37 – Believing and being baptized
John 21:19 – Jesus says, “Follow me.”
Matthew 7:24–27 – The wise man builds on the rock
John 14:15 – “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
1 John 2:6 – Walking as Jesus walked
Galatians 5:16, 22–25 – Life in the Spirit
Romans 12:1–2 – Present your bodies as a living sacrifice
Romans 5:5 – The love of God poured into our hearts
John 13:34–35 – Love one another
Matthew 22:36–40 – The greatest commandments
Episode Highlights:
A.J.'s testimony of salvation at age 17
Struggles with self-love, sin, and surrender
Lessons from Jacob’s transformation
Five biblical marks of following Jesus: Faith, Surrender, Obedience, Replication, and the Holy Spirit
The invitation to walk in love and live HIS Story
Call to Action:
🎧 Share this episode with a friend
📩 Submit your testimony or story of how you decided to follow Jesus
💬 Comment on YouTube or your podcast app—what did this episode stir in you?
Let’s live lives that tell HIS Story.
Episode 30 – Stand Firm
Series Finale | Season 2 Conclusion
In this powerful conclusion to our July series, "The Unseen Battle: Standing Firm amid Spiritual Warfare," we explore what it means to stand firm in faith, even when the battle is long, the pressure is heavy, and the outcome seems uncertain.
From Paul’s call in Ephesians 6:13 to Moses’ question in Exodus 32:26, this episode challenges us to hold the line, stay loyal to Christ, and resist the enemy with enduring faith. We draw on Warren Wiersbe’s The Strategy of Satan for deeper insight into how Satan attacks and how we stand in victory.
Our featured hymn is "Who Is on the Lord’s Side?" performed by Acapella Hymns — a stirring reminder that our loyalty belongs to the King.
🎵 Featured Hymn: Who Is on the Lord’s Side – Acapella Hymns
This episode also marks the end of Season 2—and the beginning of a new chapter. In the future, we’ll move from seasonal episodes to focused series that walk through God’s Word chronologically. At the end of today’s episode, I share some of what I’ve been praying through for the future of HIS Story, including a study called The Sequential Story—designed to guide us through the Bible, one unified narrative at a time.
Final Charge:
Take a stand. Hold your ground. And live a life that tells HIS Story.
Episode 29: Know Your Weapons
Series: The Unseen Battle: Standing Firm amid Spiritual Warfare
Hymn: Onward, Christian Soldiers – Performed by Fountainview Academy
In this episode of HIS Story, we explore the powerful spiritual weapons God has given His people—and how unity is one of the most overlooked. Based on Ephesians 6:10–18, this teaching reminds us that spiritual warfare is not just a solo battle; it's a collective stand. Drawing on insights from Warren Wiersbe’s The Strategy of Satan, we learn how Satan deceives, divides, and isolates—but also how the Church can stand strong together.
We’ll examine the early Church in Acts, the importance of corporate worship and prayer, and how unity sharpens our spiritual weapons. Our featured hymn, Onward, Christian Soldiers, boldly declares our identity as the army of Christ.
Are you marching in step with the Body—or are you fighting alone?
🎵 Featured Hymn: Onward, Christian Soldiers by Fountainview Academy
📖 Main Text: Ephesians 6:10–18
🛡️ Theme: The power of God’s Word, prayer, and unity in spiritual warfare
In every battle, a banner leads the charge—a symbol of identity, unity, and purpose. In today’s episode, we explore what it means to follow the banner of Jesus Christ. Drawing from Psalm 60:4 and the hymn A Flag to Follow by John W. Peterson, we examine the call to declare our allegiance to the true Commander in the spiritual war we all face.
Through Scripture, we learn that God has given His people a banner of truth and victory. We’re not called to drift through life—we’re called to stand beneath His flag, to follow Him into the fight with confidence and courage.
Featuring key scriptures like Exodus 17:15, Isaiah 11:10, and 2 Timothy 2:3–4, this episode challenges us to ask:
Whose flag are you following?
And are you willing to stand for Christ no matter the cost?
Welcome to the kickoff of our July series, The Unseen Battle: Standing Firm in Spiritual Warfare. In Episode 27, we confront Satan’s first and most dangerous tactic—deception. Like the Trojan Horse of ancient legend, the enemy doesn’t always storm the gates; sometimes, he just needs to get in your head.
