Dwelling Place: The Bible for Moms

Jaksot

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  #182. Daniel 10–12: How to Raise Kids Who Stand Firm No Matter What 16.09.2026 14min

  Can we trust the book of Daniel? Armstrong Biblical Institute ArticleWhy is the title "Son of Man" so significant?What if the future makes you afraid for your children?As moms, it can be easy to look at a chaotic world, frightening headlines, cultural confusion, and increasing hostility toward biblical truth and wonder, How will my children stand firm?In Daniel 10–12, we are reminded that we don't know everything that lies ahead—but we do know who holds the future.Daniel's final vision reveals spiritual warfare, persecution, suffering, earthly kingdoms, and the coming of God's final kingdom. Yet in the middle of all this uncertainty, God gives Daniel—and us—a message of hope: “the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” (Daniel 11:32)In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox explores Daniel's final vision and considers what these difficult chapters teach us about raising children with an eternal perspective, steadfast faith, and the character to endure whatever God calls them to.In This Episode, You'll Discover:Daniel's final vision and the glimpse it gives us into the spiritual realmWhy Daniel fasted and prayed for three weeksThe mysterious spiritual warfare surrounding Daniel's prayerWhat Daniel 10 teaches us about the reality of spiritual warfareWhy believers are called to stand firm in the strength of God rather than fearThe remarkable precision of Daniel 11's historical propheciesAntiochus Epiphanes and his persecution of God's peopleThe Maccabean Revolt and the restoration of the templeThe biblical connection between Antiochus and the coming AntichristDaniel's prophecy concerning the end of the ageOne of the clearest Old Testament descriptions of the resurrectionWhy believers can have hope even when persecution and suffering are realWhat Christian moms can do to prepare their children for an uncertain futureWhy our greatest responsibility isn't to guarantee our children's comfort, but to point them toward the eternal KingHow Ephesians 6 helps us pray for ourselves, our children, and believers around the world“The People Who Know Their God Shall Stand Firm”One verse particularly stands out in these chapters:“But the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” — Daniel 11:32Notice that Daniel doesn't promise that God's people will avoid suffering.Instead, Scripture prepares us to know God well enough to remain faithful when suffering comes.That distinction matters deeply in Christian parenting.We cannot promise our children that following Jesus will make their lives easy. We cannot guarantee that they will never experience disappointment, hardship, persecution, or suffering.But we can teach them to know their God.We can teach them His character.We can teach them His Word.We can model prayer, repentance, courage, humility, and faithfulness.And we can continually point them toward the only kingdom that will never end.Daniel's Glimpse Into Spiritual WarfareDaniel 10 gives us one of Scripture's most remarkable glimpses into the unseen spiritual realm.Daniel has been fasting and praying when an angel explains that his prayer was heard from the beginning—but that spiritual opposition delayed the messenger.This reminds us of Paul's words in Ephesians 6:“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness...” — Ephesians 6:12Our children are growing up in a world where the battle for truth, worship, and righteousness is very real.But our battle isn't ultimately against people.That changes the way we pray.It changes the way we respond.And it changes the way we prepare our children.God Doesn't Sugarcoat SufferingOne of the striking things about Daniel is that God doesn't give Daniel a comforting message that everything will soon become easy.Instead, God tells him that more suffering is coming.Throughout Scripture, God's people are not promised a life free from hardship. Again and again, suffering becomes an instrument through which God's people are refined and purified.This is an important truth for Christian moms.Our goal cannot simply be to raise children who are comfortable.We want to raise children who know God.Children who can remain faithful when obedience is costly.Children who understand that following Jesus is worth more than fitting in.Children who know that earthly kingdoms are temporary but Christ's kingdom is eternal.Antiochus Epiphanes and the Faithfulness of God's PeopleDaniel 11 contains remarkably detailed prophecies concerning the kingdoms that would affect Israel following the division of Alexander the Great's empire.Much of the chapter describes the conflict between the Ptolemaic and Seleucid kingdoms and the devastating persecution of God's people under Antiochus IV Epiphanes.Antiochus attempted to suppress worship of Yahweh and desecrated the temple.Yet God's people resisted.The Maccabean Revolt eventually resulted in the restoration and rededication of the temple, commemorated by the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah.Daniel 11:32 gives us the description:“The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”This is what faithful endurance can look like.There Is Hope Beyond the SufferingDaniel 12 brings us to one of the most hopeful passages in the book.Daniel sees a future resurrection:“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life...” — Daniel 12:2The story doesn't end with persecution.It doesn't end with wicked rulers.It doesn't end with suffering.It ends with resurrection and everlasting life.That is the hope we want our children to know.What Does This Mean for Christian Moms?As mothers, we naturally want to protect our children.We want them to have peaceful lives.We want to shield them from suffering.We want to make their paths easier.But Daniel reminds us that our most important responsibility is something deeper.We need to prepare our children to know God.We need to help them develop an eternal perspective.We need to teach them how to open God's Word when they're afraid.We need to teach them how to pray.We need to model repentance.We need to teach them to recognize truth.We need to cultivate character that will endure hardship.And we need to continually remind them that Jesus is King.We don't know what circumstances our children will face.But we can trust the God who does.Put On the Whole Armor of GodDaniel's final vision points us toward Ephesians 6 and the spiritual battle believers face.So as we pray for our children, we can ask God to equip them with:The belt of truthThe breastplate of righteousnessThe readiness of the gospel of peaceThe shield of faithThe helmet of salvationThe sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of GodA life characterized by prayer and spiritual alertnessOur children's greatest protection isn't that we can control everything they encounter.It is that they belong to Christ.Bible Study for Busy Christian MomsIf you're following a chronological Bible reading plan, Daniel 10–12 brings the book to a dramatic conclusion.These chapters may leave us with questions about prophecy and the end times. We don't have to agree on every detail of eschatology to recognize the central truth:Jesus wins.Earthly kingdoms rise and fall.Wickedness is permitted for a time.God's people may suffer.But Christ's kingdom is eternal.So when you're tempted to fear for your children's future, fix your eyes on the King.Teach your children to know Him.And trust Him with whatever He calls them to.Key ScripturesDaniel 10:12 — Daniel's prayers are heardDaniel 10:19 — “Peace be with you. Be strong and of good courage.”Daniel 11:32 — “The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”Daniel 11:35 — God's people are refined and purifiedDaniel 12:2 — The resurrection and everlasting lifeDaniel 12:3 — Those who turn many to righteousnessEphesians 6:10–18 — The armor of God and spiritual warfareA Prayer for Moms Raising Children in a Difficult WorldHeavenly Father,Help us to be strong in You and in the strength of Your might.Teach us to put on the whole armor of God so that we can stand against the schemes of the devil. Remind us that our battle is not ultimately against...
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  #181. Daniel 7-9: When the World Feels Chaotic, Remember The Ancient of Days Is on the Throne 15.09.2026 15min

  Daniel 7–9: The Ancient of Days Is on the Throne | Hope for Moms in a Chaotic WorldWhat do we do when the world around us feels chaotic, frightening, or increasingly wicked?Can we trust the book of Daniel? Armstrong Biblical Institute ArticleWhy is the title "Son of Man" so significant?In Daniel 7–9, we are reminded to fix our eyes on eternity rather than the circumstances in front of us. Kingdoms rise and fall. Wickedness may seem to have the upper hand. But above it all, the Ancient of Days is seated on His throne.In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox walks through some of the most significant prophetic passages in the Book of Daniel, including the four beasts, the Ancient of Days, the coming of the Son of Man, and Daniel's humble prayer of repentance and intercession.As Christian moms, these chapters give us a powerful reminder: our peace doesn't come from having peaceful circumstances. Our peace comes from knowing who reigns over them.And as we raise our children in a chaotic culture, we have the opportunity to point them beyond what they see around them to the eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ.In This Episode, You'll Discover:Why Daniel 7–12 shifts back to Hebrew and how Daniel 2–7 forms a chiastic structureThe significance of the four beasts and the kingdoms they representWhy Daniel 7 is considered one of the pivotal Old Testament passages concerning the MessiahThe Ancient of Days and the picture of God's absolute sovereigntyThe incredible prophecy of the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heavenHow Jesus Himself identified with Daniel's prophecy of the Son of ManWhy some biblical prophecies can be difficult to understand—and why that shouldn't keep us from faithfully studying God's WordDaniel's response to Jeremiah's prophecy concerning Israel's 70-year exileThe humility and urgency of Daniel's prayer of repentanceWhat Daniel's prayer teaches us about interceding for God's peopleHow God's sovereignty gives us hope when wickedness seems to be winningWhy Christian moms must continually fix their eyes on Christ rather than the chaos around themHow we can cultivate homes characterized by peace, hope, faithfulness, and reverence for GodThe Ancient of Days Is Still on the ThroneDaniel's vision in chapter 7 gives us a breathtaking picture of God's sovereignty.The kingdoms of this world may appear powerful. They may create chaos, persecute God's people, and seem to reign without restraint. But their authority is temporary.Daniel sees the Ancient of Days take His seat as judge.Then comes one “like a son of man” who is given:“dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.”His kingdom is everlasting.For moms who sometimes feel overwhelmed by the state of the world, our circumstances, or the culture our children are growing up in, this is an important reminder: what we see is not the whole story.The throne is occupied.The Son of ManDaniel 7 contains one of the Old Testament's clearest pictures pointing toward Jesus Christ.Jesus intentionally used the title Son of Man, and during His trial He connected Himself directly to Daniel's prophecy, declaring that they would see the Son of Man seated at God's right hand and coming with the clouds of heaven.The One Daniel saw receiving an everlasting kingdom is Jesus—the victorious King who laid down His life for our sins, rose again, and now reigns and intercedes for His people.Our hope isn't ultimately in political kingdoms, cultural stability, or earthly circumstances.Our hope is in the eternal King.When We Don't Understand Everything in ScriptureDaniel himself didn't understand everything he saw.Even after Gabriel explained the vision in Daniel 8, Daniel admitted that he was still overwhelmed and didn't understand it all.That gives us permission to approach difficult prophetic passages with both humility and perseverance.There are things in God's Word that we can understand clearly, and there are things that remain mysterious to us.We don't have to understand everything in order to trust the One who does.Daniel's Prayer: “We Have Sinned”Daniel 9 gives us another beautiful example of faithful response.When Daniel realizes that the 70 years of exile prophesied by Jeremiah are nearing their completion, he doesn't simply celebrate that the difficult season is almost over.He prays.He fasts.He confesses.He intercedes.And remarkably, Daniel identifies himself with the sins of his people:“We have sinned.”Daniel had spent decades faithfully serving God in a pagan empire, yet he approached God with humility rather than self-righteousness.He appeals not to Israel's righteousness but to God's mercy, covenant faithfulness, and character.That is a powerful example for us as mothers.What Does This Mean for Christian Moms?We cannot control the world our children will grow up in.We cannot prevent every difficult circumstance.We cannot guarantee that our children will never experience suffering.But we can teach them where to look.We can point them to the throne.We can teach them that kingdoms are temporary, but God's kingdom is eternal.We can model repentance, prayer, humility, faithfulness, and hope.And we can remind our children that wickedness is only allowed to reign for a time.The Ancient of Days is seated on the throne.Key ScripturesDaniel 7:9–14 — The Ancient of Days and the Son of ManDaniel 7:18 — The saints receive the kingdomDaniel 7:27 — The everlasting kingdomDaniel 8:15–17 — Gabriel explains Daniel's visionDaniel 9:4–19 — Daniel's prayer of confession and intercessionDaniel 9:23 — “You are greatly loved”Matthew 26:62–64 — Jesus identifies Himself with Daniel's Son of Man prophecyBible Study for Busy Christian MomsIf you're following a chronological Bible reading plan, Daniel 7–9 is an important section to slow down and consider. These chapters remind us that Bible study isn't merely about understanding every prophetic detail.It's about knowing the God who revealed it.When your day feels chaotic, when parenting feels overwhelming, or when the world around your family feels frightening, open God's Word and lift your eyes higher.The Ancient of Days is on the throne.And the Son of Man has been given an everlasting kingdom.A Prayer for Christian MomsHeavenly Father,Help us to walk in faith and keep our eyes fixed on You amid the frustrations and friction of everyday life.When the world feels chaotic, remind us that the things we see are temporary. Give us steadfast hope as we look forward to the day when Your glory will be fully revealed.Make our families a powerful witness for You. May our homes be characterized by peace regardless of our circumstances, and may that peace point others to Christ.Soften the hearts of our children and teach them to walk in reverence toward You.Thank You that Jesus is the victorious Son of Man, reigning and interceding on behalf of His people. You deserve all praise, honor, and glory.In Jesus' name, Amen.Resources Mentioned:Entrusted With a Child's HeartThe Again Podcast: Interview with Chris McKenna Part 1, Part 2Full-Circle Discipline Resources
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  180. Raising Kids Who Stand Firm: Lessons From Daniel in the Lions’ Den | Daniel 4–6 14.09.2026 17min

