Fortifying Your Family

As Valentine’s Day draws near, we warmly invite all couples to take a moment to reflect on how they can cultivate a more romantic relationship. In this heartwarming episode, Sam and Debbie Wood share invaluable insights on nurturing and enhancing your romantic bond, drawing from the timeless wisdom found in the Song of Solomon. This beautiful text isn't merely a love poem; it's a practical guide f...

In our last episode of the “Guard Your Heart” series, we delve into the profound teachings of Jesus found in Matthew 6:19-24. Here, we encounter a powerful dichotomy of vision: those who possess a single eye, viewing life through the lens of God’s truth, and those who have an evil eye, blinded by the myriads of worldly distractions that can lead us astray. This teaching serves as a poignant remind...

In our recent episodes, we’ve explored the essential principle of guarding our hearts, focusing on the need to keep them pure and tender. As we continue our spiritual journey, it is crucial to understand how easily our hearts can become divided, leading us to worship both our Creator and the creation. We are reminded that our commitment to God should be unwavering, and it is our responsibility as...

Episode One explored the urgency of maintaining a pure heart before God. Episode two uses the life of King Josiah to explore the actual practice of nurturing a heart that is sensitive to the whispers of God while maintaining an awareness of the subtleties of sin. The episode examines events in the life of King David that contrast and illustrate the dangerous but common (relentless) trap of allowin...

As we launch into a new year, the teaching from Proverbs 4:23 serves as a powerful reminder that the condition of our hearts should be our utmost priority. The podcast message resonates with urgency, calling for a renewed commitment to spiritual integrity, illustrating how a guarded heart leads to a flourishing family life and reflects the love of Christ in action. Checkout our daily couples devot...

This episode continues to explore the essential elements of family worship. Families are taught specifics on how to cultivate a divine atmosphere in their homes that nurture spiritual growth and encourage open conversations about faith. Checkout our daily couples devotional podcast TIME FOR THREE: https://time-for-three.captivate.fm/listen Website: https://familyfortress.org/ Free online premarita...

Reflecting on Joshua 24:15, which calls for a commitment to serve the Lord within the family unit, parents are reminded of the responsibility to cultivate an environment where faith can flourish. This episode examines the essential practice of family worship, highlighting its critical role in passing on a robust faith to future generations. Practical guidance is shared to help parents understand h...

This episode continues to explore the profound meaning of living in covenant by emphasizing that marriage is not merely a partnership, but a sacred unbreakable covenant union designed to flourish in unity and love. Throughout the teaching, the Woods provide practical insights and encouragement, equipping listeners with the tools needed to navigate the challenges of married life with faith and conv...

In this enlightening episode, we invite couples to explore the profound meaning of living in covenant with one another, emphasizing that marriage is not merely a partnership, but a sacred union designed to flourish in unity and love. Drawing inspiration from the deep bond between David and Jonathan as depicted in 1 Samuel 18, we uncover essential covenant principles that serve as a foundation for...

As we continue investigating what biblical training practically looks like, this episode examines the two extremes that parents often exercise when disciplining their children. Four helpful guidelines that apply the correct biblical approach are expounded. Chapters: 00:40 - Two Extremes of Parenting Discipline 00:52 - The Authoritative Parent's Approach 04:18 - The Permissive Parent's Philosophy 0...

In our latest episode, we dive deep into the heart of parenting, transitioning from foundational principles to the essential theme of discipline. We explore pivotal questions that many parents grapple with, such as: What should the atmosphere of discipline be in our homes? Why is discipline important in the life of our children? And what approaches can we take to ensure our discipline aligns with...

Our first parenting episode dealt with the critical role of establishing parental authority. We continue to build upon that foundation by examining the warning (command, admonition) that parents refrain from provoking their children to anger. The teaching provides actionable insights for parents, advocating for a gospel centered parenting style infused with the Holy Spirit's guidance, focused on s...

