The Biblical Passages Podcast
Eric Samuelson & Brittany Winslow Avina
The Biblical Passages Podcast is where biblical wisdom meets real-life application. Created for both new believers and seasoned Christians, this podcast encourages you to not only understand God’s Word but to implement it with clarity, confidence, and purpose.Proverbs teaches us to get wisdom and to get understanding. Here, we explore how to do exactly that by converting Scripture into practical strategies for everyday living, relationships, spiritual growth and leadership.If you’re hungry for deeper understanding, real-life application, and conversations that strengthen your walk with God, you’re in the right place. We’re honored to grow with you as w...
Episodes
Your Life Isn’t Random: How to Trace God’s Hand Through Every Season
Send us Fan MailFeeling like you don’t have enough? Like your painful seasons were just wasted years?In this episode of the Biblical Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric unpack a powerful exercise called Tracing God—a practical way to look back and finally see the fingerprints of God in every season of your life.You’ll walk through the four major sources of counsel God uses:The counsel of God (Scripture, life verses, Rhema words, and timely words from others)The counsel of others (the people He strategically places—including spiritual fathers)The counsel from within (what’s happening in your mind, will, and emotions)The counsel of circumstances (the resources, skills, and even the hard experiences He’s given you)Brittany gets real about the moments she felt completely inadequate while filling out the assessment… until she realized the most painful chapters of her life had become her greatest tools for helping others. Eric shares why this exercise isn’t just a nice journal prompt—it’s discipleship training straight from Jesus’ final assignment.If you’ve ever wondered:“God, where have You been?”“Do I even have anything to offer?”“How do I actually learn to recognize Your voice?”This episode is for you.The full Tracing God tool is available at spiritual-strategies.com. Grab it, walk through it, and start seeing the intentional path He’s already been leading you on.Because looking back is often how we learn to trust Him for what’s next.Want practical tools that help you grow?All our Discipleship resources and the Spiritual Personality Assessment areavailable for $20/month at www.Spiritual-Strategies.com
Naaman: When God Humbles to Heal
Send us Fan MailYou can be successful in one area of life and still be struggling deeply in another.You can have the career. The responsibilities. The respect. The appearance that everything is going well.And still have a “but.”Naaman did.He was a respected military commander. Powerful. Accomplished. Successful.But he had leprosy.In 2 Kings 5, Naaman’s search for healing takes him somewhere he never expected—and asks something of him that may have been harder than the journey itself:He had to humble himself.Naaman expected the prophet Elisha to come out, make a spectacle of the moment, and heal him in the way he thought healing should happen.Instead, Elisha sent a messenger with a simple instruction: wash in the Jordan seven times.Naaman was furious.Because sometimes the problem isn’t that God hasn’t answered.It’s that His answer doesn’t look like the one we wanted.In this episode of the Biblical Passages Podcast, we unpack Naaman’s transformation in 2 Kings 5 and explore what his story can teach us about pride, control, obedience, healing, gratitude, and the difference between a transactional relationship with God and a transformational one.In this episode, we explore:What happens when one unresolved struggle overshadows everything going rightWhy we sometimes resist simple answers because they require humilityHow our expectations can keep us from recognizing God’s directionWhy the people with the least status may sometimes carry the wisdom we need mostThe difference between asking God to change our circumstances and allowing Him to change our heartsWhy God’s mercy cannot be bought, earned, or controlledHow pride and greed can distort something God intended for transformationWhat it means to trust God when His way looks nothing like oursMaybe your “leprosy” isn’t physical.Maybe it’s the relationship you can’t repair. The anxiety about what comes next. The career that looks successful but leaves you empty. The resentment you haven’t released. The financial pressure no one knows about. Or the part of your life where you keep asking:“God, why haven’t You fixed this yet?”Naaman’s story invites us to ask a different question:What if the breakthrough isn’t only about what God wants to change around you—but what He wants to transform within you?And as you listen, reflect on this:What is God asking you to do that seems simple—but feels difficult because it requires you to humble yourself?Stop guessing where God is working in your life.Get the Discipleship tools and Spiritual Personality Assessment we use for $20/month at www.Spiritual-Strategies.com
God Called You—So Why Are You Hiding? | 1 Samuel 9–10
Send us Fan MailWhat if the thing disrupting your life isn’t just a problem to solve—but part of the path God is using to move you forward?Saul wasn’t looking for his calling. He was looking for lost donkeys.Yet that ordinary assignment led him directly into a future he never expected.God called him. God confirmed him. God changed his heart.And when it was finally time to step forward?Saul hid.Maybe you understand that feeling.You know there’s something more for you, but you don’t feel ready. You’re questioning your career. Navigating a relationship. Trying to figure out your next move. Wrestling with self-doubt. Or wondering why God would allow this particular disruption in your life.Sometimes the hardest part isn’t discovering that God is calling you.It’s believing you can actually step into what He’s calling you to do.In this episode of the Biblical Passages Podcast, “God Called You—So Why Are You Hiding? | 1 Samuel 9–10,” we look at Saul’s unexpected journey from searching for lost donkeys to being anointed as Israel’s first king.In this episode, we unpack:Why an unexpected problem may become an unexpected redirectionWhat to do when God’s direction doesn’t match how you see yourselfWhy confirmation doesn’t always eliminate fearThe difference between being called and feeling readyHow listening and obedience can open doors you never saw comingWhy transformation often changes how others see youWhat happens when you finally step forward—and not everyone supports youHow to recognize the “equipment” you may be hiding behindIf you’ve been asking, “God, what am I supposed to do next?” this conversation may help you look at your circumstances through a different lens.🎧 Listen to the Biblical Passages PodcastEpisode: “God Called You—So Why Are You Hiding? | 1 Samuel 9–10”As you listen, consider this:What are your “lost donkeys”? What feels like a disruption today that God may be using to lead you somewhere you never expected to go?#ChristianPodcast #GodsCalling #FaithOverFear #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianMillennials
When Your Faith Runs Dry, Borrow Someone Else’s | Mark 2 (#0019)
