In a world that rarely slows down, many of us carry a constant undercurrent of anxiety, restlessness, and fatigue. Deep down, we long for more—for peace, stability, and a place of refuge where our souls can breathe and find rest. When David was fleeing from Saul, he found such a place in one of Israel’s most breathtaking and iconic locations—Masada! As we trace the biblical connections to David and the rich imagery of God being a fortress throughout Scripture, you’ll discover the powerful invitation to find a place of refuge to daily experience His presence, settle your soul, and remember who you are.
Human beings are natural builders, but the problem is many of us build our lives on unstable foundations—worldly success, self-reliance, or fleeting ambitions—that ultimately collapse under pressure. The solution is to build on Jesus, the master builder, who is the sure foundation and cornerstone of God's spiritual house. By trusting in him, aligning with his teachings, and allowing him to shape our lives, we gain stability and purpose. As a result, our lives remain steadfast even in uncertainty. What’s more, we’re called to join God in His work—building up others and participating in His mission to reunite heaven and earth. In the end, God is not just building something for us—He is building us into something lasting and eternal!
Many people struggle to feel truly welcomed, accepted, and secure—especially in a world that often feels isolating and adversarial. But Scripture reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent; He is a gracious host, inviting us into His presence with the radical hospitality of a Bedouin patriarch. In Psalm 23, Isaiah 42, and the life of Jesus, we see a God who prepares a table, offers provision, and extends protection—even in the presence of our enemies. This episode explores how God’s hospitality redefines belonging and how Jesus models a love that welcomes without compromise. Discover how embracing this divine invitation can transform the way you see God, yourself, and the people around you.
Many people go through life unaware that they’re caught in the middle of a cosmic war, where the forces of good and evil are in constant conflict. The struggles we face—discouragement, temptation, and spiritual opposition—aren’t random but part of this battle. The good news is that we’re not defenseless; God is a warrior who fights for His people, and through Jesus, the ultimate victory has already been won. In this teaching, you'll gain a fresh perspective on how God fights against chaos, spiritual darkness, and injustice, but more importantly, how you can step into the fight armed with truth. If you’re ready to wake up to the battle, claim your identity in Christ, and join Jesus in pushing back the kingdom of darkness, this message will equip you to stand firm and take action.
Many of us struggle to trust that God is actively leading our lives, especially when things feel uncertain or difficult. But the Scriptures constantly liken God to a Good Shepherd who skillfully guides, protects, and provides for His people. In this episode, we explore the depth of this image, from the rugged realities of shepherding in the ancient world to Jesus's bold declaration,“I am the Good Shepherd.” This isn’t a passive or distant role; a true shepherd is both savvy and sacrificial—navigating harsh landscapes, fighting off danger, and laying down their life for the flock. By the end of this episode, you’ll see that trusting God isn’t wishful thinking—it’s a response to His skillful care and reliable voice.
A lot of us grow up with distorted ideas about who God is, and part of following Jesus is unlearning those false images and discovering the truth. In this episode, we’re diving into the beautiful picture of God as a Faithful Farmer—someone who plants, nurtures, and invests deeply in what He’s growing. This image shows us just how patient and committed God is, working tirelessly to see His creation—and you—flourish. As people created in His image, we’re invited to reflect His heart by caring for the world and those around us with the same kind of love and intention. This teaching will remind you of God’s relentless care for you and inspire you to do the same for others!
How you think about God determines how you interact with God. Therefore, it’s essential to have an accurate understanding of who He is and what He’s like. In this new series – Biblical Images of God – we unpack the vivid and concrete metaphors used of God in order to deepen our relationship with Him. Beginning with “living water,” we uncover the significance of this image by examining Jeremiah’s depiction of the oasis at En Gedi and Jesus’s declaration in the Gospel of John that He is the true source of living water. By seeing God as “living water,” you’ll gain a fuller picture of His character, experience His ability to renew dry and weary souls, and be inspired to carry His life-giving spirit into a thirsty world.
Do you struggle to understand why God is asking you to do something, and hesitate to follow through? In this final episode of “3 Gifts of Christmas,” we explore the mysterious significance of the Magi's gift of myrrh, tracing its historical and symbolic meanings—from its use in ancient perfumes and burial rituals to its connection to Jesus’s sacrificial death.
The Magi’s gift of frankincense may seem unusual at first, but it is rich with meaning, deeply rooted in their culture and the Hebrew Scriptures. Harvested through a meticulous and labor-intensive process, frankincense was a symbol of worship, reverence, and devotion. By offering this gift, the Magi not only honored Jesus as king but also displayed incredible courage, risking their lives by defying King Herod. This episode will reveal the profound significance of frankincense and invite you to consider where God might be calling you to step out in courage this Christmas season.
Each Christmas, talk inevitably turns to gifts and gift-giving. But often, we give from a place of comfort and convenience. The Christmas story, however, teaches us a deeper lesson about giving our best. In “3 Gifts of Christmas,” we explore the significance of the Magi’s gifts in Matthew 2:11, and as we’ll see with the gift of gold, the most precious gifts we give are the ones that cost us the most. By the end of this episode, you’ll be inspired to ask: What costly gift might God be inviting me to give this season?
