Podcasts about Christians

Why does God allow difficult seasons? When life feels uncertain, painful, or unfair, it can be easy to question God’s character and wonder if our struggles are a result of something we did wrong. But Scripture reveals a different truth: God’s heart toward us is rooted in love, grace, and mercy—not punishment or condemnation. Vivian Bricker explores how knowing who God is helps us navigate suffering, uncertainty, and the lies we often believe about God’s intentions. Through Scripture, we are reminded that God’s love does not change based on our circumstances, and that hardship is not proof of God’s rejection or displeasure. Highlights: Why the unknown can make us question God’s goodness and control Understanding the difference between biblical truth and the idea of karma Why suffering is not always a reflection of God’s punishment How the New Covenant through Jesus changes our understanding of blessings and curses The importance of knowing God’s character so we can recognize false beliefs How God’s love remains constant even during difficult seasons Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Join the conversation: How can a deeper understanding of God’s character change the way you view hardship? Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Understanding God’s CharacterBy Vivian Bricker Bible Reading:“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). In my opinion, the scariest thing in the world is the unknown. Whether that be an undiagnosed illness, starting over in a new city, or thinking about the future, the unknown can be terrifying. None of us can truly know what is ahead because we are not the ones in control. For some of us, there will be good times ahead and for others, there will be hard times. One cannot be dogmatic and say that those who have good times are in the will of God and those who are going through tough times are not. It is never within God’s will for us to be in pain, to be depressed, or to be sick. He never intended for us to go through any of these things, and it is not right for people to believe in the ideology that if you do good, good returns to you from God and if you do bad, bad returns to you from God. This is not biblical as this is actually a belief in karma. Karma is part of the religious beliefs contained within Hinduism and Buddhism. Although karma has become popularized within mainstream media, Christ followers do not need to endorse it. Karma is refuted in the Bible as Psalm 103:10-11 says, “he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” Therefore, we don’t need to say that God blesses certain people while cursing others. The aspects of blessings and curses based on your actions were true within the Mosaic Covenant, but it is not true for us today. We are under the New Covenant by the blood of Jesus (Luke 22:20). Within the Mosaic Covenant, Israel was petitioned to obey God, and blessings would come to them; however, if they did not obey God and did evil, curses would come into their midst. Since we are not under the Mosaic Covenant, we don’t need to hold ourselves or others to this type of thinking. If we are having dreadful things happening in our lives, they are not caused by God. And if we are having good things happening in our lives, we cannot always be dogmatic to say it is caused by God either. To say that “God has blessed me because I’m doing well, but He has cursed you because you are not doing well” is not rooted in biblical truth. This is why Christians need to be more aware and not to flaunt things they believe are blessings. This only gives the idea that if you are struggling, you have done something terrible in the eyes of God, and you must be cursed. As Christ followers, this type of thinking needs to end. We all have free will, and with it, we have chosen to do terrible things (Romans 3:23). Additionally, we live in a fallen world that is covered in sin. This is why we shouldn’t be quick to say, “It is God’s will for you to suffer from (fill in the blank).” God never intended for evil, sin, or death to be in the world. He wanted us to live in perfect harmony with Him in the Garden of Eden. Intersecting Faith & Life: The Bible tells us, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). God’s character is found in love. Since God is love, why do we believe the lie that He brings curses into our lives or into the lives of others? This goes against His very nature. God is love, and He is not going to bring harm into our lives. As Christ followers, we need to be aware of who God is and His characteristics, as this can help us weed out lies that pull us away from Him. Even well-meaning Christ followers can say unhelpful and unbiblical things, which is why we must be level-headed and fully understand the Bible ourselves. Regardless of what you are going through, remember the truth that God is love, and you are loved by Him, and neither of these things will ever change. Have you ever thought a terrible thing happening in your life was due to God punishing you? What made you think like this? How can having a proper view of God’s character help you understand Him better? Further Reading: Romans 5:8 1 John 3:1 1 John 4:19 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Sometimes I wish it were in my power to get every church youth group in America to go on a missions trip. Something unusual happens when some all-American kids suddenly get plunged into another culture to do some work in Jesus' name. It does something for the people they go to help, but I think it does more for the kids who are doing the helping. I heard a local youth group report on their trip to Mexico. Basically they had all of their support stripped away from them while they were there. It was a language they weren't accustomed to, the money was different, they didn't have the comforts they were used to, they had some spiders hanging over them as they slept at night which they for the most part don't have at home. They had unfamiliar food. The customs were things they weren't used to. The result on these mission trips is pretty predictable. All of a sudden, kids who never have devotions are up early in the morning on a rock with a Bible somewhere. Kids who have always thought prayer was boring are saying, "Let's pray!" What they learn several thousand miles from home is something you may need to learn right where you are today. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Desperate for An Answer." Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Matthew 5:6. You might recognize this as being in what's called The Beatitudes, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. He says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." I think Jesus is describing spiritual health here in terms similar to what we do when we talk about physical health - appetite. How's your appetite? And He is talking about people who say, "I'm hungry for the Lord; I'm thirsty for the Lord. I need more of You, Lord. I need You!" Those kids on that missionary trip are learning a valuable lesson. With all of their usual dependencies stripped away, they find out that you know the Lord when you need the Lord. Maybe that's why third-world Christians have so much more power in their lives, and have so much more revival in their experience than we do. They don't have all of the props we do, and it seems that those who know the Lord the best are those who need Him the most. We dig deeply into the Lord when the bottom drops out. I'm sure you have. I have. And then, once things have stabilized, we tend to return to our old props. We tend to return to a casual Christianity instead of this desperately dependent but very rich faith. The fact is we desperately need the Lord every day, not just when the bottom drops out. We're as needy as the people in the third world. We shouldn't be confused because we've got internet, and movies, and concerts, and church services, and homes and all these other support structures. We just don't cling to Him because we're surrounded by so many other resources. Do we have to wait for all our resources to be stripped away before we learn how much we need our Lord? Do we have to be starving to death before we get to be hungry for more of Him? "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. They will be filled." See what we're missing because we haven't acknowledged how much we need Him? Even now, why don't you ask the Lord (it's kind of a strange prayer), "Lord, make me desperate for You." He'd rather do it without trauma and without tragedy. Ask Him to give you a new hour-by-hour sense of your desperate need for Him; an hour-by-hour dependency; the child on his Heavenly Father. And then live today as if God is your only hope, not just one of your many resources. When you need the Lord desperately, you get to know Him deeply.

