Uncaged Bible Podcast

War & Peace: Advent Week 2

The peace of Christ isn't just about our past reconciliation with God—it's about our future hope. Jesus came as a child to give us peace with God through the cross. He's coming again as King to bring complete peace: no more tears, pain, or death. God will make all things new.

Incarnation Announcement: Luke 1:26-38

The Christmas story isn't just about a baby in a manger—it's about the God of the universe stepping out of His glory and into the most humble circumstances imaginable.

Think about this: Jesus didn't just sacrifice Himself during Passion Week. His sacrifice began at the incarnation. He left His rightful place in heaven, grew as a zygote and fetus, spent 30 years in obscurity as a carpenter in a town people looked down on, then three years being rejected by the very people He came to save.

For 33 and a half years, the King of Kings lived away from the glory He deserved—all for you.

Mary's simple obedience changed everything. An angel's words to her marked the end of darkness's reign. And in that moment, God stepped into time and began the most incredible rescue mission in history.

Before Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane, He prayed, "I have finished the work which You have given Me to do." That work started in a womb. It continued through decades of humble living. And it ended on a cross.

This Christmas, let's not miss the magnitude of what really happened. The sacrifice wasn't just the final week—it was every single day He chose to be here instead of in His rightful glory.

That's how much He loves us. That's the real wonder of Christmas.

The Necessity of Repentance: 2 Kings 1

Facing your mortality reveals what you truly worship. King Ahaziah chose self over God, even at death's door. If you don't change, neither does your fate. Repentance equals life. The question for eternity: Will you put your faith in Jesus or yourself?

The Millennial Temple: Ezekiel 40-43

Ezekiel saw a future temple in stunning detail—yet it's never been built. With specific measurements, three entrances, and the glory of God entering from the east, this appears to be where Jesus will rule and reign forever. The millennial temple awaits its fulfillment.

 

https://cometolifebible.church/blog/2025/11/18/the-millennial-temple  

For Such a Time as This - Esther

What if God has positioned us exactly where we are for a specific purpose?

The book of Esther tells an incredible story of a young Jewish woman who became queen of Persia at precisely the right moment. When an evil advisor named Haman plotted to commit genocide against all the Jewish people, Esther's cousin Mordecai asked her a profound question: "Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Esther had to make a choice. She could stay silent and safe, or risk her life by approaching the king illegally to save her people. After three days of prayer and fasting, she decided: "If I perish, I perish." Her courage not only saved the Jewish people from extinction, but expanded God's message throughout the kingdom.

Here's what gets me - Esther's bravery wasn't just about saving lives in that moment. The Jewish people carried God's promise that the Messiah would come through them. If they had been destroyed, Jesus couldn't have come. God's plan depended on one woman's willingness to act when it mattered most.

The contrast between Haman and Mordecai is striking. Haman obsessed over power and recognition, building a 75-foot gallows to execute Mordecai simply because he wouldn't bow to him. Meanwhile, Mordecai had saved the king's life without seeking any reward. In the end, Haman died on the very gallows he built for Mordecai, and Mordecai took Haman's position of honor.

We are often the cause of our own destruction through pride and sin. But when we humble ourselves and respond to God's call, even when everything seems to be falling apart, God can use us for purposes we can't even imagine.

So ask yourself: Is there somebody who will respond best because of YOU? Is there something God is calling you to do that only you can do because of your unique position, relationships, or gifts? Were you born in this generation for such a time as this?

God's sovereignty means He sees the big picture even when we're hanging on by a thread. Esther couldn't see 600 years of history that led to her moment, but God did. And He's still working today through people willing to stand up when it matters.

What is your "such a time as this" moment?

From Despair to Mission: 1 Kings 21

God sees every injustice and will judge rightly. But here's the beauty: no one is too far gone for His grace. Even the most wicked king repented and received mercy. The punishment we deserve was paid on the cross. We get to extend that same grace to others. #Grace #Redemption

Nehemiah...Building for God and the arrival of Messiah

The book of Nehemiah isn't just about rebuilding walls. It's about setting God's prophetic clock in motion. When Nehemiah asked King Artaxerxes for permission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls in 445 BC, he unknowingly started a countdown that Daniel had predicted nearly 100 years earlier. Do the math and those 483 prophetic years land exactly on Palm Sunday, the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem as the chosen Lamb of God, according to the work of Sir Robert Anderson

 

Think about this: Nehemiah's simple request to rebuild a wall pinpointed the date of Christ's arrival. He also helped preserve the genealogical records that would prove Jesus came from David's royal line. One man's mission, divinely orchestrated to point directly to our Savior.

