Keep the Heart

Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit. This is a habit that you'll never want to break. The practical wisdom from daily Proverbs equips us to walk in wisdom, making us better in handling the multiple decisions and interactions that come our way. God left us a GOLD MINE in His Word, and all we need to do is read it and apply it to our lives. The peace of God is not related to our circumstances. It is a result of walking with Him.

Friendship is one of many areas touched on in Proverbs 27, and verse 17 gives us a chance to consider friendship from two angles: the kind of friends we choose and the kind of friend that we are to others. God meant for us to keep each other spiritually sharp. Here's a great reminder verse for the week:

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." (Proverbs 27:17)

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART FOR BOOKS, BIBLE STUDIES & MORE!

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

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Welcome to an unusual episode on Keep the Heart. This episode, "When You Can't Find the Bed of Roses," was inspired by an email from a disillusioned letter writer. 

This young woman who wrote the email made this statement: “I feel like I was told before marriage, growing up, in my teens, and as a young adult, that living the Christian life is wonderful, and a bed of roses.”

The key phrase in her statement is this: “I feel like…”

Feelings are not the same as facts, and there are times when what we hear and how we perceive it are not the same. I am grateful that this writer did not say, “Someone told me that the Christian life would be a bed of roses.” Still, somehow this young woman got a faulty impression.

This episode is dedicated to the young woman who sent the email, and anyone else who has discovered that the Christian life is not what you thought it would be. You may want to grab your journal to jot some notes. The email is being used as the basis for this episode with permission, and the letter writer remains anonymous. You may hear some things that you've been wondering about as well. 

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART FOR BOOKS, BIBLE STUDIES & MORE!

Support this podcast with a donation HERE

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

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Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, where you can listen to a chapter of Proverbs in under five minutes! The practical book of Proverbs is an excellent way to draw closer to God while learning how to walk in wisdom. God uses the wisdom of His Word to guide and instruct us. This is especially helpful when we face situations that are puzzling or unexpected.

Here's a verse from today's chapter reminding us of the importance of having spiritually wise friends: "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." (Proverbs 13:20)

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART FOR BOOKS, BIBLE STUDIES & MORE!

Support this podcast with a donation HERE

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Welcome to the podcast at Keep the Heart! We're so glad that you're a listener, and we're prayerfully preparing new episodes for 2026. This Trailer gives the details.

Watch for new episodes monthly, rotating with Teachback Tuesdays and Build Your Bible Habit. Here's a great theme verse for the year:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART FOR BOOKS, BIBLE STUDIES & MORE!

Support this podcast with a donation HERE

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, where you can listen to a chapter of Proverbs in under five minutes! We've been hearing from listeners who have kept up this habit, and are seeing God transform their lives. It's by design. God's Word is transformative when we read and apply the principles.

Keep this habit up, and you will experience the blessings and benefits of handling life's matters wisely. Daily Proverbs is a habit that increases your wisdom and understanding, making life calm even in the midst of storms. 

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him." (Proverbs 30:5)

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART FOR BOOKS, BIBLE STUDIES & MORE!

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Welcome to the Christmas week edition of Keep the Heart. This reading of Luke chapter two is a long-held tradition in many homes, and it is a wonderful way to place the focus on the Christ of Christmas. 

The birth of Jesus marked the birth of our Saviour. He came into this world as the Sinless One on a mission, and because He died, we have the gift of eternal life. Do your children know that the tradition of gift-giving is related to the greatest gift ever given? Christmas is not celebrating us. It’s honoring Christ. We could say that Jesus is the most ignored Birthday Guest of Honor ever to walk this earth! Let’s overrule the commercial focus on getting and turn the focus on being sacrificial givers, just like Jesus.

After Christmas when so many things go on sale, this would be a great time to purchase items to donate to local food banks, clothing closets, homeless shelters, and other charitable organizations. Include gospel tracts with the donations. You never know who may read that tract and receive the ultimate gift of salvation.

