Faith Matters Podcast

Productivity is not merely the measure of what got done, but of who was loved. Martha desperately wanted to do the right thing, but she got distracted. She let her actions override her affections. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes...

As the Creator of the universe, He deserves to be first and foremost in our lives. Our priorities are a reflection of our hearts and what we deem to be important. Our priorities reflect what we worship. But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Some manuscripts few things are necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion,...

Have you ever thought about how God is continually observing your life—noticing your wanderings and sleeping, waking and dreaming? "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways." Psalm 139:1-3 He made us, He watches us, He knows us better than a...

Imagine how the Master Potter treasures us, His masterpieces, because He’s skillfully and purposefully shaped us into His vessels. "Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him: “Ask me of things to come; will you command me concerning my children and the work of my hands? I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and commande...

A lack of spiritual fruit in your life may actually be a root problem. So what’s keeping those roots from growing down deep? "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." - Luke 8:15

God takes a stony, stubborn heart and turns it to tender, loving flesh. "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."- Ezekiel 36:26

God’s love for us is not based on our performance, but it is reserved for those of us who have been adopted into His family through faith in Jesus Christ. even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us, having predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of hi...

If we long to face each day prepared and equipped, we need to start each day inspired and steeped in the Word. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10

Life is hard and confusing and filled with doubts about the goodness of God and promises found in His Word. Remember, when trouble abounds, God is still on the throne. "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;" 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Choose to let the old ways, thoughts and desires go. Let Christ’s Way of doing things rule your heart. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭KJV

Cast your cares onto God and don’t pick them back up. Don’t let your cares grow into idols or lord over you. Don’t let them taint and contaminate the ground of your heart. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:34

Cast every burden, every weight, every worry to God and He will sustain you. God is bigger than your problem. "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22

David found a place for himself where he could know and enjoy God. Where is that space for you? Find your tabernacle today. Passionately pursue that dwelling. "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in his temple." Psalm 27:4

We can’t sustain ourselves with our world’s media, music, and empty promises. Today’s verse reminds us that we aren’t the vine; Jesus is. We are the branches. We have to be connected to the vine—Jesus—so we can bear fruit, be fulfilled, and live abundantly. "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing....

God’s greatness, wisdom, and ways are far above our own. There is no greater wisdom or knowledge than that of the Lord, and everything on earth shows us this truth. "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he m...

Even when everything around you is going great, do you know His live is better? Do you believe His love is better than life? Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalms 63:3‭-‬5 NIV

It's hard to forgive a first offense, but what if a person keeps doing that same thing over and over again? Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21‭-‬22 NIV

This is what I say to all who will listen to me: Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you. Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you. Luke 6:27‭-‬28 CEV Notice the 3 verbs: be good, bless and pray for. How do we do that? Only through the power of Jesus Christ!

Life isn't fair, but grace isn't either. Was it fair for Jesus to take our punishment and forgive us? our human hearts want justice for everyone else and grace for us. "Make sure no one misses out on God's wonderful kindness. Don't let anyone become bitter and cause trouble for the rest of you." Hebrews 12:15 CEV

"Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do." 1 Corinthians 13:5

God will lead us to prosperity and hope. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord , plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11‭-‬13 ESV

God has prepared eternity for us! We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 2 Corinthians 4:8‭-‬9

You are worth more than the sparrow or the lily! “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are...

No matter what we have done, God will forgive us if we are repentant. He is faithful. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9