Real Truth for Today

In this episode of Real Truth for Today, Pastor Jeff Schreve welcomes Dr. Paige Patterson, theologian, author, evangelist, and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, for an encouraging conversation about what it means to finish well in the Christian life.

Drawing from 2 Timothy 4:7–8, Pastor Jeff and Dr. Patterson discuss the importance of staying faithful, avoiding bitterness, praying specifically, and remaining active in the work of Christ—even in the later years of life. Dr. Patterson shares practical wisdom from his own experience, emphasizing that Christians should continue serving, witnessing, and looking for ways to make a difference rather than becoming discouraged or feeling sorry for themselves.

The conversation also addresses forgiveness and returning good for evil, including Dr. Patterson's personal experiences with people who had publicly criticized or mistreated him. They discuss how Christians can confront false teaching firmly while still showing love and grace toward those who oppose them.

Joshua 1:1–9 

1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ [a]servant, saying, 2 “Moses My servant is dead; so now arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3 Every place on which the sole of your foot steps, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5 No one will be able to oppose you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not desert you nor abandon you...

In this episode of Real Truth for Today, Pastor Jeff Schreve sits down with Tim Wildmon, president of American Family Association and American Family Radio, to discuss what it is like to follow a legend.

Using the story of Joshua following Moses as a starting point, Pastor Jeff and Tim talk about Tim's father, Don Wildmon, the founder of American Family Association and American Family Radio. Tim shares stories about his father's early ministry, his calling to stand for biblical values, and how God used him to make a lasting impact on American culture.

The conversation explores the challenges of carrying on a ministry built by a well-known leader, the differences between a founder's strengths and those of his successor, and the importance of trusting God when stepping into a new role. They also discuss being salt and light, standing for truth in a hostile culture, engaging society rather than hiding from it, and the responsibility Christians have to remain faithful even when following Christ brings opposition.

Daniel 1:8

"But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself"

In this episode of Real Truth for Today, Pastor Jeff Schreve challenges Christians to stand firm on their convictions and refuse to compromise biblical truth. Using Daniel's example, he explains why believers need convictions that are firmly rooted in God's Word rather than beliefs that can easily be changed by cultural pressure.

Pastor Jeff discusses the importance of Christians being involved in the political process, evaluating candidates according to their convictions and positions on important moral issues. He also addresses the influence of socialism, secularism, and Islam on American culture and emphasizes the need for Christians to speak the truth in love while remaining faithful to Scripture.

The program also explores the importance of living out one's faith consistently, being a light in a dark culture, and standing for Christ even when doing so comes with opposition or personal cost. Pastor Jeff takes listener calls and shares why his passion for hurting and broken people comes from a desire to point them toward the hope found in Jesus.

Romans 8:31–39 

"31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

33 Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;

34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord"

In this episode of Real Truth for Today, Pastor Jeff Schreve welcomes Steve Rogers, the oldest son of the late Dr. Adrian Rogers, for a special conversation remembering one of Pastor Jeff's greatest heroes in the faith.

Steve shares personal stories about his father, including Adrian Rogers' powerful preaching voice, his gift for memorable phrases and illustrations, his commitment to the Word of God, and his journey into ministry. They also discuss Dr. Rogers' influence on the Southern Baptist Convention and how he stood firmly for biblical truth without compromising.

The conversation also highlights the worldwide impact of Adrian Rogers' ministry. Steve explains how a pastor-training course they recorded shortly before his father's death eventually reached more than 40,000 pastors across five continents. They discuss practical ministry lessons Dr. Rogers taught, including putting God first, protecting one's marriage and family, being faithful in ministry, and finishing well.

Psalm 145:4

“One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.”

In this episode of Real Truth for Today, Pastor Jeff Schreve is joined by Dr. Bob Pearle, pastor of Birchman Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, to discuss what it means for Christians and churches to be bold and courageous in their faith.

Drawing from Psalm 145:4, they discuss the importance of passing the faith from one generation to the next and why churches should bring generations together rather than becoming increasingly divided by age, worship style, or culture. They also talk about the challenges pastors face, the difficulties of following a beloved longtime pastor, and the importance of having older pastors and mentors who can guide younger ministers through difficult seasons.

Pastor Jeff and Dr. Pearle also address the church's responsibility to be salt and light in a fractured culture. They discuss living out Christianity in every area of life, avoiding the constant complaining and criticism that can damage a Christian's testimony, encouraging one another, and standing firmly for biblical truth.