Here’s a great closing verse reminding us why Jesus came to this earth. It’s in Luke 19:10, which says this: "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Christmas blessings to you and your loved ones.

Books, Bible Studies, and more in the Shop at Keep the Heart

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Ponder the Path 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Sister Friends by Francie Taylor

NEW: Hope Endures: A Biography of Faith by Jennifer Arrington

NEW: The Counting Tree by Jennifer Arrington

NEW: Seaside Treasures Framed Shell Art

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Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, where you can listen to a chapter from the practical and life-improving book of Proverbs in under five minutes. People tend to start cutting things out of their lives when overly busy. One of the worst things to cut is your time in the Bible. God gave us instructions for navigating the issues of life, but if we aren't reading His Word, we won't know what He said.

You probably have a lot to do, but even if you don't, it is still a good idea to commit your plans to God and ask Him to establish your thoughts. Here's a related reminder verse to consider: "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." (Proverbs 16:3)

Books, Bible Studies, and more in the Shop at Keep the Heart

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Ponder the Path 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Sister Friends by Francie Taylor

NEW: Hope Endures: A Biography of Faith by Jennifer Arrington

NEW: The Counting Tree by Jennifer Arrington

NEW: Seaside Treasures Framed Shell Art

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Welcome to TEACHBACK TUESDAY! When "Self-Control Exercises" first aired back in Season One/March 2021, the timing was "accidentally on purpose." March is right about that time when many are abandoning their 3-month-old New Year's Resolutions. Now we're replaying it in December, when almost all temperance has been tossed out the car window while going through the drive-through to grab a jumbo meal after spending too much money shopping!

Temperance, AKA "self-control" is unnatural for us. We want what we want and fast. This impatience leads to indulgences that end up costing us in ways we don't want to pay. If you need to work on ruling over the toddler in your adult body, this episode has ideas to help you to gain victories.

God wants us to master temperance, and so He trains us through the everyday "pop quizzes" that he allows into our lives. This episode covers three self-control exercises we can practice to cultivate the vital fruit of temperance. 

Books, Bible Studies, and more in the Shop at Keep the Heart

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Ponder the Path 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Sister Friends by Francie Taylor

NEW: Hope Endures: A Biography of Faith by Jennifer Arrington

NEW: The Counting Tree by Jennifer Arrington

NEW: Seaside Treasures Framed Shell Art

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

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Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, your audio Proverbs series! Scientists disagree about how long it takes to build a good habit, with estimates ranging from 21 days to months! What that really means is this: they don't know the answer.

God knows this: If we continue to read and eventually study His Word, applying what we learn as we grow, we will be transformed and improved habits will follow. God's key tool of transformation is missing when we're not in His Word. You renew your mind through the renewing power of the Bible. If you are tired of making messes in your life and dealing with the cleanup, it's time for change. Building your Bible habit will help!

"For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6)

Books, Bible Studies, and more in the Shop at Keep the Heart

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

NEW: Seaside Treasures Framed Shell Art

NEW: Hope Endures: A Biography of Faith by Jennifer Arrington

NEW: The Counting Tree by Jennifer Arrington

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

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Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where we play the most popular episodes from previous seasons. This week's episode, "The Empty Chair and Other Firsts of Grief" is one that we replay every couple of years to make it easier to find in the podcast library. Every year, someone is going through the shock and disorientation of having a loved one pass away. Life on this side of Heaven is changed and our souls are marked by these losses in ways that words fail to describe.

If you or someone you know is going through their "firsts" after the passing of a loved one, we hope that this episode will help. 

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:18)

Books, Bible Studies, and more in the Shop at Keep the Heart

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

NEW: Seaside Treasures Framed Shell Art

NEW: Hope Endures: A Biography of Faith by Jennifer Arrington

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

NEW: The Counting Tree by Jennifer Arrington

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook