“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless…” - Isaiah 1:17

As believers, we’re called to defend the powerless and stand up for those who can’t stand for themselves. Right now, few places need that more than Lebanon, especially for its girls and young women. Today, Jack Hibbard is with us to share compelling stories of hope—and how you can be a part of this important mission. 

Jack Hibbard has been a passionate advocate for Heart for Lebanon for many years and previously served on the organization’s board of directors.

While global headlines often focus on Lebanon’s war-torn landscape and economic collapse, an even deeper crisis is affecting the most vulnerable: young women and girls. Heart for Lebanon is responding to this crisis with bold, gospel-centered compassion, providing protection from human trafficking, early marriage, child labor, and violence.

In refugee and impoverished communities, early marriage, domestic abuse, and forced labor are tragically common. One mother, now divorced with four children, shared how her own 14-year-old daughter was forced into marriage to escape abuse, only to find more of the same. In the midst of this pain, the light of the gospel is breaking through.

Through Hope Centers, literacy programs, counseling, and discipleship, Heart for Lebanon offers girls a safe place to learn, heal, and flourish. They’re helping young women understand who they are in Christ, not as tools or burdens, but as daughters of the King.

One 5th-grade girl, forced to labor after school for just $20 a week, broke down in tears when a staff member shared her worth in Jesus' eyes. She had believed she only existed to serve others. But that day, she gave her life to Christ, choosing to walk in His light, despite the darkness around her.

When girls discover their God-given dignity and worth, it changes everything. The gospel doesn’t just rescue—it prevents trafficking, early marriage, and abuse. It restores what the world has tried to steal.

As believers, we have a chance to participate in this redemptive work. Every gift of $114 helps protect three at-risk girls from early marriage, child labor, and violence, while introducing them to the love of Jesus.

When we loosen our grip on money, we loosen the grip of money on our hearts. Giving doesn’t just bless others—it deepens our trust in God and draws us closer to Him.

That’s the vision behind our quarterly ministry partnership with organizations like Heart for Lebanon. Together, we’re trusting God to help us reach 500 girls and young women in Lebanon with protection and hope.

Join us in this life-saving mission. To give:

• Text FAITH to 98656
• Visit: FaithFi.com/Lebanon

Every gift makes an eternal impact—rescuing girls, restoring dignity, and proclaiming the gospel in one of the world's most challenging places. Let’s be faithful stewards together.

• I’m 75 and have two retirement accounts I’m not sure what to do with. One is a TSP from my military retirement with just under $5,000. The other is a New York Life annuity worth about $50,000, but it’s only earning 2%. Should I move it into an indexed annuity or keep taking the RMDs as is?
• My wife passed away just two weeks ago, and I’m overwhelmed. She handled our finances; I haven’t paid a bill in 25 years. We tried reaching out to a Certified Kingdom Advisor before she passed, but did

Cemeteries are full of people who didn’t expect to die when death came knocking. And what comes after this life has to be pre-arranged before this life is over. So although death may be years away for you, it’s not too early to make those afterlife arrangements. And today is the day, as Pastor Greg Laurie brings a message called “Will I Go to Heaven?” Glad you’re along for A NEW BEGINNING and a message from the series, “Timeless: Unchanging Truths in a Changing Culture.”

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A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.

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What can you do to support the young person in your life who is having a faith crisis or wrestling with some serious doubts about Jesus or the Bible? In this program, Chip will give practical advice to concerned parents and grandparents through his enlightening conversation with best-selling author and renowned apologist Sean McDowell. Together, they will explore how doubt can act as a stepping stone to a deeper faith and offer practical wisdom for Christians to navigate challenging topics like LGBTQ+ issues with compassion and truth.

