Episodes

  • This lie kills Christian motivation. Here are 3 strategies to fight it.

    This lie kills Christian motivation. Here are 3 strategies to fight it.
    Apr 26 2024

    Hey all,

    Today we have the 10th song of 2024 and the 4th of 5 Hebrews 11-12 Songs.

    In this episode we talk about the big lie we tend to tell ourselves that robs us of the motivation we should get from this chapter.

    I give 3 ways to combat the lie.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gracenotmagic.substack.com
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    12 mins
  • What was the 'secret' to the faith of the people in Hebrews 11?

    What was the 'secret' to the faith of the people in Hebrews 11?
    Apr 5 2024

    As we read the stories of those who had faith we may feel motivated and deflated at the same time. These people conquered so many things by faith - we got that, but what made them have such strong faith? Can we have such strong and enduring faith?

    Hebrews 11:13-16 is a passage to learn and to love because it answers those very questions. This is the 10th song in the Sway & Say Weekly Series. 2 more to go in Hebrews 11-12.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gracenotmagic.substack.com
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    9 mins
  • Here's an example of how to obey God though you have no idea what'll happen if you do

    Here's an example of how to obey God though you have no idea what'll happen if you do
    Mar 24 2024

    Hey all,

    Today we have the 9th song of 2024 and 2nd in our Hebrews 11 series: Hebrews 11:8-12, 17-22.

    n today’s podcast episode I give 3 reasons you should make every effort to learn and to love these precious verses.

    Check out and subscribe to my newsletter GraceNotMagic.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gracenotmagic.substack.com
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    16 mins
  • 4 Reasons to learn & to love Hebrews 11 (+ New Song)

    4 Reasons to learn & to love Hebrews 11 (+ New Song)
    Mar 13 2024

    Hey all,

    This is the first video podcast episode! Yay.

    Today we have the 8th song of 2024 and we’re kickstarting a brand new 5-song series: Hebrews 11 + Hebrews 12:1-4.

    In today’s podcast episode I give 4 reasons you should make every effort to learn and to love these precious verses. Click the link to Check out the Song for Hebrews 11:1-7 (He Rewards): YouTube | SoundCloud.

    Check out and subscribe to my newsletter GraceNotMagic.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gracenotmagic.substack.com
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    14 mins
  • Sing Psalm 19: 7-11 + 5 prompts to jumpstart your meditation on this passage

    Sing Psalm 19: 7-11 + 5 prompts to jumpstart your meditation on this passage
    Mar 6 2024

    Hey all,

    Today we're talking about Psalm 19:7-11. It's the text we're memorizing this week in our new song, the 7th song of 2024.

    Stream or download the song: SoundCloud.

    Watch the song: Grace Not Magic.

    In this episode of the pod Andrew shares 5 things about Psalm 19 worth considering.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gracenotmagic.substack.com
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    17 mins
  • Sing Isaiah 53: 10-12 + When reading your bible is like cooking with love

    Sing Isaiah 53: 10-12 + When reading your bible is like cooking with love
    Mar 2 2024

    Hey all,

    Today we have the 5th song of 2024 and the 2nd in the Isaiah 53 series! Verses 6-9.

    You can watch on YouTube or stream or download on SoundCloud.

    In this episode I talk about the bible's message that "ALL" of us have strayed from God. It's a reflection on the sins we don’t feel, hear or see.

    This quote blew my mind this week: “A man may not be as other men, and yet he may not be as he should be.”

    It comes from a sermon by Thomas Manton on verse 6 of Isaiah 53. I talk about that and more. We look at blindspots: The sins we never see (1 Timothy 5:24, Psalm 19:12).

    I’ll leave you with 2 points from Manton:

    First, realize what this verse is all about. The Lord Jesus Christ. It shows us that we have all sinned and need the forgiveness that comes through God laying our iniquity on him.

    After we become Christians, we need to “Ponder the path of your feet,” and turn from sinning. (Prov 4:26)



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gracenotmagic.substack.com
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    10 mins
  • All we like sheep have gone astray | Sing Isaiah 53: 6-9

    All we like sheep have gone astray | Sing Isaiah 53: 6-9
    Feb 20 2024

    Hey all,

    Today we have the 5th song of 2024 and the 2nd in the Isaiah 53 series! Verses 6-9.

