Megan Rawlings

It’s on jerseys, coffee mugs, and Instagram bios, but we’ve missed the point entirely. Paul wasn’t talking about winning championships; he was talking about surviving loss. In this episode, Megan and Kayla rip the sticker off America’s favorite hype verse and reveal its raw, beautiful truth: strength isn’t about striving harder; it’s about standing firm when everything falls apart.

You’ve seen it stitched on pillows, printed on mugs, and hashtagged under every graduation post, “For I know the plans I have for you…” But what if Jeremiah 29:11 wasn’t written for the moment we got our dream job, the house, or the husband? What if it was written for exile?In this episode, Kayla & Megan peel back the layers of this beloved verse to show its true context, a message given to a people far from home, waiting seventy years for deliverance. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of hope, patience, and God’s sovereign goodness, even when life doesn’t look like the Pinterest board you prayed for.So grab your mug (ironically), open your Bible, and let’s talk about the plans.Watch the “Promised Land” Series on YouTubeKayla and Megan mentioned the Promised Land series on our YouTube channel. Check it out! 👉 Watch hereConnect with The Bold MovementWebsite: theboldmovement.comInstagram: @tbm_ministrySupport the mission: Help us equip women worldwide to study Scripture boldly → Donate Here

Before we judge Zechariah for doubting an angel, let’s remember: he was just trying to do his priestly job: burn some incense, say some prayers, and not die in the Holy Place. In this episode, we step behind the curtain (pun intended) to explore what temple duty meant for a priest like Zechariah. We’ll unpack how the priesthood worked, why offering incense was a once-in-a-lifetime honor, and what it meant that Gabriel showed up right there in the middle of it all. Spoiler: God chose this exact moment, after 400 years of prophetic silence, to break the quiet, and Zechariah’s disbelief bought him a holy mute button. By the end, you’ll see that this isn’t just a story about a speechless priest; it’s a story about a God who never stops speaking, even when we’ve forgotten how to listen.

In this episode is where we set the table for what’s to come.Here’s the promise: we’re not skimming the surface of Scripture like it’s a fortune cookie. We’re diving deep: rich theology, honest questions, and the kind of bold encouragement that will make you laugh, squirm, and worship, sometimes all in the same breath.Think of it as Spurgeon’s depth with Lewis’s imagination, delivered by your big sister who refuses to let you settle for shallow faith. So grab your Bible and maybe a strong cup of coffee, this is where it all begins.

In this episode, Megan and Emily discuss 1 John 3:19-4:6. They emphasize the importance of testing the spirits and discerning between truth and deception. They also discuss the role of the heart in our emotions (which might now be what you think) and decision-making. The main takeaway is to trust in God's love and forgiveness and to be obedient to His commands.

In this episode, Megan and Emily discuss 1 John 3:7-18. They highlight the importance of practicing righteousness and not making a practice of sinning. They emphasize the need to love one another. They also discuss the importance of genuine love and sacrificial actions. The episode ends with practical applications, such as loving others unconditionally and being obedient to God's commands.Key Takeaways:Practicing righteousness and avoiding sin are important aspects of the Christian life.Loving one another and not harboring hatred or jealousy is crucial.Genuine love involves sacrificial actions and not just empty words.Being obedient to God's commands and loving others unconditionally are practical applications of this passage.00:00 | Introduction and Theme Song07:11 | Reading and Praying09:20 | Practicing Righteousness and Avoiding Sin13:33 | The Importance of Love and Not Being Like Cain16:02 | Genuine Love and Sacrificial Actions23:27 | Application: Loving Others and Being Obedient26:15 | Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

SummaryAfter a year-long hiatus, Emily and Megan return to the Better Than Ever podcast. They discuss their absence and Megan's transition to full-time ministry. They then dive into a study of 1 John 2:28-3:6, exploring the themes of being children of God, the importance of obedience, and the assurance of Christ's return. They emphasize the need for believers to live in accordance with God's will, to love one another, and to test the spirits. The episode concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to apply the teachings of scripture in their daily lives and to step up in their faith.TakeawaysBelievers are called to live as children of God and to behave accordingly.Obedience to God's commands brings confidence and assurance in His presence.Loving one another and testing the spirits are essential aspects of the Christian life.Believers should actively apply the teachings of scripture and step up in their faith.

Join Megan and Emily as they work verse by verse through 1 John 2:15-27. In this episode, Megan mentions a book and professor but could not remember his name. The book is The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament and the author is Edmund Clowny. For more information, visit www.theboldmovement.com. For a FREE copy of the "How to Study the Bible" guide, visit: https://theboldmovement.com/freebies.  This podcast is a production of 1801 Media, Inc. Please check out our ministry partners, G.O. Ministries, at www.gomin.org.

