Hidden Crosses: Recent Episodes
Mary Jo Graham, Hidden Crosses
Welcome to the Hidden Crosses Podcast! I hope this podcast inspires, encourages, strengthens and helps to spiritually equip believers through the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit!!! I love to teach, paint and write! My books, "When He Sends Redbirds, Walking Through Emotions As A Caregiver" and "Would You Be Willing, An Invitation Toward Wholeness” can be ordered through Amazon or your local bookstore. Also you can follow me on Instagram at Mary Jo Graham/Hidden Crosses! Psalm 9:1-2.
Isaiah 40:31 is such a powerful scripture! It has direction, imagery, vision, and a promise. I believe this is a 2022 scripture! Let's break it down and talk about the meaning. It's time for NEW STRENGTH this year! I'm ready to go UP! and UP and UP! Let's soar like the eagles!!!
I love that Paul tells us to Pray without Ceasing...like an open communication with God. Petitions, Praises, Thanksgiving, Intercession for Others....all forms of praying to God. But sometimes, God assigns one person to pray "the prayer." That one prayer that ushers in the miracle. Could it be that our prayer is the prayer that God chooses? Could it be that God uses a particular person to bring their faith and prayer to someone else. The Apostle Paul would say Absolutely! Let's see why?
At the end of Hebrews there's a power passage of scripture that instructs us how to use our lips and speak the name of Jesus. This reminded me (which I greatly needed to be reminded) how my words sound to God. This Thanksgiving let's take a look at the connection between our words and the powerful name of Jesus.
Let's continue talking about "not feeling qualified" and walking by faith. Last episode we talked about Abraham and the Disciples. In this episode let's talk about Sarah and Moses and their faith journey. I love comparing the Old and New Testament! Let's look at these champions of the faith and how we can learn from them. We are qualified, even when we don't feel like it!!
As a Believer in Jesus, my heart's desire is to represent Him well. To share the Good News, to pray with people and believe that miracles still happen! Yet something gets in the way...or maybe someone...ME! When I focus inward and see my flaws and make tons of mistakes (we can simply call them sins), I feel that I disqualify myself to be a productive vessel for the Kingdom of God. Do you feel this way sometimes? Let's go to the last chapter in the Gospel of Mark and read what Jesus said to a bunch of unqualified disciples.
Just wanted to share a cool revelation I had the weekend my daughter got married. Yes, its ALL ABOUT THE BRIDE! Enjoy!
As we continue in the Gospel of Mark, let's talk about how Fear and Offense are powerful forces in the earth today. These two dangers can cripple the Body of Christ. Fear hinders our faith to believe and trust Jesus. Offense divides instead of unifying the people. We need to be extremely watchful for these two negative powers working against the Body of Christ!
I love The Passion Translation! Well, honestly I love all Bible translations, but this one is uniquely special. This week I decided to read back through the Gospel of Mark. Out of the four gospels, Mark is the shortest, yet the most action-packed! Healings! Miracles! It's Amazing! It's like an action movie! But there's also so many lessons, teachings, emotion and truths that we need NOW! Join me as we read this powerful gospel and see what truths we can apply to our lives during this crazy season.
Judges 5 & 6 are interesting chapters about the Israelite Judge, Deborah. She's direct, she's prophetic, she's courageous, she loves people, she understand military strategy....she is a Mama Bear! I want to encourage you today, and encourage myself, that as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are all equipped to be Mama Bears!
Sometimes we need to be reminded how the Lord "sees" and "hears" us. In Song of Songs, Chapter 2 (The Passion Translation), we read a beautiful, romantic, poetic love story between a bride and her bridegroom. It's an incredible visual of how Jesus sees you and me! Listen as I serenade you! Remember, He doesn't want ANYTHING hindering His relationship with us....now that's LOVE!
I have a keen ear for listening to how others sound. Their tone, their attitude behind their words, and sometimes lack of words. But I'm not as sharp with listening to the way I sound! Our words say so much about the condition of our heart. Our words also show others "good fruit or bad fruit" living inside us. Let's have a sound check!!!
We are wrapping up the Book of Jude! But I encourage you to periodically read this powerful book again and again. We are living in unsettling times, yet exciting times. Amazing how we can function in such polar opposite times! Looks like Bible stuff to me! As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to remain faithful to Him, no matter what! And make no mistake, Holy Spirit is there to help us, equip us, and strengthen us, as we walk out this battle. Hang in there!!!
As we continue in the book of Jude, we read some pretty hard stuff to process. As believers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to a higher standard, and also called to "defend the faith." What does that exactly mean? Join me as we get into the nitty, gritty stuff in the one chapter book of Jude!
The Book of Jude is one chapter! Just One! And only 26 verses! But boy is it power packed with relevant advice for right now! Let's see what revelation we can receive from Jude and how we can walk in mercy, peace and love ...in ABUNDANCE!