2 Timothy 2:8-14 (ESV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss why Timothy had no need to be ashamed and why we have no need to either.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=26476The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

As Christian nationalism tightens its grip on the nation's politics, a new crop of progressive candidates is putting faith front and center. From James Talarico to Abdul El-Sayed, the religious left is making a more explicit play for political power (and challenging the idea that Republicans get to own God). Can religious progressives provide an effective counterweight to Christian nationalism, or are we just inviting more religion into a political system that could use a lot less of it? Also on the show: Christians find God on both sides of the fight over massive AI data centers; Florida's attorney general picks a fight with Catholic schools over vaccine exemptions; the Arizona Supreme Court hands the Mormon Church a win in a horrific child-abuse case; anti-Muslim opposition to a proposed mosque lands an Oklahoma city in court; new data reveals just how differently Mormons practice their religion around the world; and Texas' mandatory Ten Commandments displays face a new legal challenge.

Wendy's Latest Book "The Unveiling": https://a.co/d/07ZmjdwOGo Deeper with The Deep End: https://deependtv.com/patreon

What was Jesus writing in the ground when the Pharisees and scribes tried to accuse the woman caught in adultery? Pastor Adriel Sanchez discusses the passage of Jesus writing on the ground and how the Pharisees rejected him. Instead of their names being written in the Book of Life, they were written in the dust.  PARTNER WITH US Upon becoming a partner you will receive two incredible books: Ordinary and Core Christianity by Dr. Michael Horton. We believe these resources will serve as an aid in helping  you understand the core tenants of the Christian faith and find joy in your every walk with Christ. FOLLOW US YouTube | Instagram | X/Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter WHO WE ARE Sola Media serves today's global church by producing resources for reformation grounded in the historic Christian faith. For over thirty-five years, Sola has walked alongside Christians in their faith, pointing away from novelty and ourselves, and toward Christ and his gospel as proclaimed in the Scriptures, articulated in the ancient Christian Creeds, and summarized in the confessions of the Protestant Reformation. Learn more: https://solamedia.org/

Why does God allow suffering? Why do faithful Christians endure trials, persecution, and heartbreak?Today Gary begins an in-depth study of 2 Corinthians, one of Paul's most personal letters. Paul opens the epistle by repeatedly emphasizing one central theme: God is the God of all comfort.

Some Christians believe the walk of faith should bring them happiness and prosperity. But our Lord's real legacy includes suffering. In this message from Matthew 26, Pastor Lutzer shares three takeaways from Jesus' unanswered prayer in Gethsemane. Let's discover the significance of Jesus' groan, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

The Bible tells us that if we remain connected to God that He will work in our lives, sometimes in painful ways, to prune away the areas that are not productive. As Christians, we are to bear much fruit from His Spirit, and when others see that fruit they glorify Him.

DESCRIPTION Biblical leadership and spiritual warfare were never meant to be separated. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture repeatedly connects godly authority with the responsibility to guard, protect, preserve, and advance what God has established. In this powerful Biblical Life teaching, Dr. Michael Lake examines a truth the modern Church desperately needs to recover: Every legitimate biblical leader is called to stand under God's authority—and biblical authority carries with it the responsibility to resist darkness. The shepherd's staff provides a powerful picture of this principle. It steadies the leader's walk, guides those who follow, and can become a weapon when the flock is threatened. That pattern begins in Genesis. Adam was commissioned to exercise dominion, guard what God entrusted to him, and extend God's order throughout the earth. Yet the spiritual conflict was already underway. Leadership was necessary precisely because there was something that needed to be guarded. This principle continues throughout Scripture. ·      Noah protected humanity through obedience. ·      Abraham defended the covenant family. ·      Moses confronted Pharaoh. ·      Joshua led Israel against the corruption of Canaan. ·      David defended Israel from its enemies. ·      Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem while preparing the people to fight. And Jesus Christ—the perfect Shepherd, Leader, and Warrior—came "doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil" (Acts 10:38). The modern Church has often separated leadership from spiritual warfare. The result has been weakened families, passive believers, exhausted pastors, confused authority structures, and Christians who have never been taught how to stand their ground spiritually. That must change. Dr. Lake examines how biblical leadership establishes God's order, while spiritual warfare protects it. You will discover why: ·      Leadership begins with submission to God's authority. ·      The home is one of the first places biblical leadership must operate. ·      Husbands and wives were designed to function together under God's order. ·      Spiritual warfare did not begin in Genesis 3—the conflict was already present in Genesis 1. ·      Adam was commissioned to rule, guard, and preserve what God entrusted to him. ·      The shepherd's staff symbolizes both leadership and warfare. ·      Satan consistently targets leaders because destroying leadership scatters those under its protection. ·      The fivefold ministry carries specific responsibilities in the spiritual conflict. ·      Truth, holiness, prayer, obedience, discernment, and forgiveness are powerful weapons of biblical leadership. ·      Spiritual authority grows as believers themselves submit to the authority of Christ. ·      The name of Jesus must govern us before we presume to exercise His authority against the enemy. One of the most important principles in this teaching is simple: ·      Because I am under authority, I can move in authority. ·      Spiritual authority is not bravado. ·      It is not yelling at demons. ·      It is not religious theatrics. It flows from submission to Jesus Christ, obedience to the Word of God, holiness, covenant faithfulness, and a life increasingly governed by the character of Christ. The days ahead will require believers who know how to lead themselves, protect their households, discern deception, stand on biblical truth, and resist the kingdom of darkness. It is time to take up the shepherd's staff again.  It is time to LEAD.  It is time to GUARD.  It is time to STAND.  And when necessary, it is time to FIGHT. The Bible is not merely a devotional book.  It is also a war book. And God is preparing His remnant to understand how biblical leadership and spiritual warfare function together. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ HELP US REACH AND EQUIP THE REMNANT If this teaching strengthens you, please: ✓ LIKE this video—it helps YouTube recommend this teaching to others. ✓ SUBSCRIBE to Biblical Life TV and turn on notifications so you don't miss future teachings. ✓ SHARE this message with pastors, fathers, husbands, ministry leaders, intercessors, and believers who understand that the Church must recover biblical leadership. ✓ COMMENT BELOW: What area of biblical leadership do you believe the Church most urgently needs to recover? Your engagement helps these teachings reach believers who might otherwise never discover them. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ BECOME A MINISTRY PARTNER Biblical Life TV and Kingdom Intelligence Briefing are made possible by friends and ministry partners around the world who believe in preparing and equipping the remnant for the days ahead. Your prayers and financial partnership help us continue producing biblical teaching, research, podcasts, and resources designed to strengthen believers in the Word of God. To learn more, access teaching resources, or support the ministry, visit: KingdomIntelligenceBriefing.com Online Giving: https://store.biblicallifeassembly.org   Mailing Address: Biblical Life P.O. Box 160 Seymour, MO 65746-0160 Thank you to every partner who stands with us. Your partnership enables Biblical Life TV to continue proclaiming biblical truth and preparing the remnant worldwide. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ SCRIPTURES & BIBLICAL THEMES DISCUSSED ·      Genesis 1:1–28 — Creation, dominion, separation, authority, and spiritual conflict ·      Genesis 2:15 — Adam commissioned to work, guard, and preserve the Garden ·      Genesis 3:1–24 — The failure of leadership and the entrance of sin ·      Genesis 6:1–4 — Rebellion and the corruption associated with the Genesis 6 event ·      Joshua 24:15 — "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" ·      Zechariah 13:7 — Strike the shepherd and the sheep scatter ·      Matthew 24 — Deception, false teachers, and false prophets in the last days ·      Luke 10:19 — Authority over the power of the enemy ·      Acts 10:38 — Jesus destroying the oppression of the devil ·      Ephesians 4:11–16 — Fivefold ministry and the equipping of the saints ·      Revelation 21:1–27 — The ultimate removal of darkness and chaos under God's restored order TIMELINE 00:00 — Introduction 01:30 — Opening Prayer & the Crisis of Our Generation 05:00 — Why the Church Needs Biblical Leadership 09:00 — The Shepherd's Staff: Leadership & Warfare 14:00 — Dominion and Authority in Genesis 20:00 — Adam, Eve & Kingdom Leadership 28:00 — Spiritual Warfare Begins in Genesis 1 37:00 — Guarding What God Entrusts to You 44:00 — Authority Against Spiritual Chaos 53:00 — Restoring Leadership in the Home 59:00 — Moses, David & the Staff of Authority 1:02:00 — Jesus: Shepherd, Leader & Warrior 1:08:00 — Fivefold Ministry as Spiritual Warfare 1:11:00 — Why Satan Targets Leadership 1:17:00 — David, Goliath & Growing in Authority 1:20:00 — The Name of Jesus and Submission to Christ 1:23:00 — Forgiveness, Healing & Spiritual Authority

In the final episode of this series, we explore why Christians can face the future with confidence rooted in Christ's victory.

So much pain has been inflicted in the name of God. We have been deeply hurt, we get triggered and, understandably, we want nothing to do with any of it - even Jesus. But, let's be clear, what has been used to hurt us has been absolute lies, false teachings and is not about God or Jesus!One of the worst things that ever happened to Jesus was the religion of Christianity, and non-affirming Christians have largely gotten him totally wrong. Jesus is still one of the best-kept secrets because his truth has been grossly distorted by people who claim to speak for him.There is a religion-free Jesus who belongs to all of us!Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

Some Christians believe the walk of faith should bring them happiness and prosperity. But our Lord's real legacy includes suffering. In this message from Matthew 26, Pastor Lutzer shares three takeaways from Jesus' unanswered prayer in Gethsemane. Let's discover the significance of Jesus' groan, "Not my will, but Yours be done." This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://rtwoffer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337. Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives. Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.   SUPPORT: Tax Deductible Support: https://www.moodymedia.org/donate/ Become an Endurance Partner: https://endurancepartners.org/   SUBSCRIBE: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoodyChurchMedia Daily Devotional and Weekly Digest: https://www.moodymedia.org/newsletters/subscription/

In this series finale of the Menlo Midweek Podcast, Matt Summers and Phil EuBank wrap up seven weeks of exploring the world's major worldviews by turning their focus directly toward the heart of Christianity: the Gospel. Reflecting on the journey from Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Mormonism, Catholicism, and Agnosticism, this episode draws a stark line between every human transaction, where we try to perform, prove, or bribe our way to God and the true Gospel, where God reverses direction and gives us a way home. Matt and Phil unpack how religion acts as humanity's attempt to climb back to Eden, why the distinction between a bribe and a gift matters so deeply, and how even well-meaning Christians accidentally turn grace back into performance.

In this episode of the National Crawford Roundtable the guys discuss the Air Force One switch, done to protect the President, and the media's reaction to it. The guys talk about the latest with the WNBA, Sophie Cunningham, and trans women (biological males) in women's sports. They look into the Socialist takeover of the Democrats, the appeal of socialism, and how a third of Democrats say they welcome socialism. And the guys talk about the upcoming sequel to the 2007 book "The Shack" due out in October of this year. Many Christians embraced the first novel's un-biblical theology of Universalism, and there is a warning to Christians to not fall for the feel-good counterfeit Christianity of this new sequel the way so many did with the first book in 2007.

These holy martyrs suffered victoriously in the year 305 (Prologue) or 288 (Great Horologion), during the reign of Diocletian, who visited Nicomedia to stir up a persecution of Christians there. Anicetas, one of the city governors, presented himself before the Emperor, boldly confessed his Christian faith, and denounced the worship of the idols. Anicetas was subjected to a series of cruelties: his tongue was cut out, but he miraculously continued to speak; he was thrown to a lion, but it refused to attack him; then he was savagely beaten with rods until his bones showed through his wounds. His nephew Photius, seeing his endurance of all these trials, ran forward, embraced his uncle, and declared to the Emperor that he too was a Christian. The Emperor ordered that he be beheaded immediately, but the executioner, raising his sword, gave himself such a wound that he died instead. After many tortures, the two were put in prison for three years, then brought out and cast into a fiery furnace, where they died, though their bodies were brought out of the flames intact.   Saint Anicetas is counted as one of the Holy Unmercenaries.