The podcast episodes over the next four weeks will look at the pressing need for parents to understand and embody God’s plan for raising children. Parenting is not merely a task but a vital calling that carries the weight of leaving a Godly heritage to future generations. This episode emphasizes the critical role of parental authority in shaping the lives of children, and the importance of establi...

Conflict is an inevitable part of any relationship, yet many couples find themselves trapped in common pitfalls. These challenges can lead to a cycle of frustration and distance, making it difficult to achieve a harmonious marriage. Part 2 focuses on the essential biblical principles that foster a culture of love and reconciliation. Takeaways: Conflict in marriage should not be ignored; resolution...

Through an investigation of the conflict between the Bible’s most romantic couple - Solomon and his Shulamite bride, God provides tremendous insights. He uses their story to illustrate the importance of communication, understanding, and respect in resolving marital disputes. The teaching unpacks the symbolic gestures and emotional nuances that characterize their relationship, providing listeners w...

As we dig deeper into our study on sexuality, we encounter Apostle Paul's insightful responses to the Corinthian believers, who often relied on slogans to rationalize their sexual immorality. His teachings provide a clear biblical framework for understanding how to flee from sexual temptation, emphasizing the importance of glorifying God in our sexuality.

It is vital as believers that we recognize that every aspect of our lives—including our sexuality—should reflect the glory of God. In Part 1, we explore how the apostle Paul, in his letters to the Corinthians, addressed individuals who were justifying their sexual immorality, urging them to align their actions with God’s divine purpose – His Glory.

In Part 1, we discovered that a husband’s leadership should mirror the headship of Jesus Christ and His relationship with the church. This profound connection is rooted in the first expression of love: covenant love (Eph. 5:25). It is a love that is steadfast, unwavering, and committed just as Christ's love for us. As we look forward to Part 2, we are excited to delve into the remaining three expr...

In a world where manhood has been emasculated, Christian husbands face the daunting task of navigating their roles and responsibilities in marriage with confidence and grace; so what does this look like? How specifically does a husband lovingly lead his wife? How can a husband move forward and cleanse his marriage of the toxicity of neglect and poor choices from his past? What does he ne...

In part 2 of our narrative, we witness an incredible testament to the power of a godly wife through Abigail's response to her husband's folly. When faced with the impending wrath of David, who was ready to unleash destruction upon her family due to her husband’s foolish actions, Abigail stepped up with remarkable wisdom and faith.

It is undeniably heart-wrenching to confront the reality of being married to a partner who may exhibit foolishness in their actions or decisions. This emotional turmoil can lead to feelings of frustration, disappointment, and loneliness. The biblical account of Nabal and Abigail provides a poignant illustration of how to navigate challenging marital dynamics when one spouse is living like a fool.

In part 1, we learned how Nehemiah was moved to action by the news of the affliction of Israel and the broken walls of Jerusalem. In part 2, we see how he put his concern, humility, and courage into action by devising an ingenious plan to rebuild the walls through the families that remained. Nehemiah's approach was both practical and spiritual, blending biblical principles with practical guidance.

The Nightly News is increasingly alarming and even disgusting. The trends of society and culture threaten family life as we know it. How is a Christian to respond or should we just ignore the turmoil and hope for the best? Should we complain? Should we depend on politicians? Should we depend on church leadership? What can one ordinary layman do to make a difference for the future of his family and...

In the turbulent waters of life, families often find themselves navigating through unexpected changes that can shake the very foundation of their relationships. One thing is constant in every family – CHANGE! Whether it’s marriage, children, financial, or health, what we do and where we go to get help and hope when change occurs is crucial to the survival of our families. In Part 2, we discover th...

Unexpected Trials will invade every family. That’s life.  How we live during times of ease and blessing can fortify our family to face rather than fear the unexpected.  Part one describes the foundational fortification to be practiced during those times of ease. When calamity strikes, this foundation holds our splintering emotions together to wait expectantly  on the God who control...