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The Apostle Paul famously used the imagery of a Roman soldier while listing the armor of God in Ephesians 6: the helmet, breastplate, shield, sword, belt, and even shoes. But he leaves out one famous piece: the spear. Perhaps this omission is intended to remind Christians that the battle is already underway! This Traveler's Tales with Greg Dowdy examines this topic in more detail. Join us! Christians are engaged in an intense spiritual battle today. Do not be caught off-guard or unaware of the war raging around you.  Dig deeper into the armor of God in Scott Pauley's series, A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ.  Read the original article by John Buckner on Enjoying the Journey.

On a moonlit Civil War night, a Union soldier singing “Savior, Like a Shepherd, Lead Us” was spared by a Confederate soldier who was about to fire on him. Miraculously, the same two men met 14 years later when the famous singer Ira Sankey sang the same hymn aboard a steamboat. The event that nearly brought death to one man resulted in the other finding eternal life in Christ, years later.  Be sure to listen to this edition of Travelers Tales.  Hymn Lyrics: Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us 1. Savior, like a shepherd lead us, Much we need Thy tender care; In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, For our use Thy folds prepare: Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are; Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are. 2. We are Thine, do Thou befriend us, Be the guardian of our way; Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, Seek us when we go astray: Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, Hear, O hear us when we pray; Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, Hear, O hear us when we pray. 3. Thou hast promised to receive us, Poor and sinful though we be; Thou hast mercy to relieve us, Grace to cleanse, and pow'r to free: Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, Early let us turn to Thee; Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, Early let us turn to Thee. 4. Early let us seek Thy favor, Early let us do Thy will; Blessed Lord and only Savior, With Thy love our bosoms fill: Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still; Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still. Originally published by Enjoying the Journey HERE

This episode uses the spring wildflowers of Israel and Isaiah 40:6-8 to illustrate the brevity of our lives and the eternal nature of God’s Word. Spring in the Holy Land is gorgeous, with the rains causing even the deserts to suddenly bloom with flowers. One remarkable flower is the poppy, the national flower of the modern nation of Israel. They carpet the hills with red, but the burst of color is short-lived. They only last for about two or three days. Many ancient writers believed that the prophet Isaiah was inspired to write of the poppy when he penned chapter 40. In the metaphor, this beautiful but fragile flower is us. We bloom for a short time, then we pass away. After the rains, the dry season comes to Israel. The flowers die, and the grass withers.  Click HERE to read or cite the full article on Enjoying the Journey by John Buckner.  (Click HERE for an overview of Isaiah.) Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus. To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

This episode visits the Sorek Valley to tell Samson’s story—a man chosen by God who repeatedly ‘went down’ toward the Philistine plain, surrendered to temptation, and was ultimately captured after Delilah uncovered the secret of his strength. We find also the great significance in the geography and symbolism of his decline. Join Greg Dowdy for this Bible story Travelers Tales.  READ MORE HERE STUDY THE LIFE OF SAMSON HERE.

Amy Carmichael had one childhood wish: blue eyes, instead of brown. Yet, it seemed this simple prayer went unanswered. In the wisdom of God, Amy became a lifelong missionary in India. What seemed like disappointment allowed her to blend into Indian culture and rescue scores of children from horrendous temple exploitation. Her unanswered prayers became an avenue to answer the prayers of hundreds of suffering children.  Despite illness, opposition, and physical limitations, she founded the Dohnavur Fellowship, wrote influential devotional works, and demonstrated trust in God’s greater plan. What a life!  Be sure to listen to this Traveler’s Tale with Greg Dowdy.  Learn more about Amy Carmichael on Enjoying the Journey.  Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus. To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

Pastor Edward Hopper ministered to 19th-century New York sailors and anonymously wrote the hymn "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me," using nautical word pictures to illustrate that Christ will be their Guide through life’s uncertain journey. The hymn spread beyond the harbor and became an enduring comfort for believers facing storms and uncertain days. Jesus will pilot His people safely - all the way home. Originally published by Enjoying the Journey HERE. If you are not sure that your salvation is settled, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel Hymn Lyrics: Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me 1. Jesus, Savior, pilot me over life’s tempestuous sea; Unknown waves before me roll, hiding rock and treach’rous shoal; Chart and compass come from Thee—Jesus, Savior, pilot me. 2. As a mother stills her child, Thou canst hush the ocean wild; Boisterous waves obey Thy will when Thou say’st to them, “Be still.” Wondrous Sov’reign of the sea, Jesus, Savior, pilot me. 3. When at last I near the shore, and the fearful breakers roar Twixt me and the peaceful rest —then, while leaning on Thy breast, May I hear Thee say to me, “Fear not — I will pilot thee.”

