Join The Journey

Does God use “average” people? Do you ever feel like you have been overlooked or bought into the lie that you are disqualified to be used by God? In todays episode we are in the studio with our host, Emma Dotter as she reminds us of the TRUTH regarding these two questions through Exodus 2. We serve an extraordinary God who loves to use ordinary people, thank you Jesus! Today's devo: https://www.jointhejourney.comGiveaway Info:We want to know who's on The Journey! Share how you're joining (share a podcast episode, your journal, an app screenshot, etc.) to any social media platform and tag @watermarkchurch - every share is an entry to win a chance to sit in on a podcast recording session and grab lunch with the JTJ team!

Join Emma Dotter and Devo Writer and Join the Journey devotional editor, Niki Krauss, as we open the Word of God to Exodus 1. We leave today's episode reminded of God's promises for us and with the truth that He is an unchanging God who is sovereign over ALL.Challenge: What is the legacy you are leaving behind? Giveaway Info:We want to know who's on The Journey! Share how you're joining (share a podcast episode, your journal, an app screenshot, etc.) to any social media platform and tag @watermarkchurch - every share is an entry to win a chance to sit in on a podcast recording session and grab lunch with the JTJ team!

Exodus can feel like a daunting book of the Old Testament but fear not, Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark's Coordinator of Equipping and Apologetics, Garrett Wikle, to help us lay a foundation for understanding this book. Through Exodus we get to see a perfect, merciful God constantly choosing a rebellious and imperfect people, which should give us hope Hebrews 9 Episode Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey/id1600151923?i=1000569979959

Emma Dotter and Watermark's Director of Women’s Community, Kari Kurz, are leading us in today's bonus episode covering the book of Job. Job can be a book in the bible we keep at an arms distance but Kari and Emma are helping us understand more deeply and accurately why we can and SHOULD confidently press in. Giveaway Info:We want to know who's on The Journey! Share how you're joining (share a podcast episode, your journal, an app screenshot, etc.) to any social media platform and tag @watermarkchurch - every share is an entry to win a chance to sit in on a podcast recording session and grab lunch with the JTJ team!

Forgiveness is hard. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had trouble forgiving someone else for a way they betrayed/hurt you? What does it look like to be faithful even in the midst of a less than ideal situation? Emma Dotter and Devo writer, T.J. Detwiler, are in the podcast studio today camping out in Genesis 50 answering these questions and more!Homelessness & Poverty Alleviation Link: https://www.watermark.org/engage/city/poverty-homelessnessOur Calling Link: https://www.ourcalling.orgGiveaway Info:We want to know who's on The Journey! Share how you're joining (share a podcast episode, your journal, an app screenshot, etc.) to any social media platform and tag @watermarkchurch - every share is an entry to win a chance to sit in on a podcast recording session and grab lunch with the JTJ team!

What motivates our planning, fear or wisdom? How do we reconcile God's sovereignty and our personal responsibility? Our Host, Emma Dotter, helps us better understand, through Genesis 49, how we simultaneously trust God's sovereignty over all while not neglecting the call and responsibility on our life as believers to live on mission. Reflection: Do you believe the Lord is constantly wanting to partner with you in mission even in the mundane, on that family vacation and in every day life? Giveaway Info:We want to know who's on The Journey! Share how you're joining (share a podcast episode, your journal, an app screenshot, etc.) to any social media platform and tag @watermarkchurch - every share is an entry to win a chance to sit in on a podcast recording session and grab lunch with the JTJ team!

Do you read the Bible in context? Do you know how to dive deeper into God's word? Emma Dotter and High School senior, Easton Brown, are in the podcast studio diving into Genesis 47:13-48:22. Easton helps us gain a better understanding of how we can observe and apply God's word accurately and effectively in our day to day lives.Prayer request: That high schoolers would see that what God offers is better than anything the world has to offer.Resource Shared: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bibleproject/id1050832450Giveaway Info:We want to know who's on The Journey! Share how you're joining (share a podcast episode, your journal, an app screenshot, etc.) to any social media platform and tag @watermarkchurch - every share is an entry to win a chance to sit in on a podcast recording session and grab lunch with the JTJ team!

