Podcasts about Parable

When two faith-based credit unions unite, it's not just about growing bigger—it's about multiplying Kingdom impact. We're talking about something that's a lot more than just a merger— it's about expanding services and supporting ministries worldwide. Aaron Caid joins us today to talk about the exciting merger of Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU) and AdelFi Credit Union.Aaron Caid is the Chief Marketing Officer at Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU), an underwriter of Faith & Finance. A New Season for Christian Community Credit UnionWhen it comes to money, the conversation always goes deeper than numbers. For Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU), finances are a matter of faith, stewardship, and Kingdom impact. That's why the announcement of a merger between CCCU and AdelFi marks such a significant and exciting new chapter.This merger wasn't a quick decision. It was the culmination of nearly two years of prayer, discernment, and thoughtful consideration by both boards. Both organizations share a Christ-centered mission, with AdelFi carrying a 60-year history of faith-aligned banking and a strong commitment to supporting Christian ministries. The merger is designed to create a stronger credit union, expand reach, and multiply Kingdom impact.What Members Can ExpectFor CCCU and AdelFi members, the transition will be seamless. Accounts and services will remain uninterrupted. At the same time, members can look forward to enhanced digital tools, stronger security, expanded member support, and greater lending capacity. That means more opportunities to serve individuals, churches, ministries, and faith-based businesses with tailored financial solutions.The heart of this merger is ministry. By combining resources, CCCU will be able to give more generously to global partners such as Samaritan's Purse, the Tim Tebow Foundation, and Mission Aviation Fellowship. Together, the new institution will support churches, mission-sending agencies, and faith-based organizations with greater financial strength. At the end of the day, it's not just banking, it's stewarding resources for eternal impact.With the merger complete, CCCU will become the largest Christian banking institution in the United States—holding more than $1.5 billion in assets. Beyond size, the partnership brings specialized expertise. AdelFi's strength in serving Christian-owned businesses complements CCCU's established ministry partnerships, while AdelFi's connection to over 4,000 missionaries deepens the reach to those serving around the world.The Path AheadThe merger is officially effective December 1, and members don't need to take any action. Services will continue seamlessly, with every account insured up to $250,000. CCCU is committed to keeping members updated through email and the merger hubs on their websites.This partnership represents more than financial growth—it's about multiplying impact for the Kingdom. Together, CCCU and AdelFi are equipping God's people and ministries with financial tools that advance the Gospel and care for others in Jesus' name.To learn more about this new chapter in Christian banking, visit FaithFi.com/Banking.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I have approximately $630,000 in savings and would like guidance on how to invest it, pay off around $20,000 in debt, and purchase a home within the next year. I'm 35, and my wife and I expect to work another 15–20 years. How should we best allocate our money?The parable of the talents has inspired me to start investing. I have less than $10,000 and have been watching YouTube videos to learn. Can you recommend trustworthy resources—such as websites or books—that can help me develop financial wisdom?I'm getting ready to apply for Social Security. Is it better to apply online, over the phone, or in person at the office?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU)AdelFi Credit UnionSound Mind Investing (SMI)The Sound Mind Investing Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Your Money From a Biblical Perspective by Austin Pryor with Mark BillerSocial Security Administration (SSA.gov)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.On today's edition of The Briefing, Dr. Mohler discusses the White House announcement of an agreement between Israel and Hamas on first stage of peace treaty, the big questions raised by the government shutdown, the naming of Bari Weiss as editor in chief at CBS, and the significant increase in boys named ‘Yahya' in Great Britain in 2024.Part I (00:14 – 01:08)Real Hope For Peace in Gaza: White House Announces Agreement from Israel and Hamas on First Stage of Peace TreatyPart II (01:08 – 15:20)Who Will Surrender in the Government Shutdown? What's Behind the Ever-Expanding Government Debt? – Big Questions Raised 8 Days into the ShutdownPart III (15:20 – 21:20)There's a New Editor in Chief at CBS: Bari Weiss, Great Enemy of Woke, Takes Over Important Role at CBSPart IV (21:20 – 26:57)A Parable of Islam's Rise in Great Britain: ‘Yahya' Makes the Biggest Jump in Popularity Amongst Boys' Names in Great Britain in 2024Yahya blows up in Britain by Washington Examiner (Dominic Green)Sign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.

When life's difficult, many may falter in faith. Jesus encouraged His disciples to always pray and not give up—even when it seems like God isn't answering. Listen to Truth For Life as Alistair Begg explains what's happening when God's response is delayed. ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the series ‘A Study in Luke, Volume 10' • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. •If you or someone you know is in a season of suffering, be encouraged! Download My Times Are in Your Hands—12 FREE messages on enduring affliction with hope. Comes with a study guide. Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today's program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!

When it comes to money, the issue isn't just budgets or bank accounts—it's identity and ownership.In Christ, we're a new creation and God's dwelling place, which means money is something we manage for the Owner. Today, we'll explore what it looks like to live as God's stewards with Dr. Derwin Gray.Dr. Derwin L. Gray is a former NFL player turned pastor, author, and speaker. He co-founded Transformation Church in South Carolina and is the author of multiple books on faith, discipleship, race, and gospel-centered unity.From Ownership to StewardshipOne of the most significant shifts we can make as followers of Christ is to stop thinking like owners and start thinking like stewards. Scripture makes the point that: “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).God doesn't want something from us—He wants something for us. He longs for us to share His generous heart, free from the grip of idolatry. When Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, “You cannot serve both God and money,” He drew a line we cannot straddle. Money is a tool to serve God's purposes, not a master to rule our lives.A powerful illustration of this danger can be found in The Lord of the Rings. Smeagol, once a hobbit, discovered a ring of dark power and quickly became consumed by it. Calling it “my precious,” he was slowly deformed—body and soul—by his obsession.Money can do the same thing when it takes God's place in our lives. Instead of being a tool to serve God, it becomes a master that warps our hearts and dehumanizes us. But when grace reshapes our perspective, we see money for what it truly is: not a god to worship, but a resource to manage for God's glory.Generosity Flows from the GospelThe Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.”Generosity is not our idea—it is God's nature. Giving is worship, an overflow of gratitude to the One who gave Himself for us. When we give our first and best to God, we not only honor Him but also discover peace, freedom, and deeper trust.This isn't only about giving. Stewardship encompasses saving, investing, and living debt-free. But generosity is foundational. When we trust God with our finances, we learn to trust Him with every other area of our lives. Our High CallingWe are not owners. We are managers of what the King of kings has placed in our hands. Every dollar entrusted to us is an opportunity to worship Him, serve others, and reflect His generous heart.When we embrace this calling, stewardship stops being a burden and becomes a beautiful privilege. How might God be inviting you to live more fully as His steward today?On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I had to retire early because of health issues for both me and my wife. As a custodian, I wasn't able to save much, and now we're living on about $2,400 a month from Social Security. What's the best way to wisely manage these limited resources?I'm 80 years old and have been taking required minimum distributions from my IRA for about ten years, giving some of those funds to charity each year. When I pass away, my children will inherit the IRA. Will they need to continue taking required minimum distributions?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Transformation Church | I Am A Steward (Sermon by Dr. Derwin Gray)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Do you struggle to humble yourself when you make a mistake? Mike and Dave discuss the parable of the Prodigal Son and explain the personal and Eucharistic themes found in this parable. They also share the importance of doing pro-life work in the midst of a pro-death culture. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

What is the “third heaven”? What does it mean that we're already seated in heavenly places? My pastor said our character is the foundation for our lives. What are your thoughts? Please explain the Parable of the Talents. If it's about Christians, then how could the last person end up in “outer darkness”?

When we think about financial threats, inflation, taxes, and debt are often the first that come to mind. But Scripture tells us there's a deeper, more dangerous threat—covetousness. Left unchecked, it poisons our joy, drives us to make poor financial choices, and blinds us to God's generosity.Covetousness is more than wanting what we don't have. It's a disordered desire that whispers: “I must have that to be happy, safe, or fulfilled.” Paul warns in Colossians 3:5, calling covetousness “idolatry.” Why? Because it dethrones God and places possessions on the throne of our hearts.In our finances, covetousness often manifests subtly—comparing our homes to those of our neighbors, upgrading cars that are still running well, or chasing investments out of envy. These patterns reveal misplaced worship.The Antidote: Contentment in ChristThe opposite of covetousness isn't deprivation—it's contentment. In Philippians 4:11–13, Paul testifies that he has learned contentment in every circumstance through Christ's strength.Contentment doesn't come naturally—it's cultivated. And when we trust in God's abundance, we no longer grasp at what others have. Instead, we rest in His provision. Think of Jesus feeding the 5,000: what looked like scarcity became abundance in His hands.Social media magnifies our envy, turning vacations, houses, and life stages into comparison traps. The tenth commandment—“You shall not covet”—goes straight to the heart, reminding us that God cares not just about our actions but about our desires.If you feel this struggle, take heart—you're not alone. The Spirit empowers us to shift from envy to gratitude, from restless striving to restful trust.Practical Steps to Combat CovetousnessFighting covetousness is not about self-shame—it's about redirecting our worship. Here are three practices rooted in Scripture:Practice Gratitude—1 Thessalonians 5:18 calls us to give thanks in all circumstances. Keeping a daily gratitude list shifts focus from what's missing to what God has given. Budget as Worship—A budget isn't just restrictive—it's a discipleship tool. By directing money toward giving, saving, and wise spending, we declare, “Lord, I want You to guide my resources.” Give Generously—Paul urges believers to “be rich in good works, generous and ready to share” (1 Tim. 6:18). Every gift declares that our identity is not in what we own but in who owns us.Redirecting Desire Toward ChristJesus warns in Luke 12:15: “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” The rich fool who built bigger barns illustrates the danger of letting wealth replace intimacy with God.Covetousness dies when Christ becomes enough. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”At its root, covetousness is a worship issue. We long for what others have because our hearts are restless for the only One who satisfies. St. Augustine put it well: “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”The cure isn't less desire but rightly directed desire—desire fulfilled in Christ. When we practice gratitude, budget as worship, and live generously, we shift our gaze from possessions that perish to a Savior who is more than enough.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:We sold our house after some delays, but in the meantime, I withdrew funds from my IRA, intending to pay them back within 60 days. Since the sale took longer, are there any IRS rules or options to reduce the taxes on that withdrawal?I'm turning 59½ and retiring early. I have a TSP and the option to roll it into a fixed index annuity with a bonus from Allianz. What's your perspective on this type of annuity?We sold a property through owner financing after owning it for 15 years, though it wasn't our primary residence. When should I report the taxes, and is it treated as a long-term capital gain? Is there any tax benefit to having held it long-term?My sister has money sitting in a savings account that earns very little interest, and my name is also on it. Since she doesn't use email, could I open a joint high-yield online savings account with my email, transfer the funds there, and earn more interest?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most hiring mistakes don't happen in the interview—they happen before you ever post the job. In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we break down why hiring from stress instead of strategy leads to misalignment, burnout, and costly rehires.We cover:00:02:09 – The Parable of the Net (Matthew 13:47–50)A wide net catches everything—including the wrong people. Learn how clarity in your hiring process acts as a filter, not just a funnel.00:03:18 – Attachment to Filling the Role—Not Solving the ProblemStop rushing to replace a warm body. Start by asking if the role even fits your current mission and strategy.00:12:20 – Attachment to the Resume—Not the ResultsA polished resume doesn't equal performance. We show you how to ask better questions that reveal real-world capability.00:17:49 – Attachment to Past Roles—Not Current StrategyIf your business has changed, your roles should too. Don't hire for yesterday's needs—clarify what the role needs to deliver now.00:22:20 – Attachment to Charisma—Not Culture FitCharisma fades. Culture fit endures. Learn how to look past personality and identify alignment with your core values.00:26:27 – Smart Hiring FrameworkThis episode kicks off a full series on building a better hiring system. Sign up to get every resource at chrislocurto.com/hiringframework

