Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with a familiar picture two men building two houses One builds on rock The other builds on sand When the storms come only one house remains standing The difference isn't the weather Both houses face the storm The difference is the foundation That picture from Matthew offers a helpful way to think about our financial lives Job losses medical expenses market declines and unexpected bills eventually test every household The question is whether our financial lives are built on something strong enough to withstand them John Cortines a Family Office Advisor with Blue [... more]

A shifting view of human nature has affected culture, leading to a thinning of the idea of the self and a fragile unbiblical concept of identity. This has resulted in a cultural schizophrenia where two competing claims are presented as true at the same time, causing anxiety and learned helplessness in young people. [... more]

Greg Laurie shares the importance of prayer and approaching God with persistence, humility, and childlike faith. He explains that God cares about our problems, is bigger than our problems, and has perfect timing in prayer. Laurie also discusses the dangers of worry and anxiety, and how prayer is God's appointed way for obtaining things. He encourages listeners to model faith for their children and to approach God with complete dependence and honesty, just like children do. [... more]

A pastor shares his seven-year battle with depression, describing the intense emotional pain and feelings of abandonment by God. He talks about the importance of friendship and support during difficult times, and how God used his friends to provide comfort and strength. The conversation highlights the need for Christians to be honest about their struggles and to seek help from others, rather than trying to fix everything on their own. [... more]

Understanding the relational nature of poverty is key to fostering lasting change in communities. Dr. Brian Fickert shares insights on how short-term missions can be done in a way that doesn't do more harm than good, and how local churches can play a crucial role in supporting and empowering communities. [... more]

God's mercy is free, full, and for everyone, but it requires a humble and helpless approach, actively seeking it from Him, as demonstrated by the tax collector in Jesus' story, who received mercy while the Pharisee, who was self-sufficient and arrogant, did not. [... more]

Jesus teaches that treating others with kindness and compassion is essential, and that a self-righteous heart is helpless with others. He encourages believers to ask, seek, and knock, and to treat others the way they would want to be treated, as this is the law and the prophets. [... more]

Managing debt wisely is a way to honor God and experience personal freedom, living a life of generosity and service to others. A debt management plan can help you achieve financial well-being while staying true to your values by ensuring you honor your debts fully. Experts discuss various financial topics, including credit card debt, retirement planning, and investment strategies, all from a biblical perspective. [... more]

Jesus emphasizes the importance of being like a child to know God, and parents are encouraged to bring their children to Him. A wealthy young ruler comes to Jesus seeking eternal life, but is unable to let go of his wealth and possessions, while an Ethiopian eunuch is baptized after reading about Jesus in Isaiah 53. [... more]

Jesus saw a lonely man at the pool of Bethesda and asked him if he wanted to get well. The man had been sick for 38 years and was waiting for a miracle. Jesus healed him and told him to stop sinning or something worse might happen to him. This story teaches us about the importance of faith and the power of God to heal and transform our lives. [... more]

Jesus teaches that he is the Good Shepherd who cares for and protects his sheep, and that he came to give life to the fullest. He explains that he knows his sheep and they know him, and that he lays down his life for them as a substitute for their sin. The Bible teaches that we are like sheep who need a shepherd, and that Jesus is the one who can provide us with guidance, protection, and restoration. [... more]

The Apostle Paul's writings from Roman prison reveal his joy in the gospel, his fellowship with others, and his willingness to be imprisoned for the sake of the gospel. He exhorts his readers to live a life worthy of the gospel, standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by their opponents. [... more]

The way to tap into the mercy of God is not through good works, status, or religious activity, but by coming to God helpless, humble, and hanging on to Him, as seen in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14. [... more]

When faced with helplessness, turning to God in prayer and recalling past deliverances can bring encouragement and faith. Jehoshaphat's story in 2 Chronicles 20 shows how seeking the Lord and trusting in His sovereignty can lead to miraculous intervention and victory. [... more]

When we feel helpless, it's a natural response to an urgent need. We can overcome fear and find hope by turning our eyes to seek the Lord, recalling God's past deliverances, and affirming our faith in the living God. By crying out to God and admitting our helplessness, we can find peace and contentment in the midst of uncertainty. [... more]

When faced with difficult situations, turning to God in prayer and recalling past deliverances can bring encouragement and hope. Affirming faith in the living God and trusting in His sovereignty can lead to miraculous interventions, and waiting upon the Lord can result in unexpected blessings and victories. [... more]

When faced with overwhelming problems, turning to God in prayer and confessing helplessness can be a powerful step towards finding hope and direction. By recalling past deliverances and affirming faith, individuals can move from fear to faith and trust in God's sovereignty and omnipotence. [... more]

The parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates the desperate plight and condition of the unconverted, highlighting their helplessness, blindness, and deception under the sway of the evil one. As believers, we should have compassion on them and be moved to evangelism, recognizing that their final destiny is eternal death unless they are saved. [... more]

Caregivers often struggle with their own emotional and spiritual well-being while caring for loved ones with chronic pain. Finding hope and support can be a challenge, but it's essential to prioritize one's own spiritual health to better care for others. [... more]