Freedom Announcer

What if not participating in worship actually reveals something deeper about our hearts?In this episode, I'm joined by Yancy, a passionate leader in kids and family worship. She shares her story of writing and leading songs that help children encounter God, and we lean into a big question: Is it a sin to not participate in worship?We talk about what Scripture teaches, how worship shapes our faith, and what it looks like to respond to God even in seasons of doubt, distraction, or difficulty. Whether you're a parent, ministry leader, or simply someone who's ever stood silently during a worship song, this episode offers clarity, grace, and a fresh perspective.

The definition of discernment, in a general concept, is the ability to judge well. Some might call it wisdom. But when we define that in biblical terms, it's much more than that. Worldly discernment might call on your experience, knowledge and trust to make the right call. Biblical discernment might actually have nothing to do with you. James and I jump into this topic, share life experiences, and discuss how we can distinguish between the voice of the Shepherd and any other voice.

Have you ever wondered about the differences in how God acts in the Old Testament compared to the New Testament? Many times in the Old Testament He will condone the people of Israel to slaughter an entire kingdom or city. In contrast, in the New Testament, Jesus will say things like "Love your enemies." Is He the same God? Did God change? Listen as Pastor Scott and I talk about the over-arching theme of the Bible and how to approach this potentially controversial question. *For some reason this episode exported twice into the same one. It is actually 31 minutes long. So you can listen to it twice or just stop at 31 :)*

How many times have you taken communion on a whim? Should there be more preparation to it than realizing it's "communion Sunday" as you walk in the doors of the church and see the elements prepared on a table? Is there more to the 1 Corinthians 11 passage we read before partaking? Dive in as Sam and I talk about the history, command, function and form of communion.

In many places in the world, you will find a church. In many regions of the U.S., you can find a church on almost every corner. Additionally, the doctrinal belief systems and faith traditions are all over the board! Why, if we say we follow the same Word of God, are there so many different expressions and systems of practices that relate to the same Book? Join Garrett and me as we touch on the beginnings of Christianity, some differences in denominations, and our role in seeking unity of the faith rather than division.

Many times "worship" is translated as the time when you gather together at church and sing together songs about God. Is that it? Is there more? And if it includes singing, who is it to and who is it for? If it's not for us, then do we get a say in what it looks like? "I didn't like worship today" means that I didn't like the songs we sang today. Ouch. Take a listen to Kate and I talk through these questions and maybe step on some toes in the process.

If you are a believer attending a local church, do you need to volunteer there? Does it say in the Bible that there needs to be a service element to my weekly worship with others? Does it have to be on Sundays? What if I'm serving everywhere else in town? Join Corinne and I as we talk about this great question that many people are asking!

Now with part 1, I kind of left you on a cliff hanger with people coming out of their tombs and going to the holy city. That would definitely be an eye opener! But take a listen to the second part of my conversation with Scarlett as we discuss what good is it to ask questions like this? If I do have questions of biblically history or language, what resources can I use in my research? And what would knowing more about this subject do my my walk with the Lord today? Be sure to follow along with Scarlett on her platforms as she dives into the Scriptures!

Have you ever heard of Abraham's Bosom or Abraham's side? Well, in this episode Scarlett and I try to unpack this term ‘Sheol', paradise and torment, soul and body. Maybe you've never thought about this and you'll want to do a deep dive? Take a listen as we pull apart some different verses and what we can get from them. And be prepared for a cliff hanger

We've probably all heard “it's my calling” or “I'm not called to that.” And some of us are asking the question “what is my calling?” Jump in as Ian and I discuss calling and see if you find yourself somewhere in the mix.

Luke 14:28 Have we counted the cost? Are we in the middle of this Christian thing and we don't have a clue what it takes? Or what it will take? Join in as Emily and I connect about projects, windows, track and more. What if we considered more the cost of discipleship?

Is Christ's payment for my sin sufficient? All throughout Scripture it states that He has died once for all. When I ask for forgiveness as a believer, is that right? Am I forgetting what He's forgiven me for? Take a listen as Joe and I dialogue about these very important topics: identity, sanctification and goldfish.

I'm sure you reread that title. It's an obvious answer, right? Not necessarily. Well, you'll have to take a listen to get where Daniel and I take it :)

As a believer, we have God's Word. As a believer, we have the Holy Spirit. And if as believers we have both the Word of God AND the Holy Spirit living within us, why is following Jesus so hard? In this episode, Katie and I unpack some examples of hard times and some encouragement along the way.

In my opinion, we don't talk about spiritual disciplines like we ought. We highlight that you should read the Bible and pray as a good Christian. But those are just two ‘muscles' that we can be working on as we walk with Jesus. In this episode, Jared and I talk about what spiritual disciplines are, examples of some, and how to start that ‘training.' Here is the list of 20 that Jared came up with: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/s2vqf458mcowxvj3181xk/Spiritual-Disciplines.txt?rlkey=anciuajj9ckas31cx4zkdnxl8&dl=0 and the 5 year journal he mentioned: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=5+year+journal&crid=1SBPMQ8RX3F1R&sprefix=5+year+journal+levenger%2Caps%2C128&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Philippians 4:6-7 “Don't worry about anything.” How is that even possible? Alex and I unpack a bit about this command and if we are expected to not worry, is that doable?

How many of us in the Church can say that we look more like Jesus than we do our congregation or our pastor? Who are we following? If we take the definition of a disciple to be “someone who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and is committed to the mission of Jesus,” Can I say that's me? Or am I talking about myself and making a duplicate of myself more than I'm talking about being a disciple of Jesus?

In my experience, I've seen many of us Christians try to push through the bad times. Who wants to sit in the suffering? No one! But should we have a theology of suffering? Should we try to run to healing and/or learn through the process? How can we help each other?

“Pray continually”- I don't have the time. “Don't worry”- easier said than done. “Love others”- well you don't know my neighbor. We make a lot of excuses why we're not following the commands in God's Word. But then how do we rationalize John 14:15? “If you love me, keep my commands.” ‭It's got to be more than a checklist…but what is it? Join in as Sam and I talk about why we live like they're optional, and also how to combat that/those pitfall(s).

“If it weren't for Christians, I'd be a Christian” – Gandhi. If you look at yourself, the local church, the global church, and you're honest, we are not acting like who we say we follow. So there's a great reason why many people look at us as believers in a skeptical way. So how do we identify the problem? As Luis and I talk about this, some great things come out about what it looks like to live on mission, and to make the most of every opportunity. We have a world that's looking in on us, how are we going to show Jesus to them in the best way?

We might all have that friend or relative that when we hear that they've come to know Jesus, we ask the question “is it real?” Why are we skeptical? Should we be skeptical? If not, then, what should our response be?

“Jesus loves you so much that he paid for your sins by dying on the cross for you.” You've probably heard that many times before. But is that it? We leave out the resurrection! So if many of us leave that out, how important is the resurrection in the gospel message? Visit James' site here: http://thebiblespeakstoyou.com/freedom

You've probably walked away from a Sunday sermon encouraged, right? You've probably walked away from a Sunday sermon feeling convicted, maybe? Is there a balance between the two that our pastors and churches should strive for? Listen in. *Maybe the verse Kate mentions on grace and truth? The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. -John 1:14

Has God called us, as believers, to only win? Not get hurt? Not be tested? Definitely not! It's through the times of trial and tests where our faith grows. Then why do we live such safe lives? Listen in for this conversation with Mike and how we might be able to live unsafe, holy lives.

We all go through it. Sooner or later, there are times of grief in our life when things get hard. Storms, situations, life happens. Rather than not connecting with our friends that are going through hard times, how do we grieve with others? Chaplain Kundan shares some experiences with ministering to some in their grief.

There are a number of scriptures that mention we, as followers of Jesus, are both an heir and coheir with Jesus. What does that mean? What am I an heir to?

On February 8, 2023, there was a revival that ignited which started after a chapel service at Asbury University. Students stayed for prayer and singing, and it launched into a revival. What is revival?

If you're honest with yourself, you probably have had storms in your life. Maybe they've been emotional, relational, spiritual, financial. No matter the title, we all have storms. And if you're a believer, you may have had experiences where, in the midst of those storms you wonder ‘is God there?' Hannah shares some of her storms and how God has spoken to her through those times. I'd invite you to listen, be encouraged and also follow along and pray with her and her family‘s journey. @hannah.mcleod.fit on instagram

What would you say? How would you act? What would you do? So many of us continue to live in our old life that we forget we have freedom and new life in Christ. What would you do/say, how would you live with freedom in Christ? If you are a follower of Jesus, you have freedom in Christ. So let's live like it!

Ask most any church staff if they have enough volunteers for the ministries that they operate, and I almost guarantee that that would get a good chuckle. The typical statistic is that 20% of the people are doing 80% of the work. Why is that? We are the body of Christ and so we should be serving Jesus via our local church through time, our talents and our treasure. Right? What's the issue?

I've heard people say “God wants me to be happy,” or “Do what makes you feel good.” Is the Christian life about me? What does God want out of me? In this episode Tim and I discuss God's goal for us. Is His goal our happiness or our holiness?

Have you heard this statement before? Many people think it's Scripture, but it's not! Mike and I jump into this idea and talk about what scripture actually says as opposed to the clichés that we hang onto.

So many times in my life experience have I been presented with an opportunity where I could physically or financially meet the need of someone else. But instead of being a blessing to that person, I have limited myself to praying for that person and not being the answer to their prayer. Why do we think that we need permission in order to do good? Why do we pray more about something, when if it's in our capacity to do it, why don't we do it? James 4:17 really hit me on this one. Take a listen as George and I tackle this question.

A few months ago Zach and I were talking and he asked “how can I pray for you?” I shared whatever was current on my mind and then he said, “can I pray for you right now?” I was shocked. So many times I/we say we're going to “pray for you,” but do we? Do you? Why don't we just pray right then, with that person? In a survey sent out before this podcast, 80% of people said they've prayed with that person right in the moment. Honestly I don't think I've been prayed for 80% of the time after sharing something, and I haven't prayed in the moment for that person 80% of the time. So what can we do to get better? What's holding us back? Maybe it's just me? Listen in.

Are we supposed to talk with God as a believer? Yeah, sure! But how do I pray when I don't have the words? When trouble comes and I'm angry, frustrated, annoyed, doubting; how do I form the words? In this episode, Trey and I connect about what praying looks like during these times. Take a listen and make sure to get the context of this line when Trey said: "The Lord can take our anger. He's not going to fall off the throne." If you'd like to get Trey's book he mentioned, search Amazon for "Praying God's Word Over Your City."

In this episode we dissect this cliché saying into potentially the true meaning behind it; That we are unintentionally and selfishly attempting to please God through our own efforts, and once that's done, then God takes control.

I think it's a bit of a rub, that statement. Because I almost want to push back. But our culture of busyness has overshadowed what maybe God intended 1 day to look like. What if it looked different than we thought?

Here's a question that I hope pulls in a variety of thoughts. It comes from my general thinking that Christians love unbelievers with the hopes that they become believers. And if they don't, we write them off. Should that be our motivation?

So if our command is to “Go”, why aren't we on the same page? There has to be something off. Giving, going, sending, involvement here and there. This is a great discussion I'm sure you'll enjoy!

It's apparent (at least I think) that discipleship in the Church has largely been boiled down to a class or program that you sign up for. Not everywhere, but a lot of places. So I asked, and 19 of you answered :) But what was surprising was the % of people discipling/being discipled and their thoughts of how the Church is doing in that arena. We haven't arrived, but this is a good conversation. Listen in!

Can we boil evangelism down to a church invitation? There's got to be more to sharing Jesus than passing it off to a pastor to do. Are we called to share our faith or mandated to?

This question takes on another level over this last year because of not being able to physically go for some time in 2020. Is attending a church essential for salvation?

It's not a deliberate thing, I don't think. But it feels like for the most part, we diminish or push aside the spiritual experiences and questions of children and call them ‘cute'. As fellow Christ followers, they have the same Holy Spirit. I think we can learn more from kids than we know.

If God can do anything, why are we so surprised when He answers prayer, performs a miracle? Is it because we don't believe He can? Or because we don't believe He will?

Should I allow what others do to influence my view of grace for them?

Top 4 ways we shouldn't treat new believers.

In this episode we talk about whether God cares about the little things or just the big things in our prayer life?

Preach the gospel at all times, use words when necessary.

We're supposed to pray without ceasing. How does that work? How long are we supposed to pray about something?

Some of the main things we are to do as believers is share the good news of Jesus and disciple. But I think these two things we don't do a great job at. Why?

Will five minutes spark a passion or create legalism?