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” - 2 Timothy 1:7When it comes to investing, wisdom means keeping emotions in check. Fear, greed, overconfidence, and regret can all derail sound decisions. Dr. Art Rainer joins us today to share four ways emotions ruin smart investing—and how you can avoid those traps.Dr. Art Rainer is the founder of the Institute for Christian Financial Health and Christian Money Solutions. He is a regular contributor here at Faith & Finance and the author of Money in the Light of Eternity: What the Bible Says about Your Financial Purpose.Don't Let Emotions Derail Your InvestmentsWhen it comes to investing, emotions can be your worst enemy. Allowing emotions to guide your investment decisions will most likely lead you to buy high and sell low. That's the opposite of building a solid retirement fund.So how can investors avoid the emotional traps that derail wise investing? Here are four common ways emotions can ruin sound investment strategies.1. Focusing on the Present Instead of the FutureThe stock market fluctuates daily, sometimes even hourly. Many investors get caught in the drama of short-term swings. But we must remind ourselves that we're not investing for today, we're investing for the future.Keeping your eyes fixed on long-term goals helps put temporary volatility in perspective. The market may dip, but over time, patience and consistency are what build wealth.2. Letting Fear Take ControlFear often shows up during a market downturn. In 2008, as markets plummeted, many investors panicked and withdrew their money. Later, most admitted that the decision was a mistake.In fact, steady contributions during down markets actually allow for the purchase of more shares at lower prices—a benefit to long-term investors. This is a process called “dollar-cost averaging”.  Dollar-cost averaging is an investing strategy where you contribute a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, regardless of market conditions. Over time, this helps reduce the impact of market volatility by buying more shares when prices are low and fewer when prices are high.Fear may feel protective, but it usually leads to missed opportunities.3. Becoming Overconfident in a Rising MarketJust as fear hurts during downturns, overconfidence can be just as dangerous when markets rise. We saw this during the dot-com bubble in 2000 and again in 2020.As stock prices climb, inexperienced investors often rush in, assuming the market is “easy money.” They may chase riskier investments without understanding the dangers, setting themselves up for painful losses when the bubble bursts.4. Dwelling on RegretRegret over past decisions is natural, but it can tempt us to overcorrect. For example, selling too soon because of a bad memory from the last downturn—or holding too long trying to “make up” for past mistakes.Instead of being trapped by regret, let past experiences guide wiser choices without driving reactionary ones.The Bible tells us that saving is wise, but it also cautions against letting fear or greed rule our hearts. Wise investing requires patience, discipline, and trust in God's provision—not reactionary emotions.Get Help From a Certified Christian Financial CounselorFor those struggling with debt, budgeting, or saving for the future, Dr. Rainer recommends connecting with a Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC). These professionals are trained to help individuals and couples align their finances with biblical principles.You can search for a counselor in your area at ChristianFinancialHealth.com.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm trying to help someone who has three credit card debts that have gone to collections. What type of documentation should we request to confirm that the debt collector is legally entitled to collect the debt, especially since different agencies continue to contact us?I'm retired and have recently purchased a property with mold in the crawl space, which is impacting my health. Given my financial situation, would it be wise to borrow money to resolve the mold problem?My husband is about to turn 73, and we've placed all of our IRA funds into an annuity. How do we calculate the required minimum distribution once he reaches 73, and does that amount change each year? We'd like to withdraw only the minimum necessary.Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)The Institute for Christian Financial HealthChristian Money SolutionsWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the TFC Biblecast! Start your day off right and join us as we take the next 10 minutes to dive into God's word. If we can pray for you, email us at biblecast@tfc.org.

Health insurance or health cost-sharing—which is the better fit for your family? With open enrollment upon us, it's the perfect moment to explore your choices. Joining me today is Lauren Gajdek to highlight the key differences between health insurance and health cost-sharing.Lauren Gajdek is the Senior Director of External Affairs at Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM), an underwriter of Faith & Finance. The Landscape of Traditional Health InsuranceOpen enrollment season is right around the corner—running from November 1 through January 15, 2026. For most people, that means navigating the world of traditional health insurance. These plans typically require you to select doctors and specialists within a designated provider network, often necessitating referrals or pre-authorization before receiving care.While insurance companies provide coverage, their structure can come at a high cost. Premiums and deductibles are often steep, and because insurers operate for profit, patient care and affordability don't always align. For many families, this creates a significant financial burden.How Health Cost Sharing Is DifferentHealth cost-sharing ministries, such as CHM, offer a unique alternative. The end result is the same—your medical bills are taken care of—but the process looks very different.No provider networks: Members are free to choose their own doctors and hospitals.Nonprofit model: Unlike insurance companies, CHM is a ministry. Members send in a set monthly contribution, which is pooled together to reimburse medical costs.Community approach: Instead of being absorbed into a bureaucratic system, members know that their contributions directly help fellow believers in need.Since its founding, CHM has facilitated over $10 billion in shared medical bills.How Does Health Cost-Sharing Work?Here's how it works for a typical family:Choose your provider. Members can see any doctor or hospital as long as the treatment fits CHM's guidelines.Identify as self-pay. This allows members to receive significant discounts often, sometimes as high as 40%.Submit bills to CHM. The ministry coordinates with providers as needed. In the meantime, members may set up a temporary payment plan until reimbursement arrives.The process is straightforward, designed to give families peace of mind while also offering flexibility and savings.What to Keep in Mind During Open EnrollmentWhen weighing your options, consider more than just the monthly premium. Ask:How much am I actually paying out-of-pocket after deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance?Will my coverage travel with me if I go out of state—or out of the country?With CHM, members don't face co-pays or coinsurance, and qualifying medical bills are shared 100% according to ministry guidelines. Additionally, portability makes it an appealing option for families who want flexibility, regardless of where life takes them.A Biblical Approach to HealthcareAt its core, CHM is more than a healthcare solution—it's a ministry. Members not only share medical expenses but also pray for one another and receive prayer support in return. Every monthly contribution is a gift that directly helps another member in need.CHM reflects biblical principles of bearing one another's burdens while providing a practical, affordable path to healthcare.To explore whether health cost sharing is right for your family this open enrollment season, visit CHMinistries.org/Faith.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm refinancing my home and am unsure whether I should roll the closing costs into the new loan or pay them from my investments or retirement accounts. Rolling them into the loan would lower my monthly payment, but is that the wisest choice financially—and biblically?Could you explain where the funds actually come from with a reverse mortgage, who technically owns the home in this arrangement, and whether the FHA backs the loan?My wife and I recently took a required minimum distribution from her IRA and made a qualified charitable distribution to our church. They told us it wasn't tax-deductible and wouldn't issue a receipt. What does the IRS actually require in this situation?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)Understanding Reverse: Simplifying the Reverse Mortgage by Dan HultquistWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I can be blessed by the gifts of the Spirit in your life. I can be a recipient of your kindness, love, and mercy. I can benefit from your faith… But I can't borrow it. Today's story is controversial. The Parable of The Ten Vigins. As we take a good look at the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1–13), we must acknowledge up front that there has been much debate as to the meaning. At least one aspect of this parable can be known with absolute certainty — The bridegroom is Jesus, and this parable describes His return. Today's Bible verse is Romans 8:9 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three actors, one enigmatic play, and surprising insights into collaboration, craft, and curiosity What can three actors teach you about memory, silence, and creativity? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I sit down with Jaqui Shiel, Mark Cosby, and Lori Kee, three accomplished performers who brought Harold Pinter's Old Times to life in a Zoom performance in Karen Kohlhaas' directing class that I took. You'll hear how they build layered characters, balance artistic work with everyday demands, and use pauses and presence to create powerful moments on stage and in life. Their stories offer practical strategies you can apply to your own communication, whether you're leading a team, teaching a class, or crafting your next project. If you want fresh insight into acting craft, collaboration, and the artistry of silence, this conversation will spark new ideas and confidence in your own creative journey. The actors in this project were: Jaqui Shiel as Kate, Mark Cosby as Deeley, and Lori Kee as Anna. See below for their information. If you're a producer or a casting director, book them for shows. They are tremendous at their art and craft. See the production on YouTube.   Jaqui Shiel Jaqui Shiel is an actor, singer and writer. Born and raised in South Africa to Irish parents- she trained as an actor in S.Africa at the TUT School of Drama and in the UK at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.    After a varied theatre career in London playing roles in, amongst other things, The Libertine, Rainshark, Mary Zimmerman's The Arabian Nights, Playboy of the Western World, and A Month in the Country, Jaqui moved to NYC where she has been seen in Elektra at the Baryshnikov Arts Centre and in industry readings for new plays including Craig Lucas's play Change Agent as Jackie Kennedy.   As a writer, Jaqui was the 2023 winner of the Red Bull Theatre short play festival- where her play “Taboo is the Thing” had a one night off-Broadway reading produced by Red Bull. She continues to enjoy the challenge and thrill of playwriting and is currently mentored by Lucy Thurber.  https://www.jaquishiel.com/  https://www.instagram.com/jaquishiel/   Lori Kee Award winning Actress. Upcoming: shooting 2 films-- Everything's Fine Now and  Salting. Favorite roles: Tracey in Sweat by Lynn Nottage, Wife in Wife to the Headless Horsemanby Don Nigro, Woman in Neil Labute's Falling in Like, Emma in Pterodactyls by Nicky Silver, Lola in Lola Lies to Corky. & Linda in According to the Chorus both by Arlene Hutton, Sandwich in Hungry by Matt Crowley, Seagull in Sisters Grimm: Pointy the Starfish by Bricken Sparacino, Saint Birgitta in the TV series Parable, also the beloved authoress Jane Austen in the web series The Jane Games and Susie in Days of Our Lives.. Member: Nylon Fusion, SAG/AFTRA, AEA, SDC.   www.lorikee.com https://www.instagram.com/thelorikee/   Mark Cosby Mark Cosby has performed in over 40 plays in New York City, Los Angeles, and his hometown of Atlanta, which he returned to just last year to be closer to his family and where this Halloween you can catch him in “Wolfman” with the experimental movement theatre company Havoc. Mark's first exposure to Pinter was in a shoestring production of The Lover, put up over summer break with fellow actors of the Atlantic Theater Company Acting School in 2002, where he also first met teacher, Karen Kohlhaas, who shepherded our “Old Times” project.   https://www.instagram.com/markccosby/     Connect with Izolda Get exclusive content and bonus podcast episodes when you join my Patreon. Website: https://IzoldaT.com BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/izoldat.bsky.social. Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg Submit a Play to the Your Creative Table Read Podcast Series https://crossroads.consulting/  This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm. I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link) URL: https://brain.fm/innovativemindset It's also brought to you by my podcast host, Podbean! I love how simple Podbean is to use. If you've been thinking of starting your own podcast, Podbean is the way to go!**   Listen on These Channels Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Podbean | MyTuner | iHeart Radio | TuneIn | Deezer | Overcast | PodChaser | Listen Notes | Player FM | Podcast Addict | Podcast Republic | **Affiliate Link     Some of the topics in this episode touched on suicide. If you need help, please contact the Suicide Hotline: Call 988, or go to: https://988lifeline.org/ 

The Parable of the Lost Sheep contains a powerful message about how Jesus is willing to stop at nothing to redeem one lost sheep. How are people like sheep?Like sheep, people stink. Like sheep, people get lost without intending to get lost.Like sheep, people are defenseless apart from a Shepherd.The Parable of the Lost Sheep shows how Jesus felt compassion, not condemnation, for the worst of sinners. Join Pastor Phil Hopper as he illustrates God's heart toward sinners through the Parable of the Lost Sheep.Connect with us on Social Media ↴Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Connect with Pastor Phil ↴Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/Web: https://livingproof.co/resources/books/ Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/ More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/  Connect with us on Social Media ↴Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Connect with Pastor Phil ↴Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/Web: https://livingproof.co/resources/books/Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/ More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

DAY 25: The Parable of the Sower Welcome to the Gospel in a Year on the Catholic Sprouts Podcast. In this episode we are reading Matthew 13:1-23   To get the most out of this journey through the Gospels, we suggest you PRINT THE GOSPEL IN A YEAR NOTEBOOK. It's free and ready for you right here ---> http://catholicsprouts.com/the-gospels-in-a-year-on-the-catholic-sprouts-podcast   Thank you for joining us! Come Lord Jesus!      

