Sister Studies: Recent Episodes

Melissa Ens

We all need to know God more deeply. Come, learn with me! On the Sister Studies podcast, you'll find reflections and scripture recordings to help you know God as He has revealed Himself to us through the Bible, so we can experience Him more in our lives. While these studies were originally created for the women of my church, they're really for anyone who wants to know God more.

Regular episodes include my reflections on knowing God. Simply Scripture episodes are collections of scripture based on a theme, pieced together, and read without commentary.

May God bless you as you listen!

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This message was shared at Butler Church on December 18, 2022. I was so thankful for the opportunity to serve in this way and pray the message is an encouragement to you! Thank you @ButlerChurch !

https://sisterstudies.melissaens.com/2022/12/dont-let-enemy-steal-your-christmas.html

YouTube - Melissa Ens

Music from the YouTube Audio Library: "Home for the Holidays" by Chris Haugen and "White River" by Aakash Gandhi

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When you hear the word "OBEDIENCE" do you cringe, either because you don't like to obey or because your kids or students don't obey you? Hang on… don't click away just yet. Yes, God calls each of us to obedience but it's a BLESSING, sometimes like a seatbelt that protects us and sometimes like a seed that grows in surprising ways.

For more information about the study mentioned in this episode, visit sisterstudies.melissaens.com or to watch the video version of this recording, go to www.youtube.com/@melissaens.

MUSIC CREDITS:
Acoustic Guitar 1 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Other Music: "White River" by Aakash Gandhi and "Natural Light" by Chris Haugen from the YouTube Audio Library

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It's so easy to look at our lives or the lives of others and think we know what it means to be BLESSED, whether we feel like we are being blessed as much as others or not. But what if there's more to being blessed than having a nice home, happy family, and flawless instagram feed? Let's see what Jesus has to say in Matthew 5.

This episode is part of a series to help us walk with Jesus through Lent and toward Easter. This recording was made in February 2019 for the Sister Studies blog. You can see the original post and more on the Sister Studies blog at sisterstudies.melissaens.com.

YouTube - Melissa Ens

Music from the YouTube Audio Library: "Invisible Beauty", "Lifting Dreams", and "White River" by Aakash Gandhi

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Temptations test us all the time. How do we pass the test? Let's learn from Jesus as He is victorious over Satan in the wilderness.

This episode part of a series to help us walk with Jesus through Lent and toward Easter. This recording was made in February 2019 for the Sister Studies blog. You can see the original post and more on the Sister Studies blog at sisterstudies.melissaens.com.

YouTube - Melissa Ens

Music from the YouTube Audio Library: "Invisible Beauty", "Lifting Dreams", and "White River" by Aakash Gandhi

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Reflecting on Lamentations 3:22-24, I am encouraged by the prophet Jeremiah's determination. As he turned his mind AWAY from the trouble surrounding him and the people of Israel, he turned his heart TOWARD God's faithfulness and that's where he found hope. As we enter a new year, may we find God's mercies are indeed new--not just every January 1st, but every other day of the year as well. 

This recording was made in January 2019 for the Sister Studies blog. You can see the original post and more on the Sister Studies blog at sisterstudies.melissaens.com.

YouTube - Melissa Ens

Music from the YouTube Audio Library: "Invisible Beauty" and "White River" by Aakash Gandhi

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Reflecting on Romans 5:1-5, I see all of the Advent themes: Peace, Hope, Joy, Love, and Jesus. I also see that afflictions are part of what God uses to shine glory through our lives the same way that fire makes candles shine brightly. I finish with remembering that the Christmas Mary and Joseph experienced was nothing like the polished, clean, "perfect" Christmas many people dream of today. Perhaps our Christmas celebrations don't need to be Pinterest-perfect to be perfect after all. Because real Christmas isn’t about perfect memories and perfect experiences. It’s about God rescuing us from our attempts to be perfect by sending his Son and revealing His glory and kindness in the lowest of places, to the neediest and messiest of people.

This recording was made in December 2018 for the Sister Studies blog. You can see the original post and more on the Sister Studies blog at sisterstudies.melissaens.com

YouTube - Melissa Ens

Music from the YouTube Audio Library: "Home for the Holidays" by Chris Haugen and "White River" by Aakash Gandhi

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Reflecting on Mary & Elizabeth and their interaction during their pregnancies, I'm encouraged by how God blessed them through each other. They both received companionship, confirmation, and courage as they spent time together because they took the risk of being together, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke truth to each other. These are all ways we can bless each other today!

This recording was made in December 2018 for the Sister Studies blog. You can see the original post and more on the Sister Studies blog at sisterstudies.melissaens.com

YouTube - Melissa Ens

Music from the YouTube Audio Library: "Home for the Holidays" by Chris Haugen and "White River" by Aakash Gandhi

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The reflection I'm sharing in this episode is from the video I shared with the women of my church about knowing our God of Peace. What is peace, anyway? Who is our God of Peace and what will He do? How do we respond? I learned that having the mindset of the Holy Spirit that leads to life and peace is less about WHAT I'm thinking about and more about the PERSPECTIVE I'm looking at things from. I was also reminded that when God hasn't yet calmed the storms in or around me, I can find peace in His nearness instead of being frustrated that He's not yet doing what I want.

The recording shared here was originally shared as part of this Sister Studies post. You can find the original video there as well.

Here's a link to a phone lock screen image with the reminders for finding peace.

In February of 2021, I began sharing the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" series on my Sister Studies blog for the women of my church. The studies include videos, some written posts, and scripture recordings.

sisterstudies.melissaens.com

YouTube - Melissa Ens

Music by Aakash Gandhi - "Invisible Beauty" and "White River" from the YouTube Audio Library

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This is a recording of Bible verses focused on knowing God as our God of Peace. No intro, outro, or commentary. Just the living Word of God.

Scriptures read include:

Luke 2:14 NET

Isaiah 9:6-7 CSB

2 Peter 1:2-3 NIV

Romans 14:17 NIV

Romans 5:1 NLT

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NET

Hebrews 13:20-21 NET

Rom 16:19-20 CSB

Psalm 29:10-11 NLT

Psalm 85:8-9 NLT

Philippians 4:4-9 NET

Romans 8:1-2, 5-6 CSB

John 14:1, 23, 25-27 CSB

Psalm 119:165-166 NIV

Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV

Romans 15:13 NIV

Numbers 6:24-26 CSB

Visit the Sister Studies blog for a printable copy of these scriptures, or to watch the video where you can READ along as these scriptures are read.

This collection of verses is part of the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" Bible study by Melissa Ens. You'll be able to listen to my reflection on knowing Our God of Peace in Episode 07 of this podcast... coming soon!

Music: "Kiss the Sky" by Aakash Gandhi, from the YouTube Audio Library

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This is a recording of Bible verses focused on knowing God as our God of Peace. No intro, outro, or commentary. Just the living Word of God.

Scriptures read include:

Luke 2:14 NET

Isaiah 9:6-7 CSB

2 Peter 1:2-3 NIV

Romans 14:17 NIV

Romans 5:1 NLT

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NET

Hebrews 13:20-21 NET

Rom 16:19-20 CSB

Psalm 29:10-11 NLT

Psalm 85:8-9 NLT

Philippians 4:4-9 NET

Romans 8:1-2, 5-6 CSB

John 14:1, 23, 25-27 CSB

Psalm 119:165-166 NIV

Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV

Romans 15:13 NIV

Numbers 6:24-26 CSB

Visit the Sister Studies blog for a printable copy of these scriptures, or to watch the video where you can READ along as these scriptures are read.

This collection of verses is part of the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" Bible study by Melissa Ens. You'll be able to listen to my reflection on knowing Our God of Peace in Episode 07 of this podcast... coming soon!

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The reflection I'm sharing in this episode is from the video I shared with the women of my church about the HOPE we can cling to as we know our God of Hope. I talk about the surprising number of times we find faith, hope, and love mentioned together in the Bible, and I also talk about Diet Coke and Mentos. Curious? Stick around. I'm so glad you're here. Welcome back to Sister Studies.

The recording shared here was originally shared as part of this Sister Studies post. You can find the original video there as well.

In February of 2021, I began sharing the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" series on my Sister Studies blog for the women of my church. The studies include videos, some written posts, and scripture recordings.

sisterstudies.melissaens.com

YouTube - Melissa Ens

Music by Aakash Gandhi - "Invisible Beauty" and "White River" from the YouTube Audio Library

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This is a recording of Bible verses focused on knowing God as our God of Hope. No intro, outro, or commentary. Just the living Word of God.

