Programs And Podcasts

There are few words that strike fear into the heart of a student like the word "test." Now, I'm informed that some are to be feared more than others. For example, an essay test is a 10 on the anxiety scale. You have to know your stuff. True and false, well, that's not as bad. And multiple choice, oh man, that seems to be especially popular among students. See, there's the right answer right in front of you; just pick the right one. Now, occasionally multiple choice tests are complicated by those confusing words: All of the above, or none of the above, which makes it a little tougher. Actually, academic tests are pretty good preparation for the real test that you take for the rest of your life.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "When Marriage Is a Multiple Choice Test."

Now, when you go into training on how to counsel people, one of the first things they'll tell you is to ask this question when you're counseling someone, "What are all your options?" And I've often done that when I've tried to help someone...to list all of the choices that they have in a given situation. So, get your multiple choices right in front of you. It's especially good advice when it's your marriage that's being tested. And, by the way, every marriage is tested some time or another.

Maybe it happens in all those expectations you had, or suddenly confronted with the reality and what you expected him or her to be, or what you expected marriage to be. Well, reality is almost always different. And maybe that's hitting you.

There's conflict that doesn't seem to be resolved. Maybe there are secrets about your spouse that you never realized before like you do now. Maybe you've been very wounded by this one who's closest to you. Or communication is like totally broken down. Maybe your mate is very busy and you're very lonely. Maybe you've even been violated by the ugliness of unfaithfulness. But when your marriage is hurting, what are your choices?

Well our word for today from the Word of God is in Malachi 2, beginning in verse 13. "Another thing you do..." God says, "...you flood the Lord's altar with tears. You weep and wail because He no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. You ask, 'Why?' It is because the Lord is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you've broken faith with her. Though she is your partner - the wife of your marriage covenant. Has not the Lord made them one? Do not break faith with the wife of your youth. "I hate divorce," says the Lord God." Now, in a world where divorce is considered one of your multiple choices, God says, "I hate divorce." He doesn't say, "I hate divorced people." He says, "I hate divorce."

One of the most important choices my wife and I ever made was this: Divorce is not and never will be one of our options. You know what effect that has in a marriage? All your energy goes into fighting for your marriage. It's like a house you know you're going to stay in for the rest of your life. You put all your energy into making that one work and fixing it up. None of your energy should be converted into considering a divorce possibility. As soon as you acknowledge that possibility, you make it much more likely.

Now, there are a lot of multiple choices: To pray in faith that God will change things, to seek counsel, to talk to other couples, to schedule time to talk it through, to fight it through, to admit you've been wrong, to choose to forgive. But it strengthens that marriage to eliminate ending that marriage as an option.

Now, while the Christian world opens the door wider and wider for believers to choose divorce, God hasn't changed. He still hates divorce. Again, not divorced people. When marriage becomes a multiple choice test, use every choice

The Bible tells us not to lie, yet we find ourselves in a place today where we are being asked, no – TOLD to call someone one thing when they are another. How does a follower of Christ respond when we are directed to use someone’s chosen pronouns and not use their “dead” name? Join us to hear Dr. Rosaria Butterfield give a clear defense of the Gospel and discover why the pronoun issue is so much more than a cultural courtesy. Join us to learn how to think biblically and critically.

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When life gets complicated, we look for someone who knows how to fix it. Dr. Tony Evans explains why our greatest needs go beyond what human expertise can solve—and why staying connected to Christ is essential.

Adulthood toughens us. Every time we’re lied to, let down, or taken advantage of, we build a thicker skin and vow, “Never again.” Over time, that can make us skeptical, and even cynical. But today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie reminds us that a hardened heart can’t fully connect with God. It’s like we’re turtles hiding in our shells, keeping everyone out. But good news is coming. Pastor Greg helps us come out of that shell and open our hearts to the Lord.

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Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years.

Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.

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Grandparents aren’t spectators—they’re hope-givers with the power to shape eternity. Dr. Crawford Loritts and Larry Fowler show how intentional grandparenting changes family legacies: sharing faith stories, praying boldly, modeling surrendered lives, and passing God’s truth across generations. Walk alongside them as they turn hard pasts into godly futures and show how every moment with grandchildren can echo through eternity.

Show Notes and Resources

• Legacy Coalition is a ministry equipping Christian grandparents. Go to
  legacycoalition.com
• The Legacy Grandparenting Summit is an annual conference for Christian grandparents
  legacycoalition.com/summit
• Save the date! Blended & Blessed® is happening April 18, 2026. Find details at blendedandblessed.com

• Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this episode. Learn more at CSBible.com.
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God’s Word doesn’t just tell us how to manage money—it transforms how we see it.

Too often, we approach finances as a purely practical matter: budgets, investments, and goals. But Scripture invites us into something deeper. It reframes money not as something we own, but something entrusted to us by God. When we begin to see money through that lens, everything changes.

Today, Sharon Epps, President of Kingdom Advisors, joined the show to unpack several powerful, biblical principles that shape faithful stewardship. These aren’t just financial tips—they’re spiritual truths that guide how we live. 

Let’s explore them.

It may be surprising, but the foundation of wise financial stewardship isn’t money—it’s trust.

Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Before we talk about budgets or strategies, we must understand our role. God is the owner. We are the stewards. That truth brings freedom.

It means your financial future doesn’t ultimately rest on your income, your employer, or the economy—it rests on God as your provider. And when you trust Him, you can seek His direction rather than relying solely on your own plans.

In a world that celebrates multitasking, Scripture calls us to focus.

Proverbs 4:25 says, “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.” And Proverbs 16:3 adds, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

Many people feel financially stuck, not because they lack resources, but because they’re trying to do too much at once—pay off debt, save aggressively, invest, give more, and upgrade their lifestyle.

The result? Frustration and burnout.

Instead, ask a simple question: What is the next step God is calling me to take?

Then focus on that one thing. Progress often comes not from doing everything at once, but from faithfully taking the next step in front of you.

Every financial decision reflects a priority.

Because our resources are limited, every dollar spent in one area affects another. That’s why setting priorities is essential.

A helpful framework is the “live, give, owe, grow” model. And notably, the order matters.

Start with giving. Then focus on growing (saving and investing). After that, address debt (owing), and finally, living expenses. One practical starting point is the 10-10-80 principle:

This isn’t a rigid rule, but a helpful guide. 

Within that 80%, three areas tend to have the greatest impact:

If more than half of your income is tied up in those three categories, it becomes difficult to maintain balance in your financial life.

That’s why big decisions—like buying a home or choosing a vehicle—carry long-term consequences.

As Proverbs 27:23 says, “Know well the condition of your flocks.” In other words, pay attention to where your money is going—especially in the areas that matter most.

Good intentions aren’t enough. Faithful stewardship requires a plan. 

That means deciding in advance how you will use your money—before the month begins.

Planning your spending helps you move from reacting to intentional living. Whether you use a digital tool or a simple system, the goal is the same: to give every dollar a purpose.

One time-tested approach is the envelope system—assigning categories to your spending and tracking what remains.

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