In this episode of Traveler's Tales, Greg Dowdy recounts 1 Samuel 7, when Samuel set up the stone Ebenezer after God's miraculous deliverance of  Israel from the Philistines at Mizpah. Samuel named the stone as a lasting reminder of God’s help.  We also find a wonderful parallel to Christ as the greatest Ebenezer, at Calvary and by the empty tomb. Click HERE to read or cite the full article on Enjoying the Journey by John Buckner.  (Click HERE for an overview of 1 Samuel.) Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus. To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

This episode explores John 1's brief but powerful encounter where Jesus tells Nathanael, "When thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee," explaining the fig tree as a symbol of peace, faithful waiting, and intimate devotion in a biblical context. Read More About This Account HERE Biblical Account: John 1:45-51 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. 50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

John Leland, an 18th-century Baptist preacher, championed religious liberty. He was instrumental in securing those freedoms for the United States. Leland argued that the gospel does not need (and should not wield) government power to succeed. Rather, that they should enforce laws for society while recognizing the Spirit's work within the human heart. No power can legislate regeneration.  Many people today squabble over their freedoms more than they exercise them. If you have the right to share the gospel? Are you even doing that?  Be sure to listen to this Traveler’s Tale with Greg Dowdy.  Learn more about John Leland on Enjoying the Journey.  Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus. To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

Is your heart's longing to draw nearer to God or simply to escape the challenges you are facing?  This episode shares the life and ministry of Fanny Crosby, a blind hymn writer who composed thousands of hymns—including "I Am Thine, O Lord." Fanny Crosby, although blind from infancy, memorized vast portions of Scripture and served among the poor and addicted while traveling and ministering across America. Hymn Lyrics: I Am Thine 1. I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, And it told Thy love to me; But I long to rise in the arms of faith, And be closer drawn to Thee. (Refrain) Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, To the cross where Thou hast died; Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, To Thy precious, bleeding side. 2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord, By the pow’r of grace divine; Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, And my will be lost in Thine. (Refrain) 3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour That before Thy throne I spend, When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God, I commune as friend with friend! (Refrain) 4. There are depths of love that I cannot know Till I cross the narrow sea; There are heights of joy that I may not reach Till I rest in peace with Thee. (Refrain)

Journey back to the Mayflower and meet William Bradford, a Pilgrim leader whose life was shaped by Scripture, steadfast faith, and a willingness to endure hardship and grief for the sake of the gospel and those following in his footsteps.  From the perilous ocean crossing and unbelievable losses to decades of leadership in the early days of Plymouth, Bradford trusted in God’s providence and obeyed His Word. He lived with the conviction to be a stepping stone for future generations. Be sure to listen to this stirring Traveler's Tale with Greg Dowdy.  Read more about Bradford's life HERE. Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus. To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

Do you need God to increase your vision? Think again. You need God to be your vision. To guide your heart into alignment with His. In this Traveler's Tale, Greg Dowdy shares the origins of the hymn "Be Thou My Vision," telling the story of Dallán Forgal, a blind Irish poet, and how his ancient prayer was translated and set to verse centuries later. Since then, it has become the beloved and convicting hymn we sing today.  R Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus. To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/ Hymn Lyrics: Be Thou My Vision 1. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art. Thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light. 2. Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word; I ever with thee, and thou with me, Lord. Born of thy love, thy child may I be, thou in me dwelling and I one with thee. 3. Be thou my buckler, my sword for the fight. Be thou my dignity, thou my delight, thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tow’r. Raise thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r. 4. Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise; thou mine inheritance, now and always. Thou and thou only, first in my heart, Ruler of heaven, my treasure thou art. 5. High King of heaven, when vict’ry is won may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’n’s Sun! Heart of my heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

God sometimes leads His people into hard, unfamiliar places. Jacob sought God's guidance at Beersheba and received the comforting promise, "I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again."  God's greatest gift is His presence, not an easy journey. Sometimes His purpose takes you into hardship, but He sees and knows; He is with you.  The episode connects this promise to several other examples across the Bible and ultimately, to Jesus. Together, we must trust God in seasons of silence or exile, and hold fast to His promises. He walks with His people through every trial. Read John’s article published on Enjoying the Journey HERE Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus. To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

G. Campbell Morgan was one of the greatest Bible teachers and preachers of his time. He spent years immersing himself in Scripture and let that one Book shape his preaching and every other area of life.  His classic response to how he found such rich truth in the Word of God was: "Work. Work. Work." Just as Morgan loved and studied God's Word, so must every believer. It has the power to renew our minds and transform our lives to be more like the Savior. Join Greg Dowdy for this stirring tale.  Read more about his life HERE. Find our FREE course on how to study God's Word HERE. Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus. To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

George Whitefield, an insecure Oxford convert, wrestled with fear and unworthiness before surrendering to God’s call to preach. Despite initial resistance, his obedience sparked powerful outdoor revivals across England and America - ultimately, God used George Whitfield to be a key instrument in The Great Awakening.