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This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 24 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible.

Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon.

Episode Notes:

Have you ever found yourself a long way from God? Not just having a bad day. Not just missing a quiet time or neglecting prayer for a week. Maybe you've made choices you deeply regret. Maybe you've drifted gradually over months or years. Maybe you've reached the point where you're not even sure what happened. One day you look around and realize you're not where you used to be spiritually.

And then the questions start. "Would God really take me back?" "Have I wandered too far?" "Have I been away too long?"

It's been months, maybe years, or even maybe decades. And the longer they've been away, the harder it becomes to imagine returning. If that's where you find yourself today, I have some good news. Because the book of Ezra is the story of people who came home after being away from God for a very long time.

The entire book is a story of restoration. It is the story of a God who rebuilds what has been broken and restores what seems lost.

So, if you've ever wondered whether restoration is possible...

Then Ezra chapter 1 is for you, so let's begin the journey back home to God.

Support the show

This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless...

Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon.

Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon

To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:

Jeremy McCandless | Substack

Check out my other Podcasts.

My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.

https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com

The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891

The Classic Literature Podcast:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:

Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail

This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible.

Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon.

Episode Notes:

Welcome to a brand-new season of Bible Journey Daily. Over the coming weeks, we're going to study through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, two fascinating books that tell a story of loss, hope, rebuilding, and renewal.

Interestingly, Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book in the Hebrew Scriptures. Together, they tell the story of God's people returning home after decades of exile in Babylon. Jerusalem had been devastated, the Temple destroyed, and many wondered whether Israel's story was over. But God wasn't finished with His people. These books remind us of a truth that runs through the entire Bible: when God makes a promise, He keeps it.

That's really the big theme of these books: restoration. How God restores His people to a place of worship, obedience, and fellowship with Him.

As we study through these chapters, we'll discover that restoration is rarely instant. The people faced opposition, discouragement, delays, personal failure, and hard decisions. Yet through every challenge, God remained faithful. He guided His people, strengthened their leaders, and accomplished His purposes even when circumstances seemed impossible, and that's one reason Ezra and Nehemiah still speak powerfully to us today.

Many of us know what it feels like to need restoration. Sometimes it's our faith that needs rebuilding. Sometimes it's our families, our priorities, our churches, or our relationship with God. We may look at the broken places in our lives and wonder if they can ever be restored.

Ezra and Nehemiah answer with a resounding yes.

The God who restored a ruined city, a broken nation, and a discouraged people is still in the business of restoration today.

So as we begin this journey together, let's listen carefully to the lessons of the returning exiles. Their story is more than ancient history. It's a testimony to the faithfulness of God and an invitation to trust Him with the rebuilding work He may be doing in our own lives.

Let's begin....

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless...

Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon.

Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon

To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:

Jeremy McCandless | Substack

Check out my other Podcasts.

My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.

https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com

The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891

The Classic Literature Podcast:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:

Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail

This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 24 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible.

Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon.

Episode Notes:

Let me start with a question that sounds a little uncomfortable, maybe even a little unspiritual:

What do I get when I give?

When we talk about giving to the Lord's work, we're usually quick to focus on what others receive. A missionary is helped. A ministry moves forward. A need is met. But have you ever stopped to ask what happens to the giver?

At first glance, the answer seems obvious. If I give money away, I have less money than I had before. My pocket is a little emptier. So why give at all? Is giving simply about doing the right thing? Is it about the satisfaction of helping others? Or does God have something deeper in mind?

In Philippians 4:10-20, Paul thanks the believers in Philippi for a financial gift they sent while he was under house arrest in Rome. But as he does, he reveals something remarkable. He shows us that generosity is not merely a blessing to the receiver. It is also a blessing to the giver.

So, as we conclude this season together, let's explore a surprising question:

Is it really better to give than to receive?

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless...

Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon.

Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon

To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:

Jeremy McCandless | Substack

Check out my other Podcasts.

My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.

https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com

The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891

The Classic Literature Podcast:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:

Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update