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Hungry work without holy fuel only scorches the wick. We open the new year by digging into the parable of the Ten Virgins and asking a simple, searching question: are we carrying oil or just waving lamps? With Stephen Crews back in the studio for our Covenant Alignment series, we frame this moment in Tevet, a month in the Hebrew calendar known for divine strategy and instruction, and we focus on building an inner life that can bear the weight of our calling.

Together we trace the parable verse by verse, drawing out clear meanings: the lamp as ministry, the oil as intimacy with the Holy Spirit, and the midnight cry as the moment that reveals reality. We talk about why even sincere people grow weary, how delay exposes our foundations, and why the wise prioritize presence before performance. From Mary and Martha to the sober warning of Matthew 7, we keep the spotlight on one theme—knowing Jesus matters more than doing things for Jesus. You can’t borrow oil; you must buy it in the secret place.

We get practical with rhythms that cultivate oil: steady prayer that reframes decisions in God’s presence, fasting that quiets the flesh and clears the static, and Scripture that anchors discernment so we hold tightly to what God is saying and loosely to our first interpretation. We look at Abraham’s long wait to show how perseverance is disciplined fidelity, not mere survival. If burnout has crept in or your lamp feels dim, this conversation offers a path back to intimacy, clarity, and resilient joy.

Subscribe for more on covenant alignment, share this episode with someone who needs fresh oil, and leave a review to help others find the show. Then tell us: what practice will you adopt this week to tend your oil?

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What if the real shift so many feel isn’t about louder headlines, but about a quieter, deeper maturity taking root in people who carry the presence of God? We open the conversation by naming the problem with extremes—prophecy charts on one side, vague spirituality on the other—and make the case for a balanced, Scripture-wide view of the Kingdom. Instead of arguing over timelines, we focus on formation: the Kingdom within becoming visible without through a people who reflect Jesus in character, not just in claims.

From there, we get practical. How do you handle lies and misrepresentation without becoming bitter? We walk through a relational path to identity, where God defines who we are and maturity is measured by Christ’s nature shining through us. We share a framework for spiritual warfare that is sober and simple: bring false words before God, refuse agreement, and keep moving in love. Then we tackle discernment with encounters. Scripture tells us to test the spirits, and we dig into Revelation to show why God welcomes wise caution. A personal story related to David illustrates how to weigh experiences under the authority of Jesus and the witness of the Word.

We also explore the restoration of the tabernacle of David with fresh clarity. David’s tent wasn’t a final destination but a transitional piece in God’s larger architecture, pointing forward to a people formed by covenant mercy, worship, and a heart made whole in relationship. A powerful insight from Hebrews reframes worship as Jesus singing in the midst of the congregation—an atmosphere where pride yields, repentance flows, and authority is laid down like crowns at His feet. By the end, you’ll have a grounded vision for what this Kingdom shift looks like: balanced theology, tested spirituality, resilient identity, and worship where Christ truly leads.

If this conversation helps you think, pray, or worship differently, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review with one insight that changed you. Your voice helps others find the show and join the journey.

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The holidays can be loud with joy and still leave space where the heart aches. We sit down with Dr. Bill Hurst for a frank, compassionate exploration of the Christmas blues, the weight of complicated memories, and the quiet courage it takes to choose love when celebration feels out of reach. From childhood years in protective care to teachings that labeled Christmas “pagan,” Dr. Bill charts a path many listeners will recognize: confusion, pressure, and an uneasy relationship with a season that’s supposed to be simple. What emerges is a wiser way forward—treating Christmas not as a test of correctness, but as a practical season for love, hospitality, and gentle witness.

Dr. Bill opens the door to his most painful chapter: the loss of his youngest daughter near Christmas. He shares how faith steadied sorrow without erasing it, how hope reframed grief, and why this time of year can still be meaningful when the chair at the table sits empty. We talk about moving from theological fights to relational presence, welcoming single neighbors and elders with no nearby family, and giving gifts that say “you are loved” with no strings attached. Along the way, we return to a core question that changes everything: did we learn to love?

If you’ve ever felt alone in December, this conversation offers warmth without hype and clarity without judgment. We reflect on becoming light by lifting Jesus with our lives, letting the Spirit guide us from knowing about truth to living it, and using the openness of the season to share comfort, courage, and the nearness of God. Join us, then tell a friend who needs a place to breathe. Subscribe, share this episode, and leave a review to help more people find a hopeful way through the holidays.

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What if your anointing is real, but your next step is a mop bucket, not a microphone? We follow David’s path in 1 Samuel 16 to uncover how God forms leaders by placing honor on the heart, not the highlight reel. Samuel arrives ready to choose the obvious heir, and God refuses the obvious. David, the forgotten eighth son, is brought in from the fields—and that quiet moment with oil becomes the beginning of a long, hidden education in wisdom, humility, and courage.