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this October 3rd episode, join your host Hunter as we journey together through Day 277 of our year-long exploration of scripture. Today, we'll open the pages of Ezra chapters 5 and 6, where we witness the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and God's faithfulness to His people. We'll pause with David in Psalm 138 to reflect on gratitude and God's loving kindness. Then, we'll dive into Luke 16, where Jesus shares parables about stewardship, faithfulness, and the powerful story of the rich man and Lazarus—a timely reminder about the true riches found in God, not in material wealth. Along the way, Hunter offers reflections on heart posture, spiritual blindness, and the gift of being “named” and known by God. He closes with heartfelt prayers and practical encouragement to care for both body and soul, reminding us all that as we seek God together—no matter where we are in the world—we are deeply loved. So, grab your Bible, settle in, and let's walk this path of faith together today. The Story of the Named and Nameless: Faith, Riches, and Resurrection Lessons from Ezra, Psalms, and Luke: The Blessings of Faith and Humility Sitting with the Named Ones: Discovering Faith Beyond Riches Ezra's Restoration, David's Praise, and Jesus' Parables on Faithfulness Blindness of Wealth and the Hope of Resurrection: Insights from Luke 16 Walking in Faith: Rebuilding Hearts and Homes in God's Name From Exile to Celebration: God's Faithfulness Through Ezra, Psalms, and Luke Learning Humility and Hope from the Table of Abraham and Lazarus Faith That Sees: Overcoming the Blindness of Comfort and Riches Daily Reading, Daily Renewal: Finding Joy and Strength in God's Word Sure! Here are 30 topical keywords covered in this transcript: Ezra, Temple rebuilding, King Darius, King Cyrus, Jerusalem, Passover, exile, burnt offerings, Haggai, Zechariah, Persian kings, gold and silver cups, Babylonian exile, Psalm 138, worship, faithfulness, God's promises, prayer, humility, protection, resurrection, New Testament, Luke 16, parables, rich man and Lazarus, wealth, generosity, repentance, Moses and the Prophets, eternal life, daily devotion Hunter's Story (Short Bio Format): During a critical period in Jerusalem's history, when the city's temple lay in ruins, Hunter found himself among a resilient group determined to restore what was lost. Inspired by the voices of prophets like Haggai and Zechariah, who urged the people to rebuild in the name of their God, Hunter joined Zerubbabel and Jeshua in rekindling the effort to reconstruct the Temple. Their work soon attracted attention from the authorities: Tataniah, the governor west of the Euphrates, accompanied by his associates, challenged the project, demanding to know who had authorized the reconstruction. Despite the obstacles and scrutiny, Hunter and his companions persevered, guided by faith and the encouragement of the prophets—striving to restore both their temple and their community spirit. Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this October 3rd episode, join your host Hunter as we journey together through Day 277 of our year-long exploration of scripture. Today, we'll open the pages of Ezra chapters 5 and 6, where we witness the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and God's faithfulness to His people. We'll pause with David in Psalm 138 to reflect on gratitude and God's loving kindness. Then, we'll dive into Luke 16, where Jesus shares parables about stewardship, faithfulness, and the powerful story of the rich man and Lazarus—a timely reminder about the true riches found in God, not in material wealth. Along the way, Hunter offers reflections on heart posture, spiritual blindness, and the gift of being “named” and known by God. He closes with heartfelt prayers and practical encouragement to care for both body and soul, reminding us all that as we seek God together—no matter where we are in the world—we are deeply loved. So, grab your Bible, settle in, and let's walk this path of faith together today. Absolutely! Here are 10 thoughtful discussion questions based on the October 3rd, 2025 episode of the Daily Radio Bible: Reflecting on Ezra 5-6, what stood out to you about the rebuilding of the Temple and the challenges the Jews faced? How did God's intervention influence the outcome? In Psalm 138, David expresses deep gratitude and trust in God's faithfulness. Are there recent moments in your life where you experienced God's faithfulness in a personal way? In Luke 16, Jesus shares the parable of the shrewd manager. What lessons do you think Jesus wanted us to learn about stewardship, honesty, and the use of worldly resources? The story of the rich man and Lazarus highlights issues of wealth, privilege, and compassion. How do you see these themes playing out in your own life or in your community? Hunter discusses being blinded by riches and what it means to ‘forget your name.' In practical terms, what are ways we can guard our hearts against spiritual blindness or self-centeredness? What role do faith and trust play in our interactions with others, especially those in need, as reflected in the teachings of this episode? The episode highlights “the named ones”—those remembered in scripture for their faith. Who are the ‘named ones' in your own spiritual journey that inspire you? Hunter encourages listeners to take care of both body and soul. How do you balance spiritual and physical well-being in your daily life? Prayer is central to this episode. How has prayer—either through traditional prayers like the Lord's Prayer, or your own spontaneous prayers—shaped your relationship with God? The episode ends with the reminder that ‘you are loved.' How does knowing and internalizing God's love change the way you approach daily challenges and relationships? Feel free to use these questions for personal reflection or group discussion! Certainly! Here's a comprehensive sequence of topics covered in the episode "Daily Radio Bible – October 3rd, 2025," with sub-topic bullets for each primary topic: 1. Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast Hunter greets listeners and notes the date and day of the Bible journey. Introduces himself as a Bible reading coach, journeying with listeners daily. Emphasizes the goal: to let the Bible guide towards the Living Word, Jesus. 2. Daily Scripture Readings Book of Ezra (Chapters 5 and 6) Prophets Haggai and Zechariah encourage the rebuilding of the temple. Opposition from local officials and the intervention of King Darius. King Darius confirms Cyrus's decree allowing the rebuilding and orders resources to be provided. Celebration and dedication of the completed temple. Celebration of Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. Psalm 138 David gives thanks and praises God's unfailing love and faithfulness. Emphasis on God's care for the humble and protection in times of trouble. Affirmation of God's enduring faithful love and the plea not to be abandoned. Luke 16 Parable of the shrewd manager, focusing on faithfulness with worldly resources. Teaching on the impossibility of serving both God and money. Critique of the Pharisees' value system. Parable of the rich man and Lazarus, highlighting the consequences of hard-heartedness and blindness to spiritual poverty. 3. Reflection and Commentary on the Readings Focus on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Contrast between the nameless rich man (representing spiritual blindness) and Lazarus (a named, faithful individual). Warning about the hardening of heart due to wealth and reliance on status. Emphasis on the hope of resurrection and being known—having a name—by God. The importance of living by faith rather than trusting wealth or reputation. 4. Prayer and Personal Application Multiple prayers for guidance, protection, and for God's purposes to be fulfilled. Petition for peace, love, understanding, and living out God's will in practical ways. Gratitude expressed for God's mercies, creation, and redemption. 5. Practical Encouragement and Farewell Hunter encourages listeners to also take care of their physical bodies (e.g., taking a walk, enjoying nature). Affirms the value of time spent investing in the soul and spirit through Scripture. Personal anecdote about enjoying disc golf and being mindful of seasonal changes. Invitation to return for the next podcast episode and a reminder of God's love for each listener. This episode weaves together Scripture reading, reflection, prayer, and practical life encouragement, offering both spiritual insight and daily life application for listeners. Today we dove deep into the wisdom of Ezra, Psalms, and Luke, exploring how faith, gratitude, and humility can transform both our personal and professional lives. We learned that true success isn't measured by wealth or status, but by the richness of our soul and our generosity toward others. Remember: Invest in what truly matters—your character, your purpose, and your impact on those around you. Let every day be an opportunity to build lasting value, both in business and in life. Absolutely! Here's a LinkedIn post inspired by the October 3rd, 2025 episode of the Daily Radio Bible podcast: On today's episode of the Daily Radio Bible, I was reminded of the power of faith, perspective, and gratitude. Hunter took us through passages from Ezra, Psalms, and Luke—forming a moving meditation on humility, spiritual focus, and the value of small, daily investments in our souls. Here are three key takeaways that resonated with me: Guard against the blindness of privilege: The story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16) serves as a reminder not to let wealth or comfort blind us to our own need for God or the needs of others. Faithfulness in little things matters: Whether it's tending to the tasks at hand, caring for your health, or nurturing your relationships—Hunter encourages us to value the daily “little things” that shape our character. Invest in what truly pays off: As Hunter beautifully put it, spending time listening, reflecting, and drawing near to God is an investment that yields lifelong dividends, unlike many of the distractions that vie for our attention. Let's prioritize what's truly valuable—both in our spiritual journeys and our day-to-day routines. Have you made time lately for what matters most? #DailyRadioBible #Faith #PersonalGrowth #SpiritualWellness #Gratitude Subject: Feasting with the Named Ones – DRB Newsletter for October 3, 2025 Dear DRB Family, Grace and peace to you on this beautiful October day! As always, thank you for joining us on our daily journey through the Bible. Our latest episode, "October 3rd, 2025," is now available, and we're so glad you could share in this time around the warmth of God's love. Today's Readings: Ezra 5-6 Psalm 138 Luke 16 Highlights from This Episode In today's reading, we revisited the incredible story of how faith, perseverance, and God's providence enabled the Israelites to rebuild the temple amidst opposition. As we learned from Ezra, even earthly kings like Cyrus and Darius can become surprising instruments in God's redemption story. Psalm 138 reminded us of God's constant faithfulness, while in Luke 16, Jesus offered the stirring parable of the rich man and Lazarus. A Reflection on Names, Riches, and Faith Host Hunter shared a poignant meditation on the difference between the “named ones” and the nameless in Jesus's story. While the rich man in the parable was left without a name—lost in his riches and blind to his need for God—Lazarus was named, honored, and welcomed at Abraham's side. The reminder for us: our trust belongs not in wealth or reputation, but in the God who raises the humble and knows us by name. Let us nurture hearts that recognize our need for God and rejoice in the gifts—both earthly and eternal—that He freely gives. Daily Encouragement Hunter also encouraged us to move our bodies in gratitude for the life we have, just as we invest time nourishing our souls with Scripture. Whether it's a walk outdoors, a gentle stretch, or simply deep breaths of fresh air, these moments can remind us of God's presence. Let's Pray Together As always, this episode closed with heartfelt prayers of thanksgiving, intercession, and the Lord's Prayer—rooting us in God's goodness and mercy each new day. Action Steps: Take some time today to move your body and thank God for the life and breath you've been given. Reflect on the ways God has named and loved you, regardless of your circumstances. Invite someone to listen to today's episode and join our community of daily Bible readers. Thank you for investing these precious moments into your soul. Until next time, remember: you are loved. In His love, The Daily Radio Bible Team P.S. Have feedback or a prayer request? We'd love to hear from you—just reply to this email! And don't forget to take time to breathe, move, and let God's joy be your strength today. [Listen to the episode] [Visit our podcast page] [Support the DRB]