Waiting on God to answer our prayers can be frustrating, tiring, and even make us doubt that He WILL answer our prayers at all. Yet we know that unless He does something, then things will not change. While we are waiting, could it be that God is doing something in us! Waiting produces things in us like pity, anxiety, negativity, impatience, and complaining. And oh, how God wants to work those thing out of us!
In the Gospels, Jesus says so many wonderful things. The way He teaches by using parables is incredible. But Jesus also says some pretty sobering things. The kind of stuff that feels like someone threw ice water in your face! Yet we need that too! Throughout our walk and relationship with Him, we need to be realigned and take a look at what He means by the term "true disciple."
All, Everything, Anything...these kind of words leave no exceptions! In Colossians 1:15-23, we look at why the Apostle Paul called Jesus, "Christ is Supreme." Let's read and talk about why understanding these verses is so important and how it can encourage us to be in the Father's presence.
One of the hardest disciplines as a believer is to sit in silence with the Lord. We will tackle a new devotional, commit to a reading plan, and listen to Christian teaching. But practicing sitting alone with God, and by faith allowing Him to transform us is not easy. Yet Jesus did it all the time! He knew the importance and benefits of silent time with the Father. If Jesus practiced alone time and communion with God, we should too! It's a beautiful thing!
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Wouldn't it be wonderful if we lived daily with courage? Walking by faith, quoting scripture, singing praises, and defeating every demon that would look our way! Well, that's not my story, and I doubt it's yours either. We all go through times of discouragement. The good news is we are in good company with some mighty believers in the Bible. Let's look at Elijah and how he went from a confident prophet to tired and discouraged and how the Lord cared for him and refocused him. I bet the Lord will do the same for us!
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Psalm 90:14-17, teaches us so much about satisfaction, approval and success. We all want these things in abundance in our lives. But do we understand God's perspective on achieving these? Let's look at three passages of scripture in Psalm 90 to understand more! His way is SO much better...and sooo satisfying!
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Have you ever been "Kissed by God?" One of those moments where His love catches you so off guard, it seems like a Heavenly Kiss! Can I share mine with you? This week's episode is personal and I hope it blesses you. May God be glorified! Enjoy!
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In this episode, Part 3 of "Better Friends", we will conclude this teaching with Job's third friend, Zophar. Have you ever spoken truth to someone, yet your tone, facial expression, and motives were void of compassion and Christian love? Oh, I certainly have! Lord, help! Sometimes understanding what NOT to do, helps us sharpen our "friend" skills for the better!
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Let’s continue discussing how to be better Christian friends. We can learn so much from the book of Job. Job’s three friends are great examples of what NOT to do! In this part two episode, let’s explore Job’s second friend and how his assumptions, legalistic principles and judgements make for terrible ministry. We can do better with the Lord’s help!
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As followers of Jesus, we want to be the best Christians friends we can be! Godly, helpful, inciteful, prayerful and full of love! Yet sometimes we can easily misjudge, misread, or even misrepresent ministry opportunities. Although the Book of Job is a tough book to read, it gives us great insight into what NOT to do as Christian friends. Let's look at Job's friends and learn from their mistakes! (Part 1)
The Apostle Paul continuously encouraged the Body of Christ to "Rejoice Always!" Was Paul just trying to get us in a better mood? I don't think so. Let's revisit Paul's first meeting with Jesus and how he came to understand the power and necessity of Rejoicing in the Lord!
Paul’s writings to the church at Philippi is so rich in hope, conviction, direction, and transformation for the believer. Let’s hit a few high points that we can apply in our lives now!!! Rejoice!!!!
The Shield of Faith is such an important piece of our spiritual armor. In Ephesians 6, Paul tells us the shield of faith protects us from the fiery arrows of the enemy. Wow! That is certainly important! In today’s episode, let’s believe God for fresh revelation...understanding and visualizing the Shield of Faith in a new way!
We all desire for the Lord to move mightily on our behalf. We desire to trust Him more and more with our lives, our families and our circumstances. We desire more! Yet God desires more from us too. While we trust God to do His part, what is our part and how do we cooperate with Him. It matters!
Are our prayers filled with fear, wondering if God will answer? Do we pray just to feel better or do we pray believing and expecting God to move on our behalf? Let's discuss the difference between fear prayers and faith prayer, and how do we persist in our prayer life!
We HAVE to have the Word of God in our walk WITH God! You can't separate the two! Bible reading and bible study is important and necessary in growing closer to God and getting to know Him more and more. In this episode we'll talk about the benefits of the Word of God and why it is so important!
New Podcast! If you have enjoyed my mini teachings on Instagram, then you'll enjoy this podcast! It's a new year, so let's get closer to God! Let's read more of the Word of God and how to apply it in our daily lives! Let's strengthen our faith and lift up the name of Jesus! In this first episode, we'll discuss why this podcast is called Hidden Crosses and how God reveals Himself to us as we seek Him. Join me!