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With rising prices and an uncertain economy often in the news, it’s easy for families to feel stressed about money. In fact, after surveying nearly 4,000 women, Crystal Paine discovered that nearly all of them admitted to having some level of fear about their money or financial future. Crystal is no stranger to this stress. Early in her marriage to Jesse, they struggled to pay the bills after job opportunities fell through, leaving them scrabbling to provide for themselves and their two young kids. Through careful money habits and decisions, they moved from scraping by to thriving, establishing foundational habits that helped them from those early days until now. In this interview, she will help listeners with practical advice for getting a handle on their money, such as decide on financial priorities, predetermine spending, create accountability and stop paying full price.

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Thriving in Love and Money -- Money is a leading source of conflict for many couples, but it doesn’t have to be. Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn help couples uncover the issues behind financial disagreements and develop a more unified approach to managing money together.

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When life is really tough, should we consider it a sign that God wants us to move on? If we’re offered a better paying job, is that an indication that God is leading us away from our current situation? Maybe; maybe not. In this message, Chip lays out four steps to follow when considering a change of scenery.

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For years, the stories of J. R. R. Tolkien’s “Middle-earth” were contained in his “Lord of the Rings” book trilogy and enjoyed by a relatively small number of people who loved those stories passionately. But since the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy exploded from books to blockbuster Hollywood movies, millions became enthusiastic fans. The engaging fantasy world of Tolkien’s “Middle-earth," the unique characters, the epic battles, and the spiritual themes that run through the stories; there are many layers that have blended into an experience that has magnetized millions of people. It’s a great story, but for many, this is a story that seems to say something — something important. Tolkien, the author of the “Lord of the Rings,” was a man with a deep Christian faith, and that faith helped to shape the provocative spiritual themes that many find in “Return of the King,” the finale of the trilogy. There is this ring. There is this king. And there, somewhere tied to both, are many of us.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Trying to Be King.”

At the center of “The Return of the King,” is the ring; the gold ring that many want to possess, no matter what the cost. The dark secret of owning that ring and its power is that the power ultimately comes to own you. It’s called by one of its owners, “The Precious”—demonstrating its perverse value to the one who has it. You can’t let go of it, even when it begins to destroy you…as it always does.

That image suggests a disturbing reality about our lives here on Real-earth. There are life-pursuits that we believe will fulfill us, answer our questions and give us the love we’re looking for, or the spiritual power that the human soul is hungry for. We want the power of whatever “ring” we feel compelled to pursue; someone who will love us, something we define as success, something that will relieve our pain, something that will make us feel significant. We all have our “Precious.” Sadly, our “Precious” ends up being less than we had hoped, but often something we can’t let go of.

Two words ultimately define the essence of all our “Precious” pursuits—my way or “sin,” as the Bible calls it. Time after time, the road marked “My Way” has turned out to be a dead-end street hasn’t it? And all too often, the ring that we have selfishly fought for has ended up hurting us and hurting those we love. That’s the point at which “The Return of the King” intersects the life of a real king; the one described in the Bible as the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16). The one in whose honor we stand when we hear the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

The battles of Tolkien’s “Middle-earth” culminate with the return and the victory of a liberating king named Aragorn. The battles of Real-Earth culminate with the coming, and the victory, of the King of all kings - King Jesus.

The same book of the Bible that shows Jesus as this King of kings says of Him in Revelation 1:5, our word for today from the Word of God, “He loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood.” The King died for you because you have grabbed the “ring” of a self-run life; not realizing the ring will ultimately cost you everything including heaven. But heaven’s King loves you so much He paid that price himself for you on the cross. And then His ultimate victory came three days later when He walked right out of His grave.

The life-or-death choice before you is whether you will continue to grasp that life-sapping ring or release the ring so you can follow your King. The day you say, “Jesus, You died for me. I’m Yours” is the day the King of billions of galaxies moves into your life and does with it what you could never do. The rightful King of your life is coming to you today, because for Jesus, you are His “Precious.”

Are you ready to have that love? Tell Him, "Jesus, I'm yours." Go

She loves Jesus. She has good friends. And there’s still one part of her life she hopes nobody ever asks about. Christian women and their private sexual struggles rarely make it into the same conversation. Dr. Juli Slattery and educator Dr. Joy Skarka join Dave and Ann Wilson to talk candidly about secrecy, shame, sexual habits, and what it means to be fully known without running for cover.

Show Notes and Resources

• Her Freedom Journey: A Guide Out of Porn and Shame to Authentic Intimacy.

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Ray Comfort repented of his sins and trusted in Christ as a young Kiwi and has taken the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20) seriously for over five decades. During those years some of the methods have changed, but the message has remained the same. Ray will join us to discuss his new autobiography and share his story of life without Christ, his conversion, and his calling to proclaim truth. Discover a powerful testimony of an ordinary man supplied with courage by the extraordinary God to point strangers to eternal life.

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God always keeps His promises—but are we willing to trust Him while we wait? In this powerful message from How God Works, Dr. Michael Youssef teaches from 1 Kings 18, where Elijah prayed for rain after years of drought.

After confronting King Ahab, Elijah climbed Mount Carmel, bowed before the Lord, and kept praying until the rain came. He didn't give up when the answer wasn't immediate. He trusted God's promise and continued seeking Him.

Through Elijah's example, Dr. Youssef reveals four keys to effective prayer:

• Pray specifically — Bring your needs before God with confidence.
• Pray obediently — Align your requests with God's Word.
• Pray persistently — Don't give up when answers seem delayed.
• Pray expectantly — Trust that God will fulfill His promises.

Dr. Youssef reminds believers that prayer is not about demanding our own way. It's about surrendering to God's will, trusting His faithfulness, and obeying His commands.

Are you still praying—or have you stopped believing? Discover how Elijah's example can help you build a stronger prayer life and hold firmly to God's promises.

Scripture Focus: 1 Kings 18

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