Before Jesus can use you, He has to disruptyou — and that's actually good news. 

We all love the version of Jesus who comforts us, encourages us, and comes alongside us. But what do we do with the Jesus who confronts us? Because that's exactly who we meet in Mark chapter 11. 

This story is situated in Holy Week, and as Jesus enters Jerusalem for the last time, everything is about to shift. The crowds are cheering, palm branches are flying, and people are crying out Hosanna — God, save us! It's a high moment. And then Jesus walks into the temple... and turns it upside down.

Here's what I want you to see today, because this is the passage that gets misused more than almost any other: you are not Jesus in this story. You are the temple. Before Jesus can use any of us for anything, He has to come in and disrupt the systems inside of us that keep us from real worship — the appearances, the transactions, the religion-without-transformation that can look perfectly healthy on the outside while bearing zero fruit.

We also dig into the curious moment when Jesus curses a fig tree — and why that's not about Jesus needing breakfast. It's a prophetic symbol, pointing to the same problem in the temple: the appearance of life without the substance of it. Looking good on the outside, but not actually connected to God at all.

And we sit with something I find both hard and beautiful: as the story enters Passion Week, Jesus doesn't just overturn tables — He goes on to suffer. He allows things to happen to Him because He knows what it's accomplishing. And because He went ahead of us in that suffering, we are never alone in ours.

We can't have a life that's Jesus plus anything. It's Jesus plus nothing — and that actually ends up being everything.

Want More?
📖 Read along: Mark 11:15–19(and the whole chapter for full context)
📖 Cross references worth exploring: Ezekiel 36, Jeremiah 8
📚 Resource mentioned: The New Living Translation Study Bible
📧 Sign up for Nicole's email newsletter at https://nicoleunice.com/ for resources, links, and more from the podcast
⭐ Loving the podcast? Leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it
💬 Leave a comment on YouTube — Nicole loves hearing from you!
🎧 For more faith-filled podcasts, visit lifeaudio.com

Before Jesus can use you, He has to disrupt you &mdash; and that's actually good news.&nbsp;
We all love the version of Jesus who comforts us, encourages us, and comes alongside us. But what do we do with the Jesus who confronts us? Because that's exactly who we meet in Mark chapter 11.&nbsp;
This story is situated in Holy Week, and as Jesus enters Jerusalem for the last time, everything is about to shift. The crowds are cheering, palm branches are flying, and people are crying out Hosanna &mdash; God, save us! It's a high moment. And then Jesus walks into the temple... and turns it upside down.
Here's what I want you to see today, because this is the passage that gets misused more than almost any other: you are not Jesus in this story. You are the temple. Before Jesus can use any of us for anything, He has to come in and disrupt the systems inside of us that keep us from real worship &mdash; the appearances, the transactions, the religion-without-transformation that can look perfectly healthy on the outside while bearing zero fruit.
We also dig into the curious moment when Jesus curses a fig tree &mdash; and why that's not about Jesus needing breakfast. It's a prophetic symbol, pointing to the same problem in the temple: the appearance of life without the substance of it. Looking good on the outside, but not actually connected to God at all.
And we sit with something I find both hard and beautiful: as the story enters Passion Week, Jesus doesn't just overturn tables &mdash; He goes on to suffer. He allows things to happen to Him because He knows what it's accomplishing. And because He went ahead of us in that suffering, we are never alone in ours.
We can't have a life that's Jesus&nbsp;plus anything. It's Jesus plus nothing &mdash; and that actually ends up being everything.
<hr>
Want More?
<ul>
<li>📖 Read along: Mark 11:15&ndash;19 (and the whole chapter for full context)</li>
<li>📖 Cross references worth exploring: Ezekiel 36, Jeremiah 8</li>
<li>📚 Resource mentioned: The New Living Translation Study Bible</li>
<li>📧 Sign up for Nicole's email newsletter at <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/">https://nicoleunice.com/</a> for resources, links, and more from the podcast</li>
<li>⭐ Loving the podcast? Leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it</li>
<li>💬 Leave a comment on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleUnice">YouTube</a> &mdash; Nicole loves hearing from you!</li>
<li>🎧 For more faith-filled podcasts, visit <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/https://www.lifeaudio.com/">lifeaudio.com</a></li>
</ul>

As Christians, we want to experience God through the Bible… we really do!