What if sexuality isn't merely a biological reality or a moral issue? What if it's one of the clearest ways God reveals Himself through humanity? In this episode, Wailer and Adena begin their journey through Scripture's teaching on sexuality by returning to the very beginning—Genesis 1. Together they explore God's first command to humanity, the meaning of being made male and female in the image of God, and why sexuality is far more sacred than most Christians have been taught. Along the way, they unpack the ancient concept of image-bearing, discuss why sexual brokenness often runs deeper than behavior, and share parts of their own story of pornography, betrayal, healing, forgiveness, and restoration.    Resources: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Heaven by Peter Kreeft: https://a.co/d/03ufta4f Unwanted by Jay Stringer: https://a.co/d/0bp1uON4 Proven Ministries: https://www.provenmen.https://a.co/d/0bp1uON4org/provenministries/ The Sex Talk Resources: https://www.thesextalk.com/courses/thesextalk-com   Connect with The Naked Gospel Podcast:   Website: https://www.provenmen.org/thenakedgospel/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PROVENMenMinistries LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/provenmen/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/provenministries Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/provenmenministries TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@endporn.org

"Good morning, Mr. Phelps." If you were a fan of the old school classic TV series, "Mission: Impossible," you would know those words always began a riveting adventure. Jim Phelps was the head of all the Mission Impossible Force before all the big movies, you know. He would listen to this tape, outlining this assignment that seemed, well, impossible. Key word–seemed. And even in more modern times when it's not a tape anymore, and when it's Tom Cruise who's doing Mission: Impossible, it's still sort of the same idea. You begin building a team of specialists, you concoct this elaborate, perfectly-timed plan to do what couldn't be done, and every time they get it done. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "No Such Thing as Mission Impossible." That's the conclusion you reached after watching that show for a while. For them, there's just no such thing as mission impossible. That's great fantasy stuff. It's a much greater reality when it comes to rescue missions undertaken by the One of whom the Bible says, "For with God, nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37). That might be important for you to know right now, because there's a person in your life that seems beyond His reach. Well, wait a minute! There's no such person. The living proof of that is our word for today from the Word of God. Saul, the man leading the crusade to eradicate the early Christians. He is on the way from Jerusalem to Damascus to round up more of those hated believers. Acts 9:3 says, "As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?' 'Who are You, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting...'" After this dramatic encounter with Jesus, the Bible says, "Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind..." You probably know that this persecutor of Jesus' followers will ultimately become the greatest proclaimer of Jesus in the world; the world-changing Apostle Paul. I cannot imagine anyone in the world of the early Christians whom they would have considered a greater "mission impossible." But there's no such thing when it comes to God, including that person in your life who seems to be so hard, so far from God, so antagonistic, so impossible to get through to. In fact, maybe you've almost stopped believing, stopped seeking opportunities to point them in Jesus' direction. Maybe you've even stopped praying very much for them. Please, don't stop going to God on their behalf. Ask God, "Lord, do whatever it takes within Your will to get through to their heart." That's a powerful prayer...the "whatever it takes" prayer. He may have to knock them off their high horse, as He did Paul. He may have to bring them to a position where they're helpless, as He did with Saul. He may have to show up dramatically in front of them, but Jesus didn't die for them just to give up on them now. As you pray, this very moment, Jesus the ultimate Mission Impossible Man, is moving people, He's moving events to bring someone you love face to face with Him. You may not even be here for the answer to your prayers, but God has this promise for you in Galatians 6:9, "we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Mission Impossible? For Jesus, there's no such thing.

2 Timothy 1:1-7 (ESV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss the kind of spirit we Christians are given in Christ.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/2026/08/12/2-timothy-21-a-spirit-of-power-love-and-self-control/The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

Throughout the summer, we're revisiting some of our most meaningful conversations - stories of hope, healing, and life-changing collisions with Jesus that continue to encourage people year after year.This episode originally aired in April 2026 and we're grateful to share it again with you.Whether you're listening for the first time or returning to it again, we pray it meets you right where you are and reminds you of God's faithfulness, grace, and redeeming love.What if the stories of near-death experiences could reshape the way you understand God, heaven, and your purpose on earth?In this fascinating episode of the Collide Podcast, Willow sits down with pastor and bestselling author John Burke to explore what more than 30 years of studying nearly 1,500 near-death experiences has taught him about eternity. John shares how his own journey from skeptical engineer to follower of Christ began while his father was dying of cancer, and how years of interviewing people from every continent have only strengthened his confidence in the God revealed throughout Scripture.Together, they discuss the remarkable consistency found in near-death experiences across cultures and religions, why these accounts continue to point people toward Jesus, and how a biblical understanding of heaven can transform the way we live today. If you've ever wrestled with grief, questioned what happens after death, or wondered whether God is still pursuing those who seem far from Him, this conversation offers thoughtful insight and lasting hope.Meet John BurkeJohn is the founder and former lead pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas, a multisite church that has grown to more than 4,500 people since its launch in 1998. He is also the president of Gateway Leadership Initiative, equipping church planters and everyday Christians to “raise the church out of the culture.” John is a New York Times bestselling author of Imagine Heaven and has written several influential books, including No Perfect People Allowed, Soul Revolution, and his newest work, Imagine the God of Heaven. He is passionate about helping people discover the real God revealed through Scripture and confirmed through thousands of NDEs. His story is a powerful example of curiosity transformed into calling.Connect with John - Website | InstagramIn This Episode, You'll LearnWhat near-death experiences really are—and why they matterThe surprising commonalities people report across countries, cultures, and faith backgroundsHow NDEs align with what Scripture teaches about heaven, God, and life after deathWhy John believes God continues pursuing people with grace until their very last momentsWhat convinced him that these experiences cannot be explained by drugs, dreams, or hallucinationsWhat people consistently describe about encountering Jesus, God's love, and heavenHow This Episode Will Encourage YouIf you've ever feared death, grieved someone you love, questioned God's goodness, or wondered whether heaven is truly real, this conversation will remind you that our hope in Christ is grounded in something far greater than wishful thinking. You'll walk away with fresh confidence in God's relentless love, renewed hope for eternity, and encouragement to live today with an eternal perspective.Personal and Powerful Bible Study - Explores how God shows up in our lives in ways that are both deeply personal and undeniably powerful.Follow Willow: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Can theology ever be merely academic? In this classic lecture from 2000, David Powlison argues that every doctrine is meant to shape the way Christians live. Far from being abstract speculation, theology answers the deepest questions of the human heart, directing our hopes, confronting our fears, and teaching us to interpret life through the lens of God's Word. Drawing from passages including Habakkuk, Romans, Hebrews, 2 Thessalonians, and especially Psalm 131, Powlison explores what it means to live by faith, quiet the restless soul, and hope in the Lord. Along the way, he demonstrates that Scripture is not just a collection of theological propositions to be mastered, but God's living Word, given to transform His people. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the Bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