  How do we raise children who remain faithful to God when the culture around them is pulling them in the opposite direction?The life of Daniel gives us an incredible picture of resilient faith, godly character, integrity, courage, and unwavering devotion to God. Daniel lived through multiple kingdoms, rulers, and cultural changes, yet his faithfulness never wavered.In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox continues our Daniel Bible study by exploring Daniel 4–6 and the stories of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Cyrus, Darius, and Daniel in the lions' den.Through Daniel's faithful witness, we see how God can use one person's unwavering obedience to influence entire kingdoms. We are also reminded that God is sovereign over every ruler, nation, culture, and circumstance—and His kingdom will never end.For Christian moms, Daniel gives us a powerful example of the kind of faith and character we want to cultivate in our own children.In This Episode, You'll Discover:Why Nebuchadnezzar's pride ultimately led to his humblingWhat Nebuchadnezzar eventually recognized about the God of HeavenHow Daniel courageously warned a powerful king while still demonstrating compassionWhy God is able to humble those who walk in prideThe story of the mysterious handwriting on the wall in Daniel 5What Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin meansHow the fall of Babylon fulfilled Isaiah's prophecies concerning CyrusWhy Daniel's reputation was so impeccable that his enemies could find no legitimate accusation against himHow Daniel responded when a law threatened his relationship with GodWhy Daniel continued to pray even when he knew it could cost him his lifeWhat Daniel's experience in the lions' den teaches us about trusting GodHow God used Daniel's faithfulness as a witness to multiple empiresWhy Daniel's story is so relevant for Christian parents raising children in today's cultureHow we can teach our children to remain faithful regardless of their circumstancesDaniel: Faithful No Matter the CircumstancesDaniel had spent decades living in Babylon.He had experienced captivity, cultural pressure, changing rulers, political intrigue, and enormous shifts in power. Yet one thing remained constant:Daniel remained faithful to God.He didn't allow his circumstances to dictate his character.He didn't compromise his integrity when it would have been advantageous.He didn't abandon prayer when it became dangerous.And he didn't become bitter toward the people or nations God had placed around him.Daniel shows us that faithfulness isn't dependent upon having ideal circumstances.We can honor God wherever He has placed us.The God Who Humbles the ProudNebuchadnezzar had accumulated incredible power and wealth. He looked around at Babylon and essentially took credit for everything he had accomplished.But God reminded him that earthly kingdoms are temporary.After being humbled, Nebuchadnezzar finally declared:"His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation."What a contrast.Human kingdoms rise and fall.God's kingdom endures forever.This is an important truth for our families to remember when the world around us feels unstable. Political leaders change. Cultures change. Nations rise and fall.But God remains on His throne.What Are We Teaching Our Children About Culture?Daniel's life challenges Christian parents to think beyond simply protecting our children from worldly influences.We certainly need wisdom about what influences we allow into our homes, but we also need to prepare our children to live faithfully in a world they cannot completely control.Daniel didn't get to choose Babylon.He couldn't control the culture surrounding him.But he could choose how he responded.As parents, we can teach our children to:Know God's WordRecognize cultural pressure to compromiseDevelop convictions before they're testedWork diligently and honestlySpeak with wisdom and discretionTreat others honorablyPray consistentlyRemain faithful when obedience is costlyTrust God's sovereignty when circumstances are frighteningBe a winsome witness rather than responding with bitternessOur goal isn't simply to raise children who can identify what's wrong with the world.We want to raise children who faithfully represent Jesus within it.Daniel's Reputation Was BlamelessPerhaps one of the most remarkable details in Daniel 6 is that Daniel's enemies couldn't find anything corrupt or dishonest in his life.They essentially realized that the only way they could attack him was through his devotion to God.That's an extraordinary testimony.Daniel's enemies couldn't find a weakness in his character.His faithfulness had become so consistent that his relationship with God was the only thing they could use against him.What would it look like for our children to develop that kind of reputation?Not perfection.Not a life without mistakes.But integrity.A life in which what they say they believe matches how they live.Daniel and the Lions' DenWhen Daniel discovered that the king had signed a decree forbidding prayer to anyone except the king, he didn't panic.He prayed as he had done previously.Daniel didn't suddenly become faithful because a crisis arrived.The crisis simply revealed the faithfulness that was already present in him.And when Daniel was thrown into the lions' den, God shut the lions' mouths.But perhaps the greatest miracle wasn't simply Daniel's physical rescue.God used Daniel's faithful witness to point an entire empire toward the living God.King Darius proclaimed:"For He is the living God, enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed."Daniel's faithfulness had influence far beyond Daniel himself.Your Faithfulness Matters More Than You ThinkDaniel never got to return to his homeland.He never married.He never had children.Yet God gave him an extraordinary ministry of influence.His life reminds us that God's definition of a fruitful life isn't always the same as ours.Daniel's influence reached across multiple kingdoms because he simply remained faithful to God in the place where God had put him.You may never know how God will use your faithfulness.Your children are watching.Your neighbors are watching.Your coworkers are watching.And perhaps people you never expected to influence are watching, too.Faithfulness in the ordinary places God has put us can become a powerful witness.A Bible Study for Busy Christian MomsIf you're following a chronological Bible reading plan, Daniel provides a fascinating window into the Babylonian exile and the changing kingdoms of the ancient world.But Daniel is about much more than ancient history.It teaches us about God's sovereignty, biblical prophecy, Christian character, persecution, prayer, courage, and faithful living in a culture that doesn't share our convictions.As Christian moms, Daniel gives us an opportunity to ask:Are we preparing our children merely to avoid the world—or to faithfully represent Christ within it?And perhaps even more personally:Are our own lives demonstrating the kind of resilient faith we hope our children will have?Daniel's example encourages us to remain steadfast, trusting that the God who was sovereign in Babylon is still sovereign today.Scripture MentionedDaniel 4–6Isaiah 44–45Jeremiah2 KingsRevelationKey ScripturesDaniel 4:3 — "His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation."Daniel 4:37 — "Those who walk in pride he is able to humble."Daniel 5:22 — Belshazzar knew what happened to Nebuchadnezzar but refused to humble his heart.Daniel 6:10 — Daniel continued praying to God as he had done previously.Daniel 6:23 — Daniel was rescued because he trusted in his God.Daniel 6:26–27 — Darius proclaims the living God who delivers and rescues.PrayerHeavenly Father,We thank You that Your kingdom is eternal and that You reign from generation to generation.Regardless of what circumstances on earth look like, we know You are on Your throne and You have a plan to work all things for Your glory.Help us to be steadfast, faithful servants just as Daniel was.May our families be found blameless, and may others recognize that a different spirit is present in us.When we or our children face persecution, help us to be salt and light to a world that does not understand the goodness of Your rules and Your ways.Jesus, thank You that You pray that we would hold fast to You even in times of persecution. Thank You that we can trust You to strengthen us through Your Spirit.Amen.Resources...
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  #179. Daniel 1-3: Raising Children Who Will Stand Firm and Won't Compromise Their Faith in a Godless Culture 11.09.2026 18min

  How can we remain faithful to God when our circumstances are difficult, our culture is hostile to biblical truth, or we feel like we're living in a kind of captivity?In Daniel 1–3, we meet young men who show us that our circumstances do not have to dictate our faithfulness. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were taken from their homes, immersed in a pagan culture, pressured to assimilate, and ultimately threatened with death. Yet they remained faithful to God.In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox begins the book of Daniel and explores what these faithful young men can teach us about Christian parenting, biblical courage, working with integrity, standing firm in a difficult culture, and trusting God's sovereignty over every kingdom and circumstance.Daniel's life gives Christian moms an important reminder: we can honor God wherever He has placed us—and we can teach our children to do the same.In This Episode, You'll Discover:The historical context surrounding the Babylonian captivityWhy Daniel is considered one of the Bible's major prophetsWho Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego wereHow young Daniel responded when he was taken from his home and familyWhy Babylon's education system was designed to assimilate these young Jewish menThe significance of Daniel and his friends being given new Babylonian namesWhy Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the king's foodHow Daniel demonstrated wisdom, humility, courage, and discretionWhat Daniel's response to Nebuchadnezzar's impossible demand teaches us about faithWhy Daniel prayed before God revealed the king's dreamWhat Nebuchadnezzar's statue represents in Daniel 2How Daniel points us toward the ultimate and everlasting Kingdom of GodWhy Christians can work with excellence and integrity even under difficult leadershipHow Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego responded when commanded to worship a false godWhat their words "But if not" teach us about trusting GodWho the fourth person in the fiery furnace might have beenHow Christian parents can help their children stand firm in a culture that pressures them to compromiseWhy our circumstances don't determine whether we can be faithful to GodDaniel: Faithfulness in a Difficult CultureDaniel was likely only a teenager when he was taken captive and transported roughly 500 miles from Judah to Babylon.He had every reason to feel powerless.He didn't choose captivity. He didn't choose to leave his family. He didn't choose Babylonian culture. And yet Daniel refused to allow his circumstances to determine his obedience to God.He resolved that he would not defile himself.That decision became the beginning of a lifetime of faithfulness.As Christian parents, we can't always control the culture our children grow up in. We can't remove every worldly influence, prevent every difficult circumstance, or make every decision for them.But we can teach them that faithfulness to God is possible wherever they are.Daniel's example gives us hope as we raise children in a culture that increasingly challenges biblical convictions."There Is a God in Heaven"Daniel's response to Nebuchadnezzar's impossible demand is one of the great demonstrations of faith in Scripture.Daniel didn't pretend to possess supernatural wisdom. Instead, he immediately turned to God.After God revealed the mystery, Daniel praised Him:"He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings."—Daniel 2:21Daniel understood something that we desperately need to remember today:God is sovereign over kings, governments, cultures, circumstances, and history.Nothing happening in our world has taken God by surprise.The kingdoms of this world may look powerful, but Daniel 2 reminds us that an everlasting kingdom is coming—the kingdom of God.Parenting in a Difficult CultureOne of the most encouraging aspects of Daniel is that he was young when his faith was tested.Daniel and his friends didn't wait until adulthood to develop convictions.They had already determined whom they would serve.As parents, this challenges us to prepare our children before the moment of testing arrives.We can help our children:Know God's WordUnderstand why we believe what we believePractice making wise choicesDevelop godly characterSpeak with wisdom and discretionWork diligently and honestlyRecognize cultural pressure to compromiseTrust God when obedience comes with a costWe shouldn't merely teach our children how to survive a difficult culture.We want to raise children who know their God and are willing to stand faithfully for Him."But If Not"Daniel 3 gives us one of the most remarkable declarations of faith in the Bible.Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew God could rescue them from the fiery furnace.But they didn't make their obedience conditional upon rescue.Their faith was essentially:God is able to save us. But even if He doesn't, we will still worship Him.That is resilient faith.It is the kind of faith we want to cultivate in our own homes—a faith that trusts God's goodness even when the outcome isn't what we hoped for.Our children need to know that following Jesus doesn't guarantee an easy life.It does guarantee that God is worthy of our trust.When You Feel Like You're in CaptivityMaybe your circumstances don't look anything like Daniel's, but perhaps you understand the feeling of being stuck in circumstances you didn't choose.A difficult marriage.A challenging workplace.Financial pressure.A difficult culture.A season of parenting that feels overwhelming.A situation caused by someone else's decisions.Daniel reminds us that we can honor Christ even when our circumstances aren't our fault and aren't what we would have chosen.God was not absent from Daniel's captivity.He was working through it.And the same sovereign God who was at work in Babylon is still at work today.Scripture MentionedDaniel 1–32 KingsEzekielActsRevelationKey ScripturesDaniel 1:8 — Daniel resolves not to defile himself.Daniel 2:20–22 — Daniel praises God as the One who changes times and seasons, removes kings, gives wisdom, and reveals mysteries.Daniel 2:44 — God establishes a kingdom that will never be destroyed.Daniel 3:17–18 — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego declare that God is able to deliver them—but even if He doesn't, they will not worship the golden image.A Bible Study for Busy Christian MomsIf you're following a chronological Bible reading plan, studying Daniel gives you an important look at the Babylonian exile and helps connect the historical books of the Old Testament with the prophetic books.But Daniel isn't simply a book about ancient Babylon.It points us toward God's sovereignty over history and ultimately toward the everlasting kingdom of Christ.As we study Daniel together, we're reminded that God is still on His throne, even when the world around us seems chaotic.And as moms, we have the opportunity to pass that confidence on to the next generation.Our circumstances don't have to dictate our faithfulness.We can honor God wherever He has placed us.PrayerGod of heaven, sovereign over all kings and kingdoms, we praise You for Your providence and Your power.We rejoice that regardless of what happens in our homes, communities, nations, or world, we can cling to Your trustworthiness.We pray that our children, our spouses, and ourselves would be filled with deep, resilient faith in the midst of circumstances that seem impossible to resolve well.Help us to trust You for a good result, and ultimately help us to bring You glory through all things.Teach our children to speak with wisdom and discretion as Daniel did. May they walk in an honorable way, demonstrating godly character and testifying to Your goodness.And when we walk through trials, remind us that we are not alone.We love You, Jesus.Amen.Resources Mentioned:Entrusted With a Child's HeartThe Again Podcast: Interview with Chris McKenna Part 1,
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  #178. Joel: The Day of the Lord, Repentance & the God Who Restores 09.09.2026 15min

  What does the book of Joel teach us about God's judgment, repentance, restoration, and the Day of the Lord? And what can Christian moms learn from Joel about teaching our children to understand sin, holiness, and the mercy of God?In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox walks through the book of Joel and explores its powerful message for believers today. While the exact date of Joel's prophecy is debated, its message is unmistakable: human sin brings devastation, but God graciously calls His people to return to Him.Joel repeatedly emphasizes the Day of the Lord—a day of both judgment and blessing. We see God's righteous response to sin, but we also see His steadfast love, His desire for repentance, His promise of restoration, and the incredible promise that He will pour out His Spirit on His people.In This Episode, You'll Discover:Why the exact date of the book of Joel is debated and why biblical context mattersWhat the devastating locust invasion in Joel 1 teaches us about God's judgmentWhy Joel tells the people to tell their children what happenedHow the destruction affected every part of life, including food, farming, and temple worshipWhat it means to "rend your hearts and not your garments"Why true repentance is more than outward religious behaviorHow Joel describes the Day of the LordWhy God's people can have hope even in the midst of judgment and devastationThe beautiful promise, "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten"How Joel 2 points forward to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2Why the promise that "everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" is such good newsHow Christian parents can model humble repentance for their childrenWhy God's heart is for restoration, even when His redemption doesn't look the way we expectedTeaching Our Children About RepentanceOne of the most powerful parenting applications in Joel is God's command to gather everyone—including the children—for repentance.Sometimes parents are tempted to hide our failures from our children. We don't want them to see our mistakes or know about the consequences of our sin. But Joel gives us a beautiful picture of parents and children coming before God together.There is a place for age-appropriate honesty with our children:"If I could go back, I would live differently. That choice brought deep regret and consequences, and I want something better for you."Our children need to see that repentance isn't simply something we teach them to do. It is something we practice ourselves.The God Who RestoresJoel reminds us that God is not only a God of judgment—He is also a God of mercy, restoration, and redemption.The promise that God will restore what the locusts have eaten can speak deeply to anyone experiencing a season of loss. Perhaps you've lost finances, health, time with someone you love, or years you wish you could have lived differently.God's restoration doesn't always look the way we expect. But we can trust the character of the God who promises to dwell with His people.We can pray with open hands:"God, I know Your redemption in this situation might not look how I expect, but I believe You dwell in my midst. I trust You to work this for Your glory and my good."Scripture MentionedJoel 1–3Exodus 34Acts 2IsaiahJeremiahEzekielZephaniahKey ScripturesJoel 2:12–13 — "Return to me with all your heart..."Joel 2:25 — "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten..."Joel 2:27 — "You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God..."Acts 2:17 — God promises to pour out His Spirit on all flesh.Acts 2:21 — "And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."A Bible Study for Busy Christian MomsIf you're working your way through the Bible chronologically and sometimes wonder how the Old Testament connects to the New Testament, Joel is a beautiful example.Joel's prophecy points beyond the immediate circumstances of Judah toward God's larger redemptive plan. Peter later quotes Joel at Pentecost, showing us that the promises spoken through this Old Testament prophet ultimately point toward the work of the Holy Spirit and God's salvation offered to His people.The more we study Scripture, the more we see that the Bible tells one unified story of God's holiness, mercy, judgment, redemption, and restoration.And as Christian moms, we have the privilege of passing that story on to the next generation.PrayerHeavenly Father,We thank You for Your Word and how it applies to all generations. We pray that we would have a deep reverence in our souls for Your judgment, and that our families would understand that sin deserves to be punished.We pray that this reality would lead us to humble repentance when we fall into temptation, but also to a joyful holiness that prevents us from engaging in sin.We pray for the moms whose hearts are heavy and who are longing for You to prove Yourself as a God of redemption. We pray for the nations, for eyes to be opened and deceived minds to receive clarity. We desire a revival that would bring glory to You and for the gospel to be preached to tribes and peoples who have never heard Your name.You are patient and abounding in steadfast love, and we rejoice that You will never turn away someone who calls upon You.Jesus, thank You for paving a way for us to be restored to our loving Father.Amen.Resources Mentioned:Entrusted With a Child's HeartThe Again Podcast: Interview with Chris McKenna Part 1, Part 2Full-Circle Discipline ResourcesJourney Through the BibleCommentaries Most Referenced: Moody Commentary, MacArthur Commentary
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  #177. Ezekiel 43–48: The Lord Is There | Hope, Holiness & Biblical Parenting 08.09.2026 16min

  What does it mean that “The Lord is there”?As we finish the book of Ezekiel in our chronological Bible reading plan, we encounter some of the most difficult and debated chapters in all of Scripture. Ezekiel 43–48 contains an incredibly detailed vision of a future temple, complete with measurements, boundaries, priests, sacrifices, land allotments, and a life-giving river.But even when we don't understand every detail, we can understand something unmistakable about the God who gave Ezekiel this vision:God desires to dwell with His people.In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox walks through Ezekiel 43–48 and considers what these difficult chapters reveal about God's holiness, His presence, His order, His faithfulness, and His good plan for His people.And as moms, we're reminded that we don't have to understand every detail of God's plan before we can faithfully obey Him.In This Episode of The Dwelling PlaceWe'll explore:Why Ezekiel 43–48 are some of the most difficult and debated chapters in ScriptureThe detailed vision of Ezekiel's future temple and why its measurements matterWhat the return of God's glory to the temple reveals about His desire to dwell with His peopleWhy God's presence is always connected with holiness and repentanceWhat Ezekiel's remarkable obedience teaches us about faithfully following GodWhy we can trust God's Word even when we don't understand every detailThe difference between the common and the sacredWhat Ezekiel 45 teaches about justice, righteousness, generosity, and leadershipWhy the Sabbath and corporate worship continue to matterThe purpose of sacrifices in Ezekiel's temple vision and how they point us back to ChristThe extraordinary river flowing from the temple in Ezekiel 47Why the absence of the Ark of the Covenant is significantThe connection between Ezekiel's temple, God's presence, and the biblical theme of dwelling with His peopleThe meaning of Yahweh Shammah—“The Lord is there”How these chapters challenge us toward greater holiness and obedienceWhat Ezekiel can teach Christian moms about trusting God's plan even when we don't have all the answersWhen the Bible Feels DifficultHave you ever reached a section of your Bible reading plan and thought, I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with this?Ezekiel's temple vision can certainly feel that way.There are measurements upon measurements, detailed architectural instructions, priests, sacrifices, land boundaries, and a massive river flowing from the temple.And there are faithful Christians who interpret these chapters differently.But we don't have to resolve every theological question before we can be encouraged by God's Word.We can approach difficult Scripture with humility and faith, remembering that God's Word is intentional even when our understanding is incomplete.As moms, this is a valuable lesson for our children, too. We don't need to pretend that we have every answer. We can teach our children to approach Scripture with confidence in God's character while remaining humble about the things we don't yet understand.“My Dwelling Place Shall Be With Them”One of the most beautiful themes throughout Ezekiel is God's presence.Earlier in the book, Ezekiel witnessed the devastating departure of God's glory from the temple because of Israel's sin.Now, in this final vision, God's glory returns.Ezekiel 43 describes the glory of the Lord filling the temple, and God declares that this is the place where He will dwell among His people.And then Ezekiel ends with the name of the city:“The Lord is there.” — Ezekiel 48:35This isn't a random detail.From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture tells the story of a holy God making a way to dwell with His people.That is the heart behind The Dwelling Place.God is not distant or indifferent. His plan has always been to bring His people into His presence.What Ezekiel Teaches Us About ParentingEzekiel's faithfulness is one of the things that stands out most throughout this book.God repeatedly gave Ezekiel difficult assignments, and Ezekiel simply obeyed.He didn't need to understand everything before he acted.He didn't need the assignment to be easy.He didn't need to know exactly how God's plans would unfold.He did as he was commanded.That is a powerful example for Christian moms.Motherhood is filled with details, decisions, responsibilities, and moments when we simply don't know what we're doing. We may want God to give us the entire blueprint before we take the next step.But often, He gives us something better:His Word for today.We don't need to know every detail of God's plan for our children, our families, or our future.We need to know Him, trust Him, and faithfully obey what He has already revealed.God's Presence Produces HolinessEzekiel's temple vision also reminds us that God's desire to dwell with His people doesn't mean He takes holiness less seriously.Quite the opposite.God's presence is holy.The people are called to recognize their sin, repent, and live differently.That matters in biblical parenting, because our goal shouldn't simply be to raise children who behave well enough to avoid consequences.We want to help our children understand that obedience flows from a heart that knows and loves God.We can teach them:God's holiness matters.Sin matters.Repentance matters.How we treat other people matters.Our choices reveal what we love.God is worthy of our obedience.Christian parenting isn't ultimately about producing outwardly compliant children.It's about faithfully pointing our children toward the holy God who made them, loves them, and calls them to Himself.A River That Brings LifeEzekiel 47 gives us one of the most breathtaking images in these chapters: water flowing from the temple and bringing life wherever it goes.The river grows deeper as it flows.It transforms the waters of the sea.Fish become abundant.Trees grow along its banks.Their fruit does not fail, and their leaves bring healing.The source of this life-giving river is the sanctuary.Once again, the message is unmistakable:Life flows from the presence of God.As moms, it is easy to spend our days pouring ourselves out for everyone else.But we cannot manufacture spiritual life for our families.We need the life that comes from God.Our children don't ultimately need a perfect mother.They need a mother who knows where the source of life is.You Don't Have to Understand Everything to Trust GodThe book of Ezekiel ends with details that theologians have debated for centuries.And that's okay.We can study carefully.We can ask questions.We can seek wisdom.We can learn from faithful teachers.But ultimately, our confidence isn't in our ability to explain every prophetic detail.Our confidence is in the God who gave the prophecy.We can trust Him when we understand.We can trust Him when we're confused.We can trust Him when His plans are easy to see.And we can trust Him when we're still waiting.That is faithfulness.The Final Message of EzekielEzekiel began with a vision of God's glory.Then came judgment because of God's people's rebellion and sin.But judgment was not the end.God promised restoration, a new covenant, a new heart, His Spirit, His presence, and ultimately a future in which He would dwell with His people.And the book closes with a name that captures it all:Yahweh Shammah — The Lord Is There.What an appropriate way to finish Ezekiel.And what a beautiful reminder for every Christian mom:God is there.He is there in the ordinary work of motherhood.He is there when obedience is difficult.He is there when our children are struggling.He is there when we don't know what to do next.He is there when we understand His plan—and when we don't.And one day, His people will dwell with Him forever.Scripture MentionedEzekiel 40–48Ezekiel 43:1–7Ezekiel 43:10–12Ezekiel 45Ezekiel 46Ezekiel 47:1–12Ezekiel 48:35Genesis 2ExodusZechariah 14RevelationA Prayer for Christian MomsHeavenly Father, we praise You that You are a God with a good plan.As moms, we make decision after decision and handle detail after detail. Thank You for the clarity of Your Word and for showing us what matters most.Lead us forward with peace. Help us to know what You are calling us to do and to obey You fully, as Ezekiel did.When we are tired, discouraged, or facing something difficult, strengthen our hearts to move forward in diligence and faithfulness.Teach us to trust You even when we don't understand every detail of Your plans.Help us to raise our children to know that You are holy, that Your Word is trustworthy, and that Your presence is better than anything this world can...
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  #176. Ezekiel 37-42 : He is the God of Hope, Resurrection, and Restoration... Even in The Valley of Dry Bones 07.09.2026 13min

  What do you do when a situation feels completely hopeless?When you’ve prayed for years, when your child seems spiritually far from God, when a relationship feels beyond repair, or when circumstances look as lifeless as the dry bones Ezekiel saw in his vision—where do you put your hope?In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, we continue our chronological Bible reading plan through Ezekiel 37–39, with special attention to one of the most famous passages in Ezekiel: the valley of dry bones.Ezekiel 37 gives us a powerful picture of God’s resurrection power and His faithfulness to His covenant promises to Israel. God takes what appears completely dead and demonstrates that He alone has the power to bring life.And while this prophecy specifically concerns the nation of Israel, it reveals something profoundly encouraging about the character of God for every believer: when all hope seems gone, God is still the God of hope.In This Episode, We’ll Explore:The valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37 and what this vision meant for IsraelWhy God sometimes allows circumstances to reach what feels like absolute rock bottomThe Hebrew word ruach, meaning breath, wind, or spirit, and its connection to creation and the Spirit of GodGod’s promise to restore and reunite His peopleWhat Ezekiel 37 teaches us about God’s faithfulness when His people have been unfaithfulWhy biblical hope is not confidence in a particular outcome, but confidence in the goodness and character of GodHow Hebrews 11:6 faith changes the way we walk through suffering and uncertaintyWhat the dry bones can teach Christian moms about perseverance when circumstances seem lifelessThe picture of a united Israel under one shepherd and the promise that God will dwell with His peopleHow the hope of restoration can encourage parents praying for a prodigal childEzekiel’s prophecy concerning Gog and Israel’s future enemyWhy God allows enemies and difficult circumstances to arise—and how He ultimately uses them to display His gloryA preview of Ezekiel’s mysterious and highly debated temple visionWhen God Allows Things to DieOne of the most challenging truths in this passage is that God is not always a God of prevention.He is a God of restoration, resurrection, healing, and hope—but He does not always prevent suffering, loss, disappointment, or circumstances from reaching a place where we can no longer see a way forward.Sometimes God allows us to stare at what looks like ashes and wonder how He could possibly bring beauty from them.The valley of dry bones reminds us that God's ability to bring life is not limited by how dead something looks to us.But there is an important distinction: our hope is not a promise that God will give us the outcome we want.Our hope is in God Himself.We can believe that He is good, that He is faithful, that He is working even when we cannot see what He is doing, and that He is able to use even our deepest trials for His purposes.What Does Ezekiel 37 Mean for Christian Moms?Ezekiel's vision wasn't originally given as a parenting lesson. It was a prophetic message concerning God's covenant people, Israel.But the character of God revealed in this passage gives moms tremendous encouragement.Motherhood will inevitably put us in situations where we don't know how to pray. We may watch a child struggle, make destructive choices, resist the Lord, or walk through circumstances we cannot fix.We can influence our children.We can teach them God's Word.We can model repentance and faithfulness.We can pray.But ultimately, God is the one who gives life.That means we don't have to carry the burden of being our children's savior.Instead, we can faithfully point them toward the One who is.And we can keep praying even when what we see looks as hopeless as a valley filled with dry bones.The God of HopeEzekiel 37 reminds us that God's promises don't depend on circumstances looking promising.Israel was divided, exiled, devastated, and seemingly without hope. Yet God promised that He would gather His people, reunite them, cleanse them, give them His Spirit, and dwell among them.The chapter ends with one of the most beautiful promises in Ezekiel:“My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” — Ezekiel 37:27This is the heart of The Dwelling Place: God has always desired to dwell with His people.And for those of us who belong to Christ, we have the extraordinary privilege of knowing His presence now while looking forward to dwelling with Him forever.A Word for the Mom Who Is Still WaitingPerhaps you've been praying for something for years.Maybe you're waiting for reconciliation.Maybe you're praying for a child who has wandered.Maybe you're faithfully parenting but don't see the fruit you hoped for.Maybe you're simply exhausted and wondering whether your faithfulness matters.The valley of dry bones reminds us that God sees what we cannot see.Keep praying.Keep obeying.Keep trusting.Keep hoping—not because you know exactly what God will do, but because you know who God is.God is not glorified only when we receive the answer we wanted. He is also glorified when we continue trusting Him when we cannot see the answer.That kind of faith is precious.Scripture MentionedEzekiel 37Ezekiel 38–39Ezekiel 36Genesis 2Psalm 23Jeremiah 29Hebrews 11:6Romans 11John 10A Prayer for Christian MomsHeavenly Father, we praise You for Your unparalleled power over our physical and spiritual lives. You are the God who sanctifies us, and You don't simply call us to holiness—you equip us through Your Holy Spirit.For the mom who feels lonely, unseen, exhausted, or discouraged today, remind her that You are near. Give her clarity about what matters, strength to remain faithful in the things that are good but hard, and wisdom to cast off distractions.For the situations in our lives that feel dead and lifeless, give us unwavering faith in Your resurrection power while also giving us deep surrender to the outcomes You know are best.Teach us to hold hope and surrender together.Thank You, Jesus, that You are our resurrected Lord and that our ultimate hope is found in You.Amen.Resources Mentioned:Entrusted With a Child's HeartThe Again Podcast: Interview with Chris McKenna Part 1, Part 2Full-Circle Discipline ResourcesJourney Through the BibleCommentaries Most Referenced: Moody Commentary, MacArthur Commentary
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  #175. Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow: Repentance Matters in Ezekiel 31-36 04.09.2026 13min

