For Zion’s Sake

Biblical Success and Prosperity

Program: For Zion's Sake

Hosts: Shelly and June Volk

Episode Description

When you hear the words "success" or "prosperity," what is your very first thought? For most of us, our minds instantly drift to financial security, material possessions, prestigious career titles, and what the world calls "the good life." But as believers, we are called to look at things through a vastly different lens.

In this episode of For Zion's Sake, hosts Shelly and June Volk break down the stark contrast between secular achievement and true, biblical prosperity. Pulling from foundational scriptures in the Old and New Testaments, they remind us that God's definitions are uniquely His own. Discover how spiritual prosperity isn't about the size of your bank account, but about the posture of your heart—delighting in God's instruction, meditating on His Word day and night, and having the courage to step out in radical faith.

Key Scripture & Verses Covered

• The Divine Lens: Isaiah 55:8–9 – Setting the stage with a vital reminder that God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are infinitely higher than ours.

• The Planted Tree: Psalm 1:1–3 – Looking at the ultimate recipe for prosperity: refusing to walk in the counsel of the wicked, delighting purely in the law of the Lord, and becoming like a tree firmly planted by streams of water.

• David's Charge to Solomon: 1 Kings 2:3 – Reviewing King David's dying words to his son, instructing him to walk in God's ways and keep His statutes so that he may succeed wherever he turns.

• The Covenant of Blessing: Deuteronomy 29:9 – Moses' clear message to the people of Israel to keep and do the words of the covenant in order to prosper in all things.

• Joshua's Key to Success: Joshua 1:1–8 – Unpacking the only time the word "success" appears in the King James Version of the Bible. God commands Joshua to be strong and very courageous, promising that meditation and obedience to the Book of the Law are what make a person's way truly prosperous.

Connect with For Zion's Sake

• Website: Visit shellyandjunevolk.com to find resources, listen to more broadcasts, and connect with the ministry.

• Mailing Address: If you would like to get in touch or support the program, write to P.O. Box 244, Kannapolis, NC 28082.

• Sponsorship: This episode is proudly sponsored by the Psalm 127 Fund.

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Is the God of the Old Testament a rigid judge, while the God of the New Testament is entirely about grace? This week, Shelley and June Volk tackle this common church misconception head-on by dedicating five days to exploring a single, life-altering Hebrew word: Chesed ($C-H-E-S-E-D$).

Appearing over 250 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, chesed is so rich that it takes a beautiful tapestry of English words to define it—encompassing kindness, loving kindness, mercy, goodness, favor, and compassion. It is the very word used for "grace" when the New Testament is translated back into Hebrew.

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Is the God of the Old Testament a rigid judge, while the God of the New Testament is entirely about grace? This week, Shelley and June Volk tackle this common church misconception head-on by dedicating five days to exploring a single, life-altering Hebrew word: Chesed ($C-H-E-S-E-D$).

Appearing over 250 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, chesed is so rich that it takes a beautiful tapestry of English words to define it—encompassing kindness, loving kindness, mercy, goodness, favor, and compassion. It is the very word used for "grace" when the New Testament is translated back into Hebrew. 

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Is the God of the Old Testament a rigid judge, while the God of the New Testament is entirely about grace? This week, Shelley and June Volk tackle this common church misconception head-on by dedicating five days to exploring a single, life-altering Hebrew word: Chesed ($C-H-E-S-E-D$).

Appearing over 250 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, chesed is so rich that it takes a beautiful tapestry of English words to define it—encompassing kindness, loving kindness, mercy, goodness, favor, and compassion. It is the very word used for "grace" when the New Testament is translated back into Hebrew. Join the Volks as they journey from the desert of Arizona straight into the wilderness of Psalm 63, uncovering how to move past transient, temporary circumstances and anchor your soul to eternity through the faithful, enduring chesed of God.

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Is the God of the Old Testament a rigid judge, while the God of the New Testament is entirely about grace? This week, Shelley and June Volk tackle this common church misconception head-on by dedicating five days to exploring a single, life-altering Hebrew word: Chesed ($C-H-E-S-E-D$).

Appearing over 250 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, chesed is so rich that it takes a beautiful tapestry of English words to define it—encompassing kindness, loving kindness, mercy, goodness, favor, and compassion. It is the very word used for "grace" when the New Testament is translated back into Hebrew. Join the Volks as they journey from the desert of Arizona straight into the wilderness of Psalm 63, uncovering how to move past transient, temporary circumstances and anchor your soul to eternity through the faithful, enduring chesed of God.

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Is the God of the Old Testament a rigid judge, while the God of the New Testament is entirely about grace? This week, Shelley and June Volk tackle this common church misconception head-on by dedicating five days to exploring a single, life-altering Hebrew word: Chesed ($C-H-E-S-E-D$).

