Back To The Bible Daily

When You Don't Know What to Do

Back to the Bible Daily with Braden Pedersen explores 2 Chronicles 20:1–25, where King Jehoshaphat faces an overwhelming enemy, turns to God in honest prayer, worships before the outcome, and watches God fight on his behalf. This episode invites you to see how remembering God’s character, admitting your limits, standing firm, and worshiping in the storm reshape how you face battles you cannot win alone.Read: Read 2 Chronicles 20:1–25.Reflect: Where in your life feels bigger than your strength? Spend a few minutes naming the problem, then remember God’s power and past faithfulness before strategizing.Respond (short prayer): Lord, I don’t know what to do—my eyes are on You. Give me faith to stand firm, worship, and trust You to fight for me. Amen.Reveal: Share the passage or this episode with someone who’s overwhelmed. Invite them to pray with you, speak honestly about limits, and lead with thanksgiving—“Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever”—as you trust God together.Back to the Bible Daily, Braden Pedersen, Jehoshaphat, 2 Chronicles 20, Bible devotional, Christian devotion, daily devotion, scripture reflection, worship in crisis, prayer for the overwhelmed, God fights our battles, trust God, honest prayer, Jahaziel, ESV, faith-building, spiritual encouragement, stand firm, give thanks to the Lord

Who Is the Holy Spirit? The Third Person of the Trinity Explained Simply

Many Christians can clearly describe the Father and the Son but feel uncertain about the Holy Spirit. In this Back to the Bible Daily episode Braden Pedersen explains who the Holy Spirit really is and what He does—living in believers, teaching and reminding us of Jesus’ words, convicting our hearts, producing spiritual fruit, interceding in prayer, and empowering us for obedience and witness. Listen to discover how the Spirit is not an impersonal force but a divine Helper given to dwell in you and enable the Christian life.Read: Slowly read John 14:15–17, 26 twice, paying attention to words like “Helper,” “dwells,” “teach,” and “remind.”Reflect: Ask yourself—Where am I trying to live by effort instead of depending on the Spirit? Which promise in this passage most needs to shape my day?Respond (short prayer): Holy Spirit, teach me, remind me of Jesus’ words, convict where I need to change, produce your fruit in me, and empower me to obey and witness. Amen.Reveal: Share the passage and one way the Spirit has helped you recently with a friend or family member; offer to read John 14 together and ask the Spirit to speak to both of you.Holy Spirit, John 14:15–17,26, Braden Pedersen, Back to the Bible Daily, who is the Holy Spirit, what the Holy Spirit does, Holy Spirit indwells believers, Holy Spirit teaches, Holy Spirit convicts, fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5, Romans 8, Pentecost, Holy Spirit empowers, Christian living, daily devotion

3 Things God Wants Every Believer to Do (Micah 6:8)

Join Braden Pedersen on Back to the Bible Daily as he centers on Micah 6:8 and explores God’s simple but demanding call: do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God. This brief devotional contrasts empty religious ritual with a lived faith, explains the weight of “do,” the covenant meaning of "hesed" (steadfast love), and how humility shapes faithful action—plus practical prompts to help you apply the verse today.Read — Read Micah 6:6–8. If you have time, read the full chapter of Micah to see the context.Reflect — Ask: Which of the three commands needs my attention right now? Where am I acting in self-righteousness instead of steady, loyal love?Respond — Short prayer: Lord, help me do what is right for others, love with steadfast kindness, and walk humbly with You today. Use me to serve the vulnerable and keep my heart close to You. Amen.Reveal — Do one concrete thing this week to make the verse visible: speak up for someone treated unfairly, offer practical help to a neighbor, or share Micah 6:8 and why it matters with a friend—and model humility in the conversation.Micah 6:8, Micah 6, do justice love kindness walk humbly, hesed, Back to the Bible Daily, Braden Pedersen, daily devotional, Bible reflection, Christian devotion, Scripture meditation, justice and mercy, practical faith, devotional prayer

