Today I’m taking us into Mark 1, because sometimes life gets a little off-kilter—and when it does, I really believe we need to return to the basics and refocus on who Jesus is. Mark is the shortest and most action-packed Gospel, and it’s such a powerful place to start (or start again), especially if you’re feeling spiritually disoriented or overwhelmed by all the competing voices around you.

In this first chapter, we watch the story move fast: prophecy fulfilled, John the Baptist preparing the way, Jesus baptized, Jesus tested in the wilderness, and then Jesus stepping into ministry—calling ordinary disciples and bringing wholeness everywhere He goes. And by the end of the chapter, we land on this stunning moment where a man with leprosy asks, “If you are willing…” and Jesus responds, “I am willing.” That’s the heartbeat of this episode: Jesus is willing to cleanse, heal, forgive, and restore. The question I want to leave us with is: Am I willing to come to Him?

What We Will Cover in Our Study of Mark 1 -

• A clear overview of Mark 1 and how quickly it introduces Jesus’ identity, authority, and mission.

• Understand why Mark opens with Old Testament prophecy and what that signals about Jesus as Messiah.

• See the purpose of repentance as a heart-level “turning” that prepares the way for Jesus in our lives.

• Notice the pattern: affirmation → wilderness → ministry (Jesus is declared beloved, then tested, then sent).

• Learn what discipleship looks like in Mark: ordinary people called to follow Jesus up close.

• Recognize Jesus’ authority in real-life categories: spiritual oppression, sickness, fear, and isolation.

• Catch the significance of Jesus touching the leper: compassion over ceremonial distance; holiness moving toward suffering.

• Walk away with a personal invitation: Jesus is willing—will I bring my need to Him?

Resources mentioned:

• Check out Nicole's website and subscribe to her weekly newsletter: https://nicoleunice.com/

• Nicole’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This is a "best of" episode, which I’m calling this episode “The Potential for Joy.” I know that might sound like an unexpected title for a passage about foot washing—but stay with me, because Jesus gives us a picture here that can genuinely reshape the way we think about joy and peace. We’re sitting in the tension of the Last Supper: Jesus knows the cross is coming, He knows Judas will betray Him, and He also knows all authority has been given to Him. And then—this is the shocking part—He gets up, wraps a towel around His waist, and washes His disciples’ feet. Even Judas’.

What Jesus is showing us is that true spiritual power doesn’t flex—it serves. And joy isn’t just something we chase through circumstances; it’s something that grows out of love, security in Christ, and humble obedience. I’ll also give you a simple challenge for the week: spend time in Scripture (or worship) daily, and then share one thing you received with someone else. I really believe you’ll feel your joy rise—not because life got easier, but because your mind is being renewed by what’s true.

What We Cover:

• See what real power looks like in the Kingdom of God: Jesus uses His authority to serve, not to elevate Himself.

• Understand the spiritual meaning behind foot washing: it’s not just hospitality—it’s a living metaphor for Jesus cleansing, loving, and forming His followers.

• Notice what changed Peter’s response: following Jesus means letting Him love you in the places you’d rather hide or control.

• Be confronted by Jesus washing Judas’ feet: love and humility aren’t based on what someone “deserves.”

• Reframe joy as a deeper reality, not a mood: joy grows from security in Christ + humility + obedience, even when life is hard.

• Learn why renewing your mind matters: transformation happens as we intentionally fill our minds with God’s Word and truth.

• Get a practical one-week challenge: read Scripture (or listen to worship) daily and share one verse or takeaway with someone—text it, say it, post it, anything.

What Does It Mean for Me?

If you want to experience life with Jesus, you have to let him love you. You have to let him care for you. You have to let him see you for who you really are, which is a person who does need to be cleansed, right? And Jesus is saying to them, like, hey, you don't need to do this over and over again. It's not like a baptism over and over again. You already know me, you're clean and you're in me, but this is an act of me caring for you. This is an ongoing, this is what ongoing relationship looks like with me. What I'm doing for you, I am asking you do to for others.

THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES:

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Today we’re wrapping up our One Word 2026 series with the final two invitations: enthusiastic and trusting. I wanted this whole month to feel unhurried—like space to look back on 2025 with gratitude, and then ask God, “How do You want to grow me in 2026?” And here’s what I’ve realized: enthusiasm isn’t something we manufacture by willpower. Real, lasting enthusiasm comes from being filled with God—and I love that the word itself traces back to that idea. If you’ve felt tired, distracted, discouraged, or even a little apathetic, I’m inviting you to consider what it would look like to be ardently alive, fueled by the Spirit. Then we talk about trust—because so many of us are carrying unknowns, losses, or things we can’t control. Trust is choosing to rely on God’s character when the outcome isn’t clear. We’ll look at Zacchaeus (Luke 19), the centurion (Matthew 8), and we’ll end with a reminder that God’s holiness means He is truly worthy of our trust.