Main Points

The Nature of Doubt

Challenges Faced by Young People

Effective Strategies for Parents and Grandparents

Practical Advice for Raising Children in a Digital Age:

Key Factors in Developing Strong Faith

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• Message Notes
• Resource Page

Additional Resource Mentions

• Why I Believe & Jesus Skeptic Book Bundle

About Chip Ingram: Chip Ingram’s passion is helping Christians really live like Christians. As a pastor, author, and teacher for more than three decades, Chip has helped believers around the world move from spiritual spectators to healthy, authentic disciples of Jesus by living out God’s truth in their lives and relationships in transformational ways.

About Sean McDowell: Sean McDowell is a professor of Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He has earned two Master’s degrees in philosophy and theology and his Ph.D. in Apologetics and Worldview Studies. He is the author, editor, or co-author of more than 20 books. Sean has one of the top apologetics YouTube channels and is on the teaching team at his home church in southern California.

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Sometimes when we travel to Indian reservations in North America, we end up on roads that go where not many go. Our Director at the time, our Ojibwe brother, Craig Smith, was on one of those roads. His destination was a remote reserve in Northern Canada. At one point in his 140-mile journey, he noticed a van coming from the other direction, proceeding very slowly. Craig decided to slow down, too. That's when he saw what the van driver had already seen - a beautiful deer by the side of the road. Sadly, one of his rear legs was broken and just kind of dangling limply when he moved. At that point, he saw the rest of the picture that had caused the van to stop in front of the deer. On the other side of the road was a wolf, stalking the wounded deer. It was obvious all the van could do was postpone the inevitable. There was no happy ending for that deer.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Escaping the Stalker of Your Soul."

If we could put on God-glasses for even a day and look at our life, we'd see a scene much like my friend saw that day in the Northwood's of Canada. And it would unnerve us. Because we'd see the one who is stalking us, waiting for the chance to have us. He's the one the Bible calls the devil, and he wants your soul. The Bible describes him, not as a wolf, but as a lion who "prowls around...looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). To ignore or laugh off that warning is to play right into the predator's hands.

However smart or strong we may think we are, that vulnerable deer is an all-too-accurate picture of us. Again, the Bible describes us as being "like sheep" (Isaiah 53:6), one of the most vulnerable animals of all. The devil's goal for you can be summed up in one horrible little word - hell. The Bible says that the people who are on that road are "many" and the people who are headed for heaven are "few" (Matthew 7:13-14). That should be unsettling for all of us.

Our word for today from the Word of God reveals the life-taker who is counting on having his way with us. But it also reveals the life-giver, who is our hope. In John 10:10 Jesus says, "The thief (that's the devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." The devil seems to offer you life, but he gives you only death. His plan to steal and kill and destroy you is to keep you away from the only One who can save you. That's Jesus. Because Jesus was torn apart for your sin so you don't ever have to be.

The only hope that wounded deer had that day was a rescuer. That's your only hope of ever being free from your sins, of being with God in heaven someday. The Bible says that Jesus "was pierced for our transgressions" and "crushed for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53:5). Like the van that temporarily stood between the killer and the deer, all our religion and spirituality can do is postpone the inevitable. There are a lot of nice things that can't save us. Sin is too expensive for religion to pay for. The Rescuer is our only hope. And the Bible says of Him, "By His wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).

The devil's plan is simple: keep you busy with anything but Jesus. He doesn't care if it's pleasure, or religion, or work, or education, or family, or people-pleasing. All he needs to do is to keep you from trusting Jesus. All he wants to do is keep you from Jesus until you breathe your last breath.

Today, the life-taker and the life-giver are fighting for your soul. That's the tug-of-war you feel in your heart. Please, would you let this be the day you give yourself to the only One who can save you; the Rescuer who refused to save Himself so you could be saved. Would you tell Him, "Jesus, I'm Yours."

There's information at our website that will help you be sure you belong to Him. Would you go there today?

OBGYN Dr. Bill Lile shares information about a new study that reveals the significant risks associated with the abortion pill. He and Robyn Chambers, Focus on the Family’s Vice President of Advocacy for Children, promote the incredible alternatives to abortion, informing women to pregnancy health centers for compassionate help. They also discuss the successes of Option Ultrasound and the abortion reversal pill to save babies. 