Drawing from Ephesians 6, Warren Wiersbe’s The Strategies of Satan, and the powerful hymn Battle Hymn of the Republic, we’ll discover how God’s truth is our greatest defense in a world full of lies.
🎧 Whether you’re feeling spiritually confused, under attack, or just hungry for truth, this episode will equip you to recognize the lies and stand strong in the armor of God.
▶️ Listen now to the Battle Hymn of the Republic presented by The United States Army Field Band, and remember: the war is real, but the truth is marching on.
In the final installment of our Steps of Faith series, we fix our eyes on the eternal promise of heaven. Featuring the beloved hymn “Beulah Land” (#515 in Great Hymns of the Faith), this episode explores what it means to live with hope as citizens of a heavenly kingdom. Through Scripture and story, we’ll discover how our perspective on today changes when we remember where we truly belong.
Join us as we unpack powerful truths from Isaiah 62:4, Philippians 3:20–21, 1 Corinthians 2:9, and more—reminding ourselves that while we may weep for a night, joy comes in the morning. Don’t miss this encouraging and hope-filled conclusion to the series!
🎶 Featured hymn: Beulah Land – The Petersens
📖 Scriptures: Isaiah 62:4, Philippians 1:21–23, 3:20–21, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Hebrews 11:16, 13:14, Colossians 3:2, John 14:3, Psalm 30:5
In Part 2 of our Steps of Faith series, we explore what it means to take our next spiritual step—not by striving, but by leaning.
What does daily trust in God look like when life is uncertain, exhausting, or just plain overwhelming?
Through the timeless hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” and Scriptures like Deuteronomy 33:27, Proverbs 3:5–6, and Matthew 11:28–30, we uncover the peace, security, and strength that come when we stop relying on ourselves and start leaning into God.
This episode features the beautiful modern rendition of the hymn by Reawaken Hymns and reminds us:
You are not walking alone—and you don’t have to carry it all.
In this first episode of our Steps of Faith series, we begin with the most essential practice of the Christian life—walking in the light.
Drawing from 1 John 1:5–7 and the hymn “Walking in the Light,” we’ll explore what it truly means to step out of darkness and into daily fellowship with Jesus.
Why do small, hidden things have such a big impact on our spiritual lives?
How can we find the courage to live transparently before God and others?
And what does real freedom look like when we walk in the Savior’s light?
Join us for a powerful journey into grace, honesty, and the joy of walking step-by-step with Jesus.
🎧 HIS Story — Telling God’s story through Scripture, Song, and Testimony.
📖 Scripture: 1 John 1:5–7, John 8:12, Romans 13:12–14
🎵 Hymn: “Walking in the Light” (#482)
Featured Hymn in Episode # 313. Stepping in the Light🗣️ Be sure to like, subscribe, and share!
💬 Share your thoughts, your next step, or your own story in the comments.
In this powerful series finale of The Comforter Has Come series, we celebrate the day the promise was fulfilled—Pentecost—and reflect on the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer.
Through the soaring words of Frank Bottome’s 1890 hymn, The Comforter Has Come!, we explore the joy, peace, and power that come from walking in the Spirit. Learn how Pentecost wasn’t the end of the story—it was the beginning of a Spirit-filled life. We’ll take a verse-by-verse walk through the hymn, dig into the Scriptures behind it, and ask the heart-level question: Am I living filled with the Spirit?
You’ll also hear an inspiring historical parallel from the Wright brothers, a stirring rendition of the hymn by Tammy Faye Bakker, and a prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to take full control of your life.
🔔 Like, subscribe, and share if you’ve been encouraged—and tell us in the comments:
🕊️ What does Pentecost mean to you?
🔥 Have you experienced the Spirit's filling power in your own walk?
Until next time…
Let’s live lives that tell HIS Story!
Have you ever found yourself longing for the joy and closeness you once felt with God? In this week’s episode of HIS Story, we explore the deeply personal and prayerful hymn, “O for a Closer Walk with God”, written by William Cowper—a man who knew both the heights of spiritual joy and the depths of emotional struggle.
Together, we’ll walk through each verse of the hymn alongside Scripture, uncovering the path back to a vibrant, Spirit-filled walk with Christ. This isn’t just about remembering the past—it’s about repenting, surrendering, and being filled anew.