In this solo episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse Schwamb explores the profound depths of Jesus' Parable of the Sower from Matthew 13. While this parable might seem unassuming compared to others, Jesse reveals how it serves as the "granddaddy" of all parables—offering a God's-eye view of salvation through the ordinary imagery of farming. The episode examines why different people respond differently to the same gospel message, and challenges listeners to consider what kind of soil their own hearts represent. Through historical context and theological reflection, Jesse unpacks how this parable prepares believers for the mixed responses they'll encounter when sharing the gospel and reminds us that the efficacy of salvation depends not on the sower's skill, but on God's sovereign work in preparing hearts to receive His Word. Key Takeaways The Parable of the Sower provides a framework for understanding the various responses to the gospel message, serving as preparation for disciples who would face both acceptance and rejection. Jesus' parables, particularly the Sower, demonstrate how God uses ordinary, mundane things to express profound spiritual truths about His kingdom. The efficacy of salvation doesn't depend on the skill of the sower but on God's sovereign work in preparing the soil of human hearts. God's Word never returns void but always comes back "full" of either acceptance or rejection—it accomplishes exactly what God intends. Historical context matters: Jesus' audience had high expectations for a Messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom, but Jesus was revealing a different kind of kingdom. The Parable of the Sower shows that the kingdom of God isn't received equally by all—some receive it with joy while others reject it outright. Having "ears to hear" is a gift from God through the Holy Spirit, not merely intellectual understanding but spiritual receptivity. The Word That Never Returns Void The power of God's Word stands at the center of the Parable of the Sower. Jesse highlights Isaiah 55, where God declares that His word "shall not return empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose." Unlike human words that often fall flat, God's Word always achieves its intended effect. This doesn't mean universal salvation, but rather that God's purposes are never thwarted. When the gospel is proclaimed, it always returns to God "full" of something—either acceptance or rejection. The parable illustrates this reality by showing the various responses to the same seed. This should encourage believers in evangelism: we are simply called to faithfully sow the seed, while God determines the harvest according to His sovereign purposes. Our success is not measured by conversions but by faithfulness in proclamation. Kingdom Expectations vs. Kingdom Reality The historical context of Jesus' ministry reveals a profound disconnect between what people expected from the Messiah and what Jesus actually delivered. Jesse explains how the Jewish people anticipated a conquering king who would overthrow Roman oppression and establish a visible earthly kingdom. Instead, Jesus announced a kingdom that begins in the heart, dividing even families according to their response to Him. The Parable of the Sower anticipates this mixed response, preparing disciples for both acceptance and rejection. This teaches modern believers an important lesson: the gospel will not be universally embraced, even when perfectly presented. Some hearts are like paths, others rocky ground, others thorny soil. Yet we continue sowing because God has appointed some to be good soil—hearts prepared by the Holy Spirit to receive the Word and bear fruit. This reality should both humble us and embolden our witness. Quotes "The power of this message is in the message itself, but the medium by which it is delivered... it does pierce the heart. It does pierce through bone and marrow. It does divide because it always returns full of either acceptance or full of rebellion and denial." - Jesse Schwamb "We find ourselves humbled. We find ourselves rushing in, coming into the kingdom, fighting to come into it because God has impassioned us with that same zeal that has accomplished this very thing. He implants it in our hearts, in our minds, in our guts, so that we would come before him and worship him." - Jesse Schwamb "Consider what it means that this good news... that God's word is his deed. This is why... it's such a blessing to live in this period of time where we have such easy access for most of us to the word of God, and that we ought to be zealous about getting that word out to all people because behind it and within it and around it is the full power of the Holy Spirit." - Jesse Schwamb Full Transcript Welcome to episode 463 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse, and this is the podcast for those with ears to hear. Hey, brothers and sisters, so I am just one half. Of the Reform Brotherhood squad. Tony, of course, wanted to join us on this episode, but it sometimes happens in life. Our schedules were a little bit crazy this week, and God gave us responsibilities that put us in opposite directions for part of the time. And so that means that today on this episode, I thought. You and I, we could just hang out and Tony will be back to join us in the next episode. [00:01:20] Solo Episode and Parable Series Overview But for now, this is one of those solo or formed brotherhood episodes. And if you have been tracking with us, we just started this great and amazing journey on going through all the parables that our Lord and Savior gives to us in teaching us about the kingdom of God and its power. And we just started by talking about the parable of the sower, in fact. In the last episode, we just covered basically the first two soils, the first half of that amazing little story, and I thought it would be really, really great to camp out in that for just a little bit more because even though Tony's not here, the podcast goes on and we, Tony and I never really. Thinking about these things and when we start a series in particular, we always find that we just gotta keep going back on it in our minds ruminating on what we said and what God was teaching us and the conversations like all good conversations that draw your mind back to the things that you talked about, which I should say maybe before I begin in earnest, that is also my denial, which is saying things like, let's camp out in this text now to be. Sure. There's no wrong reason why, or there's no bad reason to say words like that. It's just when I hear myself say them, I think about all the things that Christians say, like saying like, we should camp out in this text, or Let's sit in it for a while. And I think maybe it's because I'm just not into camping or maybe because I think most of the time when you use the phrase like, sit in, it's not. A happy or blessed or joyful thing that you're describing. So I always find that funny, and yet here I am saying it because I just couldn't think of anything better to say except, you know what? We should pause and maybe ruminate a little bit more. On all of this good stuff that's in Matthew chapter 13, where Jesus gives us the parable of the sower, so you can join me in sharing which little Christian phrases maybe you think you hear, we say too much or just become rote or part and parcel what it means to talk. The best way for you to do that is do me a. Go to your favorite internet device and in the browser, type T me slash reform brotherhood, that will just take you that little link to a part of the internet using an app called Telegram where a bunch of brothers and sisters who listen to the podcast are chatting about the podcast, their live sharing prayer requests, and there's even a place for you to share, Hey, what are the things that Christians say that you think. Why do we say that? Why are we always talking about hedges of protection? Why are we always talking about camping out in a text? So that's a place that you can come hang out. So go to t.me/reform brotherhood. [00:03:56] Deep Dive into the Parable of the Sower But enough of that, let's talk a little bit more about this incredible parable that our Lord and Savior gives us in Matthew chapter 13. It's so, so short in fact that I figured. The best parts of any conversation about the Bible is just hearing from God in his word. So let me read just those couple of verses. It's just eight verses beginning in Matthew chapter 13, the parable of the sower. That same day, Jesus went out from the house and sat beside the sea and great crowds gathered about him so that he got into a boat and sat down and the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables saying a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched. And since they had no roots, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seed fell on good soil and produced grain. Some a hundred fold, some 60, some 30. He who has ears let him hear. [00:05:09] Personal Reflections on the Parable I have to say that of all the parables, and we mentioned in the previous episode that this one is kind of the granddaddy of them all. It's a god's eye view on salvation told in this lovely kind of encased way about horticulture and farming and growing plants. But to be totally transparent, I never really got into this parable. It was never really my favorite one. Like of all the things that Jesus says, of all the creative and wonderful terms of phrase, this one for me always just seemed to be lacking That stuff. You know, it doesn't have really strong characters. It's about a sower, seed and soil, and compared to some other things that seems kind of unassuming and. Not very exciting, quite honestly, to me, and it's not as exciting, I think, as stories about, I don't know, losing something of value and then suddenly finding it and rejoicing and having the characters, feeling yourself in those characters as they go about experiencing all the emotions. That Jesus expresses and keyed in these lovely little riddles called parables. And so for this one, it's always been a little bit kind of like a, okay. It's interesting and the point seems fairly straightforward and it just doesn't captivate me as the others. And I've been thinking about about that, how even in this, it just seems like a really normal, mundane, kind of pedestrian expression of a life in that time. And it's all wrapped up in gardening. And throwing seeds into the ground, not even having control of their outcome. And then in this way, though, expressing and explaining this grand narrative and arc of salvation from God's perspective. So it is, again, another lesson in God using ordinary, normal, almost seemingly mundane things to express his power, to express our lack of control and to show so that he does. Did I just say so to, so that he does all things and certainly we get so much of that in this parable, and so it made me think this week after Tony and I talked about it a little bit. Just how it raises a question in this really normative, kind of unassuming, almost boring, if I can say way, this really profound question, which is, will we be this fruitful, fertile soil? Will we be fruitful followers? Of Jesus Christ. And it doesn't just raise this question, I suppose it also gives us some hope, but it also does so with a warning. It is a maybe a little bit of law and gospel even embedded in these simple means of, again, talking about what it means to plant something and to entrust the planting, the acy of the growth there to the soil and the seed, and there's hope. There's warning and there's so much of that that's in this context of the parable, and that's what's led me to wanna talk to you all a little bit about that as we kinda process together more of what this means. [00:08:00] Historical Context and Expectations of the Messiah I was thinking that when Jesus began his ministry, when he's coming forward, he's really announcing the arrival of the kingdom of God. And it's helpful, I think, to meditate as a second on how profound that is, that he comes again, not just as the message, but the messenger and the medium of that message. I was just kinda ruminating on the fact that. Everybody had high expectations. There was no one, I think, with kind of a low opinion of what was about to happen or of what the Messiah was going to bring or what he was going to do. And here you have like explicitly Jesus' hearers, their ancestors would've been taken into exile and captivity because they had broken the covenant with God. And the prophets had made this case for God's punishment because of their idolatry and their injustice. But that message, and you get this especially in in books like Isaiah. Where there's this mixture that's bittersweet. There is not only an exclusive message of woe for the people, but there is at the same time up against sick, almost running parallel. This promise of a day when God, by his own effort in Zeal, would bring about a restoration where he'd set up visibly an earthly reign through his anointed Wanda Messiah. And so I can only imagine if I could. Even partially put myself in the place of these people who are hearing this particular parable, that there is all this sense that we have strayed from God, that we're covenant breakers, but that he has promised to make a way and that his own zeal will very much accomplish this, but it will be visible and earthly, not just spiritual in the sense that we believe these things and we internalize them in the sense for our being, and therefore we speak about them in these kind of grandiose and ephemeral terms. But more than that, that God was going to come and set up an earthly reign, purely manifested in the world in which we live and breathe and have our being. And so two things would happen. Israel's oppressors would be defeated. And God would institute a pure worship and a reestablished pure worship. And so I can't help but think maybe there was some of this expectation. They're, they're seeing this Messiah, this Jesus, the one who speaks with a different kind of authority, come into their midst. And there I think all these things are somewhere in their minds as their processing. Maybe they should be in ours as well. And so there's this portrait that's being painted here of the prophet saying there's gonna be. Restoration and this image of a seed being sown. And then of course you have these metaphors that Jesus is employing in his own time. Very reminiscent of passages like in Isaiah 55, where you find the prophet saying, for as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there, but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater. So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth. It shall not return empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and I shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. What an amazing, glorious promise of God that there is no suboptimal nature. In his expression of who he is and what he's accomplished, that the very thing that he intends to do, he always does, and this word comes back. I think what really strikes me about this passage in particular is the fact that it does not return to God empty. I mean, think about what that means. It's strange in a way. That. In other words, it's full of something. And here I think it's full of response. It's full of anticipation. It's full of this. Like what? What has gone out is now received by the individual and then returns with either acceptance or denial, very much in the same way that we're about to receive it in this parable before us. And in fact, even our ability to understand the parable. This if you have ears, he has ears. Let him hear that itself is an expression. So in other words. The power of this message is again, in the message itself, but the medium by which it is delivered, it does pierce the heart. It does pierce through bone and marrow. It does divide because it always returns full of either acceptance or full of rebellion and denial. And so when we think about the people of Israel. They exactly in that way. They return from exile under Ezra Nehemiah. But even those returns, even those improvements or some of that remediation seems to me like to come short of expectations. You know, Ezra rebuilt the temple, but it paled in comparison to Solomon's original, in fact. If we go to Ezra chapter three, there's like so much honesty as the people are seeing this rebuilt temple. Their response is, is like tragic in a way. So this is Ezra chapter three, beginning verse 12. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers houses, old men. Who had seen the first house as the temple of God wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy so that the people cannot distinguish the sound of the joyful from the sound of people's weeping for the people shouted with a great shout and the sound was heard far away, even in just the setting up the foundation, the base layer. There are those saying this is. This is not like it used to be. Even this is just far piles in comparison and falls very far short of the original. And of course you have Nehemiah's rebuilt wall around Jerusalem. Couldn't even ensure the holiness of God's people. And so everything up to that point. All of it was still just a shadow. It was like a big, giant disappointment, a blemish as it were, on God's people. Even as there was an attempt to restore, there was still this longing from the inside to have the real McCoy to everything made right to have the true Messiah come, not the one that was the type. Not the thing that was the shadow, not the the poor replacement or the analog, but the real thing. And so you have in response to this, you know, some of God's people move into the wilderness and pursue holy living. Some accommodated to Roman occupation like the Sadducees, some retreated into kind of individual individualistic piety or rule keeping like the Pharisees. And then there's all kinds of accounts of God's people in rebellion. Like Simon, the Zealots. There were some who even located themselves under the legitimate, yet Roman endorsed leadership of Herod, you know the Herodians. So you have all of these people you can imagine literally in the same audience. Jesus pushes back and he begins to teach them. And he starts by talking about horticulture. He starts by saying, A sower goes out and he throws all this kind of seed. And it's not difficult to imagine that all of the seed, all the soil, everything is represented in what he's saying right there. And then it's not a story as if like, well, you take this away and try to process it in such a way that you might come to terms with it later on. It's happening in the here and now. Even what he's saying. Even the message that he's communicating is being man made manifest right there in their midst, and it's not returning a void to him. The one who wrote it to begin with is the one who's speaking it, and it's having its desired effect, even as we read it now, and it reads us today. [00:15:13] Jesus' Ministry and the Kingdom of God And so it's amazing that it's on this stage that Jesus steps out and he stands, especially in the synagogue when he reads from the Isaiah scroll. And he announces that the true jubilee has now arrived and it's arrived in him. You know, by the way, what's interesting there is we have, we have no real reason to think that Israel ever really practiced Jubilee as it was outlined in the scriptures. So we have this beautiful instruction for a reset, a pure reset, and one that is liberty and freedom in so many ways, but especially demonstrated in this economic reality. And Jesus commences his public ministry proclaiming the good new. News that the kingdom of God has arrived. I feel like we have to go there, right? Because this is just so good. So in MOOC chapter four, Jesus stands up. He asks for the scroll, and this is what he reads. Loved ones. These are fantastic words. I mean, hear them from the mouth of our Savior. Again, Jesus reads this, the spirits of the Lord is upon me. Because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. It's such incredibly strong and powerful news. We're getting this sense that there are those who are poor that need. To hear that something will be different. That they are her, that they're seen that all of the straining in life and all of their labor is not in vain, but here is one who's come to rescue them and that those who have been set in prison, those who are chained and under duress and find themselves locked up. That here he has come to proclaim liberty to the captives, and then for those that cannot see, that have lost their way entirely, that are groping in the dark, here is one that's coming to recover the sight. Hear that word, not to give it brand new, but to restore that which was originally present to begin with. Imagine the horror of having your sights and then having it taken away that. Knowing that there was something there that was beautiful in your midst, something that was precious to you, and now to have that restored, in fact, like Blind by de MEUs the Greek, there is more when God says, or Jesus rather, says, what do you want me to do for you? The Greek is very clear, just says, sight again, sight again. And I think we like our ancestors and Israel here before us. We ought to be always clamoring and crying. Then I tell God like, son of David sight again. Would you help me to see truly not as the world appears to be, but we spiritual eyes, to know the truth, to understand how much you love me, and would you gimme the strength to love you? Me back love you back by way of giving, yes, this sight. And then for all those who are downtrodden. Where, wherever, and whatever that means, physically, emotionally, spiritually, that here's the one who has come to, again, set you at liberty and then to say, do you know what this time is? This is the time of the Lord's favor. Why? Because the son of man is here and where the son of man is. There is freedom and restoration. There is a new king over all things. There's one who super intends over all of the earth. Who has been given control over all things and has come to win literally the day for those who are rebellious before God, for those who have sinned, who are covenant breakers, who are gospel abusers, while we were at yet enmity with God at the right time, Jesus and his son for us. And so we find that it's like the pretext, it's the context for all of this, and especially this parable. And of course, rather than. Everybody listening to what Jesus has to say here and just being one over being filled with some kind of winsome logic of what's being said here, of being thoroughly convinced. We know that of course it's not just a matter of evidence, but unless the Holy Spirit comes the same spirit, which is upon Jesus, the sin of God, to change us, to open our ears, that we do not hear these things, we don't hear them as we ought to. We do not give them heed. We do not internalize them, and we cannot understand them. And so because of that, rather than of course meeting with universal acceptance, Jesus, of course, he encounters a host of reactions. Some opposed him. The crowds sometimes were way more motivated, like people in our day by novelty or curiosity or by presume rewards or blessings. You can imagine this is what makes, of course, something like the Blat and grab, its kind of gospel, the prosperity of some of our modern evangelical expression, so incredibly dangerous. Because of course people will say, well, if I can get that blessing, of course I want Jesus. Or if I'm gonna be made, well, yes, I'll, I'll find, I'll take Jesus. If I'm gonna get wealth and riches and a 401k, that's gonna suit my every need. Well sure I'll take Jesus. And of course, the blessing, the reward of getting Jesus is getting the son of God, getting the one who restores us first and predominantly. With God the father himself, that all of those blessings are already ours in the spiritual realm because of Jesus. In fact, we've, we've already been placed with him in the heavenly realms. That is the reward. And so sometimes the gods were a little bit more motivated by, this guy's given us bread before. Let's see if there's gonna be another buffet, rather than he says We ought to eat and drink his flesh. That in that is eternal life, and so we get distracted. And so sometimes novelty and curiosity just win the day. And then of course, on the other hand. Some of the most unlikely unseemly, most sinful were responding with incredible joy and embracing Jesus and his announcement. Tenaciously like voraciously, the ones who were humble, who knew that they needed a savior, they needed a reconciliation that was alien and outside of themselves. Something powerful that could defeat even the sin that was within them and bring about a pure and unbridled atonement, unreserved in its ability to clean. These were the ones who were saying, come, Lord Jesus, these were the ones crying out, saying, have mercy on me, son of David. And we like them. Ought to follow that example. And so throughout Matthew's Gospel and Luke's gospel. There's a mixed response throughout the entire ministry of Jesus. And again, what's unique about this parable, I think, is that Jesus comes setting the stage for that unique response. All of those different kind of options and how people will perceive him, how they respond to him, what they will say to him. And so whether as you go through the narratives in the gospels, you look to. The Samaritan Leopard or the blind beggar, or the Chief tax Collector, or the impoverished widow, all of these were those who were forcing their way into the kingdom in response during the good news. There's really something I think that's beautiful about that, that God allows for us to force our way as it were. When we are convicted of this kingdom, that he is the kingdom and that he brings it to us. That we come headlong, rushing in, falling over ourselves to get into that kingdom by the power of the Holy Spirit. And that's why I think, why, why Luke writes in chapter 16 of his gospel. The law in the prophets were until John. Since then, the good news of the kingdom of God is preached and everyone forces his way into it. What a amazing and lovely thing that God allows us. Which is the truth, to force our way into that. So these were the ones who proved to be the fertile soil for the word of the kingdom, not the ones who chose the places of honor or the privilege, or we saw Jesus one of many important priorities to be managed. What we have here is the ones who forced their way in. These were the ones who proved to be the fertile soil, and I'm not gonna steal. Any of our thunder, because Tony and I are gonna talk about that in the next episode. But I bring that up merely to say there's so much that's rich here. When we think about are we as Christians fruitful and fertile? In our following, after the Lord Jesus Christ. And that's Matthew's great theme of reversal, like beginning in the birth narratives of Jesus and continuing through the very end of his gospel count. Even like in his final parable, Jesus forced the confrontation with his opponents by declaring that God would give the kingdom to those who had produce a harvest for God in honor. His son. That's the truth. And so he was more than simply this messenger in these cleverly created stories announcing the arrival of God's reign. He was the one who brought the kingdom. And actually, in fact, Jesus embodies the kingdom because he was the king, not only of Israel, but the royal son of God who would rule the nations. And because of that. He did represent a threat to overthrow to some just as much as he was meant as a salvation and a blessing to others. He is divisive. In fact, what's interesting is if you track Jesus standing up in the temple. And he comes forward and reads from Isaiah. It's interesting where he stops reading. This is really before kind of the, all the language about the second coming back, him really coming not to bring just salvation, but to bring retribution, to bring justice and punishment for those who are God's enemies. And so really this first coming. Jesus is all about this. It's it's all about having the message of God go out in that return void. It's returning full of the response of God's people, full of the response of God's enemies and therefore. This parable, an ex explanation to his inner circle would be understood as an accounting for the surprising range of responses. And even more than I think like an ex explanation, like explicitly it would be this kind of preparation. This kind of, again, setting a table or opening up a pathway for this hard road that lay ahead for those who would remain true to Jesus. These would be the ones who would serve the ultimate purpose of God's great act of sowing in his son to produce a great harvest. And of course. That is partly what lies the hope for us. I mean, I think I said last time we spoke about this, what I appreciate about this teaching is not only that it doesn't pull any punches, but it's just so. Real, it's so resonant because Jesus already gives us some of the breadth and scope or the continuum of the responses so that when we go out and we should so unreservedly that that is by proclaiming Jesus as the king who has come as the kingdom already ushered in as here, but not yet. When we do this, we can expect already that there'll be various responses. So one for us, it takes away the surprise. The second is it does prepare us. That these things might in fact happen. And three, it gives us a sense that, again, the efficacy of salvation. And we're getting, by the way, this view of salvation from, from God isn't again dependent on the skillset of the sower. Instead, it is God's prerogative. It's always God's prerogative. And here as loved ones, you've heard me say again, I must invoke the phrase, we have God doing all the verbs, right? He's the one walking in the field. He's the one reaching in into the seed bag, as it were. He's the one casting it liberally across the ground. He's the one making it grow. All of this is what God is doing. The preparation of the soil, the casting of the seed, the being present in. Farmland. All of this is what God is doing now. We emulate that by design. So now the call is to do what Jesus has done here in Mala for us, and that is that we also go out into the world and we proclaim this good news because what is unequivocally true is that the good news of Jesus Christ. Is for all people. Now, this does not mean that all people will accept it. That is abundantly clear in the message that Jesus gives to us. It does not prevent though us or him from casting it out to all people. We see that really, really. Vividly. Some will be given ears to hear. We ought to pray that our neighbors, our children, those in our churches and our communities, our politicians, we ought to be praying that all would be given ears to hear, and the seed of God's word will accomplish exactly what God intends and Jesus' word, a proclamation announcing the good news of the kingdom of God. We see vividly the point that God's word is. Deed that this word that he spoke speaks is his action. It's not simply that God says what he will do, but that his very act of speaking is the means by which he does that very thing. When we hear God speak to us, it is proof that we are alive. Not only do like dead men tell no tales, I think I've just inadvertently like quoted from Disney's. Um. Pirates movie, but they hear no tells as well. You know, you have been born again, not a perishable seed, but of imperishable through the living and abiding word of God. Incredible. Isn't it? Loved ones like it's incredible this story that to me on the beginning seems like so kind of. Boring and not particularly catchy and maybe not as interesting as some of the others contained within. This is literally all the words of life in the seed that we've seen thrown and in. It is like the continuum we find, not that it emulates the Old Testament, or that it somehow compliments New Testament, but within all within this parable is all of the scriptures and all of the full plan of God and all of his great love for us. That again, while we were at his enemies, he came and on this path, as he walks among the field, he casts the seed. To all, and he, by his power, gives to some these ears to hear. We find ourselves humbled. We find ourselves rushing in coming into the kingdom, fighting to come into it because God has impassioned us with that same zeal that has accomplished this very thing. He implants it in our hearts, in our minds, in our guts, so that we would come before him and worship him, fall down and find. The one who is our savior, who ushers in the visible kingdom of God, the one that is not built merely on political theories, on good rules. The kind of gospel that didn't come to make bad people good, but came to make dead people alive again. And I think that that is the absolute. Untouchable, unfathomable, almost completely un understandable, if you will, truth of this particular parable. I think this is why the Westminster confession describes the word of God, and particularly the preaching of the word as a means of grace. The word is powerful in itself by the spirits of God. I had to quote the Westminster, of course, at least in honor of Tony, so. [00:30:02] Call to Action and Final Thoughts That's my little challenge to you on this short little episode. It's just you and me and I'm saying to you loved ones. Consider this parable again. Consider how palpable this parable is. Consider what God has for us in it. Consider this soils. And then think about what it means that this good news, we see this within it, this vivid point again, that God's word is his deed. And so this is why though we do not create any kind of legalistic, conscription, or prescription around something like daily Bible study. Why? It's such a blessing to live in this period of time where we have such easy access for most of us to the word of God, and that we ought to be zealous about getting that word out to all people because, because behind it and within it and around it is the full power of the Holy Spirit that is always going out into the world and returning full with response and that when God. Speaks his word. He's always accomplishing his act in that very deed. And so it should be a blessing. We should be compelled to find ourselves in it as much as often as we can because what we're finding there is the power of God for us, in us speaking, administering to us to produce in us a great harvest. That's the promise it's coming, and we're gonna get there in the next. Episode, but what I'll leave you with is just those first two soils thinking about if you have ears to hear, if you have been made alive together with Christ, then consider that there was a time when you are one of the other soils and God who's being rich in mercy has rescued you. Not because of work done in righteousness, not because you've come forward and. Elevate your place to the, to elevate your state to the place of deserving poor. Not because like you came forward with, with empty hands and somehow convinced God that you are worthy enough, or sorry enough or contrite enough. But because of his great mercy, and it's that mercy, I think that compels us to say things to Jesus like Son of David Sight again. Son of David, have mercy on me, son of David. You are the real arrival of the Kingdom of God and your word bears testimony and your Holy Spirit has in a great work in my life. And to that end, I want to follow you and I want to ensure that this word that you've given to me is given to all people. So there's work to do, loved ones. And there's a lot there to process. I hope that you will take some time. Think about this in your own way, and as you are processing this as God is speaking to you, as you are joining together with loved ones from literally all over the world who are hanging out and listening to Tony and I chat about this stuff, that again, you would share your own voice, the best way to do that. Why do you make me beg you? Come join the Telegram chat. You'll have a great time. It's super fun. T me slash Reform Brotherhood. I would also be remiss if I didn't on behalf of myself and Tony, thank everyone who does hang out there, everyone who sent us the email, everyone who shares prayer requests or has prayed for us, and as well everyone who makes sure that this podcast. Is free of charge. It comes with its own expenses. It's not free to produce. And so we're so thankful that those who've said, listen, I've been blessed by the podcast, or It's just been important or special to me. God has done something in it. Or God has renewed a different kind of desire and passion to talk about the things of God or to encourage me in my life. I'm so happy if other things have happened. By the way, it's not because of Tony or me. It's because God is good to us. I mean, can I get an amen? I see that hand. In the back, God is good to Tony and me and we're just so thankful that we get to do this. And so if you'd like to join in supporting financially. Every little gift helps. You can go to patreon.com/reform brotherhood patreon.com, reform Brotherhood, and there you can find a way to give one time or reoccurring all of those gifts together. Make sure that there's no payrolls on this bad boy that you're not gonna get any super weird ads in the middle of it. You're just gonna get us talking. We want to em, I would say be emblematic of what we've talked about here, which is. Freely we've received freely want to give. And for those who join and say, I wanna make that possible so that no one has to be compelled to pay for this kind of thing, I love that we are here for that every day of the week and twice on the Lord's day. So next episode, Tony and I are gonna continue in this parable. We're probably, you know, gonna get together. We'll set up our tents, we'll just camp out here for a little bit. So until we get the tents out, we get the s'mores. And we start camping. Honor everyone love the brotherhood.

