2 Minute Disciple | Daily Faith Journey for Spiritual Growth - Episodes Tagged with “Jesus Christ”

Episode 361: Come Away and Rest | Finding Rest in Jesus Amid Life’s Busyness | Mark 6:30–34 Devotional

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Come Away and Rest

When was the last time you truly rested?

In Episode 156 of 2 Minute Disciple, we reflect on Mark 6:30–34, where the disciples return from ministry exhausted and full of stories. Before discussing their accomplishments or planning the next mission, Jesus offers a simple invitation: “Come away by yourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”

It’s a powerful reminder that Jesus is not only concerned with what we do for Him—He is deeply concerned with our souls. He knows when we’ve been giving, serving, working, and striving. He knows when we’re running on empty.

Yet the story takes an unexpected turn. The crowds follow. The quiet retreat is interrupted. And instead of responding with frustration, Jesus responds with compassion. Seeing the people as sheep without a shepherd, He begins to teach them.

This passage holds two essential truths in tension: rest is necessary, and compassion is necessary. Jesus models both. He invites His followers to receive rest and teaches them how to respond graciously when life doesn’t go according to plan.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why Jesus prioritizes rest for His disciples
• The spiritual danger of constantly running on empty
• How rest becomes an act of trust and obedience
• What Jesus teaches us about interruptions and compassion
• A simple practice for embracing genuine rest today

Scripture

Mark 6:30–34 (NLT)

Reflection Question

Am I regularly accepting Jesus’ invitation to come away and rest—or have I been running on empty, giving what I no longer have to give?

Today’s Spiritual Practice

Protect one genuine period of rest today.

Not scrolling. Not multitasking. Not productive resting.

Simply rest with Jesus.

Before you begin, pray:

“Jesus, I accept Your invitation. I come away with You now. Restore what the busyness has taken. Fill what has been emptied. I receive this rest as a gift from You—and I trust You with everything I’m setting down to take it.”

If this episode encourages you, share it with one person today and help more people discover the peace, presence, and rest that Jesus offers.

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Episode 360: Whoever Receives You Receives Me | The Power of Small Acts of Faithfulness | Matthew 10:40–42 Devotional

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Whoever Receives You Receives Me

What if the smallest act of kindness you offer today carries more spiritual weight than you realize?

In Episode 155 of 2 Minute Disciple, we meditate on Matthew 10:40–42, where Jesus reminds His disciples that those who receive them are receiving Him—and that even a simple cup of cold water given in His name will not go unnoticed by God.

As followers of Jesus, we are more than people who talk about Christ. We carry His presence into every conversation, workplace, home, and ordinary moment of life. The way we love, serve, and welcome others becomes an expression of His love and welcome.

This passage challenges us to see our daily interactions differently. The kingdom of God is often revealed not through grand gestures, but through simple acts of faithfulness offered in Jesus’ name.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• What it means to carry the presence of Jesus into your everyday life
• Why hospitality and kindness matter deeply in God’s kingdom
• How small acts of care become powerful expressions of faith
• The significance of Jesus’ promise that nothing done in His name is ever wasted
• A practical habit to help you live out this teaching today

Scripture

Matthew 10:40–42 (NLT)

Reflection Question

Am I living with the awareness that I carry the presence of Jesus into every room I enter—and that even the smallest act of care offered in His name has weight and value in His kingdom?

Today’s Spiritual Practice

Offer one small, intentional act of care to someone today in Jesus’ name. Before you do, pray:

“Jesus, I offer this small thing in Your name. Let it carry more than I am able to give on my own—and let the person who receives it somehow sense that it comes from You.”

If this episode encourages you, share it with one person today and help more people slow down, listen to Jesus, and walk with Him.

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Episode 351: Jesus Delivers the Demon Possessed Man: Freedom Through Christ’s Authority | Mark 5:1–13 | 2 Minute Disciple S5E144

Sun, 24 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Episode 144 of 2 Minute Disciple Season 5 journeys into one of the most intense and hope-filled encounters in the Gospels: Jesus and the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes from Mark 5:1–13.

This contemplative Christian podcast episode reminds us that no life is too broken, no bondage too strong, and no darkness too deep for the authority of Jesus Christ. While the world had abandoned this man to isolation, shame, and torment, Jesus crossed a storm to reach him personally—and everything tormenting him bowed before the Son of the Most High God.