Appearing over 250 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, chesed is so rich that it takes a beautiful tapestry of English words to define it—encompassing kindness, loving kindness, mercy, goodness, favor, and compassion. It is the very word used for "grace" when the New Testament is translated back into Hebrew. Join the Volks as they journey from the desert of Arizona straight into the wilderness of Psalm 63, uncovering how to move past transient, temporary circumstances and anchor your soul to eternity through the faithful, enduring chesed of God.

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Armed for Victory – The Sword of the Spirit

In this concluding episode of For Zion's Sake, hosts Shelley and June Volk wrap up their weekly theme on the link between the Spirit of God and the Word of God. Moving from foundational principles to practical spiritual warfare, they break down the famous "Armor of God" passage to show how believers can actively live out a victorious life.

Key Takeaways

• The Ultimate Combination (Ephesians 6:17): The episode anchors itself on the final piece of spiritual armor: “the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Shelley notes that if any single scripture perfectly bridges the Holy Spirit with the written Word, it is this one.

• The Armor as a Way of Life: June reframes how we look at Ephesians 6. Rather than viewing the armor as a physical set of clothes you put on and take off each morning, she explains that it represents an internal, permanent lifestyle.

  • The Helmet of Salvation protects our mindset and feelings.

  • The Breastplate of Righteousness means living inside Christ's righteousness.

  • The Shield of Faith isn't a physical block we hold up, but Christ Himself walking ahead of us to quench the enemy's attacks.

• God as the Rear Guard: June highlights a unique structural detail about the Armor of God: it offers absolutely no protection for a person's back. However, she reassures listeners that God explicitly promises in His Word to step in and be the believer's "rear guard" against ambush.

• A Living, Piercing Tool (Hebrews 4:12): The hosts connect the "sword of the Spirit" to Hebrews 4:12, emphasizing that the Word of God is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. Shelley shares how this sword cuts out doubt, fear, and apprehensions to bring people to salvation, while continuing to divide soul and spirit for daily guidance.

• The Pattern of "It Is Written": To demonstrate the proper use of the Sword, Shelley points to Jesus being led into the wilderness to be tempted. Jesus defeated Satan not with human arguments, but by repeatedly declaring, "It is written." June adds that because the devil tries to twist scripture out of context, believers absolutely require the Holy Spirit's discernment to know exactly how and when to apply the Word.

Ministry & Contact Information

This program is proudly sponsored by the Psalm 127 Fund.

• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 244, Kannapolis, NC 28082

• Official Website: shellyandjunevolk.com

The Friday Fellowship (The Shema): As Jewish believers, Shelley and June conclude their Friday broadcast by uniting with their kinsmen to recite the Shema: “Shema Yisrael adonoi Eloheinu adonoi echad” (Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one).

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

The Living Connection Between Word and Spirit

In this episode of For Zion's Sake, hosts Shelley and June Volk—Jewish believers dedicated to seeing Jew and Gentile become one in faith—explore the deep, structural connection between the written Word of God and the active presence of the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways

• The Anchor Verse (John 6:63): The episode centers on Jesus' declaration: "It is the Spirit who gives life... the words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life." The hosts emphasize that without the Holy Spirit, scripture remains a dead letter; with the Spirit, it becomes an active, life-giving force.

• The Spirit as God’s Heart-Revealer: Reading from 1 Corinthians 2, June points out that just as no one knows a person's inner motives except their own spirit, no one can truly know the thoughts and heart of God except the Spirit of God. She notes that born-again believers have this "Spirit of truth" living within them to guide daily life and bring personal transformation.

• Demonstration of Power (1 Corinthians 2:1–5): Shelley highlights the Apostle Paul’s approach to preaching, noting that Paul didn't rely on superior human intellect or persuasive words of wisdom. Instead, his message was a direct demonstration of the Spirit and power, ensuring that listeners' faith rested on God rather than human philosophy.

• A Multi-Generational Promise: Turning to the Old Testament covenant in Isaiah 59:21, the hosts discuss God's promise that His Spirit and Words will not depart from His people or their descendants. June shares a personal family testimony, tracing how this promise came alive in their own lives—from their radical conversion in 1976 to seeing their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren actively living out the faith.

• The Spirit Precedes the Word: Shelley looks back at Genesis 1 to show a divine pattern: the Spirit of God moved over the face of the waters before God spoke light into existence. He connects this to the New Testament (Acts 4 and Acts 13), where believers were first filled with the Holy Spirit before they could speak the Word of God with boldness.

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Podcast Episode Summary: The Inseparable Word and Spirit

In this episode of For Zion's Sake, hosts Shelley and June Volk—Jewish believers dedicated to seeing Jew and Gentile become one in faith—explore why the written Word of God requires the active presence of the Holy Spirit to truly transform human lives.

Key Takeaways

• The Core Thesis (John 6:63): The episode anchors itself on the words of Jesus: "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you, they are spirit and they are life." The hosts emphasize that studying scripture through purely intellectual or human wisdom renders it a "dead work."

• Reading "Between the Lines": Referencing the late Christian minister Richard Wurmbrand, the hosts discuss how the richness of scripture is found by letting the Holy Spirit teach you, noting that "there's more written between the lines than in the lines themselves."

• The Blueprint of Psalm 119: The discussion highlights verses from Psalm 119 to demonstrate how scripture serves as a pure standard of living, a source of strength during grief, and a lamp to guide one's path.

• The Meaning of Inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16): Shelley breaks down the Greek root words for scriptural inspiration: Theo (God) and peneo (breathed). Because the scriptures are literally "God-breathed" by the Spirit, a person needs that same Holy Spirit breathing on them to truly comprehend the text.

• Old vs. New Covenant Access: The hosts contrast the Old Testament—where the Holy Spirit was historically given to specific individuals like King David or the prophet Daniel—with the New Covenant, where God pours out His Spirit upon all flesh, making divine enlightenment available to every believer.

Ministry & Contact Information

This episode of For Zion's Sake is sponsored by the Psalm 127 Fund.

• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 244, Kannapolis, NC 28082

• Official Website: shellyandjunevolk.com

Closing Blessing (The Aaronic Blessing): "The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace."

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

The Inseparable Word and Spirit

In this episode of For Zion's Sake, hosts Shelley and June Volk—Jewish believers dedicated to seeing Jew and Gentile become one in faith—dive into a deep discussion on why the written Word of God requires the active presence of the Holy Spirit to truly transform human lives.

Key Takeaways

• The Core Thesis (John 6:63): The episode anchors itself on the words of Jesus: "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you, they are spirit and they are life." The hosts emphasize that analyzing scripture through purely intellectual or human wisdom renders it a "dead work."

• The Meaning of Inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16): Shelley breaks down the Greek root words for scriptural inspiration: Theo (God) and pneo (breathed). Because the scriptures are literally "God-breathed" by the Spirit, the hosts argue that a person needs that same Holy Spirit breathing on them to truly comprehend the text.

• Natural vs. Spiritual Discernment: Drawing from 1 Corinthians 2:10–14, the discussion highlights the divide between the "natural man" and the "spiritual man." The hosts explain that spiritual truths appear as absolute foolishness to human intellect alone because they must be spiritually appraised.

• The Transition from Zeal to Power: The hosts look back at Jesus' original disciples, noting that before Pentecost (Shavuot), their religious zeal was limited by their own human interpretations. It was only after they waited in the upper room and were baptized in fire and the Holy Spirit that they were equipped to turn the world upside down.

• A Call to Unity and Action: June emphasizes that while differing doctrines and denominations divide the modern body of Christ, a shared, Spirit-led understanding brings believers into true oneness. The episode closes with an invitation for listeners to ask the Messiah into their hearts, purchase a Bible, and begin a spiritual adventure.

Ministry & Contact Information

This episode of For Zion's Sake is sponsored by the Psalm 127 Fund.

• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 244, Kannapolis, NC 28082

• Official Website: shellyandjunevolk.com

Closing Blessing (The Aaronic Blessing): "The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace."

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

The Word and The Spirit

In this episode of For Zion's Sake, hosts Shelley and June Volk—Jewish believers dedicated to seeing Jew and Gentile become one in faith—dive into a deep discussion on the vital, inseparable connection between the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways

• The Theme (John 6:63): The episode anchors itself on the words of Jesus: "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you, they are spirit and they are life." The hosts emphasize that while memorizing or analyzing scripture is important, the words cannot truly transform a life without the active operation of the Holy Spirit.

• The Blueprint of Psalm 119: Shelley highlights several verses from Psalm 119 (the longest chapter in the Bible) to demonstrate how scripture serves as a pure standard of living, a source of strength during grief, and a lamp to guide one's path.

• Daniel's Identifying Factor: Turning to the Old Testament, the hosts look at the story of Daniel and King Belshazzar in Daniel 5. They note that Daniel's defining characteristic—even recognized by a pagan court—was that the "Spirit of the Holy God" was in him, granting him divine insight that natural minds could not achieve.

• The Transition from Old to New Covenant: June discusses how the Holy Spirit was historically given to specific prophets or leaders in the Old Testament. However, following Jesus' sacrifice, the prophecy that God would "pour out His Spirit upon all flesh" has been fulfilled, making this divine enlightenment available to every believer who is born again.

• The True Meaning of Inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16): The hosts break down the Greek root words for scriptural inspiration: Theo (God) and peneo (breathed). They explain that because the Word is literally "God-breathed," it acts as a living seed in the human soul that requires a spiritual nature to germinate and grow.

Ministry & Contact Information

This episode of For Zion's Sake is sponsored by the Psalm 127 Fund.

• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 244, Kannapolis, NC 28082

• Official Website: shellyandjunevolk.com

Closing Blessing: The program concludes with the traditional Aaronic Blessing: "The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace."

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age.

https://shellyandjunevolk.com/