One used to see it on bumper-stickers, "Christianity is a relationship, not a religion." Why do Evangelicals sell it that way? More carefully, is that even true? In this cast o' the pod I define what the word religion means and explain why all Christians should, in fact, be proud to proclaim that following Jesus is, indeed, their religion, their rule of life. To make the point I note several ways by which we can make Christianity our rule of life. All of that is side "B" of the show. Side "A" is an unearthing of the whys and whats of our secular culture's take on religion. For at least 200 years Western culture has tried to diminish religion as the "private stuff" people privately believe in "they" heads. And frankly, we expect that from a culture that hates God. What we don't expect is that the church herself is pretty adept at cutting the branch she is sitting on out from beneath her. How so? I explain that and so much more.

In Christ, believers are free—but Christian freedom must never become a stumbling block to others. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef continues in 1 Corinthians 8, where Paul addresses the issue of eating meat that had been offered to idols. The mature believers in Corinth knew they were free to eat the meat with a clean conscience. But some younger or weaker believers, remembering their former life in idolatry, could not eat it without spiritual distress. Paul's instruction was clear: love must override rights. Even when something is not morally or spiritually wrong in itself, it becomes wrong when exercised carelessly in a way that wounds another believer's conscience. Dr. Youssef gives three reasons believers must exercise restraint. First, knowledge is not enough—sound doctrine must be joined with mature love. Second, not every Christian has the same understanding or level of maturity, so right belief must lead to right relationships. Third, wounding another believer's conscience through carelessness is sin, and mature Christians are called to sacrificial love. In Christ, we are free—not free to sin, but free to love. When God takes charge of our freedom, we learn to humble ourselves, serve the body of Christ, and trust Him to satisfy us completely, even when love requires sacrifice. Prayer: Father, thank You for setting me free from my sin and selfishness. May I lay aside my own preferences to lift others up according to Your will. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.  “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Corinthians 8:9). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon Healthy Living in a Sick World, Knowledge Must Bow to Love: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

On this week's podcast, Jared Bridges, Editor in Chief of the Washington Stand and Bob McGinnis, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, AI expert and author join Casey Harper to discuss artificial intelligence. OpenAI's model broke out of the lab and hacked another model! How important is this latest Open AI "escape" and hacking? Is AI a good thing or a bad thing? Some are saying A.I. feels like the end of days, like Biblical prophecies coming to life. Do you agree? Given all that, should Christians be using AI?

Check out the August Top Ten Leadership List. Plus, the top conferences to attend this fall. And 10 Questions to ask, regardless of the moment, conversation or context. This is an episode to share and discuss with your team, co-workers and boards. Make sure to visit http://h3leadership.com to access the full list and all the show notes. Thanks again to our partners for this episode: OPEN DOORS - Get the latest FREE 2026 World Watch List and prayer guide at http://opendoorsus.org. Since they were founded by Brother Andrew nearly 70 years ago, Open Doors has become the world's largest on-the-ground network working to strengthen persecuted Christians. 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution for their faith- 1 in 7 worldwide. Download the FREE World Watch List now. Plus the Prayer Guide gives you the World Watch List, real stories of persecuted Christians, profiles of all 50 countries and specific ways to pray for each one. Again, visit http://opendoorsus.org. And COME and SEE FOUNDATION – reaching a billion people with the story of Jesus. Visit http://comeandseefoundation.org. Come and See Foundation is on a mission to ensure that all 7 seasons of The Chosen are produced, translated into 600 languages, globally distributed, and kept FREE for all. From Michigan to Madagascar, people are encountering Jesus through The Chosen, Season 6 releases in November. Join Come and See in inviting a billion people to find and follow Jesus. You can play a supporting role in introducing the world to Jesus. Lean more and get involved at http://comeandseefoundation.org.

Prenups are becoming increasingly common, but should Christians embrace them as wise financial planning? In this episode, Art explains why prenuptial agreements can conflict with the biblical picture of marital oneness and why even complicated financial and family situations should be approached from a posture of unity.Resources:8 Money MilestonesAsk a Money Question!

Continuing the Tent Talk Summer Reading Series, Nancy finishes Chapter 2 of The Hope of a Homecoming: Entrusting Your Prodigal to a Sovereign God by Brendan O'Rourke and DeEtte Sauer. Expanding the conversation beyond children to any loved one who has rejected intimacy with God, Nancy explores the long and often painful journey of standing with the Father while someone you love chooses another way. Drawing from her own years as a prodigal and her experience of standing for others, she speaks honestly about prayer, disappointment, boundaries, unmet expectations, and the temptation to compromise truth for the sake of relationship. This episode is an invitation to remain clean and clear before the Father—to love without enabling, believe without denying reality, and trust the power of the Cross to accomplish what human reasoning, control, and effort never can. Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Episode-1113-Summer-Reading-Series.pdf LINKS The Devotional Podcast with Nancy McCready https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2hHjwQ_3Qrp1rhbR9nu68wnBtQY0IHzc The Producer's Way School theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father. Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him. ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries nancymccready.com/

In this episode, Pastor Rick and Alex Hotz share their thoughts on how Christians can have fun yet be wise and God-honoring when it comes to video games.