  Ezekiel 31–36: The Good Shepherd, Repentance & a New HeartWhat happens when God’s people have wandered so far that their hearts have become hard?In today’s episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox continues through the chronological Bible reading plan in Ezekiel chapters 31–36. These chapters move from judgment and exile to some of the most beautiful promises of restoration in the Old Testament.God exposes the pride of Egypt, appoints Ezekiel as a watchman, announces the fall of Jerusalem, and rebukes Israel’s corrupt shepherds. But then the tone changes dramatically.God says:“I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.”He promises to gather His scattered people, care for the weak and injured, and establish one shepherd over them. This promise points us directly to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who says in John 10, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.”And then Ezekiel 36 gives us another breathtaking promise: God will cleanse His people, give them a new heart and a new spirit, and replace their heart of stone with a heart of flesh.But restoration doesn't mean pretending the past never happened.God's people will remember their sin, recognize their need for forgiveness, and experience godly sorrow that produces repentance.For Christian moms, that raises an important question:Are we simply trying to change our children's behavior—or are we teaching them to recognize sin, take responsibility, repent, and experience the restoration that comes through Christ?In This Episode, We'll Study:Ezekiel 31–32: God's judgment against Egypt and the consequences of pride.Ezekiel 33: Ezekiel's calling as a watchman and the responsibility to faithfully warn others.God's repeated declaration that He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but desires that they turn and live.The historical fall of Jerusalem and the fulfillment of Ezekiel's years of warnings.Ezekiel 34: God's condemnation of Israel's corrupt shepherds and His promise to personally shepherd His people.The connection between Ezekiel's Good Shepherd prophecy and Jesus in John 10.How Psalm 23 helps us understand God's tender care for His people.Ezekiel 35: God's judgment against Edom.Ezekiel 36: God's promises of restoration, cleansing, a new heart, and a new spirit.Why God's restoration isn't based on Israel's worthiness but on His holy name and faithfulness.The difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow.How repentance should shape our approach to biblical parenting and Christian discipline.The Good Shepherd Is the Perfect ParentEzekiel 34 gives us a beautiful picture of God's heart toward His people.The leaders of Israel had exploited the sheep rather than caring for them. They fed themselves, neglected the weak, failed to protect the vulnerable, and allowed the flock to scatter.God's response is remarkable:“I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep.”He promises to seek the lost, bring back the strayed, bind up the injured, strengthen the weak, and provide a place where His sheep can dwell securely.And then Jesus identifies Himself as this Shepherd.“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” — John 10:14What an encouragement for Christian moms.We aren't the ultimate shepherds of our children.Jesus is.We are called to faithfully care for the children God has entrusted to us, but ultimately they belong to Him. And the same Shepherd who cares for us is the One who cares for our children.Biblical Parenting Gets to the HeartEzekiel 36 describes God's promise to replace a heart of stone with a heart of flesh.That is a powerful picture of what we should ultimately desire in our parenting.We don't merely want children who know how to behave.We want children whose hearts are being transformed by the Spirit of God.That means biblical parenting can't stop at behavior modification.When our children sin, we want to help them understand:What did I do?Why was it wrong?Who did I hurt?What responsibility do I need to take?What do I need to confess?How can I make things right?How does God's forgiveness change the way I live?The goal isn't simply “Don't do that again.”The goal is a heart that understands sin, loves righteousness, receives correction, and desires God's will.Worldly Sorrow vs. Godly SorrowOne of the most practical parenting applications from today's reading is the difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow.Worldly sorrow says:“I'm sorry I got caught.”Godly sorrow says:“I'm sorry I chose to sin.”Worldly sorrow makes excuses.Godly sorrow takes responsibility.Worldly sorrow blames someone else.Godly sorrow confesses.Worldly sorrow resists consequences.Godly sorrow accepts correction and desires restoration.Worldly sorrow wants to get off the hook.Godly sorrow wants God's will.This is a foundational principle of Christian parenting and biblical discipline: we aren't merely trying to produce compliant children. We want to shepherd their hearts toward genuine repentance and dependence on Christ.“It Can't Be Heaven Unless We Agree About Holiness”Ezekiel 36 reminds us that restoration doesn't require God to overlook sin.It requires His people to recognize the seriousness of their sin and the greatness of His forgiveness.When we understand how much we've been forgiven, we don't have to hide from our past.We can acknowledge it.We can confess it.We can repent.And we can move forward in grace.That is true for us as mothers, and it is what we want to teach our children.Christians aren't perfect. We're forgiven.And because we've been forgiven, we can acknowledge our sin without despair because our Good Shepherd is merciful.A Question for Christian MomsWhen your child sins, what are you primarily pursuing?Compliance—or repentance?Are you simply trying to stop the behavior, or are you helping your child understand what is happening in their heart?Biblical parenting calls us to go deeper.We want our children to know the holiness of God, recognize their own sin, experience the mercy of Christ, and learn to walk differently through the power of the Holy Spirit.Scripture MentionedEzekiel 31–36Ezekiel 33:7–11Ezekiel 34:10–31Ezekiel 36:22–32John 10:14Psalm 23A Prayer for Christian MomsHeavenly Father, thank You for being our merciful and forgiving God. Thank You for being our Good Shepherd who seeks the lost, strengthens the weak, binds up the wounded, and lays down His life for His sheep.Give us new hearts and renew our spirits. Soften the places in us that have become hard through bitterness, selfishness, or sin.Help us as mothers to shepherd our children toward You. Teach us to look beyond outward behavior and address the heart. Give us wisdom to teach our children the difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow.May our families become places where confession, repentance, forgiveness, and restoration are practiced because we have experienced the mercy of Christ ourselves.Thank You for replacing hearts of stone with hearts of flesh and for giving Your Spirit to Your people.Jesus, thank You for being our Good Shepherd.Amen.Resources Mentioned:Entrusted With a Child's HeartThe Again Podcast: Interview with Chris McKenna Part 1, Part 2Full-Circle Discipline Resources
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  #174. Biblical Parenting Lessons from Ezekiel 25-30: Teaching Our Children Humility in a World That Rewards Pride 03.09.2026 13min

  Ezekiel 25–30: When Success Produces Pride | A Bible Study for Christian MomsWhat happens when talent, success, beauty, wealth, and achievement begin producing pride instead of praise?In today's episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox continues through the chronological Bible reading plan in Ezekiel chapters 25–30. As God turns His attention from judging Jerusalem to judging the surrounding nations, one theme becomes impossible to miss:God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.Moab, Ammon, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt each experienced God's judgment for their rebellion, arrogance, violence, idolatry, or mistreatment of His people. Many of these nations were powerful, wealthy, influential, and strategically positioned—but their strength became a source of pride.And that raises an important question for Christian parents:Are we teaching our children to pursue greatness—or to glorify God with whatever gifts He has given them?As moms, we naturally want our children to succeed. We celebrate their accomplishments, cheer them on in sports and academics, and want them to use their God-given abilities. But what if an opportunity that looks like success is quietly producing self-reliance, pride, or a love of worldly recognition?Ezekiel reminds us that what matters most isn't how high our children climb.It's who sits on the throne of their hearts when they get there.In This Episode, We'll Study:Ezekiel 25: God's judgment against Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Philistia.How Edom's hostility toward Israel contributed to its judgment.The historical significance of the ancient Moabite cities mentioned in Ezekiel.Ezekiel 26–28: God's judgment against the wealthy and powerful city of Tyre.How Ezekiel's prophecy concerning Tyre was fulfilled through historical events.Ezekiel 28: The pride of the prince of Tyre and the debated passage that many interpreters understand as also pointing to Satan.The connection between pride and spiritual rebellion.Why Philippians 2 gives us the perfect contrast to the pride described in Ezekiel.Ezekiel 29–30: God's judgment against Pharaoh and Egypt.The repeated biblical declaration: “Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”God's promise of restoration and hope for His people.What the fall of powerful nations teaches us about God's sovereignty.How biblical parenting can help our children pursue achievement without making achievement their identity.Christian Parenting Wisdom: Are We Raising Successful Kids or Faithful Kids?Most of us want good things for our children.We want them to work hard. We want them to develop their talents. We want them to succeed in school. We want them to excel in sports, music, academics, or their careers. We want them to have opportunities.There is nothing inherently wrong with those desires.But Ezekiel 25–30 reminds us that a gift can become dangerous when it begins producing pride instead of gratitude.A child can receive a trophy and learn humility.Or they can receive a trophy and begin believing they are better than everyone else.A child can excel academically and use that ability to serve others.Or they can begin finding their identity in being smarter than everyone around them.A child can become successful and give God the glory.Or they can begin believing, “My success proves that I don't need God.”That is why biblical parenting isn't simply about helping our children become successful.It is about helping them become faithful followers of Jesus.Would You Rather Have a Humble Child or an Impressive One?This is one of the questions Stephanie explores in today's episode:Would I rather have my child humble with dirt on their knees because they bow to the lordship of Jesus Christ—or elevated on a pedestal with a gold medal around their neck?That's a difficult question for parents because sometimes our own pride gets wrapped up in our children's accomplishments.Their success can make us feel successful.Their talent can make us feel proud.Their recognition can make us feel recognized.But our children don't belong on the throne—and neither do we.The goal isn't to suppress our children's gifts or discourage them from pursuing excellence. Instead, we can teach them to hold their plans loosely and use their abilities for the glory of Christ rather than their own glory.Teaching Children to Recognize the Danger of PrideOne of the gifts we can give our children is helping them recognize the early signs of self-reliance.What happens when they win?What happens when they lose?How do they respond when someone else succeeds?Do they need recognition?Do they become angry when they're not the best?Are they willing to serve when nobody notices?Can they receive correction?Do they thank God for their abilities?These seemingly small moments can reveal what is happening in the heart.Biblical parenting isn't merely about correcting outward behavior. It's about helping our children see what is happening in their hearts and continually pointing them toward Christ.Jesus Gives Us the Opposite Picture of PrideEzekiel 28 describes a ruler whose wisdom, beauty, wealth, and splendor became reasons for pride.Philippians 2 gives us the stunning contrast.Jesus, who truly deserved all glory, humbled Himself. He took the form of a servant and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.The world tells our children:Climb higher. Be noticed. Be the best. Make a name for yourself.Jesus shows us something entirely different:Humble yourself. Serve others. Give God the glory.That is the kind of greatness we want to cultivate in our homes.A Challenge for Christian MomsAs you think about your children's gifts and future, ask:Is this opportunity producing more pride or more praise?Sometimes the most loving parenting decision isn't simply asking, “Is this a good opportunity?”It may be asking:“What is this opportunity doing to my child's heart?”We can encourage our children to pursue excellence while reminding them that their identity isn't found in a grade, trophy, position, talent, college acceptance, career, appearance, or accomplishment.Their greatest achievement will never be what they accomplish for themselves.Their greatest treasure is knowing Christ.Scripture MentionedEzekiel 25–30Ezekiel 25:15–17Ezekiel 26:12–14Ezekiel 28:1–19Ezekiel 29–30Philippians 2:3–11A Prayer for Christian MomsHeavenly Father, help us to pursue humility rather than striving for our own glory.Help us teach our children to use their gifts and abilities for Your glory. Give us wisdom to recognize when success is producing pride rather than praise. Help us not to overlook the small signs of self-reliance, arrogance, or love of worldly recognition in our children's hearts.Teach our families to hold our plans loosely and remain surrendered to You. May our children grow not simply to be successful, talented, or accomplished, but to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ.You alone deserve the glory.Amen.Resources Mentioned:Entrusted With a Child's HeartThe Again Podcast: Interview with Chris McKenna Part 1, Part 2Full-Circle Discipline ResourcesJourney Through the BibleCommentaries Most Referenced:
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  #173. Is Following God Worth It When It Costs You Everything? | Ezekiel 19–24 Bible Study 03.09.2026 14min

