Many people navigate life feeling lost and overwhelmed, not because they lack intelligence, but because they don't realize God has provided clear guidance through His Word. Imagine if God had simply placed us on earth and said figure it out, then held us accountable for our mistakes - that would be incredibly unfair. Thankfully, that's not how God operates. The Bible serves as our comprehensive life guide, written over 2,000 years through multiple authors without contradiction, demonstrating God's incredible foresight and care. God's Word provides three fundamental blessings that transform how we live. First, it reveals God's character and nature to us. Without this revelation, we'd be left guessing what God wants, living like primitive cultures that think God is happy when the sun shines and angry during storms. Through Scripture, God has chosen to make Himself known clearly and completely. Second, it reveals our true identity as people created in God's image, answering life's biggest questions about our origin, purpose, and destiny. The Bible addresses both sides of our human condition - showing us we cannot earn our way to heaven through good works, while also revealing God's incredible love for us despite our sinful nature. The third blessing is perhaps the most beautiful: God's Word creates a living encounter with the living God. Scripture is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating our hearts and minds. When we read God's Word, something remarkable happens - it begins to read us. This isn't a coincidence but the living nature of Scripture at work. The real beauty isn't just that it teaches us how to live or warns us of dangers, but that we actually meet God Himself in its pages. Through His Word, we can experience God's presence, receive His promises, and be transformed by encountering the One who loves us unconditionally.

Our mission is to multiply God’s Kingdom through being and making disciples everywhere.
Be. Make. Multiply.

multiplypeople.com

In this episode, Good and Great, we unpack the simple childhood prayer that carries life-changing truth. What does it really mean that God is great—all-powerful and fully in control—and that He is good—loving, compassionate, and close to us? We explore how God's power gives us confidence, His goodness brings us comfort, and together they produce unshakable peace. Through Psalm 145, the words of Jesus, and the hope of the gospel, we’re reminded that the God who rules the universe also cares deeply for every detail of our lives. If you’re wrestling with worry, uncertainty, or the weight of tomorrow, this episode will help you rest in who God is—and trust Him with what comes next.

Our mission is to multiply God’s Kingdom through being and making disciples everywhere.
Be. Make. Multiply.

multiplypeople.com

Authentic worship demands more than emotional experiences or Sunday morning rituals—it requires costly sacrifice that transforms every aspect of our lives. King David's story in 2 Samuel 24 reveals this profound truth when he refused Araunah's offer of free land, oxen, and wood for building an altar. David declared he would not sacrifice to the Lord burnt offerings that cost him nothing, understanding that worship without sacrifice demonstrates nothing meaningful to God. This principle challenges our modern understanding of worship, which often focuses on feelings and music rather than surrender and obedience. True worship isn't dependent on our emotions or circumstances but on our willingness to honor God regardless of how we feel or what we're facing. When we worship only during good times—when we have plenty of money, strong relationships, and good health—that worship costs us nothing and therefore means nothing. Real worship emerges when we choose to honor God through financial struggles, relationship problems, health challenges, and other difficulties. Costly worship transforms our daily lives by turning every job into an act of service to God, every financial decision into stewardship, and every relationship into an expression of His love. This kind of worship invites God's presence and mercy into our circumstances, not as a transaction but as the natural result of authentic surrender. God desires our worship not from ego but from love, knowing we need His protection and provision in ways we cannot provide for ourselves.

Our mission is to multiply God’s Kingdom through being and making disciples everywhere.
Be. Make. Multiply.

