The ABIDE Podcast With Gretchen Stevenson

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Welcome back to the Abide podcast! I’m your host, Gretchen Stevenson, and I’m joined once again by my fellow word-loving friend Kristin for our Nerd in the Word mini-series on the Shema—that beautiful, foundational declaration of faith found in Deuteronomy 6.

In our last episode, we explored what it means to love the Lord with all your heart (lev) and all your soul (nephesh)—not just with our emotions or spiritual selves, but with the whole of who we are—our thoughts, desires, intentions, breath, and being.

Today, we’re going to lean into the final word in that trio:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”

But here’s the twist—“might” in Hebrew is the word me’od (מְאֹד), and it doesn’t mean strength in the way we often think of muscles or power. It actually means muchness—as in: to love God with everything you’ve got. Your energy, your influence, your resources, your capacity, your abundance.

This is about living a life of overflow—loving God with every bit of your more.

So, whether you’re listening on your morning walk or curled up with your Bible and coffee, we’re inviting you to pause and consider:

What does it look like to love God with your muchness?

If you would like to support this ABIDE podcast and the other resources provided by my ministry, please consider donating at https://gretchenstevenson.com/donate/

Thank You!
Gretchen
https://gretchenstevenson.com/

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Biblically, grace is defined as God's unmerited favor and kindness towards humanity. It is a gift that cannot be earned by good deeds or human effort but is freely given by God out of His love and mercy. Grace is foundational to the Christian faith, as it is through grace that salvation is offered to sinners.
How then are we to live by a posture of grace toward those we love, those we serve, those who are strangers, and most importantly towards ourselves? In this episode, we're going to explore the different ways grace has influenced and shaped our lives over the years. We will share the ups and downs as well as the joy and challenges that are a part of learning how to live from a posture of grace.
For further study, consider studying the following passages to help build your understanding of the characteristics that are forged by cultivating a posture of grace.
1.Humility: Recognizing our own need for grace and responding with humility in our interactions with others. This involves putting others’ needs before our own and being willing to serve without seeking recognition.

•Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

2.Forgiveness: Extending forgiveness freely to others, understanding that we have been forgiven much by God.

•Colossians 3:13: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

3.Compassion: Showing love and empathy towards others, especially those who are suffering or in need.

•Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

4.Generosity: Being willing to give of our time, resources, and love without expecting anything in return, reflecting the generous grace of God.

•2 Corinthians 9:8: “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

5.Patience and Peacefulness: Maintaining a peaceful and patient attitude, even in difficult circumstances, and striving to live in harmony with others.

•Romans 12:18: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Recommended book: What's So Amazing About Grace, by: Philip Yancy
"Grace is God's best idea! His decision to ravage a people by love, to rescue passionately, and to restore fully - just what rivals? Of all His wondrous works, grace, in my estimation, is the magnum opus." - Max Lucado
If you would like to support this ABIDE podcast and the other resources provided by our ministry, please consider donating at https://gretchenstevenson.com/donate/
Thank You!
Gretchen
https://gretchenstevenson.com/

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Is love a fruit, a person, a divine attribute, or God?

"The answer is a resounding YES! Yes, love is at the heart of everything God is and calls us to be. In this episode, we’re diving deep into a four-part look at how love, as a fruit of the Spirit, is the core from which all other fruit gains nourishment. Love is God’s very essence—His character, His presence, His everything summed up in one powerful word.

While it’s impossible to capture the fullness of God’s love in one devotion, we can begin to explore its depths through four unique aspects. We’ll use L.O.V.E. as our guide, each letter revealing more of who God is and why love is the ultimate fruit we’re invited to grow within and give generously to others. So, let’s settle in and discover why love truly is the quintessential fruit of a life rooted in the Spirit."

Pause & reflect:

1. How do you express love in a way that reflects the Spirit of God who has nurtured it within you?
2. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Is there someone you know and love who is living in darkness? How can you shine the light of Christ that is in you to help guide them out of darkness and into the glorious light and love of Jesus?
3. Spend time with Emmanuel. Respond to whatever the Light has revealed and offer up a prayer of repentance and thanksgiving.

If you would like to support this ABIDE podcast and the other resources provided by our ministry, please consider donating at https://gretchenstevenson.com/donate/
Thank You!
Gretchen
https://gretchenstevenson.com/

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Welcome to the Abide podcast. I’m your host, Gretchen Stevenson—and today, I’ve invited my fellow Bible-loving friend and resident word-nerd, Kristin, to join me for a special two-part Nerd in the Word conversation.

We’re diving deep into one of the most foundational passages in all of Scripture—the Shema—found in Deuteronomy 6. It begins with this powerful call:

“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”

These words weren’t just meant to be memorized—they were meant to shape the whole of life. They were spoken, repeated, written on doorposts and gates, and passed down from generation to generation. And today, we’re going to nerd out together about what it actually means to love God with all our heart and all our soul.

We’ll be unpacking two rich Hebrew words: lev (heart) and nephesh (soul). In the Hebrew mindset, these words have meanings that go way beyond our modern understanding.

Loving God with all our heart and soul is not just about emotion or intellect—it’s about the wholeness of who we are: our thoughts, our motives, our breath, our being.

So grab your Bible, maybe a notebook, and let’s get nerdy about what it means to love the Lord our God with everything we’ve got.

If you would like to support this ABIDE podcast and the other resources provided by my ministry, please consider donating at https://gretchenstevenson.com/donate/

Thank You!
Gretchen
https://gretchenstevenson.com/

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Welcome to Nerd In The Word, where we dive deep into the Scriptures with enthusiasm and curiosity! I’m here with my good friend Kristin, and today we’re kicking off the first part of a series on the Shema, a foundational passage in Deuteronomy 6. Now, when you hear the word "hear," you might think it’s just about listening. But in the original Hebrew, the word Shema is packed with so much more meaning—it's about actively engaging, understanding, and responding. In today’s episode, we’re going to explore the depth of this powerful word and its call not just to hear, but to hear with intention—a concept that has profound implications for how we live out our faith. So, grab your Bible, get ready to dive in, and let’s nerd out together!

If you would like to support this ABIDE podcast and the other resources provided by my ministry, please consider donating at https://gretchenstevenson.com/donate/
Thank You!
Gretchen
https://gretchenstevenson.com/

Questions to consider:

1. What does it look like in your daily life to truly "hear" God's voice with a heart that is ready to respond?

2. How does understanding obedience as a response to God's covenant love, rather than "rule following" change your perspective on following His Commands & teachings in Scripture?

3. Jesus said, "If you follow me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). How does this connect with the Shema?

4. What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate a more intentional practice of listening to God through His Word and responding with action?