Riot Podcast

How do you know if your pastor is speaking for God?

A title, a platform, a large following, or even the ability to quote Scripture does not automatically mean someone is faithfully representing God.

That is the question on RIOT Podcast — Real Issues. One Truth. — Episode 302. Pastor Pete, Pastor Bill, and Bob continue through the Book of Micah with one of its strongest warnings about spiritual leadership. Watch the conversation on YouTube or on Rumble.

Micah Chapter 3 confronts rulers, judges, priests, and prophets who had been entrusted with influence but gradually turned leadership into something that benefited themselves. Justice became distorted. People became resources to use. Money influenced the message. And some leaders continued claiming to speak for God even though they had stopped listening to Him.

That raises a question every Christian needs to consider: How do we know when a pastor, teacher, prophet, or Christian leader is actually speaking according to God’s Word?

Leadership is not simply position or authority. It is stewardship. Whether you are a pastor, parent, business owner, ministry leader, or someone others look up to, greater influence brings greater responsibility.

James writes, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). Jesus said, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required” (Luke 12:48). Influence is never a free pass. It is a trust.

Micah describes leaders who stopped asking, “How can I serve these people?” and began asking, “What can I get from these people?”

Jesus gives the opposite model: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Real spiritual leadership looks like service, not extraction.

Micah exposes prophets who proclaimed peace when people supported them but changed their message when there was nothing to gain.

A faithful messenger cannot allow money, applause, politics, popularity, or fear of people to determine what God’s Word says. Paul warned Timothy that people would gather teachers to suit their own desires and turn from the truth (2 Timothy 4:3–4). The pressure is real. The standard does not change.

Micah gives a sobering warning about leaders who continued claiming spiritual authority while becoming increasingly insensitive to God’s voice.

Intimacy with God must always come before ministry for God. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Religious activity can keep moving after the heart has drifted.

Micah gives the contrast in Micah 3:8: “But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.”

Micah was not powerful because of personality, education, platform, or position. He was surrendered to the Spirit of God. Zechariah says it plainly: “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). Jesus told His disciples, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8).

Real spiritual influence does not come from becoming more impressive. It comes from becoming more surrendered.

The people believed that because the temple was in Jerusalem, God must still be with them. Micah exposes the danger of confusing proximity to God with intimacy with God.

Jeremiah warned the same false confidence: “Do not trust in these lying words, saying, ‘The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are these’” (Jeremiah 7:4). We can attend church, know Scripture, serve in ministry, and speak Christian language while still allowing our hearts to drift from Him.

What is leading me?

Money? Power? Recognition? Popularity? Personal benefit? Or the Spirit of God?

Micah 3 is not only a warning for pastors and church leaders. It is a challenge for anyone who has influence over another person’s life. Before we speak for God, lead for God, or attempt to accomplish something for God, we must first learn to listen to Him.

Jesus asked, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). That question still lands.

RIOT Podcast is hosted by Pastor Pete, Pastor Bill, and Bob. New episodes drop on Thursdays. Know Jesus. Love His people. Live it out.

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How Do Good People Slowly Lose Their Way? is the topic that will be discussed today on RIOT Podcast, a Christian Discipleship Podcast.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗼 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗲?

Usually, it doesn’t begin with one huge decision.

A thought we entertain.

Until eventually, something that began in the heart starts changing the way we live.

After celebrating our 300th episode from Honduras, we’re back in the Book of Micah for RIOT Podcast Episode 301 and Micah Chapter 2 gets uncomfortable fast.

God exposes greed, injustice, abuse of influence, resistance to truth, and false teachers who were willing to tell people exactly what they wanted to hear.

And it raises a question we probably all need to wrestle with:

That’s where spiritual drift becomes dangerous.

Because sin may be personal, but its consequences are rarely private. Eventually, what happens in our hearts begins affecting our marriages, families, churches, communities, and the people coming behind us.

But Micah 2 doesn’t end there.

He promises to gather them like a Shepherd and speaks of “The One Who Breaks Open the Way” who will go before His people.

Judgment isn’t God’s final word.

Restoration is still His desire.