What We Cover:

• Discover what “enthusiastic” originally meant—not just high energy, but being “in God” and Spirit-filled.

• Identify the real enemy of enthusiasm: indifference and apathy that grows when we’re overwhelmed and disconnected from God’s strength.

• Learn how spiritual enthusiasm shows up in real life through Zacchaeus: curiosity, bold response, generosity, and immediate heart-change in Jesus’ presence.

• Understand trust as steady reliance on God’s character, not on what you can control, predict, or prove.

• Be invited to name your modern “chariots and horses”—the things you’re tempted to rely on for security (money, approval, control, success, relationships, etc.).

• See what extraordinary faith looks like in the centurion: trusting Jesus’ authority without needing visible proof.

• Walk away with two simple affirmations to practice daily if either word becomes your focus for 2026.

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• Romans 12:11

• Luke 19

• Psalm 20:7

• Matthew 8:5–13

Resources Mentioned:

• Free One Word 2026 companion/reflection guide: Nicoleunice.com/newyear

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today we’re continuing our One Word 2026 series, and I’m offering you two more invitations to consider for the year ahead: grateful and peaceful. My heart for this series is simple—I want you to listen for what God might be forming in you as you look back on 2025 and step into 2026 with intention. Gratitude can feel “easy” in theory, but it actually takes attention and practice, because it’s so easy to drift into discontent without realizing it. And peace isn’t about having a quiet, trouble-free life—it’s the kind of inner calm Jesus gives that can hold steady even when your soul feels disturbed. We’ll look at Luke 17 (the one healed leper who comes back to give thanks) and Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel (how she leaves God’s presence with peace before her circumstances change), and I’ll invite you to imagine what might happen if you learned to give thanks in every circumstance—and to bring your turbulence to God so He can exchange it for His peace.

What I'll Share:

• A clear picture of gratitude as a posture and discipline—not just a personality trait or a fleeting feeling.

• A challenge to notice the “opposite spirit” of gratitude (discontent, dissatisfaction, thanklessness) and how easily we slip into it without attention.

• A practical invitation to give thanks in every circumstance, including the hard or unwanted parts of life, by asking God how He might be shaping you through them.

• A fresh understanding of gratitude as a catalyst for love, creating space in your heart for compassion and care for others.

• A biblical framework for peace as “freedom from disturbance”—not merely the absence of fear or trouble.

• A way to recognize agitation in your body and soul (tight jaw, tense shoulders, restless energy) and treat it as an invitation to bring your heart to God.

• Encouragement from Hannah’s story that peace can be real before answers arrive—because peace comes from God’s presence, not perfect outcomes.

• Two simple affirmations you can practice all year if either word becomes your focus for 2026.

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• Philippians 1

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18

• Luke 17

• John 14:27

• 1 Samuel 1–2

Resources Mentioned

• Free One Word 2026 reflection guide: Nicoleunice.com/newyear/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As we begin a brand-new year, I want to help you slow down and listen for God’s invitation in your life. In this episode, we kick off our One Word 2026 series — a simple, prayerful way to reflect on where you’ve been and discern how God may be inviting you to grow in the year ahead.

I introduce the heart behind choosing a spiritual “one word,” not as a goal to achieve, but as a posture to receive. We explore two of the six words I’ll be offering this month — confidence and diligence — and look at how Scripture invites us to grow, not by relying on our own strength, but by trusting God’s faithfulness over time.

Through biblical stories, key verses, and honest reflection, this episode is about beginning the year grounded, hopeful, and open — confident in who God is, and willing to keep showing up faithfully, even when growth feels slow.

Main Takeaways:

Listeners will walk away with:

• A clear understanding of what “One Word 2026” is and how it can guide spiritual growth throughout the year

• Why spiritual confidence is rooted in Christ, not self-assurance or performance

• How insecurity can hold us back, and how God invites us into a settled, faithful confidence

• Why diligence matters in long seasons, especially when progress feels slow or unseen

• How perseverance fits into God’s formation process, not as striving, but as faithful presence

• Biblical examples of confidence and diligence through the lives of David and Nehemiah

• Simple affirmations that can shape daily prayer and intention throughout 2026

Bible Verses Referenced

• Philippians 1:3–11

• Philippians 1:6

• 2 Corinthians 3:4–5

• 1 Samuel 17

• 1 Samuel 17:37

• 1 Samuel 17:45

• Galatians 6:9

Resources Mentioned:

• One Word 2026 Reflection Guide
  NicoleUnice.com/newyear

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Hey friends — welcome to 2026! I’m so glad you’re here, and I’m really excited about what God has for us as we step into a brand-new year together. This month, we’re starting a new series called One Word 2026, and it’s meant to be a gentle but intentional way to reflect, respond, and reconnect with God as we begin the year.

In this episode, I’m walking you through why I love taking the whole month of January to pause and listen — rather than rushing into resolutions or putting pressure on yourself to “get it all together” by January 1. We’re going to start with Philippians 1:3–11, where Paul reminds us that we can have real confidence because God is still working in us, and He’s not finished.