Is Money the Root of All Evil? | Let's Talk About it

Join Braden Pedersen on Back to the Bible Daily as he examines 1 Timothy 6:6–10, 17–19 (ESV) and asks what the Bible really says about money. This short episode reframes “gain” as godliness with contentment, warns against the quiet danger of loving wealth, and offers practical biblical guidance for how to hold possessions without idolizing them. Listen for a clear, pastoral challenge to let generosity and trust in God shape your finances and your heart.Read — Read 1 Timothy 6:6–10, 17–19 (ESV). Reflect — Ask: Where do I place my security: savings or God? Which desires shape my decisions more—God’s Word or the pursuit of more? Respond — Short prayer: Father, help me find contentment in you, keep my heart from loving money, and make me generous with what you’ve entrusted to me. Amen. Reveal — Demonstrate this truth by practicing a tangible act of generosity this week (give to someone in need, support a ministry, or share a meal and talk about 1 Timothy 6 with a friend) and explain how your giving points others toward God, not wealth.Back to the Bible Daily, Braden Pedersen, 1 Timothy 6, Bible on money, Christianity and money, godliness with contentment, love of money, stewardship, generosity, contentment, Christian giving, money and faith, biblical finances, spiritual formation, idolatry of wealth

Why You Keep Falling Into the Same Sin (And What to do About it)

Welcome to Back to the Bible Daily with Braden Pedersen. In this episode Braden walks through Romans 7:15–25 (and points forward to Romans 8:1), addressing the frustration of battling the same sin repeatedly. He shows how even mature believers (like Paul) face ongoing conflict between desire and action, why shame and withdrawal aren’t the answer, and how true freedom begins by fixing our eyes on Christ—learning to fight from acceptance, not for it. Practical encouragement and Gospel-centered perspective for anyone feeling stuck.Read: Read Romans 7:15–25 and Romans 8:1 (ESV). Reflect: Where do you want to do right but keep failing? Note the recurring triggers—times, places, emotions, or inputs—and how shame shapes your response. Respond (short prayer): Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your grace and that there is no condemnation for those in You. Help me depend on Your Spirit, show me the patterns fueling my sin, and give me courage to return to You instead of hiding. Amen. Reveal: Share your struggle and this hope with one trusted person—invite them to read the passage with you and pray; explain that ongoing battle doesn’t mean rejection, and demonstrate Gospel truth by offering honest confession and mutual accountability.Back to the Bible Daily, Braden Pedersen, Romans 7, Romans 8, battling sin, struggle with sin, Christian devotional, daily devotion, Bible devotion, spiritual growth, sanctification, no condemnation, Gospel hope, Holy Spirit dependence, Christian encouragement, breaking sin patterns, accountability, Bible study, devotional podcast

When You Are Faithful But Exhausted, This is For You

Back to the Bible Daily with Braden Pedersen — In this episode Braden reflects on 1 Kings 19:1–18 and walks with Elijah from a dramatic victory to a place of deep exhaustion. Instead of more spectacle, God meets Elijah first with food, rest, and a quiet, restorative presence. Listen for encouragement about spiritual burnout, honest lament, and how God renews purpose and companionship in the quiet.ReadRead 1 Kings 19:1–18.ReflectAsk: Where in my life am I running on empty? Notice how God meets Elijah’s body first (food/rest) and then speaks in a whisper—what might God be saying to you in the quiet?RespondShort prayer: Lord, I’m weary—provide rest, restore my strength, and meet me in the quiet so I can hear Your voice. Amen.RevealPractical step: Share this passage or the prayer with someone who’s tired; offer a meal, a listening ear, or invite them to read the passage together to model how rest and presence can reflect God’s care.KeywordsBack to the Bible Daily, Braden Pedersen, Elijah, 1 Kings 19, juniper tree, broom tree, spiritual exhaustion, burnout, spiritual restoration, rest and renewal, Christian encouragement, daily devotion, Bible study, prayer, presence of God, ESV, devotional, faith.
 

What Does "Fearing God" Actually Mean?

