Podcasts about Ecclesiastes

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2026 24:57

Sometimes one glimpse can change everything. For a woman facing an unexpected pregnancy, fear and uncertainty can make it difficult to know what comes next. But seeing her baby through an ultrasound can bring a moment of clarity—and open the door to compassionate care, practical support, and hope. Dan Steiner, Founder and President of PreBorn!, joined the show today to explain how the ministry partners with pregnancy clinics across the country to reach women facing unexpected pregnancies. PreBorn! provides ultrasound machines, training, financial support, and other resources to help local clinics serve women at a critical moment. The Power of an Ultrasound One of PreBorn!'s primary tools is remarkably simple: giving a mother the opportunity to see her baby. A gift of $28 can fund one ultrasound, $56 can fund two, and $140 can fund five. For donors with greater capacity, a $15,000 gift can help provide an ultrasound machine for a pregnancy center. According to Steiner, those machines can remain in service for years and help thousands of women. The ultrasound itself can be a powerful moment. A woman may arrive feeling pressure from a boyfriend, family member, or overwhelming circumstances. But seeing her baby's arms and legs and hearing the heartbeat can make the pregnancy suddenly feel very personal. PreBorn! says that seeing an ultrasound significantly increases the likelihood that an abortion-minded woman will choose life. The ministry then seeks to walk alongside her with compassion and practical support rather than judgment. Strengthening Local Pregnancy Centers PreBorn! generally does not operate pregnancy centers directly. Instead, it works alongside local clinics, many of which have limited staff and resources. The ministry helps provide ultrasound machines, funds individual scans, trains staff, assists with marketing and leadership, and works to increase clinic capacity. Steiner said PreBorn!'s network includes roughly 300 clinics across the United States, with an emphasis on reaching women in communities with high abortion rates. That partnership allows local ministries to focus on serving women while receiving resources they might otherwise struggle to afford. When Seeing Her Baby Changes the Story Steiner shared the story of one young mother who arrived at a pregnancy center intending to have an abortion. She already had two boys at home, her boyfriend was unsupportive, and she feared another child would make it harder to care for the children she already had. During her first ultrasound, she saw her baby and began to cry—but she still planned to proceed with an abortion. The following week, however, she returned for another ultrasound. At 11 weeks, she could see her baby moving. She also learned she was expecting a daughter. Having always wanted a girl, she decided to continue the pregnancy. Steiner pointed out that a donor funded her ultrasound—illustrating how even a relatively small gift can become part of a much larger story. More Than Meeting an Immediate Need For PreBorn!, the work does not end when a woman chooses life for her child. The ministry also wants women and families to encounter the hope of the gospel. PreBorn! trains clinic staff to share Christ when appropriate while emphasizing that those conversations should never be forced. Steiner said evangelism remains central to the ministry's mission, alongside practical care for mothers and their babies. That reflects a broader picture of Christian compassion: caring for both immediate physical needs and eternal spiritual needs while recognizing the dignity of every person made in the image of God. An Opportunity to Come Alongside Women FaithFi is partnering with PreBorn! to help fund 1,500 free ultrasounds. Every $28 funds one ultrasound, while larger gifts can provide multiple scans or even help place an ultrasound machine in a pregnancy center. According to Steiner, PreBorn!'s network saw more than 84,000 babies saved from abortion in the previous year and provided more than 136,000 ultrasound scans across the country. For Christians thinking about generosity, this is a reminder that stewardship is not simply about giving money away. It is about prayerfully using what God has entrusted to us to serve others, meet tangible needs, and point people toward the hope of Christ. To learn more or support the campaign, visit FaithFi.com/PreBorn or dial #250 and say “BABY.” On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I have money sitting in the bank and about $3,000 in credit card debt. Should I use some of my savings to pay off the cards, and where should I keep the rest so it earns more without being too easy to spend? I have an RMD of about $10,000 that I need for living expenses. Is there any way to reduce the tax impact, and what should I do with the money if I need to spend it? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) PreBorn! Christian Credit Counselors FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2026 Bible in a Year DAY 239: Ecclesiastes 3:1-22, Psalm 102:12-17, Proverbs 24:3-4, & 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Move Forth: The Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2026 21:49

Send us Fan Mail***Read the Bible in a Year with me in 2026 right here on the podcast!***Bible Verses of the Week: Week 35: Matthew 5:16Welcome to the podcast Move Forth With Grace! We will be reading the entire Bible in a year. This is such a perfect way to get into God's Word each day and to develop your own relationship with God our Father through His Son Jesus Christ. I am your host Angela and want to first of all say that I am not an expert in Theology or Church History or a Minister and I never will claim to be. I am a wife and mother who has been reborn and want to be of service to God in gratitude for calling me back home. Welcome to the Podcast! The Bible that I will be reading from is the McArthur Daily Bible. It is a New American Standard Bible.Thank you for being here....thank you for becoming less like you and more like Jesus.May you Move Forth with Grace today!Love, Angela Connect with me on social media or send a prayer request to me on my website here:https://campsite.bio/moveforthBible Teachers that I recommend:Mike Winger on https://biblethinker.org/meet-mike/John McArthur on https://www.gty.orgDr. Chuck Missler on www.khouse.orgNancy Missler on www.kingshighway.orgDale Partridge on www.relearn.orgChuck Smith on http://www.pastorchuck.org/RC Sproul Eschatology Playlist:https://youtu.be/n22MRa0P6_I?si=Aw53nQLSteu6T3-ASupport the show

What Sets A Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®) Apart? with Sharon Epps

Peculiar Career Chit Chat

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2026 24:57

What if the greatest benefit of financial advice isn't simply what happens to your portfolio, but knowing your financial decisions reflect what matters most? New research from Kingdom Advisors and Pinkston Group suggests that when financial counsel aligns with a person's faith and values, the benefits can extend well beyond investment performance. Clients report deeper trust, reduced financial anxiety, and a broader definition of financial success. Sharon Epps, President of Kingdom Advisors, joined the show today to unpack what the findings reveal about values-aligned investing, long-term advisor relationships, generosity, and the future of Christian financial advice. The Gap Between Interest and Action One of the study's most striking findings involves values-based investing. While 81% of Certified Kingdom Advisors® offer values-based investment options, only 15% of their clients currently use them. Why the gap? Epps believes several factors may be involved. Some investors still assume that aligning their investments with their values necessarily means accepting lower returns. Others may simply be unaware that faith-aligned options are available because they've never brought it up with their advisor. There may also be a natural progression in a person's stewardship journey. Christians often begin by thinking about giving as the primary way their faith intersects with money. Only later do they begin considering whether their saving and investing decisions can also reflect their convictions. That makes education essential. Advisors can help clients understand how values-based screening works, compare investment options, and evaluate them as part of a disciplined and diversified strategy. For hesitant investors, Epps suggests starting with a smaller portion of a portfolio rather than changing everything at once. The larger principle is simple: stewardship begins by asking what matters to us before asking how our investments are performing. Why Peace May Grow Over Time The research also found that the benefits of working with a Certified Kingdom Advisor® appear to deepen over time. Among CKA® clients who had worked with their advisor for more than five years, 66% reported a reduction in financial anxiety, compared with 49% among those in shorter advisor relationships. That may be partly because trust is cumulative. Over time, an advisor gets to know not only a client's financial situation but also their family, priorities, goals, and convictions. The relationship becomes less transactional and more of a long-term partnership. A sound financial plan can also provide perspective during difficult markets. Rather than reacting to every rise and fall, investors can return to a strategy built around long-term goals. For Christians, there is an even deeper source of peace. Biblical financial counsel continually reminds us that God owns everything and that we are His stewards. That changes the central question from, “How do I protect everything I have?” to, “Lord, how would You have me manage what You have entrusted to me?” That perspective cannot eliminate financial uncertainty, but it can keep uncertainty from becoming the foundation of our decisions. More Than Finding the Lowest Fee Another revealing finding involved the way clients choose advisors. Only 20% of CKA® clients said fees were the primary factor in selecting an advisor. Epps emphasized that fees still matter. Wise stewardship means understanding what you are paying and ensuring those costs are reasonable and transparent. But financial advice is about more than purchasing a commodity at the lowest possible price. When an advisor understands a client's values, the relationship can encompass far more than investment returns. It can include planning, accountability, generosity, family decisions, and a shared understanding of what money is ultimately for. That changes the scorecard. The question becomes not simply, “Did my investments outperform?” but also, “Am I becoming more faithful with what God has entrusted to me?” Younger Investors Want Their Money and Values to Tell the Same Story The study offered encouraging insight into the next generation as well. Among adults ages 18 to 41, 52% said shared values are extremely important when choosing financial advice. Epps sees that as an important shift. Younger Christians often want greater consistency between what they believe and the decisions they make in every area of life—including their finances. Rather than viewing money as a separate, purely financial category, many see it as another tool that should reflect their convictions. That creates both an opportunity and a responsibility for financial advisors. The next generation is likely to expect conversations about purpose, values, generosity, and stewardship rather than treating those subjects as unrelated to financial planning. For Christian advisors, that opens the door to something deeper than portfolio management: helping clients understand biblical wisdom and their role as stewards. A Bigger Definition of Success Perhaps one of the clearest differences the research reveals is how Certified Kingdom Advisors® think about success. Investment performance still matters. But the scorecard can be broader. Epps pointed to outcomes such as greater peace, increased generosity, and helping clients faithfully pursue the purposes God has placed before them. The research found, for example, that CKA® clients were twice as likely to report that their giving had “significantly increased” since beginning work with their advisor. That is particularly noteworthy because many financial advisors are compensated, in some way, based on the assets they manage. Encouraging clients to give generously may reduce those assets, yet a Kingdom-minded advisor can celebrate that generosity because the goal is not merely accumulation. The goal is faithful stewardship. What to Look for in a Financial Advisor If you are looking for financial counsel that incorporates your Christian faith, the first meeting can tell you a great deal. Notice whether the advisor is asking questions only about your numbers or also about your values. Do they want to understand what matters to you? Are they comfortable discussing how faith influences financial decisions? Can they explain how biblical wisdom shapes the counsel they provide? Epps also encourages believers to pray about the decision and seek the Lord's wisdom as they choose whom to trust with such an important relationship. Proverbs 19:20 says, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” Financial advice at its best should help us do more than grow wealth. It should help us grow in wisdom, make thoughtful decisions, and faithfully steward everything God has placed in our hands. If you'd like to find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® in your area, visit FindACKA.com. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I'm 53, our home is paid off, and my husband and I have about $50,000 in checking but no retirement savings. We live simply, and both still work. How should we start putting this money toward retirement? I'm 33 and own an S corp law practice earning about $40,000 to $60,000 a month. I'm already tithing, using tax strategies, and funding retirement accounts, but I still have significant taxable income. How should I think about deploying the excess beyond simply growing the business? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Fidelity Go | Schwab Intelligent Portfolios® AdelFi Christian Banking FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

S7 Ep33: Ask for the "Huge" Things! | Faith, Career Alignment & Servant Leadership

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2026 32:16

In this episode, we dive into what it truly means to receive God's favor in your career, why you should never be afraid to ask God for the "huge" things, and how to find genuine joy in your daily work. Grounded in Ecclesiastes 2:24–25 and Ecclesiastes 3:12–13, 22, we break down how your labor and your ability to enjoy it is a direct gift from God.In This Episode, We Cover: Ask for the "Huge" Things: Recognizing unexpected favor in everyday moments and boldly bringing your career desires to God. The Power of Purposeful Collaboration: Why there is undeniable strength and impact in numbers. 4 Practices to Realign Your Career with Your Calling:1. Shift from Organization to Assignment: Viewing your employer as a vehicle for your mission.2. Conduct a Joy & Fruit Audit: Identifying what tasks bring you true fulfillment.3. Trace the Ripple Effect: Connecting daily tasks to the bigger picture and end impact.4. Cultivate an Abundant Portion Mindset: Breaking free from scarcity and leading with servant leadership.