You’ll also hear the powerful story behind the hymn and a fresh reminder: walking with God isn’t about feelings—it’s about faith, obedience, and ongoing surrender to the Holy Spirit.
Featuring the beautiful rendition of this hymn by Songs and Everlasting Joy—don’t forget to check out their channel and let them know you heard it on HIS Story!
💬 Be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment sharing how God has drawn you closer in your walk. And as always...
Let’s live lives that tell HIS Story.
Welcome back to HIS Story Through Hymns! In Episode 21 of Season 2, we continue our series The Comforter Has Come! with the heartfelt prayer, “Fill Me Now” (#162 in Great Hymns of the Faith), featuring a beautiful rendition by The John Marshall Family.
In this episode, we explore the biblical theme “Living in the Fullness of the Spirit.” This simple yet powerful hymn is not a cry for salvation, but for saturation—a life fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit.
You’ll hear a personal testimony of how this hymn shaped my early walk with Christ, and we’ll walk through the Scriptures to understand what it really means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It's not about chasing emotion—it's about daily dependence, obedience, and relationship.
We’ll look at:
What it means to surrender fully (Romans 12:1)
Why confession matters (1 John 1:9)
How to ask and walk in the Spirit (Luke 11:13; Galatians 5:25)
And why the filling of the Spirit is for every believer, every day
Whether you’re dry, distracted, or deeply hungry for more of God, this episode is for you.
🎧 Listen, reflect, and let the Spirit fill you now—so your life can tell HIS Story.
Episode 20 – Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove
The Comforter Has Come! Series
Theme: Inviting the Spirit’s Work in Our Lives
Hymn: Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove (#158 in Great Hymns of the Faith)
Featured version by: JG Hymns
Have you ever felt like your worship was missing something—like the words were there, but the fire was gone?
In this episode of HIS Story Through Hymns, we reflect on the hymn "Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove"—a communal cry for renewal and unity. Unlike many hymns that use personal language, this one is written in the plural: “our hearts,” “our songs,” “our souls.” Why? Because the Holy Spirit doesn't just work in individuals—He works through the Body of Christ, uniting us in worship, love, and mission.
Through Scripture and song, we explore:
What it means to invite the Spirit into our churches and lives (Romans 15:6; Acts 4:31)
How the Spirit unites believers into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13)
Why true worship requires the Spirit’s presence—not just structure (Ezekiel 37:14)
How a cold heart can be rekindled by the flame of sacred love
Join us as we ask God to breathe new life into our worship and draw us together in Spirit-filled unity.
Scriptures featured:
Romans 15:5–6 | 1 Corinthians 12:13 | Acts 4:31 | John 4:24 | Ezekiel 37:14
🎧 Listen now and be refreshed as we pray: "Kindle a flame of sacred love in these cold hearts of ours."
🙌 Let us know in the comments how the Holy Spirit is working in your life and church!
📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share—and as always…
"Let’s live lives that tell HIS Story!"
🎙️ Season 2, Episode 19 – "Cleanse Me, O God"
📖 Theme: Preparing Our Hearts for His Presence
🕊️ Series: The Comforter Has Come!
🎵 Hymn: “Cleanse Me, O God” (#166 in Great Hymns of the Faith)
🎶 Featured Version: Search Me O God (Cleanse Me O God) by Voice of Eden, INDIA
As we continue our series on the Holy Spirit leading up to Pentecost, this episode calls us to spiritual preparation. Before we can be filled with the Comforter, we must first be emptied of sin and self.
In this week’s episode, we explore the powerful hymn "Cleanse Me, O God," born out of revival in 1936 New Zealand and deeply rooted in Psalm 139:23–24. We’ll reflect on how personal confession and surrender are the doorway to experiencing God's presence more fully.
We’ll also revisit the remarkable story of the Welsh Revival, where the Spirit moved mightily as people followed four simple, Spirit-led steps:
✔ Confess all known sin
✔ Remove anything doubtful
✔ Obey the Spirit’s leading immediately
✔ Confess Christ openly
This episode is an invitation to open your heart wide to God, to be searched, cleansed, and prepared for the Spirit’s renewing work.
🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share so others can be encouraged by the truth in these timeless hymns.
🕊️ Now, let’s live lives that tell HIS Story!