Send us Fan MailWhat do you do when you don't have the faith to keep going?When you've prayed all the prayers…Read all the verses…Tried to stay positive…And you're still exhausted, discouraged, and barely hanging on?In this episode of the Biblical Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric explore one of the most overlooked and hope-filled stories in Scripture: the paralytic man who was lowered through the roof by his friends.Most of us have heard this story and focused on the miracle of healing.But what if the real miracle began before the man ever stood up?What if the story is actually teaching us something powerful about faith, friendship, and the body of Christ?Together, Brittany and Eric unpack a surprising truth:Sometimes, when your faith is weak, God allows someone else's faith to carry you.Together, they discuss:• Why it's okay to admit that your faith feels weak sometimes • The powerful significance of Jesus seeing their faith instead of the paralytic man's faith • What it means to "borrow faith" from other believers during difficult seasons • Why God never intended us to walk through life alone • The importance of having people in your life who are willing to carry you to Jesus when you can't get there yourself • How vulnerability and community become lifelines in seasons of suffering • Why faith isn't just belief—it's belief that moves into action • The beauty of the body of Christ working together, each part supplying what another person lacks • Real-life examples of borrowing faith during hospital stays, grief, addiction recovery, and moments of desperation • How God often uses ordinary people to become answers to someone else's prayersThis episode also asks an important question:Who are the people in your life that would carry you to Jesus if you couldn't get there on your own?And equally important:Whose mat might God be asking you to carry?Because throughout Scripture, we see a beautiful pattern:The woman with the issue of blood reached out in faith.Friends tore through a roof because they believed.Believers prayed for one another.And time after time, God honored faith—even when it came through someone else.If you've been sitting in a waiting room, struggling through a difficult season, battling discouragement, or simply feeling like your grip on faith is getting weak, this conversation will remind you of something incredibly important:You were never meant to carry your burdens alone.Sometimes God's answer isn't to give you more strength immediately.Sometimes His answer is to surround you with people who have enough faith to carry you until yours grows again.Join Brittany and Eric as they explore the surprising biblical truth that sometimes the greatest gift God gives us isn't a miracle…It's a friend willing to climb onto a roof and carry us to Jesus.
You’ve Memorized the Lord’s Prayer—But Do You Understand It? (#0018)
Send us Fan MailIt's one of the most famous passages in all of Scripture.Many of us memorized it as children. We've recited it in church services, family gatherings, and moments of crisis.But have we ever really stopped to ask:What was Jesus actually teaching us?In this episode of the Biblical Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric slow down and unpack one of the most familiar—and often overlooked—teachings of Jesus: The Lord's Prayer.Because when the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He could have taught them anything.He could have taught them how to perform miracles.How to preach.How to cast out demons.How to lead.Instead, He gave them a short, simple, and profoundly powerful prayer that has shaped believers for generations.Together, Brittany and Eric explore:• Why the first two words, "Our Father," completely changed humanity's relationship with God • What it means to approach God as a Father rather than merely a distant authority • Why "Hallowed be Your name" is about honoring God's reputation and character • What Jesus meant when He prayed, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done" • How believers are called to bring the culture of Heaven into everyday life • Why "Give us this day our daily bread" is a declaration of complete dependence on God • The powerful connection between receiving forgiveness and extending it to others • What "Lead us not into temptation" really means in light of trials and testing • Why spiritual protection matters in a world filled with competing influences • The surprising depth behind one simple word: AmenThis conversation also asks a challenging question:Have we become so familiar with the Lord's Prayer that we've stopped being formed by it?Because the Lord's Prayer was never meant to become empty repetition.It was meant to become a way of thinking.A way of relating to God.A way of living.Simple enough for a child to memorize…Yet deep enough to spend a lifetime studying.If you've ever rushed through these words, repeated them from memory, or wondered what Jesus was really teaching His disciples, this episode will invite you to slow down and listen again.Because maybe the goal was never simply to pray these words…but to become the kind of people who actually live them.Join Brittany and Eric as they walk phrase by phrase through the Lord's Prayer and discover how this short, simple prayer contains a blueprint for relationship, dependence, forgiveness, and life in the Kingdom of God.
When God Opens the Door, Will You Be Ready? | Nehemiah Pt. 2 (#0017)
Send us Fan MailHave you ever carried a burden so heavy that you didn't know what to do with it?You prayed.You waited.You sat with it.And then suddenly… an opportunity appeared.The question is:Would you be ready when the door opened?In this episode of the Biblical Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric continue the story of Nehemiah and discover that his anguish wasn't the end of the story—it was only the beginning.After four months of praying, fasting, and carrying a burden for a city he'd never even seen, Nehemiah finds himself standing before the most powerful man in the world: the king of Persia.One question changes everything:"What do you request?"Through this remarkable story, Brittany and Eric unpack what happens when God begins to move on behalf of the burdens He has placed in our hearts.Together, they explore:• Why some burdens refuse to leave us alone • The significance of Nehemiah serving as the king's cupbearer • Why God often prepares our hearts long before He opens a door • The importance of having an answer when opportunity finally arrives • What it means that Nehemiah prayed in the middle of a conversation • Why we cannot manufacture intimacy with God in moments of crisis • How God often provides resources in ways we never expected • Why opposition after an open door doesn't necessarily mean you're on the wrong path • The difference between walking by analysis and walking by faith • How ordinary people become part of extraordinary assignmentsThis episode also asks a deeply personal question:What breaks your heart?Because throughout Scripture, God often begins His greatest works by placing a burden inside someone's heart.A burden for a city.A burden for a people.A burden for justice.A burden for healing.A burden for restoration.And sometimes, the very thing that keeps you awake at night…may be the thing God is inviting you to help rebuild.If you've been carrying something that won't leave you alone, if you've been wondering why a particular issue keeps stirring your heart, or if you're waiting for God to open a door, this conversation will encourage you to stay faithful in the waiting.Because when God's timing meets a prepared heart…a single question can change everything."What do you request?"Join Brittany and Eric as they explore how prayer, faith, and holy burdens often become the starting point for God's greatest assignments in our lives.
