Jesus' Exclusive Claims About His Identity In this week's episode, Nicole explores the profound and polarizing claims made by Jesus regarding His identity. Central to the discussion is the assertion that Jesus is not merely a good teacher or moral guide, but rather God Himself. This claim is pivotal in understanding the conflict that arose between Jesus and the religious leaders of His time. The Nature of Jesus' Claims Throughout the episode, it is emphasized that Jesus made exclusive...

Understanding Jesus through the Gospel of John: A Deep Dive into Chapter 7 This week, Nicole reveals an important aspect of Jesus through the lens of the Gospel of John. Chapter 7 serves as a pivotal moment in Jesus's ministry, showcasing both His authority and the varied reactions He provokes from those around Him. The Context and Backstory of John 7 John 7 opens with a clear indication of the tension surrounding Jesus. The narrative begins with the mention that people are trying to kill...

In this week's episode, Nicole shares a recent sermon from Hill City Church on John 3:16, focusing on the first four words, "For God so loved." She emphasizes the importance of foundational knowledge in faith. Nicole explains that true love (agape) is unconditional and self-sacrificing, contrasting it with self-preservation. She highlights that God's love is expansive and transformative, urging believers to reflect and act on this love. The sermon also includes a personal testimony from Logan...

In this special episode of How to Study the Bible, Nicole connects with friend of the show Rachel Toone, Dean of Spiritual Formation at Montreat College, who shares her experiences during Hurricane Helene, which hit her area in Western North Carolina. Rachel describes the devastation, including 25-30 inches of rain, downed power lines, and flooded rivers that washed out roads and homes. She highlights the community's resilience, with local churches providing essential aid. Rachel emphasizes...

Have you ever had this thought, If only I could see Jesus face to face, if only he was with me, then I would not be afraid, or I would know He's real, or I would have more faith. If you've ever had that thought, I'm so glad you're joining us today. We are in the Gospel of John right now, talking about the idea of being rooted, rooted deeply in the truth of who God is. Today, we're going to study John 6. Provision, Presence, and a Question: Introduction to John Chapter 6 In John 6, we read...

The ultimate question of spiritual growth is the question posed by Jesus—"Do you want to get well?” That is the ultimate question of our soul, the ultimate question of spiritual growth, of coming to know God, and of walking with God. This question, posed by Jesus to the invalid man in John 5, challenges us to reflect on our desires and motivations. It invites us to consider whether we truly seek transformation or if we are comfortable remaining in our current state, which may be marked by...

The story of the healing at the pool of Bethesda profoundly illustrates the importance of engaging with Jesus and recognizing our need for healing, both physically and spiritually. Backstory: In John 5, we encounter a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years, lying by the pool of Bethesda, surrounded by others who were also in desperate need of healing. This setting is significant as it highlights the collective suffering and desperation of those seeking physical restoration. The pool was...

In this episode of How to Study the Bible Nicole explores the profound theme of "taking Jesus at His word," particularly through the lens of John chapter 4, which recounts the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, as well as the healing of a royal official's son. This theme is not only central to the biblical narrative but also deeply relevant to our daily lives. Backstory: The Encounter with the Samaritan Woman The story begins with Jesus intentionally traveling...

Exploring the Signs of Jesus' Glory in the Book of John In the podcast episode, Nicole Unice delves into the significance of Jesus's signs in John 2 and 3. These signs not only reveal Jesus' divine nature but also illustrate profound themes of hospitality, justice, and personal transformation. The First Miracle: Water into Wine The episode begins with the account of Jesus' first miracle at a wedding in Cana, where He turns water into wine. This event is significant for several reasons: ...

In this episode, we dive into John 1 and discover the richness of God's relational nature as revealed in the Gospel of John.  John's Gospel emphasizes the relational aspect of God, who asks us, "What do you want?" This question serves to engage us in a personal relationship and invites us to explore our desires and needs. This theme is beautifully illustrated in the opening chapters of John, where the nature of Jesus as the Word is introduced, highlighting His divine identity and His...

Nicole is back! This fall, we're going to study the book of John together as we ask ourselves: what does it look like to be set free? What does it look like to be rooted and to have abundant life? This fall, we're going to talk about what Jesus did, what it means, what it means for you, and how you can experience a rooted, feet-on-the-ground firmness so that when the storms of life hit, you are not uprooted. THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES: Help! My Bible is Alive! Nicole’s Newest Book: Not What I...