    You can watch on YouTube or stream or download on SoundCloud.

    In this episode I talk about the bible's message that "ALL" of us have strayed from God. It's a reflection on the sins we don’t feel, hear or see.

    This quote blew my mind this week: “A man may not be as other men, and yet he may not be as he should be.”

    It comes from a sermon by Thomas Manton on verse 6 of Isaiah 53. I talk about that and more. We look at blindspots: The sins we never see (1 Timothy 5:24, Psalm 19:12).

    I’ll leave you with 2 points from Manton:

    First, realize what this verse is all about. The Lord Jesus Christ. It shows us that we have all sinned and need the forgiveness that comes through God laying our iniquity on him.

    After we become Christians, we need to “Ponder the path of your feet,” and turn from sinning. (Prov 4:26)



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gracenotmagic.substack.com
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    18 mins
  • Make Lent more meaningful this year | Sing Isaiah 53:1-5!

    Make Lent more meaningful this year | Sing Isaiah 53:1-5!
    Feb 13 2024
    Tomorrow is the start of Lent. For some people that means giving up something. This year, I’m calling you to pick up something: 12 verses. A chapter that has shaped Christianity most profoundly. During Lent many Christians reflect on the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to use this time to present a 3-song series on a passage all about what Jesus did on the cross: Isaiah 53.In this post, I will share:* Today’s song (video);* My reasons against memorizing this chapter now;* My reasons for deciding to press on; * Some sermons I’ve found and listened to on Isaiah 53 which I recommend; and * A quick poll about developing a community here.The First Song: SURELYThe series goes like this:* Verses 1-5 (Tuesday, February 13, 2024) - Today* Verses 6-9 (Tuesday, February 20, 2024) * Verses 10-12 (Tuesday, February 27, 2024)I have named each song, just to aid in meditation as well. While you learn the verses this week, you can think about this word: Surely. Isaiah 53:1-553 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground;he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities;upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.Why Isaiah, Why NowI have been struggling with doing Isaiah 53 now. I have always loved this chapter. I may have even memorized it before. I’m almost sure of it. But I didn’t do the work to understand its significance. My love affair with this passage is a perfect demonstration a problem in my faith life the Lord exposed to me in 2023, and which propelled me to restart my memorization journey.Let me show you what I mean. In 2017 I released a song called, What A Story, all about the work of Christ and my opening line was the first verse of Isaiah 53: “Who has believed our report / who accept our chat?”Yet can I explain the chapter to you now? Before setting out to memorize it this time around, did I remember anything besides the first line? I could hear Jesus saying to me as he did to the Sadducees “you do not know the scriptures.”That’s why I set out to learn the chapter as one of the foundational texts I believe I should know as a Christian. Reasons against memorizing Isaiah 53 nowIn making my plan for the year I knew I wanted to do this chapter around Easter.Yet after putting last week’s verse to bed and looking out to this week, I started to have doubts. First, I wonder if going to an Old Testament prophet will break your momentum. I have to remember you and I are different people. I want to encourage, not discourage you. In January I read an article by Andrew M. Davis, How (and How Not) to Memorize Scripture, which warned: “Don’t do prophetic genre (i.e. OT prophetic books) too early in your career.” In my experience, they are the hardest books to memorize since the Spirit leads the prophet in trains of thought that are not always easy to follow. I am well aware that “all Scripture is God-breathed and useful” for our full fruitfulness in Christ. However, I am speaking as one with a lot of experience. The memorization I did in the minor prophets and in Ezekiel was the hardest I ever did. Work on a New Testament epistle first, or a portion of a Gospel. It will feed you and encourage you immediately, and your confidence will grow. Tackle the visionary prophets later.Second, I’ve googled the most popular verses and they are verses I would also love to memorize - so why not do one of those? Check out this list, The Top 100 Most Read Bible Verses, published by BibleGateway.com.Here are the top 5: * John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.* Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.* Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.* Ps 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.* Ps 23:6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.Like everyone else, I want to be encouraged by rich promises of God’s love and care for me. These verses talk about that love so clearly and directly. Third...
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    22 mins