Anchored by the Word

The Venezuela Situation and Christian Thinking

The episode begins with an introduction and vision for the podcast, followed by a discussion on how Christians should think about the situation in Venezuela. The conversation then delves into the themes of God's sovereignty, caring for the suffering, respecting the rule of law, historical precedence and foreign policy, biblical wisdom and prudence, and praying for the spread of the gospel.

Holding Plans With Open Hands (feat. the Likens Boys)

In the final episode of Anchored by the Word for 2025, Pastor Justin is joined by his three sons—Andrew, Noah, and Caleb—for a candid, warm, and thoughtful family conversation as they look ahead to a new year. Together, they reflect on transitions, changed plans, and the uncertainties that come with major life decisions, from graduating high school to rethinking long-held dreams. This unique episode blends humor, vulnerability, and practical wisdom as the family invites listeners into an honest discussion about faith in real life.

Using the common struggle of New Year’s resolutions as a starting point, the conversation explores why most resolutions fail and how motivation matters more than the resolution itself. Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, and a quote from Paul Washer, the group challenges listeners to examine the “why” behind their goals, emphasizing that God is more concerned with who we are becoming than simply what we accomplish. Rather than striving for self-improvement alone, the episode calls believers to pursue lives shaped by surrender, humility, and a desire to grow more like Christ.

The episode concludes with a powerful reminder that God often changes our plans for our good and His glory. Through personal stories of interrupted dreams, unexpected paths, and learning to hold plans loosely, listeners are encouraged to trust God’s sovereignty, pray faithfully, stay grounded in the Word, and embrace life’s changes as invitations to deeper dependence on Him. As the podcast prepares to enter a new year, this episode offers a fitting close to 2025—calling listeners to step into what’s next with open hands, grateful hearts, and confident trust in the Lord.

Lessons from Christmas

In this Christmas Eve episode of Anchored by the Word, Pastor Justin reflects on the past several weeks of teaching by summarizing key themes from the Christmas story and celebrating God’s faithfulness during the podcast’s first year. As the show looks ahead to year two, this episode invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and see the nativity not merely as a familiar story, but as a powerful reminder of God’s redemptive plan unfolding exactly as promised.

The episode highlights three central truths drawn from Scripture. First, God is always faithful to His promises—from the first gospel promise in Genesis 3:15 to the fulfillment of salvation in Christ. Second, God consistently uses the least likely people and places to accomplish His purposes, reminding us that salvation and service are grounded in grace, not human strength or ability. Through personal reflection and biblical teaching, listeners are encouraged to embrace a posture of humility, availability, and surrender before the Lord.

Finally, the episode emphasizes that God meets people exactly where they are in order to draw them to Himself, just as He did with the wise men. Rather than being discovered by human effort, God pursues sinners with overwhelming grace for His glory. As listeners prepare to celebrate Christmas with family and friends, this episode calls them to trust God’s promises, pray faithfully for the lost, and enter the coming year with open hands, confident that God is at work and worthy of complete surrender.

Who are the Magi? (feat. Diana and Andrew Likens)

In this episode of Anchored by the Word, Pastor Justin is joined by both Diana and Andrew to continue the Christmas series with a thoughtful and engaging discussion on one of the most mysterious parts of the nativity story: the wise men and the star. Moving beyond tradition and popular songs, they explore who the Magi likely were, where they came from, and why Scripture emphasizes their journey from the east—highlighting God’s initiative in drawing those who were far from Him near by grace.

The conversation traces biblical connections from Matthew 2 back to the Old Testament, including Daniel’s influence in Babylon and prophecies such as Numbers 24:17. They discuss the Magi’s background as astrologers and priests, why they would have recognized a “star of a king,” and examine various theories about the star itself—while carefully distinguishing speculation from what Scripture clearly teaches.

Ultimately, this episode invites listeners to wrestle deeply with the biblical text, marvel at God’s faithfulness, and recognize how all of creation points to Christ. It’s a reminder that the Christmas story is rich with meaning, designed to stir wonder, deepen faith, and draw us into worship of the God who came to dwell with those who struggle and seek Him.

Why Shepherds? (feat. Diana Likens)

In this episode of Anchored by the Word, Pastor Justin and Diana continue their Christmas series with a thoughtful and engaging discussion that begins with lighthearted banter about favorite Christmas movies before turning to deeper biblical questions. Picking up from last week’s teaser, they explore why the announcement of Jesus’ birth was made to shepherds and why Bethlehem was chosen as His birthplace. Along the way, they challenge common assumptions and stress the importance of understanding Scripture within its historical and cultural context rather than relying on tradition alone.

The conversation highlights the rich symbolism surrounding the shepherds and Bethlehem. Pastor Justin explains how shepherds were uniquely positioned to recognize Jesus as the Lamb of God, connecting His birth to Old Testament themes of sacrifice, including Abraham and Isaac and the showing that God would ultimately provide Himself as the true Lamb. They also discuss how the sheep raised near Bethlehem were destined for Passover sacrifices, underscoring that even the location of Jesus’ birth pointed forward to His role as the sin-bearing substitute. These details reveal that the incarnation was purposeful in every way, from the announcement to the audience who first heard it.