god power career shift practices alignment ecclesiastes cultivate grounded conduct servant leadership your calling

2026 Bible in a Year DAY 238: Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:26, Psalm 102:1-11, Proverbs 24:1-2, & 1 Corinthians 7:17-40

Move Forth: The Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2026 23:10

August 25, 2026

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2026

Ecclesiastes 10:11-12:14; Psalm 49:1·15; Proverbs 10:12·16; 1 Corinthians 7:1·24Ecclesiastes 10:11-12:14; Psalm 49:1–15; Proverbs 10:12–16; 1 Corinthians 7:1–24

Daily Devotions From Greg Laurie

The Pursuit of Happiness | Psalm 119:56

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2026 4:06

“This is how I spend my life: obeying your commandments.” (Psalm 119:56 NLT) What makes you happy? What brings you peace? Where do you find meaning, purpose, and a sense of fulfillment in your life? One of the biggest tragedies of our modern culture is that many people can’t answer these questions. They may find moments of excitement or distraction. They may have fun. But those moments are fleeting and surfacy. There’s nothing deep or lasting about them. Philosopher Eric Hoffer wrote, “The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.” Someone else once said, “There are two sources of unhappiness in life. One is not getting what you want and the other is getting it.” So, for many people today who are searching for happiness, the cold hard truth is that they will never find it. The news stories we see about celebrities seem to confirm it. For all their accomplishments, fame, and money, many of them lead miserable and empty lives. And that’s because they’re searching for happiness in the wrong way. The psalmist revealed the key to the search when he wrote, “This is how I spend my life: obeying your commandments” (Psalm 119:56 NLT). Genuine happiness is always a byproduct of holiness. Get your life right with God and happiness will soon follow. Several other passages in Scripture confirm this: “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever” (Psalm 16:11 NLT). “Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly” (Proverbs 3:13–18 NLT). “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires” (Psalm 37:4 NLT). “Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful” (Proverbs 16:20 NLT). “So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?” (Ecclesiastes 2:24–25 NLT). Unfortunately, unbelievers will never know true happiness. Instead, they will pursue the devil’s cheap counterfeits, facsimiles that seem to offer what they desire. They won’t recognize until it’s too late that the counterfeits are shallow, because they possess no deep well from which to draw. The world’s concept of happiness is dependent on good things happening. The Christian concept of happiness depends on a good God. Choose God’s way. Reflection question: How can you help unbelievers in your life recognize where genuine happiness can be found? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

god lord wisdom psalm scripture proverbs reflection harvest ecclesiastes joyful genuine devo psalm 119 pursuit of happiness nlt pastor greg laurie

Reverse Mortgages: Separating Fact From Fear with Harlan Accola

Power For Living with Bishop Dale C. Bronner

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2026 24:57

Reverse mortgages have carried a negative reputation for years, especially among Christians who are cautious about debt. But as with any financial tool, faithful stewardship calls us to understand how it works before deciding whether it belongs in a financial plan. Harlan Accola leads the reverse mortgage team at Movement Mortgage, a FaithFi underwriter. He joined the show today to explain why reverse mortgages remain controversial, how today's Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) differs from older products, and when it might play a useful role in retirement planning. Why Are Christians Hesitant About Reverse Mortgages? For many believers, the hesitation begins with debt itself. Scripture repeatedly encourages wisdom, contentment, and caution in financial matters, so borrowing against a home's equity can feel contrary to good stewardship. There is also the lingering reputation of earlier reverse mortgage products. Many people remember stories involving high costs, confusing terms, or homeowners facing difficult circumstances later in life. Accola says those concerns are understandable. “I felt the same way in the past before I understood them,” he said. But he argues that many people are evaluating today's federally insured reverse mortgages based on older versions of the product—or confusing them with other home-equity arrangements that work very differently. That makes it important to understand exactly which product is being considered and how its protections, costs, and obligations work. What Is a HECM? The most common type of reverse mortgage is the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, or HECM, which is insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Unlike a traditional mortgage, a HECM generally does not require the borrower to make monthly principal and interest payments. Instead, the loan balance typically grows over time and becomes due when the borrower no longer occupies the home as a principal residence, sells the property, or dies. The homeowner still retains ownership of the home and remains responsible for obligations such as property taxes, homeowners insurance, and property maintenance. HECMs also include protections designed specifically for older homeowners. Borrowers must complete independent counseling before obtaining the loan, and the loans are non-recourse, meaning the borrower or heirs generally will not owe more than the home's value when the loan is repaid. Certain eligible non-borrowing spouses may also be able to remain in the home after the borrowing spouse dies, provided they meet program requirements. Those features make today's HECM significantly different from some of the products that contributed to reverse mortgages' poor reputation in earlier decades. Turning Home Equity Into Retirement Flexibility For many retirees, a home represents one of their largest assets. Yet that wealth is often difficult to use without selling the property or taking on more debt. A reverse mortgage can potentially convert a portion of that equity into accessible funds. One possible benefit is improved monthly cash flow. Eliminating a required mortgage payment could help a retiree living on reduced income balance a budget without turning to credit cards or other higher-cost borrowing. Reverse mortgage proceeds may also provide additional resources for expenses such as home repairs, healthcare, or long-term care. A HECM line of credit can offer another form of flexibility. For example, retirees may be able to draw from home equity during a market downturn rather than selling investments after they have declined in value. Used carefully, that could give an investment portfolio more time to recover. Home equity might also help preserve other retirement assets for later years, a surviving spouse, or heirs. The goal isn't simply to access more money. It's to consider all the resources God has entrusted to us and ask how they can work together wisely. As Luke 16:10 reminds us, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.” Faithfulness includes not only how we accumulate resources but also how thoughtfully we use what God has already provided. Could a Reverse Mortgage Support Generosity? Accola has also seen situations where accessing home equity allowed retirees to give more generously during their lifetime rather than waiting for assets to transfer after death. That won't be the right choice for everyone. Giving should never come at the expense of maintaining appropriate provision for yourself or a spouse. But the example highlights an important stewardship principle: a home is not necessarily separate from the rest of a financial plan simply because its value is tied up in real estate. For some families, home equity may be another resource to consider prayerfully alongside savings, investments, retirement income, and other assets. Start With the Plan, Not the Product A reverse mortgage is not appropriate for every homeowner. Before pursuing one, Accola recommends beginning with the bigger financial picture. Ask questions such as: How long do we expect to remain in this home? How would a reverse mortgage affect our monthly cash flow? What costs are associated with the loan? How will we continue paying property taxes, insurance, and maintenance? How could the loan affect what we eventually leave to our heirs? Are there other resources available that might accomplish the same goal? How does this decision fit within our overall retirement, estate, and generosity plans? That last question may be the most important. A reverse mortgage should not be viewed simply as a financial product to purchase. It should be evaluated within the context of a thoughtful retirement plan. Working with professionals who understand both the technical details of the loan and the homeowner's broader financial goals can help families consider the tradeoffs carefully. Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You? A reverse mortgage isn't for every household, and using home equity should never be an excuse for careless spending. But you shouldn't reject the product simply because of its reputation. For the right homeowner, a modern HECM may turn otherwise inaccessible home equity into a flexible resource for cash flow, retirement planning, long-term care, or even greater generosity. Faithful stewardship means looking carefully at every resource God has entrusted to us, understanding our options, and making decisions that serve the larger financial plan. To learn more about reverse mortgages through Movement Mortgage, visit FaithFi.com/Movement. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: My daughter was approved for a $325,000 mortgage, but the rate wasn't locked. Now that she's found a home, the lender says she has to choose when to lock, with rates ranging from about 5.6% to 6.75%. How should she decide when to lock in her rate? I'm 78 and considering buying a $300,000 home in a 55+ community. I also own a rental property with about $88,000 left on a 4% mortgage, and I don't need the rental income to cover my expenses. Should I keep the rental or move into it? And if I buy in the 55+ community, how should I balance paying cash versus taking a traditional or reverse mortgage? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Movement Mortgage Thriving in Love and Money: 5 Game-Changing Insights about Your Relationship, Your Money, and Yourself by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

god love fear money lessons giving christians home movement plan scripture finance faithful faithfulness parable ecclesiastes reverse eliminating separating simplecast borrowers your money your relationship reverse mortgages day devotional day journey movement mortgage financial fear shaunti american family radio hecm federal housing administration home equity conversion mortgage hecms

God Gets the Last Word!

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2026 66:20

"God gets the last word" — no matter how chaotic the headlines get, how deep the hurt runs, or how final a situation looks, God is never caught off guard, and He always has the final say. In this message, Bishop Dale C. Bronner opens Matthew 24 to correct a common misunderstanding about Christ's return, walks through Romans 8:28's real meaning using a pound cake illustration, and traces the stories of Naomi, Job, Mary Magdalene, and the Apostle Paul to show that a hard chapter is never the final one. The message closes with the story of a painting titled "Checkmate," and the reminder that the King always has one more move. You'll learn: Why Jesus's return is not a secret rescue mission, but a triumphant return as King of Kings What Romans 8:28 actually promises — and what it doesn't The enemy's real strategy: getting you to stop bothering before he ever gets you to stop believing Why your last mistake, failure, or hard season doesn't get to define you How God meets people exactly where they are, with no cleanup required first

god jesus christ romans psalm scriptures ecclesiastes apostle paul mary magdalene last word checkmate why jesus

August 24, 2026

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2026

Ecclesiastes 8:1-10:10; Psalm 48:11·21; Proverbs 10:7·11; 1 Corinthians 6Ecclesiastes 8:1-10:10; Psalm 48:11–21; Proverbs 10:7–11; 1 Corinthians 6

8/24/26 - Getting the Most out of the Mist

Revival from the Bible

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2026 12:27

The book of Ecclesiastes might just change your life.Reading Plan: Worship - Psalm 102:1-11Wisdom - Proverbs 20:29-30Witness - Ecclesiastes 1-4Visit https://www.revivalfromthebible.com/ for more information.

