The Bridge Austin

Dr. Randy Schroeder recommends husbands and wives learn to forgive each other, be solution-focused in conflict, and infuse laughter into their relationship. He also warns about having secrets, interrupting each other, and using sarcasm. Couples can learn better ways to interact and communicate!

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Today, Mark Gregston shares a personal devotional from Romans 16:17. Listen as he discusses what to do when a once-close relationship with your child becomes distant during the teen years. Mark encourages parents not to lose hope, but to recognize that old parenting tools may need to be expanded with new ones that foster trust, connection and understanding. Teens need their parents now more than ever to provide wisdom, stability and a place of rest in an overwhelming world.

If you are struggling with your teen, visit parentingtodaysteens.org to explore all of our parenting resources!

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org. 

Repentance is not a long, complicated process. It doesn’t involve making excuses, or finding alternatives, or trying to undo mistakes. All it requires is a change of mind that leads to a change of direction in life. Dr. Robert Jeffress urges us to turn away from our sin and ask God for His forgiveness.

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Larry Burkett once observed, “The one principle that surrounds everything else is that of stewardship—that we are the managers of everything God has given us.” That’s a profound truth: God owns everything, and we’ve been entrusted to manage His resources for His purposes. But what does faithful stewardship actually look like? Today, I want to highlight seven marks of a good steward.

When Christians hear the word “stewardship,” we often think first of money—or maybe tithing. While generous financial giving is certainly part of stewardship, Scripture shows that it encompasses much more. God has entrusted us with the gospel, with gifts and abilities, with relationships and time, and ultimately with the love He demonstrated through Christ. Stewardship, then, isn’t merely financial; it’s holistic and deeply spiritual.

First, good stewards acknowledge God’s ownership. Everything belongs to Him, and we hold resources only temporarily to serve His purposes. Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us that even the ability to earn wealth is a gift from God, and 1 Peter 4:10 calls us to use whatever we’ve received “to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

Second, good stewards understand the mission. God has given each of us a role in His redemptive plan. We’re called to take that calling seriously, but with humility. Proverbs 16:3 encourages, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

Third, good stewards are faithful. They follow God’s financial principles—earning, saving, investing, spending wisely, and especially giving generously. Jesus teaches in Luke 16:10–11 that faithfulness with little prepares us for faithfulness with much, and that how we handle worldly wealth is spiritually significant.

Fourth, good stewards are trustworthy. They act with honesty and integrity. Proverbs 12:22 tells us, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight.” Paul likewise teaches that “it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2).

Fifth, good stewards are diligent. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30), Jesus rebukes passive stewardship. Diligence honors God and reflects Colossians 3:23–24, which calls us to work “heartily, as for the Lord.”

Sixth, good stewards pray for wisdom. James 1:5 assures us that God gives wisdom generously to those who ask. Prayer not only guides decisions—it guards our hearts from anxiety (Philippians 4:6).

Seventh, good stewards act when led by the Spirit. Peter urges believers to prepare for action and set their hope fully on Christ (1 Peter 1:13).

These marks set a high bar, and we won’t fulfill them perfectly. But stewardship isn’t about striving—it’s about faithfulness through dependence on God. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to manage the King’s resources for the King’s glory.

• I’ve been retired for about a year. I receive Social Security and a pension, and I’d like to update my tax withholding for next year. Do I have to pay taxes on my Social Security and pension income?
• I’m trying to decide whether to use a debt management program for my four credit cards—I owe about $6,500—or just keep making payments on my own. Which option is better for my long-term financial future?
• I’m a retired federal agent, and I recently inherited a house that I plan to sell for around $160,000. My wife and I want to use the money to pay off credit cards and a home equity line of credit rather than our mortgage. The equity line is coming due soon. Is that a wise plan?
• I’ve been hearing about no-penalty CDs. Can you explain how they compare to high-yield savings accounts for storing money?

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a Fai

Questions in this episode:

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Do you wish your neighborhood was safer? Or maybe that your kid's teacher wasn’t so anti-Christian. Or that you could reach the people you work with for Christ? What if God wanted you to be the one to lead the change? Where would you start? Chip explains how you can be the catalyst for positive, God-honoring change, in your neighborhood, school, or community.

How Jesus “reached” a city:

A lesson for His disciples -John 4

1. Where did the Breakthrough begin?
2. Whom did Jesus choose to use?
3. How did she “make room” for Breakthrough?
4. What “courageous step” did she take?
5. What did Jesus want His disciples to learn... about Himself? About breakthroughs?

Timeless axiom: Unlikely, supernatural breakthroughs are not dependent on aFUTURE work of God, but a PRESENT work of “one”. -John 4:34-39

How His followers “reached” the world:

A Lesson for Us -Book of Acts

1. Where did breakthrough begin?
2. Whom did Jesus choose to use?
3. How did they “make room” for breakthrough?
4. What “courageous steps” did they take?
5. What was/is the result?
6. What does Jesus want us to learn . . . about Himself? About ourselves? About breakthroughs?

Timeless axiom: Breakthroughs are fueled by COMPASSION and birthed in biblical COMMUNITY.

Action steps:

1. PRAY fervently and desperately.
2. EXTEND God’s compassion to someone or a group in need this week.
3. JOIN or START a small group to pursue breakthrough “in” you and then “through” you.

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Additional Resource Mentions

• I Choose Love Book
• Daily Discipleship - Psalms of Hope

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Hope in the Night - Domestic Violence

In this episode of The Creative Connection, Ed Young teaches that Jesus Christ is the exclusive way to eternal life and emphasizes the biblical reality of hell as a consequence of sin, urging believers to live with an eternal perspective, bear spiritual fruit, and actively share the gospel to save others from damnation while highlighting God’s grace and the call to openly commit to Christ.