Our world needs many things. We have environmental concerns, broken relationships, and disease that still stalks too many countries. It is also true that God doesn’t leave us in despair. He doesn’t allow our problems to overcome us, if we trust Him. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This is our anchor, the blessing of hope. This week we’re talking about hope and joy, an...
Jul 11, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1071
Have you ever thought about the fact that you have an obligation to defend our nation’s freedoms? You live in the Land of the Free; your contributions are needed. We all have a role. Joshua 1:9 commands us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Sure, maybe you’re not a Navy SEAL. Maybe you don’t fly supersonic jets in combat. You never served in the military. Most citizens haven’t, an...
Jul 08, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1070
Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be one of the original settlers in America? As a person leaving the safety of England to come to the New World and start over? Those people came here for religious freedom and risked it all. And when they landed in New England, they literally put down roots as they built and planted the beginnings of an amazing experiment that is still ongoing. Colossians 2:6–7 says, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your ...
Jul 07, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1069
From earliest times, God has commanded His people to see their national home through His holy eyes. In other words, countries around the world are to follow the Lord. Of course, many don’t. Jeremiah 30:22 says, “So you will be my people, and I will be your God.” Many great civilizations have risen, but few last beyond a couple hundred years. Although history is debated, the foundations of America see a people who wanted to live holy unto the Lord. Modern America is still an ongoing experiment, b...
Jul 06, 2022•1 min•Season 1Ep. 1068
Today in America, two million men and women serve in our armed forces. More than 200,000 of them are deployed to various points around the world. Joshua 1:9 reminds us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” The Lord has told us directly not to be afraid. We aren’t even to be discouraged! He’s told us through His promises that He’ll be with us every step of the way. If we stop and thin...
Jul 05, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1067
Most countries relish their histories…famous eras and the glory of battle and all that. Americans love this beautiful land, as well. But the Bible tells us the true source of our blessings. It points us to the One who made all things possible. Psalm 115:1 tells us, “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” We are incredibly blessed in America for a lot of reasons. From sufficient food to freedom to make our own choices, we have so much. B...
Jul 04, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1066
A huge benefit of being a believer is the knowledge that we can help others after going through the valley ourselves. It’s one thing to endure and overcome and find your joy, but it’s maybe even better when you see a friend emerge into the light because you were there for them. Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” When you’re in the middle of something difficult, it’s hard to even think. Scripture tells us the way out, but it helps to have someone in...
Jul 01, 2022•1 min•Season 1Ep. 1065
Some of the greatest stories of believers down through time have involved those who really studied God’s Word. These people have gone before us to show us the way. From Charles Spurgeon to a missionary mother in China, daily study of the Word, and prayer, prepared them to mentor entire generations. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” We also read in Romans 10 that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. We have to do it, so that others know ho...
Jun 30, 2022•1 min•Season 1Ep. 1064
Who likes to wait for what we need or want? Basically — nobody. Of those nine elements that make up the Fruit of the Spirit, patience may be the hardest. Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” And patience is learned, which makes it one of the sweetest fruits the Spirit gives us. Waiting for a payoff of some kind makes the end result that much more rewarding, and life teaches us that. A childless Hannah endured mocking and ridicule, but the Bible...
Jun 29, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1063
Tribes usually think a lot of themselves. Exclusive groups are sometimes arrogant. Even whole nations can be this way. In the 19th century, several European countries felt they were the descendants of the first people in the world. With religion, this can be infinitely worse. With Christianity, critics often say the exclusive nature of it is just unfair. They cite the Christian view that the only way to be reconciled to God is through Jesus Christ, and say that's degrading to people of other fai...
Jun 28, 2022•3 min•Season 1Ep. 1062
In all the world, there are almost countless ways people try to find God. Some people are drawn to the mystical, while others chase after the practical. Does it work? God knew we would all look to fill the void in our spirits, the one put there when man first sinned. He also already knew what our escape route would be, the path back to Him. Romans 10:9–10 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it...
Jun 27, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1061
God’s Word is a collection of individual books about the history of the world, poetry, worship songs, letters, and the beginnings of the Church. But it’s also all about Jesus! Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Jesus, who came to our world as God in the flesh, is actually the Creator of everything that exists. Most a...
Jun 24, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1060
Did you know God’s Word is indestructible? Many ancient books have been lost to history. Others sit still buried under the sands of the Middle East. But after thousands of years, the Bible is more widely read than ever. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” There’s an interesting story in the Old Testament book of Jerem...
Jun 23, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1059
The world is full of interesting ancient books. The Indian Vedas, the Egyptian Book of the Dead, even ancient clay tablets from Sumeria. In the Bible though, we read that God’s Word is alive, not dead. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Notice that word, ‘active.’ That’s a very interesting way to describe a book. It ...
Jun 22, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1058
People have different views on just what God’s Word actually is. Some think it’s an ancient book of wisdom. Others think it’s just kind of an interesting piece of historical literature. But the Word itself tells us that it has amazing benefits for those who read it and believe it. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” I...
Jun 21, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1057
The Bible. Audaciously, it’s been called the foundation of our civilization, a sacred book, even our guide for life. And actually, it’s more than that. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” From ancient times, God decided that He would communicate with humans through language, the written Word. He wanted us to have our ...