Episode #219 – Am I A Fool?Response to the Sermon on the Mount – Part 2 (Matthew 7:24–27)Who is the foolish builder Jesus describes in Matthew 7:24–27?In Episode #219 of the Way of the Bible podcast, that question becomes deeply personal. Rather than examining the foolishness of the world, this episode asks every believer to look inward and honestly consider: "Am I acting foolishly?" Building upon the previous episodes in this mini-series, we are reminded that all humanity begins life separated from God. Scripture declares that every person is born into sin, spiritually foolish, and unable to rescue themselves. Yet the gospel proclaims God's incredible mercy. Through Jesus Christ, believers are saved, justified by grace, renewed by the Holy Spirit, and given the hope of eternal life. But salvation is not the end of the journey.One of the central themes of this episode is that Christians can still act foolishly when they ignore God's Word or attempt to live according to the flesh rather than the Spirit. The Apostle Paul's correction of the Galatian believers demonstrates that even sincere followers of Christ can drift from walking by faith into relying upon themselves. The message then turns to Ephesians, where Paul calls believers to live as children of light. Instead of returning to old patterns of sin, Christians are encouraged to reject immorality, greed, deception, bitterness, and every form of darkness while pursuing gratitude, holiness, truth, and obedience. This is not presented as a way to earn salvation but as the natural outworking of a transformed life. The episode also highlights an often-overlooked truth in Paul's letter to the Ephesians: God's purpose extends beyond simply bringing people into heaven. Christ has given leaders to equip His people for works of service so that believers may grow into spiritual maturity and "the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Spiritual growth is the lifelong pursuit of increasing union with Christ through faithful obedience. Episode #219 concludes with an encouraging reminder: every Christian is capable of moments of foolishness, but through the Holy Spirit we are continually invited to walk wisely, practice what Christ has taught, and build our lives firmly upon the Rock.The question remains before each of us:Am I hearing Christ's words... and putting them into practice?

Spielberg's film Disclosure Day takes on the narrative of the recently released government UFO files. Speculation claims that what Spielberg aimed for was to shake up the Christian faith by his documentation of possibility of aliens from other planets. These extraterrestrials woud prove to Christians that biblical Christianity is false. But that's not what Spielberg necessarily said. We examine the premise of the movie as well as what the disclosed government files tell us. Comparing the two we see where facts end and speculative fiction begins.

Michael Clary, author of Loser Theology: Why the Weak Will Not Inherit the Earth, joins Ryan Helfenbein to expose the defeatist mindset that has taken root across modern Christianity. They discuss “spectator spirituality,” passive Christianity, the fear of Christian cultural engagement, the misuse of suffering and persecution, and why the Great Commission calls Christians to actively pursue the lordship of Christ in every area of life. Clary argues that Christians are not called to sit on the sidelines, surrender the culture, or simply wait for Christ to return. We are called to faithfully use the gifts, authority, and opportunities God has given us and trust Him for the results.

We all hear about how radical Islam is a threat to the "western world" and how Muslims beat women, slaughter gays, hate dogs, and despise Christians. But is that really true? What are the actual sources of these accusations; and would you believe evidence that proved without a doubt that these were malicious lies told about Islam for some nefarious purpose. Suppose they were; what would that mean for the people who believe them, and for those who have peddled them since before 911. Most people would be shocked to learn that the Quran, Hadiths of Muhammad, and Islamic legal systems all condemn the abuse and murder of women. An-Nisa 4:34 begins our journey. Many would probably be shocked to learn that the one reference to punishing a wife is actually a relatively universal practice that is meant to be a ritualized, symbolic punishment and not anything more. Most surprising of all, however, is that statistical data where it is kept seems to indicate that Christian households experience far more physical, sexual, and spiritual abuse than Muslim households.https://quran.com/an-nisa/34https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/23-june/news/uk/christian-teaching-linked-to-domestic-abuse-research-finds*The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, subscribe below. 

Website - https://scottrfrazer.com/ Email – scottrfrazer@gmail.com Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3HqYpIugdqi8h5JjDLBCLx The Science and Scriptures podcast is designed to help Christians to reconcile their religious faith with science and the physical world. Truth is contained in both and together form a strong testament to life's purpose and our reality.

Faithful presence means Christians engage the public square instead of retreating from it.In this episode, Pastor Daniel Hayworth closes out One Nation Under God with a challenge that lands on Monday morning. Faithful presence, he argues, rejects two opposite errors: the apathy that keeps Christians silent, and the idolatry that makes heroes out of politicians. Perfect for the commute or the gym, this is faithful presence made practical.You'll Learn:✅ Why apathy has become one of the most dangerous postures in the American church✅ What Jesus meant by salt and light, and why salt left in the shaker does nothing✅ How faithful presence works in public and in private, without turning into performance✅ Why courage is the chief virtue every other virtue is tested by