Then I’m going to share six words I’ve been praying over for our community — six spiritual intentions that I believe reflect the kind of growth God may be inviting us into this year. You don’t have to choose one right away, and you definitely don’t have to force it — but I hope that one of these words will resonate in your spirit and give you a steady anchor for 2026.

What We Cover:

1. Confidence is available to you — because God is the one doing the work

One of the biggest themes in Philippians 1 is this: God finishes what He starts. So you don’t have to rely on your own strength to grow this year — you can rely on His.

2. You don’t grow to earn God’s love — you grow because you already have it

This is so important: we’re saved by grace, and spiritual growth is our response to that grace. We’re not proving anything. We’re simply saying, “God, I want more of You.”

3. January can be a month of spiritual discernment, not pressure

I want you to feel free to take your time. The goal isn’t to pick a word immediately — it’s to listen and let God guide you.

4. One Word is a simple practice that helps you pay attention to God all year long

A “word for the year” isn’t magic, but it can be really powerful. It helps you notice what God is doing, focus your prayers, and stay spiritually anchored as life gets busy.

Resources Mentioned: Free One Word 2026 Companion Guide

If you want to walk through this with me in a more intentional way, I put together a free companion guide you can download here: https://nicoleunice.kit.com/newyear

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As we wrap up our year together, I want to invite you into this meaningful spiritual practice: looking back on 2025 through the lens of Psalm 107 to identify the “fingerprints of God’s faithfulness.”

In this episode, we'll walk through four redemptive storylines found in the Psalm—each representing a way God rescues, restores, and reorients His people. Whether you felt lost, trapped, wounded, self-destructive, or overwhelmed by storms, I encourage you to reflect on how God met you in weakness and brought deliverance.

We'll close with encouragement for 2026, including the return of my “One Word” series and an upcoming study of Hebrews with a downloadable study guide.

What We Cover:

1. God invites believers to tell their story

Psalm 107 opens with an invitation: “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” Reflect on how God has been present—even when it was hard to see.

2. Wisdom comes from reflecting on God's loving deeds

The final verse of Psalm 107 is a guiding practice: wise people heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

3. Psalm 107 gives four redemption storylines to help interpret your year

Psalm 107 offers us four major story arcs that may mirror parts of your 2025:

• From Longing to Belonging (lost → led home)
• From Broken to Free (bondage/shame → freedom)
• From Foolish to Healed (self-destruction → inner renovation)
• From Pride to Peace (storms and overwhelm → God stills the waves)

4. God often meets us when we are at the end of ourselves

Each storyline shares a common theme: people reach the end of their rope, cry out to God, and He responds with rescue. This directly connects us to Jesus’ teachings—less self-reliance opens space for more of God.

5. 2026 will include a “One Word” January + Hebrews Study (Feb–Easter)

I'll preview a return to my popular One Word series and share more about a full study of the Book of Hebrews, with a study guide starting in February.

Want More?

You can still listen to past episodes and download the Daniel Study Guide at https://nicoleunice.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this final Advent music episode, Nicole Unice explores the beloved hymn “O Come, All You Faithful” as a powerful invitation—not just to celebrate Christmas, but to respond to it. Rather than merely observing the season, listeners are invited to come, behold, adore, and worship Christ as the center of the Christmas story. Drawing from Scripture across the Old and New Testaments, Nicole unpacks how this hymn calls us into joyful worship, faithful perseverance, and intentional participation in the life of Christ. This episode closes the Christmas hymns series with a reminder that true joy is found not in tradition alone, but in worshiping Jesus as Lord.

Key Takeaways / Learning Points

• Joy is a posture of worship, not just a feeling

• Jesus is not just part of the Christmas story—He is the center of it

• Worship is the natural response to beholding Christ

• Faithfulness means continuing to receive God’s love, even in imperfection

• Christmas invites us to actively respond, not passively observe

• When we adore Christ, our hearts find true rest and alignment

Bible Verses Referenced

Psalm 100:1–2 – Worship the Lord with joy
https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/100-1.html

Micah 5:2 – The prophecy of Bethlehem
https://www.biblestudytools.com/micah/5-2.html

Matthew 2 – The Magi worship Jesus
https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/2.html

Luke 2:8–20 – Angels announce Christ’s birth
https://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/2-8.html

John 1:1–14 – The Word became flesh
https://www.biblestudytools.com/john/1-14.html

Colossians 1:15–17 – Christ supreme over creation
https://www.biblestudytools.com/colossians/1-15.html

Revelation 5:12 – Worthy is the Lamb
https://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/5-12.html

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Christmas Eve Family Liturgy
  https://nicoleunice.com/christmas

• Hymn: “O Come, All You Faithful”

• Author Quote: C.S. Lewis

  “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, but if true, of infinite importance.”

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.