The Burden You Can’t Shake May Be Your Assignment | Nehemiah pt. 1 (#0016)
Send us Fan MailHave you ever been so burdened by something that you couldn't move on?Not just stressed.Not just disappointed.But completely and utterly broken.The kind of anguish that keeps you awake at night. The kind that sits deep in your soul while everyone else seems to carry on with life as usual.In this episode of the Biblical Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric explore a powerful and often overlooked truth:What if anguish isn't something to avoid?What if it's something God uses to get our attention?Through personal stories, biblical examples, and practical application, they unpack how some of Scripture's most influential figures experienced deep anguish—and how God responded to it.Together, Brittany and Eric discuss:• Why anguish is different from everyday stress and disappointment• How Jesus experienced unimaginable agony in the Garden of Gethsemane before the cross• The remarkable medical condition that explains Jesus sweating drops of blood• Why Paul described carrying "unceasing anguish" for the salvation of others• Hannah's heartbreaking story of infertility, rejection, and unanswered prayer• How God transformed Hannah's deepest pain into a blessing beyond what she could have imagined• Why anguish often reveals the true condition of our hearts• The overlooked story of Nehemiah and how a burden for something bigger than himself changed history• The five powerful responses Nehemiah demonstrated when his heart was broken• How God often positions people long before they understand their callingThis conversation challenges a culture that tells us to numb our pain, distract ourselves, or move on as quickly as possible.Throughout Scripture, we see a different pattern:Jesus prayed through His anguish.Hannah poured out her soul before the Lord.Paul carried an unceasing burden for others.Nehemiah sat down, wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed.And in every story…God offered a historic response.If you've been carrying a burden, wrestling with grief, or wondering why something won't leave your heart, this conversation may help you see it differently.Maybe the thing you've been trying to shake…is the very thing God is trying to use.Join Brittany and Eric as they explore how anguish can reveal purpose, deepen faith, and become the beginning of God's movement in our lives. And discover why sometimes our deepest burdens are not obstacles to God's plan—they're invitations into it.
God Doesn’t Run on Your Clock | Faith, Timing & Surrender (#0015)
Send us Fan MailHave you ever prayed for something, waited… and waited… and wondered:"God, where are You?"Why does it feel like some prayers are answered immediately while others seem to sit in silence for months—or even years?In this episode of the Biblical Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric explore a powerful truth that changes the way we view God's timing:God doesn't operate by clocks. He operates by conditions.Through Scripture, personal stories, and practical application, they unpack the difference between Chronos time—the time measured by calendars, deadlines, and schedules—and Kairos time—those divine moments when heaven breaks into earth because the right spiritual conditions have come together.Together, Brittany and Eric discuss:• Why our desire for control often reveals a lack of faith • What Scripture means by "the process of time" and "the fullness of time" • Why Hannah had to wait for Samuel and why God's promises often unfold through a process • The difference between waiting on God's timing and preparing for God's timing • How faith creates the conditions for God to move • The woman with the issue of blood and what it means to "touch heaven" by faith • Why some seasons that feel like silence may actually be preparation • Abraham and Isaac's journey up the mountain—and the ram they couldn't yet see • How surrender and obedience position us for breakthrough • Why discernment matters more than urgency when seeking God's directionThis episode asks a difficult but necessary question:What if the thing you're calling a delay… is actually God preparing something you cannot yet see?Sometimes the answer isn't, "God, why haven't You moved?"Sometimes the better question is:"God, is there something You're developing in me while I wait?"Because throughout Scripture, we see the same pattern:Hannah waited.Abraham trusted.The woman with the issue of blood pressed through the crowd.And in each story, heaven touched earth in a moment that couldn't be forced, rushed, or controlled.If you've been frustrated by God's timing, wrestling with unanswered prayers, or wondering whether anything is happening at all, this conversation will encourage you to view your circumstances through a different lens.Because what feels like silence…may actually be preparation.And what feels like delay…may simply be God waiting for the fullness of time.Join Brittany and Eric as they explore how faith, surrender, and spiritual discernment position us for the moments when heaven breaks through and changes everything.
When Everything Keeps Changing, What Can You Trust? (#0014)
Send us Fan MailWhat do you build your life on when the "truth" you were handed keeps getting updated?We live in a world where you can ask AI anything and get an answer in seconds — with a quiet little disclaimer at the bottom: this may not be accurate. We've made peace with truth that constantly shifts. Science revises. Culture moves. Opinions evolve. But then we open the Bible, and it doesn't hedge. It doesn't say this might be wrong or check back for an update. It speaks as though it were already settled.In this episode of the Biblical Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric sit with that contrast and ask an honest question: how do you evaluate something that admits it could be wrong against something that claims it never is?Starting from just four words — "In the beginning, God" — they slow down on Genesis 1:1 and the staggering claim underneath it: that time, space, and matter all began in a single moment, and that the God who created everything also gets to define everything. From there the conversation opens up into why a generation with more information than ever can still feel more confused than ever, and what happens when the ground under your feet keeps moving.Brittany shares openly about years spent believing she'd never be enough without the right credentials on the wall — and the shift that came when she realized God can use anyone, degree or not. Eric traces his own journey as a man trained in science who had to decide what to do with a Jesus who said I am the truth — not I teach it, or I point to it. As he puts it, you don't get to admire that claim casually. You have to decide what to do with it.Together they explore what it means to run your decisions through a filter of Scripture instead of culture, emotion, or the loudest voice in the room — and Brittany shares a small, real, recent moment where a single verse, blessed are the peacemakers, changed what she did in the span of a breath.In this episode, Brittany and Eric explore:Why we're comfortable with "truth" that constantly updates — and why that should unsettle usHow AI can quietly become a modern "golden calf" we lean on instead of thinking for ourselvesWhat Genesis 1:1 actually asserts about time, space, and matterWhy Jesus' claim to be the truth leaves no comfortable middle groundHow faith works as the "currency of heaven" that brings Scripture aliveWhy more information hasn't made us more groundedWhat it looks like to filter your decisions through the Word instead of your feelingsChoosing an unshakable foundation in a world that keeps revising its ownWhether you're chasing certainty through more research, more credentials, or more answers, this conversation is an invitation to rest on something that doesn't change.Because while the world keeps releasing new versions of the truth, God never has to hit update — He is truth, the same yesterday, today, and forever.Join Brittany and Eric as they explore where your truth really comes from, and what it means to build your life on ground that cannot move.
