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Surrender your life to the Lord and walk according to His will for your life.

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Sometimes a bit of wisdom drops in when we least expect it. That happened recently as I was reading an article about American football player Travis Kelce. A frustrated coach once told him, “Everybody you meet in this world is either a fountain or a drain.” You can probably figure out which one Kelce was being!

Perhaps all of us have a bit of both elements in us. But at any given moment, we’re likely behaving one way or the other. And our call to follow Jesus means becoming more fountain, less drain.

I hear a similar idea in Philippians 2, where Paul challenges us to imitate Jesus’ humility and focus on others. Paul contrasts what drains life from others with what fills them up: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others” (vv. 3-4). A bit later in this chapter, he adds bluntly, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing” (v. 14).

What does it look like to be a drain? Being self-focused and arrogant; complaining and arguing. And being a fountain? Paul says of Timothy, “I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare” (v. 20).

Are we being more like a fountain or a drain? That’s a question worth pondering as we seek to bless others.  

The holidays are behind us, and you know what that means . . . it’s tax season. But do you know who your tax preparer will be? It’s gone largely unnoticed, but there’s a nationwide shortage of CPAs and accounting talent in general. Waiting to line up your tax preparer could cause problems. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West tells you how to avoid issues. Then, it's on to your calls. That’s Faith & Finance Live, biblical wisdom for your financial decisions. That’s weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

Faith & Finance Live is a listener supported program on Moody Radio.  To join our team of supporters, click here.

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To learn more about Rob West, click here.

To learn more about Faith & Finance Live, click here.

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It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

SEGMENT 1

• Last week, you answered a question I wrote about returning to a marriage where physical abuse occurred. I’m the husband, and I fear my abusive wife. Do these facts change the way you think about the question? – Anonymous

• Are there any particular AI bots that Todd and Jimmy prefer to use? – Dennis

SEGMENT 2

• Our 15 year-old daughter has recently been saved, and desires to be baptized. She’s stated that she wants me to be the one to baptize her. Are there any reasons that we shouldn’t go through with this? – Anonymous

• Last week you referred to delivering a sermon written by AI as “acting”. Is this the same as delivering a pre-written manuscript? Is this a legitimate skill to develop? – Jay

SEGMENT 3

• I was required to go through some HR training at work that focused on things like “transphobia” and “homophobia” as different kinds of discrimination. This didn’t feel right for me to partake in as a Christian. Do I have any recourse? What are your thoughts? – Anonymous

SEGMENT 4

• Knowing that we need to be wary of applying guilt-by-association, at what point should a church stop promoting a teacher due to their association with someone that’s theologically problematic? – Jennifer

___

Thanks for listening!

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Throughout history, people have reinterpreted Jesus—as a social reformer, a prophet, even just a good teacher. Dr. John explores Matthew 20:29-34, where two blind men publicly declare Jesus as "Son of David"—the Messiah. For years, Jesus kept His identity secret, but now, on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem, He allows the declaration to stand and heals the blind men in front of the crowd. This moment marks the end of the messianic secret and sets the stage for His crucifixion for claiming to be the Son of God.

The Ministry of Our Lord: Join Dr. John Neufeld for a journey through Matthew 19-20, where Jesus makes His final trip to Jerusalem. The crowds are growing, expecting triumph and glory. But what Jesus teaches is startling: humility over greatness, sacrifice over power. This Messiah will not rule from a throne—He will reign from a cross. Discover what it means to follow a suffering King.

Listen to today's Laugh Again with Phil Callaway, "Meet the Teacher." Enjoy!

When Saul became king, he was “little in his own eyes” (see 1 Sam. 15:17), but some time later all that changed drastically. The erosion of his character left him proud, impatient, and downright rebellious…a man who refused to bow even to the Lord his God. A serious failure and well worth our attention.

From the Series: Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives: Rediscovering Some Old Testament Characters

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Dreading the car ride home after your child's rough game? Research shows those tense, critical moments drive 70% of kids to quit sports by age 13—and they remember the emotional peak and ending more than the score. Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski, authors of Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports, show how to turn youth sports pressure and disappointment into gospel grace by choosing connection over correction, preparing words of unconditional pride, and rebuilding trust when you miss it.

Show Notes and Resources

• Helpful tools and encouragement for parents available at FamilyLife.com/parentinghelp
• "Away Game" by Ed Uszynski and Brian Smith — a thoughtful look at youth sports, identity, and what really matters for families is available at your favorite bookstore. 

• Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this episode. Learn more at CSBible.com.
• Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com.
• See resources from our past podcasts.
• Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife app!
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• Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network

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Maturity is a life-long process, and it’s often through times of testing we mature the most. Some people never get it.