What does it really mean that God is sovereign?

Does He control everything?

What about human free will?

And if God is in charge, why do bad things still happen?

In this episode of Ask Pastor Jeff, Pastor Jeff answers one of the most common theological questions believers wrestle with: the sovereignty of God. Using Scripture from Psalms, Daniel, Ephesians, Colossians, Genesis, and more, he explains how God rules, reigns, and accomplishes His will in all things — without eliminating human responsibility.

You'll also hear a powerful biblical response to another common question:

Does praying out loud make the devil flee? Is there power in volume — or in obedience?

This episode will help you:

• Understand what the Bible teaches about God's sovereignty

• Reconcile free will and divine control

• Find peace when life feels out of control

• Know how to resist the devil biblically

• Grow in confidence in the authority of Jesus

When you realize God is fully sovereign, it humbles you — and it frees you.

If you've ever wondered whether God is really in control, this conversation will strengthen your faith and anchor you in truth.

👉 Subscribe, share, and send in your questions for future episodes of Ask Pastor Jeff.

In this episode of The BRAVE Way Podcast, Pastor Jeff and Kim share biblical wisdom and practical insight on what it takes to cultivate a thriving, Christ-centered marriage over the long haul. From navigating busy seasons of parenting and career demands to protecting intimacy and continuing to prioritize one another, this conversation offers encouragement for couples in every stage of marriage.

Drawing from Scripture and personal experience, they discuss how intentional habits, honest communication, and spiritual unity help marriages deepen rather than drift over time.

In this episode, you'll learn: • Why strong marriages continue to "date" each other • How to avoid building separate lives over time • The importance of emotional and physical closeness • How prayer and forgiveness strengthen oneness • Why seeking counsel and mentorship is a sign of strength

Whether your marriage feels strong or strained, this episode reminds you that growth is always possible when Christ remains at the center.

👉 Follow The BRAVE Way Podcast for weekly biblical encouragement to help you take your next step of faith.

If you've been married for years—maybe decades—how do you keep the embers burning instead of drifting into routine? In this episode of The BRAVE Way Podcast, Pastor Jeff and Kim talk candidly about what makes a seasoned marriage thrive: continuing to date, preferencing one another, fighting for closeness, building one life (not separate lives), and keeping short accounts with forgiveness and humility.

You'll hear practical rhythms you can put on the calendar (date nights, getaways, lunch dates), why kids can't become the center, why "you should just know" is a trap, how to communicate needs without pouting, and why seeking mentors and counseling later in life isn't weakness—it's wisdom.

If you're in a tough season, don't lose hope. You can rebuild trust, restore intimacy, and renew oneness in Christ.

In this episode:

Why marriage can actually get better over time

The danger of prioritizing work, kids, or separate lives

How to rekindle connection with simple, consistent habits

The power of prayer, laughter, and intentional time together

Guardrails that protect your heart and your covenant

Why strong couples seek help and learn from mentors

👉 If this helped you, share it with a friend who needs encouragement.

✅ Subscribe for more episodes on dating, engagement, and marriage.

Chapters:

0:00 Seasoned marriage can get better

2:10 Preferencing each other (still matters)

