Living as truly free people means more than just national liberty, it's about the freedom Christ gives, which reshapes the way we handle money. True financial freedom is not measured by what we have, but by what no longer has a hold on us, and it's possible because God is present, provides, and owns it all. [... more]

When we fall, we need restoration, and it's our responsibility as spiritual people to help each other in the spirit of meekness. We can share burdens, bear up burdens, and give up burdens, but ultimately, we must cast our burdens upon the Lord, who will sustain us and never suffer the righteous to be moved. [... more]

Julie Bustler shares her story of overcoming childhood trauma, grief, and suicidal ideations through her faith in God and the practice of biblical lament. She discusses the importance of seeking help, confessing her struggles, and finding hope in God's faithful love. Julie's story is a testament to the power of God's redemption and the importance of being vulnerable and honest about our struggles, even in the face of darkness. [... more]

Families in Lebanon are struggling to survive amidst ongoing war and displacement, but thanks to the generosity of listeners, 275 families have received critical support, including food, shelter, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, the need remains urgent, and more support is needed to continue caring for these families and expanding their reach with the hope of Christ. [... more]

A widow in North Carolina shares her story of receiving help from a listener after calling a financial assistance hotline. A listener named Duane felt led to help, and a ministry called Helping Hands walked her through a process to review her documents and bills, ultimately paying off her medical debt. The hosts discuss various financial topics, including credit repair, investing, and retirement planning, offering biblical wisdom and practical advice. [... more]

Church members are called to bear one another's burdens, which requires observation, evaluation, restoration, guidance, gentleness, and compassion. Restoration involves helping others, not judging them, and requires a willingness to be humble and accountable to God. [... 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]

The importance of community in spiritual growth and healing is discussed, highlighting the role of shared experiences and vulnerability in building strong relationships and a deeper connection with God. [... more]

Many retirees have spent decades building equity in their homes, but could that equity become a wise tool for stewardship in the next season of life? A reverse mortgage can be a flexible, optional payment loan that allows homeowners to use part of their equity without losing their home or having to sell it. However, some people feel unnecessary guilt when thinking about this option, and it's essential to understand the myths and realities of reverse mortgages to make informed financial decisions. [... more]

Seeking wise counsel is a key part of faithful stewardship, and it's essential to recognize that God never intended for us to walk through life's biggest decisions alone. Biblical wisdom includes discernment, humility, and the willingness to receive insight from others, and it's crucial to remind ourselves that these voices keep us from drifting into the ditches of greed, fear, impulsiveness, or self-reliance. When making financial decisions, we can look for voices that justify our desires, reinforce our fears, or confirm what we've already decided, but wise counsel doesn't merely validate us, it helps us see what we cannot see on our own. [... more]

Helping adult children grow in responsibility and independence is a delicate balance for parents, requiring wisdom and grace. The way we offer support can shape not just their circumstances, but their character. Understanding what it means to define 'enough' and making room for maturity are key to strengthening our adult children, rather than sidelining them. [... more]

The North Carolina General Assembly is considering a proposal to eliminate local sales taxes on groceries, which would provide direct relief to households grappling with rising costs. Meanwhile, a bill imposing new restrictions on the use of social media by minors has cleared a key Senate hurdle, and a study by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality found widespread PFAS contamination in wastewater and biosolids. Additionally, the US Supreme Court has ruled on a case related to redistricting, clarifying the role of the Voting Rights Act and its impact on the drawing of election districts. [... more]

Harlan Akola joins the show to discuss how bringing home equity into financial plans can change everything, especially for retirees. He explains how home equity can function as a third bucket alongside income and investments, and how using it strategically can help preserve investment accounts longer. The conversation also touches on the importance of timing and the best way to use money, as well as the role of stewardship in managing financial resources. [... more]

A missionary couple shares their experiences and challenges in Nigeria, where they run a clinic providing lactation support and care for severely malnourished infants. They discuss the importance of faith, perseverance, and community in the face of persecution and hardship, and how they are making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families. [... more]

Lori Davies, author of Emotional Hoarding, shares her insights on how to let go of emotional baggage and live a life of freedom. She discusses the concept of emotional hoarding, its effects on relationships, and how to identify and overcome it. Lori also shares her personal experiences and biblical principles to help readers understand the importance of surrendering their worries and fears to God. [... more]

Pastor Skip Heitzig preaches about the importance of bearing one another's burdens, loving one's neighbor, and sowing to the spirit to reap everlasting life. He emphasizes the law of Christ, which is to love, and the law of sowing and reaping, which states that whatever a person sows, they will reap. He also discusses the marks of suffering that he bears in his body, similar to the marks of suffering that Jesus bore, and encourages believers to rejoice in their scars as a badge of honor. [... more]

Paul's teachings on the fruit of the Spirit and the importance of living under grace, rather than legalism, are explored. He emphasizes the need to restore relationships and bear one another's burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ, which is to love one's neighbor as oneself. The importance of examining one's own work and not comparing oneself to others is also discussed, as well as the need to bear one's own load and not rely solely on others for support. [... more]

A recount request has been filed in the North Carolina Senate District 26 race, with the current leader, Phil Berger, trailing by 23 votes. Meanwhile, a report highlights the issue of skyrocketing property taxes in the state, with some counties collecting hundreds of millions of dollars more than they would have under a levy limit. The state's business growth and conservative tax reform have contributed to the influx of people and rising home values, leading to increased property tax revenue. [... more]

Jesus' character and conduct are the ultimate examples of how to bear each other's burdens. A spiritually-minded person, governed by the Holy Spirit, will approach others with gentleness, kindness, and acceptance, rather than judgment or criticism. By relying on the Holy Spirit and being humble, we can help others overcome their heartaches and sin, and experience freedom from guilt and shame. [... more]

Bearing each other's burdens is a crucial aspect of spiritual growth and redemption. When we learn to bear someone else's burden, we learn how to deal with it and help them. The Bible teaches us to restore one another in a spirit of gentleness, demonstrating love and acceptance, and helping others to be set free from the weight of sin. [... more]

The burden of guilt can be overwhelming, but Jesus offers a solution. By surrendering our burdens to Him and trusting in His love and power, we can find rest and peace. Jesus' yoke is easy, and His burden is light, allowing us to walk in His ways and find rest for our souls. [... more]

Jesus invites all who are weary and heavy laden to come to Him for rest, promising to lift their burdens and give them peace of mind and confidence. He bears our burdens daily, enabling us to live with them without feeling their weight, and motivates us to come to Him with love and compassion. [... more]

The Christian life is about faithfulness, not fame or success. Learning from others' biographies can be inspiring, but it's essential to avoid unhealthy comparisons and focus on our unique gifting and God's plan for our lives. By recognizing our strengths and weaknesses, we can grow in our faith and follow God's lead, just as Peter and John did in their ministries. [... more]

God's answer of no can be a gift of grace, and His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. We must learn to commit to Him and trust in His sovereignty, even when our prayers are not answered as we desire. [... more]

Intentional time, moments, and milestones are key to family discipleship, where parents model and teach their children to follow Jesus. By setting aside time for Bible reading, prayer, and worship, families can cultivate a deeper relationship with God and raise children who are confident and capable in their faith. [... more]

Jesus extends a gracious invitation to all who labor and are heavy laden, offering rest for their souls through his power, strength, and love. He is the only way to God, and his death on the cross paid the price for our sins, making forgiveness and new life possible. [... more]

When parenting, it's easy to get caught up in comparing our children to others and seeking validation through their accomplishments. However, this can lead to feelings of insecurity and anxiety. Instead, parents can find freedom by focusing on their relationship with God and seeking to be secure in His love. This means recognizing that our identity and worth come from being beloved children of God, not from our children's achievements. By walking alongside God and seeking to be like Him, parents can develop the fruit of the Spirit, including patience, kindness, and love. This requires a daily encounter with God, saturating our hearts and minds with His truth, and being willing to surrender our fears and insecurities to Him. [... more]

Parents can struggle with shame, comparison, and judgment, but the gospel offers freedom from these burdens. By recognizing the voice of the accuser and the voice of the Father, parents can learn to trust God with their children and find joy in their parenting journey. A book, 'Good News for Parents,' offers practical advice and spiritual guidance for parents to navigate the challenges of parenting with faithfulness and discipleship. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans explains how fasting can help lighten burdens and provide a breakthrough in life. He shares a biblical example from Nehemiah, who fasted and prayed to deal with the burden of broken walls and burned gates in Jerusalem. Dr. Evans emphasizes the importance of humility, confessing sin, and holding God accountable to His word. He also highlights the solution to burdens, which is God's intervention, and how it can lead to success and provision. [... more]

Economic uncertainty and rising healthcare costs can amplify stress for households and retirees. Lauren Guideck from Christian Healthcare Ministries shares practical ways to ease anxiety and explains how health cost sharing works as an alternative to traditional health insurance. Meanwhile, a listener asks about financing a nonprofit's property purchase and another questions about protecting a large deposit with FDIC insurance. [... more]

When we allow resentment to consume our lives, it can become a stronghold that controls us, weighing us down with heavy burdens and oppressing us. However, God offers a way out through fasting and prayer, which can bring us freedom from the yoke of resentment, break the bands of wickedness, and lift the heavy burdens that we cannot bear. By getting rid of the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and vain speaking, we can experience a breakthrough and receive the rewards of victory, including the refreshment of freedom, the restoration of prayer, and the restoration of our relationship with God. [... more]

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is often seen as a heartwarming tale of redemption, but it also contains a deeper message about economics and philosophy. Thomas Malthus' concept of surplus population is explored through the character of Ebenezer Scrooge, who represents a philosophy that is ultimately proven wrong. The story highlights the importance of generosity, private charity, and the value of human life, and serves as a reminder that God is generous, not stingy. [... more]

Scripture offers a far better and far more freeing vision for how believers relate to money and possessions. Rejecting materialism does not mean rejecting material things, but rather recognizing the difference between enjoyment and dependence. Gratitude and generosity are powerful tools in breaking the grip of materialism, and Christians are called to steward God's resources wisely and grow in generosity. [... more]

Catherine Wolf shares her personal story of overcoming a massive stroke and finding hope and treasure in the darkness. She discusses how suffering impacts finances and the importance of surrendering to God's plan. Catherine also talks about her ministry, Hope Heals, and how it provides a sacred space for people with disabilities to belong and find community. [... more]

Life is full of troubles, but Jesus says, 'Don't let your heart be troubled, but believe in God, believe also in me.' Pastor Greg Laurie shares how to find peace and trust in God's sovereignty, even in the face of uncertainty and fear. [... more]

Generosity begins in the heart, not in the tax code. A donor-advised fund can help you give joyfully and steward resources efficiently, separating the act of giving from the act of distributing. You can make a large contribution in a high income year, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then prayerfully decide where those dollars should go. Donor-advised funds have become the fastest-growing vehicle for charitable giving in America, combining the flexibility of a personal giving account with the efficiency of professional administration. [... more]

Solomon shares the strategy for winning the eternal race of heaven, highlighting the importance of balance and a personal walk with God. He contrasts two contenders, one who has wealth and possessions but lacks joy, and another who has a large family but is unconverted and unloving. Solomon emphasizes that the rules for a meaningful life are reversed, and that true success comes from a relationship with God, marked by surrender, obedience, and fellowship. [... more]

Navigating healthcare options, including traditional insurance and cost-sharing programs, can be complex. Meanwhile, managing retirement savings and debt is crucial for long-term financial stability. A reverse mortgage can be a viable option for some, and understanding the rules around charitable donations from IRAs is essential for tax planning. [... more]

Fasting and prayer can help individuals break free from the burdens and strongholds of resentment, allowing them to experience the refreshment of freedom and restoration of prayer. By removing the yoke of resentment, individuals can focus on God and seek His guidance, leading to a breakthrough and a new sense of purpose. [... more]

Believers are called to be members of a local church body, where they promise to pray for, care for, and serve one another spiritually and physically. This involves actively participating in public worship services, encouraging one another in the faith, and taking on difficult roles to serve others. By doing so, individuals demonstrate the love of Christ in action and are rewarded by God in heaven. [... more]