My colleague Ross Douthat is leaving The Times after 17 years to become a correspondent on “60 Minutes.” Before he goes, I'm asking him a few questions. Douthat has had a unique vantage point on the news media and politics over the last few decades. He's typically held the role of explaining the right to more liberal audiences, starting as an undergrad, when he was a conservative columnist for The Harvard Crimson. Douthat has also lived through the seismic changes in the media from the both the inside and the outside: He's made his career at legacy media institutions, but I first got to know him – and spar with him – as an early-2000s blogger (and I have the 20-year-old Bloggingheads.tv clips to prove it). So what does Douthat make of the transformations he's lived through? How did blogging change journalism? How did a Republican Party powered by evangelical Christians become a political party dominated by Catholics and pagans? What has he learned about persuasion from writing for liberal audiences? And with the resources of “60 Minutes” behind him, will he finally crack the U.F.O. story once and for all? Mentioned: Magnifica Humanitas by Pope Leo XIV “Is It Time for a New Sexual Revolution?” with Louise Perry, Interesting Times with Ross Douthat “Christopher Nolan's Finest Trick” by Ezra Klein Grand New Party by Ross Douthat and Reihan Salam Book Recommendations: Speak, Memory by Vladimir Nabokov De Gaulle by Julian Jackson Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast, and you can find Ezra on Twitter @ezraklein. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs. This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Annie Galvin, Marie Cascione and Rollin Hu. Fact-checking by Kate Sinclair, Mary Marge Locker and Julie Beer. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Johnny Simon. Our recording engineer is Johnny Simon. Cinematography by Marina King. Video editing by Arpita Aneja and Julian Hackney. Our executive producer is Claire Gordon. The show's production team also includes Jack McCordick, Kristin Lin and Emma Kehlbeck. Original music by Pat McCusker. Audience strategy by Shannon Busta. The director of New York Times Opinion Shows is Annie-Rose Strasser. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when a nation stops defending the values that made it free? Today I'm looking at what's happening in Dearborn, Michigan, the growing influence of Islam in America, and why Christians need to pay attention to what's happening in our communities, our government, and even our military. With the midterms approaching, this is not the time to sit on the sidelines. God is sovereign, so we don't live in fear—but we are called to be wise, courageous, prayerful, and willing to stand for truth.Shop MyFreedomCart for trusted, American-made products that support your values.http://myfreedomcart.com/heidiShow mentions: http://heidistjohn.com/mentionsWebsite | http://heidistjohn.comSupport the show! | http://donorbox.org/donation-827Rumble | rumble.com/user/HeidiStJohnYoutube |    / @‌heidistjohnpodcast  Instagram | @‌heidistjohnFacebook | Heidi St. JohnX | @‌heidistjohnFaith That Speaks Online CommunitySubmit your questions for Fan Mail Friday | http://heidistjohn.com/fanmailfriday

A prominent Methodist pastor says the Bible contains hundreds of mistakes, a Texas city erupts over plans for a new mosque, and a politician uses Jesus to promote a gospel of good works. Segment 1 • Why Christians may be putting too much hope in politics. • Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton wins the Democratic Senate primary. • The growing progressive/Islamist political alliance. Segment 2 • Adam Hamilton claims the Bible contains “hundreds” of mistakes. • Gabe Hughes puts one of Hamilton's supposed contradictions to the test. • James Talarico uses Matthew 25 to promote salvation by good works. Segment 3 • Why Todd brings 21 pages of notes into the pulpit. • A proposed Texas mosque sparks a heated city council meeting. • An Iranian Sharia-law survivor warns Americans about political Islam. Segment 4 • Is one cup of coffee basically the same as “a little crack”? • Should pastors get special treatment when they break the law? • A prominent atheist says he'd rather go to Hell than worship God. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

Have you ever heard a phrase so many times that you just assumed it was in the Bible?

In this episode of Pray the Word on 2 Samuel 24:17, David Platt reminds Christians that sin affects not only our lives but also the people around us.Explore more content from Radical.

Eric Metaxas talks to John Zmirak. White Guilt, Mass Immigration, Crisis in Europe, Zero Immigration for 40 Years, Oxford Union Debate on Islam, Iran, Midterms.   The Eric Metaxas Show For this interview visit-    https://podcastaddict.com/the-eric-metaxas-show/episode/229957210   For the entire Eric Metaxas podcast visit-    https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/the-eric-metaxas-show/6590964  Aug 07 2026   Today On The Eric Metaxas Show, John Zmirak joins Eric to discuss mass immigration, Islam, Western self-rejection, the viral Oxford Union debate, the coming midterm elections, and why he believes America should consider a decades-long pause on immigration.   ORDER NOW:Revolution: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World

Was Jesus mistaken when He said, "This generation will not pass away until all these things take place" (Matthew 24:34)? In Episode #1 of our Top Ten Most Controversial Verses: Eschatology Edition series, Tim Bushong examines one of the most debated statements in the entire Olivet Discourse. Did Jesus predict His final return within the lifetime of His disciples? What did He mean by "this generation"? And how should Christians understand the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 in relation to biblical prophecy? This episode explores Matthew 21–24, the context of the Olivet Discourse, and the parallel accounts in Mark and Luke to uncover what Jesus was actually teaching—and why this verse remains one of the most controversial passages in eschatology.

What is the best evidence for God's existence and what are the toughest challenges against it? In this episode, Sean and Scott are joined by Christian apologist Dr. Adam Lloyd Johnson, who debates atheist Dan Barker in the new book Debating God's Existence. They discuss the fascinating story about how the debate and book came about, what Adam learned through his interactions with atheists, and how Christians can best make the case for God today.dam Lloyd Johnson is the founder and president of Convincing Proof Ministries and a former campus missionary with Ratio Christi at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He has also taught classes for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has spent time living and teaching at Rhineland Theological Seminary in Wölmersen, Germany. Adam received his PhD in Theological Studies with an emphasis in Philosophy of Religion from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2020.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.  

What does God think about ChatGPT and the impact of other emerging AI technology? Philosophy and Ethics professor, Dr. Jason Thacker, joins Kirk Cameron to discuss what Christians need to be aware of as ever-changing technological advancements take a more prevalent role in our daily lives. Don't miss this informative interview on Takeaways with Kirk Cameron on TBN! Missed the last episode? Listen in as Lysa TerKeurst discusses how to Biblically navigate betrayal and broken trust. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WATCH Takeaways with Kirk Cameron episodes for free on TBN+⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Each episode of Takeaways with Kirk Cameron features knowledgeable guests having a respectful and thoughtful conversation surrounding topics that are impacting our society every day. Kirk's hope is that you will walk away from this show with practical steps on how to better your family, your community, and your nation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Christians anticipate heaven, the most glorious reality will be seeing the Lord face to face. Until that day, what is the connection between the heavenly reality that awaits the Christian and their life now? According to the apostle Paul, it is the work of the Holy Spirit as the pledge or guarantee of future inheritance that connects the future with the present. In this sermon on Ephesians 1:14 titled “The Earnest of Our Inheritance,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones labors to explain the apostle's words by arguing that the translation “earnest” fits the context of Paul's teaching. This rich term communicates the guarantee or pledge, but it also speaks of an installment. The Christian has a glimpse or foretaste of heaven through the work of the Holy Spirit. While one does not fully see Christ in this life, they should be encouraged that they do indeed see Him, even if only as through a mirror dimly. Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges the listener to share in Christ's life now by pursuing holiness, purity, peace, and love. Wonderfully, when one does this, they taste what righteousness will be like in the future.

