Podcasts about Faith in Action

Date: August 23, 2026Series: Nehemiah: Renew and RebuildPassage: Nehemiah 2:1-20Preacher: Pastor Edgar Aponte

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Tuesday morning, the 18th of August, 2026, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Book of Hebrews 11:6: ”But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” In other words, without faith we can't please God.Then we go to Romans 10:17:”So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Lots of people have written to me over the years and asked me, ”How do you get more faith?” Well, there's the answer. It comes by hearing and listening to the word of God and reading the Bible.John Wesley tells a story that took place in 1735. He boarded a ship for the USA, and on board were many English passengers and Moravian people going to America. Moravians from the early church that was started in Germany. As they went to sea, it was winter, it was freezing cold. A great storm arose, the mast broke, and it looked like the ship was about to sink. Now remember, John Wesley was a theologian. He had a Master of Arts Degree in Theology. He thought he was a man of faith. He thought he was a Christian but listen to the story.The storm got so violent that the English passengers aboard were panicking and screaming. Then Wesley looked up on board, and he saw the group of Moravians quietly, calmly singing hymns to God as the sea washed across the top of the ship. Then he realised that he was not saved and that he did not really know God. It changed his life. I'm talking about faith being a practical thing. Folks, we need to realise faith is not a noun like a cupboard or a chair. Faith is a doing word. It is a verb. By action, those Moravians showed John Wesley that he wasn't even saved, but afterwards, in a little Bible study in Aldersgate in London - he went to a Bible study. He sat there quietly, and he said a strange warmth came over his heart, scales fell from his eyes, and he believed that at that moment he was born again. We need to walk the talk. People need to see our faith by our actions.Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day. Goodbye.

Learning how Faith is connected with prayer

Join us this week as Rob discusses Matthew 25's parable of the talents. A master entrusts varying talents to three servants according to ability, then leaves. The first two invest at once and double their amounts, each receiving “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” The third hides his out of fear, misunderstanding the master's character, and is rebuked as wicked and slothful, losing the talent and cast into outer darkness. In a series of parables about readiness for the return, this challenges us to examine the skills, gifts, and opportunities God has given us—missions, helping those in need, ministry involvement, meal trains, or sharing faith—and to act in faith rather than passivity. We long to hear those affirming words. How will you invest what the Master has entrusted to you? Watch on Youtube, Our Website - or listen on your favorite podcast app.

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

As this week wraps up, I'm reflecting on the close of another Pathways Institute term and some remarkable experiences I've shared with my West African students. What does it mean to truly exercise faith? I dive into the story of the man with palsy from Mark 2, exploring what it might have felt like to be asked by Jesus to rise, pick up his bed, and walk. Would you leap up boldly—or would you be tentative, testing your strength with each small movement?This episode is all about those pivotal moments when our faith is called into action—sometimes boldly, sometimes with caution. I share my thoughts on the leap from uncertainty to confident trust, wondering how each of us would step out if we were in that man's place. Where do you fall on the spectrum between cautious faith and bold, ambitious belief?I'd love to hear about your own experiences with faith—how do you take those first steps when there are no guarantees? And as always, if you have feedback or want to share your thoughts, reach out. Let's keep digging into the sweet, faith-filled moments that make life so delicious.Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttps://www.instagram.com/chocolatecakebytes/Check out my new podcast: The Unstuck Career podcast athttps://kenwilliamscoaching.com/listen

Learning about the prayer of Faith

Great things rarely happen when we’re deep inside our comfort zones. No one’s ever heard of the great LazyBoy Revival, or the evangelistic Hammock Crusades! No, somebody’s got to get up and do somethin’! And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings us some good news: God empowers and equips those He calls into service. You may already have a special God-given talent you’re not even aware of. Today, we’ll learn how to identify and use those abilities. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Great things rarely happen when we’re deep inside our comfort zones. No one’s ever heard of the great LazyBoy Revival, or the evangelistic Hammock Crusades! No, somebody’s got to get up and do somethin’! And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings us some good news: God empowers and equips those He calls into service. You may already have a special God-given talent you’re not even aware of. Today, we’ll learn how to identify and use those abilities. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does the gospel transform a single life into a testimony that points countless others to Christ? Together we are reminded that our hope is found not in human eloquence or ability, but in faithfully looking to Jesus Christ and proclaiming Him to others. From Spurgeon's dramatic conversion through the simple preaching of Isaiah 45:22, to his lifelong ministry centered on the cross, we see that the power of God rests in His Word and Spirit. As we consider Christ's command to "go to offenders," we are challenged to pursue those who have offended us with humility, forgiveness, and a longing for restoration, reflecting the Shepherd who seeks His wandering sheep. Even amid suffering, criticism, depression, and physical affliction, Spurgeon's life testifies that God's grace is sufficient. May we likewise rely on Christ, live out His commands with love, and seek to make our lives not only a testimony of what we say, but of what we faithfully do for His glory.