Scriptures read include:

Romans 15:13 CSB

Psalm 146:5-6 NIV

Psalm 33:18, 20-22 NLT

Psalm 130:7 NET

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Lamentations 3:21-26 NET

Micah 7:7 NIV

Hebrews 11:1, 6 NIV

Romans 5:2-5 NLT

1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT

1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

Colossians 1:5 NET

1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV

1 Thessalonians 5:8 CSB

Romans 12:12 NET

Hebrews 10:22-23 CSB

2 Thess 2:16-17 NET

Ephesians 1:17-19a NET

Psalm 31:24 CSB

Visit the Sister Studies blog for a printable copy of these scriptures, or to watch the video where you can READ along as these scriptures are read.

This collection of verses is part of the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" Bible study by Melissa Ens. You can listen to my reflection on knowing Our God of Hope in Episode 06 of this podcast.

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This is a recording of Bible verses focused on knowing God as our God of Hope. No intro, outro, or commentary. Just the living Word of God. 

Scriptures read include:

Romans 15:13 CSB

Psalm 146:5-6 NIV

Psalm 33:18, 20-22 NLT

Psalm 130:7 NET

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Lamentations 3:21-26 NET

Micah 7:7 NIV

Hebrews 11:1, 6 NIV

Romans 5:2-5 NLT

1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT

1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

Colossians 1:5 NET

1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV

1 Thessalonians 5:8 CSB

Romans 12:12 NET

Hebrews 10:22-23 CSB

2 Thess 2:16-17 NET

Ephesians 1:17-19a NET

Psalm 31:24 CSB

Visit the Sister Studies blog for a printable copy of these scriptures, or to watch the video where you can READ along as these scriptures are read.

This collection of verses is part of the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" Bible study by Melissa Ens. You'll be able to listen to my reflection on knowing Our God of Hope in Episode 06 of this podcast... coming soon!

Music: "Dreamland" by Aakash Gandhi, from the YouTube Audio Library

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In this episode, I reflect again on why we are seeking to know God more and what it really means to know and experience relationship with God.

1. Our growth brings glory to God. 2 Peter 3:182. We want to be more like Jesus. Colossians 3:10

3. As we know God more, we will trust Him more. Proverbs 3:5-64. We experience God's grace, peace, power, provision AND MORE as we KNOW HIM. 2 Peter 1:2-3I truly believe God longs to comfort and guide us when we are hurting or lost. When we PAUSE and PRAY, asking God to help us know Him exactly where we are, the Holy Spirit will remind us of God's PRESENCE with us always, His PLEASURE because we are calling on Him and seeking Him, and the PURITY of His love for us. God will remind us of His PROMISES, fill us with His PEACE, and lead us into His PERFECTION (rather than a perfection of our own imagination). Jesus will open our eyes to see His PERSPECTIVE of us, others, and our circumstances, remind us of His PLAN to work everything for our good and His glory, and help us see an eternal PURPOSE beyond what we can imagine. The Holy Spirit will fill us with POWER as we believe, PROVIDE for our every real need, and PROTECT us from attacks and harm from the enemy. God will teach us to PERSEVERE and be PATIENT as we walk by faith. And we will PRAISE God for His goodness to us.

The more we SEEK GOD, the more we will KNOW God. Let's ask God to help us know Him and His...Presence, Pleasure, Purity, Promises, Peace, Perfection, Perspective, Plan, Purpose, Power, Provision, Protection, Perseverance, and Patience.

I'm not saying that every time we stop to pray we will be conscious of experiencing God in all of these ways. I do believe, however, that in time, if we take the time to seek God, we will experience more and more of God in this way. So no matter what kind of Problems, Pain, or Persecution we might be facing, let's remember OFTEN to PAUSE, PRAY, and PRAISE.

The original video was shared as part of this Sister Studies post. You can watch it there if you'd like!

In February of 2021, I began sharing the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" series on my Sister Studies blog for the women of my church. The studies include videos, some written posts, and scripture recordings.

sisterstudies.melissaens.com

YouTube - Melissa Ens

Music by Aakash Gandhi - from the YouTube Audio Library

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I'm so thankful we aren't left to figure out this life alone. God is our Shepherd and cares for us in so many ways. This is the audio portion of a video I shared in spring of 2021 about what I learned after a few weeks of focusing on knowing God as our Shepherd.

