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Read: Philippians 4:4-7

“What if I don’t make the team, Dad?” Felix asked as they hiked a rugged trail. He had spent most of their backpacking trip finding things to worry about.

“Felix, all you’ve done today is worry,” Dad said. “I could understand your concerns if we were fending off mountain lions or something, but the most dangerous animal we’ve seen was the timid gray squirrel that scurried across our path a few minutes ago.”

Felix wasn’t listening. He was too busy worrying. “What if I make the team but none of my friends do? I won’t know anyone!”

When Felix stopped to take a drink from his water bottle, Dad picked up a handful of stones from the side of the trail. As they continued walking, he reached over and slipped a rock in an open pocket of Felix’s backpack. Felix didn’t even notice.

“What if I don’t figure out the new stuff we’re doing in my math class? It’s so hard!” With each new worry Felix brought up, Dad managed to sneak a rock into his backpack.

“I’m getting kind of tired,” Felix said after a while. “What if I get too tired to finish the hike? Maybe we should turn back.”

Dad added another rock to the backpack. This time Felix noticed.

“What are you doing?” he asked. He stopped, took off his backpack, and opened it. “Dad!” he said with a groan. “My pack is heavy enough without these rocks! Why are you making it heavier?”

Dad shrugged. “It’s not much different from what you’re doing yourself, is it?”

“I’m not picking up rocks!” Felix said.

“No, but worrying about every little thing is kind of like carrying a load of rocks. It just makes you tired and doesn’t solve anything.” Dad took off his backpack. “Let’s take a break. We’ll dump the rocks from your backpack, and I think it would also be a good time to pray and give your burdens to Jesus. Don’t you agree?” Felix nodded. “Good,” said Dad. “He gave His life to save you and promises to take care of you. When you remember that, you’ll be able to live life without being weighed down by worries.”

–Mike Dize

How about you? Do you spend a lot of time worrying? Has it ever helped you? Instead of fretting about things you have no control over, go to Jesus with your worries. He’s in control of everything, and He loves you and cares about every detail of your life. Trust Him to handle the problems you face and to give you wisdom. Then you can live without the burden of worry weighing you down.

Today's Key Verse: Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Give your burdens to Jesus

Do you obey God out of a fear of potential consequences or from a desire to know Him better?

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Some years ago, artist Michael Landy counted up everything he owned, making a list of 7,227 possessions. What he did next was eye-opening. Setting up a factory in London’s busiest shopping district, Landy publicly destroyed it all. Clothes, artworks, love letters, even his car, were broken down, placed on a conveyor belt, and fed into grinders. As consumers darted in and out of department stores nearby, Landy’s performance art asked, “Who are we without our possessions?”

It’s an important question because most of us buy things to define ourselves or secure our futures. Jesus told a parable about a man who horded his wealth and embraced a consumer lifestyle. “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years,” the man tells himself. “Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry” (Luke 12:19). But what was left when his life was “demanded” from him that night? Only God’s rebuke at having missed what’s most important (vv. 20-21).

It isn’t a sin to own things. Michael Landy still needed clothes. But when we’re tempted to find life and identity in what we own, Jesus reminds us that “life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (v. 15). Who would you be without all your goods? Still a dearly loved child of God (Psalm 103:17; Ephesians 5:1). Out of this secure identity, we can be rich toward God and others.

It’s Witness Wednesday! Todd Friel is on campus at The University of Georgia where he meets two students who are willing to talk about their religious beliefs. What will happen when their own conscience says “you’re guilty”? The tension builds to a sobering question you can’t dodge: if God judged you today, would you really be ready?

Segment 1

• Todd meets Reese, a religion student, and asks: what’s really the difference between atheism and agnosticism?

• Can all religions be true at once – or are they mutually exclusive?

• The conversation pivots from intellect to conscience as Reese admits moral guilt—what happens when your own standards condemn you?

Segment 2

• Todd walks Reese through the Ten Commandments, forcing a personal verdict: guilty.

• Jesus is the Lamb who takes your punishment… but does Reese actually want Him?

• Reese’s verdict is honest but devastating.

Segment 3

• Todd meets Tyler, who admits he doesn’t know the meaning of Easter, which leads Todd to ask: How?

• The gospel is explained from creation to resurrection—but Tyler resists one key issue.

• Eyewitness evidence for the resurrection is introduced—would 500 witnesses willing to die change your standard for truth?

Segment 4

• Tyler challenges biblical reliability with the “telephone game” critique.

• What carries more weight: intellectual arguments or moral critiques of our conscience?

• Todd presses the law—liar, thief, adulterer at heart—if God judges you today, would you really be ready?

___

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Welcome to episode #263! ️ Pure Victory Podcast: Closing the Gap: From Temptation to Intentional Living

Episode Summary:
There’s a critical moment most people overlook—the gap between temptation and action. In this episode, Braden explores how that space, whether seconds or hours long, is where real change happens. Instead of white-knuckling or negotiating with temptation, you’ll learn how to respond quickly, intentionally, and with purpose. Freedom isn’t just about avoiding porn—it’s about building a life you actually want to run toward.

Key Takeaways

• The gap matters: What you do between temptation and action determines your direction. 
• Temptation isn’t the problem: Even Jesus was tempted—it’s how we respond that shapes us. 
• Don’t negotiate with temptation: Delayed responses give temptation momentum. 
• Willpower alone fails: “Don’t do it” thinking keeps your mind stuck on the very thing you’re trying to avoid. 
• Close the gap quickly: Faster, intentional responses weaken temptation over time. 
• Replace, don’t just remove: Real freedom comes from filling your life with something better, not just eliminating a behavior. 
• Preparation is key: You don’t build a healthy response in the moment—you build it beforehand. 

Scriptural Highlight

Matthew 4:1–11
Jesus in the wilderness shows us a powerful model: when temptation came, He didn’t debate or delay—He responded immediately with truth. His preparation before the moment led to victory in the moment.

️ Action Steps

• Create a “rapid response” plan:
  Decide now what you’ll do when temptation hits (text a friend, go for a walk, pray, change environments). 
• Shorten your response time:
  Practice moving from awareness → action as quickly as possible. 
• Build life-giving rhythms:
  Invest in connection, purpose, and your relationship with God daily. 
• Strengthen accountability:
  Don’t fight alone—invite others into your process. 
• Identify your patterns:
  Notice what fuels your temptation (stress, boredom, loneliness) and address those roots. 
• Shift from reactive to proactive living:
  Build a life today that makes temptation weaker tomorrow. 

Final Thought

Don’t just focus on what you’re running from—
 focus on building a life worth running toward.

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You are not alone—and freedom is possible.

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Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Porn Recovery Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

Online marriage resources (FamilyLife Canada)

Covenant Eyes Accountability Softw

If you're looking for simple habits to up your parenting game, this is the episode for you! Dr. Danny and Rebecca hear from parenting expert, Dr. Randy Schroeder. The discussion focuses on the importance of building strong relationships with children through small, consistent actions and positive reinforcement. Dr. Schrader highlights the 'three Rs': relationship, rules, and responsible decision-making, and introduces 'three T's': talk, touch, and time together. The conversation emphasizes the power of compliments and cautions against the four Cs to avoid: correction, criticism, complaining, and condemnation. We also answer a listener question about grandparents who are parenting again.

Simple Habits for Effective Parenting

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Here's The Study Guide For Dr. Schroder's Book

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Listen to today's Laugh Again with Phil Callway, "No Legs No Limits." Enjoy!