You can't earn a black belt by just studying the moves, you need to practice until it becomes instinctual. It's the same with faith.

Learning that for patience to work faith will have to be tried and found standing in the Cross of Christ

In Episode 215, we explore Luke 11:27-28 and one of the most compact but powerful teachings in all of the Gospels. A woman in the crowd calls out a blessing over Jesus' mother: "God bless your mother—the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!" It's a beautiful sentiment—a genuine expression of honor and admiration. Mary was indeed blessed among women. But Jesus gently redirects her attention: "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice." Through guided meditation, discover what makes this redirection so significant. Notice what Jesus doesn't say. He doesn't say blessed are those who hear the word of God. Hearing alone isn't enough. He says hear and put it into practice. The blessing Jesus offers isn't reserved for those with the right family connections, the right religious credentials, or the right spiritual heritage. It's available to everyone who does two things: hears and does. This episode explores the profound gap that can develop between hearing and doing in the Christian life. We live in a world saturated with Christian content—podcasts, books, sermons, devotionals, Bible apps, online courses. It's possible to consume enormous amounts of God's word and still not be changed by it. Hearing without doing creates a kind of spiritual callus—we become familiar with truth without being transformed by it. We nod at convictions without acting on them. We receive promptings without following them. We sense God's direction without taking the next step. James echoes Jesus' teaching in his letter: "Don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves." The blessed life Jesus describes is not a life of perfect performance—it's a life of faithful response. You hear something from God and you do it. You receive a prompting and you act on it. You sense a conviction and you follow it. Not perfectly. Not without fear. But faithfully. One step at a time. Learn why the gap between hearing and doing is one of the most dangerous places in the spiritual life—not because you're rejecting God, but because you're consuming without responding, nodding without obeying, knowing without doing. Discover practical steps for identifying the specific thing God has been saying to you that you've been hearing but not doing—the conviction that keeps surfacing, the prompting to reach out to someone, the step of obedience you've been putting off. Find the courage to respond today—not tomorrow, not when you feel more prepared, not when the timing is better—but today. Experience the blessing that Jesus promises to those who hear and do.

