Hold Fast

In the midst of grief and affliction, simply quoting Bible verses may not be what someone needs in the moment—but that doesn’t mean God’s Word has any less importance. In fact, Scripture should hold the highest place in how we understand, navigate, and endure our suffering. Walking through several verses in Psalm 119, we’ll consider how God uses His Word to comfort us in affliction, teach us through trials, and remind us of His goodness and faithfulness even in our pain.

Grief is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing, and we never really “get over” the loss of someone we love. In this episode, I’m sharing some of the highlights from James White’s book Grieving: Your Path Back to Peace to offer some principles and tools for those who are grieving and those walking alongside someone who is. We’ll talk about the importance of simply being present, doing the work of grief, and finding comfort in the sovereignty of God. We grieve deeply, but as Christians, we do not grieve without hope—and even in our most devastating moments, God is at work preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

1 Timothy 5:22 warns us, “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands.” While Paul is specifically instructing Timothy about appointing elders, the principle behind the command has a much broader application for Christians today. We live in a world of pastors, podcasters, and social media influencers who can quickly gain massive influence in our lives simply because they say things we like. But just because someone says something we agree with doesn’t mean they are worth following, imitating, or defending. We need to be discerning about who we allow into our homes, who we listen to, and who we give influence over our lives—and we need to weigh every teacher against one standard: the Word of God.

What if the problem isn’t that we need more church activities, but that we need to maximize the Sundays we already have? The early church didn’t simply attend a worship service—they were devoted to the Word, praying together, sharing meals, fellowshipping, serving one another, and living life together. Gathering with God’s people is not something we decide week to week; it’s a grace God has given us that we need on a weekly basis. So let’s talk about a few easy ways we can make Sunday about SO MUCH MORE than attendance.

Is there such a thing as righteous anger? And how do we know when our anger is righteous versus sinful? In an age of outrage, Scripture calls us to be slow to anger, self-controlled, and committed to peace—while still hating what God hates. In this episode, we look at what righteous anger looks like and how to guard our hearts from sinful anger.

Last week, a comment on one of my podcast clips sparked an important conversation. After I encouraged Christians to come to church ready to worship, someone replied, “Stop being critical…it’s not helpful.” In this episode, I unpack why criticism isn't inherently wrong—and why, when done biblically, it can actually be one of the most loving things we do. We'll look at what Scripture says about gracious correction, the difference between sinful criticism and "speaking the truth in love," and why faithful rebuke is meant to build up, not tear down. We'll also talk about the dangers of today's outrage culture, where everyone feels compelled to speak before listening, and why Christians should be known for patient, gracious, truth-filled criticism that points people away from sin and toward Christ.

Is being on time for church really that important? While the Bible never says, "Thou shalt be on time," Scripture does give us principles that challenge how we think about gathering with God's people. In this episode, we make the case that arriving on time isn't about legalism or guilt—it's about honoring the Lord, loving His church, and preparing our hearts for worship. Whether you're always early, constantly rushing in late, or somewhere in between, this conversation will encourage you to think more deeply about what Sunday worship is really for.

In this episode, we tackle some of the most common objections skeptics raise about the Resurrection accounts in the four Gospels, showing that the apparent contradictions are better understood as complementary eyewitness testimonies rather than genuine errors. We walk through a possible timeline that harmonizes the events, explain why differences in perspective actually strengthen the credibility of the accounts, and encourage believers to study Scripture carefully so they can confidently defend their faith. Ultimately, our goal is not merely to answer objections, but to proclaim the risen Christ and call people to repentance and faith.

--

Possible Timeline of events on Resurrection morning:

• Mary and the women all head to the tomb while it’s still dark
• On their way there, God rolls the stone away and an angel descends on the tomb.
• Mary Magdalene immediately heads to tell Peter and John
• Peter and John along with Mary Magdalene head back to the tomb.
• Still at the tomb, the other women encounter two angels who tell them Jesus is Risen
• Those women go to tell the other disciples and meet Jesus on the way.
• Peter, John, and Mary all arrive back at the tomb.
• Mary encounters the two angels and Jesus at the tomb.
• Mary, Peter, and John all go to the other women and disciples.

In this episode, we reflect on the breathtaking promise of Romans 8:18, that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that awaits those who are in Christ. Why is that so hard for us to believe? Together, we'll consider what Scripture reveals about heaven, why the presence of God is our greatest hope, and how an eternal perspective transforms the way we endure suffering today. If you're weary, hurting, or longing for hope, this episode is a reminder to lift your eyes, take heart, and remember: the glory to come is far greater than anything we can imagine.

I have a very special guest with me on this episode. Hareg from Destiny Academy in Ethiopia hops on the podcast to share something the Lord has been convicting her of lately. She talks about the importance of Christians standing up and speaking the Truth with courage into our current culture. You don't want to miss this one!

--

To learn more about Destiny Academy, click this link: https://destinyfa.com/