Ask yourself:

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300th Celebration is the topic that will be discussed today on RIOT Podcast, a Christian Discipleship Podcast.

300 Episodes. One Mission. One Faithful God.

It’s hard to believe…

What started as a simple conversation around God’s Word has now become 300 episodes of asking honest questions, opening the Bible, and growing together in our relationship with Jesus.

This milestone is even more special because Episode 300 was recorded LIVE in Honduras!

Throughout this episode, Bill, Bob, and Pete look back on the journey, share stories that have never been told, reflect on the lessons God has taught them, read incredible listener testimonies, answer rapid-fire questions, and look ahead to what God may have in store for the future.

But the greatest celebration isn’t reaching 300 episodes.

It’s seeing what God has done through His Word.

We’ve heard from listeners who rediscovered the joy of studying Scripture, pastors who became more intentional disciple-makers, families who began meaningful conversations around the dinner table, and people who moved from simply following religious traditions to walking in a genuine relationship with Christ.

To everyone who has listened, watched, prayed, shared an episode, or encouraged someone else to join the conversation…

Thank you.

You are part of this ministry, and we’re grateful to have you on this journey with us.

As we celebrate Episode 300, our prayer remains the same as it was on Episode 1:

Know Jesus. Love His Word. Live It.

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Standing Firm Together 1 Peter 3:8-17 is the topic that will be discussed today on RIOT Podcast, a Christian Discipleship Podcast.

What If the World’s Greatest Evidence for Christianity Isn’t an Argument… but a Christian?

Most people think defending the Christian faith begins with having the right answers.

But the Apostle Peter begins somewhere else.

He begins with our relationships.

In this special Riot Podcast Live episode (recorded during last week’s livestream), we continue our study through 1 Peter and discover why a church that lives in unity, humility, compassion, and love becomes one of the most powerful witnesses to a watching world. Before Peter tells believers to “always be ready to give an answer,” he first calls them to live the Gospel together.

In this episode, we explore three life-changing truths from 1 Peter 3:8–17:

Live the Gospel (vv. 8–12)

Trust the Gospel (vv. 13–14)

Share the Gospel (vv. 15–17)

This conversation reminds us that people often watch our lives long before they listen to our words. Our greatest testimony isn’t winning arguments, it’s becoming more like Jesus.

“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:35

Scriptures Discussed

Question for you:

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How Does Spiritual Drift Begin? is the topic that will be discussed today on RIOT Podcast, a Christian Discipleship Podcast.

What If You’re Drifting Away from God Without Even Realizing It?

Spiritual drift rarely happens overnight.

It begins with small compromises. Misplaced priorities. Quiet distractions. Before long, what once felt like a vibrant relationship with God becomes routine, and we don’t even notice how far we’ve wandered.

In this episode, we continue our journey through the book of Micah by exploring the first chapter of this powerful prophetic book. While Micah’s message was originally spoken to Israel and Judah nearly 2,700 years ago, it speaks directly to our lives today.

Together, we’ll explore:

Micah reminds us that God’s warnings are never meant to push us away, they are loving invitations to come home.

Every correction is rooted in His mercy.

Every confrontation is motivated by His desire to restore His relationship with His people.

Because God’s greatest concern has never simply been our behavior.

His greatest desire has always been our hearts.

Question for you:

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Why Did God Send the Prophet Micah? is the topic that will be discussed today on RIOT Podcast, a Christian Discipleship Podcast.

What If You’re Being Discipled by Something You Don’t Even Realize?

The Book of Micah isn’t just an ancient prophecy about Israel. It’s a mirror that confronts every generation.

In this episode, we begin a brand-new study through the book of Micah by stepping back into the world he lived in, a nation that looked successful on the outside but was quietly collapsing on the inside. Wealth was increasing. Religion was thriving. Yet hearts had drifted far from God.

Could the same thing be happening today?

Together, we’ll explore:

Micah’s message reaches far beyond ancient Israel. It challenges us to examine what is shaping our priorities, identity, and relationship with Jesus.

Because the greatest threat isn’t always obvious rebellion.

Sometimes it’s simply becoming busy with religion while slowly losing intimacy with God.