  What do we do when following God costs us something we deeply love? And how do we keep God first when motherhood constantly calls for our attention, energy, sacrifice, and devotion?In today’s episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox continues through the chronological Bible reading plan with Ezekiel chapters 19–24. These chapters are difficult, sobering, and at times deeply uncomfortable—but they reveal both the seriousness of sin and the extraordinary faithfulness of God.From Ezekiel's lament over Jerusalem to the fall of the city, God repeatedly confronts His people with the consequences of their rebellion. Yet even in judgment, He promises restoration for the sake of His great name.And then Ezekiel is asked to make an extraordinary sacrifice of his own.When his beloved wife dies, God tells Ezekiel not to mourn publicly. Ezekiel's response is astonishing:“On the next morning I did as I was commanded.” — Ezekiel 24:18What could produce that kind of radical obedience?As Christian moms, we may never be asked to make the kind of sacrifice Ezekiel was asked to make, but we are continually faced with the question: Is Jesus truly our first love?Our families are precious gifts from God, but they cannot become more important to us than the God who gave them to us.In This Episode, We’ll Explore:Ezekiel 19: A lament over the downfall of the Davidic kings and Jerusalem.Ezekiel 20: Israel's repeated rebellion against God and His determination to preserve His name and ultimately restore His people.Why God's statement that He gave Israel “statutes that were not good” in Ezekiel 20:25 does not mean that God's law itself is evil.The devastating sin of child sacrifice and idolatry and why God repeatedly condemned it.Ezekiel 21–22: God's judgment against Jerusalem and the injustice, corruption, false teaching, oppression, and violence that had infected the nation.Ezekiel 23: The graphic allegory of Oholah and Oholibah and what it reveals about Israel and Judah's spiritual unfaithfulness.Ezekiel 24: The beginning of Jerusalem's final siege and Ezekiel's heartbreaking personal sacrifice.What Ezekiel's obedience teaches us about following God when obedience is costly.Why Christian mothers must be careful not to make their families their first priority instead of Christ.How our children benefit from seeing a mother whose love for Jesus comes before everything else.What Does Ezekiel Teach Us About Biblical Parenting?One of the most important parenting reminders in these chapters is that our families cannot become our gods.It is good and right for mothers to care deeply about their children. We are called to nurture them, teach them God's Word, discipline them faithfully, pray for them, and point them toward Christ.But our children are not our ultimate purpose.Jesus is.When our identity becomes wrapped up in our children's success, happiness, behavior, approval, or faith, we can begin carrying a burden God never intended us to carry. We cannot control our children's hearts. We cannot save them. And we cannot make our families the center of our lives and still rightly understand what it means to follow Christ.Ezekiel's life gives us a sobering picture of what it can mean to belong completely to God.God Is Worthy of EverythingEzekiel had already given up so much.He was living in exile. He did not get to fulfill the priestly ministry he had likely anticipated. He was asked to perform strange and difficult prophetic signs. He repeatedly delivered God's message to a rebellious people.And then God asked him to surrender something incredibly precious.Yet Ezekiel obeyed.His example challenges us to ask:Do I believe God is worthy of everything—even when following Him costs me something?For a mother, that question may look different.It may mean choosing faithfulness when no one notices. It may mean surrendering our plans. It may mean loving difficult people. It may mean saying no to something good because God has called us to something better. It may mean trusting God with a child we cannot control. It may simply mean choosing Christ again and again in the middle of the ordinary demands of motherhood.The goal isn't to become a mother who does everything perfectly.It's to become a woman who knows that Jesus is worth everything.A Hopeful Perspective for Christian MomsThe book of Ezekiel can feel overwhelmingly heavy, but God's judgment is never the whole story.Again and again, God promises that He will restore His people, not because they deserve it, but because He is faithful to His name and His promises.That gives us hope as we read difficult passages—and hope as we live through difficult seasons of motherhood.This life is not all there is.For those who belong to Christ, our eternity is promised, purchased, and being prepared.The trials we experience here will not last forever.And that eternal perspective can change the way we respond to today's sacrifices.Scripture MentionedEzekiel 19–24Ezekiel 20:25Ezekiel 20:40–44Ezekiel 22Ezekiel 23Ezekiel 24:15–18Romans 7Additional connections to Jeremiah and HoseaA Prayer for MomsLord, help us to keep You as our first love.When motherhood demands more than we think we can give, remind us that You are worthy of every sacrifice. Give us an eternal perspective when our circumstances feel overwhelming. Help us love our families well without allowing them to take Your rightful place in our hearts.May our children see in us a woman who loves Jesus more than the pleasures and promises of this world. And may our faithfulness point them toward the One who is worthy of everything.Amen.Mom Ears Alone: Ezekiel 23 contains graphic and mature imagery, and this episode discusses some of those passages.Resources Mentioned:Entrusted With a Child's HeartThe Again Podcast: Interview with Chris McKenna Part 1, Part 2Full-Circle Discipline ResourcesJourney Through the BibleCommentaries Most Referenced: Moody Commentary, MacArthur Commentary
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  #172. Turn and Live: Does God Enjoy Punishing Sin + The Spiritual Legacy We Give Our Children | Ezekiel 13–18 01.09.2026 14min

  What does God really think about disciplining and judging sin? And what does Ezekiel teach us about the spiritual legacy we’re building for our children?In today’s episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox continues through a chronological Bible reading plan with Ezekiel chapters 13–18. These difficult chapters reveal both the seriousness of Israel’s rebellion and the astonishing mercy of a God who does not delight in the death of the wicked, but calls them to turn and live.This is a particularly important Bible study for moms because Ezekiel 18 addresses a question many parents wrestle with: How much does our spiritual heritage determine the faith of our children? While our parenting and example have tremendous influence, every person ultimately stands individually before the Lord.In This Episode, We’ll Study:Ezekiel 13: The danger of false prophets who promise peace when there is no peaceEzekiel 14: Why even the righteousness of Noah, Daniel, and Job could not save an unrepentant nationEzekiel 15: Israel as a fruitless vine and what it means to bear fruitEzekiel 16: God's covenant relationship with Israel and the devastating depth of their idolatryEzekiel 17: The eagle and vine imagery and the promise of the coming MessiahEzekiel 18: Individual responsibility, repentance, God's justice, and His desire that sinners turn and liveThe difference between influence and control in parentingHow our spiritual legacy can shape our children without determining their eternal destinyWhy biblical parenting must address the heart, not merely outward behaviorThe hope of the gospel: God's justice and mercy ultimately meet in Jesus ChristWhat Ezekiel 18 Teaches Christian ParentsOne of the most encouraging truths in this passage is that our children are not spiritually doomed by the sins of their parents.Ezekiel 18 repeatedly emphasizes that each person is accountable before God. A righteous father can have a wicked son, and a wicked father can have a righteous son. Even more beautifully, God gives the wicked an opportunity to repent:“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”This doesn't minimize the influence parents have. Scripture consistently calls us to teach our children God's Word, model repentance, discipline faithfully, and point them toward Christ.But it does remind us that we cannot save our children.We can influence.We can teach.We can model faithfulness.We can pray.We can discipline and disciple.But only God can give our children a new heart.That truth can bring tremendous freedom to Christian moms who carry the weight of believing their children's spiritual decisions are entirely dependent upon their parenting.The Unfaithfulness of People Does Not Change the Faithfulness of GodEzekiel 16 contains some of the strongest language in Scripture describing Israel's spiritual adultery. God's people took the very blessings He had given them and used them to worship other gods.Yet even after describing Israel's horrific rebellion, God promises to remember His covenant.What an incredible picture of God's character.Our sin is serious. God's holiness is absolute. His justice is certain. And His mercy is astonishing.The gospel gives us the ultimate demonstration of this truth. We don't receive forgiveness because we have earned righteousness. We receive grace because Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin.A Biblical Parenting ChallengeAs mothers, we have an incredible opportunity to cultivate a spiritual legacy in our homes.But Ezekiel reminds us not to confuse faithful parenting with guaranteed outcomes.Perhaps today you are carrying guilt over a child who is making unwise choices. Maybe you're looking at your family history and wondering whether your children will repeat the same patterns.Don't lose heart.Be faithful.Teach them God's Word.Correct them when they sin.Model repentance.Point them toward Jesus.Pray for their hearts.And trust the God who alone can make a heart of stone into a heart of flesh.Your calling is faithfulness—not control.And there is tremendous hope in serving a God who says, “Turn, and live.”Scripture MentionedEzekiel 13–18Deuteronomy 4John 5:28–29Revelation 20Romans 8Genesis 12Key passage: Ezekiel 18:23–32A Prayer for MomsHeavenly Father, You are fully just, fully holy, and fully merciful. Thank You that Your forgiveness extends even to sinners like us. Help us to remember that our children ultimately belong to You and that You alone can transform their hearts.Make us faithful mothers who teach Your Word, discipline with wisdom, model repentance, and point our children toward Jesus. Give us freedom from the burden of trying to control what only You can accomplish.Help our children choose life. Give them hearts that love You and desire Your ways. And for those carrying guilt over their own past sins, remind them that the blood of Jesus is sufficient and that in Christ, it is finished.May our lives be a response to Your never-failing mercy.In Jesus' name, Amen.Resources Mentioned:Entrusted With a Child's HeartThe Again Podcast: Interview with Chris McKenna Part 1, Part 2Full-Circle Discipline ResourcesJourney Through the BibleCommentaries Most Referenced: Moody Commentary, MacArthur Commentary
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  #171. Ezekiel 6–12: When God’s Presence Leaves the Temple | Biblical Parenting Lessons for Moms 01.09.2026 14min

  What happens when God’s people repeatedly choose idols over the God who loves them?In Ezekiel 6–12, we witness some of the most sobering passages in the Old Testament as God exposes Israel’s idolatry, injustice, and rebellion. Ezekiel is given a vision of the wickedness taking place inside the temple itself—and then, in a devastating moment, the glory of the Lord leaves the temple in Jerusalem.Yet even in the midst of judgment, God gives His people hope.He promises that He will gather His scattered people, give them “one heart” and “a new spirit,” and replace their hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. And for those of us living under the New Covenant, these promises point us toward the incredible reality that God doesn't simply dwell in a building. Through Christ and the Holy Spirit, God chooses to dwell with His people.As we continue our chronological Bible reading plan, Stephanie Hickox walks through Ezekiel 6–12 and considers what these difficult chapters teach us about God's holiness, His presence, biblical discipline, idolatry, and parenting our children with wisdom and grace.What Does Ezekiel Teach Us About Biblical Parenting?One of the surprising applications in this episode comes from Ezekiel's repeated reminder that God judges His people according to their conduct.This gives Christian parents an important framework for thinking about discipline. Biblical discipline isn't supposed to be an emotional reaction to our children's behavior. Instead, we can thoughtfully consider what response will help restore what has been broken.When a child speaks unkindly to a sibling, simply separating the children may stop the conflict—but it doesn't necessarily restore the relationship. Biblical parenting seeks more than behavior modification. We want to help our children understand their sin, make things right, and grow in righteousness.Stephanie also encourages moms who are parenting strong-willed or difficult children. Your child's challenging personality does not automatically mean that you are an ineffective mother.Perhaps that very child is part of the way God is teaching you to depend more deeply on Him.Just as the Holy Spirit equipped Ezekiel for an extraordinarily difficult ministry, God promises to equip mothers for the work He has entrusted to them. We don't have to parent in our own strength.In This Episode, You'll Discover:Why God told Ezekiel to prophesy against the mountains of IsraelHow Israel's idolatry led to God's judgmentWhy God says that He was broken over His people's unfaithfulnessWhat Ezekiel's vision of the temple reveals about hidden sinWhy worshiping creation instead of the Creator is still a temptation for us todayHow God judges His people according to their conductWhat Ezekiel can teach us about biblical discipline and parentingEncouragement for moms raising strong-willed childrenWhy Ezekiel's obedience mattered even when people refused to listenThe significance of the glory of God leaving the templeWhy God's presence being available in Babylon was actually good news for the exilesGod's promise to give His people a new heart and a new spiritHow Ezekiel points forward to the New Covenant and ultimately to JesusWhy God's presence—not a building or location—is the believer's true dwelling placeKey ScripturesEzekiel 6–12Especially:Ezekiel 6:9 — God sees the hearts of His people and their unfaithfulness.Ezekiel 7:27 — God judges according to their ways.Ezekiel 8 — Ezekiel's vision of idolatry inside the temple.Ezekiel 9 — God's judgment and His marking of those who belong to Him.Ezekiel 10 — The glory of the Lord departs from the temple.Ezekiel 11:16–20 — God promises to be a sanctuary to His people and give them a new heart and spirit.A Biblical Parenting Encouragement for MomsIf you're parenting a child who seems particularly strong-willed, disobedient, or difficult, don't automatically assume that your child's temperament is evidence that you've failed as a mother.Your responsibility is faithfulness, not control.You cannot change your child's heart. Only God can do that.But you can faithfully point your child toward Christ, lovingly correct sinful behavior, model repentance, establish wise boundaries, and continually depend upon the Holy Spirit.Sometimes the children who require the greatest dependence on God become one of the ways He sanctifies us most deeply.So instead of asking, “Why did God give me such a difficult child?” perhaps we can sometimes ask:“Jesus, how do You want to use this child—and this parenting assignment—to make me more like You?”The Dwelling PlaceEzekiel's vision of God's glory departing from the temple is heartbreaking—but it also prepares us for something much greater.God's presence is not ultimately confined to a building.Through Jesus Christ, we have access to God. And through the Holy Spirit, believers become the dwelling place of God.That means we can seek Him wherever we are—in our homes, our cars, our kitchens, our parenting struggles, and our ordinary daily lives.The Lord offers to be our dwelling place.And our prayer as Christian moms can be simple:Lord, reign on the throne of my heart. Give me a heart that is tender toward You, and use my life and my parenting to point my children toward Your glory.Continue Your Chronological Bible StudyIf you're following along with The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, keep reading through the chronological Bible plan with us as we walk through Scripture together.You don't need hours of uninterrupted Bible study to grow in God's Word. You can open your Bible, listen during the drive or while you're doing dishes, and let God's Word transform the way you think about faith, motherhood, parenting, and everyday life.Subscribe to The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast from Entrusted Ministries and continue studying the Bible chronologically with other Christian moms.About The Dwelling PlaceThe Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms is from Entrusted Ministries and hosted by Stephanie Hickox. Each episode helps Christian women study God's Word and apply biblical truth to everyday life, including Christian parenting, biblical motherhood, faith and family, and raising children who love and follow Jesus.Come dwell with us in the Word.Resources Mentioned:Entrusted With a Child's HeartThe Again Podcast: Interview with Chris McKenna Part 1, Part 2Full-Circle Discipline ResourcesJourney Through the BibleCommentaries Most Referenced: Moody Commentary, MacArthur Commentary
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  Update: Today's Episode will be posted tonight (you can listen why if you'd like). Thank you for your grace! 31.08.2026 1min
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  #170. When Your Child Is Strong-Willed: What Ezekiel Teaches Moms About Faithfulness | Ezekiel 1-5 28.08.2026 15min

