This is the Day Rejoice

Abortion: That was the answer one couple chose recently when they discovered their preborn baby tested positive for Down syndrome. They made their choice proudly, sharing it publicly on social media. Thirteen years ago, a woman gave birth to her second-born son, who also has Down syndrome. Today, we get to hear about what a joyful blessing that child has been. Join Elizabeth and Monika in this spe...

Idleness is self-focus - seeking to please and serve ourselves. We are called to be diligent and to live quiet, simple lives that glorify and honor God. We are not to be busybodies in our actions or our words, for that is a sign of idleness. Instead, we are to work diligently where God has placed us. We do this so that we represent Christ well to the unbelievers around us and so that others do not...

Nobody enjoys correction, but it's necessary for growth in Christ. Join Elizabeth Giles and Monika Walker as they consider how to give and receive admonishment/correction, in light of   Psalm 141:5.  David doesn't want even a trace of wickedness to cling to him. He sees wickedness all around him, and his heart is deeply concerned that he not follow that path. He welcomes and even asks for admonish...

Our older episodes might be a little cringy (to our own ears at least!) but the Word of God holds true, regardless. Since Elizabeth is STILL silent with a terrible case of laryngitis, Monika brings it back to this encouraging teaching through Psalm 118:1-4.  God's hesed love is merciful, given freely, even when we are in the most pathetic state. WAY better than a box of chocolates - it never runs...

Have you ever been in the midst of pain, and someone's words to you caused more hurt, instead of help? We are called to season our words with grace, as Colossians 4:6 instructs, so that we know how to respond to each person. What we say, and how we say it, truly matters. It has the power to heal or to hurt. We speak Scripture to encourage others, but we must use it appropriately, as Ephesians 4:29...

Have you ever wondered about the stories behind some of the beautiful hymnals we sing? Join us for this fun and informative episode as Elizabeth and Monika share the background of two beloved classics: *Great Is Thy Faithfulness* and *Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing*. This short and sweet hymn study will deepen your appreciation and understanding of the lyrics you use to praise the Lord. _______...

What if one of the most influential things you ever do is happening right now in the daily work of raising your children? In this episode, we take a clear and practical look at Proverbs 22:6 and what it means to train children up in the way they should go. Solomon wrote Proverbs to teach his children, reminding us that parents are the primary disciplers, while grandparents, church leaders, and men...

 Prayer is another principle of "one anothering" in Scripture. We often think of prayer as simply getting on our knees to ask God for something. But this word for prayer means more than that - it means to seek, ask, beg, or implore.  The prayer described in this passage is fervent and continuous, actively bringing about change. The person seeking the Lord is a righteous man who loves God, knows he...

Understanding what hospitality means in hosting is so important. Not because we need to be women who know how to whip up a gorgeous charcuterie tray and have the right conversational layout in our living rooms, but because of the very opposite - we are commanded to be hospitable, and we should be able to do that well within our homes. One meaning, many applications. Today we're going to zoom in on...

Do you ever use words without really knowing what they mean? Do you speak "Christianese"? It's important to study the historical and cultural background of words so we can interpret them correctly and understand what we're truly saying. Yet, like the imperfect and sometimes careless people we are, we often use words based on their connotations rather than their true meanings. Today, we're going to...

Hanging scripture on your walls is a wonderful thing to do. But we have to be veeeery careful about which scriptures we hang, as many of the Bible verses that make it to print, are taken so out of context, that it would be foolish to hang them on our walls! Today we look at one of those verses in one of our favorite series, Hobby Lobby Signs.  I bet you've seen this classic sign, plenty of times:...

We can control what we think. It's hard, and we often tell ourselves, "I can't help it," but we can help it. We cannot dwell on sinful thoughts and meditate on Christ at the same time. So we discipline ourselves, exercise self-control, and choose to dwell on the gospel and on Christ instead. Paul gives us specific principles for doing this. We have the Spirit to guide our thinking. We have the tru...

Patient endurance - that is steadfastness. You can't grow steadfastness without trials. In the Bible, we see God use suffering to teach and test Job, and Job remained steadfast and grew in his faith and understanding of the greatness of God. We can too. As Christians, we MUST.  ________________________ When this is the day the trial proves painful, prolonged, and unexpected - even when it feels pr...

Paulette's vibrancy faded - laughter gone, simple tasks exhausting, the world distant. What looked like deepening depression was a large benign brain tumor silently pressing for years. Through mystery, misdiagnosis, Rob's steadfast care, devoted family, two brain surgeries, surgical error, infection, a car accident, reconstructive procedures, and even titanium discs turned into earrings, God's goo...

Fun family traditions, incorrect nativity scenes, sneaky Elf on the Shelf antics, confusion about Santa Claus, the evil King Herod, and trying to spot the Star of Bethlehem again - all this and more in this special Christmas episode with Elizabeth Giles and Monika Walker. Join us as we briefly look at these major Christmas themes, through a biblical lens. ________________________ Resources: Visit...

God, through Christ, covered all our offenses against Him, and there are many! Why would we think we could or should do differently? It was His glory to do so, and the same is true for us. To cover another's offense is to love them as Christ loves us. 1 Corinthians 13:7 says that love "bears all things, believes all things [assumes the best], hopes all things, endures all things." The opposite of...

We must never, ever grumble. Grumbling starts with what we dislike or reject. We nurse it, replay it, let it spin in our minds - fueling argument and rebellion. That only breeds more sin. Because of the gospel, believers have zero excuse to grumble—none. Paul tells the Philippians: in light of the gospel, work out your salvation without grumbling or disputing. Stay faithful. Shine brightly in a cr...

Honoring your parents doesn't stop when you turn eighteen. Obedience may end, but honor lasts a lifetime. We are called to honor both our father and our mother - and that includes your husband's parents - your mother-in-law and father-in-law. Your husband is commanded to do the same. Together, you are to work to honor your parents. But what if they aren't believers, or if they are difficult to hon...

Reformation Day can be a fun alternative OR addition to the commercial holiday, Halloween. Hand out gospel tracks and candy bars, share the gospel with the parents of trick-or-treaters, and refresh your memory about Reformation Day, giving praise to God for how he has orchestrated events to bring the faithful church to where it is today.  ________________________ When this is the day you are consi...

Paul was wrongly accused of seeking to please men, but it was the Judaizers who compromised the Gospel out of fear of man. Paul feared God, not people, and boldly upheld the truth of salvation by faith in Christ alone. Elizabeth Giles and Monika Walker explore how the fear of man distorts truth - and how we're called to live to please God, instead of man. ________________________ When this is the...

Christians are called not merely to hear the Word of God but to live it out faithfully, as James declares: "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22). The Scriptures pierce the depths of the human heart, exposing our true motives while judging our thoughts, rebuking our sins, encouraging our spirits, and exhorting us toward righteous living and unwavering faith...

When we're weak and turn to a worldly system for comfort and strength instead of to Christ, we're not boasting in our weakness, as Paul did, but rather in our own cunning and strength. Self-care is the world's solution to most of women's problems, but it's not biblical - not the way it's promoted by the world. So what's a girl to do? Join Elizabeth and Monika as they filter self-care, through a bi...

When the world feels overwhelmingly dark and chaotic, one of the best things we can do is turn our focus to the one unchanging Maker of heaven and earth - our holy Lord God. Join Elizabeth and Monika as they explore four attributes of God, thinking deeply about what these characteristics truly mean, so we can rightly meditate on His sovereignty, mercy, providence, and lovingkindness. _____________...

Lying, rooted in hatred, is the opposite of love. It destroys trust and unity within the body of Christ. As those who have died to sin, believers are called to speak the truth in love. Truth-telling isn't just about honesty - it's an act of love that builds up others. Lying tears down, but truth in love builds up. Join Elizabeth and Monika as they filter the sin of lying through a biblical lens, c...

"I used to say to my mom that some vessels are made for honorable use and some for dishonorable use. Maybe I'm just meant to go to Hell." - Bryce De La Rosa, prior to salvation. Once known by his prison number, Bryce went from attending youth group to attending state-mandated rehab. Little did he know, the Lord was at work, drawing the rebellious sinner to himself.  Meanwhile, his future wife foun...