 

But here's the personal challenge: Nehemiah had everyone responsible for their own section of wall. They built with a tool in one hand and a sword in the other, ready to defend what God called them to build. What section of the wall has God given you? What are you building for His kingdom? And how are you defending it against the enemy's attacks?

 

We all have a part to play in building up the body of Christ. The question is: are we taking responsibility for our section while standing guard with the sword of Scripture? When we do what God calls us to do, the whole kingdom grows. Just like that wall was completed in an impossible 52 days, God can do the impossible through us when we're faithful to our calling.

The Trinity and Victory; John 15:18-27

Even when it looks like all the chips are down, when culture seems to be winning, when Christians face persecution, remember this truth: you're on the team that already defeated death. The enemy's strongest weapon has already been conquered.

Jesus told His disciples on the way to Gethsemane that the world would hate them just as it hated Him. He didn't promise an easy path. He promised persecution. But He also promised victory. If the world persecuted the perfect Son of God, why would we expect better treatment as imperfect followers?

Here's the game-changing reality: the mission doesn't end with one player. When the quarterback gets sacked, the team keeps playing. When apostles were martyred, the church expanded. When Christians are canceled today for standing on truth, the gospel continues to advance.

Death was the enemy's ultimate weapon, and Jesus already defeated it. We're not fighting for victory, we're fighting from victory. The second half is ours because we serve the God who rose from the grave.

Count it all joy when you face trials for His name. It means you're running in the right direction. The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus, convicting the world of sin and drawing people to the Father through the Son. This is the path of redemption, and nothing can stop it.

Keep fighting. Keep digging. Keep standing for truth. You're on the winning team.

Finding the Mission Through the Despair; 1 kings 19

Ever feel like you're doing everything right for God, but then one setback sends you spiraling into despair? You're not alone.

This week we looked at Elijah – the prophet who just defeated 850 false prophets, called down fire from heaven, and watched an entire nation turn back to God. Epic victory, right? Then he gets one threatening letter from Queen Jezebel and runs for his life, hiding in a cave, begging God to let him die.

Maybe you've experienced a spiritual high only to crash when things didn't turn out the way you expected. Maybe you've wondered if you're making any difference at all.

Here's what God taught Elijah in that cave: When we take our eyes off the mission and focus on ourselves, despair creeps in. When we expect God to show up in the earthquake, wind, and fire – but He comes in a still, small voice instead – we miss Him because He didn't meet our expectations.

God's response to Elijah's despair? He gave him a new mission bigger than himself. He reminded him he wasn't alone – there were 7,000 others who hadn't bowed to false gods. And He gave him Elisha, someone to share the work with and pass it on to.

The mission must be bigger than you because it's for God's glory, not yours. You're not alone in this. And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is be still and listen for that small voice.

What mission has God called you to that's bigger than yourself? Don't let despair or unmet expectations keep you from it.

The Book of Ezra

We often measure significance by size, beauty, or worldly standards. But heaven sees things completely differently.

The rebuilt temple in Jerusalem looked shabby compared to Solomon's magnificent structure. The people who built it were disappointed, thinking they had failed God. Yet that "lesser" temple became the very place where Jesus walked, taught, and ultimately brought peace to all mankind.

An unnamed usher at a revival meeting simply refused to let two teenage boys walk away without hearing the gospel. We still don't know his name, but those two boys were Billy Graham and Grady Wilson, who went on to share the gospel with more people than anyone in human history.

Your small act of obedience matters. That conversation you have, the person you encourage, the simple task you do faithfully - you have no idea what God will do with it from an eternal perspective.

Don't discount what seems insignificant by the world's standards. The little things matter to God. He often uses what we overlook to change the world.

What "small thing" is God calling you to be faithful in today? Don't despise it. You never know what kingdom impact it might have.