Join Braden Pedersen on Back to the Bible Daily as he explains what the phrase "the fear of the Lord" really means—why it's not terror or mere polite respect, how it serves as the foundation of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), and how a healthy, Christ-centered awe reshapes decisions, sin, worship, and relationships. This short devotional invites you to recover a reverent, humble posture that deepens love and gives true weight to grace.Read — Read Proverbs 9:10 slowly and aloud: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." Let the phrase "fear of the Lord" settle in your mind.Reflect — Ask: How does my view of God shape my daily choices, my handling of sin, and my worship? Where have I made God smaller to suit my comfort?Respond — Prayer: "Lord, give me a holy awe of you. Teach me to revere and follow you so my choices, worship, and relationships honor you. Amen."Reveal — Share Proverbs 9:10 and one sentence about what "fear of the Lord" means to you with a friend or family member. This week, pick one decision to align with Scripture and explain to someone why you chose to follow God's wisdom.fear of the Lord, Proverbs 9:10, Braden Pedersen, Back to the Bible Daily, biblical wisdom, Christian devotional, reverence for God, awe of God, wisdom from Scripture, how to fear God, Christian discipleship, deepen your faith

The Most Misquoted Verse in the Bible (Psalm 46:10 Explained)

Welcome to Back to the Bible Daily with Braden Pedersen. In this episode Braden examines Psalm 46:10 in its turbulent context — not as a soft call to quiet, but as a command to stop striving and trust God’s sovereignty amid chaos. You’ll hear why “Be still” means laying down control, how that truth frees action without anxiety, and a practical prompt to release one thing into God’s hands today.Read — Read Psalm 46, beginning with verses 1–3 and verse 10. Reflect — Ask: What am I gripping that I’m not called or equipped to carry? Consider how the psalm’s setting of upheaval reframes “be still.” Respond — Short prayer: “Lord, today I stop striving and place this (name it) into Your hands. Remind me You are sovereign and I can trust You. Amen.” Reveal — Invite someone to read Psalm 46 with you, share one way you’re releasing control, or offer to pray with them so they see trust modeled in action.Psalm 46:10, be still and know, Braden Pedersen, Back to the Bible Daily, Christian devotional, Bible reflection, surrender to God, trust God, stop striving, Psalm 46, ESV, scripture prayer, devotional podcast, Christian encouragement

Why Your Words Reveal What's Really Going On Inside You

Join Braden Pedersen for today's short, powerful daily devotion grounded in James 3:5–10. He explores how the Bible portrays the tongue—not as a small, harmless thing but as a force that reveals the heart and shapes lives. This episode warns against careless words, explains why the issue is ultimately a heart problem, and points toward how deeper spiritual change transforms our speech.4R StepsRead — Read James 3:5–10.Reflect — Ask: When have my words hurt or built others up? Which motives—frustration, pride, love—typically drive my speech?Respond — Short prayer: Lord, guard my tongue and soften my heart. Help my words reflect Your love, build others up, and point people to You. Amen.Reveal — Put this truth into practice: apologize to one person you’ve hurt, speak a genuine blessing to someone today, or share James 3:5–10 with a friend and commit together to pray for changed speech.KEYWORDSJames 3, tongue, power of words, control your speech, Braden Pedersen, Back to the Bible Daily, Bible devotion, Christian daily devotional, scripture reflection, spiritual growth, heart and speech, prayer, ESV

How Do You Keep Going When You're Dreading What's Ahead?

Braden Pedersen leads Back to the Bible Daily through Matthew 26:36–46 reflecting on Jesus in Gethsemane and what to do when you’re dreading what’s ahead. This episode shows how honest prayer, repeated surrender, and quiet obedience helped Jesus face the weight of what was coming—and how that pattern can help you move forward faithfully even when dread lingers.4R StepsRead: Read Matthew 26:36–46.Reflect: Where are you holding back honesty about what’s coming? Notice Jesus’ honest plea and his submission—what would it look like to name your dread and then say, “nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will”?Respond: Short prayer — “Father, I’m honest about my fear and sorrow. If it’s possible, let this pass; yet I submit to Your will. Give me strength to return to You again and again until You steady my heart. Amen.”Reveal: Share the passage and your honest struggle with one person, ask them to pray with you, and commit to one concrete step of obedience together (a conversation, appointment, or act of service) to show God’s presence with you.KEYWORDSBack to the Bible Daily, Braden Pedersen, Matthew 26, Gethsemane, dread, prayer, submission, faith, honest prayer, Christian devotion, daily devotional, Bible reflection, spiritual encouragement, trust God, prepare for hardship, walk in faith