If you’d like to share encouragement or questions about today’s message, you can text us. We may not respond individually, but your feedback helps us pray for you and shape future episodes.”

What happens when we pray for relief, but the burden remains?

In this episode, Hoyt reflects on Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” and Christ’s promise: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, CSB).

Drawing from Scripture and his own experience with dialysis, Hoyt explores unanswered prayer, human limitations, and the strength God provides for the next faithful step. Weakness is not spiritual failure, and needing help does not mean that our faith is inadequate. When our strength comes to an end, God’s grace does not.

“Sowing seeds of the Gospel, trusting God for the harvest.”™ 🌱✝️

• “Intro/Outro music: Ambient Guitar Magic, courtesy of Transistor.fm (CC BY-SA 4.0 license).”

The Spray UMC Podcast is a conversation for ordinary people seeking to follow an extraordinary Savior. Together we explore Scripture, Christian faith, and everyday discipleship in a way that is biblically faithful, deeply practical, and understandable for believers of all ages.

If you’d like to share encouragement or questions about today’s message, you can text us. We may not respond individually, but your feedback helps us pray for you and shape future episodes.”

In a world that never seems to stop, rest can make us feel uncomfortable—or even guilty. We may begin measuring our worth by how much we accomplish, forgetting that God never intended our value to depend upon our productivity.

In Episode 33, “Sabbath in a Restless World,” Hoyt explores Sabbath as God’s gift of worship, freedom, mercy, and restoration. We consider its roots in creation, its connection to Israel’s deliverance from slavery, and Jesus’ reminder that “the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.”

Sabbath should never become a weapon against people whose work, caregiving, illness, or medical treatment makes traditional observance difficult. It is an invitation to trust that God remains at work when we stop.

Primary Scriptures: Genesis 2:2–3; Deuteronomy 5:12–15; Mark 2:23–28; Matthew 11:28–30

“Sowing seeds of the Gospel, trusting God for the harvest.”™ 🌱✝️

• “Intro/Outro music: Ambient Guitar Magic, courtesy of Transistor.fm (CC BY-SA 4.0 license).”

The Spray UMC Podcast is a conversation for ordinary people seeking to follow an extraordinary Savior. Together we explore Scripture, Christian faith, and everyday discipleship in a way that is biblically faithful, deeply practical, and understandable for believers of all ages.

If you’d like to share encouragement or questions about today’s message, you can text us. We may not respond individually, but your feedback helps us pray for you and shape future episodes.”

How do we stand by our convictions without treating those who disagree with us as enemies?

In this episode, Hoyt considers what it means to speak the truth in love, listen before answering, and remember that every person is created in the image of God. Christian love does not require agreement, but it does require patience, humility, and respect.

Drawing from Ephesians 4:15, James 1:19, Romans 12:18, and John 13:35, we are reminded that people are not arguments to be defeated. We can disagree without becoming enemies—and allow the love of Christ to remain visible in us.

“Sowing seeds of the Gospel, trusting God for the harvest.”™ 🌱✝️

• “Intro/Outro music: Ambient Guitar Magic, courtesy of Transistor.fm (CC BY-SA 4.0 license).”

The Spray UMC Podcast is a conversation for ordinary people seeking to follow an extraordinary Savior. Together we explore Scripture, Christian faith, and everyday discipleship in a way that is biblically faithful, deeply practical, and understandable for believers of all ages.

If you’d like to share encouragement or questions about today’s message, you can text us. We may not respond individually, but your feedback helps us pray for you and shape future episodes.”

There is a kind of tiredness that a good night’s sleep cannot cure. You may still believe in God and love Jesus, yet prayer requires more effort, worship feels distant, and familiar words begin coming from the mouth instead of the heart.

In Episode 31, Hoyt considers what it means when the soul becomes tired. Drawing from Psalm 23, Matthew 11:28, Romans 8, and familiar truths of the Christian faith, he reminds us that a weary soul does not always need something new. Sometimes it needs to receive an old truth with fresh attention.

A tired soul is not a faithless soul—and it is not a forgotten soul. Jesus still invites the weary and burdened to come to Him and find rest.

“Sowing seeds of the Gospel, trusting God for the harvest.”™ 🌱✝️

• “Intro/Outro music: Ambient Guitar Magic, courtesy of Transistor.fm (CC BY-SA 4.0 license).”

The Spray UMC Podcast is a conversation for ordinary people seeking to follow an extraordinary Savior. Together we explore Scripture, Christian faith, and everyday discipleship in a way that is biblically faithful, deeply practical, and understandable for believers of all ages.

If you’d like to share encouragement or questions about today’s message, you can text us. We may not respond individually, but your feedback helps us pray for you and shape future episodes.”

The Psalms give us permission to come before God exactly as we are—with our joy, sorrow, confusion, repentance, and fear.

In this episode, Hoyt explores the honesty found in Psalms 13, 51, 73, 88, and 121. These ancient prayers remind us that genuine faith does not require pretending that everything is fine. Whether we are celebrating God’s goodness or simply whispering, “Lord, I’m still here,” He hears us.

Whatever you are carrying today, bring it honestly before the Lord. Our help comes from the One who made heaven and earth.

“Sowing seeds of the Gospel, trusting God for the harvest.”™ 🌱✝️

• “Intro/Outro music: Ambient Guitar Magic, courtesy of Transistor.fm (CC BY-SA 4.0 license).”

The Spray UMC Podcast is a conversation for ordinary people seeking to follow an extraordinary Savior. Together we explore Scripture, Christian faith, and everyday discipleship in a way that is biblically faithful, deeply practical, and understandable for believers of all ages.

If you’d like to share encouragement or questions about today’s message, you can text us. We may not respond individually, but your feedback helps us pray for you and shape future episodes.”

S2E29 – The Apostles’ Creed, Part 6: Our Living Hope

In this final episode of our series on the Apostles’ Creed, we arrive at the glorious hope of the Christian faith: the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

These closing words of the Creed are far more than an ancient confession. They point us to the heart of the Gospel—God’s grace through Jesus Christ. Because of His death and resurrection, our sins are forgiven, death has been defeated, and eternal life is promised to all who place their faith in Him.

Join me as we conclude this journey through the Apostles’ Creed and discover that our hope is not built upon a creed alone, but upon the living Savior to whom it faithfully points.

Scripture References:
Romans 8:1; 1 John 1:9; 1 Corinthians 15:20–26; John 17:3; Revelation 21:1–5.

This is the final episode in our six-part series exploring the Apostles’ Creed and the biblical truths that have united Christians for centuries.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through the Apostles’ Creed. My prayer is that these episodes have not only deepened your understanding of this historic confession, but have drawn you into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

If you do not have a church home, we would love to welcome you to worship with us at Spray United Methodist Church, 803 Morgan Road, Eden, North Carolina.

Soli Deo Gloria (To God alone be the glory.)

“Sowing seeds of the Gospel, trusting God for the harvest.”™ 🌱✝️

• “Intro/Outro music: Ambient Guitar Magic, courtesy of Transistor.fm (CC BY-SA 4.0 license).”

The Spray UMC Podcast is a conversation for ordinary people seeking to follow an extraordinary Savior. Together we explore Scripture, Christian faith, and everyday discipleship in a way that is biblically faithful, deeply practical, and understandable for believers of all ages.

If you’d like to share encouragement or questions about today’s message, you can text us. We may not respond individually, but your feedback helps us pray for you and shape future episodes.”

S2E28 – The Apostles’ Creed, Part 5: Christ Is Still at Work

Jesus died. Jesus rose again. But what is He doing today?

In Part 5 of our journey through the Apostles’ Creed, we discover that Christ’s work did not end at the resurrection. The Creed reminds us that Jesus ascended into heaven, reigns at the Father’s right hand, intercedes for His people, has sent the Holy Spirit, is gathering His Church, and will one day return in glory.

Join me as we explore these foundational truths and discover why the risen Christ is not distant or inactive, but actively at work in the lives of His people today.

Scripture References:
Acts 1:1–11; Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 7:25; John 14:1–3, 16–17, 26; Ephesians 4:4–6; Revelation 7:9–10.

If you do not have a church home, we would love to welcome you to worship with us at Spray United Methodist Church, 803 Morgan Road, Eden, North Carolina.