When God gives us something we really want, are we more inclined to praise God or praise the gift? Said differently, do we worship the giver or the gift? In this episode, Emma Dotter is joined ONE LAST TIME (for now) by this year's Join The Journey Resident, Saegan Cockerham, to talk all things Genesis 46 and 47.Giveaway Info:We want to know who's on The Journey! Share how you're joining (share a podcast episode, your journal, an app screenshot, etc.) to any social media platform and tag @watermarkchurch - every share is an entry to win a chance to sit in on a podcast recording session and grab lunch with the JTJ team!

How often are we tempted to hold even the tiniest things against our brothers or friends? What does it look like to extend unhindered forgiveness? In this episode, Emma Dotter is joined by this year's Join The Journey Resident, Saegan Cockerham, to talk all things Genesis 45.

What does it look like when the weight of our past sins bears down on us? What happens when we procrastinate repentance? In this episode, Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark Institute Student, Saegan Cockerham, to discuss Genesis 44.

Do you believe that God uses ALL of our lives for OUR good and HIS glory? Today our host, Emma Dotter is joined in the podcast studio by Watermark Member and First Responder, Carter Smith diving into the book of Genesis 43. Carter and Emma help us learn how to not miss out on what God may have for us in the midst of trials.

Emma Dotter is in the podcast studio walking us through Genesis 41:41-42:38. Where is God in the hard and the bad? How do we combat pride? Lean in with us as we dive into todays scripture praying to leave this time looking more like Jesus and loving God more.Link for JTJ Journals:Adult Journal:https://a.co/d/eCXD3PoKids Journal: https://a.co/d/dHIjpVY

How should we think about dreams in the Bible and in life today? Does God still speak to us through dreams today? Emma Dotter teaches on Genesis 40-41:40 to answer these questions and more. It’s important for us to think about dreams rightly to demolish doubt that could creep into our hearts and minds against God. Reflection: Do your dreams make much of YOU or of GOD?

Why does God allow for bad things to happen to Joseph when he is depicted as obedient and faithful? How do we find comfort in the Lord during seasons of suffering and trial? Lean in with us as Emma Dotter and watermark member, Lisa Dalton spur us on in these questions with truth derived from Genesis 39. Link for Equipped Disciple: https://www.watermark.org/ministries/equipping

“Though sins are many, your grace is more.” In a story that feels FULL of sinfulness and deceitfulness we see God's faithfulness in our faithlessness. Emma Dotter and Watermark's Senior Director of Equipping, Oren Martin, are walking us through Genesis 38 encouraging us with the truth of how the Lord uses sinful people and keeps his promises despite our shortcomings.

How do you handle jealousy? How do we combat it? In this episode, Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark Institute student, Saegan Cockerham, to talk all things Genesis 37.

Lean in with our Host, Emma Dotter, as she breaks down the content of Genesis 35 and 36 explaining why the family framework is so vital for us to have. If we miss the fundamental things in today's two chapters, we aren’t able to lay the right foundation necessary for understanding what is to come.

In today's episode, our host Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark's Women's Director of Regeneration, Sierra Sanchez, to discuss Genesis 34. God cares for you in the darkest of valleys through whatever you have done or has been done to you. He is a father of justice, compassion, hope and refuge in the midst of our storms. We can take heart knowing he is a righteous judge and justice will come when Jesus returns while also pursuing healing on this side of heaven through his goodness and graciousness towards us. Link for Courageous Hope: https://www.watermark.org/ministries/courageous-hopeLink for Mend: https://www.watermark.org/ministries/mendChallenge: What area in your life do you think YOU know better than God?

Why do we forgive? Do we truly understand the heart posture behind forgiving someone or is it something we tend to do complacently? In today's episode, Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark Institute student, Ryan Finch, and they are diving into Genesis 33 where we find answers to these questions!Watermark Conflict Field Guide:https://www.watermark.org/community/conflict-field-guide

In this episode, Emma is joined by two Watermark Institute Students: Brian & Laura Schwartz to talk all things Genesis 32.

Are you tracking with the story of Laban and Jacob? What's going on? In this episode, Emma gives us a recap of Laban's relationship to Jacob and shows us that it's impossible to serve two masters.

In this episode, Emma Dotter is joined by Laine Smith to talk all things Genesis 31:1-21.

In this final snow day episode, Emma walks us through a challenging point of application from Genesis 30. How do you respond when you are in a season of deep longing or desperation? What do you do when you have to wait amidst an unexpected or unpredictable circumstance?

Two wives? Was God okay with this? In this episode, Emma is continuing with the snow day recordings as she walks us through Genesis 29 - what can we learn from Jacob and Leah?

