Episode 457: Jeremiah 31 - Endless Resources

Questions to Consider: How does knowing and believing true doctrine change the way you behave? When faced with a seemingly impossible situation, do you react with fear, or do you pause, ask questions, and seek the Lord's guidance? Are there challenges in your life that you haven't yet taken to Heavenly Father in sincere, consistent prayer? When the Holy Ghost prompts you to say or do something difficult, do you have the courage to follow? How often do you acknowledge the Lord as the source of your wisdom, strength, and success? Episode Summary: What good is studying the scriptures if what we learn doesn't change how we live? In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, we study Daniel chapter 2 and discover powerful principles about faith, courage, prayer, and the importance of applying gospel doctrine in our daily lives. When King Nebuchadnezzar demands that his wise men reveal both his troubling dream and its interpretation, they face an impossible situation with their lives on the line. Daniel, however, responds differently. Rather than panic, he asks questions, seeks understanding, requests time, gathers his friends in prayer, and turns to God for wisdom. What follows is a remarkable demonstration of faith and divine revelation. As we explore Daniel's experience, we consider three principles we can apply in our own lives: Pause, ponder, and pray. When facing difficult circumstances, take time to understand the situation, seek counsel, and turn to the Lord for direction. Be courageous in following the Lord. Daniel boldly shared what God revealed, even when the message might have angered a powerful king. We, too, can courageously follow spiritual promptings while being peacemakers who build and lift others. Give God the glory. Daniel never claimed the wisdom as his own. He acknowledged God as the source of revelation, understanding, and strength. We also explore Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the great image and the stone cut out without hands, representing God's kingdom that will stand forever. What does knowing that God's kingdom will prevail inspire us to do differently today? Throughout this study, we return to one essential question: What will I do differently today because of what I learned in the scriptures? The scriptures aren't simply meant to increase our knowledge. They're meant to change our hearts, influence our decisions, and help us become more like Jesus Christ. Keep your streak of reading at least one verse of scripture every day, look for opportunities to apply what you learn, and remember to have charity in traffic! Keep Streaking the Scriptures!

Questions to Consider Do I truly believe that the Lord knows me individually, loves me with an everlasting love, and will never stop seeking to bring me home? What am I doing each day to follow Jesus Christ, rather than simply saying that I follow Him? When I experience sorrow, anxiety, or difficulty, do I recognize the many ways the Lord can comfort and deliver me? What does it mean to have God's law written in my heart and mind, and how does that influence the way I live? How can I use what I learn from the scriptures to draw closer to Jesus Christ and lift those around me? Episode Summary In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, we begin our study of Jeremiah 31–33, 36–39, and Lamentations 1 and 3, focusing primarily on the beautiful promises found in Jeremiah 31. The Lord declares, "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love" (Jeremiah 31:3). What a powerful reminder that no matter how far we wander, how difficult our circumstances become, or how often we stumble, the Lord never stops seeking us. Like a shepherd gathering his scattered flock, He knows each of us individually and desires to bring us home. We explore the Lord's promise to turn mourning into joy, the peace that comes through prayer, and the countless ways Heavenly Father can provide comfort and deliverance, often through people and circumstances we never anticipated. We also consider the power of music, the importance of knowing others by name, and the difference between merely hearing the word of God and allowing it to change us. At the heart of our study is the Lord's promise: "I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts" (Jeremiah 31:33). What does it mean to have His word become part of both our thinking and our feelings? More importantly, how does that understanding translate into the way we act? As we consistently study the scriptures, even if only one verse each day, we create opportunities for the Lord's words to become part of who we are. The ultimate purpose of scripture study is not simply to gain knowledge, but to become more devoted disciples of Jesus Christ who serve, strengthen, and lift those around us. Keep streaking the scriptures!

