Podcast
Don't Miss This Study
Hosted by Emily Freeman & David Butler · EN
Podcast by Emily Freeman & David Butler
55episodes
Episodes
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A NEW HEART
3d ago00:43:59Summary readyIn this episode of Don’t Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman study 1 Samuel 8–15 and explore the rise and fall of Israel’s first king, Saul. What begins as a story about Israel asking for a king quickly becomes a deeper conversation about who truly sits on the throne of our hearts. As the people look to be “like all the other nations,” Dave and Grace reflect on the many things we allow to rule our lives and invite us to consider whether we are letting Jesus be the King who leads, guides, and fights our battles. The episode highlights the early life of Saul and the qualities that made him such a promising leader. Saul is introduced as humble, diligent, and willing to serve, even struggling to see the potential that others saw in him. Through Samuel’s guidance, Saul learns that God often calls people before they feel ready and then provides the experiences, miracles, and grace needed to prepare them for the work ahead. Dave and Grace emphasize that one of God’s greatest gifts is His ability to see who we can become, even when we cannot yet see it ourselves. As Saul is anointed king, the Lord gives him a new heart and begins transforming him into a different person. The hosts focus on the power of spiritual change, teaching that God’s greatest miracles are often not external signs but transformed hearts. Saul’s story becomes a reminder that growth is a process of becoming and that God can shape ordinary people into something far greater than they imagined as they place themselves in positions where His Spirit can work within them. The latter part of the episode examines Saul’s gradual decline and the lessons his story teaches about obedience, trust, and discipleship. As Saul begins caring more about the approval of others than the voice of God, his choices slowly lead him away from the path the Lord intended for him. Dave and Grace remind listeners that God desires more than outward religious actions or checked boxes. He wants a genuine relationship built on listening, trust, and love. Even amid Saul’s failures, the episode highlights a God who continues to guide, warn, correct, and redeem, never giving up on His children and always working to help them become better than they are today. Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 05:44 Desire for leadership in chaos 08:57 Choosing a spiritual leader 12:18 Introducing Israel's first king, Saul 13:13 Complexity of biblical characters 18:07 Saul's humble beginnings 20:52 Anointing with oil in Old Testament 24:36 Saul's prophetic signs fulfilled 28:43 Saul's spiritual journey highlights 30:54 Maintaining resilience and faith 35:37 Samuel's lesson on obedience 37:47 Understanding meaningful relationships 40:42 Choosing and God's guidance 43:15 Second king symbolizes perseverance Sign up for the Don’t Miss This newsletter at www.dontmissthisstudy.com #dontmissthis #comefollowme NEWSLETTER LINK: The Don’t Miss This video, the prayer poster, and tip-ins for kids, teens, couples and individuals can all be found in this week’s newsletter. Sign-up link in bio if you haven’t had a chance yet!! www.dontmissthisstudy.com Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy Podcast: Don’t Miss This Study Facebook: Don’t Miss This Study Follow Grace Instagram @thisweeksgrace Follow David Instagram: @mrdavebutler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Subscribe to the Don't Miss This App https://www.dontmissthisstudy.com/app
SummaryFOR THIS I PRAYED
1w ago01:05:55Summary readyIn this episode of Don’t Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman study the books of Ruth and 1 Samuel and explore stories of covenant love, redemption, grief, and revelation. Through the story of Ruth, they focus on the kind of love that goes beyond obligation and expectation. After Naomi loses her husband and sons, Ruth refuses to leave her side and instead makes the covenant declaration, “whither thou goest, I will go.” Dave and Grace describe Ruth as a story of radical kindness and “love outside the lines,” showing how covenant relationships are ultimately rooted in loyalty, compassion, and caring for others. The episode also centers on Naomi’s grief and redemption. Naomi returns to Bethlehem feeling completely empty, bitter, and forgotten after losing everything she once had. Yet throughout the story, God quietly begins restoring what was lost through the kindness of Ruth and Boaz. Dave explains the biblical role