Financial blunders aren't new. Consider this: the web portal Excite once passed on buying Google for just $750,000. Today, Google's parent company is worth over $2 trillion. That, my friends, is a legendary missed opportunity.Most of us won't miss out on trillions, but we've all made financial mistakes. The good news is that God's Word offers wisdom for recovery and direction when we stumble.Learning from FailureScripture reminds us that falling isn't the end for those who walk with God:“For the righteous falls seven times and rises again” (Proverbs 24:16).“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you” (Psalm 86:5).“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God … and it will be given him” (James 1:5).Failure can be a stepping stone when we let God guide us forward. With that encouragement, here are 10 financial mistakes to avoid—and biblical wisdom to help you course-correct.1. Borrowing from Your 401(k)It feels like “borrowing from yourself,” but it often masks overspending or debt. While repaying, you may miss out on employer matches and the compounding growth that comes with them. Worse, leaving your job could trigger taxes and penalties.2. Claiming Social Security Too EarlyStarting at 62, benefits are reduced by up to 30%—for life. If possible, wait until full retirement age (or beyond) for a larger monthly check that lasts as long as you do.3. Only Paying the Minimum on Credit CardsA $5,000 balance at 20% interest can take nearly a decade to pay off with minimum payments, costing more than $8,000 in interest. Pay extra and utilize debt payoff strategies, such as the snowball or avalanche method.4. Delaying Retirement SavingsCompound interest rewards the early saver. Even small contributions in your 20s can grow into a significant nest egg. Don't panic if you're starting late—just start now.5. Overextending Yourself for Your KidsHelping with college, weddings, or down payments shouldn't jeopardize your own financial stability. Generosity is good, but if you sacrifice retirement now, you may depend on your kids later.6. Going It Alone Without Wise CounselMany sell low during downturns because they lack guidance. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” Seek out wise, faith-based financial advice.7. Co-Signing a LoanScripture warns: “One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor” (Proverbs 17:18). About 40% of co-signers end up paying the loan themselves. Be wise in your generosity.8. Quitting School Too SoonEducation—whether a four-year degree, trade school, or certification—equips you with marketable skills. Think of it as an investment in your future, not just a cost.9. Buying a TimeshareTimeshares are marketed as affordable luxury, but often come with steep fees, little flexibility, and low resale value. They're rarely the “investment” they claim to be.10. Falling for ScamsScammers prey on fear, urgency, and greed. Whether through fake calls, emails, or investment pitches, their goal is always the same—to separate you from your money. Be vigilant and discerning.Walking Forward in FreedomJesus warned His disciples: “I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).Wise stewardship isn't about never failing—it's about learning, leaning on God's wisdom, and moving forward faithfully. With His help, you can recover from mistakes and grow into a more faithful steward of His resources.———————————————————————————————————————At FaithFi, we believe money is a tool to advance God's Kingdom. When you partner with us, you help more people discover the freedom of biblical stewardship and the joy of seeing God as their ultimate treasure.Become a FaithFi Partner today with your gift of $35/month or $400/year, and you'll receive:Early access to devotionals and studiesOur quarterly Faithful Steward magazineThe Pro version of the FaithFi appTogether, we can live as wise stewards and help others do the same.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I have a 401(k) from a former employer, and I'm thinking of rolling it into a traditional IRA. Is that wise? And can I withdraw some cash during the transfer without incurring a penalty?I purchased a house in 2019 and now require a loan of $20,000–$30,000 to address basement flooding. What's the best loan option?I'm almost 80 and want to close several credit card accounts. How much would that hurt my credit score?I hold CDs jointly with my sister, but we're worried she could be liable if I get sued. Should I change the ownership before they mature?I'm considering joining Christian Community Credit Union, but I noticed that it isn't FDIC insured. Should that be a concern?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com    I heard it again… I am broke and I need extra money… I don't know what to do?      Freelance Your Skills Online: Use platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer to offer services such as writing, graphic design, programming, data entry, social media management, or virtual assistant work. You leverage existing skills and set your own hours. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking: If you love animals, use apps like Rover or Wag! to find gigs watching pets in your home or theirs, or taking dogs for walks. This offers flexible hours and is often in high demand. Deliver Food or Groceries: Drive for services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Instacart. You can work on a flexible schedule and earn money delivering meals or groceries to people in your area. Sell Unwanted Items: Declutter your home and sell unused items like clothing, furniture, electronics, or books on platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, or at a local yard sale. Take Paid Online Surveys and Participate in Focus Groups: Websites like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, or Respondent pay you for sharing your opinion. Surveys are low-effort and can be done in your spare time, while focus groups often pay a higher hourly rate. Rent Out a Room or Your Car: If you have a spare room, you can rent it out for short-term stays on platforms like Airbnb. If you don't use your car often, you can rent it out through car-sharing services like Turo. Test Websites and Apps: Companies will pay you to test their websites and apps for usability, providing feedback on your experience. Services like UserTesting often offer a quick, one-time payment per test. Tutoring (Online or In-Person): If you are knowledgeable in a specific subject, language, or skill, you can tutor students online or locally. Sites like Wyzant or Chegg Tutors can help you find clients and set your rate. Complete Local Odd Jobs/Tasks: Use apps like TaskRabbit to find small gigs in your community, such as assembling furniture, light yard work, cleaning, or running errands for others.     The Bible does not contain a specific book on "business" or "entrepreneurship" as modern concepts, but it offers numerous principles regarding work, wealth, diligence, and ethical conduct that are highly relevant to both. Here are the key biblical principles applied to business and entrepreneurship:   1. Work and Diligence are Commended   The Bible encourages hard work and warns against laziness. This principle is fundamental to a successful venture. Diligence brings reward: "Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth." (Proverbs 10:4). Diligent hands: active, eager, willing to try anything….. When I first got online and saw the possibilities I figure out something pretty quick. Not every youth pastor had my creative skill and writing lessons for youth. I was already a regular contributor/writer for YouthWorker Journal - So I would put together these really good power point lessons with great applications. Then I sold them online… and guess what - people bought them!  To pay my bills I have lots of skills and I will try anything.  I have taught guitar, drums, I am a personal trainer. But all these things fit within my calendar. I can't take on another hourly, full time job - I am still and first a pastor. So Diligent hands seek what works best for each person.  Just today I hit up a woman who has a unique skill for other women- I can't give to much away just yet. But she absolutely loved my idea and wants to come on board. We will typically work with about 25 women for one night a week and make a few thousand dollars. Diligence - try anything and if you fail - keep trying.    YESTERDAY SOMEONE ASKED… Hey you said a $1000 bucks a week… how could you do that with just Uber… well my thought (and I did not explain it fully- sorry) is between uber, teach a lesson, sell something a $1000 a week is easy. Hey first and foremost - you better have a budget and stick to it! Or you will never have enough money!    Purposeful work: The creation narrative and later writings present work as a good, God-given activity (Genesis 2:15, Colossians 3:23-24). Work is seen as service, not just to people, but ultimately to the Lord…. Maybe you are asking the wrong question… maybe you should ask God what can I do to add value to your kingdom and get paid at the same time. A great friend of mine teaches martial arts/self protection… but he is also a strong believer. He gets paid well, has a strong client list, but uses this opportunity to share Christ all the time. It is a win win.    2. Stewardship and Investment   The concept of stewardship is central, suggesting that everything a person possesses—time, talent, and treasure—ultimately belongs to God and should be managed wisely… here is an idea, managing our time also means charging for our time. Listen I have a ton of people that would call me a friend - many times they want me to teach or train them for free because I am a friend and on top of that a pastor. Here is one simple rule I let them in on all the time. I have to charge my friends because my enemies won't do business with me. I say it in a fun loving way, but it gets the point across.  The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30): This parable is often cited as a direct encouragement for enterprise and investment. The master praises the servants who invested their money and produced a profit, while rebuking the one who buried his talent out of fear. This emphasizes the expectation of using resources (gifts, skills, capital, talents) productively, taking calculated risks, and seeking growth… is a God thing. It is a value to our maker.  The lazy servant is called wicked. He acted in fear… fear kept him from seeing his investments take off. FEAR will stop 95% of all people who have ideas to make extra money… but if you are lazy fear is a great excuse to fall back on. I will forever nag my friend for not acting on his stupid idea… it was Uber, but he never acted on it… FEAR!  Prudence and Planning: "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?" (Luke 14:28). This speaks to the need for careful planning, foresight, and sound financial management in business… most buisinesses fail due to lack of financial backing and a lack of planning. I used to have the #1 powerlifting gym in the country. Now I have a nice small personal training gym. It has everything I need…in time I will open another gym for body soul and spirit. But until then I just keep planning, picking up equipment that is a steal… and when the time is right - Boom I will act. But I will no longer rush into things! 