Join Megan and Emily as they work verse by verse through 1 John 2:7-14. For more information, visit www.theboldmovement.com. The youtube channel for The Bold Movement, which is mentioned a few times is https://www.youtube.com/@tbm_ministry. For a FREE copy of the "How to Study the Bible" guide, visit: https://theboldmovement.com/freebies. This podcast is a production of 1801 Media, Inc. Please check out our ministry partners, G.O. Ministries, at www.gomin.org.

Join Megan and Emily as they work verse by verse through 1 John 1:8-2:6. For more information, visit www.theboldmovement.com. The blog Megan mentions near the beginning of the episode about annotating Scripture can be found here: https://theboldmovement.com/blog/how-to-annotate-scripture. For a FREE copy of the "How to Study the Bible" guide, visit: https://theboldmovement.com/freebies. This podcast is a production of 1801 Media, Inc. Please check out our ministry partners, G.O. Ministries, at www.gomin.org.

Join Megan and Emily as they work verse by verse through 1 John 1:1-7. For more information, visit www.theboldmovement.com. This podcast is a production of 1801 Media, Inc. Please check out our ministry partners, G.O. Ministries, at www.gomin.org.

Join Megan and Emily as they introduce 1 John to you. For more information, visit www.theboldmovement.com. This podcast is a production of 1801 Media, Inc.  Please check out our ministry partners, G.O. Ministries, at www.gomin.org.

Join Megan as she walks you through what 2022 looked like and what 2023 has in store.

Join Emily and Megan as they study the last chapter of Hosea.

Join Megan and Emily as they study Hosea 13.

Join Emily and Megan as they finish 11 and 12.

Join Megan and Emily as they study Hosea 11.

Have you ever been in a season when everything seems to be going wrong? During that time, it’s usually pretty natural to call out to God regularly. When I went through postpartum depression after having both of my kids, I felt like I was constantly praying, whether I was asking for God’s help or thanking him for getting me through. But when life settled down and depression didn’t consume my days, suddenly, life was good! All my needs were met! However, because of this, I slowly quit talking to God and acted like I no longer needed him. I knew I did, of course, but when there were no immediate trials, I had nothing to remind me of my need for a Savior. In fact, in times where things are going right, I will often attribute the success to myself or my circumstances! I say all of this because I have a feeling you’ve been there too. Chapter 10 of Hosea begins with showing how the Israelites’ prosperity had caused them to forget God. They didn’t see their need for him because they wanted for nothing. They even went so far as to build altars and pillars to false gods to give them the credit! As their wealth increased, their spiritual health decreased.  As a result, God would take away their kings to show them that they had no one worthy to rule them since they had deviated so far from God’s standards. So often, when we’re going through trials, our first question is to ask God why he’s letting it happen to us. And that’s valid; sometimes what we’re going through is truly awful and we just want answers. When God doesn’t give us those answers, it can feel like he’s turned his back on us. But James 1:2-3 says, “Count it all joy, brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” The definition for steadfastness is “the quality of being resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.” So our answer to the trials we’re going through is that God can use it to make us more firm and unwavering in our faith. Romans 5:3-5 shows us that steadfastness, or endurance, creates hope! And 2 Peter 1:3-9 points out that when we have this quality, it keeps us from falling into sin. Pretty incredible how that works, huh? And this is exactly what the Israelites were lacking. They didn’t possess steadfastness. They were lazy and entitled. So when things were good, their relationship with the Lord didn’t endure and they fell into sin. Then when God began to bring judgment on them, they were completely ignorant to their sin and wandered even further from him. God doesn’t just want your attention when you feel like you need something. He wants all of you, even when your life is going well—maybe especially when your life is going well! Just like any parent-child relationship, if a child only goes to mom or dad when they want something, it feels a lot less like love and a lot more like they just want you to be their benefactor. But when your kids come and snuggle up with you and tell you how much they love you in the middle of a day for no reason at all, well, there’s just nothing better. The best way to keep God at the center, even when your life is great, is to stay in the Word. Scripture reminds us that we need a Savior even on our best day, and it also helps us hear from the Holy Spirit so that we walk through our day doing what he wants instead of what we want. Now go out and be bold in what he has called you to do today, even if it’s simply sitting in his presence and thanking him for his love for you!

