Hearts Aflame

In this episode, we meditate on John Owen’s rich teaching on Christ’s nearness to His people. Jesus does not redeem from afar — He draws near, dwells with His saints, and communicates His grace personally by His Spirit. His presence strengthens weak faith, comforts weary hearts, and makes obedience joyful. This is heaven begun on earth: Christ with His people now, and forever.

Samuel Ward reminds us that true peace is found only in Christ. This episode reflects on the deep, settled rest that flows from reconciliation with God through Jesus. Circumstances may change and troubles may multiply, but Christ quiets the conscience and steadies the heart. To trust Him is to know a peace that surpasses understanding and endures every storm.

In this episode, we turn to Joseph Caryl’s reflections on Job to see how Christ gives meaning to the believer’s suffering. Without Him, affliction feels dark and senseless; with Him, it becomes purposeful and refining. Christ, who suffered before us, now interprets our pain with wisdom and compassion. Under His hand, no sorrow is wasted, and no trial is without hope.

Drawing from John Preston’s "The Breastplate of Faith and Love," this episode explores the living union believers have with Christ. All spiritual life flows from Him. Apart from Christ there is no true vitality, but in Him there is continual strength, growth, and renewal. The Christian life is not sustained by effort alone but by daily dependence on the One who is life eternal.

In this episode, we reflect on John Cotton’s teaching that Christ alone is the sure foundation of the soul. Every other ground—our duties, feelings, or inward resolve—will fail under the weight of eternity. But Christ, appointed by God Himself, is firm and unshakable. To rest on Him is to find a peace that does not depend on circumstances and a security that no storm can overthrow.