EncounterPodcast

Matthew 5:3 He doesn't say, "Blessed are those who have it together." He says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." This meditation sits with that word. What does it mean to be spiritually poor? And why on earth would Jesus call that blessed? Does Encounter help you accept God's blessings? Please consider giving! What would it feel like to let go of the need to appear spiritually sufficient, even for just this hour?

Transcribed - Published: 2 June 2026

Isaiah 1:17 There is a kind of goodness that stays safely inside the walls of a comfortable life. It means well. But it never quite gets its hands dirty. That is the ache at the center of Isaiah 1:17. Not a call to try harder at religion. A call to let faith move through you and into the world around you. To learn, actively and intentionally, how to do good. Does Encounter help you live more intentionally? Please consider giving! When was the last time doing good actually cost you something?

Transcribed - Published: 30 May 2026

Psalm 27:4 This meditation from Psalm 27 is a reflection on your favorite escape. Reflect on this holy place to encounter the divine presence of God. Does Encounter help you experience God?  Please consider giving today! Where can you go to experience the presence of God?

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2025

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 This meditation from 2 Corinthians 1 is a reflection on finding consolation in the comforting heart of God and discovering peace in the tender embrace of His arms. Does Encounter help you find comfort?  Please consider giving! When did you last experience comfort from the Lord?

Transcribed - Published: 29 September 2025

1 Corinthians 10:13 This meditation is on the temptations of the heart-- the soft whispers of emotional temptations can scream the loudest. Does Encounter help you turn from temptations?  Please consider giving! What is most tempting to you?

Transcribed - Published: 28 September 2025

Psalm 139:23-24 This meditation from Psalm 139 is on the importance of having a daily spiritual heart exam. I pray this will help you surrender to the joy of having your heart and thoughts examined by God. Does Encounter help you surrender to the Lord?  Please consider giving! What does God see when He examines your heart?

Transcribed - Published: 27 September 2025

Psalm 119:2 This meditation is on seeking God with your heart, your whole heart, and nothing but your heart. Does Encounter help you seek God with your whole heart?  Please consider giving! What does it mean to seek the Lord with your whole heart?

Transcribed - Published: 26 September 2025

Zephaniah 2:3 This meditation is an encouragement to keep seeking.  You may find that what you are seeking, has already been found. Does Encounter help you find God?  Please consider giving to us! What do you most hope to find today?

Transcribed - Published: 25 September 2025

Psalm 42:2 This meditation from Psalm 42 is a reflection on seeking after what is hidden.  We'll find that sometimes, what you seek is hidden in plain sight for you to find. Does Encounter help you find peace?  Please consider giving! What is it you're seeking today?

Transcribed - Published: 24 September 2025

Joel 2:12 This meditation is a reflection on returning home to God and coming back to your safe place in the arms of your creator. Does Encounter help you return to safety with the Lord?  Please consider giving! When has God been a safe place for you recently?

Transcribed - Published: 23 September 2025

Revelation 3:20 This meditation is a reflection on answering the knocking and opening the door to accept the promises of God and fellowship with his Son. Does Encounter help you find peace?  Please consider supporting us. Is there an area of your life where the door is closed to God?

Transcribed - Published: 22 September 2025

Proverbs 21:2 The theme of this meditation is being found faithful as you live and move by faith.  Does Encounter help you grow in your relationship with the Lord?  Please consider giving! What step of faith do you need to take today?

Transcribed - Published: 21 September 2025

Deuteronomy 30:16 The theme of this meditation is about exploration and how to face it with divine peace and the courage of God. Does Encounter encourage you to have the courage of God?  Please consider giving to us! Do adventures excite you or give you anxiety?

Transcribed - Published: 20 September 2025

Luke 16:10 In today's meditation, we'll talk about skipping shortcuts and being faithful in order to see actual results. Does Encounter help you increase your patience?  Please consider giving! Is there an area of your life where you need extra patience today?

Transcribed - Published: 19 September 2025

James 1:19 The theme of this meditation from James 1 is being slower to speak and faster to listen to others, including your time listening in prayer.  Does Encounter help you to be a better listener?  Please consider giving! On an average day, how much talking do you do? How much listening?

Transcribed - Published: 18 September 2025

Colossians 2:6 Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. The theme of this meditation from Colossians 2 is imitation-- doing as others do, acting as they act, and walking as they walk. Does Encounter help you become more Christ-like?  Please consider giving! Who are you imitating?

Transcribed - Published: 17 September 2025

Acts 2:21 The theme of this meditation is to notice and mind warnings-- especially the most important spiritual warnings of God. Does Encounter encourage you to live the life God intends for you?  Please consider supporting us. Are there spiritual warnings you need to listen to today?