of a “redeemer” as someone who restores another person to belonging, safety, and hope, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ as the Great Redeemer. Grace reflects on how healing often comes through the love and mercy of others, reminding listeners that God does not abandon people in their grief and that empty places in life can still become full again. The discussion then shifts to Hannah and Samuel in 1 Samuel, where Hannah’s desperate prayer for a child becomes a powerful example of faithful pleading before God. After years of sorrow, Hannah pours out her soul to the Lord and eventually receives the miracle she longed for in the birth of Samuel. Grace especially highlights Hannah’s willingness to dedicate Samuel back to God, showing a faith rooted in surrender and trust. The hosts also focus on young Samuel learning to recognize the voice of the Lord, emphasizing the hopeful phrase “Samuel did not yet know the Lord.” They teach that many people feel forgotten or believe God has never spoken to them, but Samuel’s story reminds us that God continues calling patiently and persistently until His children learn to recognize His voice. Throughout the episode, Dave and Grace return again and again to the reminder that God remembers, speaks, restores, and helps His people. From Ruth’s loyalty, to Naomi’s redemption, to Hannah’s prayers, to Samuel hearing the Lord’s voice, every story points to a God who does not give up on His children. The episode closes with Samuel building an “Ebenezer,” a memorial stone of help, as a reminder that God had answered and delivered them before. Together, these chapters become an invitation to remember the moments God has spoken, rescued, redeemed, and carried us through difficult seasons, even when His voice or His timing felt far away. Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 06:33 The theme of radical generosity 11:19 Visiting Rising Star in India 16:31 Understanding covenants of kindness 25:00 The role of a redeemer 30:50 Grieving dreams and finding hope 36:48 Boaz offers land redemption 41:20 Jesus' family tree and traits 44:20 Hannah's heartfelt prayer and promise 51:39 Feeling disconnected from spirituality 57:41 Boy's spiritual experience in Costa Rica 59:22 Listening for God's guidance 01:04:58 Reflecting on answered prayers Sign up for the Don’t Miss This newsletter at www.dontmissthisstudy.com #dontmissthis #comefollowme NEWSLETTER LINK: The Don’t Miss This video, the prayer poster, and tip-ins for kids, teens, couples and individuals can all be found in this week’s newsletter. Sign-up link in bio if you haven’t had a chance yet!! www.dontmissthisstudy.com Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy Podcast: Don’t Miss This Study Facebook: Don’t Miss This Study Follow Grace Instagram @thisweeksgrace Follow David Instagram: @mrdavebutler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Subscribe to the Don't Miss This App https://www.dontmissthisstudy.com/app
SummaryUNEXPECTED DELIVERER
2w ago01:16:30Summary readyIn this episode of Don’t Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman dive into the book of Judges and reframe it as a book not about judgment, but about deliverance. They explain that the Hebrew idea behind “judge” is closer to rescuer, defender, or deliverer, and throughout the book they highlight a recurring “cycle of faithfulness”: the people forget God, fall into trouble, cry for help, and God — nevertheless — raises up a deliverer again and again. The hosts emphasize how deeply this pattern reflects the mercy of God toward imperfect people and how every deliverer story ultimately points toward Jesus Christ, the Great Deliverer. The episode explores several major judges and the lessons their stories teach. Othniel reminds listeners that when people ask for help, the Lord sends strength. Ehud’s story highlights how God often uses unexpected people and apparent weaknesses for powerful purposes. Deborah becomes one of the central figures of the lesson — a prophetess, encourager, and “mother in Israel” whose willingness to say “I will surely go with you” becomes a model of courage, mentorship, and faithful support. Grace reflects on the importance of people who lend faith and strength to others when they cannot move forward alone. Samson’s story becomes a redemption narrative rather than simply a tragedy. Dave and Grace focus especially on the verse stating that “the hair of his head began to grow again,” teaching that even after failure and spiritual distance, strength and closeness with God can return. They emphasize that Samson’s greatest moment came after his greatest mistake, illustrating that