Many Christians are comfortable saying “I'm in process.” But we hesitate to say, “I've been changed.” Pastor Colin talks about how both of these things are true of every Christian.

“Oh that I were as in months past.” — Job 29:2 Numbers of Christians can view the past with pleasure, but regard the present with dissatisfaction; they look back upon the days which they have passed in communing with the Lord as being the sweetest and the best they have ever known, but as to […]

There are moments when delight in God arrives quietly. No plan. No formula. No spiritual checklist. Just a family gathered in a living room, singing old hymns and remembering the faithfulness of God across generations.In this conversation, Ros Evans and Stephanie Rousselle explore the surprising ways delight awakens in everyday life. Beginning with a spontaneous evening of singing hymns with her parents, Ros reflects on how delight often emerges when truth has taken root deep within us. The conversation moves from cherished memories to a rich discussion about theology, worship, and why knowing God matters so profoundly.Drawing from John 15, they unpack Jesus' invitation to abide. Delight is not something we manufacture through effort. It grows naturally from relationship. As we spend time with Christ, we discover that abiding is both a gift and an invitation.Along the way, Roz shares a vivid story about an unforgettable fragrance—a scent so beautiful it inspired an intentional search. The image becomes a powerful picture of the gospel: once you have truly encountered its beauty, everything else is measured against it.The conversation also explores the painful reality of pruning. A loving Gardener removes dead branches, but he also trims living ones so that greater fruit can come. Seasons of loss, confusion, and change may feel painful, yet they often reveal the attentive care of God shaping us for eternity.Through stories of hymns, gardens, horses, friendship, and faith, one message rises above all the others: delight in God is not another burden to carry. It is an invitation to receive. As our eyes remain fixed on Jesus, delight becomes less of a destination and more of a natural response to the goodness of the One who loves us.MORE ABOUT "AWAKEN DELIGHT" BY STEPHANIE ROUSSELLE"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This is God's promise to you in Psalm 37:4. But many believers quietly assume it's just a poetic suggestion, or it doesn't really work here on earth.In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight in God. It's not emotional hype or religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is.Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how delighting in Godreshapes sufferingquiets restless strivinganchors your identity in God's unshakable delight of youLearning to delight in God is the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own hearts.Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4.More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelightDISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn't really work, or it's not really possible here on earth.In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is.Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive.Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable.Delighting in God isn't sentimental optimism. It's deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus.It's the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart.Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4.More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JKind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God's delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you'll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie's joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie's love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JSupport us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Why do Christians still struggle with anxiety when the Bible tells us not to worry? Anxiety has become one of the defining mental health struggles of our time. But does experiencing anxiety mean you lack faith? Is anxiety primarily a spiritual problem, a psychological issue, or something more complex? Licensed mental health counselor and author Melissa Fisher joins Dr. Jeff Myers to explore anxiety, mental health, neuroscience, and faith from a biblical worldview. Melissa explains what happens in our brains and bodies when we experience anxiety, why smartphones, social media, and isolation may be making us more anxious, and why genuine human connection is essential to our well-being. They also discuss what the Bible says about anxiety, why simply telling someone to "stop worrying" isn't enough, and where secular approaches to anxiety can fall short. Drawing from her book, Jesus for the Anxious: 8 Weeks of Practicing Peace to Calm Your Worry and Fear, Melissa explains why overcoming anxiety doesn't necessarily mean never feeling anxious again. Instead, following Jesus gives us a firm foundation for facing fear, worry, stress, and life's storms with greater wisdom, resilience, peace, and hope. In this episode, you'll discover: Why anxiety is increasing in our culture How smartphones, social media, and isolation affect mental health What anxiety does to the brain and nervous system What the Bible really teaches about anxiety and worry Why Christians can experience anxiety without abandoning their faith How relationships and Christian community build resilience Where secular approaches to anxiety can fall short How Jesus changes the way we face anxiety, fear, and life's storms If you've ever wondered "Why am I still anxious if I trust God?", this conversation offers a biblical and practical approach to understanding anxiety and finding lasting hope in Jesus.

What if the code you live by isn't bringing you closer to Jesus—but actually pulling you further away?Here's the uncomfortable question: Could someone with no religious code at all actually be closer to God than you are?Listen to this and examine what's really guiding your faith—the living Christ or a code you've learned to follow.Romans 3:23-24

In this episode, Chad and Robert unpack the next line of the Apostles' Creed and talk about the Trinity, the virgin birth, and why Jesus had to be fully God and fully human. They explain why His sinless life mattered, how His death became the perfect sacrifice for sin, and why the resurrection confirms that His work was enough.Subscribe to receive our latest videos!Website: https://www.sunvalleycc.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunvalleycc/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunvalleycc/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunvalleyccTo support Sun Valley and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://www.sunvalleycc.com/givingGod loves you no matter who you are, what you've done, or what's been done to you. This is the vision of Sun Valley Community Church, led by Pastor Chad Moore and based in Gilbert, AZ with multiple locations throughout the Phoenix valley.Chapters:01:58 What Christians Believe About Jesus03:54 Understanding the Trinity06:21 Why the Trinity Matters07:46 Why Christians Believe Jesus Is God09:17 The Virgin Birth Explained10:55 Why Jesus Had to Be Born Without Sin13:31 Why Jesus Had to Be the Perfect Sacrifice14:25 Fully God and Fully Human16:28 Why Jesus Had to Become Human18:57 Abraham, Isaac, and the Coming Sacrifice21:34 The Great Exchange22:20 Jesus Is the Hope of the World23:31 The Gospel Was Foreshadowed From the Beginning