  What if your child's strong will isn't proof that you're a bad mom—but an opportunity to depend more deeply on God?In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox begins the Book of Ezekiel by exploring chapters 1–5 and the extraordinary calling God gave the prophet. Ezekiel was asked to deliver God's Word to a rebellious people who, God already knew, would often refuse to listen. Yet Ezekiel was still called to be faithful.That distinction—faithfulness rather than effectiveness—is incredibly encouraging for Christian moms.If you've ever wondered whether you're failing because your child doesn't listen, obey, or respond the way you hoped, Ezekiel offers a different perspective. God doesn't ask us to control our children or guarantee their response. He calls us to faithfully point them toward Him while depending on His strength.📖 In This EpisodeStephanie walks through the opening chapters of Ezekiel and discusses:Why Ezekiel's prophetic ministry began at such a significant moment in his lifeEzekiel's incredible vision of the glory of the LordWhy God repeatedly calls Israel a "rebellious house"What the title "Son of Man" means in EzekielWhy God tells Ezekiel to eat a scroll—and why God's Word is described as being sweet like honeyHow the Holy Spirit strengthens Ezekiel for an incredibly difficult assignmentWhy Ezekiel is responsible for faithfulness and obedience, but not for whether the people respondThe unusual prophetic signs God asks Ezekiel to performThe meaning behind Ezekiel's model of Jerusalem, his 390 days on his side, and his unusual breadWhy God tells Ezekiel to shave his head and scatter his hairWhat Ezekiel teaches us about God's holiness, sovereignty, and gloryHow God was preparing His people to understand that His presence would not ultimately be confined to a physical temple👩‍👧‍👦 What Does Ezekiel Have to Do With Parenting?For many Christian moms, one of the hardest parts of parenting is raising a child whose temperament or strong will seems to require more patience, consistency, and diligence than we feel capable of giving.It can be especially discouraging when you look at another family and think, "Why does obedience seem so easy for their kids?"But Ezekiel reminds us that faithfulness is not the same thing as visible success.God knew Ezekiel would be speaking to people who often wouldn't listen. His assignment was still worthwhile because his responsibility was to faithfully deliver God's message.The same principle can encourage us in biblical parenting. We cannot control our children's hearts, but we can faithfully teach, discipline, correct, love, pray, and point them toward Christ.Your child's struggles are not necessarily evidence that you've failed as a mother.Sometimes the very parenting assignment that exposes how little strength we have is the assignment God uses to teach us to depend on Him more deeply.💪 You Don't Have to Parent in Your Own StrengthGod didn't send Ezekiel into an impossible ministry and then leave him to figure it out alone. The Spirit entered him and strengthened him for what God had called him to do.The same God who strengthened Ezekiel is the God who meets us in the exhausting, repetitive, sometimes discouraging work of motherhood.Whether you're navigating a strong-willed child, repeated disobedience, sibling conflict, discipline struggles, or simply the daily weariness of parenting, you don't have to manufacture the strength yourself.God calls you to parent with Him.Your calling isn't to produce perfect children. Your calling is to faithfully steward the children He has entrusted to you, trusting Him with the results.🍯 Let God's Word Be Sweet to YouEzekiel's experience with the scroll is a beautiful reminder that God's Word must become part of us before we can faithfully give it to others.As moms, we want our children to love Scripture, know God's truth, and recognize His voice. But that begins with our own relationship with the Word.Before we can consistently point our children toward Christ, we need to continually dwell with Christ ourselves.When motherhood feels overwhelming, don't run first to your own strength. Run to His.❤️ A Word of Encouragement for the Mom Raising a Strong-Willed ChildIf you've been feeling condemned because parenting your child seems harder than it looks for other families, take heart.Your child's temperament does not determine your worth as a mother.And your child's immediate response does not determine whether you are being faithful.Ask God today for the strength to keep showing up, keep teaching, keep loving, keep correcting, keep praying, and keep pointing your child toward Jesus.You may not see the fruit yet.But faithfulness matters to God.📚 Scripture MentionedEzekiel 1–5Ezekiel 1:28 — The glory of the LordEzekiel 2:1–7 — Ezekiel's prophetic callingEzekiel 3:1–4 — Eating the scrollEzekiel 3:24 — The Spirit strengthening EzekielEzekiel 4 — The prophetic signs concerning JerusalemEzekiel 5 — Judgment upon JerusalemGalatians 5:22–23 — The fruit of the Spirit🙏 A Prayer for Christian MomsLord, thank You for the beauty of Your glory and for the way You strengthened Ezekiel for the assignment You gave him.Help us remember that we don't have to parent in our own strength. Give us a dependence on Your Spirit and a hunger for Your Word.For the mom raising a strong-willed or difficult child, bring encouragement today. Help her see that her child's struggles are not proof of her failure. Give her endurance to faithfully love, teach, discipline, and point her children toward You.Help us release our desire for control and embrace our calling to faithful influence. May our children see mothers who depend on Jesus, pursue holiness, and keep faithfully pointing their families toward Christ.And just as Your Word was sweet to Ezekiel, make Your Word sweet to us and to our families.In Jesus' name, amen.Listen to more episodes of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms as we continue through the Bible chronologically and discover how God's Word speaks into our faith, our families, and our everyday lives.Resources Mentioned:Entrusted With a Child's HeartThe Again Podcast: Interview with Chris McKenna Part 1, Part 2Full-Circle Discipline ResourcesJourney Through the BibleCommentaries Most Referenced: Moody Commentary, MacArthur Commentary
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  #169. Turn, Tell, Trust God: You Don't Have to Pretend You're Okay | What Lamentations Teaches Us About Faith, Life, and Parenting 27.08.2026 13min

  Lamentations: How to Grieve with Hope | Biblical Lament for Christian MomsThe Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms | Entrusted MinistriesWhat do you do when life hurts—and the Christian answer isn't to pretend everything is fine?In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast, Stephanie Hickox walks through the Book of Lamentations and explores what it means to bring our grief, disappointment, suffering, and unanswered questions honestly before the Lord while still clinging to the hope of the gospel.Lamentations reminds us that biblical hope doesn't require us to deny our pain. Instead, Scripture teaches us to turn to God in our pain, tell Him about our pain, and trust Him with our pain.Stephanie also shares wisdom from Pastor Mark Vroegop on the biblical practice of lament and explains how this can transform the way Christian moms respond to suffering—and teach their children to walk faithfully through hard things.The Book of Lamentations is a powerful reminder that God's steadfast love never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, and great is His faithfulness.In This Episode, You'll Learn:What biblical lament is—and why it is different from sinful complainingWhy Christians don't have to choose between denial and despairHow to bring grief and suffering honestly before GodWhy difficult circumstances don't mean that God has abandoned usHow the gospel transforms our grief without pretending our pain isn't realWhy suffering can be perplexing without being pointlessHow Lamentations points us toward God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and mercyWhy Lamentations 3:22–23 is such an important passage for seasons of sufferingHow Jeremiah and the people of Judah responded to the destruction of JerusalemHow moms can teach their children to process suffering with faith, humility, and hopeWhy our children need to learn not merely to be "authentic," but to bring their whole selves to the Lord for transformationBiblical Lament: Turn, Tell, TrustOne of the most helpful frameworks Stephanie shares from Mark Vroegop's teaching is:1. Turn to Jesus in your pain. Don't run away from God when you're hurting. Run toward Him.2. Tell Jesus about your pain. God doesn't ask us to bring only our praise reports. He invites us to cast our cares upon Him.3. Trust Jesus with your pain. Biblical lament doesn't end in despair. It moves us toward trust, obedience, and ultimately praise.As Stephanie explains, lament is a prayer made in pain that leads to trust.Lamentations 3:22–23"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."These familiar words become even more powerful when we understand the suffering surrounding them. Lamentations doesn't offer shallow optimism. It shows us how to acknowledge the devastation of a fallen world while deliberately fixing our eyes on the character of God.God's faithfulness is not dependent upon our circumstances.Biblical Parenting: Teaching Our Children to Grieve with HopeAs Christian moms, we have an incredible opportunity to teach our children how to respond when life doesn't go the way they hoped.We don't want our kids to believe that faith means pretending everything is okay. We also don't want them to become trapped in despair. Instead, we can teach them to bring their pain to Jesus.When our children experience disappointment, suffering, rejection, or loss, we can model what it looks like to say:"This really hurts—and God is still good."That kind of faith doesn't ignore reality. It brings reality into the presence of the God who is sovereign, compassionate, and faithful.Our goal isn't simply to raise children who can endure difficulty. We want to raise children who know where to take their difficulty.Lament Is Not the End of the StoryLamentations ends with a prayer:"Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored."That is ultimately where biblical lament leads us—not deeper into ourselves, but back to God.If you're walking through a difficult season, you don't have to rush past your grief. You can bring it to the Lord. You can weep. You can ask questions. You can acknowledge how hard it is.And then, like Jeremiah, you can remind your soul of what is true:Great is His faithfulness.Scripture MentionedLamentations 1–5Lamentations 3:1–39Lamentations 3:22–23Lamentations 3:55–60Lamentations 5:21Psalm 102Romans 82 Corinthians 4:9Resources MentionedStephanie references Pastor Mark Vroegop's teaching on biblical lament and his book Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, which explores how Christians can learn to lament well.If you're a Christian mom trying to read the Bible consistently, understand Scripture in chronological context, and apply God's Word to everyday motherhood, join us for The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms from Entrusted Ministries.Each episode is designed to help you dwell with God in His Word and grow in biblical wisdom for your family—one passage at a time.What is one difficult circumstance you need to bring honestly before the Lord today?Because the goal isn't simply to get through the Bible. It's to let the Bible get into us—and to make our homes a dwelling place for Christ. Resources Mentioned:Entrusted With a Child's HeartThe Again Podcast: Interview with Chris McKenna Part 1, Part 2Full-Circle Discipline ResourcesJourney Through the BibleCommentaries Most Referenced: Moody Commentary, MacArthur Commentary
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  #168. Jeremiah 47–52: The LORD Is Our Strong Redeemer | Learning to Patiently Trust the Justice of God While Keeping Our Eyes on Eternity 26.08.2026 13min

  The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms | Entrusted MinistriesAs we come to the conclusion of the book of Jeremiah, we don't find a neat, happy ending. Jeremiah's life doesn't wrap up with a pretty bow, either. Instead, these final chapters remind us of something we desperately need as Christian moms: God is sovereign, God is just, and God is our strong Redeemer.In Jeremiah 47–52, we read God's judgments against the nations surrounding Judah—including the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Egypt, and ultimately Babylon itself. The same Babylon God used to discipline Judah would eventually face God's judgment.And that truth has a profound application for Christian parenting: we don't have to take revenge when we're wronged. We can patiently entrust justice to God.As our children watch us respond to conflict, injustice, disappointment, and mistreatment, they are learning what it looks like to trust the Lord with vengeance rather than returning evil for evil.📖 In This EpisodeAs we finish Jeremiah in our chronological Bible reading plan, we'll explore:God's judgment against the nations in Jeremiah 47–51Why God's discipline of Judah was ultimately intended for their goodThe significance of God's name Yahweh Sabaoth—the LORD of HostsWhy God can judge sin without delighting in destructionGod's promise to preserve and redeem a remnant of His peopleThe beautiful description of God as “the Lord their habitation of righteousness”Why Babylon's eventual destruction demonstrates God's sovereignty over the nationsThe difference between worshiping a god made by human hands and worshiping the God who formed all thingsGod's promise: “I will plead your cause and take vengeance for you”Jeremiah's incredible faithfulness despite years of rejection, suffering, imprisonment, and persecutionWhat Jeremiah's suffering can teach us about faithful Christian livingWhy God's justice allows us to patiently respond when we are mistreatedHow Christian moms can model patience and peacemaking for their children🏡 What Does Jeremiah Have to Do with Christian Parenting?One of the most practical lessons from these chapters is that God's justice frees us from having to pursue our own revenge.When someone hurts us—or when our children are mistreated—it can be tempting to make things right ourselves. But Scripture repeatedly reminds us that God is the righteous Judge.As moms, our children are watching how we respond when we're wronged.Do we retaliate?Do we hold grudges?Do we demand that everyone understand our side?Or do we patiently entrust justice to the Lord?That doesn't mean becoming a doormat or ignoring genuine wrongdoing. It means becoming peacemakers who trust God enough to leave vengeance in His hands.And that kind of response can become one of the most powerful lessons in biblical parenting our children ever receive.❤️ “The Lord Their Habitation of Righteousness”One phrase in Jeremiah 50 particularly connects with the heart of The Dwelling Place:“The Lord their habitation of righteousness, the Lord, the hope of their fathers.”God doesn't merely want to give His people rules to follow. He wants Himself to be their dwelling place.As Christian moms, we want our children to see that righteousness isn't simply about outward behavior. We want them to see lives transformed by the presence of God.Our hope isn't ultimately in comfortable circumstances, successful parenting, or even the behavior of our children.Our hope is the Lord Himself.✨ Jeremiah's FaithfulnessJeremiah's ministry is a powerful reminder that faithfulness isn't measured by visible success.He endured rejection, threats, imprisonment, violence, isolation, and suffering. Yet he continued to proclaim God's Word.He didn't get to see the kind of earthly ministry success we might hope for.But he was faithful.That is incredibly encouraging for moms who sometimes wonder whether all their seemingly insignificant acts of obedience are making any difference.The meals.The correction.The prayers.The conversations.The Scripture.The countless opportunities to patiently redirect a child.The unseen sacrifices.Faithfulness to God is never wasted.🙏 A Prayer for MomsIn this episode, Stephanie prays that we would learn to patiently entrust justice to God rather than returning evil for evil—and that our children would see in us what it looks like to trust the Lord with the things we cannot control.“We pray that as our kids watch us patiently entrust justice to you, that they would also learn to walk in patience...to become peacemakers.”📚 Continue Your Chronological Bible ReadingIf you're reading through the Bible chronologically with us, you've just finished Jeremiah!This episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms is part of our ongoing journey through Scripture, helping busy Christian moms understand the Bible in context, in chronological order, and with practical application for everyday motherhood.If you've ever wanted to read through the Bible but struggled to know where to start—or wondered how all the prophetic books fit into the larger biblical story—come read along with us.God's Word isn't merely something we check off a reading plan. It's where we learn to dwell with Him.🔎 Bible Study Topics & KeywordsChristian parenting, biblical parenting, Christian motherhood, Bible study for moms, Bible podcast for women, Bible podcast for busy moms, chronological Bible reading plan, chronological Bible podcast, reading the Bible chronologically, Jeremiah Bible study, Jeremiah 47–52, book of Jeremiah, Jeremiah explained, Old Testament Bible study, biblical wisdom for moms, Christian family, teaching kids patience, biblical discipline, raising godly children, peacemaking, trusting God, God's justice, God's sovereignty, God's judgment, God's mercy, God's redemption, faithful Christian living, Yahweh Sabaoth, Lord of Hosts, biblical encouragement for moms, Christian moms Bible study, Scripture for mothers.Key Scriptures: Jeremiah 46–52; Jeremiah 50:4–7, 17–20, 33–34; Jeremiah 51:17–19, 36; Hebrews 11:37; Romans 12:19–21; 1 Peter 2:23.🎧 Listen to The Dwelling PlaceThe Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms from Entrusted Ministries encourages Christian moms to get into God's Word, understand Scripture in context, and allow the truth of the Bible to transform their everyday lives and parenting.Because the goal isn't simply to get through the Bible. It's to let the Bible get into us—and to make our homes a dwelling place for Christ. Resources Mentioned:Entrusted With a Child's HeartThe Again Podcast: Interview with Chris McKenna Part 1, Part 2Full-Circle Discipline ResourcesJourney Through the BibleCommentaries Most Referenced: Moody Commentary,
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  #167. When Your Expectations Don't Match God's Plan | Jeremiah 41–46 for Christian Moms 25.08.2026 11min

