Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to trust in the Lord and He will direct our paths. These familiar verses teach us not to lean on our own understanding, but to lean into Him. That’s not easy to do—especially when God keeps us in the dark about where He is leading. In times of testing the limits of my trust, I feel like I’m walking by faith in the dark. The problem is that when you walk in the dark, you tend to bump into things. And when you bump into things, you tend to get bruised. And when you...

The Bible says that believers have access to the same power that God exerted when He raised Jesus Christ from the dead. That’s more than enough power to never feel powerless. But how do we access the “resurrection” power of God when circumstances are beyond our ability to control? It starts with believing and speaking this truth: God’s matchless power is for me. That promise is tucked into Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, and we’re about to discover how believers in Jesus can avoid feeling...

How well do you know God? Would you like your Heavenly Father to reveal more of Himself to you? if so, then you’ll want to hear about the comment I received recently that was posted to one of my YouTube Shorts. It held an excellent question that sparked a discussion based on my strong belief that God draws near to all who call on Him sincerely. If you’d like to experience God’s nearness, then I hope you’ll stay tuned because I’m going to talk about how to call on God sincerely with full...

Have you been feeling small in a very big world? I can relate. I’ve felt boxed into a corner without a clue what to do or how to break free. Join me as I testify to how learning that God didn’t fence me in provided the direction I desperately needed. I hope the lessons I learned from 2 Corinthians 6 will change your perspective about feeling small. This week’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeginAgainGod Facebook:...

No matter what family you were born into, if you have been reborn into the family of God, then you are an heir of God and co-heir with Christ. In this devotional from Ephesians 1:17-18, I share two action steps to start enjoying the rich and glorious inheritance God has for you. You might struggle to speak of an inheritance you don’t yet see, but your tongue has power, so I invite you to declare this wonderful truth with me: I am called by God to a rich and glorious inheritance. This...

What motivates your choices? Most of us want to avoid pain and feel pleasure. It’s human nature to desire what feels good and avoid what feels bad. But what if you want what’s bad for you and don’t want what’s good for you? What would motivate you to say no to something you desire? Or yes to something that doesn’t sound like a lot of fun? If you are a Spirit-filled believer, then you already have what you need to make tough choices. You actually don’t need more willpower, you need greater...

Do you ever feel like you’re in over your head? Like people are giving you more credit than you deserve? Like there’s a possibility you might be exposed as a fraud? In this episode, I talk about “imposter syndrome” and we will look into the Old Testament book of Proverbs to learn the secret of having discernment, insight and understanding. If you’re worried that sooner or later the truth about your inadequacy will be exposed, then you’ll want to tune in to discover exactly how to present...

The apostle Paul mentored a young man named Timothy. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul urged Timothy to pray for ALL people. Not just people we like or people who ask or people who deserve it. But ALL people. If you want to pray prayers that God always answers, then you’ll want to stay with me and learn two things Paul taught Timothy about the heart of God when it comes to prayer. This week’s scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeginAgainGod Facebook:...

Do you wonder if God is losing patience with you? Are you convinced your faults, shortcomings and failures count against you? Or does God really accept you just the way you are? This episode dives into what the Bible says about how faith in Jesus not only frees you from accusation, but also makes you holy. If you worry that you’ve somehow let God down or haven’t done enough to please him, then you’ll want to listen, because I’m going to share one reason you don’t have to worry and one...

Are you facing a huge challenge or concern that seems insurmountable? What if you could somehow make your problem smaller, shrink it down to a manageable size? Is that even possible? A baseball looks big compared to a golf ball but small compared to a basketball, right? And a basketball looks miniscule compared to planet earth. It’s all a matter of perspective. Listen to this podcast for two takeaways from two Bible verses to help make your problems smaller. I’ll read from Isaiah for...

Have you ever looked in the mirror and deliberately said something endearing about yourself? Can you look yourself in the eye and say, “I am wanted”? Listen as I read Jeremiah 1:4-5 and we take a closer look at a man who hung in there and believed he had value, in spite of all the haters. Join me for today’s podcast to be encouraged with a message from the Bible that will assure you God loves you and created you WITH purpose ON purpose. This week’s scripture: Jeremiah...

Do you agree with the saying “sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me?” I don’t believe it for a minute. I believe words have power. Today I’ll talk about why this podcast is called “Believe & Speak”, and I’ll share what the Bible says about the power of the tongue. This week’s scripture: Proverbs 18:21 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeginAgainGod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawnamariebryant Instagram:...

How does God make His will known? Is it possible to hear God’s voice? I say yes. Not only because I’ve heard Him—not audibly but undoubtedly, but also because He promised in Scripture that He would speak through the Holy Spirit. I can take Him at His Word that God makes known to me what I need to know. Supernatural guidance is different from the way Jesus guided his disciples. We can’t follow Him around like the disciples did. But God still guides us today. Just not in the same way Jesus...