When you want to see action, the last thing that makes logical sense is to stop, relax, and wait. And yet Psalm 46:10 calls us to do exactly that — and frames it not as passivity, but as one of the most powerful postures available to a believer. The Hebrew word translated "be still" is rāp̄â, meaning to cease or relax. What follows that stillness is yāḏa — to know, to receive revelation and understanding. The command is not simply to stop moving. It is to stop moving so that we can be in the right posture to hear from God and let Him be God. Elijah had witnessed some of the most remarkable miracles recorded in Scripture. He had seen fire fall from heaven and outrun a chariot. And then one threatening message from Jezebel sent him fleeing in terror to the wilderness. But even in his fear, Elijah waited. When God told him to stand on the mountain, Elijah stood while hurricane-force winds tore through, while an earthquake shook the ground, while fire blazed — and still he waited. The word of the Lord came at last not in the spectacle, but in a gentle whisper. The instruction for what to do next arrived only after the stillness was sustained through the noise. Whatever complication or insurmountably difficult circumstance you are facing today, the same invitation is extended: cease striving, relax your grip, and wait upon the Lord. He can be trusted. He knows the way forward, and He will speak — in His timing, in His way, with everything you need for the days ahead. Today's Bible Verse "Be still and know that I am God!"— Psalm 46:10, NLT Ponder Today Stillness is an active and powerful posture, not a passive one. Ceasing our striving and relaxing our grip creates the conditions for God to do what He desires in us and through us. Being still before the Lord is itself a form of faith in action. Revelation follows the posture of an open and expectant heart. The Hebrew yāḏa — to know and receive understanding — requires that we position ourselves to receive it. We cannot hear from God when we are too busy reacting to the noise around us. Elijah waited through wind, earthquake, and fire before the whisper came. The word of the Lord did not arrive in the spectacular. It came in the gentle whisper after sustained stillness through prolonged noise. Waiting through the loud is often how we reach the quiet where God speaks. God may move you to act, to step aside, or to receive wisdom — but you must be still first to know which. Reacting out of anxiety before hearing from God leads us in the wrong direction. Stillness positions us to receive the specific instruction we actually need. Let stillness become a place you return to from desire, not just desperation. The greatest relief, retreat, and refuge available to a believer is God's presence. May it become a place we seek not only when life is hard, but because we genuinely want to know Him and spend time with Him. A Prayer for You Today Father God, we pray today for the person who struggles to be still in Your presence — whether stirred by anxiety, restless for action, or simply unfamiliar with slowing down. Please meet them where they need Your touch of peace. Still them, comfort them, and make them ready to hear what You have to say next. May they find that Your presence is the greatest relief, retreat, and refuge there is. May stillness become not a place they run to only when life is hard, but a place they genuinely desire because they want to know You and be close to You. As they quiet themselves before Your Spirit, may they be met in perfect timing with all that is needed for this day and the days to come. May trust be fortified and hope renewed as they allow You to guide, keep, and teach them. In Jesus' name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer helped you stop striving long enough to hear from God, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to draw you into the stillness and presence of God every day. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Send us Fan MailWhat does faith really look like when the church service is over? In Episode 3 of Gospel Unfiltered, host Cornell Bunting sits down with Overseer Jimmy Washington for an honest conversation about what it truly means to live the Gospel beyond Sunday morning. Together, they explore the importance of integrity, obedience, character, humility, service, and living consistently with the faith we profess. This episode challenges believers to examine whether their private lives reflect their public worship and whether their actions match the Word they hear. Using Scriptures such as James 1:22, Matthew 5:16, Luke 16:10, 1 John 3:18, and Galatians 5:22–23, the conversation focuses on becoming doers of the Word, allowing the fruit of the Spirit to show in everyday life, and understanding that real faith is demonstrated through the choices we make when no one is applauding. This is a conversation about authenticity, accountability, and putting faith into action. Sunday may reveal what we profess, but Monday through Saturday reveals what we practice. Join us as we go Beyond the Pulpit for honest conversations, real stories, and Kingdom truth. Gospel Unfiltered — new episodes every Friday.  Support the showThank you for tuning in with EHAS CLUB - Stories to Create Podcast

Transforming a neighborhood starts with people who refuse to give up on it. In Episode 160 of Recovery On Air, Andrea Northup, Assistant Director of State & Community Relations and leader with 27 Collab, shares how a corridor once known as “the Blade” along 27th Avenue in Phoenix is being re‑imagined as a safe, walkable, thriving community. Andrea talks about how Grand Canyon University, churches, recovery programs, local businesses, residents, and city partners are working together around three core focuses: safety, restoration, and redevelopment. She also digs into the realities of homelessness, addiction, and sex trafficking in the area—and why recovery organizations must have a seat at the table for real, lasting change. If you care about recovery, community transformation, or faith in action, this episode will encourage you and challenge the way you see your own neighborhood.

True compassion is more than well-meaning charity. Here's how faith in action is creating sustainable infrastructure to give millions new life.Clean water is a background feature of modern life that requires no second thought. For most of us, anyway. But there are nearly 700 million people across the world who live day to day without reliable access to safe water. Up to 60% of water infrastructure projects in developing regions eventually fail and are abandoned. Well-meaning organizations install wells, take photographs, and leave, only for a broken pump or missing replacement part to set the community right back to where they started. In this episode of The Walk, Dave LeVan, CEO of Water for Good, sat down with host Dr. John I. Snyder to challenge the quick-fix charity mindset. Moving from corporate success to nonprofit leadership, Dave shares how combining deep faith with innovative, community-driven maintenance models is transforming lives across Africa and Asia, one sustainable well at a time.Find out more at waterforgood.org.

When life feels overwhelming, where do you turn? This week on Don't Miss This, David Butler and Grace Freeman Smith explore Psalms 49–86, focusing on heartfelt prayers of lament, petition, hope, and trust. From David's plea for mercy in Psalm 51 to the comforting reminder that God keeps every tear, these Psalms teach us that bringing our sorrow to God is an act of faith—not weakness. Whether you're carrying grief, regret, anxiety, or simply searching for hope, these scriptures remind us that God draws near, hears our prayers, and transforms our hardest moments into something holy. ⏱️ Chapters 0:00 – Welcome & Summer of Psalms Part 2 2:12 – Why lament is an expression of faith 5:15 – Psalm 55: Cast your burdens upon the Lord 9:42 – Psalm 51: The Passover, repentance & being made clean 17:40 – David's greatest regret and God's mercy 24:08 – Psalm 61: When my heart is overwhelmed 29:18 – God is my Rock (Psalm 62) 33:02 – Psalm 56: God collects every tear 39:36 – Psalm 57: Refuge beneath His wings 46:58 – Psalm 84: The Valley of Baca becomes a well 55:12 – Turning your pain into blessings for others 1:02:21 – Psalm 73: Draw near to God 1:09:33 – Psalm 86: God is ready to forgive 1:15:18 – Psalm 77: When hope is gone 1:24:35 – Final thoughts & New Testament preview

Learning that Bible Faith works patience.

