Why Jesus Died

What if your biggest insecurity isn't actually bigger than belonging to Jesus? In this raw and honest episode, Alex and Loke dive deep into Song of Solomon 2:14-17 to uncover what insecurity really is and how to break free from it. From hiding in our "secure places" to learning to catch the little foxes that spoil our relationships, this episode will challenge how you think about your worth and identity.Key Timestamps:* 00:00 - Intro: Why we're uncomfortable talking about God's deep love for us* 05:24 - Reading Song of Solomon 2:14-17* 06:33 - What is insecurity? (Spoiler: it's about feeling unseen)* 12:10 - Alex and Loke get vulnerable about their biggest insecurities* 16:41 - Why we stay insecure: The little foxes that spoil relationships* 22:33 - Plot twist: Catching foxes should actually be fun* 24:54 - The real solution to insecurity (hint: it's not self-improvement)* 30:13 - The question that changes everything about belonging* 31:23 - After the Amen: Personal stories about being misunderstoodMain Takeaways:* Insecurity = feeling unseen in areas you care deeply about* Jesus calls us out of hiding because He sees us completely and still chooses us* The "little foxes" are small things that destroy our relationships with God and others* True security comes from knowing you belong to Christ, not from fixing yourselfPerfect for: Anyone struggling with self-doubt, people-pleasing, or feeling like they don't measure up. If you've ever hidden parts of yourself because you're afraid of being rejected, this episode is for you.Support the show at amenpodcast.com/donate to keep us ad-free! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

Waiting for Love: What the Bible Says About Marriage & Jesus' ReturnWelcome back to another episode of Amen Podcast! Alex and Lokelani are broadcasting from the beautiful North Shore of Kauai, Hawaii, at the Hawaii Leadership Residency.Episode OverviewIn this powerful message, we dive deep into Song of Songs 2:8-13 to explore the biblical perspective on waiting - both for marriage and for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you're in a season of waiting and wondering what's next, this episode is for you.What We Cover:🔹 What Waiting Looks Like (verses 8-9)* The balance between bounding over obstacles and respecting boundaries* How Jesus jumped over mountains to reach us while still being a gentleman🔹 Why Waiting Is Hard (verses 10-11)* The importance of "beholding" - recognizing the signs of your season* Not getting stuck in navel-gazing but looking up to see God's timing🔹 How to Wait Well (verses 12-13)* Looking for blossoming in your life and relationships* Trusting God's perfect timing in all seasonsKey Takeaways:✅ Healthy desire for your future spouse is actually a GOOD sign ✅ Jesus calls us at the "springtime of our soul" - His timing is perfect ✅ Being around godly married couples helps singles wait well ✅ Don't isolate yourself from church community during difficult seasonsPractical Application:We end with our "After the Event" segment where we ask: Are you trusting His timing? Listen as Alex and Lokman share personal applications and practical advice for waiting well.About Hawaii Leadership ResidencyWant to spend a few months in Hawaii growing in your faith? Check out the Hawaii Leadership Residency program where you can:* Attend house church teachings from various teachers* Serve the local Kauai community* Work with local kids through camp programs* Grow in community with other believers[Link in description for more info]Support the PodcastThis episode and all our content is made possible by your generous support!* Donate: amenpodcast.com/donate* Learn more: amenpodcast.com* Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it* Subscribe and hit the notification bell* Leave a review - we love reading them and they encourage us to keep going!Connect With UsWe believe the Gospel truth is everything! Join our community of believers seeking to live out biblical truth in every area of life.Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome from Kauai 01:17 - Introduction to waiting for marriage & Jesus' return03:01 - Song of Songs 2:8-13 reading 04:06 - What waiting looks like: Bounding & Boundaries 08:26 - Jesus stands at the door and knocks (Rev 3:20) 11:12 - Why waiting is hard: The importance of beholding 16:42 - How to wait: Looking for blossoming 18:32 - Jesus as the gardener of our souls 24:47 - After the Event Q&A segment#ChristianPodcast #BiblicalMarriage #SongOfSongs #ChristianDating #Hawaii #Waiting #Godstiming #Marriage #Jesus #Faith #Podcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

Song of Solomon 1:16 - 2:7* Recording from the mountains of Kauai - a place of beauty and peace* This is sermon #4 in the Song of Solomon series* Topic: "Crazy Love" - the passionate, movie-like love we see in ScriptureI. What Crazy Love Looks Like (1:16-2:3)A. Beautiful and Delightful (1:16-17)* "You are beautiful, my beloved. Truly delightful"* Their "couch is green" - outdoor intimacy in God's creation* Building a life together with quality materials (cedar, pine)* Crazy love says "I want to start a life with you, not just be roommates"B. Standing Out Among Others (2:1-3)* She: "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley" (I'm ordinary)* He: "You are a lily among brambles" (You stand out to me)* She: "He is like an apple tree among forest trees" (He stands out to me)* This is the "only eyes for each other" kind of love we long forC. Protection and Provision (2:3)* "I sat in his shadow" - finding protection and provision* "His fruit was sweet" - enjoying his care and leadership* Crazy love includes a man's commitment to protect and provideII. Why We Miss This Kind of Love (2:4-6)A. We Look for Joy in the Wrong Places (2:4)* "He brought me to his banqueting house" - the place of joy and celebration* We seek joy in money, power, fame instead of relationship with Christ* We fly different banners over our lives instead of His banner of loveB. We Choose Pleasure Over Covenant (2:5-6)* "I am sick with love" - she's lovesick but chooses to wait* "Sustain me with raisins" - being practical instead of giving in to desire* We go straight to pleasure instead of building on covenant* Same with our relationship with God - we want feelings without the gospel's hard truthsC. We Don't See the Full Picture (2:6)* "His left hand under my head, his right hand embraces me"* She's thinking about their whole life together - spiritual, physical, financial* We focus on just one aspect instead of the complete person/relationshipIII. How to Get Crazy Love Right (2:7)A. The Power Source* "By the gazelles and does of the field" (sounds like "Lord of Hosts" and "God Almighty" in Hebrew)* Only God's power can help us do relationships His wayB. God's Timing* "Do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases"* Don't force it too early, don't delay it too long* Wait for God's perfect timing, just as Jesus didC. Following God's Design* Marriage as covenant, not just roommates* Obedience to God's design brings abundance and protection* Like driving within the lane lines - stepping outside God's intention is dangerousConclusion* God offers us both the "safe choice" and the "wild" passionate love* Jesus is both the responsible provider and the passionate lover of our souls* True crazy love is only possible through covenant relationship* The earthly marriage is just a hint of our eternal marriage with ChristApplication Questions* What stood out to you in this message?* Are you looking for joy in God's banqueting house or somewhere else?* How can you better see the "full picture" in your relationships?* Are you waiting for God's timing or trying to force/delay love?RetryAmake a podcast episode description from thisEditAmen Podcast Episode DescriptionEpisode Title: Crazy Love: What the Bible Says About Passionate Romance | Song of Solomon Series #4Description:What if God wants you to experience the kind of crazy, passionate love you see in movies - not despite being a Christian, but because of it?In this episode recorded from the beautiful mountains of Kauai, we dive into Song of Solomon 1:16-2:7 to discover what "crazy love" actually looks like in Scripture. You might be surprised to learn that the Bible doesn't just endorse safe, practical relationships - it celebrates the kind of dizzying, movie-like romance that makes you want to build a whole life with someone.In this episode, we explore:* Why biblical love is both wild AND wise (it's not either/or!)* The difference between building a marriage vs. just being roommates* Why we miss out on crazy love (hint: it's about covenant, not just feelings)* How to know when it's the right time to "awaken love"* What separate bedrooms and delayed intimacy reveal about our hearts* Why God's design for relationships leads to the deepest satisfactionWe also discuss how our relationship with Christ mirrors this passionate love - He's both the "safe choice" and the "wild" lover of our souls who went to crazy lengths to pursue us.Whether you're single, dating, engaged, or married, this episode will challenge you to see God's design for love in a fresh way and help you understand why doing relationships His way leads to the kind of romance movies try to capture.Recorded on location in the mountains of Kauai🎧 Questions for reflection: What stood out to you? Are you looking for joy in the right places? How can you see the "full picture" in your relationships?💝 Support the podcast: Visit amenpodcast.com/donate to help us continue creating content like this#SongOfSolomon #ChristianDating #BiblicalMarriage #CrazyLove #Romance #Relationships #Podcast #Hawaii #Kauai This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

The TRUE Meaning of Christ's Death. AmenPodcast.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

Song of Solomon Series: From Raven to DoveWhat does it mean to truly love and be loved? In Song of Solomon 1:9-15, we discover pure love - the kind that makes you stand out like a treasured mare among royal chariots.But here's the problem: we're broken. We're attracted to what hurts instead of what's beautiful. Like restless ravens, we fly to and fro, refusing Christ's adornment and rejecting his fragrance for our own stench.Christ transforms our wandering hearts into something still and fragrant - turning us from ravens into doves. He quiets our restless souls and fills us with his aroma.The question is: what do your eyes reveal about the condition of your heart? Are they raven eyes or dove eyes?Key Takeaways:* Pure love means standing out in someone's eyes* Our broken senses are attracted to stench instead of fragrance* Christ adorns us with grace and makes us still* Transformation happens when we stop flying restlessly and return to himBased on Song of Solomon 1:9-15 and Genesis 8 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die? Catechism #24. amenpodcast.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

Song of Solomon Series #2. Verses 1:5-8. What makes a person attractive is it their looks is it their intelligence? Is it their status? Is it their success God has a different standard for attraction. There is a certain beauty that is eternal and impossible to ignore. It is all inspiring and ours in Christ Jesus. Today we look at song of Solomon chapter 1:5-8 to know how to be attractive as a Christian. amenpodcast.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

Are you tired of playing the dating game and losing? In this episode, Alex and Lilinoe break down Song of Solomon 1:1-4 to reveal what actually attracts godly women. Spoiler: It's not your bank account or gym gains.Discover why having "fragrant character" matters more than cologne, when to pursue vs. when to chill, and why your community's opinion of your relationship actually matters. Plus, learn the biblical balance between using your head AND your heart in dating.Perfect for Christian guys navigating modern dating, engagement, or early marriage. Stop guessing what she wants - God already laid out the blueprint.🎯 Key Takeaways:* The character traits that make you "marriage material"* Who should pursue who (the answer might surprise you)* Why virgins loved Solomon (and it's not what you think)* How to know if your relationship is God-approvedNew episodes weekly. Like, subscribe, and let's grow together! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com