Romans 8:5–9

5 For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,

8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

In this episode of Real Truth for today, Pastor Jeff Schreve sits down with Andy Anthony, operations coordinator for the Texarkana, Arkansas Police Department. Despite his outward success in law enforcement and growing up in a Christian home, Andy lived for years as a "cultural Christian" battling a hidden, severe addiction to alcohol. Listen as Andy shares his powerful testimony of reaching a breaking point, falling to his knees in his living room, and experiencing God's miraculous deliverance from his addiction. Grounded in Romans chapter 8, this honest conversation challenges listeners to examine whether they are merely fans of Jesus or true, surrendered followers.

Psalm 13:1 “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?”

In this episode of Real Truth for Today, Pastor Jeff Schreve is joined by his wife, Debbie, to discuss how to pray through heartache and suffering. They talk about what Christians should do when life suddenly caves in through devastating news, loss, illness, broken relationships, or other painful circumstances.

Using Psalm 13 as their starting point, Jeff and Debbie explain that suffering is a reality of life—even for believers—and that God does not promise Christians a trouble-free life. Instead, Scripture teaches us to bring our pain, questions, and disappointments honestly before the Lord while continuing to trust Him.

The conversation explores unanswered prayer, God's sovereignty, bitterness, God's purpose in suffering, and how difficult seasons can deepen our relationship with Him. They also discuss Paul's “thorn in the flesh,” Jesus' own experience of suffering, and the importance of holding onto God's promises when He seems distant. The program ultimately offers a message of hope: God can be trusted, He is faithful in the darkness, and He can use our suffering for His purposes.

Romans 15:13

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

In this episode of Real Truth for Today, Pastor Jeff Schrieve is joined by technology entrepreneur and political commentator Rod Martin to discuss the major issues shaping America and the world. They cover the controversy surrounding the Southern Poverty Law Center, the rise of Democratic Socialism, inflation and the economy, the SAVE Act, and the political direction of New York City and other major American cities.

Pastor Jeff and Rod also discuss the importance of Christians understanding current events while keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus. Drawing from the story of Gideon, they emphasize that God can bring victory even when His people feel surrounded by overwhelming opposition. The program closes with an encouragement for Christians to remain faithful, speak the truth, pray, and continue being witnesses for Christ.

Psalm 106:34–42 

“They did not destroy the peoples,

As the LORD commanded them,

But they mingled with the nations

And learned their practices,

And served their idols,

Which became a snare to them.

They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons,

And shed innocent blood,

The blood of their sons and their daughters,

Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan;

And the land was polluted with the blood.

Thus they became unclean in their practices,

And played the harlot in their deeds.

Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against His people,

And He abhorred His inheritance.

Then He gave them into the hand of the nations,

And those who hated them ruled over them.

Their enemies also oppressed them,

And they were subdued under their power.”

This episode of Real Truth for Today with Pastor Jeff Schreve examines the biblical account of Israel’s disobedience and the devastating consequences of embracing the practices of the surrounding nations. Pastor Jeff focuses especially on child sacrifice in the worship of Molech, drawing a comparison to the modern issue of abortion. He discusses the seriousness of sin, the biblical consequences of rejecting God, and the need for Christians to stand firmly on Scripture and pray for America.

The program also emphasizes an important message of forgiveness and redemption: no matter how terrible a person’s past sins may be, the blood of Jesus is sufficient to forgive those who turn to Christ in genuine repentance and faith. Later, Pastor Jeff discusses cultural issues, the WNBA, biblical morality, and the importance of Christians knowing Scripture and applying it to the culture around them.

2 Corinthians 4:3–4

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

In this episode of Real Truth for Today, Pastor Jeff Schreve talks with Dr. Dean about Islam, its beliefs, history, and the challenges Christians face when sharing the gospel with Muslims. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 4, they discuss spiritual blindness and the importance of proclaiming the truth of the gospel with love.

Dr. Dean explains the differences between Sunni and Shia Islam, the origins and development of Islam, the role of the Quran and Sharia law, and the cultural pressures that can make it difficult for Muslims to question or leave their faith. They also discuss how Christians can build genuine friendships with Muslims while remaining faithful to the truth of Scripture.

The conversation addresses practical questions about witnessing to Muslims, Christian students interacting with Muslim friends, religious freedom, the underground church, and the importance of discipling young people. Pastor Jeff and Dr. Dean emphasize that Muslims should not be viewed as enemies, but as people who need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The episode also highlights the Truth for Youth Bible outreach and encourages Christians to shine for Christ and share the truth wherever God has placed them.