Who Is Shaping the Way You Think? | Psalm 1 (#0013)
Send us Fan MailWho is shaping the way you think right now… and do you even realize it?In this episode, we break down Psalm 1 (NKJV) in a way that feels uncomfortably relevant to today’s world. This isn’t just a passage about sin—it’s about influence.The Bible gives us a progression most people overlook:Walk. Stand. Sit.It’s subtle… but it’s powerful.What starts as casual exposure can slowly turn into agreement—and eventually identity.We unpack:The real meaning behind “walk, stand, and sit” (and why there are three stages)How influence shapes your thoughts, decisions, and future—often without you noticingWhat it actually looks like to meditate on the Word in a practical, everyday wayWhy Psalm 1 compares your life to a tree—and what it means to be rooted vs. driftingHow this applies in 2026 (yes… including social media, news, and digital influence)This episode will challenge you to evaluate:👉 What voices are you allowing into your life?👉 What are you becoming because of them?👉 And are you planted… or just being blown around?Because according to Scripture, your life is moving in the direction of your influences.The good news?You can change your direction—starting today.
Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead? Examining the Evidence (#0012)
Send us Fan MailDid the resurrection of Jesus really happen… or have we just been told that it did?In this episode of the Spiritual Strategies Podcast, Brittany and Eric step into one of the most foundational—and most questioned—claims of the Christian faith:Did Jesus truly rise from the dead?Instead of relying on tradition or assumption, they take a step back and ask a deeper question:What evidence actually exists—and can it stand up to real scrutiny?This conversation moves beyond blind faith and into historical reasoning, eyewitness testimony, and logical analysis. Brittany and Eric walk through what we know about Jesus’ life, death, and the events that followed—examining whether the resurrection is simply a belief… or something far more grounded in reality.From Roman historians to Gospel accounts, from oral tradition to archaeological discoveries, this episode builds a compelling case that invites listeners to think critically and personally about what they believe.Together, Brittany and Eric explore:• Why asking questions about faith actually strengthens belief—not weakens it• The historical evidence surrounding Jesus’ life, crucifixion, and resurrection• How eyewitness testimony supports the credibility of the Gospel accounts• Why the timing of the written records matters in validating their accuracy• The role of non-Christian historians in confirming key biblical events• How oral tradition preserved Jesus’ teachings with precision and consistency• Why the differences in Gospel accounts actually increase their credibility• Common alternative theories about the resurrection—and why they fall apart• The dramatic transformation of the disciples after encountering the risen Jesus• What it means to have a faith that is rooted in both truth and evidenceThis episode also challenges a common assumption:Faith is not meant to ignore evidence—it’s meant to respond to it.Because if the resurrection is true…then Jesus is not just a historical figure to study—He is alive.And that changes everything.If you’ve ever wondered whether Christianity can stand up to real questions, or if your faith has ever felt more inherited than examined, this conversation will give you a stronger, clearer foundation.Because the resurrection isn’t just a story to believe…it’s a truth to respond to.Join Brittany and Eric as they explore how history, evidence, and transformed lives all point to one central question:If Jesus really rose from the dead—what does that mean for you?
If God Is Good, Why Does Life Still Hurt? (#0011)
Send us Fan MailWhat happens when life doesn’t make sense… and you start questioning not just your circumstances—but God Himself?In this episode of the Spiritual Strategies Podcast, Brittany and Eric take on two of the most difficult and honest questions believers and non-believers alike wrestle with:Why does God allow suffering? And why believe in God at all?Rather than avoiding these questions, they lean into them.Through real-life experiences, biblical truth, and thoughtful conversation, Brittany and Eric unpack the deeper reality behind pain, suffering, and the nature of God’s character. Many people assume that if God is good, life should be free from hardship—but Scripture reveals something very different.Suffering doesn’t mean God is absent. And “being a good person” isn’t the full story of what we were created for.This episode challenges common assumptions and brings clarity to questions that often go unspoken. From hospital rooms to personal testimonies, the conversation explores how pain can either push us away from God—or draw us closer to Him.Together, Brittany and Eric discuss:• Why suffering does not originate from God—and what Scripture actually reveals • The difference between questioning God’s character and understanding the brokenness of the world • How faith operates in the middle of pain—not outside of it • Why trying to define “good” on our own terms leads us away from truth • The danger of postponing a relationship with God until “later” • How salvation is not a negotiation after death—but an invitation during life • What it means to respond to suffering spiritually instead of just emotionally or intellectually • How believers can step into painful situations and bring faith, peace, and hope to othersThis episode also introduces a powerful perspective: Sometimes the goal isn’t to fully understand suffering—but to respond to it correctly.If you’ve ever asked, “God, where are You?” Or wondered if living a “good life” is enough—this conversation will meet you right where you are.Because the nature of God isn’t revealed in the absence of suffering… it’s revealed in how He meets us in the middle of it.Join Brittany and Eric as they explore how truth, faith, and relationship with God reshape the way we view pain, purpose, and eternity.