In Episode 211, we explore Luke 10:29-37 and one of the most famous and challenging stories Jesus ever told. The expert in religious law has just answered correctly: love God with everything you have and love your neighbor as yourself. But then he asks a follow-up question—and Luke tells us exactly why: "The man wanted to justify his actions." So he asks: "And who is my neighbor?" He's trying to draw a boundary around his obligation to love. He wants to know who qualifies. He wants to know how far his responsibility extends. And Jesus answers with a story that shatters every boundary he was hoping to draw. Through guided meditation, discover the three people who encounter the same wounded man on the same road. A Jewish man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho is attacked by bandits, stripped, beaten, and left half dead beside the road. By chance a priest comes along—a religious leader, someone who should know better than anyone what love looks like—and he sees the man lying there. And he crosses to the other side of the road and passes by. A Temple assistant comes along—another religious figure, another person steeped in the law—and he looks at the man lying there. And he also passes by on the other side. But then a despised Samaritan comes along. To a first-century Jewish audience, this would have been deeply offensive. Jews and Samaritans despised each other. They didn't speak. They didn't touch. They didn't share roads if they could help it. And yet Jesus makes this Samaritan the hero of the story. When the Samaritan sees the wounded man, he feels compassion. And that compassion moves him across the road. He doesn't just feel it—he acts on it. He soothes the wounds with olive oil and wine and bandages them. He puts the man on his own donkey. He takes him to an inn and takes care of him. The next day he pays for the man's care and promises to return and cover any additional expenses. This episode explores the profound difference between the priest and Temple assistant on one hand and the Samaritan on the other. The priest and Temple assistant saw the man. But the Samaritan felt something. Compassion moved him across the road. And then he didn't just feel it—he acted on it at personal cost and inconvenience. Learn why Jesus flips the expert's question. The question isn't "Who is my neighbor?"—as if you can draw a boundary around your obligation to love. The question is "Which one was a neighbor?"—and the answer is about your willingness to cross the road, not about who qualifies for your love. Discover who is lying on the side of your road right now—the person you've been seeing but passing by, the need you've been aware of but avoiding—and find the courage to cross over and help. Experience the transformation that comes from loving not just those who are convenient or comfortable, but anyone whose need you encounter on your road today.

This week, Bob sits down with Jonathan Yackley, Executive Director of Rise Up Industries, and Ernie Garcia, a Rise Up graduate who now manages the organization's machine shop.Ernie shares his remarkable journey after spending 28 years in prison, including nearly two decades in solitary confinement, and how a community that believed in him changed the course of his life. Jonathan explains how Rise Up combines advanced manufacturing with mentorship, counseling, and discipleship to help formerly incarcerated people build sustainable careers and lasting hope.Together, they explore second chances, leadership, faith in action, and the everyday decisions that help people rise into the lives they were created to live.Learn more about Rise Up Industries at ⁠https://riseupindustries.org/⁠.

In Episode 210, we explore Luke 10:25-28 and the deceptively simple exchange between Jesus and an expert in religious law. The expert stands up to test Jesus with a question: "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus—instead of answering directly—turns it back on him: "What does the law say? How do you read it?" The man answers perfectly. Love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. "Right," Jesus says. "Do this and you will live." Through guided meditation, discover what makes this exchange so revealing. The expert already knew the answer. He didn't come to learn—he came to test. And yet the answer he gives is exactly right. Love God with everything you have. Love your neighbor as yourself. The answer was never the problem. The doing is the problem. This episode explores the profound gap between knowing and doing that exists in every one of us. We know the answer too. Love God. Love others. It's on coffee mugs and church signs and bumper stickers. It's the catchphrase of the Christian life. And yet—if we're honest—it's the hardest thing Jesus ever asked us to do. Loving God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind means there's no part of you held back. No compartment He can't access. No area of your life where He isn't Lord. Not your finances. Not your relationships. Not your ambitions. Not your fears. Not your private thoughts. All of you. Every part. Completely surrendered. And loving your neighbor as yourself means extending to others the same patience, grace, and generosity you extend to yourself. The same benefit of the doubt. The same second chances. The same compassion when they fail. The same willingness to see the best in them. This is not a feeling—it's a choice. It's not a natural response—it's a supernatural one that requires the love of God flowing through you. Learn why the gap between knowing and doing is the central challenge of the Christian life, and why Jesus doesn't just give us the answer—He calls us to live it. Discover what it looks like to love God with every part of you and to love the specific, difficult, undeserving neighbor in your life today. Find practical steps for identifying one person you struggle to love and one specific act of love you can offer them—not because it comes naturally, but because Jesus lives in you and His love is greater than your feelings. Experience the transformation that comes from closing the gap between what you know and what you do, one act of love at a time.