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one of the New Testament’s most beloved books, yet its brilliant structure and deeper meanings are often overlooked. Throughout the letter, Paul draws on everyday imagery from the “Roman Street” in Ephesus – the slave market, victory parades, bathhouses, theatres, night watchmen, and pubs – to illustrate how a believer’s conduct should stand in stark contrast to the culture around them. In this final episode of “Life in the Roman Empire,” you’ll be equipped with rich and relatable ways to live as a faithful citizen in God’s Kingdom in the midst of our culture today.
During the height of the Roman Empire, the world experienced an unprecedented era of stability that allowed people to travel freely. Most did so by land and sea, and few logged more miles than the apostle Paul. During his missionary journeys, the Apostle Paul traveled thousands of miles by land and sea! Along the way, he experienced fear repeatedly: beatings, robberies, imprisonments, shipwrecks. But he never allowed fear to become a barrier to his faith. This episode will inspire you to face your fears with greater courage and to live with dangerous faithfulness.
In the Roman world, the macellum wasn’t just a marketplace—it was a crossroads of daily life, culture, and faith. Part grocery store, part food court, part temple, it was a place where the lines between everyday meals and pagan sacrifices often blurred. For Gentile converts from pagan backgrounds, the sight of fellow Christians eating meat once offered to idols stirred deep discomfort. And it was issue Paul had to address. This episode offers practical guidance on how to balance your freedom in Christ with a loving sensitivity toward others, and how to navigate the gray areas of faith with wisdom and grace.
Brothels and pubs were fixtures in every city of ancient Roman society. Then, as now, people engaged in illicit sex and alcohol use to numb the pain of life. Brothels were staffed primarily by male and female slaves, some of whom were "exposed at birth" as unwanted children and then claimed by brothels to be raised as sex workers. Pubs were popular because most of the poor had no cooking facilities, so they spent much of their time in pubs, where gambling, fighting, prostitution, and drunkenness were the norm. The Apostle Paul, writing within the Roman world, addressed these issues with timeless warnings. This teaching will challenge you to identify ways you’re numbing out and filling yourself with deceptive temptations instead of emptying yourself and making room for God’s Spirit.
Roman bathhouses were a central feature of daily life across the Roman Empire. Ironically, their primary purpose wasn’t hygiene, but for serving as social hubs where people from all walks of life could relax, socialize, conduct business, and engage in various activities like eating, drinking, exercising, playing games, attending lectures, or having sensual interactions. Due to their popularity, the Apostle Paul drew from bathhouse imagery to urge Christians to “rid themselves” of old, sinful habits, much like shedding old clothes. By the end of this teaching, you’ll be challenged to align your habits with the new heart and status Jesus gave you!
Romans loved the blood and gore of gladiators and beast hunts. These explosive spectacles were designed to recall great moments from Rome’s past and were deliberately sponsored by politicians who also distributed cash-handouts, donations for public banquets, and other gifts to secure the public’s favor. Knowing they were about to die, gladiators nevertheless sought to die well. The Apostle Paul seized on imagery and language from gladiators and beast hunts to illustrate what a life fully yielded to God looked like. This fascinating teaching by Dr. Randall Smith (a dear friend of the WTT community!) will spark your curiosity and challenge you to consider how to yield everything in your life to God, including your death.
The Romans were obsessed with games and sports, to the extent that athletes were treated like celebrities, and passionate fans sometimes rioted. Herod the Great was even voted President of the Olympic Games for life! Among the most popular games were footraces and chariot races, which captivated the public's imagination. The Apostle Paul frequently drew on this imagery, using the idea of running a race to describe the Christian life—urging believers to run well, strain forward, and keep their eyes fixed on the ultimate goal. He did the same with chariot races as well. By understanding these cultural references, we gain clarity on what Paul was admonishing believers to do to be faithful to Jesus in our lives.
Every self-respecting city in the Roman Empire had a theatre. Yes, people loved entertainment, but the theatre was bigger than that. It was a culture-shaping venue where edgy ideas and societal taboos were normalized in order to dictate the direction of culture. The Apostle Paul understood this and made frequent use of theatre imagery to shape people into the image of Jesus. In this episode, you’ll learn how the theatre functioned, how Paul used theatre language, and what we need to be aware of as we engage in the entertainment of our day.
During Holy Week, people all over the world remember Jesus’s words on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Did God really abandon Jesus on the cross? Or was Jesus quoting these specific words at this specific moment for a specific reason? In this final episode of “Out of Context,” we unpack Jesus’s use of a rabbinic technique called “remez” to make a bold claim about his supreme confidence in God’s faithfulness. Once you understand the context of these powerful words, you’ll be inspired by the knowledge that even in our darkest moments, God doesn’t leave us or abandon us!
“Do not judge or you too will be judged.” These well-known words are quoted by Christians and non-Christians alike, often as a shield to prevent others from speaking into their lives in ways that feel critical. “If you’re a hypocrite, you don’t get to point out my flaws! And since we’re all hypocrites, no one gets to point out anybody’s flaws!” But is that what Jesus really intended with these words? Not even close. By the end of this episode, you’ll discover how confronting our own hypocrisy and condemnation of others empowers us to speak more effectively in each other’s lives!