5:30 Date nights, getaways, and rhythms that work

9:40 Communication without assumptions

13:20 Kids, careers, and keeping the covenant first

18:05 Intimacy, closeness, and fighting for oneness

22:30 Guardrails + social media warning

26:40 Mentors, counseling, and continuing to grow

30:20 Final encouragement: there's hope and help

Marriage doesn't magically "click" after the wedding. In fact, for a lot of couples, the hardest surprises show up right after "I do." In this episode of The BRAVE WAY Podcast, Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub and his wife Kim get brutally honest about what they wish every newly married couple knew. You'll hear real stories from their early years (the kind that make you laugh… and then realize, "Wait, that's us."), and practical biblical help for building a Spirit-filled marriage with Christ at the center. In this episode, we talk about: Why two sinners under one roof will always create friction (and why that's not failure) What Ephesians 5 actually looks like in everyday marriage The trap of trying to "fix" your spouse—and the freedom of letting God change you How to fight clean (win together, not win an argument) Why timing matters: when to talk, when to pause, and when to pray How love languages and expectations can quietly drain your marriage tank The lie that "everyone else has it figured out" (and why community matters) If you're newly married—or you know someone who is—this is the episode to watch, share, and send. It could save years of pain and help a couple learn how to fight for oneness instead of against each other. ✅ Share this with a newlywed couple you love ✅ Send it to your small group / cadre ✅ Text it to a friend who needs hope for their marriage Next episode: Seasoned Marriage (how to stoke the flames after 20, 30, 40+ years) #Marriage #NewlyMarried #ChristianMarriage #Ephesians5 #Relationships #BRAVEChurch #PastorJeffSchwarzentraub #TheBraveWayPodcast

Marriage doesn't magically "click" after the wedding. In fact, for a lot of couples, the hardest surprises show up right after "I do." In this episode of The BRAVE WAY Podcast, Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub and his wife Kim get brutally honest about what they wish every newly married couple knew.

You'll hear real stories from their early years (the kind that make you laugh… and then realize, "Wait, that's us."), and practical biblical help for building a Spirit-filled marriage with Christ at the center.

In this episode, we talk about:

Why two sinners under one roof will always create friction (and why that's not failure)

What Ephesians 5 actually looks like in everyday marriage

The trap of trying to "fix" your spouse—and the freedom of letting God change you

How to fight clean (win together, not win an argument)

Why timing matters: when to talk, when to pause, and when to pray

How love languages and expectations can quietly drain your marriage tank

The lie that "everyone else has it figured out" (and why community matters)

If you're newly married—or you know someone who is—this is the episode to watch, share, and send. It could save years of pain and help a couple learn how to fight for oneness instead of against each other.

✅ Share this with a newlywed couple you love

✅ Send it to your small group / cadre

✅ Text it to a friend who needs hope for their marriage

Next episode: Seasoned Marriage (how to stoke the flames after 20, 30, 40+ years)

#Marriage #NewlyMarried #ChristianMarriage #Ephesians5 #Relationships #BRAVEChurch #PastorJeffSchwarzentraub #TheBraveWayPodcast

Engagement is more than planning a wedding — it's preparing for a lifetime covenant before God.

In this episode of the Brave Way Podcast, Pastor Jeff and his wife talk honestly about the engagement season: biblical premarital counseling, wise counsel, sexual integrity, being equally yoked, handling doubts, and how to know if you're truly ready for marriage.

They address real questions engaged couples face:

• Should Christians live together before marriage?

• What if you have doubts after the ring is on?

• How important is premarital counseling and biblical soul care?

• What does it mean to be equally yoked?

• When is it wise to slow down — or even end an engagement?

You'll hear practical wisdom rooted in Scripture about honoring God, protecting your future marriage, communicating expectations, listening to trusted mentors, and building a foundation that will last.

Marriage is permanent. Engagement is the time to ask hard questions, seek wise counsel, and do it God's way.

If you're dating, engaged, or mentoring young couples, this episode will equip you with biblical clarity for building a Christ-centered marriage.

Subscribe for more episodes in our relationship series as we discuss young marriage, seasoned marriage, and doing relationships the BRAVE Way.

Chapters:

02:30 - The Essential Things for Marriage During the Engagement

09:03 - What Would We Say to Engaged Couples Who Are Having Sex

13:02 - How Important is It to Listen to Advice From Friends During the Eng

17:49 - On The Importance Of A Person's Track Record

18:18 - Be Equally Yoked

Engagement is more than planning a wedding — it's preparing for a lifetime covenant before God. In this episode of the Brave Way Podcast, Pastor Jeff and his wife talk honestly about the engagement season: biblical premarital counseling, wise counsel, sexual integrity, being equally yoked, handling doubts, and how to know if you're truly ready for marriage. They address real questions engaged couples face: • Should Christians live together before marriage? • What if you have doubts after the ring is on? • How important is premarital counseling and biblical soul care? • What does it mean to be equally yoked? • When is it wise to slow down — or even end an engagement? You'll hear practical wisdom rooted in Scripture about honoring God, protecting your future marriage, communicating expectations, listening to trusted mentors, and building a foundation that will last. Marriage is permanent. Engagement is the time to ask hard questions, seek wise counsel, and do it God's way. If you're dating, engaged, or mentoring young couples, this episode will equip you with biblical clarity for building a Christ-centered marriage. Subscribe for more episodes in our relationship series as we discuss young marriage, seasoned marriage, and doing relationships the BRAVE Way. Chapters: 02:30 - The Essential Things for Marriage During the Engagement 09:03 - What Would We Say to Engaged Couples Who Are Having Sex 13:02 - How Important is It to Listen to Advice From Friends During the Eng 17:49 - On The Importance Of A Person's Track Record 18:18 - Be Equally Yoked

What does the Bible really say about dating, attraction, and relationships? Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub and his wife Kimberly Schwarzentraub dive into this important topic.

In a culture driven by feelings, physical chemistry, and emotional impulse, Scripture calls Christians to a better foundation for dating—one rooted in character, wisdom, and faithfulness to Christ. In this episode, we explore biblical dating principles through the powerful story of Isaac and Rebekah, showing how true character is revealed through servanthood, not surface-level compatibility.

Rebekah didn't impress by trying to be impressive—she revealed her heart through humility and service. That moment teaches us a timeless truth: who someone is will always matter more than how they make you feel.

Chapters:

Chapters

Chapter 1: The Foundation of Godly Dating

0:00 - 5:00

We explore the differences between American dating culture and God's design for dating, emphasizing the importance of getting to know someone in community rather than isolated one-on-one settings.

Chapter 2: Essential Qualities and Red Flags

5:00 - 10:00

We examine the critical qualities to look for in a potential spouse, including genuine faith, servant leadership, honesty, and the importance of seeking counsel from trusted people who know us well.

Chapter 3: Character Over Feelings

10:00 - 15:00

We learn that character is more important than feelings, that people don't change after marriage, and that we should never try to be someone's rescuer or assume issues will resolve themselves.

Chapter 4: Honoring Boundaries and God's Design

15:00 - 20:00

We explore the importance of physical and emotional boundaries in dating, recognizing that the person we're dating belongs to God, not to us, and should be treated with honor and respect.

This conversation addresses essential Christian dating questions:

How do you know if someone's character can be trusted?

Should dating bring you closer to Christ or distract you from Him?

Why godly community and biblical counsel matter in relationships

The danger of pretending or performing to win affection

Why dating is not about rescuing someone, but building a Christ-centered friendship

Whether you're single, dating, engaged, or mentoring others, this episode provides clear biblical guidance on Christian relationships, helping you pursue dating God's way—not culture's way.

📌 Topics include: Christian dating advice, biblical relationships, choosing character over chemistry, faith-based dating, Isaac and Rebekah, Christian singleness, and marriage preparation.

👉 Subscribe for more biblical teaching, Christian leadership content, and faith-based conversations that help you live with clarity and conviction.

Why is prayer so important… and how do you actually grow in your prayer life? In this episode of The BRAVE Way Podcast, Pastor Jeff breaks down what most Christians misunderstand about prayer—and why Jesus made it clear that prayer is our connection to the Almighty God. The disciples didn't ask Jesus how to raise the dead. They didn't ask how to cast out demons. They asked one thing: "Lord, teach us to pray." Because they saw the power… the intimacy… and the transformation that happens when someone lives in the presence of God.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ Why prayer isn't just asking God for things

✅ Why Jesus is the only mediator between God and man

✅ How prayer transforms your heart, not just your circumstances

✅ How to start small and grow consistent (even if you feel weak at it)

✅ Why the enemy fights your prayer life more than almost anything else

Prayer is more caught than taught — but once you start, your life will change.