  The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms | Entrusted MinistriesWhat happens when following God doesn't lead to the life you expected?In today's chronological Bible reading, Stephanie Hickox walks through Jeremiah 41–46 and explores a difficult but deeply encouraging question: What should our expectations be when life is hard, our prayers aren't answered the way we hoped, and faithfulness costs us more than we anticipated?Jeremiah's story reminds us that God's presence is not a promise of an easy life. Sometimes obedience leads to sacrifice, disappointment, uncertainty, and suffering. But through it all, God Himself remains our hope.And that truth has profound implications for Christian motherhood.In This EpisodeStephanie explores:Why Judah's remnant appeared to sincerely seek God's direction—but ultimately refused to obey itWhat Jeremiah 42 teaches us about seeking God's will with a surrendered heartThe danger of asking God for direction when we've already decided what we want to doWhy God's people chose earthly security in Egypt instead of trusting God's supernatural protectionGod's repeated warning: "Do not fear... for I am with you"How God sees the motivations and intentions of our heartsWhy God's patience and persistence in calling His people to repentance reveal His characterThe shocking response of Judah's remnant when they continued worshiping the Queen of HeavenWhy outward religious reform doesn't necessarily mean inward heart transformationBaruch's honest cry: "Woe is me!"What God teaches Baruch about unrealistic expectations and seeking "great things" for himselfWhy following Christ may be much harder than we expectedHow Jeremiah and Baruch demonstrate faithful endurance even when obedience doesn't result in comfortHow these chapters challenge us to examine our own expectations for marriage, motherhood, family, home, and lifeWhy our ultimate hope isn't a comfortable life—but the presence of God and the glory of ChristAre We Really Willing to Obey God?One of the most sobering moments in today's reading happens when the remnant approaches Jeremiah and promises:"Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God."It sounds wonderful.But when God gives them an answer they don't like, they reject it.They had already decided they wanted to go to Egypt. They wanted safety on their own terms.And that raises an important question for us:Do we seek God's will because we're willing to obey—or because we're hoping God will approve what we've already decided?As Christian moms, it's easy to do the same thing.We can ask God for wisdom about our children, marriage, finances, education, technology, friendships, or family decisions while quietly hoping He will confirm the answer we've already chosen.Jeremiah reminds us that true surrender means being willing to obey God even when His answer isn't the one we wanted.When Motherhood Doesn't Look Like You ExpectedPerhaps the most relatable portion of today's reading is Baruch's cry:"Woe is me! For the LORD has added sorrow to my pain. I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest."Baruch had faithfully served Jeremiah for years. He had written God's words, endured opposition, and remained beside the prophet.And yet eventually he reached a point where he wondered:Is this really how my life is going to go?Can you relate?Maybe motherhood doesn't look like you expected.Maybe your marriage doesn't look like you expected.Maybe your children are struggling in ways you never anticipated.Maybe the sacrifices you've made haven't produced the results you hoped for.Maybe following Jesus has cost you more than you imagined.God's answer to Baruch is striking: stop seeking great things for yourself.That isn't a cruel rebuke. It's a loving correction of his expectations.God doesn't promise Baruch an easy life.He promises him life and His faithfulness in the midst of hardship.Our Expectations vs. God's GloryThis is where Jeremiah becomes profoundly relevant to Christian parenting.We can quietly build expectations around our children:My children will always make wise choices.If I parent faithfully, they will respond faithfully.My family will look a certain way.My marriage will become easier.My home will finally feel peaceful.If I sacrifice enough, life will eventually become comfortable.But Scripture doesn't promise us those things.Our calling isn't to create the life we imagined.Our calling is to glorify Christ with the life He has actually given us.That changes the way we approach motherhood.Instead of asking, "How can I make my family turn out the way I want?" we can begin asking:"Lord, how can I faithfully represent You in the circumstances You've entrusted to me?"Run to God FirstThe remnant of Judah was terrified.They wanted protection.And God Himself told them:"Do not fear... for I am with you to save you and to deliver you."Yet they chose Egypt.How often do we do something similar?When our children are sick, do we pray first—or immediately reach for every other solution?When we're overwhelmed, do we run to God's Word—or our phones?When we're worried about our children, do we entrust them to the Lord—or try to control every outcome?Earthly wisdom isn't inherently wrong. But Jeremiah challenges us to consider where we run first.The God who says, "I am with you," is worthy of our first response.What Does Faithfulness Look Like When Life Is Hard?Jeremiah and Baruch didn't receive comfortable lives because they were faithful.They received difficult assignments.They experienced rejection, hardship, imprisonment, displacement, and grief.And yet they kept going.Their lives remind us that faithfulness is not measured by comfort.Sometimes the most faithful thing you can do is simply keep obeying God today.Keep praying.Keep opening His Word.Keep loving your children.Keep disciplining with grace.Keep speaking truth.Keep surrendering your expectations.Keep trusting that God's presence is enough.Because our hope isn't ultimately found in getting the life we wanted.Our hope is found in Jesus.A Word of Encouragement for the Weary MomIf you feel like you've been laying down your life more than you expected, this episode is for you.If motherhood has required sacrifices you didn't anticipate, this episode is for you.If you're disappointed by your circumstances, your children, your marriage, or even yourself, Jeremiah 41–46 offers a better expectation:Christ is worthy of your whole life, and His presence is enough.We may not understand everything God is doing.We may not receive the circumstances we hoped for.But we can pray, as Paul did, that our greatest hope and expectation would be that Christ is glorified in and through us.And that is a beautiful legacy to leave our children.Today's Chronological Bible ReadingJeremiah 41–46Key ScripturesJeremiah 42:5–6 — Willingness to obey God's directionJeremiah 42:10–12 — God's promise of protection and presenceJeremiah 42:19–22 — The warning against going to EgyptJeremiah 44:4 — God's persistent call to repentanceJeremiah 45:2–5 — God's message to weary BaruchMatthew 16:25 — Losing our lives for ChristPhilippians 1:20–21 — Christ glorified in our livesA Prayer for Moms Who Are DisappointedStephanie closes by praying for moms who are struggling to surrender their expectations for their marriages, parenting, homes, appearances, and futures.She prays that we would learn to run to God's strength first, surrender our own agendas, and desire above everything else that Jesus Christ would be glorified in and through our lives.And she prays that our children would see that kind of surrendered faith in us and learn to treasure God's glory above the temporary pleasures of this world.Listen to The Dwelling PlaceThe Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms from Entrusted Ministries is designed to help Christian moms read and understand God's Word through a chronological Bible reading plan while discovering biblical wisdom for everyday motherhood.If you're trying to stay consistent in Bible reading while raising children, join Stephanie as she walks through Scripture and connects God's Word to the realities of Christian parenting, biblical motherhood, family life, and faithful discipleship.You may not get the life you expected. But you can have the presence of the God who never leaves you.Commentaries Most Consulted: Moody, MacArthur, Matthew Henry
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  #166. Habakkuk: Faith When You Can't See the Fruit | Biblical Encouragement for Moms 24.08.2026 15min

  Habakkuk: Faith When You Can't See the Fruit | Biblical Encouragement for MomsThe Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms | Entrusted MinistriesWhat do you do when you are faithfully following God—but you can't see the results you're praying for?In today's chronological Bible reading, we turn to the book of Habakkuk, a short but powerful book about questioning God, trusting His sovereignty, and learning to walk by faith when circumstances don't make sense.Habakkuk begins by asking, How long, Lord? He sees injustice and wickedness and struggles to understand why God seems to allow it. But by the end of the book, Habakkuk's circumstances haven't necessarily changed—his perspective has.He learns to rejoice in God not because everything is going well, but because God Himself is good, sovereign, faithful, and worthy of worship.And that is a lesson Christian moms desperately need.In This EpisodeStephanie walks through:Why Habakkuk's questions sound so much like the questions we find in Job and the PsalmsHow God can be completely holy while allowing evil to existWhy God's statement, "I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told," isn't originally a promise of blessing but a warning of coming judgmentThe meaning of "the righteous shall live by faith"How Habakkuk 2:4 is used in Romans, Galatians, and HebrewsWhat the five woes against Babylon reveal about the sins God hatesWhy Habakkuk's final prayer is such a powerful picture of faithWhat it means to rejoice in the Lord when there is no visible evidence of a harvestHow God can give us strength to endure circumstances we could never handle in our own strengthWhat Habakkuk's message means for Christian parenting and motherhoodWhy faithful parenting often requires us to keep making deposits into our children's lives without immediately seeing fruitHow we can trust God with our children's hearts, choices, and futureWhy "the righteous shall live by faith" is a message for moms who feel weary, discouraged, or unsure whether their faithfulness is making a differenceWhen You Don't See the FruitMotherhood requires an enormous amount of faithful endurance.You make the meals. You teach the lessons. You correct the behavior. You repeat yourself. You pray. You discipline. You apologize when you get it wrong. You start again.And sometimes you wonder:Is any of this making a difference?Habakkuk reminds us that faithfulness isn't dependent upon seeing immediate results.Just as Habakkuk declares that he will rejoice in the Lord even if the fig tree doesn't blossom and the fields produce no food, we can choose joy in God even when the "harvest" we're hoping for in our families isn't visible yet.Our confidence isn't ultimately in our parenting techniques or our children's responses.Our confidence is in God."Yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength."The Righteous Shall Live by FaithOne of the most important verses in Habakkuk is:"The righteous shall live by his faith." — Habakkuk 2:4Stephanie explores how this single statement becomes foundational to the New Testament's teaching about salvation and Christian perseverance.It is quoted in:Romans 1:17 — the righteousness of God is revealed through faithGalatians 3:11 — we are justified by faith rather than worksHebrews 10:38 — God's people are called to endure and not shrink backFor Christian moms, this means we don't have to manufacture our own strength. We are invited to trust God, depend on Christ, and persevere in faith.What Habakkuk Teaches Us About ParentingOne of the most encouraging connections in today's reading is the reminder that faithfulness doesn't always produce immediately visible fruit.You may be diligently teaching your children God's Word and still see stubbornness.You may lovingly discipline and still have to correct the same behavior tomorrow.You may pray for your children for years without seeing the answer you hoped for.That doesn't mean your faithfulness is pointless.Motherhood is filled with thousands of seemingly ordinary acts of obedience—another conversation, another meal, another correction, another prayer, another opportunity to demonstrate sacrificial love.We make the deposits. God produces the harvest.And even when we don't understand what He is doing, we can trust the God who entrusted our children to us.God's Strength for Faithful MomsHabakkuk ends with one of Scripture's most beautiful pictures of steadfast faith:"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD."Not because the circumstances are easy.Not because the harvest is visible.Not because Habakkuk understands everything God is doing.Because God is God.Stephanie compares this to the remarkable mountain deer referenced in Habakkuk 3—the kind of animal able to navigate steep and seemingly impossible terrain.That's the kind of faith we want God to produce in us: the kind that makes people look at our lives and wonder,"How is she doing this?"Not because we're extraordinary, but because Christ is strengthening us.A Bible Study for MomsIf you're following along with The Dwelling Place chronological Bible reading plan, today's episode is a wonderful reminder that chronological Bible reading isn't simply about checking chapters off a list.As we read Scripture in context, we begin to see the larger story of God's character, His judgment, His mercy, His sovereignty, and His redemptive plan.And ultimately, we learn to trust Him more.Today's ReadingHabakkuk 1–3Key ScripturesHabakkuk 1:2–4 — Habakkuk's cry over injusticeHabakkuk 1:12–13 — God's holiness and Habakkuk's questionsHabakkuk 2:4 — "The righteous shall live by his faith"Romans 1:16–17 — righteousness through faithGalatians 3:11 — justification by faithHebrews 10:36–39 — endurance and faithHabakkuk 3:17–19 — rejoicing in God despite circumstancesA Prayer for Moms Who Are Waiting for the HarvestStephanie closes today's episode by praying for moms who are faithfully loving, disciplining, teaching, and praying for their children but aren't yet seeing the fruit they long for.We pray that our families would be marked by holiness, selflessness, perseverance, and faithful endurance rather than instant gratification—and that our lives would point others to the strength and love of Jesus.When you can't see what God is doing, you can still trust who God is.Resources MentionedEntrusted With a Child's Heart — Stephanie mentions this resource from Entrusted Ministries as a tool for bringing biblical truth into everyday parenting and helping moms focus on what truly matters to God.Hind's Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard — an allegorical novel inspired by Habakkuk 3:19 and the imagery of God giving His people "feet like the feet of a deer."Listen to The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy MomsIf you're a Christian mom who wants to read the Bible consistently, understand Scripture in context, grow in biblical wisdom, and apply God's Word to motherhood, join Stephanie as she works through a chronological Bible reading plan.Subscribe to The Dwelling Place from Entrusted Ministries and continue reading through Scripture with us.You don't have to see the harvest to be faithful today.
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  #165. How God's Mercy Changes the Way We Parent | 2 Kings 24-25, 2 Chronicles 36 21.08.2026 11min

