Peace in His Presence

Does your heart become distracted by anxious overwhelm? Does that distraction have you forgetting who you are as God’s Child? Find out how you can rest in God’s promises and receive the peace of His presence. Michelle is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher whose mission is to help you do just that.

Encouragement for Motherhood with Katie Koplin 04/01/2024

Encouragement for Motherhood with Katie Koplin In this episode, Michelle sits down with, author, speaker, podcast host, Katie Koplin to discuss her new book, Encouragement For Motherhood, which will be released on April 9, 2024. It is available to order now. Katie and Michelle talk about the struggles of motherhood but also how God's grace pours out over every moment. Michelle shares an a small reading from the book and shares a few quotes. You will want to grab your favorite beverage and soak up this interview about how God meets us right in the middle of our messes and give us His peace and strength. Michelle was honored to be one of the contributors for this book. Here is more about the book: Being a mom is hard work! Few of us find that motherhood is what we expected it to be. We mothers all need a little encouragement now and then to get us through the days when things feel a little too difficult and we’re not feeling the joy in our vocation. This book offers that encouragement, rooted in and focused on Christ. We’re reminded of the work of Christ and the reality that he has established the work of our hands brings hope, peace, and sustainability to our work as mothers. Encouragement for Motherhood is honest about the struggles of motherhood. Each contributor's words are vulnerable and honest about pieces of their work as mothers. The authors write about their limitations, fear of the future, failures, and relationship dynamics. More importantly, each contributor points to the hope found amid the struggles of motherhood. The hope found is not within the mother. The hope found is freely given to each of us by Christ. Encouragement for Motherhood will not give you 30 tips and tricks to a more successful motherhood. What it provides is the gospel reminder that you are forgiven and free on account of Christ and his work. Being kept in those unfailing promises of Christ, we get to live in freedom. Living in freedom, we will fail and ask forgiveness, be confronted by our limitations but held by God, and be fearful yet rest in Christ. /episode/index/show/michellediercks/id/30608238

Good Friday Reflection: It is finished! 03/28/2024

Holy Week Reflection: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane 03/27/2024

Advent Reflections: When God makes the impossible—possible! 12/17/2023

Advent Reflections: Waiting in Hope 12/11/2023

Advent Reflections: Waiting in Hope What is the cry of your heart? What is the prayer you’ve been whispering over and over again to God until you wonder if you should even keep asking? But the longing lasts, and you wait in the hope of knowing that God promises to hear your prayers and that He always answers your prayers, maybe not in the way you imagined, but always out of His divine love and grace towards you. Advent is a time of waiting. As we look back to the first Christmas. God's people had been waiting for the Messiah to come for thousands of years. The world was a broken and dark place. God’s chosen people lived under oppression. And then God himself stepped into the brokenness. To bring light into the darkness. We remember their waiting, and now we wait for Jesus to come again to take us home to heaven. Over these past few years, I’ve found myself asking the Lord many times, how long, Lord until you come back? The world feels so broken. How do we learn how to wait? As I was writing my book Promised Rest, I learned a lot when I slowed down and spent time reading the stories of God’s people. They were familiar stories, and yet there were details I had never noticed before I saw how God was with His people, and I watched His people trust Him in circumstances beyond their control. Promised Rest is five months old, and I’ve heard from different people how they, too, have learned from these stories, and I’ve been asked if I could do more of that with women from the Bible. And so I thought, let's take a look at the lives of the three women of Christmas and their stories. What can we learn about waiting from them? So I invite you to ponder the promises with me. Let’s look at their stories and rest in the promises. Let's learn from Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna by resting in the promises. The Peace in His Presence Podcast is sponsored by Michelle’s book Promised Rest; if you would like to find out more about the book, you can visit t /episode/index/show/michellediercks/id/29008808

Celebrate the Joys of Friendship 12/04/2023

Celebrate the Joys of Friendship Welcome to the final and fourth episode of The Blessings and Burdens of Friendship series. For this series, Michelle invited Christina Hergenrader to be a guest host. In this final episode as we celebrate the joys of friendship, Michelle and Christina, invited their mutual friend, Audrey Duensing-Werner Director of Family Life Ministry. In this episode, we dive into the story of Mary and Elizabeth in the Bible, highlighting the incredible bond they shared as friends and the support they provided each other during significant moments in their lives. We explore how their friendship exemplifies the power of connection and the blessings that can come from nurturing relationships. We also discuss our own personal experiences in finding our tribe and building community, whether it be through church groups, volunteer work, or shared hobbies. We emphasize the importance of incorporating Jesus into our everyday interactions, recognizing that he is the foundation of true and lasting friendships. We share stories of seeking friendships in new places and the joy that comes from discovering like-minded individuals who share our faith and values. Additionally, we touch on the importance of receiving guidance and support from older women in ministry, who can offer wisdom and mentorship as we navigate the challenges and joys of friendship. We acknowledge that friendships can be complex and at times messy, but we encourage listeners to address difficult issues with honesty and grace, as this can ultimately bring us closer and lead to a deeper understanding of one another. We celebrate the gift of friendship and the role it plays in God's plan for caring for each other, reminding listeners that even a small act of kindness can have a profound impact on someone's life and remind us of God's love present in every friendship. Join us as we reflect on the joys of friendship and the blessings it brings into our lives in the final episode of "Blessings and Burdens of Friendship" on Peace in His Presence Podcast. /episode/index/show/michellediercks/id/28899293