Reflection points:

  1. God is always present, watching over, and protecting us. (Psalm 121)

  2. God provides: rest, strength, guidance, comfort, abundance, honor, blessings, goodness, and unfailing love. (Psalm 23)

  3. God is our shelter, refuge, and place of safety. His promises protect us. (Psalm 91:1-4)

  4. God is leading us and helping us lead others. (Isaiah 40:11; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 116:7)

  5. God rescues us when we stray. (1 Peter 2:25; Isaiah 53:6)

  6. God speaks to us. God knows us and helps us know him. (John 14:6-7; John 10)

  7. God wants our worries and trust. (Matt 6: 25-34; 1 Peter 5:6-7)

  8. God will never leave, abandon, forsake, forget about, or give up on us. (Matt 28:20; Hebrews 13:5-6)

  9. God will help us do his will. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

  10. Trusting God blesses our hearts. (Psalm 28:7-9; Numbers 6:24-26)

The original video was shared as part of this Sister Studies post. You can watch it there if you'd like!

In February of 2021, I began sharing the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" series on my Sister Studies blog for the women of my church. The studies include videos, some written posts, and scripture recordings.

sisterstudies.melissaens.com

YouTube - Melissa Ens

Music by Aakash Gandhi - "Invisible Beauty" from the YouTube Audio Library

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This is a recording of Bible verses focused on knowing God as our Shepherd. No intro, outro, or commentary. Just the Word of God. This collection of verses is part of the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" Bible study by Melissa Ens. You can listen to my reflection on knowing God as our Shepherd in Episode 4 of this podcast. Scriptures read include: Numbers 6:24-26 NET Psalm 121 CSB Psalm 23 NLT Psalm 91:1-4 NLT Isaiah 40:11 NIV Proverbs 3:5-6 CSB Psalm 116:7 CSB 1 Peter 2:25 NET Isaiah 53:6 NLT John 14:6-7 NIV John 10:7, 11, 14-15, 27 CSB Matt 6:25-34 NET Matt 28:20b NLT Hebrews 13:5b-6a, 20-21 NET Psalm 28:7-9 CSB Visit the Sister Studies blog post "DIVINE: God our Deliverer Scripture Study" here for more thoughts, a printable copy of these scriptures, or to watch the video where you can READ along as these scriptures are read.

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At some time or another, all of us are going to need to trust God to deliver us and those we love through difficult seasons, and it's much easier to TRUST God when we KNOW God. This is the audio portion of a video I shared in spring of 2021 about what I learned after a few weeks of focusing on knowing God as our Deliverer.

Reflection points:

  1. God our Creator is also God our Deliverer.

  2. God is always paying attention, watching over and listening to us, but He doesn't keep us from experiencing trouble and difficulty.

  3. God is teaching us to persevere and wait and He is training us for future battles. This kind of character building work TAKES TIME.

  4. Waiting can make us feel weak and weary and the devil will try to take advantage of that.

  5. God our Deliverer is WITH US in every difficult trial we face and He will always make a way even when we can't imagine how it's possible.

  6. Remembering God is my Deliverer helps me find rest for my soul. When I trust Him and pour out my heart to Him I find refuge and peace.

The original video was shared as part of this Sister Studies post. You can watch it there if you'd like!

Coming next: DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God as our Shepherd

In February of 2021, I began sharing the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" series on my Sister Studies blog for the women of my church. The studies include videos, some written posts, and scripture recordings.

sisterstudies.melissaens.com

YouTube - Melissa Ens

Music by Aakash Gandhi - "Invisible Beauty" from the YouTube Audio Library

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This is a recording of Bible verses focused on knowing God as our Deliverer. No intro, outro, or commentary. Just the Word of God. This collection of verses is part of the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" Bible study by Melissa Ens. You can listen to my reflection on knowing God as our Deliverer in Episode 3 of this podcast. 

Scriptures read include:

Psalm 124:8 NET

Jeremiah 32:17 NLT

Isaiah 59:1 CSB

Psalm 109:21-22 NIV

Psalm 140:6-8 NIV

Matthew 6:13 NET

Psalm 79:8-9 NIV

Psalm 115:11 NLT

Psalm 118:1, 4-5, 14 NLT

Psalm 34:3-5, 7-8, 15, 17-19 NIV

Psalm 40:1-3 NIV

Psalm 144:1-2a CSB

Ephesians 6:10-13 NLT

Isaiah 43:1-3, 16, 18-19 NET

Isaiah 46:4 NIV

Psalm 62:5-8 CSB 

Visit the Sister Studies blog post "DIVINE: God our Deliverer Scripture Study" here for more thoughts, a printable copy of these scriptures, or to watch the video where you can READ along as these scriptures are read.