Send us a textIn this episode, we finish a short series we began last month concerning Money, Wealth, and Prosperity. We try to put a laser focus on the biblical view of these topics, while using a common sense approach. We talk about the love of money, supporting the poor, and we spent a good deal on the Parable of the Talents. If anyone knows what we should do with money, or how we should use money, Jesus ought to know! We think this challenging study might just have turned out better than part one. Come study how money really matters with us today!

Dr. Edith Davis takes listeners beyond the fundamental laws of faith and confession to reveal the essential secret to walking in the full manifestation of God's finished work: Intimacy. While fundamental principles like confession, forgiveness, and avoiding offense are necessary "guardrails," they are not the "end game." Dr. Davis challenges listeners to move from simple knowledge and religious activity to a profound, personal relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Key Components for Manifestation: -- It's a Finished Work, But People Are Still Perishing: God has already provided everything, but a lack of intimacy and knowledge is causing God's people to die "like mere men." -- Intimacy is the Essence: A "real relationship" with God is the missing link. This is not just "devotional time," but a devoted life where the Lord is the first thought in the morning and the last at night. -- Jesus Looks for Fruit, Not Just Gifts: Spiritual gifts (preaching, teaching, healing) are important, but Jesus judges by the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.). Principles work for anyone, but only a relationship results in God's endorsement. -- The Hebrew Word Yada: In the warning "Depart from me, for I never knew you," the word "knew" is the intimate Hebrew word yada, emphasizing that a lack of intimacy is treated as "iniquity." -- Faithfulness and Stewardship: Dr. Davis ties intimacy to faithfulness, highlighting that God trusts those who are good stewards of their resources (time, money, talents) and who are willing to use their wealth for the Kingdom's commission of making disciples worldwide. Scriptures for Further Study -- Proverbs 18:21 (Life and death is in the power of the tongue) -- Matthew 7:20 (By their fruits you will know them) -- Matthew 6:33 (Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness) -- Revelation 3:20 (Implied context of Jesus knocking at the door/not knowing Him) -- Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents/Stewardship) -- Romans 10:9 (Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart) This is episode 374. +++++++ Check out my new website: https://www.enterthegloryzone.org/ MY AUDIO BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE You can Divorce Proof Your Marriage by understanding the Secret Keys of Love. You will come to understand that your Marriage has an enemy. You will come to understand that you are dating your future spouse representative. You will come to understand that your Marriage has the gift of Supernatural Sex. For more information about purchasing this audio book, click here: https://personalbuy.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product8702.html