Which Lie Is Keeping You From Your Calling? (#0010)
Send us Fan MailHave you ever had a thought that quietly whispered:“You’re not qualified.”“You’re not good enough.”“You missed your chance.”Most people assume those thoughts are just part of normal self-doubt.But what if they aren’t?What if some of the most discouraging thoughts we wrestle with aren’t random at all—but carefully placed lies designed to keep us from stepping into the purpose God created us for?In this episode of the Biblical Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric explore what they call The Four Spiritual Lies—a pattern of deception that repeatedly appears in the lives of believers.Scripture calls Satan “the accuser,” but his accusations rarely arrive as loud attacks. Instead, they appear as quiet thoughts that feel believable enough to derail our confidence, identity, and calling.These lies don’t always show up all at once.Often, the enemy simply tries one lie at a time.And if one doesn’t work, he moves to the next.Throughout this conversation, Brittany and Eric break down four common lies that quietly sabotage spiritual growth:• You have no worth – The lie that your life has no intrinsic value or significance.• You might matter, but not here – The idea that your purpose only exists in heaven, not in your life right now.• Your past disqualified you – The accusation that your mistakes permanently define your identity.• Force your way in – The deception that confuses ambition with calling and pushes people to act outside of God’s timing.Drawing from Scripture and personal experience, Brittany and Eric unpack how these lies influence the way people see themselves, their purpose, and their relationship with God.They also explore why deception is one of the enemy’s most effective strategies.Often, he doesn’t need to destroy someone’s faith outright.All he has to do is convince them that their life has no meaningful role in God’s kingdom.Because if someone believes they have no value, they will never pursue their calling.But Scripture tells a very different story.Throughout the episode, Brittany shares powerful verses that speak directly against these lies, including reminders that we are:• Fearfully and wonderfully made• Created for good works• Chosen and placed by God with purposeEric also explains why believers must learn to respond to accusations spiritually rather than emotionally, following the example Jesus gave in Matthew 4 when He responded to temptation with Scripture.Instead of debating the enemy, Jesus simply spoke truth.And that pattern still works today.By the end of the episode, Brittany and Eric leave listeners with an important question:Which of these lies has shaped the way you see yourself?Because once you recognize the lie, you can replace it with truth.And when truth takes root, identity begins to change.If you’ve ever wrestled with doubts about your worth, your calling, or your past mistakes, this episode will help you recognize the spiritual battle happening beneath those thoughts.Because the enemy’s goal is confusion.But God’s goal is clarity.And sometimes freedom begins with something as simple as recognizing the lie you’ve been believing.
Why Do I Keep Choosing the Same Wound in a Different Person? (#0009)
Send us Fan MailHave you ever found yourself drawn to someone you knew was broken?And somewhere deep down, you told yourself… “Maybe I can love them into healing.”You’re not alone.In this episode of the Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric unpack a powerful and often unspoken pattern in relationships—why some women are drawn to wounded men, and what’s really happening beneath the surface.Because this isn’t just about attraction.It’s about wounds, identity, and belief systems that quietly shape the relationships we choose.As the conversation unfolds, Brittany and Eric introduce a framework that explains what’s happening internally in many men—and why it creates cycles that feel impossible to break:The wound. The message. The vow.A wound is formed—often rooted in a broken or absent father relationship. A message is created—what the person begins to believe about themselves. And a vow is made—an internal decision that shapes future behavior and relationships.And without realizing it… those patterns begin to repeat.In this episode, Brittany and Eric explore:• Why some women feel most needed when a man is most broken • How father wounds shape identity, behavior, and relationships • The difference between being attracted to strength vs. being drawn to dysfunction • Why trying to “fix” someone often leads to emotional exhaustion • How internal wounds create repeated relationship patterns with different people • The hidden vows men make that affect trust, leadership, and emotional maturity • Why external confidence can sometimes mask deep internal brokennessThey also address a hard but necessary truth:You cannot heal someone who has not chosen to heal.And sometimes what feels like love… is actually a response to your own unhealed places.This episode also dives into how these wounds develop in the first place—especially through the breakdown of the father-child relationship—and how that impacts everything from identity to decision-making to spiritual connection.Because when a father is absent, distant, or harmful, it doesn’t just create pain…It creates beliefs.Beliefs like: “I’m not valuable.” “I have to earn love.” “I can’t trust authority.”And those beliefs don’t stay in childhood. They follow people into adulthood… and into relationships.But this conversation doesn’t stop at the problem.It points to a solution.Brittany and Eric walk through a biblical pathway to healing:• Release – Let go of the offense and the emotional weight you’ve been carrying • Receive – Accept God’s grace as a new source of identity and strength • Resolve – Replace old vows with truth and choose a new direction forwardThey also share practical steps to begin healing:Identify the wound. Name the message. Recognize the vow. Replace it with truth. And seek wise, spiritual guidance.Because healing isn’t automatic… but it is available.One of the most powerful takeaways from this episode is this:The patterns in your relationships are not random.They’re revealing something.And when you’re willing to face the root… you can finally break the cycle.If you’ve ever asked yourself:“Why do I keep attracting the same kind of person?” “Why do I feel responsible for fixing others?” “Why do my relationships feel like the same story with different faces?”This episode will bring clarity, conviction, and hope.Because your past may have shaped you… but it does not have to define you.And the very wound you’ve been hiding… may be the doorway to your healing—and your purpose.