In this episode, Chris Baden, preaching at the 11 a.m. service, shares a powerful message on honor as a core culture of God's kingdom. Through personal stories, family moments, and practical examples, he shows that honor is more than appreciation—it is intentionally seeing, valuing, and lifting up others. Chris challenges listeners to practice honor in everyday life by acknowledging people, serving with humility, forgiving where needed, respecting leaders and family, and receiving God's love without resistance. Ultimately, this message invites us to live with open hearts, recognizing the worth God has placed in others and in ourselves.

In this episode, Jim Davis, preaching at the 9 a.m. service, explores what the church is meant to be: not just a place people attend, but a people transformed by Jesus and shaped by love, generosity, joy, and authentic community. He challenges listeners to move beyond simply showing up on Sundays and instead live as the church every day by loving Jesus, loving people, serving others, forgiving quickly, encouraging daily, and creating a culture where people can encounter grace, healing, and genuine faith.

Learning that Bible Faith always experiences patience

What if children's ministry wasn't just about Sunday mornings? What if the church's calling is to show up for kids, youth, and families where they already are—with no strings attached? In this episode of the Perspectives FUMCSD Pastors Podcast, Rev. Trudy Robinson talks with Kenton Reaves Hundley, Executive Director of Dream School of the Arts, about community outreach, mentoring young people, and how churches can serve children and families beyond the walls of the church. This is Episode 3 of our four-part Imago Dei 2.0 series exploring the many ways God's image is reflected in the diverse people of our church community. Inspired by Joel 2:28 ("Your sons and daughters shall prophesy...your old shall dream dreams, and your young shall see visions"), this conversation explores what it means to help young people dream, grow, and flourish. Inspired by the Bible passage Joel 2:28, this episode explores: How churches can support children, youth, and families beyond Sunday mornings Why after-school programs and community partnerships can become powerful expressions of Christian ministry—even without Scripture or religious language How creating a safe, welcoming environment helps kids build confidence, creativity, leadership, and resilience How intergenerational relationships help children, teens, college students, and older adults grow together How faith is lived through compassion, service, and community … and not only through words This conversation is for you if … You're passionate about children's ministry or youth ministry You're a parent, teacher, mentor, or volunteer working with kids You're wondering how churches can serve their communities beyond Sunday worship You're interested in progressive Christianity, faith in action, or community outreach You're looking for hopeful conversations about helping children thrive Reflection Questions How might you see the dreams of children as revealing the movement of the Spirit? How might a return to God be helpful when devastating events occur? How might we all best honor children and their dreams? Continue the Conversation This episode accompanies our sermon series, Imago Dei 2.0, exploring the many ways God's image is reflected in the people of our church community. Whether you're a Christian, deconstructing your faith, looking for an affirming church, interested in progressive Christianity, or simply curious about how faith can make a difference in the community, we'd love to continue the conversation! Convergence discussion group (Sundays at 12 PM) Join our Patreon community Timestamps 00:00 Why Church Should Show Up for Kids Beyond Sunday 01:08 Joel 2 verse 28 and the Call to Help Children Dream 03:20 Building a Safe Place Where Kids Can Thrive 08:08 From Sunday School to Community Ministry 12:05 Living the Gospel Without Preaching It 16:28 Supporting Families Through Life's Hardest Moments 24:24 Dream School as a Community of Care 26:26 Helping Kids Navigate Loss and Grief 29:42 How Dream School Began 31:22 Reflection Questions: Honoring Children's Dreams

What happens when the grand vision of the Sermon on the Mount meets the messy reality of daily life? In Echoes from the Mountain, a series on the Book of James featured, we explore how James takes the radical kingdom ethic preached by Jesus and translates it into a practical guide for faith in action. Tune in as Sunday's pulpit message meets your Monday morning walk.