ecclesiastes mist

Building Your Financial House on God's Word with John Cortines

jesus christ church saints proverbs ecclesiastes come follow me

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2026 24:57

Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with a familiar picture: two men building two houses. One builds on rock. The other builds on sand. When the storms come, only one house remains standing. The difference isn't the weather. Both houses face the storm. The difference is the foundation. That picture from Matthew 7 offers a helpful way to think about our financial lives. Job losses, medical expenses, market declines, and unexpected bills eventually test every household. The question is whether our financial lives are built on something strong enough to withstand them. John Cortines, a Family Office Advisor with Blue Trust and co-author of God and Money and True Riches, offers a helpful framework: Think of your financial life as a house. Christ is the foundation. Gratitude, contentment, trust, and love form the walls. Our identity as stewards serves as the roof. And wise financial practices furnish the rooms. The Foundation: Christ, Not Money Every house begins with a foundation, and the Christian financial life begins with Christ. Jesus taught that we cannot serve both God and money. So before we ask how much to save, spend, invest, or give, we have to settle a more fundamental question: What—or whom—are we trusting? 1 Timothy 6 warns against placing our hope in wealth. Money is useful, but it was never designed to carry the weight of our security or identity. Instead, biblical stewardship begins by recognizing that everything ultimately belongs to God. Haggai 2:8 reminds us that the silver and gold are His. What we possess has been entrusted to us temporarily. That changes the way we approach money. Rather than asking, “What do I want to do with my money?” a steward begins asking, “What is the next faithful decision with what God has entrusted to me?” Money moves from being our master to becoming a tool we manage for God's purposes. The First Wall: Gratitude Once the foundation is in place, the first wall is gratitude. Gratitude protects us from one of wealth's most subtle dangers: pride. Pride says, I earned this. I deserve this. Look at what I've accomplished. Gratitude answers, God provided this. Deuteronomy 8:18 warns God's people not to forget that He is the One who gives them the ability to produce wealth. Our abilities, opportunities, relationships, education, health, and circumstances are all gifts we did not create for ourselves. That doesn't diminish the value of hard work. It simply puts our work in its proper place. A grateful steward can work diligently without believing everything depends on personal achievement. Gratitude opens our hands because it reminds us that every good thing ultimately comes from God. The Second Wall: Contentment The second wall is contentment, which guards us from coveting and comparison. Our culture constantly invites us to look sideways. Someone always seems to have a nicer home, a newer vehicle, a larger portfolio, or a more comfortable lifestyle. The result can be a restless appetite for more. But biblical contentment allows us to experience peace in seasons of abundance and in seasons when resources are limited. In Philippians 4:12-13, Paul explains that he learned the secret of being content whether he had plenty or was in need. His famous statement, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” comes in the context of learning contentment through Christ. Contentment does not mean we stop planning, working, or pursuing worthwhile goals. It means our peace is no longer waiting on the next financial milestone. We don't have to keep telling ourselves, I'll finally be satisfied when I get there or when I have that. In Christ, we can receive today's provision with gratitude while faithfully preparing for tomorrow. The Third Wall: Trust The third wall is trust. Financial anxiety often grows from the assumption that our future rests entirely on us. Am I saving enough? What if something happens? Will there be enough for retirement? What if the economy changes? Wise stewardship certainly includes preparation. But preparation can quietly turn into self-reliance if we begin believing our savings account is ultimately responsible for keeping us safe. In Luke 12, Jesus reminds His followers that the Father knows what they need. That frees us to seek His Kingdom first rather than allowing fear about tomorrow to dominate today. Our deepest security goes even further. For the Christian, our ultimate hope is not that we will avoid every financial problem. Our hope is in Christ, His victory over death, and the eternal future He has secured for His people. That perspective doesn't eliminate wise financial planning. It puts planning in its proper place. We prepare faithfully while trusting God completely. The Fourth Wall: Love The fourth wall may be the one we least often associate with money: love. It is easy for financial planning to become entirely inward-facing. We think about our budget, our goals, our retirement, and our future without considering how God may want to use what He has entrusted to us for the good of others. But Christian stewardship is shaped by Christ's love. 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 point us to Jesus, who gave Himself generously for us. Our generosity toward others becomes a response to the generosity we have first received from Him. As we grow spiritually, we begin asking not merely, How much can I keep? but, How can what God has entrusted to me become an expression of love? That may mean financial generosity, hospitality, using our abilities to serve someone, supporting the local church, or simply noticing a need we might otherwise have ignored. Money becomes one more way to love God and love our neighbor. The Roof: Your Identity as a Steward Resting on those four walls is the roof: our financial identity. There are two unhealthy extremes. The first is ownership: It's mine. I earned it. I'll do whatever I want with it. The second is helplessness: Nothing I do matters. I'll never get ahead. Life just happens to me. Stewardship offers another way. A steward says, “Everything belongs to God, and I am responsible for faithfully managing what He has entrusted to me.” That perspective brings both responsibility and freedom. We take our decisions seriously because stewardship matters. But we also recognize that we are not the ultimate owners or providers. God is. Our task is faithfulness. Furnishing the House With Wise Financial Practices Only after the foundation, walls, and roof are secure do we begin furnishing the house. These furnishings represent the everyday financial habits Scripture commends: working diligently, spending purposefully, handling debt carefully, saving steadily for future needs, investing patiently and wisely, practicing generosity, and showing hospitality. These practical decisions matter. But they work best when they flow from the right heart. Otherwise, we can follow every financial rule and still be driven by pride, comparison, fear, or selfishness. That's why biblical financial wisdom goes deeper than behavior. God is interested not only in what we do with money but in what is happening in our hearts while we do it. Four Questions Before Your Next Financial Decision This financial-house framework can become a practical tool whenever you face an important money decision. Before making a major purchase, investment, career move, or other financial choice, prayerfully ask: Am I approaching this from pride or gratitude? Am I being driven by coveting or contentment? Am I responding from anxiety or trust? Am I acting with indifference or love? Those questions can expose motivations that a spreadsheet never will. Sometimes they may lead us away from something we originally wanted. Other times, they may give us greater freedom to move forward. Either way, they help us consider not merely whether we can make a financial decision, but whether that decision fits the kind of steward God is shaping us to become. Build From the Inside Out It's tempting to begin our financial lives with tactics: budgets, investments, debt repayment plans, and retirement accounts. Those things are important. But Scripture invites us to start deeper. Build your foundation on Christ. Strengthen your life with gratitude, contentment, trust, and love. Remember that your identity is not owner but steward. Then let wise financial practices flow from those convictions. Storms will come. Jesus never suggested otherwise. But a financial life built on the Rock has something stronger than money holding it together. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I have a 3% mortgage on about $300,000 and keep seeing ads promoting simple-interest home loans. Would it make sense to convert my current mortgage, or consider a simple-interest loan when we move in a few years? My husband and I are considering living off our savings for a year while I attend an accelerated nursing program at full out-of-state tuition. We live very frugally and have built up substantial savings. Does using that money to fund my schooling make financial sense? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Satisfied: Discovering Contentment in a World of Consumption by Jeff Manion FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes

Teaching With Power

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2026 44:02

This video provides teaching ideas, discussion prompts, and activities to support the Proverbs lessons in the Come, Follow Me manual.It is designed to serve as a practical resource for teachers, parents, missionaries, and anyone preparing to teach this week's Come, Follow Me lesson.My hope is that these ideas will help simplify your preparation, increase student engagement, and strengthen your confidence as you teach. Lesson Resources and Links If you would like to take a deeper dive into these chapters, learn additional insights and more teaching activities, you can check out my video from 2022 covering the same scripture block. Here is a link to that video: Proverbs & Ecclesiastes, Come Follow Me Teaching with Power ResourcesFor links to videos, lesson plans, subscriptions, weekly lesson materials, go to www.teachingwithpower.comTo sign up for a Full Old Testament Subscription, go to: https://www.teachingwithpower.com/product-page/2026-old-testament-bundle-subscription-all-slides-handouts-and-lesson-plansContact: teachingwithpower@gmail.com Credits & NotesMusic provided by the YouTube Audio Library — Dancing StarSome illustrations in this video were generated using Chat GPT AI.Additional Bible illustrations are provided by Sweet Publishing( http://sweetpublishing.com) under the Creative Commons 3.0 Share-Alike License.All other images are in the public domain. DisclaimerThe content of this video reflects my personal insights and teaching ideas. It does not represent the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

What the Hevel

The Summit Church

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2026 50:54

The book of Ecclesiastes is often regarded as one of the most confusing (and perhaps depressing) books in the entire Bible. But the truth is, it's one that raises—and provides real answers to—some of the core questions of life. In this week's message from Ecclesiastes 1, Pastor J.D. addresses three common approaches that the world takes to finding meaning in life. These approaches, it's no surprise, come up short time and time again. And that's because the only satisfying answer for “life under the sun” is actually to embrace life above the sun—that is, life with God, the only one who truly imbues our lives with meaning.

god bible ecclesiastes pastor j hevel

August 23, 2026

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2026

Ecclesiastes 5:7-7:29; Psalm 48:1·10; Proverbs 10:1·6; 1 Corinthians 5Ecclesiastes 5:7-7:29; Psalm 48:1–10; Proverbs 10:1–6; 1 Corinthians 5

ecclesiastes good life colossians 1 genesis 1 miserable transcendent sisyphus

Genesis 1, Ecclesiastes 1, Colossians 1 - Sisyphus was Miserable: Why the Good Life Needs Transcendent Purpose

City Church Murfreesboro

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2026 55:08

Support the show

Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:8

Bible Study Podcasts

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2026 59:34

“Life is Short. Live Wisely.” - a lesson on stewarding and finding joy in the gifts that God has given each of us, knowing that we will one day give an account before God for how we have used and enjoyed them. Music: “Rejoice…But Remember.” Lyrics by Toby Logsdon. Arranged by Toby Logsdon. Performed by “Crimson Covenant.” Copyright ©TobyLogsdon, 2026.

god ecclesiastes lyrics performed arranged

Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

Grace Hill Church

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2026 44:05

Andrew Meissner

ecclesiastes

August 22, 2026

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2026

Ecclesiastes 3:1-5:6; Psalm 47; Proverbs 9:21·25; 1 Corinthians 4Ecclesiastes 3:1-5:6; Psalm 47; Proverbs 9:21–25; 1 Corinthians 4

August 21, 2026

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2026

Ecclesiastes 1, 2; Psalm 46; Proverbs 9:16·20; 1 Corinthians 3Ecclesiastes 1, 2; Psalm 46; Proverbs 9:16–20; 1 Corinthians 3

Where ESG and Faith-Based Investing Differ with Nick Schmitz

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Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2026 24:57