What does true generosity look like? Is it measured by the size of the gift, or is it something deeper?In Luke 21:1–4, Jesus praises a widow who gave only two small coins. At first glance, her offering seems insignificant compared to the wealthy donors around her. Yet, in Jesus' eyes, her gift was greater than them all. Why? Because God doesn't measure generosity by the amount—it's the heart behind it that matters.The Scene at the TemplePicture the temple courts: the wealthy making large, noticeable contributions, drawing admiration for their gifts. Then comes a poor widow. No fanfare. No applause. Just two copper coins—economically worthless. Yet Jesus declares that she has given more than anyone else.The difference? The wealthy gave from their abundance, gifts that cost them little. The widow gave out of her poverty—all she had to live on. Her gift was not just generous; it was sacrificial, risky, and rooted in trust.This theme echoes throughout Scripture. In 1 Samuel 16:7, the Lord tells Samuel, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Paul also affirms this in 2 Corinthians 8:12: “If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.”God doesn't call us to give what we don't have. He calls us to give cheerfully, faithfully, and with hearts surrendered to Him.God Wants Your HeartThe widow's gift also points us to the gospel itself. In 2 Corinthians 8:9 we read, “Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” Jesus gave everything for us—holding nothing back. When we give sacrificially, we reflect His love and generosity.Maybe you've felt your giving is too small to matter. But Scripture shows otherwise. In John 6, a boy offered five loaves and two fish—and Jesus fed thousands. The issue isn't what you have, but what God can do with it.Generosity in God's Kingdom isn't about status or size. It's about surrender. A gift given in faith is never small. Whether two coins or two million dollars, the real question is: Am I giving out of abundance or out of trust?The story of the widow's mite isn't meant to pressure us into giving more. Instead, it frees us to see generosity the way God does—not as an economic equation but as an act of worship. He doesn't need your money; He wants your heart.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I lost money in my 401(k) when I became disabled, and now it's sitting in an IRA that isn't earning anything. Should I transfer it to a savings account, and what taxes would I be liable for? Also, since my house is paid off, I'd like to understand how reverse mortgages work.I have just sold my house and would like to know the most prudent way to invest the proceeds. I'm trying to be a good steward, but I'm not sure if a savings account, an IUL, or something else would be best.I'm on permanent federal workers' comp and wondering if I'll still be eligible to draw Social Security when the time comes.My friend hasn't filed taxes for five years. How could that affect her children if she passes away, and what steps can she take to resolve it?I was told that if I move my mortgage into a home equity line of credit and deposit my paychecks there, I could pay it off in seven years. Is that really true?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode Notes The Day of Atonement has arrived. Yet within Christianity, it largely arrived unnoticed. Jesus gave prophetic details regarding the Last Day to come in the parable of the Sheep & Goats. He said it will be a day of separation: Both groups called Him Lord, yet only one group was accepted. The Day of Atonement is the most solemn and prophetic day on God's calendar. It's not just about fasting — it's about returning to God with a soft heart that reflects His mercy. Support Rise on Fire Ministries by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/rise-on-fireRead transcript

Thursday October 2, 2025 Main idea: Every person has a choice to heed God's call and God gives us grace enough to say yes. Intro: As He often did, once... for full notes: https://www.cgtruth.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=3206

Compelling look at the Gospel of Matthew 25:14-30 telling of Jesus' teachings of the Parable of the Talents where a master entrusts his wealth to three servants before a long journey, giving them varying amounts according to their abilities. Hearing Jesus podcast available at https://amzn.to/3QLEpee Rachel Grohl books available at www.rachelgrohl.com Gospel of Matthew available at https://amzn.to/3LEeP8F ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio Credit: Hearing Jesus podcast with Rachel Groll (episode 449, 18dec2023) Ready and Waiting: Jesus’ Call to Spiritual Readiness in Matthew 25 (Life Audio, Salem Web Network). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you blind to the needs of your neighbor? Mike and Dave unpack “The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus”, breaking down this story, line by line. They remind us that Jesus repeatedly warns us about the dangers of wealth and that service, worship of God and loving our neighbor is how we truly love God. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex chats with Jim and Sam about Isaiah 5, a sobering passage about God's judgment.

Women control more wealth than ever—so how do you find an advisor who listens, explains clearly, and shares your values? According to McKinsey & Company, by 2030, women are expected to control nearly two-thirds of U.S. assets—around $30 trillion. With that kind of stewardship comes both opportunity and responsibility. Today, Sharon Epps joins us to share five simple practices that women should expect from their financial advisors.Sharon Epps is the President of Kingdom Advisors, FaithFi's parent organization. Kingdom Advisors serves the broad Christian financial industry by educating and equipping professionals to integrate biblical wisdom and financial expertise.Key Practices Every Client Should Look ForWhen it comes to choosing a financial advisor, women don't need a different standard—they simply need the right standard done well. At Kingdom Advisors, we train Certified Kingdom Advisors (CKAs®) to integrate biblical wisdom into their practices while also serving clients with excellence and care.If you're interviewing an advisor, here are five practices to watch for. These principles will help you find someone who not only understands finances but also values clarity, empathy, and shared purpose.1. Clear TerminologyFinancial jargon can be overwhelming. Terms like RIA or CFP® often make sense only to industry insiders. A good advisor should be able to pause, explain concepts in everyday language, and use analogies that make complex ideas easier to understand. Look for someone who welcomes your questions and ensures you truly understand the path forward.2. A Warm and Welcoming EnvironmentWe often say to “light a candle”—not literally, but figuratively. The goal is to create a space that feels safe and welcoming, rather than intimidating. Just like hotels offer warm cookies to make guests feel at home, a thoughtful advisor will create an environment where you feel respected and comfortable.3. Transparency in All ThingsAn advisor has a fiduciary responsibility to be transparent—but the best ones go beyond compliance. They openly share how they are compensated, outline every fee on paper, and invite accountability. As a client, don't hesitate to ask where you can see these details clearly documented.4. Interest in More Than MoneyWe teach advisors to “use a magnifying glass”—to look beyond the numbers. Money is simply a tool to help you fulfill God's calling on your life. A trusted advisor should ask about your values, dreams, and purposes—not just your portfolio. That's why the CKA® designation is so important: it connects you with advisors who share your values and can integrate them into financial decisions.5. Developing God's Heart for the Whole PersonThe most important practice is what we call whole-person care. Advisors aren't just money managers—they're disciple-makers. They should walk alongside you and your family in prayer, through significant life transitions, and in building unity between spouses. Women's voices should be heard and respected just as much as men's in every financial conversation.Our prayer is that these five practices give you confidence as you search for the right advisor. You deserve clarity, empathy, and values that align with your faith. If you'd like to find a Certified Kingdom Advisor in your area, visit FindaCKA.com.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:Back in 2018, my home insurance company agreed to replace my roof. In 2020, contractors found I also needed new decking, and an insurance employee told me they'd cover it once the work was finished. Now the company is threatening not to renew my policy unless I replace the roof at my own expense. How can I get them to honor their commitment?My dad passed away over a year ago, and my mom is trying to qualify for Social Security benefits. The issue is that my dad didn't have 40 credits, and neither does she. Is there any way their credits can be combined so she can meet the requirement?I heard about a provision in a new bill that allows accounts to be set up for children. Is it true that the government will put money into accounts for kids born in the next few years? If so, how would I participate?I'd like to encourage my two adult children to start investing in Roth IRAs. Where can they open accounts with low fees, especially since they'll only be making small contributions at first?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Sound Mind Investing (SMI)Wise Women Managing Money: Expert Advice on Debt, Wealth, Budgeting, and More by Miriam Neff and Valerie Neff Hogan, J.D.Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mark 4:21-25 (ESV)Andrew and Edwin talk about the importance of effort and attention while studying God's Word.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=22855The 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/ 

In this episode of Leading Human, we sit down with David Spinks, a renowned community builder, coach, and storyteller, to explore his journey of cultivating resilience, belonging, and inner alignment. From founding CMX to dealing with burnout and anxiety, David shares his personal experiences and insights on finding enoughness and leading with heart and clarity. Tune in to hear about his transition from a high-achievement culture, dealing with personal crises, and the importance of authenticity and alignment in leadership. Learn how to navigate challenges, balance ambition, and tap into clean fuel to create meaningful impact in your life and communities.00:00 Introduction to David Spinks01:16 David's Journey to Enoughness02:51 The Turning Point: Burnout and Sabbatical04:15 Facing Personal Challenges06:31 Coaching Leaders Through Inner Work07:25 The Parable of the Second Arrow11:10 Community Leadership and Emergence15:32 Authenticity and Alignment in Leadership19:23 Navigating Transitional Periods20:24 Balancing Ambition and Ego22:16 Dirty Fuel vs. Clean Fuel26:28 Radical Responsibility in Leadership30:09 Rapid Round Wrap-Up32:41 Final Thoughts and ResourcesWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

If you have a 401(k) or an IRA, you may not realize that proxy voting gives you a voice in the companies you own—and it can be a way to live out your faith.As stewards, we're called to reflect our Christian values, even in how our investments influence the marketplace. But what does that look like in practice? Will Lofland joins us today to explain.Will Loftland is the Managing Director of Investments Distribution at GuideStone Funds, an underwriter of Faith & Finance. He also oversees GuideStone's shareholder advocacy strategy and represents the firm as a participant in the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility.What Is Proxy Voting?Proxy voting is the right shareholders have to vote on important issues within the companies they partially own. This could include leadership changes, corporate policies, or shareholder proposals. While many individual investors never think about it, proxy voting represents a significant opportunity to shape corporate behavior.However, if your money is invested in mutual funds or retirement accounts—as is the case for most Americans—you don't vote directly. Instead, the fund company you invest with casts those votes on your behalf. That makes it critical to understand how your fund manager approaches these issues.GuideStone's Approach: A Biblical WorldviewIn 2023, GuideStone made the decision to bring proxy voting in-house. By managing votes internally, GuideStone applies a biblical worldview when exercising shareholder influence. This means promoting policies that align with Scripture while resisting agendas that undermine a Christian ethic.As a shareholder, GuideStone joined a coalition of investors to pressure these banks to change their policies. The result? Both institutions strengthened protections, ensuring that Christian organizations would not be denied access to essential financial services because of their convictions.Why Your Vote MattersDoes proxy voting really make a difference? Absolutely. The world can be transformed through Christian investing, and one way to achieve this is by utilizing all available tools as an investor to promote your Christian worldview.By engaging with faith-based investment firms like GuideStone, believers can ensure their investments not only grow financially but also advance Kingdom values in the marketplace.As Christians, we're called to shine God's light in every area of life—including the boardroom. Proxy voting is one of the practical ways we can do that.To learn more about how GuideStone integrates faith into investment practices, visit GuideStoneFunds.com/Faith.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:Could you explain what an irrevocable trust is and how it works?I'm 64, still working full-time, and I'm wondering: Do my HSA contributions affect my future Social Security benefits? I'm also concerned about how my earnings are being reported.I'd like to know if a Roth IRA is the best investment tool to set my children up for the future.After my mom passed away, my sister and I inherited her house. I'm living in it now, but recently lost my job, and I'm trying to decide if I should buy out my sister's share or sell the property altogether.Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)GuideStone FundsBuckner Shoes for Orphan SoulsWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Please support our Extra Life fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network hospitals: https://www.extra-life.org/participants/550181 Justin's back! And he's got a new segment that takes another look at some of the best comic book storylines. Plus: Ice Cream Man, Parable of the Sower, and The Cartoonists Club, among other topics. Download and listen today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, Amazon, Stitcher, Goodpods, and more of your favorite podcast services!  Sponsored by Gamefly. New customers can get a 30-day free trial by clicking on the GameFly link at the top of GeekCavePodcast.com.

Jesus uses the Parable of the Weeds to explain God's plan for kingdom expansion between his first and second comings. Discover why the Kingdom of Heaven advances by growing righteous people rather than by attempting to remove all sources of wickedness.