Jun 20, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1056
Today, we have a special Father's Day episode for you. The week leading up to Father’s Day is traditionally the time to give dads and granddads in your life an extra thumbs-up, and we've created a list of specific ways for you to pray for dads, any time. Number one, pray for a loving nature. John 13:34–35 says, “A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. And by this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Number...
Jun 17, 2022•3 min•Season 1Ep. 1055
Noah was far from perfect, but he was a humble man, and protective of his family. He stands out among fathers in the Bible as a man who remained loyal to God, in spite of the wickedness of the world around him. Doesn’t that sound a lot like life today? Fathers who choose to follow a life of faith are surrounded by temptation and downright evil in this world, but God is pleased by our devotion, and He has a plan for each of us — even when circumstances are frustrating or difficult. Genesis 6 vers...
Jun 16, 2022•3 min•Season 1Ep. 1054
Moses was the father of two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, and he also served as a father figure to the entire Hebrew people as they escaped from slavery in Egypt. He loved his people, and helped discipline and provide for them on their 40-year journey to the Promised Land. Imagine leading a frustrated, tired, hungry group of travelers through the desert — without air conditioning or handheld electronics — for four decades! So many aspects of Moses’s life story seem larger-than-life, and he was inde...
Jun 15, 2022•3 min•Season 1Ep. 1053
One of the things that mark a healthy society is the consistency between generations. In other words, adults who care about the future for their children will invest the time to make sure tomorrow is bright. God the Father is the ultimate parent, and we would do well to model His love for us. Luke 18:1 says, “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Passing the torch, or training up the next generation, involves taking the time to do it pr...
Jun 14, 2022•1 min•Season 1Ep. 1052
Adam, a first time father, looked down at his newborn son with love. Adam and his wife had made mistakes in the past and suffered greatly for it, but this child, their firstborn, was a chance to start fresh. The new family didn’t have the support of friends or relatives, but they did their best, and figured it out as they went along. When the family was blessed with another son a few years later, they were so grateful to the Lord, and excited to watch their boys grow and play together. The famil...
Jun 13, 2022•3 min•Season 1Ep. 1051
Where are you headed, friend? Psalm 25:4 says, “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.” Whether you've lived in the same place your entire life, or you've been blessed to travel the world, each and every life is a journey. An opportunity to learn, grow, and impact others as we follow the path God has planned for us. Moses and the Israelites must have been expert travelers by the time they finally reached the Promised Land, and their journey was no pleasure trip. God sent 10 devastating pl...
Jun 10, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1050
When God asks us to love our neighbor as ourselves, what exactly does He mean? In Luke 10 verses 25–37, Jesus shares the Parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate what it means to love our neighbors the way Jesus loves us. “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too...
Jun 09, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1049
As followers of Jesus we are meant to be witnesses, and Christ’s majesty and power are meant to blanket our world. He is also intimately aware of you, and where you are in life. Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” When we trust Christ—when we believe the Gospel—we’re called to get in the game. If you’ve been changed, and if you believe that—sitting on such good news doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, does it? Are you guilty of fail...
Jun 08, 2022•1 min•Season 1Ep. 1048
The story of the Prodigal Son is one we can all relate to. The Bible tells the story of a brash young man who leaves his home after asking for his inheritance. His loving father complies and let’s just say the son learns some valuable lessons on his travels. Eventually, he humbles himself and comes home; he needs his father and his family. It’s really a story of Jesus and us. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” We scre...
Jun 07, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1047
Have you ever been lost? For the directionally challenged among us, being lost is terrible. Imagine a time before Google Maps, before cell phones, and even before boxy little GPS devices for the car. Now imagine a time, way, way back — before every square inch of our world had been mapped. And those who journeyed far weren't sure what they'd encounter, or whether they'd even make it home again. Have you ever felt lost? That's when a life of faith makes a difference. When you're feeling like you ...
Jun 06, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1046
The USA does celebration very well. As a rich and varied nation, we have the resources frankly to host great celebrations. Our veterans are honored, which they very much deserve. We glory in our past and look forward to the future. Flags fly and flap in the breeze that sweeps across the land. The recent Memorial Day recalled our nation’s fallen, those who willingly went into the danger zone and gave the ultimate sacrifice. It’s interesting that as our nation grew up, we as a people came to a mor...
Jun 03, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1045
America has always acknowledged God. Sometimes though, our devotion to faith comes and goes. Sometimes we get too comfortable, and forget who keeps us upright every day. Psalm 115:1 tells us, “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Whenever a person questions God’s goodness, or the path He has set for us, it’s good to go to the Bible. There, we find the answer to why we should honor our Lord. It’s because He has loved us. He has been fa...
Jun 02, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1044
We are often inspired by epic war stories. Great battles over time become so epic, they almost seem a part of myth. We put warriors on a pedestal and usually, rightly so. They make it possible for the rest of us to live in peace and freedom. Have you ever considered there is only one perfect warrior? His name is Jesus, and He forms the backdrop of our talks this week spotlighting warriors. 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the w...
Jun 01, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1043
Do you ever stop and think about the routine things you do every day? Buying detergent so that you can wash your family’s clothes. Fixing a couple of boards on your deck. We even grind through staff meetings at work. All this of course mixed with life, laughter, and love. But do you think about why you can do these things in our country? Primarily it’s because of the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers—those men and women who have defended the homeland since Colonial times. Joshua 1:9 commands us,...
May 31, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1042