ESG investing promises to align your portfolio with your values. But an important question remains: Whose values are shaping the standards? Environmental, social, and governance ratings are often presented as measures of corporate responsibility. Yet the assumptions behind those ratings may not always align with biblical convictions. Nick Schmitz, Professor of Finance at The Catholic University of America and a Board Member of the Christian Investing Council (CIC), joined the show today to explain the differences between ESG and faith-based investing—and why Christians should pay attention not only to what they own, but also to how their shares are voted. ESG and Faith-Based Investing Start in Different Places ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance. ESG ratings attempt to evaluate companies based on their performance in each of those areas. But Schmitz points out that ESG standards are developed by secular ratings agencies and can shift with cultural and political trends. Faith-based investing starts somewhere different: with convictions rooted in biblical truth. That distinction matters because a company may receive strong ESG ratings while supporting practices that conflict with a Christian investor's beliefs about issues such as the sanctity of human life, religious liberty, family, or human dignity. There may certainly be areas of overlap. Christians care about justice, responsible stewardship, fair treatment of employees, and care for creation. But agreement on certain issues does not mean the underlying moral frameworks are the same. Faith-based investing asks a deeper question: Does the way this company operates—and the way my ownership stake is used—reflect the convictions I am seeking to live by? Your Shares Come With a Voice One area investors may overlook is proxy voting. Owning shares in a publicly traded company generally gives investors the opportunity to vote on certain corporate matters. But individual investors rarely cast those votes themselves. Instead, asset managers often rely on large proxy advisory firms to provide recommendations or process votes on their behalf. That means Christians may unknowingly own investments whose shares are being voted in ways that conflict with their beliefs. Schmitz offered an example involving shareholder proposals related to Google and crisis pregnancy centers. Some proposals sought changes in how those organizations appeared in search results and were characterized positively within ESG-oriented frameworks. Faith-based investors, however, could reach a very different conclusion because of their convictions regarding the unborn and the work of pro-life ministries. For Christian investors, then, screening a portfolio may be only part of the stewardship equation. How shares are voted can matter too. Moving Beyond Passive Ownership Schmitz has been involved in developing proxy-voting policies designed to better reflect Catholic investment principles. The effort grew from concern that existing guidelines did not always reflect the convictions they claimed to represent. The broader lesson applies to Christian investors of many traditions: we do not necessarily have to outsource our influence without asking questions. Faith-based investing can involve both screening and engagement. Screening considers whether a company's products, services, or practices conflict with an investor's convictions. Engagement asks whether shareholders can encourage companies toward practices that better promote human flourishing. That makes faith-based investing more than a list of companies or industries to avoid. Shareholders can also use their ownership to advocate for positive change. Christians Can Care About Creation Without Agreeing on Every Policy The “E” in ESG stands for environmental, which sometimes creates the impression that faith-based investors give little attention to environmental stewardship. Schmitz argues that this does not have to be the case. Christians may disagree about exactly how environmental concerns should be addressed, but waste, pollution, and responsible care for creation are legitimate stewardship concerns. Investors can support companies working to reduce genuine environmental harm while also considering the economic consequences of particular policies, especially for workers and lower-income communities. The difference is that Christians can recognize room for prudential disagreement. Biblical stewardship gives us principles to guide our thinking, but believers may reach different conclusions about the best policies or business practices to address a particular environmental concern. That calls for humility, wisdom, and careful discernment rather than assuming every issue has a one-size-fits-all solution. Look for Managers With “Skin in the Game” Schmitz also encouraged investors to consider whether the people managing their money have what author Nassim Nicholas Taleb famously called “skin in the game.” When Schmitz worked as a fund manager, for example, he invested his own capital alongside the investors whose money he managed. That kind of alignment can matter. A manager who shares both the potential rewards and the downside risk has an added incentive to exercise discipline and think long-term. For Christian investors, alignment can go even deeper. Do the people managing your investments understand your convictions? Do their investment policies reflect them? Are they transparent about how companies are screened, how proxies are voted, and how shareholder engagement is conducted? Christian investors should not assume that an investment is biblically aligned simply because it carries a faith-related label. Transparency matters. Common Misconceptions About Faith-Based Investing Schmitz highlighted several misconceptions investors should reconsider. First, ESG is not morally neutral. Like every investment framework, it rests on assumptions about what is good, responsible, and worth promoting. Second, faith-based investing is not merely negative screening. Christian investors can encourage good corporate behavior through shareholder engagement, proxy voting, and collaboration with other investors. Third, bringing Christian convictions into investing is not an inappropriate intrusion of faith into an otherwise neutral marketplace. Every investor brings values into financial decisions in some form. Christians should not feel compelled to leave deeply held beliefs outside the investment process. Finally, individual investors are not necessarily powerless. Shareholders can work together, support resolutions, engage company leadership, and influence how large asset managers vote. The question is whether Christians will use that influence intentionally. Questions to Ask About Your Investments If you want to know whether your investments reflect your convictions, start by asking questions. If you work with a financial advisor or investment manager, ask how your investments are screened and how proxy votes are handled. If most of your retirement savings are held through an employer-sponsored plan, ask your plan provider what proxy-voting policies apply to the funds you own. You can also examine Christian mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that publicly disclose their screening standards, voting policies, and shareholder-engagement practices. The goal is not perfection. Investing in a complex economy will always require wisdom and discernment. But greater transparency can help investors make more informed stewardship decisions. Keep Your Investment Horizon Eternal Schmitz closed with advice he regularly shares with young people entering finance: Character matters more than credentials. Work ethic, courage, and integrity can open doors over the course of a career, but ambition must remain submitted to something greater than personal achievement. For the Christian, that means keeping Christ at the center. Financial markets reward investors who are willing to think beyond the next quarter or the next headline. Christians have an even longer horizon. We make financial decisions knowing that earthly returns are temporary and faithfulness to Christ has eternal significance. That perspective changes the way we think about investing. We are not merely asking, “What return can this investment produce?” We are also asking, “What am I supporting with the resources God has entrusted to me?” Faith-based investing is ultimately another opportunity to practice faithful stewardship—seeking to align our financial decisions with our convictions while remembering that our ultimate treasure is not found in any portfolio, but in Christ. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I'm an elementary teacher looking to supplement my income, and I recently earned my life and health insurance license. A friend invited me to join WFG. Is that a good option for part-time work, or are there better ways to use the license? I opened a savings account after receiving a promotion offering a cash bonus if I deposited funds and left them there for 90 days. I met those requirements, but now the bank says I failed to enroll in the promotion, even though the invitation didn't mention that step. What should I do to dispute this? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Christian Investing Council (CIC) Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is money the root of all evil? | August 21, 2026

Let’s Find Out Together

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2026 8:20

People say money is the root of all evil. Is that what Paul said? Let's find out together as we read 1 Timothy 6:3-21 and Ecclesiastes 5:10-20.

Names for Religious Structures

Word & Table

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2026 24:16

Learn the meanings of names you may have heard: monastery, basilica, cathedral, chapel, and more. Support us on Patreon for Member access to our special podcast series where we go in depth on books of the Bible. Ongoing season: Ecclesiastes. You will also gain access to the entire archive of Season 1: John, Season 2: Exodus, and Season 3: Hebrews Apply for Saint Paul's House of Formation Email us Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications Word & Table Episode Index

bible house exodus member names religious ecclesiastes ongoing cathedrals chapel structures saint paul basilica monastery convent minster chapterhouse richard proulx cathedral singers

Focus on Consequences, Not Probabilities with Mark Biller

HER HOLISTIC HEALING, Chronic Fatigue, What is Chronic Pain, Anxiety Coping Skills, Essential Oil Blends, Meal Ideas Quick

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2026 24:57

Risk is unavoidable in investing—and in life. But not all risks deserve equal attention. It is easy to focus primarily on the probability that something will happen. If an investment, career move, or financial strategy has a high likelihood of succeeding, we may assume it is a good decision. But Mark Biller, Executive Editor at Sound Mind Investing, suggests another question may be even more important: If things go wrong, how wrong could they go? That shift—from focusing on probabilities to considering consequences—can help us make wiser financial decisions and protect ourselves from risks that could permanently derail our plans. A Small Probability Can Carry a Huge Consequence Suppose someone told you there was a 99% chance an opportunity would succeed. Those odds sound compelling. But what if the remaining 1% chance of failure meant complete financial ruin? Suddenly, the decision looks very different. A simple illustration is crossing a busy street. The probability of being hit by a vehicle may be relatively small, but we still look both ways because the potential consequence is catastrophic. A low probability does not make a severe consequence irrelevant. The same principle applies to investing. An outcome may be statistically unlikely, but if it could wipe out your savings, destroy your retirement plan, or leave you unable to meet your obligations, it deserves serious consideration. Financial thinker Peter Bernstein summarized the principle well: the consequences of being wrong can matter more than the probabilities of being right. That leads to two important questions: If this goes wrong, how wrong could it go? And how much would it matter? Why Humility Matters in Investing Financial history offers plenty of reminders that even highly intelligent investors cannot anticipate every outcome. One famous example is the collapse of Long-Term Capital Management in 1998. The hedge fund was run by some of the brightest minds in finance and relied on sophisticated mathematical models. Those models worked under most circumstances—but a combination of leverage and extraordinary market conditions caused enormous losses. The lesson is not that investors should avoid risk altogether. Risk is part of investing. Rather, wise investors recognize the limits of their knowledge. We cannot predict every market decline, economic shock, or unexpected life event. That reality should lead us toward humility and encourage us to build financial plans with room for error. Build a Margin of Safety One practical way to prepare for uncertainty is to maintain a margin of safety. That begins before investing. A strong financial foundation includes reducing burdensome debt and establishing adequate emergency savings. Then, as you invest, diversification can help reduce the danger of concentrated bets, while avoiding excessive leverage can protect against losses that permanently impair your financial position. The goal is not to eliminate every possible risk. That would be impossible. Instead, margin allows your plan to survive when circumstances do not unfold as expected. Biblical wisdom encourages this kind of prudence. Proverbs 22:3 says: “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” Wise stewardship does not require us to live fearfully. But it does call us to recognize potential danger and prepare appropriately. Your Emergency Fund Protects More Than Emergencies An emergency fund may seem separate from an investment portfolio, but the two are closely connected. Think of investing like climbing a ladder. Before climbing higher, you want to make sure the ladder is resting on firm ground. Emergency savings provide that foundation. Unexpected expenses are inevitable. A furnace fails. A vehicle needs replacing sooner than expected. A major repair suddenly becomes necessary. Without adequate savings, those expenses may force you to sell investments at exactly the wrong time—perhaps when the market is down significantly. What began as an ordinary household expense can then cause lasting damage to a long-term investment plan. An emergency fund creates financial breathing room so temporary problems do not become permanent setbacks. Protecting Retirees From Sequence-of-Returns Risk Consequences become especially important as retirement approaches. One risk retirees face is known as sequence-of-returns risk. This occurs when significant investment losses happen early in retirement while a retiree is simultaneously withdrawing money from the portfolio. Two retirees could experience similar average investment returns over several decades but have very different outcomes depending on when the losses occur. A steep market decline early in retirement can be particularly damaging because withdrawals compound those losses. Even strong returns later may not fully repair the damage. Diversification can help manage this risk. Some retirees also choose to keep several years of anticipated spending in cash or relatively low-risk investments so they are less likely to sell stocks during a severe market downturn. The appropriate strategy will vary by household, but the principle remains the same: consider not only what is likely to happen, but what would happen to your plan if difficult circumstances arrived at an inconvenient time. How Much Risk Can You Afford? Risk tolerance is often discussed in terms of emotion: How comfortable are you when markets fall? That matters, but consequence-based thinking adds another dimension. Ask what would happen if an investment or strategy failed. Would the loss merely be disappointing? Or would it prevent you from retiring, eliminate your emergency reserves, jeopardize your home, or keep you awake at night? If a negative outcome would derail your financial goals, you may be taking more risk than you can afford—even if the probability of success appears high. On the other hand, if you can absorb the downside without seriously damaging your financial plan, then probability can play a larger role in the decision. This framework also guards against becoming too conservative. Avoiding stocks entirely in retirement may reduce short-term market volatility, for example, but it introduces another potential consequence: a portfolio may fail to keep pace with inflation over a retirement that lasts several decades. Wise risk management considers both sides. Stewardship Leaves Room for the Unexpected We cannot know exactly what markets, inflation, interest rates, or the economy will do next. And Scripture never promises that careful planning will remove uncertainty from our lives. Our confidence ultimately rests somewhere deeper. As Christians, we believe God is sovereign and that our ultimate security is found in Christ—not in the performance of our portfolios. That frees us to approach financial decisions with both wisdom and humility. We can plan carefully without pretending we know the future. We can prepare for risk without being ruled by fear. And we can leave margin in our finances because we recognize our own limitations. The goal is not to predict every possible outcome. It is to build a financial life capable of enduring when some of our predictions inevitably prove wrong. Before taking a significant financial risk, don't simply ask, “What are the odds that this will work?” Ask one more question: “If it doesn't, can my financial plan withstand the consequences?” That question may be one of the most valuable safeguards a wise steward can use. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: My son and daughter-in-law have a car loan with a payment over $900 a month and likely a very high interest rate because of poor credit. Are there any options to refinance, reduce the rate, or lower the payment? I'll reach full retirement age later this year and plan to keep working. Should I start Social Security then so I can save, invest, and give more, or delay benefits to receive a larger amount later? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Sound Mind Investing (SMI) Focus on Consequences, Not Probabilities (Article by Austin Pryor at Sound Mind Investing) When Genius Failed: The Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital Management by Roger Lowenstein Master Your Money: A Step-by-Step Plan for Experiencing Financial Contentment by Ron Blue with Michael Blue Christian Credit Counselors FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Time To Wait

My Morning Devotional

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2026 8:16 Transcription Available

Ever wondered why some seasons of life seem to be all about waiting?In today's episode, Lauren Burgos invites us to explore the beauty and challenge of waiting on God. Together, we'll reflect on what it means to pause, trust, and seek hope even when change doesn't come as quickly as we'd like. Using wisdom from Lamentations 3, we'll uncover how shifting our perspective can transform a restless wait into a time of growth and peace.Let's gather as a community to pray, encourage one another, and embrace the goodness found in quietly waiting for the Lord's direction.Tap HERE to send us a text! Our podcast family is growing - introducing Men's Morning Devotional! Our dad, Steve Alessi, and all of our husbands are now hosting their own 5 minute devotionals every weekday - for men who want to become better husbands, fathers, and leaders! Listen, follow and subscribe here - MensMorningDevotional.comSupport the showNEW VIDEO EPISODES! You can watch our new video episodes on YouTube! Watch Our Video DevotionalsNEW TO MY MORNING DEVOTIONAL? Welcome! We're four sisters - Stephanie, Lauren, Gaby, and Richelle - and our family works together at Metro Life Church in Miami, FL. We're so blessed to produce this daily devotional podcast for you and continue the great work done by the show's founder, Alison Delamota.We pray these devotions will help you to grow in your faith, and that you'll join us every weekday for a morning prayer and some time in God's Word! JOIN THE MMD COMMUNITYSubscribe to the showShare with a friendJoin our newsletter Follow Us on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Facebook⁠⁠Leave a reviewMORE PODCASTS YOU'LL ENJOYEnjoy more podcasts from Metro Life Studios, including:The Family Business with The AlessisMen's Morning DevotionalThe Mary and Martha Show Available on our Metro Life Studios app!Get The Metro Life Studios app

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209: The One Habit That Finally Explains Why You're Still Exhausted: A Christian Wellness Perspective

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2026 9:17

If you've been pushing through exhaustion, ignoring your own needs to take care of everyone else, and wondering why you still feel worn down no matter how hard you try, this episode is for you. In this episode, we look at an old story about two woodcutters and what it teaches us about holistic health, faith-based rest, and why sharpening your axe matters more than working harder. This episode is for the Christian woman who is ready to take real steps toward healing. If you've tried supplement after supplement, diet after diet, and you're still exhausted, this conversation will help you understand what might actually be missing. The Story of the Two Woodcutters Two woodcutters, Jake and Jonas, competed to see who could chop the most wood by the end of the day. Jonas never stopped. Jake stopped every hour. By sundown, Jake had won, not despite the breaks, but because of them. Every time he stopped, he was sharpening his saw. This story usually gets told as a lesson in productivity. But it points to something deeper about how we care for our bodies and our health. What Ecclesiastes 10:10 Teaches Us About Sharpening Our Axe Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, "If the iron is blunt and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed." A dull axe forces us to work harder for less result. The same is true in our health. When we neglect the basics, our bodies have to work harder just to keep up, and we still fall short. Why We Should Ask God How to Sharpen Our Saw Instead of guessing our way through diets, supplements, and health trends, we can ask God how to care for our specific bodies. He knows us best. Sharpening our saw might look different for each of us, but it starts with the same question: what does God want me to prioritize? Jesus Modeled Rest and Intentionality Mark 1:35 describes Jesus rising early, while it was still dark, to go pray alone. When His disciples told Him everyone was looking for Him, He didn't rush back to meet every need. He said, "Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." Jesus was intentional. He rested with God first, and He didn't try to be everything to everyone. That's a pattern worth following, especially for women who feel responsible for holding everything together. Practical Ways to Sharpen Your Axe Sharpening your saw looks different for everyone, but a few examples came up in this episode: Spending unhurried time with God, even before the day gets busy Watching what you eat and food prepping ahead of time Getting support from a friend, therapist, pastor, or church community Swapping out personal care or cleaning products for cleaner options Spending time with friends, not just family Moving your body in a way you enjoy, whether that's kickboxing, walking, or light strength training Reducing stress wherever possible, including something as simple as stopping to eat at a set time None of these are quick fixes. They're the ongoing, unglamorous habits that keep us from running on empty. Time-Stamped Highlights 00:00 — Introduction: your health might be suffering because you're skipping the important things 00:00–01:25 — The story of the two woodcutters, Jake and Jonas 01:25 — Ecclesiastes 10:10 on sharpening a dull blade 01:52 — What it means to sharpen our saw when it comes to health 02:21 — Mark 1:35, Jesus rising early to pray before the demands of the day 03:19 — Jesus' intentionality: "that is why I came out" 04:17 — Practical examples: food prep, community support, and personal care swaps 04:44 — A hospice worker's insight on end-of-life regrets around friendship 05:13 — Joyful movement and protecting your relationships during busy seasons 06:09 — The role of strength training as we age 06:37 — Reducing stress as one of the most important things you can do for your health 07:07 — A nurse's perspective on burnout from skipping breaks and meals 07:36 — Why God, not trial and error, is the best source of wisdom for your body Key Takeaways Working harder isn't always the answer. Sometimes what your body needs is rest, not more effort. Sharpening your axe isn't one-size-fits-all. What God asks you to prioritize may look different than what He asks someone else to prioritize. Jesus modeled rest and intentional boundaries, even when others wanted more of His time. Small, consistent habits, like eating on time, moving your body, and staying connected to friends, matter more than we often give them credit for. This episode isn't medical advice. It's an invitation to slow down, reflect, and ask God what your body actually needs. Ready to Stop Running on Empty? If you're tired of guessing what your body needs and ready to take real, focused steps toward healing, book a free 15-minute Introductory Call at herholistichealing.com/call. We'll talk through what's actually going on and whether working together is the right next step for you.

god jesus christ story wellness practical spending habit empty ecclesiastes reducing joyful exhausted practical ways sharpening stop running

Planning Ahead for Long-Term Care with Nathan Sanow

Under God | With Pastor Stephen Martin

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2026 24:57

Long-term care isn't just a health issue. It can become a major financial and family decision. Most of us hope we'll never need extended care, but wise stewardship means preparing for possibilities before they become a crisis. And while long-term care insurance may be part of that preparation, the first step isn't necessarily buying a policy. It's having a plan. Nathan Sanow, President of LTC Consumer and MasterCare LLC, has spent more than two decades helping individuals and families navigate long-term care planning. He says the most important place to begin is understanding what would happen if you or someone you love needed care for an extended period. Start With a Long-Term Care Plan People often hear “long-term care” and immediately think about insurance premiums. But insurance is simply one potential way to fund a larger plan. A good long-term care plan begins by asking several practical questions: Who would provide your care if you needed help? Would that person be physically and emotionally able to do it? Where would you prefer to receive care? How would your care affect your family? Most importantly, how would you pay for it? These conversations can be difficult, but they are much easier to have before a crisis occurs. Planning ahead also gives family members an opportunity to understand your wishes rather than making major decisions under pressure. What Medicare, Medicaid, and Health Insurance Actually Cover One of the most common misconceptions about long-term care is that Medicare or regular health insurance will cover the cost. In most cases, they will not. Medicare may pay for certain short-term rehabilitation services after a qualifying hospital stay. For example, someone recovering from a stroke or surgery may receive temporary rehabilitative care. But Medicare generally does not pay for ongoing custodial care—the type of help someone may need with everyday activities over an extended period. Traditional health insurance generally does not cover that kind of care either. Medicaid can pay for long-term care, but eligibility requires meeting strict financial requirements. That often means spending down assets significantly before qualifying for assistance. Another common source of confusion is long-term disability insurance. Long-term disability insurance replaces a portion of your income when you are unable to work. Long-term care coverage, by contrast, helps pay for the care you need when you can no longer adequately care for yourself. Where Long-Term Care Insurance Fits Long-term care insurance is essentially a risk-transfer tool. Instead of assuming the full financial risk of an unpredictable long-term care event, you pay a predictable premium and transfer some of that risk to an insurance company. Many policies allow considerable flexibility in how benefits are used. Depending on the policy, coverage may help pay for professional care at home, assisted living, or a long-term care facility. That flexibility matters because many people would prefer to remain at home as long as possible. Some policies also provide caregiver support services. When a long-term care event occurs, families are suddenly forced to navigate providers, facilities, benefits, and major financial decisions. Having professional guidance available during that process can be valuable in itself. How Much Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cost? The cost of coverage varies significantly depending on the type of policy, age, health, benefits selected, and length of coverage. Sanow says consumers can think of long-term care insurance much like buying a vehicle: there are inexpensive options, premium options, and many choices in between. Based on his company's experience with thousands of consumers, hybrid life and long-term care policies may cost considerably more than traditional coverage, while shorter-term policies can cost less. The important point is that coverage can often be customized. Rather than asking, “How much does long-term care insurance cost?” a better question may be, “How much of this risk do I need to insure?” A household might choose insurance that covers only part of the potential cost while planning to pay the remainder from savings or other assets. The Financial Risk of Long-Term Care The potential cost of extended care is what makes planning so important. According to figures discussed by Sano, roughly half of Americans may eventually need professional long-term care services lasting 90 days or more. Women face an especially significant risk of needing care for an extended period. And the costs can add up quickly. In some areas of the country, facility-based care can cost well over $10,000 per month. Even one year of care could consume more than $100,000. For someone with substantial savings, that may simply represent an expense they have chosen to self-insure. But for many households, an extended care event could significantly alter a retirement plan, affect a surviving spouse, or reduce assets intended for other purposes. That is why every household should at least identify how those expenses would be paid. Should You Self-Insure? Not everyone needs long-term care insurance. Some households with significant assets may be comfortable paying for care themselves. Others with limited resources may ultimately depend on Medicaid. But many families fall somewhere in between. For those households, the question is whether they could comfortably absorb a long-term care expense without jeopardizing other financial priorities. If you decide to self-insure, the plan still needs to be specific. Which assets would you use? Are those funds liquid enough to access when needed? Would spending them affect the financial security of your spouse? Simply saying, “We'll use our savings,” is not the same as having a plan. When Should You Consider Coverage? For many people, the early 50s through mid-60s can be an important window for considering long-term care insurance. Waiting too long can create challenges because premiums generally increase with age, and health problems may make coverage more difficult—or impossible—to obtain. At the same time, newer insurance products have created additional options for some older consumers who might not have qualified for traditional coverage in the past. That makes it important to evaluate your options while you are still healthy rather than assuming you can purchase coverage later. What About Premium Increases? Long-term care insurance has faced criticism over the years because some traditional policies experienced significant premium increases. Today, however, consumers may have additional choices. Some hybrid life and long-term care policies offer premiums that are contractually guaranteed not to increase. Sanow also notes that insurers now have decades of additional claims and interest-rate data that were not available when many older policies were originally priced. That information can help companies make more informed assumptions when designing newer products. Still, consumers should understand whether premiums are guaranteed or whether they could increase over time before purchasing any policy. Newer Long-Term Care Options Long-term care products have also become more flexible. One growing option is a cash-benefit policy. Once the policyholder qualifies for benefits, the insurance company provides a set cash amount that can potentially be used more freely—including paying certain family members or other caregivers, depending on the policy. Another development is the movement from daily benefit limits toward monthly benefits. That distinction can be especially helpful for people receiving home care only a few days each week. Instead of being limited to a specific amount per day, a monthly benefit provides more flexibility in how the available benefit is used throughout the month. As always, policy details vary, so understanding exactly how benefits are calculated and paid is essential. Have the Family Conversation First Long-term care planning ultimately begins with people, not policies. Before researching insurance, sit down with your spouse, children, or other family members and talk honestly about what you would want if you needed extended care. Ask: Who would provide care? Where would you want to receive it? What would that responsibility require from your family? And where would the money come from? Once you understand the answers, you can begin evaluating whether savings, investments, insurance, or some combination of those resources should fund the plan. If insurance may be appropriate, consider working with an independent professional who understands the underwriting requirements of multiple carriers. Health standards can vary significantly between insurers, and the right guidance may help you evaluate the options available to you. Long-term care insurance isn't right for every household. But long-term care planning is something every family should consider. Preparing ahead can protect more than your finances. It can give your family clarity, preserve choices, and reduce the burden of making difficult decisions during an already stressful season. That, too, is part of wise stewardship. To learn more about long-term care planning and explore your options, visit LTCConsumer.com. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: My family and I want to buy the home we've been renting, and our landlord is offering us a good price. We have about 25% saved for a down payment. Since we already know the property, who should we work with to handle the legal documents, closing, and other purchase details? I'm 39 and expect about $100,000 from an ESOP payout in 2027. My wife and I have roughly $60,000 in credit card and tax debt. Should we use the payout to eliminate the debt or roll it into my 401(k) for retirement? I'm updating my will and would like to leave part of my estate to my three children and a meaningful portion to three ministries I support. Is that a wise and God-honoring way to structure my estate? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) LTC Consumer | MasterCare Splitting Heirs: Giving Your Money and Things to Your Children Without Ruining Their Lives by Ron Blue with Jeremy White FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