What do you do when anxiety strikes during uncertain times? In this bonus episode of "Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast" Host Bonnie Gray explores practical ways to calm your mind and heart when faced with the unknown. Learn to anchor your soul in God’s promises and discover simple, effective strategies to reduce stress and embrace peace. "How to Study The Bible" & Nicole will be back soon! Until then, we hope you enjoy this bonus episode of "Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast". If you like...

What does it mean to dwell? It certainly means to live, to occupy a house or apartment, but we also use the word to mean to point attention toward. If you dwell on something, you focus on it steadfastly, not wavering or casting about for something else. But why should we? Because He makes clear the path of life, helping us to know where we should step. He fills us with joy as we spend time in his presence, and who doesn't need more joy? Do you know what it means...what it feels like to...

“But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:41-42). Most of my life, especially since becoming a mom, I have been in what feels like a constant rotation of busyness, overwhelm, anxiety, and frustration over all there is to do. Marthas, like myself, like to push back against the idea of resting because someone has to do it all. But the...

"...but Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way" (Daniel 1:8). Have you ever been in the middle of an ordinary situation, whether all alone or perhaps at a more social event, and sensed God's quiet voice nudging you in one way or another? Maybe a warning as simple as, do not say what you're about to say, or don't eat that. The question is, what do you do when it happens? ~ Monica...

“Rather train yourself for godliness; For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:8). Somewhere along the way, the Christian life gained a reputation for being shiny, easy, and perfect. “If you just give your life to Jesus, everything will magically fall into place,” people say. You may see someone who has peace in all situations or seems to have the perfect quiet time...

“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head" (Psalm 3:3). In a time of danger, David believed in the power and desire of God to be the shield he desperately needed. The opposition said, “there is no salvation for him in God,” but God's peace proved them wrong. How have you experienced unfairness or disgrace? What would you say to God the shield if you confided your need for protection to him? What would it take for you to lay down and rest in total peace? ...

“For you are my rock and my fortress; And for your name's sake you lead me and guide me" (Psalm 31:3). When you are going through difficulty do you cry out to God? He promises to lead us and guide us because he is our rock, our fortress and our strength. When we are experiencing difficulty and simultaneously fully relying on God, then the difficulty doesn't stay with us. It isn't ours to fix or to handle. We take it in and pour it out on our Savior, and he takes it all on himself. ~Becky...

“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head" (Psalm 3:3). In a time of danger, David believed in the power and desire of God to be the shield he desperately needed. The opposition said, “there is no salvation for him in God,” but God's peace proved them wrong. How have you experienced unfairness or disgrace? What would you say to God the shield if you confided your need for protection to him? What would it take for you to lay down and rest in total peace? ...

“Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun. For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it" (Ecclesiastes 7:11-12). The Hebrew word for wisdom is, “chokmah,” and is used 145 times in the Old Testament. It means skill in war, administration, shrewdness, prudence in religious affairs, wisdom both ethical and religious. It carries with it an implication that leads to...

Hey friends- As you know, I am taking a break for the summer to rest and recharge, calling it my monastic summer. And I hope that you're going to get some rest this summer too. It's something worth fighting for, for sure. But while I'm gone, the team at LifeAudio and I want to have something for you. So we've prepared a summer series for you that I think you're going to really enjoy. We're calling it our Summer Prayer Series, and it features prayers from another show on our network, which is...

Hey friends, welcome to the final episode of our series on Joseph's story in the book of Genesis. Over the past few weeks, we've explored themes of growth, betrayal, victory, faithfulness, redemption, and God's sovereignty. If you haven't listened to the previous episodes, I encourage you to go back and catch up before diving into today's discussion on restoration and sovereignty. Before we get started, I want to thank you all for your reviews and for sharing this podcast with your friends...

This week, we continue our journey through the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis, as outlined in Nicole's new book and study, Not What I Signed Up For. Today, we delve into the themes of restoration and redemption in Joseph's story and how they apply to our own lives. We start by recapping Joseph's tumultuous journey, from being sold into slavery by his brothers at age 17, to rising to power as the second in command in Egypt. Despite the hardships, Joseph remained faithful to God,...

This week, we continue our journey through the life of Joseph, focusing on the  importance of lament as a way to engage with God about pain, disappointment, and confusion. Lament is a significant concept in scripture that is not only accepted but also invited by God as a means to process the inevitable pain and loss that humans experience in a broken world. Nicole highlights that lament is a way to bring specific pain, complaints, and petitions to God, ultimately leading to a place of trust...