Questions to Consider Why does the Lord ask us to fast, and what makes a fast truly meaningful? How can fasting and prayer help us look beyond ourselves and recognize the needs of others? What burdens, struggles, or limitations might the Lord help us overcome through fasting? Are there times when our emotions or expectations prevent us from seeing opportunities to serve and build relationships? What would change in our lives if we approached fasting as an opportunity for joy, charity, and greater discipleship? Episode Summary As we conclude our study of Isaiah, we turn to one of the most practical and powerful chapters in all of scripture: Isaiah 58. Throughout his writings, Isaiah testifies of Jesus Christ, calls Israel to repentance, and reminds us that the Lord stands ready to redeem those who turn to Him. In chapter 58, Isaiah teaches us something particularly meaningful: how fasting can become a tangible expression of our worship and discipleship. The Lord asks a profound question: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen?" He then describes a fast that goes far beyond abstaining from food and water. True fasting helps us loose the bands of wickedness, undo heavy burdens, free the oppressed, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and care for those in need. In this episode, we explore how fasting, accompanied by sincere prayer, helps us become more spiritually aware, seek the Lord's guidance, and turn our attention outward. We discuss the beauty of fast offerings, the joy of fasting as a family, and the remarkable promises the Lord extends to those who fast with righteous intent. Among those promises is one of the most comforting declarations in scripture: "Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am." We also connect Isaiah's teachings to Matthew 25, Mosiah 18, and Doctrine and Covenants 59, discovering how fasting relates to our baptismal covenants, our responsibility to bear one another's burdens, and our opportunity to find joy in worshiping the Lord. Through a few personal experiences, including some humorous and humbling moments in traffic, we consider how easily we can become trapped in our own expectations, emotions, and limited perspectives. Sometimes we become so focused on where we think we need to go that we miss opportunities to connect with others and experience something wonderful. Fasting can help us step outside ourselves, broaden our perspective, and become more receptive to the influence of the Holy Ghost. Ultimately, Isaiah 58 invites us to consider not simply whether we fast, but why we fast and who we become because of it. When we choose to fast with the intent to bless others, lift burdens, strengthen relationships, and draw closer to Jesus Christ, fasting becomes an expression of charity, the pure love of Christ. As you study this week, consider the question: What is the fast that I have chosen? And as always, keep streaking the scriptures!

Questions to Consider What did Jesus Christ experience when He took upon Himself the sins of the world in the Garden of Gethsemane? Could Alma the Younger's three days of suffering and redemption provide a glimpse into what the Savior experienced during His Atonement? What does it mean that Christ was "wounded for our transgressions" and "bruised for our iniquities"? How can understanding the depth of the Savior's suffering deepen our appreciation for the joy made possible through His Atonement? Episode Summary What if the experience of Alma the Younger gives us a remarkable glimpse into what Jesus Christ felt as He suffered for the sins of the world? In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeff studies the beautiful and powerful words of Isaiah 53, exploring the prophecy of the suffering Messiah and the extraordinary sacrifice of Jesus Christ. From the Garden of Gethsemane through His crucifixion and Resurrection, Isaiah's words reveal the magnitude of what the Savior willingly endured for each of us. Jeff then makes a fascinating connection to Alma chapter 36. When Alma describes being "racked with eternal torment" and experiencing the anguish of his sins for three days and three nights, could his experience be a type and shadow of Christ's Atonement? Could Alma's description help us better comprehend what it meant for a perfectly sinless Savior to take upon Himself the guilt, grief, and consequences of every sin ever committed? The parallels become even more compelling as Alma moves from unimaginable suffering to exquisite joy, regains his strength, and rises to testify of God. Jeff explores how this transformation may symbolize the Savior's triumph over sin and death through His Resurrection. At the heart of this episode is a profound truth: Jesus Christ experienced the bitterness of our sins so that we could experience the sweetness of forgiveness, redemption, and eternal joy. Join Jeff for a thoughtful and deeply personal exploration of Isaiah 53, Alma 36, and the infinite love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Keep Streaking the Scriptures!

Questions to Consider When the storms of life come, am I looking for protection from the storm—or am I firmly built upon the Rock of Jesus Christ? Do I truly believe the Savior's "hand is not shortened"—that He has the power to redeem and deliver me? When prophetic counsel challenges me, do I open my ears and allow it to change me, or do I become resistant? What does Christ's willingness to give His "back to the smiters" teach me about the depth of His love and the price of mercy? Am I walking in the light of the Lord, or am I sometimes relying on the temporary "sparks" of my own understanding? What daily practices help me stay connected to Christ and stand firmly on His rock? Episode Summary Fresh from General Conference, Jeff reflects on the strength that comes from building our lives upon Jesus Christ—the Rock. The gospel does not prevent the rain from falling or the winds from blowing. Instead, Christ gives us the foundation and strength to remain standing when they do.  Turning to Isaiah 50, Jeff explores the Lord's powerful question: "Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver?" The answer is emphatically no. God has not abandoned His children. He continues to call to us, reach for us, and invite us to return. Even when our own choices separate us from Him, repentance allows us to come back.  Isaiah's prophecy of Christ giving His back to the smiters leads into Alma 42 and the relationship between justice, mercy, repentance, and the Atonement. Justice cannot simply disappear, and mercy cannot rob justice. Jesus Christ willingly paid the price that allows God to remain perfectly just while extending perfect mercy to those who repent.  The episode concludes with Isaiah's striking image of people surrounding themselves with the fleeting sparks of their own fire rather than walking in the enduring light of God. Our own wisdom may flare brightly for a moment, but Christ offers a light that does not fade. Rather than relying solely upon what we can generate ourselves, we can stand upon His rock, walk in His light, and bind ourselves to Him through scripture study, prayer, temple worship, covenants, and consistent discipleship. The invitation: Don't settle for sparks when you can walk in the Light. Build on the Rock, trust in the redeeming power of Jesus Christ, and keep streaking the scriptures.  

What can an eagle teach you about relying on the Lord? What if the ordinary things you see every day are actually teaching you something about God? And when life becomes heavy, what does it really mean to "wait upon the Lord" and have your strength renewed? In Episode 453 of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeff studies Isaiah 40 and explores one of Isaiah's most comforting promises: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles." Drawing from a difficult season in his own life, Jeff reflects on what it means to seek the Lord when trials don't immediately disappear. Sometimes God doesn't remove the weight—but He gives us the strength to carry it. Then a familiar verse opens an unexpected line of thought. Why did Isaiah compare renewed strength to an eagle taking flight? Isaiah's writings are filled with images from the world around him—eagles, grass, flowers, mountains, valleys, shepherds, wind, and wilderness. Perhaps Isaiah wasn't simply a great prophet; he was also a remarkable observer. He noticed God's creations and learned to see within them metaphors that testified of Jesus Christ. What would happen if we learned to do the same? This episode is an invitation to pay closer attention—to the scriptures, to the world around us, and to the ways God may be teaching us through seemingly ordinary experiences. As we learn to observe, ponder, and connect what we see with the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can deepen our understanding, strengthen our faith, and discover God's hand in places we may have previously overlooked.

What does it really mean to "take hold" of the Lord's strength? What if the experiences you desperately want to escape are actually designed for your individual growth? Are you putting yourself in places where you can hear the Lord—or unintentionally removing yourself from His influence? And when you attend church, go to the temple, study the scriptures, or listen to General Conference, whose responsibility is it to make the experience meaningful? In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeff studies Isaiah 27 and 30 and discovers a powerful theme running through both chapters: the Lord knows, gathers, teaches, and strengthens His children one by one. Isaiah describes the Lord carefully tending His vineyard—watering it, protecting it, and helping it blossom and bear fruit. That imagery leads to an important question: How do we actually access the strength and protection the Lord promises? Jeff explores the simple practices that put us in a position to hear Him: studying and applying the scriptures, praying, attending church, partaking of the sacrament, worshipping in the temple, and listening with an open heart. These practices aren't simply obligations to fulfill. They place us where revelation can happen. A recent business conversation brings that principle into sharp focus. When Jeff asked someone what would make an upcoming training valuable, the person responded that the responsibility wasn't really Jeff's—it was his own. He had to arrive ready to listen, learn, and apply. Jeff realized the same principle applies to worship: What if receiving something from sacrament meeting is less about the speaker and more about how prepared we are to hear what the Lord wants to teach us? Isaiah's promise that Israel will be gathered "one by one" also leads Jeff to share a deeply personal experience from his own life—one in which disappointment, anger, and an unanswered "Why?" eventually taught him that the Lord was far more interested in his individual eternal progression than in simply giving him the opportunity he wanted. Finally, Isaiah 30 offers a warning about trusting in worldly power rather than the Lord. Across both chapters emerges a simple invitation: take hold of His strength. Put yourself where you can hear His voice. Trust that He knows you individually. And approach scripture, worship, and the coming General Conference with an open heart, ready to hear what He has to say to you.

In Isaiah 2 and 3, the prophet describes two dramatically different paths. One leads upward to the mountain of the Lord, where people seek God, learn His ways, and walk in His light. The other leads downward as pride, material possessions, status, idols, and trust in human strength replace faith in God. In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeffery explores Isaiah's warning to a society that appears powerful and prosperous but has lost its spiritual foundation. Isaiah teaches that when people turn away from God, the things they depend upon for security can quickly disappear. Leadership weakens, confusion increases, and outward success cannot compensate for inward spiritual decay. Yet Isaiah's message is also filled with hope. The Lord invites us to come to His house, receive His word, and consistently walk in His light. Rather than being overwhelmed by everything happening around us, we can examine what we trust, remove the idols competing for our devotion, and build our lives upon Jesus Christ. Why Listen? What are you relying upon to feel secure—money, possessions, influence, appearance, other people, or the approval of the world? Isaiah's words feel remarkably relevant to modern life. This episode will help you recognize the subtle ways pride and misplaced trust can enter your life, while reminding you where lasting peace and stability are actually found. You will be invited to look honestly at your foundation and consider the small, consistent actions that help you walk in the light of the Lord. Listen to discover why the answer to an unstable world is not greater dependence upon the world, but greater trust in Jesus Christ.

What would change in our lives if we chose a soft answer instead of the perfect comeback? What if wisdom isn't just about what we know—but how we use what we know? And what does it really mean to "train up a child in the way he should go"? In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeff continues studying the practical wisdom found in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, beginning with the powerful reminder: "A soft answer turneth away wrath." From having charity in traffic to choosing our words carefully, Jeff explores how seemingly simple scriptural principles can transform everyday interactions. He considers what it means to use knowledge wisely—including recognizing when someone else's story isn't ours to tell—and why sharing our experience can sometimes be more helpful than simply giving advice. The study then moves into business, feedback, and parenting. Jeff shares how focusing on genuinely helping others rather than focusing on revenue has shaped his approach to sales, and why seeking correction and feedback is essential to growth. Finally, Jeff takes a deeper look at "Train up a child in the way he should go." Drawing from the experience of raising seven children, he explores an important distinction: training children doesn't necessarily mean choosing their path for them. Instead, it can mean giving them knowledge, sharing experience, and creating opportunities for them to make meaningful choices while they are still at home. The goal isn't to eliminate their agency, but to help them learn how to use it wisely. From our words and relationships to business and parenting, this episode demonstrates why the ancient wisdom of Proverbs remains remarkably practical today. Listen or watch and ask yourself: Where could a little more wisdom—and perhaps a softer answer—change something in my life today?

What does it really mean to "trust in the Lord with all thine heart"? And are we willing to follow Him when His direction doesn't make sense to us yet? In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeff studies Proverbs 3 and explores one of the most familiar—and perhaps most challenging—invitations in all of scripture: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." But what does that kind of trust look like in real life? Jeff explores trusting the Lord spiritually, financially, socially, and intellectually, sharing personal experiences—including a pivotal early-career decision when the Lord's direction seemed to lead him away from what naturally made sense. Looking back, he could see opportunities and growth that he could not possibly have seen at the beginning. The conversation also goes beyond the familiar verses in Proverbs 3:5–6 to discover how the rest of the chapter teaches us to receive correction, seek wisdom, care for others, celebrate another person's success, and live with greater charity. Why listen? Because there will be moments when you cannot see the path ahead, when God's direction may not match your own reasoning, and when you desperately want to know why before you move forward. Proverbs 3 offers a different sequence: trust first, walk forward in faith, and allow understanding to come afterward. Listen and consider one important question: Where in your life right now is the Lord asking you to trust Him more than you trust your own understanding?