repentance can lead to even deeper faith and power than before. Gideon’s story then highlights anxiety, insecurity, and learning to trust God despite fear. The hosts discuss Gideon asking repeatedly for signs, showing that faithful people can still struggle with doubt, and they connect his story to modern experiences of seeking reassurance, peace, and guidance from God. Throughout the episode, the central message remains constant: God continually raises up deliverers, works through weakness, stays patient with imperfect people, and fights beside His children even when they feel afraid, unqualified, or broken. The stories of Judges become reminders that God does not abandon His people after failure, but instead repeatedly offers rescue, encouragement, and renewed strength. Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 07:45 Israelites turning to idol worship 11:51 God's mercy and deliverance 16:33 Ehud becomes Israel's deliverer 24:19 The fiery conversation with Brooke 26:53 Supportive women in our lives 31:16 Talking about David's daughters 36:49 Deborah's prophecy to Barak 45:12 A sweet parenting moment 49:10 The fall of a biblical judge 53:29 Samson's final act of strength 01:01:40 Discerning God's direction 01:03:11 Dealing with anxiety and faith 01:10:36 Moments of clarity and intuition 01:14:41 The unexpected deliverer story Sign up for the Don’t Miss This newsletter at www.dontmissthisstudy.com #dontmissthis #comefollowme NEWSLETTER LINK: The Don’t Miss This video, the prayer poster, and tip-ins for kids, teens, couples and individuals can all be found in this week’s newsletter. Sign-up link in bio if you haven’t had a chance yet!! www.dontmissthisstudy.com Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy Podcast: Don’t Miss This Study Facebook: Don’t Miss This Study Follow Grace Instagram @thisweeksgrace Follow David Instagram: @mrdavebutler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Subscribe to the Don't Miss This App https://www.dontmissthisstudy.com/app
SummaryCIRCLE THE PROMISE
3w ago01:04:21Summary readyIn this episode of Don’t Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman study Joshua 1–8; 23–24 and step into the long awaited moment when the children of Israel finally enter the promised land after years of wandering in the wilderness. As Joshua takes Moses’ place, the Lord repeats the same invitation again and again: “Be strong and of a good courage.” These chapters become a reminder that faith often means stepping forward before the miracle happens. From crossing the Jordan River on dry ground, to carrying stones of remembrance, to walking around the walls of Jericho day after day, the people are invited to trust a God who keeps His promises even when the outcome cannot yet be seen. This episode highlights what it looks like to live in the realm of miracles. Dave and Grace explore the courage to follow God into unfamiliar places, the importance of remembering His goodness, and the power of believing before the walls fall. The story of Rahab becomes a beautiful witness that faith can change everything, and that God delights in rescuing, welcoming, and redeeming every person who chooses to believe. This episode invites us to look at our own life and ask where God may already be moving. Because sometimes faith looks like stepping into the water before it parts, walking around the walls one more time, or building reminders of the miracles we never want to forget. And through every chapter, Joshua reminds us that the God who led His people before is still the God who leads us now. Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 06:22 Being an encourager in tough times 10:27 Reflecting on meaningful scripture 17:19 Living a Meaningful Life 26:04 Missionary work and sacrifice 28:31 Power of a believing woman 35:02 Crossing the Jordan River 41:12 Joshua's moment of encouragement 45:19 Believing in miracles and taking risks 49:12 Building a memorial with stones 57:05 Feeling stuck and going in circles 01:02:45 Personal faith testimony 01:03:58 Signing off and social media plugs Sign up for the Don’t Miss This newsletter at www.dontmissthisstudy.com #dontmissthis #comefollowme NEWSLETTER LINK: The Don’t Miss This video, the prayer poster, and tip-ins for kids, teens, couples and individuals can all be found in this week’s newsletter. Sign-up link in bio if you haven’t had a chance yet!! www.dontmissthisstudy.com Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy Podcast: Don’t Miss This Study Facebook: Don’t Miss This Study Follow Grace Instagram @thisweeksgrace Follow David Instagram: @mrdavebutler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Subscribe to the Don't Miss This App https://www.dontmissthisstudy.com/app
