In this episode, Esther reflects on the spiritual discipline of giving God wholehearted thanks and praise. Drawing primarily from Psalm 138, she explores how gratitude rooted in God’s unchanging character can transform our praise—even in difficult seasons. Esther shares emotional insights, biblical encouragement, and practical ways to speak truth to our souls when our feelings threaten to cloud our thanksgiving and praise to God.

Scriptures Referenced: Psalm 138 (ESV). Psalm 103:1–19 (NKJV). 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (BRG).

Key Takeaways:

• Wholehearted thanks is a choice rooted in commitment, not emotion.
• Emotions are valid but not authoritative—God’s character is.
• Our beliefs about God shape our emotional responses and our praise.
• Speaking truth to our souls, like David did, helps us realign with God’s goodness.
• Even when circumstances shift, God remains worthy of our wholehearted gratitude.

Prayer Highlight:

“Lord, help us to give You wholehearted thanks—not based on how we feel, but based on who You are. Teach us to speak truth to our souls and to praise You with all that is within us.”

Resources & Mentions:

BibleProject: Heart (Lev) Word Study

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Psalm 138

As One Being Taught Blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://asonebeingtaught.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

August is a month of celebration, reflection, and thanksgiving as Esther honors her birthday all month long. In this special re-release of an episode first shared on October 20, 2024, we turn our hearts toward the Ultimate Giver—God, the Source of every good and perfect gift. Inspired by James 1:17 and the timeless Doxology hymn, this episode invites listeners into a sacred space of praise and gratitude.

Scripture Verses:

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV). Revelation 22:21 (NKJV). John 1:1–3 (NKJV). 1 Chronicles 29:14 (AMP). Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV). Psalm 33:6 (NKJV; TLB). Jeremiah 32:17 (NKJV). Revelation 4:11 (NKJV). James 1:17 (AMP). Psalm 147:4 (AMP]). Ephesians 1:3-8 (NKJV). 2 Corinthians 9:8 (AMP). Psalm 103:1-5 (AMP). Psalm 67:5-7 (GNT). Psalm 147:7 (NIV).

Mentioned Resources:

“The Doxology.” Written by Thomas Ken, 1674. Copyright Status: Public Domain.

Vaneetha Rendall Risner’s article, “What Does It Really Mean to be #Blessed?”

As One Being Taught Blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://asonebeingtaught.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode we explore the profound wisdom hidden in a simple childhood bedtime prayer. Each line of this prayer becomes a doorway into deeper spiritual truths for adults navigating life’s challenges.

Scripture References:

Matthew 6:6-9 (NKJV). Romans 8:14-17 (NKJV). 1 John 3:2 (KJV). Matthew 6:25-33 (NIV). Psalm 38:9 (ERV). Psalm 139: 1-18 (NKJV). Psalm 121:5 (AMP). Isaiah 50:10 (AMP). Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV).

Mentioned Resources:

“In My Little Bed I Lie” - Author Unknown

Walter Harrah, “No More Night”

As One Being Taught – Encourage. Challenge. Replenish. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://asonebeingtaught.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this midyear reflection, Esther explores the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand and what it teaches us about trusting God when our resources feel small and the future feels uncertain. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, underprepared, or just unsure of what’s next, this episode is a reminder that God already knows what He will do—and He invites us to trust Him with what we have.

Scripture References

John 6:4–9. Jeremiah 32:17. Isaiah 41:10. 2 Corinthians 12:9. 1 Kings 17:7–16. 2 Kings 4:1–7. Isaiah 41:10. Romans 8:31. Deuteronomy 1:30. Psalm 18:34. 2 Corinthians 10:4. Psalm 71:5. 2 Corinthians 12:9. Isaiah 61:3. Matthew 4:4.

Mentioned Resources

Nicole Sands, “What are the implications of God being infinite, unlimited, and unmeasurable?”

As One Being Taught – Encourage. Challenge. Replenish. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://asonebeingtaught.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Reflection Questions

What do you see when you lift up your eyes at this midpoint of the year?

Are you trusting God with your resources—both tangible and intangible?

How can you grow in your knowledge of the God who already knows your future?

In this first episode of the Summer 2025 Edition of the podcast, Esther reminds us of a comforting, stabilizing truth we can rely on in all seasons of life, “God is always with us.”

Resources References in Today’s Episode:

Scripture Verses (Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture references are from the New King James Version [NKJV): 1 Samuel 7:12. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Job 42:2. Psalm 115:3. Deuteronomy 32:4. Psalm 33:5. 1 Peter 1:16. Genesis 16:13. Isaiah 55:8-9. Psalm 139:1-12 (HCSB). Psalm 22:28; 47:8. Genesis 1:1-3. Malachi 3:6. Hebrews 13:8. James 1:17. Joshua 1:9 (AMP). Isaiah 41:10 (AMP).

Other Resources:

As One Being Taught – Encourage. Challenge. Replenish. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://asonebeingtaught.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode Esther focuses on Jesus’ encounter, after His resurrection, with Simon Peter who had vehemently denied knowing Jesus three times in one night.

Resources in Today’s Episode:

Scripture Verses: Joel 2. Luke 24:49 (AMP). Acts 2:1-4 (NIV). Matthew 4:18-20 (NKJV). Matthew 16:16-18 (NKJV). 8-20). Luke 22:55-62 (NKJV). Matthew 26:33-35 (NKJV). John 21: 1-19 (NKJV).

Other Resources: As One Being Taught – Encourage. Challenge. Replenish. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://asonebeingtaught.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The background music is comprised of the tracks "Destined" and "Backto'03 Gospel Worship from Eman's Tracks ⁠emanstracks.wixsite.com

In this episode Esther focuses on Jesus’ encounter after His resurrection with several of His disciples who were in hiding behind locked doors.

Resources Referenced in Today’s Episode:

Scripture Verses:

1 Corinthians 15:5-8 (NIV). Luke 24: 32-53 (NKJV). John 21 (NKJV).

Other Resources:

As One Being Taught – Encourage. Challenge. Replenish. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://asonebeingtaught.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Joshua Bremerman, “Reading Without Seeing: How Not to Study the Bible”

The background music is comprised of the tracks "Destined" and "Backto'03 Gospel Worship from Eman's Tracks ⁠emanstracks.wixsite.com

In this episode Esther focuses on Jesus’ encounter after His resurrection with two of His disciples, as they travelled home to Emmaus from Jerusalem.

Resources Referenced in Today’s Episode:

Scripture Verses (Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture references are from the New King James Version [NKJV]): 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 (NIV). Luke 24: 13-21, 25-27. John 2:19-21. 2 Timothy 3:16 (HCSB). 1 Corinthians 13:9. Luke 24:28-31.

Other Resources:

As One Being Taught – Encourage. Challenge. Replenish. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://asonebeingtaught.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Steven Baker, What Do We Know about Cleopas, the Man Who Saw Jesus on the Road to Emmaus?

“Where Do I Meet You?” by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com