Honor the moms in your life this month by helping to rescue 11,800 babies and their mothers from abortion by May 31. Just $60 saves a life through the Option Ultrasound program.

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The transgender movement is based on a destructive ideology that has affected every adult and minor in every sector of American society. Our churches and communities need to understand how to address the spiritual and psychological crisis behind gender ideology. Join us as Jennifer Bauwens, a trauma therapist and researcher, and Walt Heyer, who previously identified as a woman discuss the deadly ideology of ‘transgenderism’. Discover the origins of the gender movement, hear about the psychological research used to give the appearance that the practices are evidence-based, and most importantly, how to both protect someone struggling with identity confusion and how to support someone who wants to come back to God’s design for their life after identifying as transgender.

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“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” — Luke 12:15

In an age of instant gratification, getting what we want has never been easier, even if we can’t afford it. But as “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) services become increasingly popular, they’re quietly reshaping our relationship with money, debt, and even contentment. Let’s explore how these programs work, why they’re spiritually and financially dangerous, and how Scripture invites us into a better way.

Originally used for large purchases like furniture or electronics, BNPL services now allow consumers to split nearly any purchase into multiple payments—even cheeseburgers. DoorDash, for example, lets customers finance their food in four installments. The convenience may seem harmless, but it can mask deeper issues.

Companies like Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm, Zip, Sezzle, and PayPal offer these options at checkout. According to Experian, more than 80% of U.S. shoppers have used BNPL. The ease is attractive, but the long-term impact can be devastating.

BNPL makes it seem like you’re not going into debt, but that’s exactly what’s happening. Small recurring payments across multiple platforms add up fast, leading to overdraft fees, financial stress, and, in many cases, high interest rates—some as high as 36% for missed or extended payments.

A $60 DoorDash meal split into four $15 payments doesn’t seem bad—until you do it for every meal. Or take a $3,000 couch bought with a BNPL plan: one missed payment, and that couch could ultimately cost $8,000 due to fees and interest.

The Bible doesn’t shy away from warning us about the dangers of debt. Proverbs 22:7 tells us, “The borrower is the slave of the lender.” Debt isn’t just a financial issue—it can become an emotional and spiritual burden, dividing our attention and devotion.

In Luke 12:15, Jesus reminds us that “life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Yet BNPL feeds the lie that more stuff equals more satisfaction. Instead of trusting God to provide, we try to manufacture comfort and control through impulsive spending.

Why are we tempted to buy now and pay later? Often, it’s not out of need, but out of insecurity, impatience, or discontentment. Paul models a better path in Philippians 4:11–13: “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content...I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

True contentment doesn’t come from a checkout screen—it comes from trusting the Lord to provide, even when the budget feels tight.

So, how do we resist the pull of BNPL and grow in godly contentment?

Practically:

• Build margin. Save up for purchases ahead of time.
• Budget for “wants.” Use a separate category or envelope system.
• Set spending limits. Use cash or debit card to help avoid overspending.

Spiritually:

• Examine your heart. Ask: Am I trusting God, or just trying to feel better?
• Pursue contentment. Let God define your enough.
• Practice gratitude. Train your heart to see God’s provision in what you already have.

Saying no to unnecessary debt frees us to say yes to generosity. When we live with open hands and open hearts, we reflect the freedom we have in Christ—freedom from striving, fear, and scarcity. And that’s far better than four easy payments.

So next time you see a “Pay in 4” button, pause. Ask yourself: Do I really need this? Can I pay for it in full? And does this

We all know that feeling of being asked to lead a group. It can be a little scary and intimidating, but God assures us in his Word that he can use anyone to accomplish his purposes even when we feel insecure or unqualified. Thankfully, he’s not searching for experts. He’s looking for men and women who are willing and obedient. Today we look at the story of Gideon—one of God’s mighty warriors of the Old Testament—and we see that even he had doubts and struggles as he considered the mantle of leadership being handed to him by God.