But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel dynamic and important and alive often feels confusing and boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to feel this way.

In this bible study podcast, pastor and Bible teacher Nicole Unice brings life back to reading the Bible by walking listeners through her Alive Method of Bible study, helping us personally encounter God through His Word by giving us a practical, clear road map for understanding, interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives. 

Topics covered in this podcast:

💡 Three Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible
💡The Basics of Bible Study (Observation, Interpretation) and How to Apple the Bible to Your Life
💡Deep Dive into Bible Studies by Books of the Bible (We've covered Ecclesiastes, Romans, Matthew, and more!)
💡 Topical Bible study lessons on Joy, Contentment, Prayer and more
💡 Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life
💡 4 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture

To find more from Nicole, visit https://nicoleunice.com/.

As Christians, we want to experience God through the Bible… we really do! But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel dynamic and important and alive often feels confusing and boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to feel this way. In this bible study podcast, pastor and Bible teacher Nicole Unice brings life back to reading the Bible by walking listeners through her Alive Method of Bible study, helping us personally encounter God through His Word by giving us a practical, clear road map for understanding, interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives. 
Topics covered in this podcast:
💡 Three Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible 💡The Basics of Bible Study (Observation, Interpretation) and How to Apple the Bible to Your Life 💡Deep Dive into Bible Studies by Books of the Bible (We've covered Ecclesiastes, Romans, Matthew, and more!) 💡 Topical Bible study lessons on Joy, Contentment, Prayer and more 💡 Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life 💡 4 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture
To find more from Nicole, visit <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/">https://nicoleunice.com/</a>.

How to Study the Bible - Bible Study Made Simple

As Christians, we want to experience God through the Bible… we really do!

But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel dynamic and important and alive often feels confusing and boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to feel this way.

In this bible study podcast, pastor and Bible teacher Nicole Unice brings life back to reading the Bible by walking listeners through her Alive Method of Bible study, helping us personally encounter God through His Word by giving us a practical, clear road map for understanding, interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives. 

Topics covered in this podcast:

💡 Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible
💡The Basics of Bible Study (Observation, Interpretation) and How to Apple the Bible to Your Life
💡Deep Dive into Bible Studies by Books of the Bible (We've covered Ecclesiastes, Romans, Matthew, and more!)
💡 Topical Bible Study Lessons on Joy, Contentment, Prayer and More
💡 Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life
💡 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture

To find more from Nicole, visit https://nicoleunice.com/.

As Christians, we want to experience God through the Bible… we really do! But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel dynamic and important and alive often feels confusing and boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to feel this way. In this bible study podcast, pastor and Bible teacher Nicole Unice brings life back to reading the Bible by walking listeners through her Alive Method of Bible study, helping us personally encounter God through His Word by giving us a practical, clear road map for understanding, interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives. 
Topics covered in this podcast:
💡 Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible 💡The Basics of Bible Study (Observation, Interpretation) and How to Apple the Bible to Your Life 💡Deep Dive into Bible Studies by Books of the Bible (We've covered Ecclesiastes, Romans, Matthew, and more!) 💡 Topical Bible Study Lessons on Joy, Contentment, Prayer and More 💡 Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life 💡 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture
To find more from Nicole, visit <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/">https://nicoleunice.com/</a>.

How To Study The Bible - Bible Study Made Simple

You Are The Temple... So What's Keeping You from True Worship? | Mark 11

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/89c0c701-d5c2-4ab7-a7e6-b43801498083/transcript

What if the way you measure your faith isn't the way God measures it at all? That's the question Jesus drops right in our lap in Mark chapter 12 — and He uses one of the most quietly powerful moments in all of the Gospels to make the point.

We've been watching Jesus disrupt systems, confront religious leaders, and flip assumptions upside down. And He does it again here, but this time it's subtle. He simply sits down near the temple collection box and watches. Rich people filing past, dropping in large, visible, attention-drawing gifts. And then — one poor widow. Two small coins. And Jesus turns to His disciples and says she gave more than all of them.

Here's what I want us to really sit with today: giving can be just as performative as anything else. Those offerings were dropped into trumpet-shaped boxes in a very public space — and if you were giving a lot, everyone knew it. Sound familiar? Because not much has changed. Jesus even says about people who give for public recognition, you've been paid in full — meaning the applause here on earth? That's your reward. Full stop.

But this widow? She had every reason to hold on to those two coins. She had no husband, no legal protections, no guaranteed income. Those coins may have been her next meal. And she gave them anyway. That's what Jesus noticed. Not the amount — the dependence. Not the performance — the trust.

We also talk about something that I find really freeing once it actually sinks in: everything we have already belongs to God. He gave it to us. So when He asks us to give, He's not asking us to sacrifice what's ours — He's inviting us to participate in what He's already doing. And friend, He can do it with or without us. But he's asking, do you want to be part of it?

So here's the honest question I'm leaving us all with today: if someone separated your calendar and your bank account from what you say you value — what would they actually find? Because that's where the real audit happens.

Want More?
📖 Read along: Mark 12:41–44(and the full chapter for context on the religious leaders Jesus confronts just before this)
🌍 Organization mentioned: Compassion International — one of Nicole's favorite global organizations providing wraparound care for children in need. Learn more at compassion.com
📧 Sign up for Nicole's email newsletter at https://nicoleunice.com/ for resources, links, and more from the podcast
⭐ Loving the podcast? Leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it
💬 Leave a comment on YouTube — Nicole loves hearing from you!
🎧 For more faith-filled podcasts, visit lifeaudio.com

What if the way you measure your faith isn't the way God measures it at all? That's the question Jesus drops right in our lap in Mark chapter 12 &mdash; and He uses one of the most quietly powerful moments in all of the Gospels to make the point.
We've been watching Jesus disrupt systems, confront religious leaders, and flip assumptions upside down. And He does it again here, but this time it's subtle. He simply sits down near the temple collection box and watches. Rich people filing past, dropping in large, visible, attention-drawing gifts. And then &mdash; one poor widow. Two small coins. And Jesus turns to His disciples and says she gave more than all of them.
Here's what I want us to really sit with today: giving can be just as performative as anything else. Those offerings were dropped into trumpet-shaped boxes in a very public space &mdash; and if you were giving a lot, everyone knew it. Sound familiar? Because not much has changed. Jesus even says about people who give for public recognition, you've been paid in full &mdash; meaning the applause here on earth? That's your reward. Full stop.
But this widow? She had every reason to hold on to those two coins. She had no husband, no legal protections, no guaranteed income. Those coins may have been her next meal. And she gave them anyway. That's what Jesus noticed. Not the amount &mdash; the dependence. Not the performance &mdash; the trust.
We also talk about something that I find really freeing once it actually sinks in: everything we have already belongs to God. He gave it to us. So when He asks us to give, He's not asking us to sacrifice what's ours &mdash; He's inviting us to participate in what He's already doing. And friend, He can do it with or without us. But he's asking, do you want to be part of it?
So here's the honest question I'm leaving us all with today: if someone separated your calendar and your bank account from what you say you value &mdash; what would they actually find? Because that's where the real audit happens.
<hr>
Want More?
<ul>
<li>📖 Read along: Mark 12:41&ndash;44 (and the full chapter for context on the religious leaders Jesus confronts just before this)</li>
<li>🌍 Organization mentioned: Compassion International &mdash; one of Nicole's favorite global organizations providing wraparound care for children in need. Learn more at <a href="https://www.compassion.com/">compassion.com</a></li>
<li>📧 Sign up for Nicole's email newsletter at <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/">https://nicoleunice.com/</a> for resources, links, and more from the podcast</li>
<li>⭐ Loving the podcast? Leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it</li>
<li>💬 Leave a comment on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleUnice">YouTube</a> &mdash; Nicole loves hearing from you!</li>
<li>🎧 For more faith-filled podcasts, visit <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/https://www.lifeaudio.com/">lifeaudio.com</a></li>
<li></li>
</ul>