Emma Dotter is coming to you live from her house in this episode!! Just some classic snow day recording! In this episode, we're tackling 3 questions from Genesis 28. 1. Why couldn’t Jacob marry a Canaanite woman?2. Was Isaac encouraging incest? 3. What can we learn from Jacob’s dream?

What is integrity? How does it play out in your life? In this episode, Emma walks us through some important discussion questions based off of Genesis 27's daily devo.

Do you ever feel burdened by decision-making? Are you ever intimidated or nervous at the thought of living on mission? In this episode, Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark Highschool Student, Ella Schreyer, to talk all things Genesis 26. For more information on DTown visit: https://www.watermark.org/events/5317-dtown-2023Join The Journey Journals: https://www.jointhejourney.com/resourcesCheck out Emma & Ella's discussion on 2 Corinthians 8! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey/id1600151923?i=1000556380941

Tune in to today's episode where our host Emma Dotter is in the podcast studio with Watermark member, Nathan Wagnon! Why are there so many genealogies in the OT? What's the deal with Esau and Jacob? Should we look to be more like the people in the Bible? These questions and more are answered in this episode! Today's challenge: How does knowing no one is exempt from being grafted into the family of God change the way you live today?Other episodes Nathan has been on for JTJ: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey/id1600151923?i=1000551847956https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey/id1600151923?i=1000568699142

Do you ever have a hard time trusting God? What should you do when trusting God is difficult? In this episode, Emma is joined by Watermark Institute student, Catherine Cotton. For more information regarding the Watermark Institute visit: https://www.watermarkresources.com/ministries/instituteLooking for a Join The Journey Journal? https://www.jointhejourney.com/resources

Have you ever walked through a season of loss? In today's episode, Emma Dotter is joined by former Join the Journey teammate and devo-writer, Amber Hapka. Emma and Amber are equipping us with the truth and comfort we can have in seasons of loss and sorrow found in Matthew 23. Grief and suffering are things we cannot escape on this side of heaven but there is an eternal hope that as believers we get to rest in.

Why sacrifice Isaac? What's up with that? In this episode, Saegan Cockerham is back to talk about all things Genesis 22.

Today, Emma Dotter is joined by High School Sophomore, Bo Richardson. Lean in with us to Genesis 21 where we find that, “God is gracious, faithful, transcendent and He is THE everlasting God.”. As his children, we are co-heirs of an eternal inheritance. What would it look like for you to walk boldly in this truth?

Why does Abraham lie about his wife's identity? What happens when our fears get out of control? In this episode, Emma is joined by one Watermark's Institute students, Saegan Cockerham, to talk about Genesis 20.

Join us in today's episode with Emma Dotter and watermark member and devo-writer, Morgan Elliott! We are camping out in the book of Genesis 19 wrestling with some difficult concepts and stories. We end this episode better understanding being righteous vs. living in righteousness and the importance of community in our lives.

What does it look like to trust God in the face of incredibly difficult circumstances? When life doesn't go as planned, where should we turn? In this episode, Emma Dotter is joined by Jackie Michael to talk all about Genesis 18. For more information regarding Equipped Disciple visit: https://www.watermark.org/ministries/equipped-discipleFor more information regarding serving with international college students visit:https://www.watermark.org/engage/city/local-international

Today's episode discusses the hope found in Genesis 16-17 and ultimately the hope found in our God. Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark Member, Julie Fowler, diving into the depths of what genuine hopefulness in the midst of trial and struggle.Today's Challenge: Do you actually believe you serve a God who HEARS YOU and SEES YOU? What would it look like to operate in that hope today?For more information on the Shiloh Ministry: https://www.watermark.org/ministries/shilohJoin The Journey Adult Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNV27BLB?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_23YV88FNJN4E08R8H7N9

Today, we are in Genesis 15 with Emma Dotter and High School Sophomore, Noah Roby. Emma and Noah discuss salvation in the Old Testament, covenants, salvation not based on works and how God's word was relevant then and is still relevant now. Today's challenge: Are you operating in a salvation based on works? Or are you accepting it for the free gift from God that it is?

Emma Dotter is joined by today's devo-writer, Katie Mueller and we are discussing Genesis 14. What would a modern day Lot look like? Who is this infamous Melchizedek character and why is he so important? These questions and more are answered in this episode!Today's challenge: Like Lot, if you find yourself choosing the path of least-resistance today, press in and boldly face the opposition in front of you leaning on the confidence of the Lord.