SummarySPECIALLY THE DAY
May 300:58:25Summary readyIn this episode of Don’t Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman study Deuteronomy 1–8; 15; 29–30; and 34 and step into a moment of remembering, as Moses looks back on a 40 year journey and prepares the people to enter the promised land. What could have been an 11 day trip became a lifetime of transformation, and Moses uses this final message to remind them not just where they have been, but who they have become. Through the wilderness, through provision, and through every moment of doubt and growth, God had been with them. Deuteronomy becomes a call to remember that they lacked nothing, that He fought for them, and that every step was shaping them into His people. This episode highlights the power of remembering and choosing God daily. From loving Him with all our heart, soul, and might, to living open handed and generous lives, to realizing that returning to Him is always possible, these chapters show a God who stays close. He is not far off. He invites His people to choose life, to trust His promises, and to carry their faith into every part of their lives. This episode invites us to look back on our own story and recognize where God has been present all along. Because like Moses, we may not always see the full promise yet, but we can trust the God who led us here. And when we choose to remember Him, we begin to see that we have never walked alone. Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 03:49 Symbolism of the number 40 09:02 Reflecting on personal growth 11:47 Reflecting on God's constant presence 14:53 Importance of staying close to God 18:29 Jack's missionary calling in Malawi 21:06 Reflections on life's journey 25:26 Keeping faith alive daily 26:32 Jewish traditions and practices 31:56 Importance of personalized home décor 33:16 Importance of God's goodness 39:13 Chosen by God's love 42:22 Discussion on Old Testament context 44:46 Being generous to others 48:40 Blessings and curses of covenant 51:12 Prophecy and covenant restoration 55:48 Moses views the promised land 56:29 Reflecting on life's promises Sign up for the Don’t Miss This newsletter at www.dontmissthisstudy.com #dontmissthis #comefollowme NEWSLETTER LINK: The Don’t Miss This video, the prayer poster, and tip-ins for kids, teens, couples and individuals can all be found in this week’s newsletter. Sign-up link in bio if you haven’t had a chance yet!! www.dontmissthisstudy.com Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy Podcast: Don’t Miss This Study Facebook: Don’t Miss This Study Follow Grace Instagram @thisweeksgrace Follow David Instagram: @mrdavebutler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Subscribe to the Don't Miss This App https://www.dontmissthisstudy.com/app
SummaryTHE BLESSING
May 100:47:38Summary readyIn this episode of Don’t Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman study Numbers 11-14 , 20-24, 27 and step into the journey in the wilderness, a story that reveals what it looks like to follow God through seasons of waiting, wandering, and becoming. As the children of Israel move forward, they are guided by a cloud by day and fire by night, learning to trust God’s timing in every step. Yet along the way, distractions begin to rise. Complaining replaces gratitude, fear overtakes faith, and comparison clouds their perspective. Again and again, they face the same choice: will they see their circumstances through fear, or will they trust in what God has already shown them? Through stories of manna, Moses’ burdens, the spies in the promised land, and the brazen serpent, we see a powerful reminder that what we look at shapes what we experience. The people who focused on fear missed the promise, while those who chose faith saw possibility. And in one of the most striking moments, the Lord invites them to simply look to be healed, pointing forward to Jesus Christ and the power of His saving grace. This episode invites us to consider how we are seeing our own lives. Because God has always been determined to bless His people, even in the wilderness. The question is not just what we are going through, but how we are choosing to see it. When we learn to look to Him, we begin to recognize that even here, even now, He is leading us toward something promised. Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 04:55 Guidance by the cloud and fire 09:22 Moses feeling overwhelmed and tired 11:34 Identifying your support network 14:53 Miriam and Aaron's jealousy of Moses 16:43 Miriam's wake-up call 22:02 Caleb's faith and perspective 25:41 Lessons from the promised land story 29:26 Renewing Faith and Overcoming Temptation 32:00 Moses and the bronze serpent 34:08 Jesus offers spiritual healing 38:17 Balaam's talking donkey adventure 40:43 Balaam's story and blessing Israel 45:15 The priestly blessing explained 47:17 Wrapping up and social media links Sign up for the Don’t Miss This newsletter at www.dontmissthisstudy.com #dontmissthis #comefollowme NEWSLETTER LINK: The Don’t Miss This video, the prayer poster, and tip-ins for kids, teens, couples and individuals can all be found in this week’s newsletter. Sign-up link in bio if you haven’t had a chance yet!! www.dontmissthisstudy.com Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy Podcast: Don’t Miss This Study Facebook: Don’t Miss This Study Follow Grace Instagram @thisweeksgrace Follow David Instagram: @mrdavebutler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Subscribe to the Don't Miss This App https://www.dontmissthisstudy.com/app
SummaryTHE WILLING HEART
Apr 1901:06:22Summary readyIn this episode of Don’t Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman study Exodus 35–40 and Leviticus and step into the symbolism of the tabernacle, where every detail quietly teaches the story of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. As the tabernacle is built, the people bring offerings with willing hearts, giving their very best to create a place where heaven and earth can meet. What may seem like simple materials and measurements begins to reveal something deeper. Every curtain, every color, and every piece points to a greater reality. This is not just about building a structure. It is about preparing hearts to understand the Savior and the way back into God’s presence. Through the sacrifices and offerings in Leviticus, we see a powerful picture of Easter. Innocent lives offered, blood shed, and everything pointing forward to Jesus Christ, the true Lamb who would give His life for all. What once was repeated daily in symbol is fulfilled completely in Him. Because of His sacrifice, the way is opened, not just for one person once a year, but for all of us to come into the presence of God. This episode invites us to see beyond the details and recognize the message they have been teaching all along. Easter is not just a moment in history, it is the center of everything. Every sacrifice, every symbol, and every step of the journey points to Jesus Christ, reminding us that through Him we are made clean, made whole, and invited all the way back home. Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 07:44 Living with a willing heart 11:42 Being inspired to contribute 17:43 The power of small contributions 21:50 Community generosity during Christmas 31:14 God guiding your spiritual journey 31:59 Reflecting on spiritual guidance 41:38 Discussing holiness and temple symbolism 46:33 Embracing divine guidance 51:37 Symbolism in Sacramental Offerings 56:13 Understanding biblical blood symbolism 01:00:06 The purpose of the feasts 01:05:32 Wrapping up and looking ahead Sign up for the Don’t Miss This newsletter at www.dontmissthisstudy.com #dontmissthis #comefollowme NEWSLETTER LINK: The Don’t Miss This video, the prayer poster, and tip-ins for kids, teens, couples and individuals can all be found in this week’s newsletter. Sign-up link in bio if you haven’t had a chance yet!! www.dontmissthisstudy.com Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy Podcast: Don’t Miss This Study Facebook: Don’t Miss This Study Follow Grace Instagram @thisweeksgrace Follow David Instagram: @mrdavebutler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Subscribe to the Don't Miss This App https://www.dontmissthisstudy.com/app
SummaryA PECULIAR TREASURE
Apr 1200:46:20Summary readyIn this episode of Don’t Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman study Exodus 19–34 and step into the moment where God invites His people into a covenant, not just to be freed, but to become something more. At Mount Sinai, God reminds Israel that He has already rescued them, carried them on eagle’s wings, and brought them to Himself. Now He invites them into a deeper relationship. If they are willing, He will make them a treasured people, a holy nation. The commandments are not given to restrict them, but to strengthen that relationship. Like any meaningful relationship, love grows alongside commitment, trust, and expectations, and God is inviting them into something richer, not something heavier. Even when the people falter and turn to the golden calf, the story does not end. Instead of walking away, God continues reaching, forgiving, and renewing. What was broken is not the end of the relationship. It becomes part of it. Moses speaks with God as a friend, and we see that mistakes do not disqualify us from closeness with Him. They often become the very place where grace, mercy, and transformation begin. This episode invites us to see the covenant not as pressure, but as an invitation. The same God who rescues at the Red Sea and ultimately through Easter is the God who stays, teaches, and walks with us daily. He is merciful, patient, and full of goodness, always working to draw us closer. And just like Israel, we are learning that real freedom is not just being saved, but becoming something new with Him. Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 03:37 Mount Sinai and Israel's purpose 06:56 Mount Sinai and covenant relationship 10:03 Understanding freedom and commandments 16:01 Reflecting on boundaries with God 16:38 Setting boundaries for spiritual growth 19:41 A meaningful moment about "keep" 25:33 Discussing God's commandments and love 29:00 Moses delayed; the golden calf 32:32 Moses pleads with God 34:53 Moses foreshadows Jesus' atonement 38:46 Talking to God as a friend 40:31 God's promise of goodness 44:17 Describing God's character in scripture 46:12 Subscribing to app or newsletter Sign up for the Don’t Miss This newsletter at www.dontmissthisstudy.com #dontmissthis #comefollowme NEWSLETTER LINK: The Don’t Miss This video, the prayer poster, and tip-ins for kids, teens, couples and individuals can all be found in this week’s newsletter. Sign-up link in bio if you haven’t had a chance yet!! www.dontmissthisstudy.com Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy Podcast: Don’t Miss This Study Facebook: Don’t Miss This Study Follow Grace Instagram @thisweeksgrace Follow David Instagram: @mrdavebutler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Subscribe to the Don't Miss This App https://www.dontmissthisstudy.com/app
SummaryTHIS IS MY GOD
Apr 500:48:02Summary readyIn this episode of Don’t Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman study Exodus 14–18 and walk through the defining journey of Israel, from the Red Sea to the wilderness, discovering what it means to say, “This is my God.” What begins at the edge of the sea, with fear on every side and no way forward, becomes a powerful reminder that God is a rescuer. As the waters part and dry ground appears, we see a God who fights for His people, who makes a way where there is none, and who invites us to stand still and trust Him. These moments echo the heart of Easter, a God who delivers, saves, and leads His people out of bondage into new life. As the journey continues, new struggles arise. Bitter water, hunger, thirst, and exhaustion reveal how quickly faith can turn into fear. Yet over and over again, God responds with mercy. He heals what is broken, provides daily bread, brings water from unexpected places, and reminds His people that He is still with them. Each chapter becomes another witness that even in the wilderness, God has not left. This episode invites us to see our own lives in these stories. The same God who parted the sea is the God who walks with us through our daily battles. And just like Israel, we are learning again and again who He is, a God who rescues, provides, heals, and stays. A God who shows up not just once, but every single day. Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 05:36 Life is like the wilderness 08:01 Exploring Exodus and Yahweh 10:27 Facing fear and resisting change 13:26 Slowing down to notice life 18:18 The Red Sea story moment 21:25 Reflecting on best and worst days 23:48 Reflecting on bitterness and trust 27:34 God hears their complaints 30:53 Story of manna's meaning 34:02 The Israelites complain of thirst 36:45 Questioning God's presence 40:24 Support from friends during hardship 43:35 Reflecting on gratitude and faith 47:25 Wrapping up and next steps Sign up for the Don’t Miss This newsletter at www.dontmissthisstudy.com #dontmissthis #comefollowme NEWSLETTER LINK: The Don’t Miss This video, the prayer poster, and tip-ins for kids, teens, couples and individuals can all be found in this week’s newsletter. Sign-up link in bio if you haven’t had a chance yet!! www.dontmissthisstudy.com Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy Podcast: Don’t Miss This Study Facebook: Don’t Miss This Study Follow Grace Instagram @thisweeksgrace Follow David Instagram: @mrdavebutler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Subscribe to the Don't Miss This App https://www.dontmissthisstudy.com/app
SummaryTHAT YOU MAY KNOW
Mar 3000:56:56Summary readyIn this episode of Don’t Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman begin the book of Exodus
Summary