How to Really Know What You Value Most | Mark 12

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/6fc31f4a-9b52-4730-8f84-b43f01512ca5/transcript

What if the thing you're asking God to bless is actually the thing He's asking you to let go of? That's the question sitting at the heart of Mark chapter 10 today, and friend, it's a big one.

We're looking at one of the most well-known — and most misunderstood — stories in all of the Gospels: the story of the rich young ruler. This is a man who runs up to Jesus, eager, sincere, and doing everything right. He's kept the commandments since he was a boy. And yet, as Jesus looks at him with love he names the one thing the rich young ruler isn't ready to release. And he walks away sad.

Jesus isn't making a blanket statement about wealth. He's doing what He always does — he's exposing where this man's trust actually lives. Because you can't be completely obedient to God without giving him your full allegiance. And that's what Jesus is after — not just your behavior, but your whole heart.

So today I'm asking you: what are you holding in your hand so tightly you haven't even noticed? Where are you saying, 'Jesus, I'll follow you — as long as I get to keep _____"?  Whatever that  _____ is, that is what this episode is for.

Want More?
📖 Read along: Mark 10:17–22
🎙️ Missed last week? Go back and listen to the Mark 9 episode on faith, doubt, and the prayer "I do believe — help my unbelief."
⭐ Loving the podcast? Leave a review and share with a friend who needs this message today
Check out Nicole's website and subscribe to her weekly newsletter: https://nicoleunice.kit.com/ 


Nicole’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice
🎧 For more faith-filled podcasts, visit Lifeaudio.com

What if the thing you're asking God to bless is actually the thing He's asking you to let go of? That's the question sitting at the heart of Mark chapter 10 today, and friend, it's a big one.
We're looking at one of the most well-known &mdash; and most misunderstood &mdash; stories in all of the Gospels: the story of the rich young ruler. This is a man who runs up to Jesus, eager, sincere, and doing everything right. He's kept the commandments since he was a boy. And yet, as Jesus looks at him with love he names the one thing the rich young ruler isn't ready to release. And he walks away sad.
Jesus isn't making a blanket statement about wealth. He's doing what He always does &mdash; he's exposing where this man's trust actually lives. Because you can't be completely obedient to God without giving him your full allegiance. And that's what Jesus is after &mdash; not just your behavior, but your whole heart.
So today I'm asking you: what are you holding in your hand so tightly you haven't even noticed? Where are you saying, 'Jesus, I'll follow you &mdash; as long as I get to keep _____"?&nbsp; Whatever that&nbsp; _____ is, that is what this episode is for.
<hr>
Want More?
<ul>
<li>📖 Read along: Mark 10:17&ndash;22</li>
<li>🎙️ Missed last week? Go back and listen to the Mark 9 episode on faith, doubt, and the prayer "I do believe &mdash; help my unbelief."</li>
<li>⭐ Loving the podcast? Leave a review and share with a friend who needs this message today</li>
<li data-start="2895" data-end="2973">Check out Nicole's website and subscribe to her weekly newsletter: <a href="https://nicoleunice.kit.com/">https://nicoleunice.kit.com/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li data-start="2974" data-end="3060">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice">Nicole&rsquo;s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice</a>
</li>
<li>🎧 For more faith-filled podcasts, visit <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/">Lifeaudio.com</a></li>
</ul>

Is God Asking Me to Surrender the Thing I'm Asking Him to Bless? | Mark 10

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/f80b0cd6-38ad-4ca7-8eef-b431017611f2/transcript

Have you ever found yourself saying, I want to believe — I really do — but there's this part of me that just... doesn't? That is exactly where we land in Mark chapter 9 today, and friend, you are in good company.