Up to this point, we’ve got a pretty clear picture of the cycles of Israel’s sin. We’ve seen how often they chose other gods before the one true God. But something about chapter nine really gets at the depth of the corruption they had fallen into. As you listen to this week’s podcast, you’ll hear the story about the darkness of the men of Gibeah referenced in verse 9 and how Israel had become bad enough to be compared to them. All of this really sets the stage to show why God was no longer satisfied with any of their sacrifices, so much so that part of the purpose of their exile and captivity was to take away their ability to follow any of the Law when it came to sacrifices and worship. All of it brings me to think about Jesus’ words in Luke 6:46-49, where he asks the question, “why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and no two what I tell you?” (V. 46, English Standard Version) and then goes on to talk about obedience: those that obey are like a man who builds his house on a solid foundation, and those that don’t obey are like a man who builds his house with no foundation at all. Just one storm reveals the durability of the house and the wisdom (or lack thereof) of the man. The Israelites had no foundation; they relied on false gods for their provision and fulfillment, so when God’s judgment came, they had nothing to stand on. Their lack of wisdom was revealed, and all that was left was their guilt. It can be so easy for us to read the Old Testament and wonder why God made so many rules! We can be tempted to scoff at the idea that anyone was ever expected to live up to the incredibly high standards, but my friends, it’s not really about the laws at all. The Law was meant to help us see how desperately we need God. And while, yes, we need to follow God’s commands to us, if our hearts aren’t in it, then following his commands is meaningless. We see another example of this in Revelation 2. The church in Ephesus had many wonderful works to boast of; they were even accurately identifying and calling out false teachers. But God tells them he has one thing against them—“that you have abandoned the love you had at first” (Rev. 2:4, ESV). They had all these wonderful works, but without a love for the Lord, those works were pretty much worthless. It doesn’t matter how “good” we try to be if we aren’t willing to change our hearts. Obedience means nothing without love. But in the same way, love means nothing without obedience, and this is what the Lord desires of us. This is why the first commandment is to love God with all your heart, mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37). Because everything else should filter through our love for him. If we love him, we will obey him (John 14:15). This was the biggest piece that the Israelites were missing. The Lord was not first in their life. Sure, he was part of their life; they were still giving half-hearted sacrifices to attempt to honor him. But they had other gods before him. They had other priorities. So God took away their sacrifices and fake worship because he is not satisfied with halfhearted allegiance. He wants every bit of his people’s hearts. What areas in your life might you be putting before God? Work? Kids? Maybe even church volunteer time? Let Hosea 9 be a heart check for you. Maybe you aren’t as corrupt as the Israelites had become (i really hope not!), but could it be possible that you have forgotten your first love? As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to turn back to him. Recalibrate your life to put him first today. Because one day, it will be too late, and all the things you put before God will disappear. Be bold, my friend. Get rid of any sin that hinders you, and follow Jesus with your whole heart because it’s your heart that he wants.

We’ve officially made it over halfway through the book of Hosea! This is the part where readers usually feel a bit worn out with the amount of repetition…and I get it. It’s a lot. If you’re exhausted reading through how many times these things must be said, then you’re on track to understanding the extent to which the Israelites were betraying God. Over and over and over again, they were worshipping idols and pursuing the things of this world, and over and over again, God was merciful to give them warning after warning. It’s repetitive because their sin was repetitive. It had become habitual to the point of exhaustion. Verse 12 gives us a glimpse into God’s heart: “Were I to write for [Ephraim] my laws by the by the ten thousand, they would be regarded as a strange thing.” (Hosea 8:12, ESV). Basically, it didn’t matter how many different ways God tried to tell them how to follow him; they simply refused to do it. They had become so familiar with their idolatry that God’s will was strange and foreign to them. They were stuck in the cycle of sin, and something needed to happen in order to break that cycle. Unlike the Israelites, you have been given the way out of destruction. The Israelites had been warned and would have to pay the price by going back into slavery. But Jesus paid the price for your sin and brought you out of slavery. This is why it’s so important to look at Scripture through the lens of Jesus. Everything points back to him. Everything points back to the cross. The Old Testament is one giant foreshadowing of the coming Savior; it helps us understand the enormity of sin and the depths to which Jesus went for us to pull us out of that sin. Jump back to verse three for just a moment. “Israel has spurned the good; the enemy shall pursue him” (Hosea 8:3, ESV). When I first read this verse, I immediately thought of Romans 8:28: “God works all things together for the good of those who love him.” What is the good? The good is to become more like Christ. Israel had been given the Law to become more like Christ, but they rejected it. The result was that the enemy had an open door to overtake them. We have the same opportunity to become more like Jesus. Don’t miss it. Don’t get stuck in cycles of sin, but get in the Word and be obedient to it. When you do, the enemy doesn’t have a foothold any longer, and the cycles and repetition of sin are broken. It changes the way we read Hosea now, doesn’t it? Every time you start to feel tired of reading the warnings and accusations, let it be a reminder to you of God’s grace when his people turn from him time and time again. Let it frustrate you that the Israelites could be so thoughtless and evil. Let the exhaustion of sin exasperate your mind so that you might see more clearly how patient our God is with his children. Then let it be a reminder that you are also one of these people. Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (emphasis mine). If you’re a believer, then you’ve heard the Gospel. You know God’s standards, and you know that you fall short. You know that you turn from him daily, even if you have heard his laws ten thousand times. Yet because of his grace, you don’t have to be caught in that cycle of sin. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Now with this, go out, and be bold in that freedom!