Gracefully Reconnecting: Difficult Conversations and Friendship Forgiveness 11/13/2023

Church Music: For the Care of Souls with Phillip Magness 10/30/2023

How Many Friends Should You Have? 10/23/2023

Grace-filled Connections: Unwrapping God's Gift of Friendship 10/09/2023

Trusting God in Uncertain Times: Finding Peace in His Constant Presence 09/04/2023

Resting in the Faithfulness of the Good Shepherd 08/21/2023

Resting in the Faithfulness of the Good Shepherd Does your heart feel shaken and shattered? Perhaps you feel bruised and battered from all that has happened over the last few years. You are weary and tired, and you long for peace. God promises to be your Good Shepherd, and you can rest in His unshakable faithfulness towards you today and always. In this episode, Sharla Fritz interviews me about my book Promised Rest; we discuss how the Good Shepherd gives us His peace. Listen to these beautiful promises from Psalm 23, and these are not some far-off distant promises. They are for right here, right now. For every moment, every heartbeat of your life in what's happening right now and all that is to come. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his namesake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. You're Rod and your staff; they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. This is the word of the Lord. It is most certainly true today and always. Key Takeaways: Rest in the knowledge that God holds you and cares for you. He knows your needs and is always with you, no matter your challenges. Find solace in His love and protection. Life is often uncertain and filled with challenges. Trying to fix everything ourselves doesn't work. Instead, let's look at who God is and how He helps. That's where true comfort lies. In my study, I've included a reflection piece to help apply these lessons to daily life. Use it throughout the day, pondering questions that prompt gratitude, releasing negative thoughts, seeking a different perspective, and remembering God's promises. Just as a shepherd anoints their sheep, God calls us through His Word and the Sacrament, guiding us daily. Like a shepherd who pays attention to every detail about their sheep, God pays attention to every detail about us. He meets us in His Word, and we can discover something new with each reading as He reveals Himself to us. We can rest in the faithfulness and promises of the Good Shepherd and the peace of His presence. If you would like to learn more about my book Promised Rest you can go to Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG /episode/index/show/michellediercks/id/27602241

When Your Heart Is Anxious Jesus Gives You His Peace 08/14/2023

When Your Heart Is Anxious Jesus Gives You His Peace Author Lindsay Hausch, interviews Michelle in this episode about the 6th chapter in her book, Promised Rest. We look at how God is our peace. In this episode, we delve into the story of Gideon, a man who found himself hiding in a wine vat, trying to thresh wheat due to the oppressive Midianites. We explored how Gideon's encounter with an angel of the Lord, who is Jesus Himself. As we reflected on Gideon's story, we couldn't help but be reminded of how God looks at us with love and compassion, even when we may struggle with fear and anxiety. Just as Gideon questioned God and asked for a sign, we, too, can bring our concerns and doubts before Him. The story of Gideon reassures us that God addresses our worries lovingly and compassionately, providing us with the peace that surpasses all understanding. In these uncertain and unsettling times, trust in God's strength and peace is more important than ever. Instead of figuring out the circumstances around us, let us rest in who God is and rely on His guidance. It's a humbling experience when we realize that, like Gideon, we are called to accomplish things that may seem impossible, but God equips us with His strength. One passage that resonates deeply with us is 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, which talks about being hard-pressed, crushed, perplexed, and persecuted, yet not despairing, abandoned, or destroyed. We find peace in knowing that even in our difficult circumstances, God's light shines in our hearts, revealing His glory. As followers of Christ, we are like treasures in jars of clay, displaying His power. Resting in God's power and surrendering our worries to Him allows us to walk into seemingly impossible situations with His peace. It's a journey we must take together, finding solace and strength in His presence every step of the way. As we continue to explore God's promises and find Rest in His presence, let us rebel against the chaos of the world by choosing peace. We may feel a little crazy at times, but by remembering who God is, we can find the rest and peace our souls yearn for. One simple way to rest is to immerse ourselves in the beauty of God's creation. Watch the sunrise and sunset, and marvel at the wonders He has made. Surround yourself with His Word, which is powerful even in small doses. Reflect on who God is and who you are as His beloved child, and let His peace wash over you. Key Takeaways: Fear makes us forget who we are as God's children. Our thoughts race with the limitations we have to solve our problems. We face the unfixable and feel shaken. Jesus steps into our brokenness, and His faithfulness toward us is unshakable. Jesus gives us His peace and strength. We can rest in His capable hands. He holds all things together. God's power and strength are not limited to our understanding. We don't need to look to our abilities to solve and fix our problems; we can rest in God's ability and faithfulness. We can rest in His unfailing promises. If you want to read the first chapter of my book for free, you can go to If you want to connect with Michelle outside of the podcast, you Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG /episode/index/show/michellediercks/id/27602025