The episode concludes with a powerful reflection on hope, trust, and God’s sovereignty. Justin and Diana examine the symbolism of the swaddling cloths, the manger, and the meaning of Bethlehem as the “house of bread,” tying Jesus’ birth directly to His mission to give life to the world. They encourage listeners to trust God’s purposes—even when they are unclear—and to rest in the truth that the Judge of all the earth always does what is right. The episode closes with a teaser for next week’s discussion on the Magi and why they traveled from the East to worship the newborn King.

The Light in the Darkness (feat. Diana Likens)

In this episode of Anchored by the Word, Pastor Justin and his wife, Diana, begin a new multi-week Christmas series by reflecting on the traditions, memories, and meaning surrounding the season. They share personal stories—from Christmas light drives to childhood anticipation—and discuss how the beauty and wonder of Christmas can change as we grow older, especially as parents. Their conversation sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the biblical Christmas narrative, challenging listeners to slow down, revisit the story with fresh eyes, and recover the sense of awe that can fade from familiarity.

The discussion turns to the long-debated question of when Jesus was actually born. Pastor Justin explains why December 25th is unlikely to be the true date and interacts with historical research—from church fathers to modern scholars like Wes Huff—to debunk common myths about pagan festivals influencing the church’s celebration. Rather than fixating on a specific day, he and Diana emphasize the far more important reality: Christmas is a reminder of God’s faithfulness, the fulfillment of His promises, and His power to accomplish what seems impossible. They connect the birth of Christ to the broader story of redemption, tracing the gospel back to Genesis and encouraging listeners to hold onto hope even in seasons of waiting.

The episode also highlights the emotional complexity of the holidays. While Christmas brings joy, lights, and celebration, it can also amplify grief, loneliness, or unmet longings. Justin and Diana offer heartfelt encouragement, pointing listeners to Scripture and urging them to anchor their hope in the unchanging character of God. As they wrap up, Pastor Justin gives a teaser for next week’s episode—promising to explore why Jesus was born in Bethlehem, why the announcement went to shepherds, and how these details reveal God’s incredible sovereign design in the Christmas story.

God’s Blessings, Our Gratitude

In this Thanksgiving week episode of Anchored by the Word, Pastor Justin reflects on the podcast’s first year, expressing deep gratitude to listeners for their support and encouragement before turning to the history of Thanksgiving, highlighting George Washington’s 1789 proclamation and its focus on acknowledging God’s providence, giving thanks, and seeking His guidance.

Pastor Justin anchors the episode in Psalm 103, walking through eight blessings of God that inspire gratitude. He explores God’s forgiveness, healing, salvation, faithfulness, compassion, joy, justice, and mercy—showing how each blessing shapes the Christian life. Through personal reflections and scriptural insights, he reminds listeners that God meets His people with steadfast love, even in suffering, loneliness, or injustice, and calls believers to model that same grace toward others. He also encourages intentional practices such as hospitality, prayer, and meditating on Scripture, especially during a season that can be difficult for many.

The episode concludes with a call to prayer and repentance—both personal and national—echoing Washington’s original Thanksgiving proclamation. Pastor Justin urges listeners to lift up unsaved family and friends by name, trusting in God’s promise to save all who call upon Him. He closes by expressing heartfelt thanks to those who have helped shape the podcast this year, including the production team and past co-hosts, and offers a preview of upcoming December episodes focused on the details of the Christmas story.

The Jewishness of Jesus (feat. Andrew Rappaport)

In this episode of Anchored by the Word, Pastor Justin and Josh welcome author, podcaster, pastor, educator, and apologist Andrew Rappaport. The founder of Striving for Eternity Ministries, Rappaport shares his journey from growing up Jewish—where Jesus was viewed as "Hitler's God"—to becoming a Christian apologist. Rappaport recounts how an intellectual challenge led him to examine Old and New Testament prophecies that led him to ultimately conclude that the mathematical probability of Jesus fulfilling those prophecies was "beyond statistical impossibility," confirming for him that Christ must be God.

The conversation centers on the topic of "the Jewishness of the Jesus," demonstrating that to properly understand Scripture, Christians must interpret it through a first-century Jewish lens rather than a modern Western one. They discuss how understanding Jewish idioms and customs—such as the wedding custom that informs Jesus' statement that "no one knows the day or the hour" (Mark 13:32)—is critical for accurate biblical interpretation.

The episode concludes with a profound call for believers to grasp the necessity of biblical hermeneutics (the theory and practice of interpretation). Andrew Rappaport emphasizes that Christians should be dedicated to meditating on the Word of God—a concept he links to "chewing cud" in its meaning—throughout the day, not merely reading it in passing. This discussion provides a powerful reminder of the rich, original context of Christianity and the importance of digging deeper into the Jewish roots of the faith.

To learn more about Andrew, his works, and his ministries, visit Striving for Eternity by following this LINK.