multiplypeople.com

Parenting presents a unique challenge unlike any other responsibility in life. While we can control outcomes in work, exercise, or finances, parenting involves investing in human beings who will ultimately make their own choices, creating both reward and heartache for parents. The rapid pace of parenting decisions means we need wisdom and principles already embedded in our hearts rather than time to consult manuals. As Christian parents, we must understand that our children are on loan from God, and we'll give an account for how we've stewarded this responsibility. God measures our parenting success not by worldly achievements like grades or sports, but by our faithfulness to His calling. Our primary purpose is to point our children toward their Creator, prioritizing their spiritual development above all else. The foundation comes from Deuteronomy 6, which instructs us to first have God's commandments on our own hearts before impressing them on our children through constant conversation woven throughout daily life. Biblical parenting requires viewing it as a calling rather than convenience, leading with love instead of laziness, and focusing on stewardship rather than ownership. This means having the courage to say no when other parents say yes, standing against cultural pressures, and making spiritual conversations natural and frequent. For children, the call is to honor parents throughout life, understanding that parental guidance aims to protect and teach God's ways. Even for parents of adult children, the responsibility continues through prayer, trusting that seeds planted in childhood cannot be escaped, even if temporarily abandoned.

Our mission is to multiply God’s Kingdom through being and making disciples everywhere.
Be. Make. Multiply.

multiplypeople.com

Marriage presents unique challenges because it unites two imperfect people who are still growing in their faith and struggling with sin. Rather than viewing marriage as a path to personal completion or happiness, God designed it as a tool for spiritual growth and holiness. The difficulties in marriage aren't signs of failure but opportunities for transformation into Christ's image. Scripture provides clear guidance for marriage roles in Ephesians 5, where both spouses are called to mutual submission out of reverence for Christ. Wives are instructed to submit to their husbands as the church submits to Christ, while husbands must love their wives with the same sacrificial love Christ showed the church. When husbands truly love sacrificially, wives naturally respond with respect and submission, creating a healthy dynamic that reflects the gospel. Building a flourishing marriage requires intentional daily effort, much like maintaining physical fitness. Most marriages fail not from major catastrophes but from countless small neglects and distractions. Success comes through three key practices: prioritizing your spouse by giving them your best rather than leftovers, protecting your heart from dangerous comparisons and temptations, and continuously pursuing each other through dating, communication, and prayer. With God as the third strand in the marriage cord, couples can weather any storm by focusing on their own spiritual growth rather than trying to change their partner.

Our mission is to multiply God’s Kingdom through being and making disciples everywhere.
Be. Make. Multiply.

multiplypeople.com

The phrase In God We Trust appears on every dollar bill, yet money often challenges our faith more than it strengthens it. Our culture promotes a seemingly logical approach to finances: earn more, spend more, and save whatever remains. However, this method leads to constant stress, worry, and endless comparison with others. We find ourselves perpetually thinking that just a little more money would solve our problems, but sometimes the issue isn't God's provision but rather our stewardship of what He's already given us.God's approach to money is both simple and challenging: give first, save second, and live on the rest. This requires tremendous faith because it means trusting God before we can see how the numbers will work out. It demands discipline over impulse and contentment over comparison. When we give first, we preach a silent sermon that demonstrates our trust in God's provision. This isn't about earning God's love or acceptance but about believing He has our best interests at heart. Money seeks to become our master by offering two things that should only come from God: security and significance. Whether we chase money through greed or cling to it through fear, it can still control us. Even those who are financially struggling can be mastered by money when financial stress consumes their thoughts. The solution isn't necessarily having more money but learning to serve God with our money rather than serving money itself. God isn't against us having resources; He's concerned about resources having us. The ultimate goal isn't wealth but trust, and recognizing that enough is a mindset rather than a specific dollar amount.

Our mission is to multiply God’s Kingdom through being and making disciples everywhere.
Be. Make. Multiply.

multiplypeople.com

Life offers no easy paths, only different kinds of difficulty. We can choose to live God's way, which requires discipline and intentionality, or we can live contrary to His design, which ultimately leads to destruction. Both paths are challenging, but only one leads to a full and meaningful life.Many Christians struggle with the concept of self-care, viewing it as selfish or contrary to biblical teaching about self-denial. However, caring for our bodies, minds, and spirits is actually a deeply spiritual act. As believers, we belong to God—He created us with purpose and for purpose. Our bodies serve as temples where God's Spirit dwells, making proper stewardship not optional but essential. Just as we wouldn't allow someone to degrade our church building, God expects us to honor the temple He has entrusted to our care.God's concern extends to our complete well-being: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health are all interconnected. We cannot compartmentalize these areas and expect to thrive. Even our work, while a gift from God, can become destructive when it replaces proper rest and self-care. Taking Sabbath, getting adequate sleep, eating well, and managing stress are acts of worship that demonstrate our trust in God rather than in our own efforts. The choice remains ours: we can choose the hard path that honors God and leads to life, or we can take what appears easier but ultimately dishonors the temple God has given us.