Transcribed - Published: 16 September 2025

Jeremiah 17:10 The theme of this meditation is confidence.  Having confidence, not in yourself, but in God because of what he has done for you before. Are you enjoying Encounter?  Please consider donating. How might God use you to help another rely more deeply on the Lord?

Transcribed - Published: 15 September 2025

Hebrews 11:6 This meditation from Hebrews 11 is about faith-- not the mustering up of new faith, but discovering the courage you seek is already within you. Faith is a gift from God. Does Encounter encourage you in your relationship with Christ?  Please consider giving! Is there a time when doubt has blocked you from experiencing trust?

Transcribed - Published: 14 September 2025

Habakkuk 3:17-18 This meditation from Habakkuk 3 is about remembering to be joyful, especially in the face of personal disappointment. I pray it brings you peace in your times of discontent. Does Encounter help you experience peace?  Please consider giving! Can you remember a time when you experienced joy despite disappointment?

Transcribed - Published: 13 September 2025

1 John 3:18 This meditation is a reflection on love languages. We'll contemplate how we receive love, and how we share it with others. Does Encounter help you show love? Please consider giving.   How do you show love?  How do you share the love with others?

Transcribed - Published: 12 September 2025

Ecclesiastes 11:5 Our theme for this meditation from Ecclesiastes 11 is uncertainty.  It is my hope that this will help you find hope in the midst of chaos and doubt. Does Encounter help you find hope?  Please consider giving! How has God shown up for you in uncertain times?

Transcribed - Published: 11 September 2025

2 Corinthians 5:21 This meditation is designed to combat the stress of the world by becoming a calm place of hope in the presence of God and a reminder of His offer of peace. Does Encounter help you accept an offer of peace?  Please consider giving! How big of a role does stress play in your daily life?

Transcribed - Published: 10 September 2025

Proverbs 22:4 Our theme for this meditation from Proverbs 22 is wealth--not in dollar signs and decimals as defined by the world, but the eternal and divine wealth of heaven. Does Encounter remind you of your true worth and value?  Please consider giving! What do you value most in life?

Transcribed - Published: 9 September 2025

Psalm 42:11 The Bible has much to say about depression. It can be hard to seek God as your help when you're experiencing depression, but by choosing to be here, you are taking an important first step. Does Encounter help you find hope in hard times?  Please consider supporting us. Where are you emotionally right now?

Transcribed - Published: 8 September 2025

1 John 4:18 The theme of this meditation from 1 John 4 is about love and how to be confident standing on the love of God when facing eternity. Does Encounter help you experience the love of God?  Please consider giving! Describe your experience with God's perfect love.

Transcribed - Published: 7 September 2025

Hebrews 4:12 This meditation will help you appreciate the manual you seek is in your hands and heart through God's Word. Does Encounter help you spend time with the Lord?  Please consider giving! How might God use you to help another find salvation?

Transcribed - Published: 6 September 2025

Psalm 143:10 This meditation will help you surrender in a new way: into the hands of God.    Does Encounter help you find comfort?  Please consider giving! Is there an area of your life where you need to surrender?

Transcribed - Published: 5 September 2025

Matthew 19:26 This meditation will help you embrace the truth of your frailty and surrender to the strength of God.   Does Encounter help you surrender to the strength of God?  Please consider supporting us. What challenges do you need to surrender to God?

Transcribed - Published: 4 September 2025

Isaiah 43:19 This meditation from Isaiah 43 will help you see with new eyes, encounter God in new ways, and experience His ongoing transformative work already well underway in your life right now. Does Encounter help you experience God in new ways?  Please consider giving! How is God transforming your life right now?

Transcribed - Published: 3 September 2025

Philippians 1:6 This meditation will help you find a space to encounter the assurance and patient working of God to restore and complete you. Are you enjoying Encounter?  Please consider donating. What about you feels most restored and complete?

Transcribed - Published: 2 September 2025

Psalm 2:11 This meditation is a reflection on approaching Elohim, the creator God, with the patient awe and wonder befitting Him, with a sense of adoration, embracing, celebrating, and even a bit of trembling. Does Encounter help you spend time with the Lord?  Please consider giving! What emotions do you feel when you approach the throne of God?

Transcribed - Published: 1 September 2025

2 Peter 3:9 This meditation from 2 Peter 3 is a reflection on patience, learning to wait on God by considering your own inadequacy while at the same time embracing the Lord's all-sufficiency.   Does Encounter help you wait on the Lord?  Please consider giving! Can you remember a time when God provided while you waited on Him?