When Life Feels Impossible God Gives You Hope 08/07/2023

When Life Feels Impossible God Gives You Hope What are you facing right now? Is it a problem you cannot fix? Friends, I've learned a precious truth over the years: God's grace is sufficient for every circumstance. He will provide all you need to get through each moment. Christina Hergenrader interviews Michelle about her book Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence, and they focus on how God provides for us, even when life feels impossible. In this episode, Michelle & Christina discuss the power of faith, promises, and peace that can be found in God's Word and how these truths remain relevant even amid today's challenges. But this episode takes a personal turn as our hosts, both mothers with older children, share their experiences of facing new challenges and the struggle of letting go of their own visions for their children's lives. They draw parallels to their own journeys as mothers entering a new phase of life, referencing the story of Moses's mother, Jochebed, and the biblical account of Abraham and Isaac. They openly discuss the pain, sorrow, and joy of parenting adult children and touch on the importance of letting go and surrendering control and how this can lead to a deeper understanding of God's provision. They also delve into the counterintuitive nature of finding peace and strength in Christ, especially when life feels overwhelming. Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Challenges are not new: Throughout history, God has always provided for His people in their moments of uncertainty, just like He did for Abraham and Moses's families. We can find hope and strength in the stories of His provision. 2️⃣ Letting go and trusting God: As parents, we may struggle with relinquishing control as our children grow up and face new challenges. Like Abraham, we can find peace in letting go and trusting in God's provision for our children's lives. 3️⃣ God provides a way out: In the midst of grief, breakups, or other difficult situations, when all seems lost, God provides a "ram in the thicket." His strength and peace are experienced by those who have been through it, offering hope and a way forward. 4️⃣ Remember, God's love and provision are steadfast even in the most impossible situations. You can rest in who He is and His promises to you. He is your Promised Rest. To connect with Michelle please visit If you would like to read the first chapter of Promised Rest you can go to You can also find Michelle's book on Amazon. Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG /episode/index/show/michellediercks/id/27601887

When Life Doesn't Make Sense you Can Trust God 07/30/2023

When Life Doesn't Make Sense you Can Trust God Have you ever wrestled with these questions? How can I trust God when life doesn't make sense? How do I trust God when He doesn't answer my prayer right away? How can I trust God when He doesn't fix my problems in the way I thought He would? If you've struggled with these questions or ones similar, you are not alone; I've wrestled with all of them. In this fourth episode of the Promised Rest Series, Katie Koplin interviewed me about God's name of El Shaddai and what does that mean for us in our lives? How does knowing God as El Shaddai help you through the joys and sorrows of life? The name of God, El Shaddai, means Almighty and powerful. It also means that God is sufficient in all things, and He doesn't need anyone's help. In Psalm 91, we are reminded that God is our refuge and shelter. The psalmist declares that those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High, who abide under the shadow of the Almighty, find rest and protection in God. In times of trouble or uncertainty, we can find comfort in knowing that God is our safe haven and refuge. He is our fortress against the storms of life, where we can find shelter and peace. The image of God as our refuge emphasizes His divine protection and care. Just as a physical shelter shields us from harm, God surrounds and covers us with his love and power. We can trust in his faithfulness and depend on his strength to provide us with security. The challenges and chaos of the world may feel overwhelming, but in God's presence, we find rest and a sense of belonging. He is our shelter in the storm, our safe place in the midst of uncertainty, and our constant source of peace. Here are three key takeaways from this episode: 1️⃣ God's Promised Rest: Discover the significance of God's promise to always be with us and invite us to rest in His presence. Learn about the Promised Rest series and the book called "Promise Rest" by our host, which provides deep insights into finding peace in the midst of life's uncertainties. 2️⃣ Faith and Imperfections: Understand that faith doesn't always have to look a certain way. Explore how even in moments of wavering faith or when we trip up in our journey, Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. Find comfort in the knowledge that we are covered by robes of righteousness earned by Him on the cross. 3️⃣ Journey of Abraham and Sarah: Dive into the remarkable story of Abraham and Sarah, who waited 24 years for God to fulfill His promise of a child. Find inspiration in their perseverance and the lessons we can learn from their faith journey. Discover how their story teaches us that God's promises remain steadfast, even when we make mistakes or struggle to trust God while we are waiting. If you haven’t had a chance to receive the first chapter of my book yet, you can go to If you have read it, can you think of some friends who might be interested in reading it? Maybe you have a Bible Study group that would be interested? If you could share the link with them I would be so grateful for your help in getting the word out about Promised Rest. I've heard from a lot of different Bible Study groups that going through Promised Rest together was a blessing to them. If you would like to connect with Michelle, you can visit her website at Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG /episode/index/show/michellediercks/id/27601602