Lonely Doesn’t Mean Ready: 5 Things to Look for Before a Relationship | Genesis 2 (#0008)
Send us Fan MailWhat actually makes someone ready for a relationship?Is it chemistry? Consistency? Attraction? Shared faith?Or… is there a deeper standard that most people have never been taught?In this episode of the Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric explore a powerful pattern hidden in Genesis 2—revealing five foundational assignments God gave to Adam before Eve was ever introduced.And what they uncover may completely reshape how you view relationships.Because according to Scripture, a relationship doesn’t begin with feelings… it begins with formation.As Brittany and Eric walk through the passage step by step, they reveal that God established a clear order—one that prepares a man for relationship and gives a woman clarity on what to look for.This isn’t about perfection. It’s about alignment with God’s design.In this episode, Brittany and Eric explore five key areas that define readiness for relationship:• Presence – A man who actively dwells in the presence of God, not just casually acknowledges Him • Work – A life marked by purpose, direction, and responsibility—not aimlessness • Cultivation – The ability to draw out value, encourage growth, and build up what’s been entrusted to him • Protection – Covering what he leads with strength, awareness, and care—emotionally, spiritually, and physically • Receiving the Word – Hearing from God, applying truth, and living under spiritual authority and accountabilityThroughout the conversation, Brittany and Eric challenge some of the most common misconceptions about relationships today.Because loneliness doesn’t equal readiness. Attraction doesn’t equal alignment. And potential doesn’t equal preparation.They also address a reality many women quietly wrestle with:Trying to pull someone into spiritual maturity instead of recognizing whether they’re already rooted in it.This episode offers clarity, not confusion.It shifts the focus from “How do I find the right person?” to “What does God say a ready person actually looks like?”Brittany and Eric also unpack:• Why many relationships feel exhausting from the start • The danger of choosing based on emotion instead of discernment • What it means to be “washed with the Word” in a real, everyday relationship • Why protection without spiritual grounding can become harmful • The importance of accountability and spiritual covering in a relationship • How God’s design brings peace, clarity, and stability—not confusionOne of the most powerful truths in this conversation is simple, but confronting:Just because someone wants a relationship… doesn’t mean they’re ready for one.And just because you feel lonely… doesn’t mean it’s time.Because God didn’t bring Eve to Adam until Adam was positioned, prepared, and aligned with his assignment.If you’ve ever wondered:“Am I choosing the right kind of person?” “Why do relationships feel so hard or confusing?” “How do I know if someone is truly ready?”This episode will give you a biblical framework that brings both clarity and peace.Because when relationships are built God’s way… they don’t start in chaos.They start in order.
What If You’re Not Behind—You’re Being Prepared? | Luke 2 (#0007)
Send us Fan MailWhat if the season you’re in right now… isn’t a delay—but preparation?What if the frustration, the waiting, and even the closed doors are actually part of something God already sees coming?In this episode of the Biblical Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric take a deep dive into a powerful and often overlooked moment in Luke 2—the story of Jesus attempting to launch His ministry at a very young age. At first glance, it looks like a boy speaking with the elders of the temple while his parents searched everywhere in Jerusalem for him. This podcast examines a deeper truth. Jesus tried to skip His preparation season.And not just a short one— an 18-year process before His public ministry would ever begin.In this conversation, Brittany and Eric explore what it means to be prepared for assignment—and how to discern the difference between God’s timing and our own ambition.Because sometimes we feel ready… but heaven says, “Not yet.”In this episode, Brittany and Eric unpack:• What it means to have a divine calling vs. a personal ambition • Why Jesus, even with wisdom and gifting, was not ready for release • How to recognize when you’re trying to “self-launch” • The danger of chasing visibility, approval, or platform before proper preparationThey also break down four essential areas of growth that prepared Jesus:• Wisdom • Stature • Favor with God • Favor with mankindThese aren’t just spiritual concepts.They’re foundations.Conclusion - before God uses someone publicly, even Jesus, He addresses their maturity. This podcast will improve your ability to address your own spiritual preperation and maturity.
What If the Enemy Saw Your Assignment Before You Did? | Mark 5 (#0006)
Send us Fan MailWhen Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee He found a man infested with 5,000 demons. You'll recall that He had encountered fierce opposition before arriving:The deadly storm stirred up by the forces of hellThe open sea which threatened to capsize the boatThe unfortunate lack of faith amongst His disciplesIt turns out that Jesus had a significant purpose in making this trip. The ultimate goal was not only to liberate the man infested with demons.What if the storm wasn't random? What if the challenge to Jesus' compassion exposed an important attitude in His disciples?What does it tell us when the demons knew Jesus and His identity as the son of God when no one else did? _________________________________________________In this episode of The Biblical Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric explore a subtle, powerful passage in Mark 5 that reveals a deeper truth about spiritual warfare, identity, and assignment.At first glance, this story simply looks like a dramatic moment of deliverance—a man set free from demonic torment but listen carefully to how this story wraps up. What happens to the poor tormented man? Does Jesus fulfill his request? What's the reaction of the towns people to this miraculous event? What are the implications for God's Kingdom? We trust you will enjoy this next episode in our Biblical Passages Series.
How Does God Speak in Everyday Life? | How God Speaks, Part 2 (#0005)
Send us Fan MailHave you ever wondered whether God is speaking to you and you’re not sure how to recognize Him?In the first part of this message, we explored four unique ways God communicates. In this episode of the Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric continue the conversation by unpacking six additional ways God communicates with His people. These aren’t always dramatic or supernatural moments, but they are just as powerful—and often more consistent in our daily lives.As believers grow in their relationship with God, learning to recognize these forms of communication becomes essential because God is not limited to one method. He often speaks in ways that require awareness, humility, and spiritual sensitivity in order to guide, correct, encourage, and reveal His will. _________________________________________________________________Here are the six additional ways God communicates:Other people – God often speaks through relationships, community, and even unexpected conversations, using others to bring encouragement, truth, or direction.Inner witness (conscience) – The internal prompting that aligns with God’s truth, guiding our decisions through conviction, awareness, and spiritual sensitivity.Peace and inner confirmation – The unexplainable sense of peace (or lack of it) that can guide decisions and reveal whether something aligns with God’s will.Authority figures– How God works through established authorities, including family, spiritual leaders, and other areas of influence, to provide direction and accountability.Creation and nature – The ways God reveals Himself through nature, reminding us of His presence, power, and design.Audible voice and supernatural intervention – Moments when God speaks or acts in unmistakable ways, including audible direction, miracles, and divine provision. _________________________________________________________________Throughout the episode, Brittany and Eric share both biblical examples and personal experiences that illustrate how these forms of communication can influence our everyday life.In all these 10 methods encourage us to explore deeper questions such as:How do you stay open to the ways God chooses to speak, even when it’s not what you expected?What happens when we ignore or dismiss the ways He is already communicating?And how can we grow in discernment without becoming fearful, confused, or overly critical?By grounding each example in Scripture and walking through practical application, this conversation brings clarity to what can often feel like a complicated or uncertain topic.If you’ve ever felt unsure about how God speaks—or wondered if you might be missing His voice—this episode will teach you to recognize that He may already be communicating more than you realize.Continuing in this episode, Brittany and Eric discuss:• How God uses relationships and community to speak into our lives • What it means to “borrow faith” and why it matters • How the conscience functions as an internal guide • Why peace can be a powerful indicator of God’s direction • The role of authority in spiritual growth and discernment • How creation reflects God’s voice and presence • When God speaks in unmistakable, supernatural waysAs this conversation comes to a close, one question remains:Are we willing to let God speak on His terms… or only the ways we expect?Because God is always communicating.The key is learning how to recognize and respond to His voice.
