Ever felt the sting of rebuke even while you are doing all the “right” things? That's exactly where we find Martha in Luke 10 hustling to serve Jesus while her sister Mary sits at his feet. But when Martha demands Jesus intervene, his response turns everything upside down.

Through this captivating retelling of Mary and Martha's story, we discover that Jesus was doing something revolutionary. Not only did he defend Mary's right to learn as his disciple (breaking significant cultural barriers for women), but he called her choice "the good portion." The Greek word used for Martha's activity is related to the word for "deacon" she wasn't doing anything wrong by serving. Yet Jesus gently rebuked her anxiety and distraction, challenging our assumptions about what matters most in our relationship with him.

This episode unpacks the powerful parallel between this story and Cain and Abel, both bringing different offerings to God with very different responses. We explore what it means to truly hear God's voice today and practical ways to create space for "lounging with Jesus" in our busy lives. I share my personal practice of journaling conversations with God and how taking time to simply be with Jesus transforms our service from anxious striving to Spirit-led ministry.

Whether you're the Martha always doing the work or aspire to be more like Mary in your faith journey, this episode offers fresh insights into how Jesus values women, breaks religious norms, and invites us all into deeper relationship. Ready to discover what "good portion" Jesus is offering you this week? Tune in, and let's recline at Jesus's feet together.

What happens when faith collides with jealousy? Stephen's remarkable story from Acts 6-8 shows us exactly that—and the results are both heartbreaking and hopeful.

Stephen emerges as a standout figure among early believers, described as "full of faith and the Holy Spirit" and performing "great wonders and signs." His effectiveness quickly breeds resentment. When falsely accused of blasphemy and dragged before the religious council, something extraordinary happens—his face transforms "like the face of an angel." Even as his accusers prepare to condemn him, Stephen radiates divine presence.

The account takes an even more astonishing turn during Stephen's stoning. Rather than cowering in fear, he gazes into heaven and sees Jesus standing at God's right hand. With rocks raining down upon him, Stephen echoes Jesus's own words of forgiveness: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." This moment of supreme sacrifice becomes a catalyst for Christianity's expansion, scattering believers throughout Judea and Samaria, spreading the gospel beyond Jerusalem's walls. And what about that young man named Saul who held the coats of Stephen's killers? His path to becoming the Apostle Paul begins here, forever shaped by what he witnessed as a willing participant.

Stephen's story speaks powerfully to our present reality. When we face opposition, false accusations, or even threats, we're reminded that God remains with us through every trial. We aren't promised an easy life, but we are promised divine presence in our darkest hours. As Auntie LaLa reminds us, take heart—Jesus stands ready to exchange our burdens for his peace, our fear for his courage, our tragedy for his redemptive purpose. So don't be afraid to get a little sassy like Stephen and stand firm in your faith. God sees you, and heaven is closer than you think.

The message resonating through this dive into Acts chapters 3 and 4, where we witness ordinary fishermen transformed into fearless apostles after being filled with the Holy Spirit is seize every opportunity to speak boldly about Jesus.

The story unfolds at Jerusalem's Beautiful Gate, where Peter and John encounter a man lame from birth—begging daily for forty years. When he asks for money, they offer something far greater: "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." The resulting miracle creates the perfect opportunity for boldly proclaiming Christ, even to the religious authorities who had orchestrated Jesus' crucifixion.

What stands out most powerfully is how this boldness—described as "frankness, outspokenness, and freedom to speak"—precedes and triggers the miraculous. The early disciples didn't just happen to witness divine interventions; they specifically prayed for greater boldness and for God to "stretch out your hand with healing power" through Jesus' name. Their prayer shook the meeting place as fresh Holy Spirit power fell on them. This pattern remains available to us today. Too often, we keep God at arm's length, fearing disappointment rather than approaching with expectation. Yet the same words that transformed lives in Acts remain just as potent now.

Have you been holding back, waiting for the perfect moment to share your faith? Stop "spreading dum-dum sauce on pork chops and calling it gravy!" Revival isn't always flashy—it's happening right now through ordinary believers opening Bibles in coffee shops and praying boldly in public spaces. Ask God for the spiritual boldness that transforms both the speaker and the hearer, creating space for His miraculous power to flow. The world is desperate to hear about God's love, and you've been empowered to speak it boldly.