Eagle Brook Church Podcast

Lots of things can be considered "tempting," from fast food to sleeping in to sleeping around. It's a universal human condition: We're weak to our desires. And the truth is, none of us are strong enough to resist strong temptation—that is, without God's help. **This message was given and recorded at Faribault Prison in Faribault, MN.

Is Satan real? And how can we possibly stand against him?! A lot of times, the world can feel like a constant struggle against other people and tough circumstances—when, in reality, what you're struggling against is a bit less visible (and definitely more tricky).

Gaps—we've all got 'em. You know, those spaces between where you are and where you want to be. Maybe it's a gap in your marriage, in your motivation, or in your faith. And when even your best efforts haven't been able to fill the hole, take a step back and look to Jesus.

What if we could tell you the key to better relationships was in your hands? When you let go of resentment and choose forgiveness, you're not giving up—you're reclaiming connection.

Picture a future of defiant optimism: where setbacks become stepping stones, failures fuel determination, and every obstacle becomes an opportunity for growth. With God’s help, you can get there.

What frustrates you? Bedtime battles with your toddler? The unwelcome arrival of Mondays? Feeling frustrated isn't necessarily bad, but our responses could be—there’s got to be a better way to honor God in the process.

You're doing your best to live and love the way Jesus did, but there's someone in your life who's a bit…”toxic.” Should you walk away? Stick it out? Yes, we should love everyone, but not everyone should hold equal influence in our lives.

Jesus warned his followers that they'd face hard things because of their faith—but he also promised to be with them and give them strength. So...how do we tap into that strength in the face of persecution?

Are we in the "end times?" Certainly the world feels a bit more chaotic these days. What does that mean when we consider Jesus' return? We can watch, and we can wait—but no one knows when. Next week or next century, what will it look like, and how do we prepare?

Loss is part of life, and the grief that comes along with it can feel impossible to handle. It can be tempting to fall back into what's comfortable, leaning on old habits to avoid the painful feelings. But what if you leaned into those feelings…and found hope within your grief?

Do you think there's a "right" way to live? In the words of millennials, is "living your best life" #goals? What does that even look like as a Jesus follower? It’s a complex series of questions to which the Bible holds a simple set of answers.

What's your "thing?" Maybe it's, "He’s hilarious," or "She really likes Star Wars." As Christians, there are some characteristics we should be known for, like forgiveness, love, grace…we aren't always good at those things—and it's something the church in Thessalonica was trying to get better at, too.

The funny thing about drifting is: It's easy. It takes little to no effort. You're just along for the ride, moving with the tide. But tiny shifts over time create quite a great divide. If this sounds like you and your relationship with God, it's time to stop the drift—set your course toward what matters most.

In a world of "live your truth," it's become difficult to trust the existence of "truth" at all. How does this apply to faith? And…is the Bible true? Having confidence in your answer can really impact your faith—and your life.

Sometimes, a major hurdle in faith is the other people involved. If you've been hurt by the church, you're not alone. While many Christians give, serve, and love well—that's not always the case. But don't let your disappointment in people cause you to lose your faith in Jesus.

Have you ever prayed to God for a miracle…only to feel totally let down? Times like that can really shake your faith. How do you hold on to faith when you're not convinced it “works”? You might be tempted to walk away, but maybe it’s time to lean into your disappointment—before you lose your faith.

Easter—it’s the story of victory that no one saw coming. The impossible resolution to death and hopelessness. The conclusion of a battle you don’t have to fight. The start of a life of freedom you get to claim. All because Jesus claimed victory over death. And that victory applies to your marriage, anxiety, impatience, addiction—any of your "stuff." It all starts with Easte...

Have you ever done something you’re not proud of? Getting stuck in a cycle of shame or guilt can leave you feeling unfit to be in church or undeserving of God’s love. But Jesus didn’t come to condemn you. He came to help you find forgiveness, experience grace, and live free from your past.

Being rejected is not fun. Over time, it can convince you that you're just not enough, and there's nothing you can do about it. But being accepted? That changes things. The striving goes away—you're free. Jesus offers acceptance no matter your past or the mistakes you've made. So don’t let your history hold you back from your future with Jesus—fully known, fully loved, fully acce...

We all have moments we wish we could undo, and feelings of shame can make us want to hide. Maybe you even think that God wants nothing to do with you—you're just not deserving. But there's no need to hide from the One who knows everything about you and loves you anyway.

Getting picked last in gym class—not a good feeling. We all want to be chosen, accepted, noticed. Now, swap high school for adulthood, and you still feel ordinary, like everyone else is going places except you. Thing is, God chose you and placed you on this planet for a purpose…but you have to choose him, too.

How you feeling? Are you content—happy with the way your life is going? Or are you exhausted, sick, tense, hurting—your soul longing for things to be better? If you don't want to get well, then keep doing exactly what you're doing. But if you do…you might have to take a step of faith and lean into the healing Jesus has to offer.

From snowstorms to hurricanes to earthquakes—storms are nothing to mess with. We can't avoid or ignore them, just like we can't avoid or ignore the storms of life. Bad things happen, and that can be scary. And so, we look to Jesus, notice how he acted in the face of storms, and place our fear at his feet.

You might be surprised to know that most (if not all) Christians have experienced doubt in their faith. No one is immune to it. So, what keeps people in it for the long haul? Can doubts and faith coexist?

Who is Jesus to you? Not to your parents, not to your grandparents, not to your pastor or group leader or spouse. Who do YOU say he is—how does that impact your day-to-day? Maybe you don’t know how to answer, or your answer feels complicated—but engaging with tough questions like this could change your life.