Supernatural guidance may not be as obvious as following Jesus around in the flesh, but the Holy Spirit is every bit as present with us now as Jesus was with the disciples when he walked this earth. And He has something to say to you. Imagine hanging out with a wise and loving person who always has your back. Now imagine that perfect friend and ideal mentor suddenly disappears. That’s exactly what happened to the disciples when Jesus died. BUT... shortly before going to the cross, Jesus...

This podcast episode is for anyone who understands that you can hunger and thirst for more than food and water. If you’ve ever felt entirely empty or desperately dry, then you’ll be encouraged by the hope I’ll be sharing today from Psalm 63. The message in this psalm can be summed up in today’s declaration: Praising God refreshes my dried-up soul. If you’re currently in a dry season, then stick with me because I’ve got three ways to refresh your soul and a “happy feet” version of an old...

Do you know what it’s like to be stuck in a pit of disappointment? Dashed hopes and dismantled dreams can plunge us into a pit of despair where the mud and mire of despondency keep us from climbing out. I’ve been there and know the only hope of escape is rescue. But I also know this: I have a rescuer who hears my cries from the pit. SUBSCRIBE AND WATCH TO LEARN MORE  @BeginAgainGod  Whether or not you’re currently in a pit, I think you’ll be encouraged by the scripture I’ll be sharing today...

Does God accept some people but not others? Are only certain people from certain backgrounds welcomed by God? Or can anybody say with confidence, “I am welcomed and accepted by God.” In the earliest days of the church, the apostles held a narrow view of who could enter the kingdom of God. Sadly, today’s church also has preconceived ideas about who is acceptable to God. Today we’ll look at what the Bible says about who is acceptable to God and why. We will also learn to keys to unlocking...

I’ve heard it said that we’re human beings not human doings, and yet too many of us feel like we need to be doing something to prove ourselves worthy of being. It’s a trap I get caught in even though I know I don’t have to prove myself to God. That’s the phrase I’ll ask you to believe and speak with me today. I’ll also give you two reasons why you don’t have to prove yourself and a secret that will have you saying “I’m free to be me.” This week’s scripture: Romans 8:1-2 YouTube:...

Does God set a high bar of expectations for Christians that we can never reach? Do we have to be godly superheroes to do what God commands? I’m discouraged by how many people seem to think so. But today I’m going to show you that God empowers us to obey Him. We’ll discover that when the Bible says “work out your salvation” it says something surprisingly hopeful right after that—in the same sentence. It’s something that takes the pressure off of us to perform. Join me as I share the one...

The Bible says that mercy triumphs over judgment. Even though God is holy and perfect, He puts mercy above judgment. God wants us to go after the hurting and broken with mercy and love. So much so, that He empowers us to show mercy by giving us both the “want to” and the “can do.” Watch to learn the secret to pleasing God when it comes to obeying His command to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly.  I also share a helpful tip on how to love mercy if mercy doesn’t come easy for you. This...

What does God require of you and me? If I could boil down God’s commands into a short list of dos and don’ts, what would make it onto that list? The Talmud says there are 613 commandments in the Torah, which is what Christians refer to as the Old Testament. 613! A 12th Century Jewish philosopher divided these commandments into 248 “dos” and 365 “don’ts”. That’s one “don’t do it” a day for a year! Thankfully, Jesus simplified the list so that all we really need to remember is this: Love...

How should I cope with all the pressure I’m under? Does the Bible give practical tips on how to deal with anxiety? If these questions resonate with you, then you’ll be encouraged by the two Bible verses I’ll share today: one from Old Testament and one from the New Testament. You’ll also be encouraged to believe and speak the Bible-based truth I pulled from those verses: I choose to cast my cares, and then let go. I realize that’s easier said than done, cares are clingy. Even if we do cast...

If God spoke to you in a clear and undeniable way, what’s the first thing He would say to you? Do you know what God earnestly wants you to know? I not only know WHAT God would say to you, I know HOW He would say it to you. God speaks in mysterious ways and I’ve learned from experience that He can speak through me. I believe God has something to say to you today. Watch now to learn 4 things mentioned in Titus 3:4-7 that God has done to prove His kindness. Hint: Jesus proves the kindness of...

Why do some people have the Christmas spirit and others don’t? If I don’t have enough of the Christmas spirit, how do I get more? If you’re having a hard time filling yourself with the Christmas spirit, I’ve got good news for you! I know four things you can do to boost Christmas spirit. I’ll give you a hint right up front: The four things form the acrostic M. A. L. L. Every shopping MALL can remind you how to be filled with the Spirit this Christmas. Being filled with the Christmas spirit...

‘Tis the season for carols about good tidings of great joy. But if God really promised peace on earth, then why don’t people have good will toward each other? Could it be we’ve misunderstood the announcement made by angels to the shepherds near Bethlehem? The angels’ message was for all people, but it was directed to individual hearts. Here’s what happened when Jesus was born: Peace came to earth. The Prince of Peace came to dwell among us when Jesus was born. To help you remember that,...