What happens when the grand vision of the Sermon on the Mount meets the messy reality of daily life? In Echoes from the Mountain, a series on the Book of James featured on we explore how James takes the radical kingdom ethic preached by Jesus and translates it into a practical guide for faith in action. Tune in as Sunday's pulpit message meets your Monday morning walk.

What happens when the grand vision of the Sermon on the Mount meets the messy reality of daily life? In Echoes from the Mountain, a series on the Book of James featured on Monday Morning Pulpit, we explore how James takes the radical kingdom ethic preached by Jesus and translates it into a practical guide for faith in action. Tune in as Sunday's pulpit message meets your Monday morning walk.

CrossWay Church

What if one invitation, prayer, book, or act of kindness could change someone's entire life? Jennifer Godwin believes the smallest acts of faith can create ripples that travel farther than we will ever know.Jennifer is the author of Go Make Ripples, a practical and personal book encouraging Christians to share their faith through everyday actions. After running a photography studio for 24 years, Jennifer entered retirement with no plans to become an author. Then a calling she had first experienced in a dream 20 years earlier returned, leading her through a demanding three-year writing journey.In this conversation, Jennifer and Rich discuss: How Jennifer recognized and answered God's call  Why many Christians are afraid to share their faith  Simple ways to make faith part of everyday conversations  Asking restaurant servers how you can pray for them  Giving books, blessing bags, and encouragement to others  Why following up can be as meaningful as the original gesture Jennifer also shares how writing the book opened unexpected doors to speaking, new relationships, and opportunities she never could have planned.Learn more, purchase Go Make Ripples, or invite Jennifer to speak at GoMakeRipples.com.If this conversation encourages you, subscribe to Conversations with Rich Bennett, leave a review, and share the episode with someone who could use a little hope. Then create a ripple of your own.Send us Fan MailCelebrate the Magic of Words in Bel Air, Maryland!https://bookfairatbelair.org/Support the showRate & Review on Apple Podcasts Follow the Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast on Social Media:Facebook – Conversations with Rich Bennett Facebook Group (Join the conversation) – Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast group | FacebookTwitter – Conversations with Rich Bennett Instagram – @conversationswithrichbennettTikTok – CWRB (@conversationsrichbennett) | TikTokSponsors, Affiliates, and ways we pay the bills:Hosted on BuzzsproutSquadCastSubscribe by Email

YOU have been waiting to feel something before YOU move.A confirmation. A sign. A wave of faith strong enough that YOU finally feel sure. YOU have been standing still, praying and hoping that the feeling comes first — and then YOU will act on it. But across these three passages, not one person who received a miracle waited to feel it first. Every single one of them moved before anything changed. The movement came first. The miracle came second.That order is the whole message.In the first account, a crowd of desperate, sick people did something almost too simple to believe. They did not wait for a sermon. They did not wait to be called forward. They reached for one specific thing — barely touched it — and what happened to every single one of them who did is the reason this passage is still being read today.They just needed to reach.Here is what most people miss. In the second account, a man who had never walked in his entire life was sitting in a crowd, listening. And he was told to do the one thing that made no sense for a man in his condition to even attempt. He was told to do it before there was a single sign it would work. What he did in that moment — and what happened the instant he did it — will confront every excuse YOU have made for staying seated.And in the third account, something happened that is so staggering most people assume they are reading it wrong. Healing began breaking out through something that should not have been able to carry it at all — reaching people who only got close enough to be in its path. It was not even direct contact. And what it reveals about what happens when faith starts moving in a room is almost hard to believe.What was the thing they reached for? What was the man told to do? And what was so powerful it healed people it only passed near?The answer to all three is the same, and it is not what most people think.