IDF Soldier Answers the Genocide Charge: What He Saw in Gaza | Under God Ep 351

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2026 88:52

An IDF soldier answers the genocide charge with what he saw in Gaza.In this episode, Pastor Nathan Brown talks with Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and his son, IDF reserve Sergeant First Class Meir Wolicki, who served three years in Gaza and Lebanon. The rabbi opens Psalm 83 as the Bible's theology of war, and the IDF soldier walks through evacuating civilians, the famine claims, and the first Gazan family he ever saw. Perfect for the commute or the drive home.You'll Learn:✅ Why Psalm 83 names Philistia and Tyre, and where those places are today✅ How an IDF soldier answers the genocide and starvation charges✅ What Exodus 19 says about God's purpose for Israel and the nations✅ Why one rabbi says Christians are ignoring the persecuted Church

god israel bible christians psalm exodus charge soldiers gaza ecclesiastes lebanon hamas genocide tyre idf gazan philistia under god

291. The Story We Were Made For: What C.S. Lewis Knew About Every Great Tale

The Grace Filled Leader-Work Life Balance, Productivity, Time Management, Emotional Intelligence, People Pleasing, Overwhelm

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2026 34:02

Why do certain stories break us open in ways we cannot fully explain? Why does the sacrifice of a fictional lion make a grown adult cry? Why does a humble gardener carrying his friend through darkness produce that catch in the throat that feels like something more than sentiment? Why does a wrongly imprisoned man emerging into the rain with his arms outstretched feel less like a plot point and more like a moment of genuine liberation? In this episode Tanya explores one of the most beautiful ideas in all of Christian thought — the concept C.S. Lewis called Sehnsucht — the inconsolable longing that no earthly experience can satisfy. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 3:11, Lewis's works including The Weight of Glory and Mere Christianity, and Tolkien's argument that the gospel is the myth that is also true, Tanya makes the case that the stories that move us most are not accidental. They are echoes. Breadcrumbs scattered by God across the human imagination — in Narnia and Middle Earth and nineteenth century Paris and the walls of Shawshank — all carrying the same thread. The same fingerprint. The same frequency that the eternity in every human heart was designed to recognize. She walks through the gospel thread running through The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Lord of the Rings, Les Misérables, The Shawshank Redemption, Beauty and the Beast, and Encanto — showing the specific gospel element each story carries. And she addresses what we see in people who reject the longing versus those who follow it home — drawing from Pascal, Frankl, and Augustine. This is not a theology lecture. It is a joyful, relational, wonder-filled conversation about the Story we were all made for. In This Episode You'll Learn: What Ecclesiastes 3:11 means when it says God set eternity in the human heart C.S. Lewis's concept of Sehnsucht — the inconsolable longing and what it points toward The famous argument Lewis received from Tolkien — the gospel as the myth that is also true Why story bypasses the defensive intellect and reaches the soul directly The gospel thread running through The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe — substitutionary atonement and resurrection The gospel threads in The Lord of the Rings — providence, sacrificial love, and human insufficiency completed by grace The grace-and-law dynamic in Les Misérables — and what Javert shows us about the person who cannot receive grace The resurrection imagery in The Shawshank Redemption The gospel of love-before-worthiness in Beauty and the Beast The performance-based identity and grace-restoration arc in Encanto What Pascal, Viktor Frankl, and Augustine contribute to the question of the rejected longing What is different about the life of the person who has received the True Story An invitation to pay attention to the ache — and follow the thread home People and Works Referenced C.S. Lewis — The Weight of Glory, Mere Christianity, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, An Experiment in Criticism J.R.R. Tolkien — The Lord of the Rings, On Fairy Stories Victor Hugo — Les Misérables Blaise Pascal — Pensées Viktor Frankl — Man's Search for Meaning Augustine of Hippo — Confessions Carl Jung — Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious Scripture Referenced Ecclesiastes 3:11 — "He has set eternity in the human heart." Romans 5:8 — "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." John 1:5 — "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." Romans 8:22 — "The whole creation has been groaning." Revelation 21:5 — "Behold, I am making all things new." Key Takeaway The stories that move us most are not accidental. They carry the frequency of the True Story — the gospel of sacrifice, grace, resurrection, and love-before-worthiness that God has been telling since before time began. The ache they produce is not sentiment. It is the eternity in your heart recognizing where it belongs. Pay attention to it. Follow the thread. It points home. I hope this episode blesses you! Xoxo, Tanya Episode Resources: Episode Catalog My trusted Supplement Dispensary: Aligned Vitality Fullscript Dispensary My trusted Telehealth Peptide Provider: EllieMD_Tanya Engesether *I do get a small commission when you use one of the above affiliate links. 2 Ways To Connect With Me: 1️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others navigating life and leadership ➡︎ https://alignedvitalityhealth.com/community 2️⃣CONTACT: Leave me a question or comment ➡︎ https://alignedvitalityhealth.com/contact "Yes! Finally, a podcast helping others become the thriving leaders they're meant to be outside of hustle-culture! This is an amazing resource! Thank you so much for sharing and helping us become Spirit-driven, peaceful leaders!" If you can relate, please consider rating and reviewing my show! It helps me reach more people – just like you – to help them change their future. Don't forget to follow the show so you don't miss any episodes! And, if you're feeling really generous, I'd be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. Click here to view our privacy policy.

The Cycle of Stewardship by Tim Tassopoulos

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2026 24:57

Stewardship isn't a one-time decision. It's an ongoing way of life—a cycle that begins with gratitude, moves through faithful growth, and leads to generosity. Tim Tassopoulos, Former President and Chief Operating Officer of Chick-fil-A, has seen that cycle at work throughout his life and career. During his decades with the company, he helped shape a culture known not only for operational excellence but also for servant leadership, hospitality, and investing in people. For Tassopoulos, faithful stewardship starts with a foundational truth: God owns it all. That includes our finances, but it extends much further. Our abilities, relationships, opportunities, time, experiences, and even the challenges we encounter are all things God has entrusted to us. Stewardship is the process of receiving those gifts gratefully, developing them faithfully, and ultimately using them for the good of others and the glory of God. Stewardship Begins With Gratitude The first step in the cycle is gratitude. Before we can faithfully manage what God has given us, we must recognize that it came from Him in the first place. Gratitude shifts our perspective from ownership to stewardship. That contrast is clear in Jesus' parable of the rich fool in Luke 12. The man repeatedly speaks of “my crops,” “my barns,” and “my grain.” His mistake wasn't simply having an abundant harvest. He had forgotten the One from whom his abundance came. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14–30 offers another picture. The first two servants received different amounts, yet both faithfully put what they had been entrusted with to work. Their focus wasn't on comparing what they received but on faithfully managing it. Gratitude allows us to do the same. And it requires intentionality. Tassopoulos encourages making gratitude part of the daily rhythm of life through prayer, Scripture, and consciously recognizing God's provision. That gratitude doesn't have to be limited to the things we naturally consider blessings. We can thank God for relationships, resources, and good health, but also recognize that challenges and opportunities can become gifts He uses to shape us. When we begin with gratitude, we are better prepared to steward whatever God places in our hands. Growth Requires Humility Gratitude naturally leads to the next stage of stewardship: growth. If God has entrusted us with abilities, relationships, opportunities, knowledge, or financial resources, faithful stewardship asks how we can develop those gifts—not merely for our own benefit, but so they can increasingly serve others. That requires becoming a lifelong learner. Tassopoulos puts it simply: without humility, there is no growth. Learning begins by acknowledging that we don't know everything. We need the wisdom, experience, correction, and perspective of others. That may come through books, mentors, colleagues, Scripture, or simply reflecting carefully on our own experiences. The more we learn, the more we may be able to contribute. For Tassopoulos, one practical expression of that commitment was something he called a library day. Throughout his career at Chick-fil-A, he intentionally reserved one day each month to leave the office and work from a public library. Away from the distractions of the corporate support center—and with less opportunity to constantly check his phone—he could study, evaluate his schedule, reflect on recent experiences, and look ahead to the next 90 days. Those days became opportunities for restoration, reflection, and refocusing. When Tassopoulos became president of Chick-fil-A and knew the demands on his time would increase considerably, he made what might seem like a counterintuitive decision: he added a second library day each month. Greater responsibility meant he needed more time to think, not less. There is a lesson there for all of us. Growth rarely happens accidentally. Whether we are developing our finances, our professional abilities, our relationships, or our spiritual lives, we need margin to learn, reflect, and make wise decisions. Generosity Is About More Than Money Growth, however, isn't the destination. The purpose of developing what God has entrusted to us is not simply to accumulate more. Growth creates greater opportunities to serve. That leads to generosity. Financial giving is certainly part of generosity, but biblical generosity is much larger. We can be generous with our time, our attention, our knowledge, our relationships, our encouragement, and our willingness to invest in other people. Tassopoulos saw that modeled repeatedly by Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy and the Cathy family. Their generosity has included financial giving, but also mentoring future leaders, investing in employees and communities, and creating organizations designed to serve others. That reflects Chick-fil-A's corporate purpose, developed during a difficult period for the company in the early 1980s: “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.” Notably, that purpose says nothing about restaurant growth, revenue, or the number of chicken sandwiches sold. It centers on glorifying God, practicing faithful stewardship, and influencing people for good. Business success became something to steward rather than the ultimate goal. Truett Cathy's 10-10-10 Principle Truett Cathy also communicated stewardship through a simple financial principle Tassopoulos remembers well: Give 10%, save 10%, and work 10% harder. The order mattered. Giving came first, reinforcing that generosity should be intentional rather than something we practice only when there happens to be money left over. Saving acknowledged the importance of preparing wisely for both present needs and the future. And working harder reflected Cathy's continual challenge to give your best effort. That philosophy was connected to another biblical principle that shaped Cathy's life. Proverbs 22:1 says: “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” Reputation, integrity, and faithfulness mattered more than financial success. That same mindset can also be seen in Chick-fil-A's emphasis on “second-mile service,” drawn from Jesus' words in Matthew 5:41: “And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” Going beyond what is required is another expression of generosity. Generosity Brings Us Back to Gratitude This is why stewardship is best understood as a cycle rather than a checklist. We receive what God provides with gratitude. We faithfully grow and develop what He has entrusted to us. Then we generously share the fruit of that growth with others. And when we experience the privilege of giving, serving, mentoring, encouraging, or investing in someone else, we have another reason to be grateful. Then, the cycle begins again. That perspective changes the way we think about money and everything else God places in our hands. The question is no longer simply, “How much can I accumulate?” Instead, we begin asking, “How faithfully can I manage what God has entrusted to me?” Stewardship begins with gratitude, grows through faithful action, and comes full circle in generosity. And as we continue that cycle throughout our lives, the resources God provides become opportunities to glorify Him and bless the people around us. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I'm turning 65 but plan to keep working and stay on my employer's HSA-eligible health plan. Can I delay Medicare enrollment and continue contributing to my HSA, or do I need to enroll at 65? I need significant home repairs, may have water damage or mold, and also have about $8,000 in credit card debt. I don't want to refinance because my mortgage rate is 3%. Would a HELOC be a reasonable way to cover the repairs and debt, or should I consider another option? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Christian Credit Counselors FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Eucharist

Word & Table

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2026 48:22

A long-overdue episode all about the sacrament of Eucharist, or Holy Communion Support us on Patreon for Member access to our special podcast series where we go in depth on books of the Bible. Ongoing season: Ecclesiastes. You will also gain access to the entire archive of Season 1: John, Season 2: Exodus, and Season 3: Hebrews Apply for Saint Paul's House of Formation Email us Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications Word & Table Episode Index

bible house exodus member communion ecclesiastes ongoing eucharist sacrament saint paul holy communion transubstantiation consubstantiation richard proulx cathedral singers

A Time to Grieve

My Morning Devotional

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2026 7:28 Transcription Available

Why is change, no matter how positive, so hard to embrace?In today's episode, Lauren Burgos invites us to explore the mixed emotions that come with changing seasons, drawing wisdom from Ecclesiastes 3:1-4. Together, we'll reflect on how even joyful transitions like marriage or new beginnings can bring unexpected grief, guilt, and growth. We'll learn that every emotion, whether it's mourning, laughter, or gratitude, has its rightful season, and that all of it is part of God's gentle plan.Join our community as we lean into prayer and daily devotion, seeking comfort and strength from God through every change we face.Tap HERE to send us a text! Our podcast family is growing - introducing Men's Morning Devotional! Our dad, Steve Alessi, and all of our husbands are now hosting their own 5 minute devotionals every weekday - for men who want to become better husbands, fathers, and leaders! Listen, follow and subscribe here - MensMorningDevotional.comSupport the showNEW VIDEO EPISODES! You can watch our new video episodes on YouTube! Watch Our Video DevotionalsNEW TO MY MORNING DEVOTIONAL? We're so glad you're here! We're the Alessis, a ministry family working together in a church in Miami, FL, and we're so blessed to partner with the My Morning Devotional community and continue the great work done by the show's creator and our friend, Alison Delamota.We pray our personal reflections and devotions will empower you to grow your faith in God, and that you'll join us every morning in prayer! JOIN THE MMD COMMUNITYSubscribe to the show on this appShare with a friendJoin our newsletter Follow Us on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Facebook⁠⁠Leave a reviewMORE PODCASTS YOU'LL ENJOYEnjoy more podcasts from Metro Life Studios, including:The Family Business with The AlessisMen's Morning DevotionalThe Mary and Martha Show Available on our Metro Life Studios app!Get The Metro Life Studios app

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Avoiding the Hidden Fees of Credit Cards

Under God | With Pastor Stephen Martin

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2026 24:57

Credit card fees rarely wreck a budget all at once. Instead, they tend to chip away at it little by little. Interest charges, late fees, annual fees, cash advances, and other costs can quietly consume resources that could have been used for saving, giving, or meeting other financial priorities. That's why wise stewardship includes understanding what your credit cards cost and making sure they're serving your financial plan rather than working against it. Proverbs 21:20 says, “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.” This isn't a call to hoard what God provides. It's a reminder that wisdom pays attention. Good stewardship means knowing where our money is going and refusing to let avoidable expenses unnecessarily consume what God has entrusted to us. Start With the Biggest Cost: Interest Technically, interest isn't a fee, but for anyone carrying a credit card balance, it's usually far more expensive than the other charges associated with a card. When interest rates are high, reward points and cash-back offers quickly lose their appeal. A few dollars in rewards can't compensate for months of interest on an unpaid balance. The best practice is straightforward: Don't charge more than you can afford to pay off when the bill comes due. If you're already carrying a balance, consider putting the card away while you develop a plan to eliminate the debt. Continuing to add new purchases while trying to pay down old ones can make progress much more difficult. Avoid Late and Returned-Payment Fees Late fees vary by card issuer, so review your cardholder agreement and know exactly when your payment is due. Payment alerts and automatic payments can be helpful safeguards. At minimum, consider automating the required payment so an overlooked due date doesn't create another unnecessary expense. Ideally, pay the full statement balance each month so you avoid interest altogether. If you use automatic payments, however, make sure there's enough money in your checking account when the payment is scheduled. A returned payment may result in a fee from the card issuer and possibly another fee from your bank. Keeping a small cushion in checking can help protect against those surprises. Think Twice About Annual Fees Some credit cards have no annual fee, while others charge hundreds of dollars in exchange for travel benefits, rewards, or other perks. In many cases, avoiding an annual fee altogether is the simpler choice. The benefits may not justify the cost, especially if rewards encourage you to spend more than you otherwise would. The goal isn't to maximize points. It's to make wise decisions with the resources God has provided. For responsible credit users who want their financial tools to reflect their values, FaithFi appreciates AdelFi Christian Banking. Formed through the merger of Christian Community Credit Union and AdelFi Credit Union, AdelFi provides purpose-driven banking solutions designed to help Christians align their finances with their faith. Since 1995, AdelFi members' card activity has generated more than $6.9 million for Christian causes. You can learn more at FaithFi.com/Banking. Be Especially Careful With Cash Advances Cash advances are one of the most expensive ways to borrow. They may include an upfront fee, and unlike ordinary purchases, interest often begins accruing immediately. That makes a cash advance a costly solution to a short-term cash-flow problem. A better long-term approach is to build financial margin. Start with a small emergency fund, then work toward a larger reserve over time. Having cash available for unexpected expenses can help keep a financial setback from turning into high-interest credit card debt. Watch for Foreign Transaction Fees If you travel internationally or make purchases from foreign merchants, check whether your card charges a foreign transaction fee. Some cards charge a percentage of each transaction, while others waive these fees entirely. Knowing your card's policy before traveling can help prevent unnecessary surprises. Review Your Statements Every Month One of the simplest financial habits is also one of the most valuable: review every credit card statement. Look for unexpected fees, forgotten subscriptions, duplicate charges, or transactions you don't recognize. Regularly reviewing your statements helps you catch problems early and stay engaged with your financial life. It also gives you an opportunity to ask a larger question: Is this card still helping me accomplish what I intended it to? A Credit Card Should Be a Tool, Not a Master Credit cards aren't inherently good or bad. What matters is whether they help or hinder faithful stewardship. If using a credit card consistently leads to interest charges, fees, or overspending, the wisest decision may be to stop using it. There's no spiritual virtue in having a credit card, and there's no shame in choosing cash or debit if those tools help you manage money more faithfully. Faithfulness often shows up in small financial decisions: paying bills on time, avoiding unnecessary costs, living within God's provision, and directing more of what He has entrusted to us toward His purposes. Take a few minutes this week to review the credit cards you use. Know what they cost. Know why you have them. And make sure they're serving your financial plan rather than quietly shaping it. If you're looking for a financial institution that shares your Christian values, consider AdelFi Christian Banking. FaithFi listeners can earn up to a $400 bonus when opening a qualifying high-yield checking or savings account or a Cash Rewards Visa credit account. Visit FaithFi.com/Banking and use the code FAITHFI to learn more. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I have investments, but I don't have a tax-planning strategy, and I'm paying a lot in taxes each year. My advisor doesn't seem very proactive. How can I find someone who can coordinate my investment and tax planning? I'm 67, debt-free, have a good income, and about $97,000 in savings and cash, but no retirement plan or investments through work. How should I start investing at this stage of life? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) AdelFi Christian Banking FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Theology of War: Why Psalm 83 Reads Like Today's Headlines | Under God Ep 350

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2026 60:04

Psalm 83 is the Bible's theology of war — and it reads like today's headlines.In this episode, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki teaches Psalm 83 verse by verse before an Under God Podcast audience, opening with a question most Christians never ask: if you hate the Jewish state, why attack Christmas and Easter? He walks through Ecclesiastes 3, the exile prophecy of Deuteronomy, and the surprising way Psalm 83 ends. Then his son Meir Wolicki, an Israeli Army squad commander, shares what he learned about carrying faith into a war zone. Made for the commute.You'll Learn:✅ Why Ecclesiastes 3 is harder to live out than it sounds✅ What Psalm 83 reveals about ancient enemies and modern ones✅ Why shame, not just victory, is the biblical purpose of war✅ How to keep your faith when life gets loudest

christmas bible christians psalm jewish psalms theology deuteronomy ecclesiastes shoulder psalm 83 israeli army reads like

Ecclesiastes 5: Worship, Wealth, and Contentment

Devotional on SermonAudio

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2026 7:56

Ecclesiastes 5 addresses two areas that reveal the condition of our hearts: how we approach God in worship and how we think about money and possessions. The Preacher warns against careless worship, rash words, and empty promises before God. He also exposes the emptiness of pursuing wealth, reminding us that those who love money will never finally be satisfied by it. Instead of continually chasing more, God calls His people to receive His gifts with gratitude and enjoy His provision with contentment. In this episode of Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, Dave Jenkins explains Ecclesiastes 5 and considers reverent worship, the limits of wealth, biblical contentment, and the lasting satisfaction found in Christ. For more from Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/reading-the-bible-daily-with-dave/

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7 Steps To Building A Christian Family Part 4 [Archive]

Keeping It Young

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2026 27:35

Please pray for Dave and Bethlie as they continue this season of pause on the podcast. If you're a brand new listener or a orignal listener from 6 years ago, we're sure this series will be a blessing. Recap of Steps So Far Fear God — must first know God to stand in awe of Him. Host shared a personal illustration: praying as a family for a new RV, and God's provision through friends/supporters — using it to show their kids God's goodness firsthand. Keep God First Love God (heart, soul, might/mind/strength) Step 4 (this episode): Teach God's Word Diligently Deut. 6:4–9 1. It must be personally real first (v.6 — "shall be in thine heart") You can't teach what you don't know/live yourself — parents need their own regular time in God's Word before they can pass it on. There is value in a physical Bible over a phone/app: fewer distractions (notifications), and the ability to highlight, underline, and write notes Not legalistic about method (no requirement to read X chapters/day) — the goal is that Scripture is treasured and genuinely part of daily life, not just consumed on a screen. 2. It must be diligently taught (v.7 — "teach them diligently") Two forms: Formal family devotions — scheduling a set time (Dave and Bethlie do this in the evenings). Their practice: reading a passage, reviewing memorized passages (Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, Psalm 1, 19, 23, 100), closing in prayer. Informal/organic teaching — woven into daily life as Deut. 6:7 describes ("when thou sittest... walkest... liest down... risest up"): Using teachable moments from TV (example: an Andy Griffith episode with a drunk character as an opening to discuss what the Bible says about alcohol; also referenced a real story about alcohol contributing to an affair in a church). Correcting sibling conflict by quoting Scripture on the spot, and having kids write out Bible verses as a consequence/reinforcement. Attaching specific verses to recurring life moments — e.g., Psalm 19:1 ("The heavens declare...") for stargazing, Psalm 23 imagery for green pastures/lakes seen while driving, Ecclesiastes ("in all labor there is profit") for schoolwork motivation, Proverbs 11:16 ("a gracious woman retaineth honor") for daughters navigating "mean girl" dynamics, Job 31:1 ("I have made a covenant with mine eyes,") for teenage sons and purity of eyes. 3. It must be prominently displayed (v.9 — "write them upon the posts of thy house") Scripture decor/signs around the home Kids writing verse references or phrases on their own hands as personal reminders — modeled after a young evangelist who traveled with the family; framed as intentional and temporary, not a tattoo. 4. It must be reasonably explained (previewed, to be covered in a future episode) As kids get older, genuine "why" questions are an opportunity to explain Scripture's reasoning — distinguished from rebellious "why," which needs correction rather than explanation. As kids mature, ask them "What do you think we should do based on what the Bible says?" to build their own habit of returning to Scripture.

Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20

Bible Study Podcasts

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2026 65:30

“The Value of Godly Wisdom” - a lesson on the value and reception of godly wisdom in navigating life in a fallen world. Music: “Wise and Meek.” Lyrics by Toby Logsdon. Arranged by Toby Logsdon. Performed by “Christus Super Omnia.” Copyright ©TobyLogsdon, 2026.

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Back-to-Back

A Moment with Joni Eareckson Tada

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2026 1:00

This week, find someone you can stand with, protect, and serve. Follow the example in Ecclesiastes. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Ecclesiastes 4 Explained: Why Two Are Better Than One

Devotional on SermonAudio

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2026 7:03

Ecclesiastes 4 takes an honest look at life in a fallen world. Solomon considers oppression, envy, loneliness, selfish ambition, companionship, and the temporary nature of human success. In this episode of Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, Dave Jenkins explains why ambition driven by comparison cannot satisfy, why isolation leads to misery, and why God designed people for relationships and community. Ecclesiastes 4:9 declares, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil." Life under the sun can feel lonely, unjust, and heavy, but Christians are not meant to walk alone. Through Christ, believers are reconciled to God and brought into fellowship with His people. God gives His people the local church so they can walk together, bear one another's burdens, and encourage one another in a broken world. For more from Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/reading-the-bible-daily-with-dave/

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Ecclesiastes 4 Explained: Why Two Are Better Than One

Doctrines of Grace on SermonAudio

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2026 7:03

god christians reading ecclesiastes through christ better than one dave jenkins

Ecclesiastes 9:7-18

Grace Hill Church

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2026 46:46

Lucas Enge

ecclesiastes

Guest Speaker Bro. Tim Moore- Ecclesiastes 7-1

New Heights Baptist Church

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2026 40:42

ecclesiastes tim moore speaker bro

Serving God, Strengthening Families, and Guiding the Next Generation Feat. Elder Lee Ford

Stories to Create Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2026 56:12 Transcription Available

Send us Fan MailFaithful Through Every Season — Serving God, Strengthening Families, and Guiding the Next GenerationIn this episode of Gospel Unfiltered, host Cornell Bunting sits down with Elder Lee Ford for a meaningful conversation about what it takes to remain faithful through the changing seasons of life.Together, they discuss spiritual maturity, perseverance, family leadership, mentorship, integrity, service beyond the pulpit, and the responsibility experienced believers have to guide and encourage the next generation.Elder Lee Ford shares wisdom from his personal faith journey and reflects on the lessons that come through years of serving God, facing challenges, and remaining committed even when life does not unfold as expected.This episode also explores important questions such as:What does true faithfulness look like?How can believers remain consistent during difficult seasons?What role should elders and mature leaders play in mentoring young people?How can the church better strengthen families and serve the wider community?What does it mean to continue producing fruit in every stage of life?Using Scriptures including Ecclesiastes 3:1, 1 Corinthians 4:2, Isaiah 40:31, James 1:22, Psalm 145:4, Proverbs 27:17, Luke 16:10, and Psalm 92:14, this conversation reminds us that God can use every season, every lesson, and every part of our story for His purpose.Join us as we go Beyond the Pulpit for honest conversations, real stories, and Kingdom truth. Support the showThank you for tuning in with EHAS CLUB - Stories to Create Podcast

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The Sacred Gift of Rest

Calvary Chapel Chino Hills

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2026 24:57

Dr. Richard Swenson, author of The Overload Syndrome and Margin, writes that we need room to breathe—freedom to think, permission to heal, and space for relationships that can easily be starved by the relentless pace of life. That may describe more people today than ever. Many of us are physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially overloaded. There never seems to be enough time, money, or energy left at the end of the day to recover before everything starts again at full speed. The answer, at least in part, is something our culture often neglects: margin. Margin means leaving enough room in our lives to rest, reflect, recover, and reconnect with what matters most. It is, in a sense, taking a break before you break. The Cost of Living Without Margin A life without margin can carry serious physical, emotional, relational, and even financial consequences. Consider sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, many Americans regularly struggle to get adequate rest, with a significant number of adults sleeping fewer than seven hours each night. Chronic sleep deprivation has been associated with health concerns including diabetes, obesity, anxiety, and heart disease. Lack of sleep also affects emotional health, relationships, and decision-making. That means rest is not merely a luxury. It is part of living wisely and caring responsibly for the bodies, relationships, and responsibilities God has entrusted to us. Perhaps life simply feels too fast right now. Working late nights and weekends may occasionally be necessary, but continuously burning the candle at both ends eventually becomes counterproductive. Exhaustion leaves little energy for the things that matter most—especially our relationships with others and with the Lord. God Designed Us for Work—and Rest Scripture consistently affirms the goodness of work. God calls us to provide for our families, serve others, practice generosity, and faithfully use the abilities and opportunities He has given us. We work to pay bills, save for future needs, give generously, and contribute to our communities. Productive work is part of God's design. But work is not all there is. Rest is God's idea too. In Genesis, God rested on the seventh day of creation—not because He was exhausted, but because His work was complete. He blessed the seventh day and set it apart. Later, Sabbath rest became part of the Ten Commandments given to Israel. Rest reminds us of an important spiritual reality: our worth does not depend on how much we accomplish. Author Rich Villodas has observed that Sabbath reminds us that our standing in Christ is not based on our works. A day of rest allows us to stop producing and remember that God's love for us has not changed. That can be especially difficult in a culture where technology makes it possible to work almost anywhere, at almost any hour. But just because we can keep working does not mean we always should. Healthy margin allows us to return to our work with purpose, energy, and gratitude, doing it “as for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). Professional progress can be valuable, but chronic stress, damaged health, and neglected relationships are a high price to pay for it. Rest Is Not the Same as Laziness Biblical rest should not be confused with laziness. Laziness means neglecting the responsibilities God has given us or consistently refusing to do what needs to be done. Scripture repeatedly warns against that kind of idleness. Paul tells believers in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 to admonish the idle. In 2 Thessalonians 3, he addresses those who were refusing to work and instead becoming busybodies. There is an important distinction here. Rest restores us so we can return faithfully to the work God has given us. Idleness avoids that work altogether. Proverbs 31 gives us another picture of faithful diligence. The noble woman cares for her household, conducts business, helps the poor, and looks after those entrusted to her. Proverbs 31:27 says, “She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” Fruitful labor honors God. But so does recognizing when it is time to stop. When Busyness Becomes Another Form of Distraction There is another danger worth recognizing: constant activity can sometimes disguise a lack of purpose. We may appear busy without actually being productive. Without intentional rest and reflection, our activity can become aimless distraction rather than faithful work. We move constantly but rarely stop long enough to ask whether we are moving in the right direction. Laziness can sometimes take an unexpected form as well. Instead of doing nothing, we may spend hours scrolling, shopping, watching, or distracting ourselves while neglecting relationships or responsibilities that matter more. Proverbs 24:30–34 paints a memorable picture of a neglected field covered with thorns and weeds. The lesson is simple: neglect eventually has consequences. If you struggle with procrastination or laziness, the answer is not shame. Bring that struggle to Christ. He offers forgiveness, wisdom, and strength to grow in faithfulness and diligence. Finding a Rhythm of Grace The encouraging news is that God's grace meets us in both extremes. Some of us are exhausted because we never stop working. Others feel stuck because we continually avoid the work before us. Christ invites both groups into something better: rhythms shaped by grace rather than guilt. Rest is not something we earn after proving ourselves productive enough. It is something we receive as a gift from God. Jesus gives this invitation in Matthew 11:28–30: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” If your life feels overloaded, perhaps the next faithful step is not finding a way to accomplish more. It may be creating enough margin to remember who you are, what matters most, and Who ultimately sustains you. Work faithfully. Rest gratefully. And remember that your security is not found in how much you accomplish, but in Christ. In Him, there is room to breathe. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: Someone I know has seen their credit card debt grow from about $10,000 to $25,000, and the account is now closed. I suspect missed payments and interest are driving the increase. How can I help them understand what's happening and make a plan to deal with the debt? My husband and I are both 77 and would like to avoid probate, but we don't have significant assets. Would an irrevocable trust make sense for us, and how can we find a qualified elder law attorney in Texas to help us understand our options? I'm retired and living comfortably on my pension, with about $125,000 in savings and $19,000 in checking. My bank keeps encouraging me to put the savings into CDs, but the rates don't seem very attractive. What should I consider doing with this money? I'm 59, debt-free, have a fully funded emergency fund, and am contributing to my 401(k). I also have about $200,000 to invest. I want reasonable growth without taking excessive risk. How should I think about investing this money, especially compared with options like fixed annuities or crypto? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Christian Credit Counselors AdelFi Christian Banking Eventide | Praxis | GuideStone | OneAscent | Timothy Plan FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

All In Good Time

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2026

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 The post All In Good Time appeared first on Calvary Chapel Chino Hills.

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199 | How to Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding + Postpartum

For the Love of Hormones- Christian Healthcare, Ovulating, Hormones, Get Pregnant, Miscarriage, Ovulation, PCOS Symptoms

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2026 25:02

Postpartum Fertility, FIAT - Let It Be & the Return of Your CycleGot baby fever while you're still breastfeeding? You're not alone — and today I'm walking you through what's actually happening hormonally in your body during this postpartum, nursing season, plus how to say "fiat" (let it be) to God's timing for your next pregnancy.We start with Ecclesiastes 3:1 and Mary's own "fiat" to Gabriel, then get into the nerdy fertility science. What is prolactin and how can it suppress ovulation? What does weaning actually do to your hormone timeline? And what about other root-cause issues — such as the thyroid, gut, adrenals, inflammation — and can they keep your cycle from bouncing back?Episode Highlights:Why prolactin can suppress your ovulatory hormones (FSH, estrogen, LH, progesterone) while breastfeedingWhat actually happens hormonally when you wean — and why it can take 2 to 6 cycles to fully resetThe Mary "FIAT" framework for surrendering your fertility timeline to God's planRoot-cause yellow flags to watch for postpartum: sleep, gut health, inflammation, mood, and stress hormonesWhy charting your biomarkers matters even before your cycle has returnedA personal, slightly hilarious story about how Bekah's second son was conceived — and what she'd do differently nowResources & Links:✨I'm sharing a free thyroid labs resource that can help you uncover a major root issue many women never get fully tested for, click here: bekahyawn.com/thyroidlabs ✨ Join Fertility Framework: If you're ready for deeper support, personalized cycle guidance, and faith-filled encouragement, come join me inside Fertility Framework! This is a space where you AND your husband can learn about the science of your cycle while keeping God in the center of your fertility journey and growing towards Him together. Read the testimonies & enroll here: bekahyawn.com/course ✨If you would like personal support on your journey but are not sure how to get started, book a free 10-minute consult with me here: bekahyawn.com/consult

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Day 225: Ecclesiastes 9:13–chap. 12; 1 Corinthians 7:36–8:13; Psalm 95

Journey Through Scripture

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2026 45:58

Download the Journey Through Scripture reading plan. Make a donation on my Ko-fi account. Check out more art by Matt Novak.

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The Emotional Cost of Debt: Breaking Free from Financial Stress with Neile Simon