Through a peaceful rhythm of slowing down, reading Scripture, noticing, meditating, responding in prayer, and practicing a daily spiritual habit, listeners are invited to honestly examine the areas of life that feel unbreakable and place them before Jesus.

This episode speaks to anyone wrestling with fear, addiction, shame, spiritual exhaustion, destructive patterns, or hopelessness. It is a reminder that freedom is found not in our strength, but in the authority and compassion of Christ.

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Episode 237: An Apprenticeship to Jesus – Week 15: The Cross and the Tomb

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0600

In this powerful episode of An Apprenticeship to Jesus: Gospel of Mark Study, we journey through Mark 15, witnessing Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and burial. Nick Oyler guides listeners through the sobering events of Golgotha, the courage of Joseph of Arimathea, and the unwavering devotion of the women who stayed close. Discover what Jesus said, what He did, and how His example calls us to live differently this week. Includes practical spiritual exercises to deepen your walk with Christ.

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Episode 187: What I Am Learning From Jesus Is... Trust Jesus especially when everything is out of my control.

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0500

When we are anxious and panicked about our situation, we want someone else to be as anxious as we are. Jesus was calm, so calm that he was asleep and when he wakes up, he calmly tells the wind to stop. His words in that moment to the disciples are what speaks to me the most, “Why are you afraid, where is your faith?” I know, there is no need to fear, my God is in control. Easier said than done, but I’m learning.

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Episode 181: Luke Chapter 13

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Jesus saw people, had concern for them and changed their story regardless of what was going on around him. The religious leaders, on the other hand were more concerned with keeping the rules than seeing the needs of people. If there is one thing that we can learn from Jesus here is that he has a genuine concern for people and their needs over the rules for the day.

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Episode 157: Mark Chapter 6

Fri, 13 May 2022 10:00:00 -0500

There is a lot going on in this chapter, but there was one insightful piece of information in verse 52, Mark 6:52 (The Message): They didn’t understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts. These guys had seen so much, healing, casting out demons, feeding the hungry and walking on the water, but it hadn’t sunk in yet. I get it now, in the big moments like they were going through with Jesus, it takes a little bit for it to sink in and penetrate our hearts. There are so many things that we face in life that don’t sink in right away. What is God doing in you that hasn’t yet penetrated your heart?

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Episode 150: Matthew Chapter 27

Thu, 05 May 2022 12:00:00 -0500

We are continuing in the story of Jesus’s agony on the cross. What I am struck by is how this story drives home the point that Jesus is showing us how to live right side up through his humiliation on the cross and his exaltation in rising from the dead. In our upside down way of seeing things, we want the exaltation without the humiliation. We want the glory without the suffering, but the right side up way is to humble yourself before God and he will exalt you. That is what Jesus says and does.
I chose to follow Jesus about 40 years ago, and I didn’t take the time to get to know him by hanging out in the Gospels for the first 25 years or so. However, the more that I get to know him and the more that we dive into his life and teaching, the more I am convinced that Jesus’ way is the best way. I am glad that you are on this journey with me, so that you can discover who Jesus is and decide for yourself if you agree with me. If not, no pressure, just keep searching and hanging out with Him.

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Episode 148: Matthew Chapter 25

Tue, 03 May 2022 13:00:00 -0500

Don’t you love guilt trips.I can’t tell you how many things that I have done because I was guilted into it. Most of the time it worked out ok, but a few of those things were a little adventurous to say the least. Whenever I would read Matthew 25, I would read it through the guilt lens, don’t be one of those foolish girls, be a better planner and be organized. Be a good money manager unlike that last guy, you don’t want to be that guy, so use your money wisely with a “budget” approved by Dave. The last one was an ice cream Sunday with 3 giant scoops of guilt, don’t be a slacker, do more and achieve more for God or your a goat and you are BAD! So, I would try harder to be a “good” Christian, fail, try even harder and on and on the cycle would go.
But I think that it misses the point, it’s not about beating yourself up for not measuring up, but being ready by living for Jesus each day. It’s about looking for opportunities to grow in your skills for God’s glory and to not be afraid of being stretched. It’s about taking those skills and serving others not out of guilt or fear of not measuring up, but living each day for Jesus as his witness to God’s new government.
That new perspective is so freeing! I am so motivated to serve and love because I want to be more like Jesus each day. This subtle shift fits in with what we have learned about Jesus in the Gospels and I wish that I would have figured this truth out earlier in life, but that’s what this journey is for, discovering who Jesus is and how we can follow him. We can take these daily discoveries and change our trajectory and that’s success.

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Episode 127: Sermon On The Mount Part 5

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0500

It is so hard to not worry or be anxious, but worry and anxiety don’t work, they just make things worse. When we focus on God and how he works and provides for us, we can let go of those worries and watch God go to work for us. I needed to hear this today and I need to ask God to help me to make this a reality in my life. Worry and anxiety rob us of what God wants to give us and we are valuable to him. This week I have struggled to see what I have gained in a career given to vocational ministry. I’m having a hard time switching careers and seeing my value. However, when I think about my career in ministry as storing up treasures in heaven, I realize that my skills used to his glory were not wasted and that I can trust him to help us through this hard transition even if we can’t see it. I’m still a work in progress, however, because I just want God to hurry up already.
What is God showing you today?

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Episode 125: Sermon on the Mount Part 3

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 10:00:00 -0500

I had a rough day yesterday and I poured all of the anger, hurt, doubt, and junk that I have been stuffing inside, out onto my journal (no you can’t read it). It was a shake your fist at God moment for me and he prevailed. The words that spoke to me the most in this reading today are “Grow Up!” & “live like it.” Jesus’ way of living seems counter intuitive, but it really is life giving to be honest and open and to not dress yourself up in religious lace just to look the part. Living as citizen of God’s new government is not about looking the part, but it is about really living it out in the grit and grime of life. You can’t have one foot in and the other foot out, you have to be all in or all out of God’s way of life. Are you ready to grow up and be all in for God’s new government?

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Episode 124: Sermon on the Mount Part 2

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 16:00:00 -0500

Just getting by with doing the minimum requirements is not good enough in God’s kingdom. We tend to view righteousness from the outside, by only observing behaviors, however righteousness needs to be observed from the heart. Our behaviors spring from what is on the inside. If our hearts are pure and our motives righteous then our actions will follow. To live in God’s kingdom, your heart has to be right before him and if your heart is his, then you will live a righteous life.
This is what Jesus is saying in this section, just checking off boxes doesn’t cut it. How is your heart before God?

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Episode 123: Sermon on the Mount 1

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0500

Jesus introduces his sermon with a hook that really make you scratch you head. Matthew 5:3 (The Message): 3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.” When I’m at the end of my rope, I don’t consider myself blessed, I’m wondering what has cursed me. It’s upside down from conventional wisdom, but remember that Jesus is introducing us to his new government with God in charge and things are different.
Dallas Willard illustrates this brilliantly in his book, The Divine Conspiracy: Recently a pilot was practicing high-speed maneuvers in a jet fighter. She turned the controls for what she thought was a steep ascent—and flew straight into the ground. She was unaware that she had been flying upside down. This is a parable of human existence in our times—not exactly that everyone is crashing, though there is enough of that—but most of us as individuals, and world society as a whole, live at high-speed, and often with no clue to whether we are flying upside down or right-side up. Indeed, we are haunted by a strong suspicion that there may be no difference—or at least that it is unknown or irrelevant (Willard, pg.7)
Jesus shows us how the world is supposed to look when it is right side up. These blessings give us a picture of what life should look like and what we can expect as we proclaim God’s kingdom in partnership with him. I love the two illustrations of light and salt as to what our impact on the world is when we proclaim this new government.
What comes to your mind as you read this introduction to Jesus’ sermon?

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Episode 122: Matthew Chapter 4

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0500

I love Jesus’ call to follow him, it’s simple, direct and for anybody and everybody. His call is so simple because he just invites us, “come follow me...” and he promises to change our lives as we are introduced to his new government. He is ushering in an era of renewal and putting things to rights. People are being healed and transformed in to a new kind of person. All of this happens after Jesus passes his test with the devil. Jesus is now able to usher in the new kind of rule.
When I have read this before, my mindset is usually that Jesus did all of this stuff so that if I believe in him, I will get to go to heaven with him when I die. However, that’s not what Jesus was talking about. He is ushering in a new era and we no longer have to settle for the status quo of this sin stained life. We can now be transformed and put back together to live for God’s glory. I like the sound of that so much better, I get to be apart of this new government now and proclaim this new life now and not as some kind of fire insurance for after I die.
I’m ready to sign up now, how about you?

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Episode 98: Acts Chapter 8

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 16:00:00 -0600

God moved the church out of it's comfort zone and into the zone that he wanted them. Is he doing that today?

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