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Reflection points:

  1. God is SO CREATIVE!

  2. God made us to notice beauty and glory and to worship Him.

  3. The created world reflects the spiritual world.

  4. God made us on purpose with strengths AND weaknesses. (And I don't always like that.)

  5. God made us so we would need Him and others.

  6. We need a Deliverer.

I believe the more we know God, the more we will experience God's Presence, Pleasure, Promises, Plan, Perspective, Provision, Purpose, Peace, Protection, Power, Perfection, and Purity. As you spend time thinking about God as your Creator, how have you experienced or might you experience more of God?

The recording shared here was originally shared as part of this Sister Studies post. You can find the original video there as well.

Coming next: DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God as our Deliverer

In February of 2021, I began sharing the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" series on my Sister Studies blog for the women of my church. The studies include videos, some written posts, and scripture recordings.

sisterstudies.melissaens.com

YouTube - Melissa Ens

Music by Aakash Gandhi - "Invisible Beauty" from the YouTube Audio Library

View Details

This is a recording of Bible verses focused on knowing God as our Creator. No intro, outro, or commentary. Just the Word of God. This collection of verses is part of the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" Bible study by Melissa Ens. You can hear the Intro to the study in Episode 1 of this podcast and listen to my reflection on knowing God as our Creator in Episode 2. 

Scriptures read include: 

Genesis 1:1 CSB 

Psalm 19:1 ESV 

Psalm 33:3-9 NLT 

Colossians 1:15-17 NLT

John 1:4-5 NLT 

2 Cor 4:6-7 NLT 

Ephesians 2:10 NIV 

Isaiah 40:28-31 CSB 

Nehemiah 9:5-6 NIV 

Psalm 139:13-18 NLT 

1 Chronicles 29:11 CSB 

Psalm 57:5 NIV 

Psalm 121:2 CSB 

Psalm 115:15 NET

Visit the Sister Studies blog for more reflections, scripture recordings, and printable copies of these scriptures or visit my youtube channel to READ along as these scriptures are read. 

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This is the introduction to the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" Bible study series.

Key points:

  1. What does it mean to "know" God? In the Bible "knowing" is more than information. Knowing is based on experience.

  2. There is always more of God to know. Just like we can have more or less experience and knowledge of the ocean, or of another person, we can have more or less true experience and knowledge of God. No human has experienced or known ALL of God.

  3. The more we know God, the more we will experience and recognize God's Presence, Pleasure, Promises, Plan, Perspective, Provision, Purpose, Peace, Protection, Power, Perfection, and Purity in our lives on a regular basis.

  4. God wants us to know Him. He promises to reveal more of himself to us as we seek Him.

  5. As we grow in grace and know Jesus more, God gets the glory.

The recording shared here was originally shared as part of this Sister Studies post. The original video can be seen there.

Coming next: DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God as our Creator

In February of 2021, I began sharing the "DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God" series on my Sister Studies blog for the women of my church. The studies include video reflections, some written posts, and scripture recordings.

sisterstudies.melissaens.com

YouTube - Melissa Ens

Music by Aakash Gandhi - "Invisible Beauty" from the YouTube Audio Library

View Details

We all need to know God more deeply. On the Sister Studies podcast, you'll find reflections and scripture recordings to help you know God as He has revealed Himself to us through the Bible, so we can experience Him more in our lives. While these studies were originally created for the women of my church, they're really for anyone who wants to know God more. 

Regular episodes include my reflections on knowing God. Simply Scripture episodes are collections of scripture based on a theme, pieced together, and read without commentary. 

May God bless you as you listen! *-----------------

In November of 2019, I began sharing written and video devotionals, Bible studies, and scripture readings with on my Sister Studies blog for the women of my church. I'll be sharing that content here for those who prefer listening over reading or watching videos. Learn more at* sisterstudies.melissaens.com. 

YouTube - Melissa Ens

Music by Aakash Gandhi - "Invisible Beauty" from the YouTube Audio Library