  The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms | Entrusted MinistriesWhat do we do when our children make choices that disappoint us? And how does understanding the incredible mercy we've received from God change the way we parent?In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox finishes 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles as we continue through our chronological Bible reading plan. As Jerusalem falls, the temple is destroyed, and Judah is carried into exile, we see both the devastating consequences of sin and the astonishing mercy and sovereignty of God.And even in the darkest chapters, Scripture points us toward hope: God's ultimate plan was never thwarted. He was preparing the way for the day when He would come to dwell with His people—not merely in a temple, but through Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us.Along the way, Stephanie draws a powerful parenting lesson from God's mercy: when we remember how much God has forgiven us, we're better equipped to respond to our children's failures with grace, patience, and faithful discipline.In this episode, you'll discover:What happens when Judah finally experiences the judgment God has been warning about for generationsWhy the destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon's temple was so devastatingHow 2 Chronicles 36 reveals God's persistent compassion toward His peopleWhy God's discipline doesn't mean His plans for His people have failedThe remarkable mercy shown to Jehoiachin at the end of 2 KingsHow remembering God's forgiveness can transform the way we discipline our childrenWhy our children's failures can become opportunities to model grace rather than respond with impatienceHow God used even pagan kings like Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus to accomplish His sovereign purposesWhy the 70-year exile fulfilled God's Word through JeremiahHow the ending of Chronicles points directly toward the coming of ChristWhat it means for God to truly dwell with His peopleWhy the presence of God should be something our children see beautifully modeled in our everyday livesWhen Your Child Disappoints YouOne of the most personal parenting applications in this episode comes from the mercy shown to Jehoiachin.After reading about the wickedness of Judah's kings, it's striking to see an undeserving king receive kindness and favor.And it raises an important question for us as mothers:How does remembering God's mercy toward us change the way we respond to our children's sin?We know our children's behavior can be exhausting. Disobedience, selfishness, disrespect, bad decisions, and repeated failures can wear us down.But we're not parenting perfect children.And we're not perfect mothers.When we regularly remember the depth of our own sin—and the depth of God's grace—we can discipline our children without forgetting that we, too, are recipients of radical mercy.Grace doesn't mean ignoring sin or removing consequences.It means correcting our children as people who desperately need the same Savior we do.God's Discipline Doesn't Mean His Plans Have FailedThe destruction of Jerusalem could have looked like the end of God's promises.The temple was destroyed.The city was burned.The people were exiled.But God's purposes had not failed.God's plans for His people cannot be thwarted by their sin, rebellion, or circumstances.That's an important truth for Christian moms, especially when we look at our children's lives and don't see the spiritual growth we hoped for.We faithfully teach.We pray.We correct.We model repentance.We point them toward Scripture.But ultimately, God is the One who works in their hearts.We can entrust our children to Him without pretending that their choices don't matter.The Lord Has Always Desired to Dwell With His PeopleThe destruction of the temple makes the title of this podcast especially meaningful.Throughout Scripture, we have watched God make His dwelling place among His people:In the gardenIn the wildernessIn the tabernacleIn Solomon's templeAnd ultimately, in ChristThe temple was never the final destination.The story was always moving toward Emmanuel—God with us.And through Christ, we can now draw near to God.That is the greatest treasure we can give our children—not a perfect home, a successful life, or comfortable circumstances, but a mother who genuinely walks with the Lord.Our prayer should be that God's presence would be so beautiful in our lives that our children would want to walk with Him too.Finishing 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles!There's another reason this episode is special: we're finishing 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles!If you've been following along with the chronological Bible reading plan, you've made it through another major portion of Scripture.Together we've completed:Job → Genesis → Exodus → Leviticus → Numbers → Deuteronomy → Joshua → Judges → Ruth → 1 Samuel → 2 Samuel → 1 Kings → 2 Kings → 1 Chronicles → 2 Chronicles → Proverbs → Ecclesiastes → Song of Solomon → Isaiah → Hosea → Amos → Obadiah → Jonah → Micah → Nahum → ZephaniahAnd we're getting closer and closer to the New Testament—and to focusing our eyes on Jesus.Bible Reading for This Episode📖 2 Kings 24–25 📖 2 Chronicles 36If you're following along with the Dwelling Place chronological Bible reading plan, read these chapters alongside today's episode as we continue seeing God's story unfold in its historical context.Questions for Christian Moms to ConsiderWhen my children disappoint me, do I respond primarily from frustration or from an awareness of God's mercy toward me?How can remembering my own need for grace change the way I discipline?Am I trusting God with the parts of my children's lives that I cannot control?What does my everyday life communicate to my children about the value of God's presence?Would my children describe my relationship with the Lord as something beautiful and desirable?How can I intentionally model repentance, dependence, and worship in front of my children?A Prayer for MomsLord, remind us of the mercy You have shown us when we become impatient with our families. Help us remember that we are recipients of grace and that we cannot take credit for the sanctifying work You are doing in our own lives.Teach us to discipline our children faithfully while extending the same mercy we have received from You.And above all, make Your presence beautiful in our homes. May our children see mothers who genuinely love Your Word, seek Your presence, repent when we fail, and delight in walking with You.Thank You, Jesus, that You are Emmanuel—God with us.Keep walking through Scripture with us: The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms helps Christian moms read the Bible chronologically, understand Scripture in context, and discover how God's Word applies to everyday motherhood.If you're looking for a Bible podcast for busy moms, chronological Bible reading plan, biblical parenting encouragement, Christian parenting wisdom, or help studying the Bible as a mom, this episode is part of an ongoing journey through the whole story of Scripture.Because what moms do over and over matters to God.Friend, you don't have to parent perfectly to parent faithfully. Keep bringing your children—and yourself—to the God who is perfectly faithful. Resources Mentioned:Entrusted With a Child's HeartThe Again Podcast: Interview with Chris McKenna Part 1, Part 2Full-Circle Discipline ResourcesJourney Through the...
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  #164. Jeremiah 37-10 + Psalm 74, 79 | The Parenting Lesson Hidden in Jerusalem's Destruction (What If Faithful Parenting Doesn't Look Successful?) 20.08.2026 10min

  What happens when people repeatedly hear God's warnings but refuse to listen? And what can Jeremiah's decades of faithful ministry teach us about parenting children who don't always respond the way we hope?In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox walks through Jeremiah 37–40 and Psalms 74 and 79, bringing us to the devastating fall of Jerusalem. After decades of warnings, Judah finally experiences the judgment God had promised.Yet even in the middle of destruction, we see God's faithfulness, His protection of those who trust Him, and a powerful reminder that our faithfulness is not measured by whether our children always make faithful choices.As Christian moms, we can sometimes feel responsible for every decision our children make. But Jeremiah's story reminds us that we can faithfully teach, warn, pray, model righteousness, and entrust our children to the Lord—while recognizing that they have hearts of their own.In this episode, you'll discover:Why Judah's destruction should not have come as a surprise after decades of God's warningsWhat Jeremiah 37:2 teaches us about listening to God's WordWhy King Zedekiah repeatedly sought Jeremiah's counsel but refused to obey God's messageThe incredible story of Ebed-Melek, the Ethiopian who rescued Jeremiah from the cisternWhat happened when Jerusalem finally fell to BabylonWhy Jeremiah's faithfulness mattered even when his message was unpopularHow the destruction of Jerusalem points forward to the new covenant and ChristWhat Psalms 74 and 79 teach us about grieving devastation while continuing to trust GodHow we can praise God even when circumstances are painfulA parenting lesson about not confusing our children's choices with our effectiveness as mothersWhy we should prepare our children to walk faithfully through suffering rather than promising them an easy lifeHow the presence of God—not perfect circumstances—is our greatest treasureWhen Our Kids Don't ListenOne of the most encouraging parenting lessons in this passage is actually found in Judah's repeated refusal to listen.God had been communicating clearly and persistently. Jeremiah had faithfully delivered His Word for decades. The people had been warned again and again.And still, they didn't listen.That reality can be sobering for mothers.We can teach our children God's Word, establish boundaries, correct sinful behavior, pray with them, model repentance, and lovingly remind them of what is true—and they can still make sinful choices.Our children's disobedience does not automatically mean we have failed as mothers.Our calling is faithfulness. We cannot control the hearts of our children.This doesn't mean we become passive or stop disciplining, teaching, or correcting. Instead, it frees us to parent from a place of faithful obedience rather than fear and guilt.When Following God Isn't PopularJeremiah's message wasn't exactly crowd-pleasing.He repeatedly told the people something they desperately did not want to hear: surrender to Babylon because God had appointed this judgment.Because Jeremiah spoke the truth, he was accused of treason, beaten, imprisoned, and thrown into a muddy cistern.Yet Jeremiah remained faithful.That gives Christian moms an important question to consider:Are we more concerned with our children's comfort and approval—or with helping them know and follow God's truth?Faithful Christian parenting isn't ultimately about producing children who look successful, happy, or impressive.It is about faithfully pointing our children toward Christ.The Fall of Jerusalem and the Hope of the New CovenantJeremiah 39 brings us to the horrifying climax of Judah's judgment. Jerusalem falls. The temple is burned. The walls are broken down. God's people are carried into exile.After all the descriptions we've encountered throughout Jeremiah, the devastation is difficult to read.And yet, this destruction also points us toward something greater.The temple would not remain God's ultimate dwelling place.Through Christ, the veil would be torn, and God's people would become His dwelling place.The story of Jeremiah ultimately points us beyond Jerusalem's destruction toward the new covenant fulfilled in Jesus Christ.The God who allowed His people to experience judgment was also the God who was preparing a way for redemption.Finding Hope in Psalms 74 and 79Psalms 74 and 79 give us a glimpse into the grief surrounding Jerusalem's destruction.There is devastation. Confusion. Anger. Loss.And yet the psalmists still cry out to God.They remember who He is.And Psalm 79 ends with a beautiful commitment to praise God from generation to generation.Even when everything around us feels broken, God is still worthy of our worship.That's a lesson worth passing on to our children.We don't need to teach them that following Jesus will protect them from disappointment, suffering, loss, or hardship.Instead, we can teach them something far better:God is worthy of our trust no matter what happens.A Parenting Encouragement for Christian MomsYour children will experience disappointment.They will make choices you don't understand.They may reject advice you've given them.They may struggle with sin that you've warned them about repeatedly.And there may be seasons when you wonder whether all of your teaching is making any difference.Jeremiah reminds us that faithfulness doesn't guarantee immediate results.So keep teaching.Keep praying.Keep correcting.Keep modeling repentance.Keep pointing your children toward God's Word.And keep entrusting their hearts to the One who knows them better than you ever could.Your responsibility is not to control the outcome.Your responsibility is to faithfully steward the children God has entrusted to you.Questions for ReflectionAm I measuring my effectiveness as a mother by my children's behavior?Where might I be tempted to prioritize my child's approval over faithfulness to God's Word?How can I teach my children that following Jesus doesn't guarantee an easy life?What trials have taught me that God's presence is more valuable than comfortable circumstances?How can I help my children develop a deep trust in God's purposes when life doesn't go according to their plans?Bible Reading for This EpisodeJeremiah 37–40 and Psalms 74, 79If you're following along with The Dwelling Place chronological Bible reading plan, open your Bible and read these chapters alongside this episode as we continue walking through Scripture together.Keep Studying the Bible With UsThe Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms is designed to help Christian moms consistently get into God's Word, understand Scripture in context, and apply biblical truth to everyday motherhood.At Entrusted Ministries, we want to help moms move beyond simply knowing about the Bible and learn to live out God's Word in their homes.If you're looking for a Christian Bible podcast for women, a chronological Bible reading plan, biblical parenting encouragement, or practical Christian parenting wisdom, we'd love to have you join us for the next episode.Because what moms do over and over matters to God.Friend, you don't have to parent perfectly to parent faithfully. Keep bringing your children—and yourself—to the God who is perfectly faithful.Resources Mentioned:Entrusted With a Child's HeartThe Again Podcast: Interview with Chris McKenna Part 1, Part 2Full-Circle Discipline ResourcesJourney Through the...