Generosity, humility, motive, and more! Emma Dotter is setting the scene for us in Genesis 13 on today's episode. She helps us break down this chapter to see exactly what we should be gleaning from the text. Today's Challenge: What is your motivation to why you do what you do? Our motives reflect what is important to us and who has the throne in our hearts. Who sits on the throne of YOUR heart?

What is the key to understanding the Old Testament? How is the Old Testament relevant to us or to the New Testament? Emma Dotter answers these questions for us in today's episode through Genesis 12. Today's Challenge: Have you been reading the Old Testament with a heart of irrelevance? What would it look like for your heart to be re-postured?

What is your view of God? Do you take him seriously? Are you building something for yourself or for him? In our episode today, Emma Dotter and devo writer, Julie Nicholson, are pressing into these questions and more centered around Genesis 11. Today's challenge: What has God called you to do for him and how can you walk faithfully in that today?Shift Ministry Link: https://www.watermark.org/ministries/shift

Emma Dotter is joined by today's devo-writer, Sam Garner, as we camp out in Genesis 9-10. Our God is a lot bigger than we oftentimes give him credit for. Today, we leave this episode with a BIGGER view of God and a deeper understanding of Genesis 9-10.Today's Challenge: Are there any areas of your life where you may be celebrating sin and inviting others into it with you? Link to Adult Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNV27BLB?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_23YV88FNJN4E08R8H7N9

How did Noah fit all the animals on the ark? In this episode, Emma shows off her math skills as she presents research that demonstrates just how competent our God is! Link to adult journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNV27BLB?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_23YV88FNJN4E08R8H7N9

Emma Dotter sits down with Paul and Mandy Figel discussing Genesis 6:9-7:24. We all either are or know someone in the middle of the story that can be hard to understand. God is up to something and always on the move!Link to Adult Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNV27BLB?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_23YV88FNJN4E08R8H7N9

Why are genealogies SO important? Emma Dotter is meeting us in Genesis 5-6:8 teaching us about why genealogies matter and how they are also for our BENEFIT. Genealogy reveals God's character and reminds us of his promises. Today's Challenge: Read or re-read Genesis 5-6:8 applying what you got from today's podcast episode, letting this new lens affect the way you view genealogies. Link to Adult Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNV27BLB?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_23YV88FNJN4E08R8H7N9Link to Jr. Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6SG7aaE1ZjjFkgB34G8zp3?si=a605c72b7a7e414d

Have you ever read or heard about the infamous story of Cain and Abel? Emma Dotter and Devo writer, Scot Buchanan, are meeting us in Genesis 4 and if you have read this chapter before, you may have some questions of why was Cain's sacrifice not accepted and why was Abel's? How does this chapter apply to us? Find out in today's episode!

Emma Dotter is in the podcast studio with watermark lead team members and high school students, Colin Keaton and Biak Sang, diving into Genesis 3. There can be a tendency to sugar coat things especially in chapters of the Bible like Genesis 3 but fully acknowledging the hard things allows us to fully see God's mercy and love.Today's Challenge: What would it look like for you to dwell on the truth that you cannot out sin God's grace and you are covered by Jesus’ grace today?

Emma Dotter is in the podcast studio today helping us build a clear, biblical foundation to stand on in a world that is constantly shifting sands beneath our feet. It is vital for believers to have an accurate and truthful biblical worldview, this helps us stand firm on the Word when facing worldly pressures and trends. We are discussing this importance of this concerning marriage and gender specifically today but this foundation serves us in all areas of our walk with a perfect God in an imperfect world. Today's Challenge: Are you swayed by the ways/views of the worldly culture around you, or are you anchored firmly in the ways and word of God?

Welcome back or welcome for the first time, to Join the Journey 2023! Emma Dotter is launching us into the new year through Genesis 1. Have you ever used something for the wrong purpose? Sometimes we do this with the Bible! Today, Emma helps us understand exactly what Genesis 1 is all about and how it should be used. Today's Challenge: Let knowing you are an image bearer of God saturate everything you do and think today. JTJ Journal: https://a.co/d/9S1L0qQJTJ JR Journal: https://a.co/d/hJLagiY

What is the goal and purpose of Join the Journey? What does it look like to follow along with us and how are these tools (the podcast being ONE of them?) best applied to maximize our understanding of God's word and grow our love for him? Find out in today's episode with Emma Dotter!