Transcribed - Published: 31 August 2025

Philippians 2:12 This meditation from Philippians 2 is a reflection on the shining that comes from the indwelling of the Spirit of God within you so that others can see God's love in you. Does Encounter help you experience God's love?  Please consider giving! When have you seen God's light shine out from someone else?

Transcribed - Published: 30 August 2025

Colossians 3:16 I pray this meditation will help you empty yourself of the false hope the world offers and be filled with the shining presence of the divine. Does Encounter help you find true hope?  Please consider supporting us. What false hope do you need to release today?

Transcribed - Published: 29 August 2025

Matthew 18:20 This meditation is about the presence of God being particularly near when His people gather to meditate on repentance. Does Encounter help you experience the presence of God?  Please consider giving! How often do you gather together with others?

Transcribed - Published: 28 August 2025

Galatians 6:2 This meditation from Galatians 6 is about exploring ways to share the burdens of others and finding others to help carry some of yours. Does Encounter help you release your burdens?  Please consider giving! What (and whose) burdens are you carrying today?

Transcribed - Published: 27 August 2025

Galatians 5:14 This meditation from Galatians 5 is about having the freedom to love beyond yourself, loving everyone as God does, and treating everyone you meet as though they are the only one in your care.  Does Encounter help you love others?  Please consider giving! Who needs your undivided attention and love today?

Transcribed - Published: 26 August 2025

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 This meditation from Ecclesiastes 4 will help you center on the importance of having others in your life who can be a source of help, strength, warmth, and protection in times of need. Does Encounter help you find strength?  Please consider giving! Which friends are a source of strength?

Transcribed - Published: 25 August 2025

Genesis 1:27 This meditation is a reflection on the truth that God created each of us in his own likeness. He created us to be like Himself-- each of us created as unique gifts to the world for His glory. Does Encounter help you glorify God?  Please consider giving! How do others see God in you?

Transcribed - Published: 24 August 2025

James 1:17 This meditation is a reflection on your longing for enduring joy.  Empty yourself of the false hope the world offers and be filled with the joy and presence of God-- the only thing that endures! Does Encounter help you find joy?  Please consider giving to us! What false hopes have you been clinging to lately?

Transcribed - Published: 23 August 2025

Matthew 16:24 This meditation from Matthew 16 is a reflection on the longing to abandon everything to come and follow Jesus, becoming filled with who you truly are-- a disciple and follower of Christ. Does Encounter help you follow Jesus?  Please consider giving! What are some attributes of your true self?

Transcribed - Published: 22 August 2025

Matthew 11:15 This meditation from Matthew 11 is about listening. It will help you hear the reverberations of God's creation and listen for the substance and significance of what you hear. Does Encounter help you find peace?  Please consider giving! What sounds of creation do you hear right now?

Transcribed - Published: 21 August 2025

Psalm 130:5 This meditation will help you be aware and hopeful as you wait.  In the midst of the distracting ticking, tapping, and waiting, you'll be reminded to stay hope-filled for the One you are waiting on. Does Encounter bring you hope?  Please consider giving! What are you hopeful for today?

Transcribed - Published: 20 August 2025

2 Corinthians 3:17   This meditation from 2 Corinthians 3 will help you take a walk. Unbridled. Free. Being guided, not by the world but only by God's whispered directions. Does Encounter help you feel free?  Please consider giving to us! When did you last experience the feeling of freedom?

Published: 19 August 2025

James 1:5 This meditation from James 1 will help you remember that when we lack the wisdom to simply ask, God provides generously, liberally, and without reproach.  Does Encounter help you find peace?  Please consider giving! In what area of your life do you need God's wisdom today?

Published: 18 August 2025

Ezekiel 36:26 This meditation is a reflection on transformation-- receiving the gift of a heart transformed from self-willed stone to God-willed tenderness. Does Encounter help you find restoration?  Please consider supporting us. What of you is old and in need of restoration?

Published: 17 August 2025

1 Thessalonians 5:15 This meditation from 1 Thessalonians 5 is a contemplation on doing good.  Turn away from complacency and choose to do good. Does Encounter guide you to what is good?  Please consider giving to us! What decision can you make today that will lead you away from complacency?

Published: 16 August 2025

1 Corinthians 1:18 This meditation from 1 Corinthians 1 is a reflection on believing in the healing, restorative ways of God's saving power, no matter what others think.  Does Encounter help you deepen your faith?  Please consider giving! How do you respond when others question or mock your beliefs?

Transcribed - Published: 15 August 2025

2 Chronicles 7:14  This meditation from 2 Chronicles 7 is a reflection on restoration. You may feel isolated and forgotten by God but there is hope in the promise of forgiveness and God's divine restoration. Does Encounter help you encounter Christ?  Please consider giving! Is there a part of you in need of cleaning and repair?

Published: 14 August 2025