“He has told you, O man, what is good… to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8

Question for you:

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Why Does Grief Hurt So Much? is the topic that will be discussed today on RIOT Podcast, a Christian Discipleship Podcast.

Why does losing someone we love feel like losing a part of ourselves?

Grief is one of life’s deepest and most universal experiences. Whether you’ve lost a spouse, parent, child, sibling, friend, or someone who shaped your life, the pain can linger far longer than anyone expects.

In this episode, we explore what the Bible says about grief, why it hurts so deeply, and how God meets us in our sorrow. Rather than offering clichés or quick fixes, we open Scripture to discover the hope, comfort, and presence of Christ for those walking through loss.

Together, we’ll answer questions like:

Throughout this conversation, we look at the lives of David, Jesus, and other biblical examples that remind us we are never alone in our suffering. Jesus Himself wept, carried our sorrows, and ultimately conquered death so that grief would never have the final word.

Whether your loss is recent or happened years ago, our prayer is that this episode reminds you that God sees every tear, walks beside you in every valley, and offers a hope that reaches beyond the grave.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

What has helped you most as you’ve walked through grief?

Share your story in the comments, you never know who may find hope through your words.

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250 Years of Freedom. America’s Story is the topic that will be discussed today on RIOT Podcast, a Christian Discipleship Podcast.

From the courage of the Founding Fathers and the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution, faith, innovation, immigration, military service, and humanitarian leadership, we explore the events that helped define a nation built on the belief that liberty is a gift worth preserving.

This isn’t a discussion about political parties, it’s a conversation about history, character, gratitude, and the responsibility that comes with freedom.

In This Episode

Whether you’re an American, someone who admires America’s history, or simply interested in how faith, leadership, and liberty intersect, this episode offers a thoughtful reflection on one of history’s most influential nations.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” — Ronald Reagan

As we commemorate this historic milestone, may we remember those who came before us, appreciate the freedoms we enjoy today, and commit ourselves to preserving truth, character, and hope for future generations.

Featured Topics

Join the conversation:

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How Gambling Quietly Steals More Than Money is the topic that will be discussed today on RIOT Podcast, a Christian Discipleship Podcast.

Can a Christian gamble without it quietly changing their heart?

Online gambling, sports betting, fantasy leagues, casino apps, and digital slot machines have made gambling more accessible than ever before. What once required a trip to a casino now lives inside our smartphones available 24/7, waiting for moments of boredom, stress, loneliness, or financial pressure.

In this episode of the RIOT Podcast, we move beyond the question, “Is gambling a sin?” and explore the deeper biblical issues behind gambling:

1. Why gambling has become one of the fastest-growing addictions in modern culture

Rather than focusing only on behavior, we examine what gambling reveals about our desires, our fears, and ultimately where we place our trust. The Bible consistently points us away from shortcuts and toward faithful stewardship, patience, diligence, and complete dependence on God.

Whether you’ve struggled with gambling personally, know someone who has, or simply want to understand what the Bible teaches about money and contentment, this conversation will challenge you to look beyond the bets and ask a much bigger question:

What are you trusting to provide the hope, security, peace, and freedom that only Christ can truly give?

Scriptures Discussed

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What Mature Christianity Actually Looks Like is the topic that will be discussed today on RIOT Podcast, a Christian Discipleship Podcast.

In this episode of the Riot Podcast, we explore one of the most fascinating questions in all of Scripture: Did Jesus appear in the Old Testament before His birth?

Together, we examine the biblical evidence behind what theologians call Christophanies, pre-incarnate appearances of Christ throughout the Old Testament. From the Angel of the Lord who appeared to Hagar in the wilderness, to the burning bush, Jacob’s wrestling match, Joshua’s Commander, and the mysterious fourth man in the fiery furnace, we trace the fingerprints of Christ across the pages of the Old Testament.

In this conversation, we discuss:

Whether you’re new to this topic or have studied it before, this episode will challenge you to see Scripture through a wider lens and discover how Christ has been at the center of God’s redemptive plan from the very beginning.

Key Scriptures:

What do you think?

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