“Sowing seeds of the Gospel, trusting God for the harvest.”™ 🌱✝️

• “Intro/Outro music: Ambient Guitar Magic, courtesy of Transistor.fm (CC BY-SA 4.0 license).”

The Spray UMC Podcast is a conversation for ordinary people seeking to follow an extraordinary Savior. Together we explore Scripture, Christian faith, and everyday discipleship in a way that is biblically faithful, deeply practical, and understandable for believers of all ages.

If you’d like to share encouragement or questions about today’s message, you can text us. We may not respond individually, but your feedback helps us pray for you and shape future episodes.”

At the very heart of the Christian faith stand two events that changed history forever: the cross and the empty tomb.

In this fourth episode of our Apostles’ Creed series, we reflect on the words:

“Was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day He rose from the dead.”

Together we will stand at the foot of the cross, consider the depth of Christ’s sacrificial love, and then rejoice in the victory of His resurrection. We’ll explore why Jesus’ death was necessary, what His burial tells us about the reality of His sacrifice, and how His resurrection gives every believer forgiveness, hope, and the promise of eternal life.

The Apostles’ Creed is more than an ancient confession—it is a proclamation of the Gospel. Because Christ died, our sins can be forgiven. Because He rose again, death no longer has the final word.

Join us as we discover why the cross is the greatest demonstration of God’s love and why the empty tomb remains the foundation of our hope.

Key Scriptures:

• Isaiah 53
• Mark 10:45
• Matthew 27–28
• Luke 23–24
• John 19–20
• 1 Corinthians 15
• Romans 6:1–11  

“Sowing seeds of the Gospel, trusting God for the harvest.”™ 🌱✝️

• “Intro/Outro music: Ambient Guitar Magic, courtesy of Transistor.fm (CC BY-SA 4.0 license).”

The Spray UMC Podcast is a conversation for ordinary people seeking to follow an extraordinary Savior. Together we explore Scripture, Christian faith, and everyday discipleship in a way that is biblically faithful, deeply practical, and understandable for believers of all ages.

If you’d like to share encouragement or questions about today’s message, you can text us. We may not respond individually, but your feedback helps us pray for you and shape future episodes.”

The Apostles’ Creed now leads us from the wonder of Christ’s birth to the purpose of His suffering.

In this episode, we explore three powerful truths: Jesus is fully God, fully human, and the Savior who willingly suffered for our redemption. These are not simply ancient words to recite—they are the foundation of our hope.

Join me as we discover why the miracle of the Incarnation and the reality of the Cross continue to transform lives today.

“The story of Jesus is not simply inspirational… it is transformational.”

“Sowing seeds of the Gospel, trusting God for the harvest.”™ 🌱✝️

• “Intro/Outro music: Ambient Guitar Magic, courtesy of Transistor.fm (CC BY-SA 4.0 license).”

The Spray UMC Podcast is a conversation for ordinary people seeking to follow an extraordinary Savior. Together we explore Scripture, Christian faith, and everyday discipleship in a way that is biblically faithful, deeply practical, and understandable for believers of all ages.

If you’d like to share encouragement or questions about today’s message, you can text us. We may not respond individually, but your feedback helps us pray for you and shape future episodes.”

Who is Jesus?

The Apostles’ Creed answers that question with just a few simple words: “Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.” Yet those words contain the very heart of the Christian faith.

In this episode, we explore what it means to call Jesus our Savior, God’s unique Son, and Lord of our lives. We’ll discover that Christianity is not built upon an idea or a philosophy—it is built upon a person.

Join me as we continue our journey through the Apostles’ Creed and discover why these ancient words still shape the faith, hope, and lives of Christians today.

“Our hope is not found in ourselves. Our hope is found in Him.”

“Sowing seeds of the Gospel, trusting God for the harvest.”™ 🌱✝️

• “Intro/Outro music: Ambient Guitar Magic, courtesy of Transistor.fm (CC BY-SA 4.0 license).”

The Spray UMC Podcast is a conversation for ordinary people seeking to follow an extraordinary Savior. Together we explore Scripture, Christian faith, and everyday discipleship in a way that is biblically faithful, deeply practical, and understandable for believers of all ages.