We unpack why “the Lord looks at the heart” isn’t a platitude but a blueprint. David’s passion for wisdom shows up later in Solomon’s counsel: get wisdom, develop good judgment, guard your heart. That pursuit explains how a teenager could run toward a giant. We connect Paul’s “spirit of adoption” to a royal training process—less instant promotion, more long obedience. The Spirit doesn’t just affirm identity; he tutors character. Over years, David learns to serve before he leads, to be faithful in obscurity, and to trust God when only sheep are watching.

Along the way, we challenge modern assumptions about calling and influence. Anointing is not a bypass around servanthood; it is fuel for it. From lions and bears to Goliath, David’s victories flow from dependence, not bravado. We bring this home with practical steps: embrace small beginnings, love one person deeply, serve where you stand, and let the Spirit shape your judgment for the battles ahead. If your heart needs courage, your calling needs clarity, or your hands need a holy task, this conversation will meet you in the field and walk you toward the throne God has in mind.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s in a waiting season, and leave a review—tell us the “small beginning” you’re committing to this week. Your story might spark someone else’s courage.

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Obedience sounds simple until fear, pressure, and convenience crowd the soul. We sit down with Trevor McMahan to examine why “obedience is better than sacrifice,” how Saul’s half-measures cost him favor, and why David refused to strike a fallen king. Through the story of the Amalekites and the ripple effects into the book of Esther, we unpack the law of sowing and reaping, the difference between gifts and favor, and the quiet wisdom of honoring God’s timing. It’s a timely call to resist outrage culture, stop platforming division, and choose the harder path of unity and prayer.

Trevor shares how divination isn’t just sorcery—it’s trusting any voice over God’s voice. That lens reframes leadership failures, our response to messy churches, and the temptation to weaponize discernment. We explore why leaving an unhealthy environment doesn’t require burning it down, why God can still work through imperfect vessels, and how a heart like David’s protects calling without compromising truth. Expect scripture, context, and a practical, pastoral tone that aims to heal rather than hype.

We also step into the tender ground of suicide—naming the lying voice, rejecting the myth of an unpardonable label, and speaking directly to anyone standing on the edge. Trevor offers a grounded testimony from street outreach and a prayer for freedom, worth, and life. If enemies once held a corner on iron, God held a corner on David; that same hope meets every listener who feels outmatched today. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs courage, and leave a review to help others find a lifeline. Then tell us: where is God inviting you to choose obedience, unity, and hope this week?

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Pressure mounts, the crowd scatters, and a leader reaches for a quick fix. We walk through 1 Samuel 13 and 15 to see why Saul’s hurried sacrifice and partial obedience cost him a kingdom—and what that reveals about the difference between religious activity and loyal trust. The stakes are high: when fear of people sets the agenda, authority withers and communities shrink. When obedience anchors our choices, God’s timing and presence carry the day.

We explore Israel’s shift from God’s direct rule to a human king and how the desire to look like other nations reshaped expectations of power. Saul’s choices feel familiar: act now, manage optics, justify results by calling them “worship.” Samuel’s words cut through the spin: to obey is better than sacrifice. We unpack the sacrificial system as a foreshadowing of Christ, not a tool for crisis management, and we consider how partial obedience—keeping the “best” for ourselves—still breaks trust. In contrast, God is already preparing David, reminding us that He works ahead of the curve, forming hearts that rely on Him rather than on weapons, strategies, or applause.

This conversation offers practical takeaways for pastors, team leads, and anyone navigating pressure: resist the urge to rush outcomes, replace people-pleasing with reverence, and let Scripture serve as your plumb line when vision is foggy. If we traded some noise for listening and acted on what God actually says, we would see more clarity, courage, and fruit that lasts. Join us, reflect on where you’re tempted to settle for almost, and share the episode with someone who needs a steady word. If this helped you, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us how you’re choosing obedience this week.

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A risky climb, a taunt from the hill, and a truth that won’t let go: nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few. We walk through 1 Samuel 13–14 and watch Jonathan move when others stall, not because the odds improve, but because covenant confidence changes how you read the odds. Alongside him stands an unnamed armor bearer whose simple yes—“I am with you heart and soul”—turns faith into action. Their partnership exposes a quiet power the modern world often misses: victories rise from visible leadership and unseen loyalty working as one.

We unpack the landscape of Israel under pressure, the tension between promise and resistance, and the way God uses small teams to shift large battles. Jonathan’s sign is both practical and prophetic; he seeks confirmation, then commits. From there, we explore what this means for our daily choices: when to step forward, how to carry another’s vision without resentment, and why motives matter more than mentions. If you lead, you’ll hear a call to humility, clarity, and gratitude for those who carry the weight with you. If you serve in the shadows, you’ll find language for your courage and a reminder that shared battles mean shared victories.

