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Have you ever watched a little boy who wants to be just like his daddy? He studies his father’s every move and mimics him. Coach Shannon reminds us that our Heavenly Father invites us to do the same!

As a token of our appreciation, we’re excited to send you a copy of Romans: Daily Scriptures to Receive, Reflect, and Respond by Harold J. Berry. This powerful verse-by-verse study offers a solid spiritual fitness plan—one that will challenge your thinking, grow your faith, and help you share God’s love, mercy, and grace.

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Thank you for supporting the mission of Christ.

What would a society look like if no one lived in perpetual debt or poverty? In this episode, Dr. John explores Deuteronomy 15:1-11 and God's revolutionary Sabbatical year law that required the release of debts every seven years in ancient Israel. He discusses how this divine system was designed to prevent perpetual poverty while challenging listeners to consider how biblical principles of generosity and debt forgiveness can shape our approach to those in need today.

Living the Moral Life: A Practical Application for Every Generation: Morality cannot be reduced to a bumper sticker. Neither is it the sum total of our debates, campaigns or banners. Morality is presented by how we live. The book of Deuteronomy is a second presentation of God’s Law. It contains three sermons by Moses, as Israel stands on the border of the Promised Land. In this series, Dr. John highlights chapters 12- 17 in which Moses emphasizes living out God’s commands for a moral life. Why should we listen? Because living a moral life speaks louder than any bumper sticker.

“He who has ears, let him hear.” – Matthew 13:9

Those were Jesus’ closing words after telling the Parable of the Sower—a story that invites us to listen carefully, not just with our ears, but with our hearts. Today, we’ll look at this story and what it reveals about the heart behind our finances, especially the warning about “the deceitfulness of riches”.

The Parable of the Sower appears in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8. It begins with a farmer scattering seed, which falls on four types of soil. Jesus later explains that the seed is the Word of God, and the soils represent different heart conditions. Some hearts are hard, others shallow. Some are fertile and ready. But one soil in particular draws our attention today: the seed that fell among thorns.

In Matthew 13:22, Jesus says,

“As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”

Let’s break that down.

First, Jesus points to "the cares of the world"—the daily anxieties and distractions that can crowd out our trust in God. Then, He adds “the deceitfulness of riches.” It’s not wealth itself that’s the issue. It’s the lie wealth tells: that more money will bring more peace, that possessions equal security, and that success means significance.

The Bible consistently warns us about that lie:

• Proverbs 11:28 — “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.”
   
• 1 Timothy 6:17 — “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God.”

Wealth deceives us by offering the illusion of control and independence. It tempts us to believe we’re self-sufficient. And when we buy that lie, we slowly stop depending on God. Like thorns in a garden, worldly cares and the lure of wealth take root in our hearts, slowly crowding out our affection for God. The space once reserved for trust and obedience becomes overrun with distraction and self-reliance.

As C.S. Lewis put it:

“Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is 'finding his place in it,' while really it is finding its place in him.”

You might be saving diligently, investing wisely, and even giving regularly. But if you’re trusting in your portfolio more than God’s promises—or if your finances have become a source of anxiety—then it may be time to do a heart check. What kind of soil are you cultivating?

When unexpected expenses hit, what comes first—prayer or panic? When you think about the future, is your hope grounded in your retirement account or in the One who holds all things together?

Jesus said the seed among thorns becomes “unfruitful.” The Word doesn’t lose its power, but when wealth and worry take over our hearts, we stop responding to it. Outwardly, we may look faithful, but inwardly, our love for Him is being choked out. 

So, how do we respond?

Jesus points to the solution just a few verses later. In Matthew 13:23, He says:

“The good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit and yields.”

Receiving God’s Word deeply isn’t a one-time event—it’s a lifelong process of cultivating the soil of our hearts. It means creating space where God’s truth can take root, thrive, and grow, without being overtaken by competing desires.

1. Prioritize Your Giving—Start with generosity, not as an afterthought, but as an act of worship. Giving reminds us that money is not our master and that w

Thanks to the explosion of technology and social media, society is more connected than ever. Despite that, loneliness, depression, and suicide are all at epidemically high levels. In this program, guest teacher Ryan Ingram provides the answer as he wraps up his short study in Genesis chapter 2. Learn what the aches in our hearts reveal and why our desire for ‘with-ness’ points to God’s desire to be with us.

Main Points

What do I do about the ache within me? What if my longing isn’t a problem to fix but a sign pointing me home?

• We are all SPIRITUALLY HOMESICK.

1. The heart aches for PERMANENCE. - Genesis 2:8 & John 14:2-3
2. The heart aches for PRESENCE. - Genesis 2:7 & Matthew 28:20b
3. The heart aches for PLEASURE. - Genesis 2:9 & Psalm 16:11
4. The heart aches for PEACE. - Genesis 2:15 & Matthew 11:28-30

The home my heart aches for is not just a PLACE but a PERSON. - John 14:6

Broadcast Resource

• Download Free MP3
• Message Notes

Speaker Mentions

C.S. Lewis "Mere Christianity" & "The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses"

Tim Keller "The Prodigal God"

Ronald Rolheiser "Sacred Fire"

Additional Resource Mentions

• "I Choose Joy" Book
• "I Choose Joy" Home Church Study

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About Ryan Ingram

Ryan Ingram is the pastor of Awaking Church, founded in September 2012 with a passion to awaken this generation to new life in Jesus. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and has pursued additional study at Moody Theological Seminary. Ryan and his wife, Jenny, have three children and live in California.

Today on Bold Steps, Pastor Mark Jobe shows us the depths of God’s power in our lives

Last time on the program, Mark gave us the first point related to seeing the depths of God’s power in our life. And he said we needed to be looking closely at our diet … to see what we were feeding our inner man.  We’ll pick up that point, as we turn to the third chapter of the book of Ephesians.  We’re in verses 14-21 for today’s message called, The Power at Work in You.

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“The First Amendment prohibits states from dictating which therapeutic approaches may be spoken.” Constitutional expert, lawyer, author, pastor, and founder of Liberty Counsel Mat Staver discusses the important topics of the day with co-hosts and guests that impact life, liberty, and family. To stay informed and get involved, visit LC.org.