Can one ordinary man make an extraordinary difference?Author Matt Shea joins This Week in America with Ric Bratton to discuss The Spiritual Sharpshooter, a moving novel about faith, compassion, justice, and the quiet courage of ordinary people.At the center of the story is Abner Willis Fowler—a retired veteran, devoted volunteer, and deeply faithful man who spends his days helping seniors, caring for forgotten animals, and comforting the lonely. Hidden beneath his gentle nature is an expert marksman whose carefully measured actions protect the vulnerable while delivering justice with mercy instead of revenge.Matt shares the inspiration behind his writing, including the influence of Andy Griffith, the values instilled by his family, and his passion for telling stories about overlooked people whose strength of character ultimately changes lives. His books celebrate small-town America, kindness, forgiveness, and the belief that everyone has value.In this interview you'll discover: The inspiration behind The Spiritual Sharpshooter Why Matt Shea writes about everyday heroes How faith, forgiveness, and justice work together The influence of Andy Griffith on his storytelling Why seniors, misunderstood individuals, and small-town communities play such an important role in his novels The message Matt hopes every reader takes away This Week in America with Ric Bratton is heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, bringing listeners engaging conversations with bestselling authors, experts, and thought leaders covering books, health, business, history, personal development, and the issues that matter most.If you're searching for inspiring Christian fiction, faith-based novels, stories about justice, redemption, forgiveness, small-town America, family values, and everyday heroes, don't miss this insightful conversation with Matt Shea about The Spiritual Sharpshooter and the enduring power of compassion, courage, and hope.https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Sharpshooter-Matt-Shea/dp/B0GRCVGB7Whttps://www.mattsheabooks.net/Podcast KeywordsMatt Shea, The Spiritual Sharpshooter, Christian fiction, inspirational fiction, faith, faith in action, justice, forgiveness, redemption, everyday heroes, small town America, family values, compassion, courage, hope, inspirational books, spiritual books, Christian author, uplifting novels, senior citizens, community, Andy Griffith inspiration, wholesome fiction, book interview, author interview, Ric Bratton, This Week in America, religious fiction, moral courage, character driven fiction, kindness, volunteerism, overcoming adversity, book podcast, new books, inspirational storytelling

Friends of the Rosary,Today, in the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, the Church remembers three siblings who were close friends of Jesus. Their home in Bethany was a place where Jesus was welcomed, listened to, questioned, and loved.That is a beautiful image of Christian life: not only praying in church, but letting Jesus enter the real home — with its work, worries, grief, conversations, and meals.Martha shows faith in action. She serves, she speaks honestly, and in John's Gospel she makes one of the strongest confessions of faith: “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.” She is not only the busy sister; she is a woman of courage and belief. Even while grieving Lazarus, she still comes to Jesus.Jesus told her,“I am the resurrection and the life;whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die."Mary shows love that listens. She sits at the Lord's feet in Luke's Gospel, receiving His word. In John's Gospel, she brings her sorrow directly to Jesus.Lazarus shows the power of Christ over death. He does not speak much in the Gospel, but his life becomes a sign.We want to welcome Jesus into the whole house of your life. Serve like Martha, listen like Mary, and trust like Lazarus!Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• June 29, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

CrossWay Church

Pastor Jared sits down with Kelly Ramsland, founder and CEO of Zoe Hope, to talk about the heart behind global missions and why One Life is partnering with this incredible ministry. Learn how medical mission trips open doors to share the love of Jesus, how Zoe Hope is creating lasting impact in Tanzania, and why anyone—medical background or not—can be part of God's mission. This conversation will inspire you to see how serving others can transform communities and deepen your own faith.

Episode Summary Judson and Janna Shoultz recount how a group of teenagers faced their fears and shared the gospel in mosques and other places of worship during a missions trip to Muslim communities in Michigan. Connecting their experiences with Israel's crossing of the flooded Jordan River in Joshua 3–4, they show that God often waits for His people to obey before He opens the way. This Faith Talks episode challenges young people to recognize the specific step God has put before them and to trust Him enough to take it. Topics Discussed Israel's crossing of the flooded Jordan River in Joshua 3–4 Teenagers sharing the gospel in mosques in Hamtramck and Dearborn, Michigan Developing a genuine burden for Muslims, Hindus, and others without the gospel Bringing the Bible into difficult gospel conversations The influence of Scripture and the Holy Spirit in a new believer's life Everyday steps of faith in witnessing, giving, prayer, and Christian obedience Key Takeaways Faith acts on God's direction before the circumstances change. God can use teenagers to speak biblical truth with courage, compassion, and clarity. Seeing spiritual darkness firsthand can deepen a believer's burden for lost people. The Word of God and the Holy Spirit equip believers for conversations that feel beyond them. A first step of obedience can become a defining moment that makes future steps easier. Faith does not merely talk about trusting God; faith walks into the water. If you've been encouraged by this podcast, please take the time to give us a five-star rating and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the Thee Generation for others. For more faith inspiring resources and information about joining Thee Generation, please visit theegeneration.org.