What If God Is Speaking and You’re Missing It? | How God Speaks, Part 1 (#0004)
Send us Fan MailHave you ever wondered if God is actually speaking to you?Many believers wrestle with that question. Some expect God to speak in dramatic, supernatural ways, while others assume He only speaks through Scripture or through church leaders. But what if the real issue isn’t whether God is speaking… but whether we’ve learned how to recognize His voice?In this episode of the Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric begin a powerful conversation exploring ten ways God communicates with His people. Drawing directly from biblical examples, they examine how the Lord has spoken to people across history and how those same methods still apply today.For many people, the idea of hearing from God feels confusing or even intimidating. Some wonder if what they’re sensing is truly from God, while others fear they might simply be imagining things. This discussion helps bring clarity by anchoring each example in Scripture and showing how God communicates in both dramatic and quiet ways.In this first part of the conversation, Brittany and Eric explore four of the ways God "speaks": ______________________________________________________________Angelic visitation – Moments when God sends a messenger to deliver guidance or revelation, as seen throughout the Bible with figures like Zacharias, Joseph, and Cornelius.Rhema word – When the Holy Spirit speaks directly to our spirit, bringing timely insight, conviction, or direction in a specific moment.Logos word – God speaking through the written Word of Scripture, which provides truth, correction, wisdom, and guidance for daily life.Dreams and visions – Powerful moments where God reveals insight, direction, or understanding through images, impressions, or encounters while we sleep or during quiet moments. ______________________________________________________________Throughout the episode, Brittany and Eric share both biblical examples and personal experiences that help illustrate how these forms of communication can unfold in real life. They also discuss an important question many believers ask:How do you discern whether something is truly from God or just your own thoughts?By examining Scripture closely and slowing down to unpack what the Bible actually says, this conversation encourages listeners to develop greater spiritual awareness and confidence in their relationship with God.If you’ve ever felt like you struggle to hear God’s voice, you are not alone—and you are not broken.Sometimes we simply haven’t been taught the many ways He communicates.In this episode, Brittany and Eric discuss:• Why many believers feel unsure about hearing God’s voice• How God communicated with people throughout the Bible• The difference between Rhema and Logos words• Why Scripture remains the foundation for discernment• How dreams, visions, and impressions can carry spiritual meaning• Practical ways to recognize when God may be speakingThese four examples are only the beginning.In the next episode, Brittany and Eric will continue the conversation by exploring six more ways God communicates in everyday life.If you’ve ever asked the question “Is God speaking to me?”, this episode will assist you in recognizing His voice in ways you may have never considered before.Because sometimes God isn’t silent, He is just speaking in a variety of ways we've never realized.
When Chaos Feels Normal, Peace Can Feel Wrong | Mark 5 (#0003)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Passages Podcast, Brittany and Eric continue their verse-by-verse exploration of Scripture by looking into Mark chapter 5, one of the most intense supernatural encounters recorded in the Gospels.After crossing the Sea of Galilee and surviving a violent storm, Jesus and His disciples finally reach the other side. The moment Jesus steps onto the shore, He is immediately confronted by a man with an unclean spirit. This man is not just troubled—he is completely tormented. He lives among the tombs, breaks chains meant to restrain him, cries out day and night, and even cuts himself with stones. Society has abandoned him, labeling him untamable and beyond help.Yet when this broken man sees Jesus from a distance, he runs toward Him and falls down in worship, saying, "what have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" The next few moments of conversation report a powerful level of spiritual discernment which reveals something powerful about the unseen, spiritual realm.As Brittany and Eric slow down and unpack the passage, they explore how this encounter exposes the depth of spiritual warfare, the importance of discernment, and the authority of Jesus over every force of darkness.Notice how this story begins with the demons immediately recognizing Jesus' true identity —well before His own followers. The spirits haunting this man cry out, calling Him “Jesus, Son of the Most High God.” This moment raises a powerful question:Why do the forces of darkness recognize Jesus so clearly while many people struggle to see Him for who He truly is?As the conversation unfolds, Brittany and Eric also explore the significance of territory in the spiritual realm. When the demons beg Jesus not to send them away from the region, it reveals something deeper about how a spiritual opposition often works.Sometimes the resistance we experience isn’t personal—it’s strategic.Opposition often appears when someone is stepping into an assignment that threatens the enemy’s influence.In this episode, Brittany and Eric discuss:• Why spiritual opposition can appear immediately when you step into obedience• What the demon-possessed man reveals about spiritual torment and isolation• Why the demons recognized Jesus’ authority before many people did• The significance of territory in spiritual warfare• How chaos often resists the peace Jesus brings• Why freedom sometimes begins when things feel most uncomfortable• How believers can grow in spiritual discernment and maturityThrough this passage, listeners are reminded that Jesus never brought torment to the man—He brought freedom and peace.But peace can feel unfamiliar to people who have only known chaos.Sometimes the noise gets louder right before freedom arrives.This conversation invites listeners to slow down, look deeper into Scripture, and develop greater spiritual awareness in everyday life.Because when we begin to understand what is really happening beneath the surface of our circumstances, we can respond with greater wisdom, confidence, and faith.Join Brittany and Eric as they explore how this powerful moment in Mark 5 reveals the authority of Jesus, the distraction caused by spiritual opposition, and the peace that comes when darkness is confronted by truth.