Gospel of Matthew 25:1-13 relates Jesus' teachings of the Parable of the Ten Virgins comparing the kingdom of heaven to bridesmaids waiting for a bridegroom. Five virgins were wise and had extra oil for their lamps, while five were foolish and ran out of oil. When the bridegroom arrived late, the foolish virgins went to buy more oil and missed the wedding, while the wise virgins were welcomed in. The parable teaches that people should always be prepared and watchful for the coming of Christ. Hearing Jesus podcast available at https://amzn.to/3QLEpee Rachel Grohl books available at www.rachelgrohl.com Gospel of Matthew available at https://amzn.to/3LEeP8F ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio Credit: Hearing Jesus podcast with Rachel Groll (episode 449, 18dec2023) Ready and Waiting: Jesus’ Call to Spiritual Readiness in Matthew 25 (Life Audio, Salem Web Network). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join host Aaron Renn and cultural diagnostician Dr. John Seel in this thought-provoking podcast episode as they dive into the crisis of masculinity, the unraveling of modern culture, and the path to aspirational manhood. From the influence of sociologists like James Davison Hunter and Peter Berger to the societal implications of nihilism and technology, this conversation explores headwater issues shaping families, society, and civilization. Dr. Seel also introduces his new book, Aspirational Masculinity, offering a bold vision for men rooted in faith and purpose. Don't miss this engaging discussion that challenges conventional narratives and calls for a renewed understanding of what it means to be a man today.CHAPTERS:(0:00:01 - Introduction and Welcome)(0:00:49 - Dr. John Seel on Masculinity)(0:01:31 - Working with James Davison Hunter and Oz Guinness)(0:08:23 - The Cultural Inflection Point: Nihilism and Modernity)(0:11:10 - Technology's Acceleration vs. Cultural Decline)(0:13:41 - Power, Authority, and Nietzschean Nihilism)(0:22:03 - The Crisis of Masculinity: A Headwater Issue)(0:26:51 - Framing the Masculinity Problem)(0:31:16 - Identity Formation: Postmodern, Modern, and Biblical Views)(0:39:37 - Aspirational Masculinity and Christ-Centered Identity)(0:49:01 - Grace, Nature, and Masculinity)(0:58:14 - The Parable of the Talents and Agency)(1:03:28 - The Marines: A Secular Model for Identity)(1:09:50 - Final Thoughts on a Positive Vision for Masculinity)(1:11:18 - Book Announcement: Aspirational Masculinity)JOHN SEEL'S LINKS:

Your money soundtrack—what plays on repeat in your head—will either help or hinder your financial decisions. We all know the power of overthinking—but the good news is, you can change the tune of those money soundtracks playing in your mind. Jon Acuff joins us today to show you how.Jon Acuff is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and podcaster who helps people overcome overthinking, change their mindsets, and achieve goals. He's written 10 books, including Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking.What Are “Soundtracks”?Soundtracks are the repeated thoughts that play in our minds—like music on loop. They can be helpful or harmful, but either way, they shape our lives.If you'd like to change the soundtracks that you have been listening to, this framework is simple yet profound:Retire the broken soundtracks that hold you back.Replace them with healthier, truthful ones.Repeat them until they become second nature.It's not enough to get rid of the old. You have to replace it with the new.Retiring Broken SoundtracksThe first step is to identify what's holding you back. Write down a financial goal—such as paying off debt, buying a home, or supporting missionaries—and then pay attention to your immediate thoughts.Are they encouraging or discouraging? Many people quickly hear internal voices saying things like:“Who are you to think you could do that?”“You'll never make more than your parents.”“Money isn't for people like you.”These are broken soundtracks—thoughts that undermine God's best for your life. Sometimes, they're inherited.Here are several unhealthy financial soundtracks that many people believe:“Mo Money, Mo Problems.” Popularized by a hip-hop song, this belief ties success to stress. But lacking money doesn't eliminate problems either—it often magnifies them. “I'll give when I'm successful.” Many delay generosity until they feel financially “ready.” But giving is a practice best learned in small amounts now, so it grows with you over time. “I'm not a money person.” Labeling yourself this way shuts the door on growth. Money management is a skill, not a fixed identity.These soundtracks don't just affect finances; they limit your potential. In one survey that Jon conducted with 3,000 people, a staggering 96% reported not living up to their full potential—often due to limiting beliefs.Replacing Soundtracks with TruthOnce you identify the lies, it's time to replace them. That can mean flipping the negative thought on its head, seeking wisdom in Scripture, or learning from mentors.Some examples of healthier money soundtracks include:“I can do amazing things with money.”“I can make more than my parents, and that's okay.”“I am my own biggest venture capitalist—my day job is funding my dream.”But what if you feel stuck? We encourage you to start small. Too often, people believe they must overhaul their entire lives overnight. Instead, try carving out 15 minutes a day to take one positive step forward. Over time, those mustard-seed-sized efforts compound into meaningful change.The truth is that the thoughts you repeat about money directly influence how you use it. Broken soundtracks can sabotage generosity, stunt growth, and even cause you to reject God's gifts. However, by retiring lies and replacing them with truth, and repeating them faithfully, you can align your mindset with God's wisdom.If you change the thought, you'll change the actions, and then the results will follow.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm looking at Medicare Advantage plans. They seem cheaper upfront, but I'm concerned about high out-of-pocket costs if something serious were to happen. My wife is just starting Medicare, and we want to know the best option.I'm nearly two years into my job and haven't yet started contributing to the company's 401(k). My concern is making sure my investments align with my Christian values.What's the difference between a living trust and a will, and which one is better for estate planning?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon AcuffJon AcuffList of Faith-Based Investment FundsWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mark 4:1-20 (ESV)Andrew and Edwin discuss Jesus's Parable of the Sower.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=22828The 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/ 

Mary Clayton Crow's life has been marked by radical generosity from the very beginning. After coming to faith in the Jesus Movement of the 70s, Mary Clayton's parents freely shared all they had while living in community with other Believers, regularly opening their home to missionaries, and eventually becoming missionaries themselves behind the Iron Curtain. This model of radical generosity set a strong foundation for Mary Clayton's adult life as she lives to “give generously, expecting nothing in return.”   Mary Clayton has a rich passion for relational, spontaneous generosity, often giving away personal items admired by others as a way to express God's love while resisting the trap of materialism. She is also passionate about collaborative giving, and takes part in several giving communities that invest in local ministries, not only with their finances, but with their time and talents as well.   Major Topics Include: Making generosity your own Being stretched and challenged in generosity Wrestling the “elder brother” mentality What does it really mean to expect nothing in return? A Lenten generosity challenge Resisting materialism with generosity  Modeling generosity to your family The power of community giving to local ministries  Guarding against generosity burnout Hearing from the Holy Spirit through other people Creating a visual reminder to give generously QUOTES TO REMEMBER “You can never outgive God. It's going to come back to you 10-fold, 20-fold, 30-fold, 100-fold. And it may not be in dollars and cents, but it will be in joy.” “I love generosity because it makes sharing the gospel so easy.” “Expecting nothing in return means releasing the result and putting it in the Lord's hand.” “We need to detach ourselves from things owning us so we can be stewards of the things God has given us.” “Generous tipping is one of the easiest ways to be an evangelist.” “I'm excited to chase God.” “I'm looking forward to God disrupting my life for new adventures.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) Young Life One Hundred Shares The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Luke 21:3-4 | The Widow's Offering   And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”   John 3:16 | The Ultimate Giver   “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.   Luke 15:11-32 | The Prodigal Son   Matthew 20:1-16 | The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

Hunter shares a quarterly check in and update about the goings on at Parable. And, he shares a short devotional based off 1 Corinthians 15, about creeds.--Scripture Explored: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Deuteronomy 6--Hunter grew up in Montana and now serves the Church in Albany, Oregon where he works as a youth and young adults pastor. He and his wife Ana stay busy with two kids. Hunter loves studying the Bible and communicating it in a way which encourages further exploration of others.--contact@parableministries.comhttps://www.parableministries.comhttps://www.instagram.com/parable_ministries/--If you feel led, give to the work of Parable:https://www.parableministries.com/donate--Music created by Chad HoffmanArtwork created by Anthony Kuenzi

Pray! The Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) Daniel Nealon September 28, 2025 by Deer Creek Church

214 214 - Parable of the Talents 9-28-25 by Mike Hurtgen

Topics: Death, No Need to Fear Death If You've Trusted Jesus, Eternal Realm Revealed upon Death, No Christian Will Go to Hell, Instantly in the Presence of God (2 Corinthians 5:8), No Heavenly Reward Ceremony, Jesus Has Complete Power over Death, Jesus Is God, Jesus Broke Power of Death (Hebrews 2:14-15), Jesus No Longer Holds Your Sins Against You (2 Corinthians 5:19), God Remembers Your Sins No More (Hebrews 8:12), Without the Shedding of Blood There Is No Forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22), Already Seated in Heavenly Realms in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6), God Has Placed Eternity in the Heart of Every Human (Ecclesiastes 3:11), All Things Were Created by Jesus and for Jesus (Colossians 1:16-17), Fix Your Thoughts on Heavenly Things (Colossians 3:2), To Be Absent from the Body Is to Be Present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8), Purgatory Is Not Biblical, Mortal Sins Will Not Send Christians to Hell or Purgatory, Every Sin Is Mortal (Romans 6:23), We Must All Stand and Give an Account (2 Corinthians 5:10), Unbelievers Will Give an Account for Rejecting Christ (Romans 14:12), Teachers of the Law Will Be Judged More Strictly (James 3:1), The Parable of the Vineyard Workers (Matthew 20), The Reward of the Inheritance (Colossians 3:23-24, Jesus Lays Down His Life Only to Take It Up Again (John 10:17-18), It Was Impossible for Death to Keep Its Hold on Him (Acts 2:24), I Am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26), I Am the Way the Truth and the Life (John 14:6), To Live Is Christ and to Die Is Gain (Philippians 2:21), Jesus Destroyed Death and Brought Life and Immortality (2 Timothy 1:10), He Is Able to Save Completely because He Always Lives (Hebrews 7:25), See What Great Love the Father Has Lavished on Us (1 John 3:1), The Deepest Truth about DeathSupport the showSign up for Matt's free daily devotional! https://mattmcmillen.com/newsletter

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus shows us that how we listen to God's Word shapes the harvest in our lives. Listening is the gateway to wisdom, and the seed you don't protect is the harvest you lose. Depth brings durability, while distractions can destroy destinies. What you water today becomes tomorrow's harvest—whatever you feed will flourish. When we guard, water, and nurture God's Word, the result is always a multiplied harvest.This is the official Facebook and YouTube channel of Champion Christian Center. Our mission is to love God, reach the one, and change the world. Through Bible-based sermons and devotionals, you'll learn how to understand the Word of God, fulfill God's plan for your life, and make a positive impact on the world around you. If you are local, we would love to meet you in person! We are located in Washington, PA and led by Pastors Nathan and Joie Miller.For more life-changing resources, visit us at www.championcenter.com.Subscribe to our YouTube channel:/ @championcenter1To give online:https://pushpay.com/g/championchristiancenter——Champion Christian Center Facebook:/ championccenterChampion Christian Center Instagram:@championccenter

September 28th, 2025At River Oak Church, we are a welcoming family of imperfect people who share a passion for God, a passion for others, and a passion for graciously sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. We enjoy an informal environment and Christ-exalting modern worship, and we are committed to following the truth of God's Word. We welcome you to come as you are, from wherever you've been, and join us!Support the show

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus shows us that how we listen to God's Word shapes the harvest in our lives. Listening is the gateway to wisdom, and the seed you don't protect is the harvest you lose. Depth brings durability, while distractions can destroy destinies. What you water today becomes tomorrow's harvest—whatever you feed will flourish. When we guard, water, and nurture God's Word, the result is always a multiplied harvest.This is the official Facebook and YouTube channel of Champion Christian Center. Our mission is to love God, reach the one, and change the world. Through Bible-based sermons and devotionals, you'll learn how to understand the Word of God, fulfill God's plan for your life, and make a positive impact on the world around you. If you are local, we would love to meet you in person! We are located in Washington, PA and led by Pastors Nathan and Joie Miller.For more life-changing resources, visit us at www.championcenter.com.Subscribe to our YouTube channel:/ @championcenter1To give online:https://pushpay.com/g/championchristiancenter——Champion Christian Center Facebook:/ championccenterChampion Christian Center Instagram:@championccenter

The Principle of the Parable | Pastor Deryck Frye by Connect Church

Topics:  Getting Even, Because You Ask, Getting Ahead At Work, Time App BONUS CONTENT: More Science, Time App Follow-up   Quotes: “We need to be transformed.” “Don't be a jerk.” “Can we talk about slime molds?” . . . Holy Ghost Mama Pre-Order! Want more of the Oddcast? Check out our website! Watch our YouTube videos here. Connect with us on Facebook! For Christian banking you can trust, click here!

How do we make sense of parables that seem confusing at first? What does Jesus mean when He says to “make friends with dishonest wealth”? Gomer unpacks The Parable of the Dishonest Steward and shows why it's essential to consider the context - the time, place, and people - when we try to understand the deeper meaning of Christ's parables. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Steve recaps the incredible memorial service for Charlie Kirk and says a modern parallel is unfolding to the parable of the wedding feast from Scripture. Then, Bob Vander Plaats from the Family Leader joins the program to recap his trip to Greece, retracing the steps of the Apostle Paul, while learning about the atrocious assassination of Kirk. In Hour Two, it's another edition of Ask Deace Anything. TODAY'S SPONSORS: JASE MEDICAL: https://jasemedical.com/ and enter code “DEACE” at checkout for a discount on your order REAL ESTATE AGENTS I TRUST: https://realestateagentsitrust.com/ PATRIOT MOBILE: https://patriotmobile.com/STEVE or call 972-PATRIOT for your FREE MONTH of service PREBORN: https://give.preborn.com/preborn/media-partner?sc=IABSD0123RA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices