"Something that I think a lot of us miss is this: In our lives, our love has become transactional. Our love has become very much 'if you do for me, then I'll do for you.' But that's not sacrificial love. That's not the love of Christ."

— Jon Nelson

Today's Episode: Natalie is talking with Pastor Jon Nelson about loving people outright—not because they've done something to earn it, or because they're easy to love, but because we have been undeservedly loved by Jesus. They discuss the challenges of laying down our prerogatives and our schedules and our stuff to love other people. You'll hear Jon share the profound words of a dying friend, talk about the concept of selflessness and deference, and you'll find out what it means to love someone even when they're "tore up from floor up." Be ready to learn, to be challenged, and to laugh.

This month's memory verse: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” — 1 John 3:16

Today's guest: Pastor Jon C. Nelson is a native of Kansas City. He is the founder and Lead pastor of Soma Community Church, a multi-ethnic, multi-generational church in Jefferson City, MO. He is a graduate from Midwestern Baptist Theological College, where he holds a degree in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Leadership. He is a bold leader and passionate communicator deeply dedicated to the Great Commission of Christ, the equipping of disciples, and the spread of the Gospel across the nation and around the world. Jon has been married to his wife, Heather, since 2004. His greatest joy outside of Jesus is being married to his wife and being a father to their four children.

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Links from today's show:

• Find out more about Jon or listen to his sermons at SomaJC.org.
• Sign up for our newsletter and get our FREE Digital Bible Study! Already get our newsletter? Go to this link for your free study!
• Read The Pour Over for unbiased news from a Christian perspective. It's FREE!
• Memorize and meditate on God's Word with a Dwell Differently membership.
• Dig even deeper into God's Word (and memorize it!) in Natalie and Vera's new Bible study, Dwell on These Things and book, Dwell Differently.

Support the show

Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"Sometimes it just comes down to 'being inconvenienced' and just being there for people."

— Vera Schmitz

Today's Episode: Natalie and Vera are talking about the barriers that keep us from loving people well. Maybe it's time or money or busyness or distance... Whatever it is for you right now, this episode will challenge you to take the next small step to remove the barrier the keeps you from being there for someone. Maybe it's a simple as buying stamps so you you can send them a note.

This month's memory verse: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” — 1 John 3:16

Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about the easy button for Scripture memory, Dwell Differently’s monthly kit!

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Links from today's show:

• Sign up for our newsletter and get our FREE Digital Bible Study! Already get our newsletter? Go to this link for your free study!
• Want to do a Scripture memory Bible study? Check it out here! Or get the teen version.
• Want more encouragement? Sign up for our emails!

Support the show

Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"God gets into the specifics of what's going on in our hearts and says, 'this is what's keeping you from fully walking in my love.'" — Jada Edwards

Today's Episode: What's hindering your relationship with God? In today's episode, Jada Edwards encourages us to ask God to tell us. She challenges us to ask God to reveal those barriers and to heal whatever shame, pain, sin, or trauma we're holding onto. The hope is that we would grow closer to God, experience more of his love, and in turn love others more deeply and freely. Jada helps us see from her own life and example how this is possible when we ask God to show us our hearts.

This month's memory verse: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” — 1 John 3:16

Today's guest: Jada Edwards is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and mentor. Studying and teaching the Bible to women is one of her greatest passions, along with discipleship and living on mission. While she is a lively and sought-after speaker, the local church is her home. She and her husband, Conway, planted One Community Church in Plano, TX, where she leads a regular women’s Bible study and serves on the teaching team and as the Creative Services Director. Jada enjoys spending time with Conway and their two children, Joah and Chloe, particularly around the dinner table. Her new book, A New Way to Love Your Neighbor, will be available nationwide on April 22, 2025.

Support Our Show: We love reading your comments! AND they help other people find our show. Please let us know what you think by leaving a review.

Links from today's show:

• Find out more about Jada at JadaEdwards.org.
• Get a FREE digital Bible study of this month's verse!
• Memorize and meditate on God's Word with a Dwell Differently membership.
• Dig even deeper into God's Word (and memorize it!) in Natalie and Vera's new Bible study, Dwell on These Things and book, Dwell Differently.

Support the show

Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.