We're wrapping up our mini-series on confusion to clarity, and this week we're sitting with one of the most honest prayers in all of Scripture — just six words: I do believe. Help my unbelief. It comes from a desperate dad who has been fighting for his son, who tried everything, even coming to Jesus's disciples, and still walked away empty-handed. And yet, in that moment of raw honesty with Jesus, healing happens anyway.

Here's what I love about this story: the man's unbelief did not stop Jesus from acting. Jesus doesn't need our perfect faith. He needs our whole heart — the good stuff and the doubt, the confidence and the fear. That's what wholehearted really means.

We also talk about why the disciples couldn't drive out the spirit — and what Jesus's answer ("this kind only comes out by prayer") tells us about the interior life Jesus is calling us to. Spoiler: our spiritual power doesn't come from doing more. It comes from being with our Heavenly Father.

And we close out the chapter with Jesus flipping the script on greatness — anyone who wants to be first must be last and servant of all. Because the way of Jesus isn't power. It's humility. It's vulnerability. And it is a full, beautiful, rigorous life of discipleship.

Want More?
Check out Nicole's website and subscribe to her weekly newsletter: https://nicoleunice.kit.com/ 


Read along: Mark 9(and review Mark 8 to catch up on last week's episode)
Miss last week? Go back and listen to the episode on Mark 8 — where Peter declares Jesus as Messiah and Jesus asks, "But what about you — who do YOU say that I am?"
Check out Nicole's YouTube Channeland connect with our community!
Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review and share this episode with a friend who needs it today.

Have you ever found yourself saying, I want to believe &mdash; I really do &mdash; but there's this part of me that just... doesn't? That is exactly where we land in Mark chapter 9 today, and friend, you are in good company.
We're wrapping up our mini-series on confusion to clarity, and this week we're sitting with one of the most honest prayers in all of Scripture &mdash; just six words: I do believe. Help my unbelief. It comes from a desperate dad who has been fighting for his son, who tried everything, even coming to Jesus's disciples, and still walked away empty-handed. And yet, in that moment of raw honesty with Jesus, healing happens anyway.
Here's what I love about this story: the man's unbelief did not stop Jesus from acting. Jesus doesn't need our perfect faith. He needs our whole heart &mdash; the good stuff and the doubt, the confidence and the fear. That's what wholehearted really means.
We also talk about why the disciples couldn't drive out the spirit &mdash; and what Jesus's answer ("this kind only comes out by prayer") tells us about the interior life Jesus is calling us to. Spoiler: our spiritual power doesn't come from doing more. It comes from being with our Heavenly Father.
And we close out the chapter with Jesus flipping the script on greatness &mdash; anyone who wants to be first must be last and servant of all. Because the way of Jesus isn't power. It's humility. It's vulnerability. And it is a full, beautiful, rigorous life of discipleship.
<hr>
Want More?
<ul>
<li data-start="2895" data-end="2973">Check out Nicole's website and subscribe to her weekly newsletter: <a href="https://nicoleunice.kit.com/">https://nicoleunice.kit.com/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li data-start="2974" data-end="3060">
Read along: <a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/mark/9.html">Mark 9</a> (and review Mark 8 to catch up on last week's episode)
</li>
<li>Miss last week? Go back and listen to the episode on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/how-we-move-from-confusion-to-clarity-in-our-faith-mark-8">Mark 8</a> &mdash; where Peter declares Jesus as Messiah and Jesus asks, "But what about you &mdash; who do YOU say that I am?"</li>
<li>Check out Nicole's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice">YouTube Channel </a>and connect with our community!</li>
<li>Enjoying the podcast? Leave a&nbsp;review and share this episode with a friend who needs it today.</li>
</ul>

"I Believe, Help My Unbelief"  What We Learn from This Honest Prayer | Mark 9

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/a1d0445c-f459-4e96-b88d-b42100e29d1b/transcript

You Are The Temple... So What's Keeping You from True Worship? | Mark 11

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