Woven through the story is a larger hope rooted in Jesus and the new covenant written on our hearts. Faith is not performance; it is participation in what God has promised to do. Whether your current season looks like Jonathan scaling cliffs or like an armor bearer keeping pace, the invitation is the same: act with courage, guard your heart from the lure of applause, and aim your work at God’s glory. If this conversation strengthens your resolve to move with faith—seen or unseen—subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review to help more listeners find it. Then tell us: where is God asking you to climb next?

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The world feels like it’s shifting under our feet, and for good reason: we’ve moved from steam to screens to something even more disruptive—the intelligence age. As AI turns questions into instant answers, we’re asking a deeper one: how do we stay rooted when change is relentless? We walk through the sweep of history, from the industrial and information eras to today’s surge of artificial intelligence, and then zoom in on the spiritual reality beneath the headlines. Knowledge can be fast; wisdom is formed. That gap matters.

We ground this moment in a larger story: God’s covenant faithfulness to Israel and our grafting in through Jesus. When transitions arrive, Scripture and nature agree—decrease often precedes growth. Trees shed leaves. Runners pass batons. Before resurrection, there was a cross and a silent tomb. If you feel stripped back, less capable, or spiritually thin, it may not signal failure. It might be pruning. In that hidden work, God drives the sap to the roots, building strength that will carry future fruit. We draw on Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress” to remind our hearts: from age to age, God remains the same.

We also talk about the role of prophetic voices in times like these—forth-telling what is and foretelling what’s unfolding—so we can cooperate with grace rather than react to noise. Expect practical takeaways: how to name your pruning without shame, practices that deepen roots in a high-speed world, and ways to let technology serve discipleship instead of replace it. If the intelligence age accelerates access, we want to cultivate discernment, courage, and love that endure.

Join us for a steadying conversation about faith, AI, weakness, and hope. If this resonated, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review to help others find the show. What transition are you walking through right now?

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Peace that holds in the middle of conflict isn’t a myth; it’s the fruit of living near to God. We open up the “secret place” as Scripture presents it—covenant nearness under God’s shelter—and show how this isn’t reserved for spiritual elites. From Psalm 91’s shadow of the Almighty to Jesus’ teaching about praying in the inner room, we connect temple imagery, priesthood, and the finished work of Christ to the way you pray, think, and live today.

Stephen shares a vulnerable story about wrestling with distraction, hearing the Spirit’s gentle correction about unrighteous judgments, and the freedom that followed through repentance. That moment becomes a blueprint: make space, meet God without performance, and let Him reorder what’s out of place. We talk about practical steps—fasting to clear the fog, a notepad to offload thoughts, habits that protect attention, and the simple courage to sit long enough for the mind to grow quiet. Along the way, we revisit Moses in the cleft and David in the tent, tracing a single thread: those who love God find shelter and direction beneath His wings.

If your calling feels complex, we simplify it: know Him and be known by Him. Assignments and purpose flow from there. Use righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit as a living dashboard for alignment, and when they dim, return to the secret place until they brighten. We close with a clear charge: seek first His kingdom, let Jesus take first place, and build disciplined choices that match your spiritual DNA. If this spoke to you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs rest, and leave a review to help more people find the path to real peace.

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What if real spiritual authority isn’t achieved, but received through surrender? We dig into covenant alignment by tracing the promise to Abraham through its fulfillment in Jesus, then translate theology into practice with a clear, usable framework for daily life. From worship as obedience to the heart change promised in Ezekiel 36, we unpack how the Spirit transforms desire so discipline becomes a pathway, not a prison.

Stephen Crews returns to map six anchors for living under Jesus’ authority: trusting God through shared history, submission by design that honors Christ and appointed leaders, servant leadership that measures greatness by the towel, alignment with Scripture that guards zeal from error, accountable community that heals and refines, and the believer’s authority that flows only when we live under authority. Along the way, we revisit the centurion’s insight into chain of command, why good works are covenant signals rather than image management, and how “sent, not went” protects you from burnout and spiritual backlash.

You’ll hear practical prayer points to restore salt and light, soften hard places, and receive courage to take a step when the staircase is hidden. We press into ask, seek, knock as a lifestyle that enlarges your vision of Jesus—because the Jesus you know is the Jesus you get. If you’re hungry to reconcile faith and obedience, power and humility, mission and covering, this conversation offers clarity and a way forward.

Enjoying the show? Follow, share with a friend, and leave a review to help others find these conversations. Got questions or stories to share? Reach out at life are on the fire at gmail.com—let’s keep the dialogue going.

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Loving Yeshua/Jesus, Loving people... Come as you are and you will be loved!
Feel free to check out our website by typing in lifearoundthefire.com or Life Around The Fire ... We think you'll find some beneficial stuff to look at and apply to your life.
Shalom to you and your home.