Did I Miss God—or Am I Just in a Storm? | Mark 4:35–41 (#0002)
Send us Fan MailWhat happens when you're attempting to obey God but a viscious storm arises sowing doubt about the spiritual value of the assignment?In this episode of the Spiritual Strategies Podcast, Brittany and Eric take a deep dive into Mark 4:35–41, the powerful story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee. But instead of rushing past the familiar passage, they slow down and unpack the deeper spiritual lessons hidden within just a few verses.Many believers assume that if they are walking in obedience, life should become easier. Yet Scripture shows us something different: sometimes resistance appears the moment obedience begins.Why?Through thoughtful discussion and biblical insight, Brittany and Eric explore how this passage reveals the difference between fear-driven reactions and faith-filled discernment. As the disciples panic in the middle of a violent storm, Jesus wakes up from a deep sleep and responds in a way that reveals something profound about spiritual authority, faith, and discernment.This conversation looks beneath the surface of the story to examine what may really be happening in those moments when we face resistance. Is the storm always a sign that we missed God? Or could it sometimes be evidence that we are moving exactly where He told us to go?Together, Brittany and Eric discuss how Jesus responds to the dangerous situation in three distinct ways: • He rebukes the wind, addressing the source of the attack • He speaks peace to the sea, exercising authority over creation • He challenges the disciples’ faith, revealing the deeper issue within the momentThese responses open the door to a larger conversation about spiritual maturity, discernment, and the role of faith in navigating life’s storms.Listeners will also hear practical encouragement on how to strengthen spiritual awareness and grow in confidence during seasons of resistance. They will also learn to make decisions on a foundation of Scripture and to respond to fear with strong faith. In this episode, Brittany and Eric explore:Why storms often appear during moments of obedienceWhat the disciples’ reaction reveals about fear and faithThe deeper meaning behind Jesus rebuking the stormHow spiritual discernment helps us understand difficult situationsWhy faith and fear cannot coexistHow Scripture equips us to respond to life’s challenges Displaying confidence regarding your godly assignment should not be viewed as a lack of compassionWhat it means to live with confidence in your assignment from GodIf you have ever questioned whether a difficult season means you missed God, this conversation will encourage you to see your circumstances through a different lens.Sometimes the storm isn’t proof that you took the wrong path instead it's confirmation that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.Join Brittany and Eric as they explore how faith, wisdom, and spiritual clarity can transform the way we face life’s storms.
What If Your Search for Truth Is Leading You to God? | Eric Samuelson’s Story (#0001)
Send us Fan MailToday’s episode is a little different. Instead of opening with a chapter of Scripture, we’re opening with a story. Before listeners can fully understand the heart behind Passages, we felt it was important to introduce the man whose life journey has shaped much of the spiritual framework behind this podcast. In this conversation, Brittany sits down with her co-host, Eric Samuelson, to explore the path that led him from a relentless intellectual search for truth to a life anchored in faith. Eric’s story is anything but conventional. Born to a Jewish mother and a Lutheran father, his early life was shaped by two religious traditions. As a child, he was immersed in Jewish teaching and learned the Hebrew prayers, studying the foundations of Mosaic law and the Ten Commandments. But by the time he reached his teenage years, Eric began drifting away from faith as he immersed himself in science, mathematics, and philosophy. Fascinated by understanding how the world worked, he devoured books on chemistry, biology, and existential philosophy. By the time he was in high school, he was teaching classmates about thinkers like Kierkegaard, Sartre, and Kafka. During this season of his life, Eric became convinced that humanity existed alone in the universe, the result of random processes and chance. But the search for truth never stopped. Eric pursued science academically, scoring a perfect 800 on the SAT math section and enrolling at Georgetown University to study chemistry with the goal of becoming a physician. After applying to 29 medical schools and being rejected by every one of them, his path took an unexpected turn. What initially felt like closed doors would eventually lead him into a new field entirely: understanding people. Eric later encountered the Winslow personality assessment system, a powerful framework that measures 24 personality traits related to the human soul—our mind, will, and emotions. The system fascinated him because it revealed patterns in human behavior with remarkable accuracy. Yet even while studying personality science, Eric continued wrestling with deeper questions about truth, faith, and the nature of God. When he returned to Scripture with an analytical mindset, he began testing its claims the same way he had once tested scientific theories. Passage after passage revealed a level of coherence and integrity that he could not dismiss. Eventually, skepticism gave way to faith. Today Eric leads the continued development of the Winslow framework and the emerging work of the Spiritual Strategies Institute, where personality insights and biblical discipleship intersect to help people grow in maturity, purpose, and spiritual clarity. In this episode, Brittany and Eric discuss: • Eric’s early search for truth through science and philosophy • Why intellectual honesty led him to question atheism • The turning point that brought him back to Scripture • The fascinating origins of the Winslow personality system • How personality traits reveal patterns within the human soul • Why spiritual growth requires both truth and transformation • The deeper purpose behind the Passages podcast. This episode offers listeners a deeper understanding of why this podcast exists. Passages was never intended to be just another Bible discussion. It was born from a shared conviction that God is still speaking—and that people are hungry to understand Him more clearly. If you have ever wrestled with questions about faith, science, truth, or purpose, this conversation will resonate with you. Because sometimes the most powerful spiritual journeys begin with a simple question: What is actually true? And when that question is pursued honestly, it often leads somewhere unexpected. Welcome to the story behind The Biblical Passages Podcast.