Our mission is to multiply God’s Kingdom through being and making disciples everywhere.
Be. Make. Multiply.

multiplypeople.com

Life is inevitably difficult for everyone because we live in a fallen, sin-broken world. As Jesus said, 'In this world you will have troubles.' The key insight is that we don't get to choose between easy and hard; we only get to choose which hard we're going with. Every day, we face choices between what's easier now and what's better later. Scripture reveals two distinct paths: the wide gate and broad road that leads to destruction, and the narrow gate and road that leads to life. The wide path is crowded, comfortable, and follows cultural norms in areas like finances, relationships, and parenting. While it might feel good initially, it ultimately leads to emptiness. This explains why our world has so much anxiety and depression despite material abundance. The narrow path, by contrast, means choosing obedience when it costs you and going against the flow of culture. It's harder up front but leads to peace, purpose, and fullness of life. If there are areas where we're not experiencing abundance, it may be because we're choosing the wide path in those specific domains. The challenge is clear: since life will be hard either way, choose the hard that leads to a full life. This requires God's power working in us, not just our own willpower or determination. By making intentional choices in specific areas like finances, relationships, vocation, and personal health, we can experience the abundant life Jesus promised.

Our mission is to multiply God’s Kingdom through being and making disciples everywhere.
Be. Make. Multiply.

multiplypeople.com

Everything we have—our talents, resources, relationships, and opportunities—isn't actually ours but has been entrusted to us by God. As 1 Peter 4:10 reminds us, we should use whatever gift we've received to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace. These gifts vary widely from mechanical abilities to communication skills, leadership talents to creative capacities, financial acumen to compassionate hearts. God distributes different gifts to prevent the development of the ego and to foster interdependence and community among people. God doesn't just give us gifts and forget about them. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 teaches that God expects us to use what He's entrusted to us and will one day 'settle accounts.' He measures not our comparative performance but our faithfulness with what we've specifically been given. Every gift is meant to bring glory to God, not ourselves. Beyond our unique individual gifts, we've all been entrusted with the Gospel, God's Word, conviction, and relationships. To honor this trust, we should avoid wasting our gifts, comparing them to others', or keeping them for ourselves. Instead, we should use them to serve others and glorify God, living in anticipation of hearing those beautiful words: 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'

Our mission is to multiply God’s Kingdom through being and making disciples everywhere.
Be. Make. Multiply.

multiplypeople.com

The journey of following Jesus involves transformation through immersion in God's Word, which serves as our standard for living. As believers draw closer to God, areas of their lives that don't glorify Him become increasingly apparent - similar to how a home inspection reveals flaws not visible in photographs. This awareness isn't meant to condemn but to convict us of needed changes. Jesus presents two distinct calls: to non-believers, He says 'come and see,' inviting them to discover who He is; to believers, He says 'come and die,' challenging them to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him. While salvation comes freely through grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), discipleship requires a total commitment. The uncomfortable truth is that following Jesus means surrendering control of our lives, potentially facing rejection from a world that values comfort, possessions, and popularity. When Christians truly follow Jesus, they often find themselves at odds with cultural norms. The abundant Christian life isn't found in negotiating with God about which parts of our lives we'll surrender, but in complete submission - presenting ourselves as 'living sacrifices' daily. This means allowing God to direct every aspect of our lives: where we go, what we do, what we say, and what we give up. Although this level of surrender may seem costly, it's actually the path to the full, abundant life that Jesus promised. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer noted, 'Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you your life.' The paradox remains: when we try to save our lives, we lose them; when we lose our lives for Christ's sake, we truly find them.

Our mission is to multiply God’s Kingdom through being and making disciples everywhere.
Be. Make. Multiply.

multiplypeople.com