Learning the way of humility through Faith in action

Send us Fan MailWhat if something as ordinary as a glass of clean water could transform an entire community?In this episode of God-Sized Stories, Patricia Holbrook sits down with Dave LeVan, President and CEO of Water for Good, to explore one of the world's most urgent yet often overlooked challenges—the global water crisis.After spending much of his career in the business world, Dave followed God's leading into nonprofit ministry, where he now helps bring sustainable access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene to some of the world's most vulnerable communities. Rather than simply drilling wells, Water for Good partners with local leaders and churches to create lasting change that restores health, dignity, and hope.In this thoughtful conversation, Dave shares why sustainable solutions matter, how local churches become agents of transformation, and what it truly means to love our neighbors in tangible ways.Whether you've never considered the impact of water access or you've been searching for meaningful ways to live out your faith, this conversation will encourage you to see compassion through a new lens.To learn more about Water for Good, support their work, or explore the resources mentioned in this conversation, read the blog and visit the links in the blog post.https://patriciaholbrook.com/2026/07/when-compassion-becomes-living-water/If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe to God-Sized Stories with Patricia Holbrook, leave a review, and share this conversation with someone who would be inspired by it. Your support helps more people discover stories of faith, hope, and God's transforming work around the world.Support the showClick on the link above to support us and help keep this show going!Click on the links to connect with Patricia on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube 

Even when joy doesn't come easily in trials, we can trust that the Lord is working through them to draw us closer to Him. As we walk through our own struggles, we should remember what Jesus endured for us, and take heart, knowing that we never walk alone.

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This week, J.John is joined by Dr Sarah C. Williams, a historian with deep Christian roots as the granddaughter of evangelist Tom Rees and daughter of Jennifer Rees Larcombe.Trained in history at Oxford University, Sarah brings a rich historical perspective to faith and society, with a particular focus on the life and legacy of Josephine Butler and her impact as a pioneering social reformer. In this conversation, she reflects on Butler's courage and convictions, and what they can teach us today about faith in action, especially for women sensing a call to preach and lead.Sarah also shares from her own life, including the loss of a child, and how that experience has shaped her understanding of grief, faith, and hope alongside her study of history and Christian witness.

The world is in turmoil, the days feel shorter, and no one truly knows what tomorrow holds. We can make plans to marry, to have children, to build a life... but the future belongs entirely to God. And yet that is not a reason for fear. It is an invitation to faith. Trusting God in the unknown is not passive resignation; it is faith in action, the same kind of faith that kept Jesus obedient to the Father's plan even when He walked toward the cross knowing exactly what lay ahead. Scripture gives us a gallery of people who chose trust over certainty and obedience over self-preservation. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked toward the fiery furnace without knowing whether God would deliver them, only knowing that they would not bow. Esther stepped before the king unsummoned, knowing it could cost her life, and said simply: if I perish, I perish. Daniel committed his way to God in a culture that demanded he abandon it. Each of them stepped into the unknown, and each of them found God already there. That is the promise of Psalm 37:5 — commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He will act. The unknown is not empty. God occupies the past, present, and future simultaneously, and His thoughts toward you are good. Today's Bible Verse "Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and he will do this."— Psalm 37:5, NIV Ponder Today The unknown is not something to fear — God is already there. Because He is omnipresent, occupying past, present, and future simultaneously, there is no territory ahead of you that He has not already seen and prepared for. Trusting God in uncertainty is faith in its most active form. Esther, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not wait for guarantees before they acted in obedience. They committed their way to God and stepped forward anyway. Jesus lived each day in full obedience, knowing what lay ahead. He did not try to change the plan or avoid the cost. His example shows us what it looks like to trust the Father completely, even when the path is clear and the price is high. God has a way of turning our mess into a message and our tests into testimonies. Nothing you walk through is wasted in His hands. He receives glory through your endurance, and others are blessed by the testimony that comes out of your trust. Live each day as though it could be your last — with faith, not fear. The signs of the times call us not to paralysis but to purposeful, expectant living. Commit your plans to God, look up, and keep walking forward in faith. A Prayer for You Today Dear Righteous God, thank You for being my creator and redeemer. You are omnipresent, occupying the past, present, and future simultaneously, and You are omniscient, knowing exactly what my future holds. So I worship You, because Your thoughts toward me are good and Your plans for me are good as well. Help me have faith as I trust You with the unknown. Help me commit my ways to You and trust in the process, because You will bring it all to pass. There are so many things unfolding around me that I am tempted to lose focus, but I will live by faith and not let the worries of this world distract me from You. I trust You, Lord, and I commit my plans and my future into Your hands. Help me not to lean on my own understanding, but to acknowledge You and seek Your face. In Jesus' name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer helped you release the unknown into God's faithful hands, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to anchor your faith in the God who already holds your future. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.