The Bridge Austin

We are all aware that there is good and evil in the world. Most Christians acknowledge God in the good times, but where is He during the bad times? In today's message, find out how you can be secure in the sovereignty of God through every circumstance!

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A new year often inspires fresh resolve. We plan more carefully, set ambitious goals, and commit to making this time different. But year after year, many resolutions quietly fade—not because people lack sincerity, but because most change efforts rely on willpower alone.

That’s where a deeper, more biblical approach to change comes in.

Today on Faith & Finance, I sat down with Taylor Standridge, Production Manager at FaithFi and lead writer of Our Ultimate Treasure and Look at the Sparrows, to explore why so many resolutions fail—and what Scripture reveals about change that truly lasts.

Taylor explained that most resolutions fade because they’re built on effort rather than formation.

“Willpower is a limited resource,” Taylor said. “We assume that if we just try harder or become more disciplined, we’ll finally become the person we want to be. But once motivation wears off, or life gets stressful, old patterns take over.”

According to Taylor, the problem isn’t that people set bad goals—it’s that they try to change actions without addressing identity. Without a deeper shift in what we value and who we believe we are, even the best intentions eventually lose momentum.

“We may change what we do for a while,” Taylor said, “but if we don’t change the kind of person we’re becoming, those changes won’t last.”

Taylor drew a helpful distinction between modifying behavior and experiencing true transformation.

“Behavior change is about effort—showing up, pushing through, saying no,” he said. “But identity transformation reshapes our desires and motivations. It changes why we choose what we choose.”

That’s why FaithFi emphasizes the idea that behavior follows belief. When change focuses only on habits, goals often end once they’re achieved. But when change is rooted in identity, it cultivates a way of life that continues beyond any milestone.

“It’s the difference between acting healthy and becoming the kind of person who naturally chooses health,” Taylor explained.

To illustrate, Taylor pointed to health resolutions—one of the most common goals people set each year.

“A behavior-based goal might be, ‘I want to lose 20 pounds,’” Taylor said. “That’s fine—but once the weight is gone, the motivation often disappears.”

An identity-based goal asks a deeper question: What kind of person do I want to become?

“When someone says, ‘I want to honor God by caring for the body He’s given me,’ everything changes,” Taylor said. “Now the goal isn’t just a number—it’s a lifestyle.”

Identity-driven goals last because they’re rooted in purpose, not pressure.

Taylor said this approach is especially powerful when applied to financial goals.

“Let’s say someone wants to pay off $20,000 in debt,” he said. “That’s a great goal—but it becomes far more meaningful when it’s rooted in identity.”

Instead of focusing solely on eliminating debt, Taylor encouraged believers to frame their financial goals around stewardship.

“When someone says, ‘I want to be a wise steward so I can live with freedom and give generously,’ the goal becomes formative,” he explained. “That identity continues shaping decisions long after the debt is gone.”

According to Taylor, identity-based stewardship influences spending, saving, giving, and long-term financial faithfulness—not just one year’s resolution.

Mark Gregston reminds parents that many frustrating teen behaviors are actually normal parts of adolescence and part of how kids learn to grow into adulthood. Understanding what’s normal can lower anxiety and help parents respond with patience instead of panic. At the same time, Mark urges parents to recognize clear warning signs that signal deeper trouble and require immediate action. When parents know the difference, they can stand firm, seek help when needed and trust God to meet them in the hard moments of parenting.

Would you like Mark's advice as you raise your teen? Visit markgregston.com to ask him your parenting questions — your question may be featured on our I Mustache Mark a Question segment!

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.

When a high-profile Christian leader publicly renounces his faith or a stalwart believer in your local church is exposed for leading a life of sin, you can’t help but wonder, “Is it possible to lose your salvation?” Dr. Robert Jeffress explains how you can know if you’re really saved.

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What is God looking for from you when it comes to being generous? Join Chip as he explores the answer to that question in this message from his series "The Genius of Generosity."

Breakthrough Concept #4: God does not measure generosity by the size of our gift, but by the size of our sacrifice.

The Christmas Story: A graduate course in generosity

• The Magi -Mt. 2:11 - Your Money
• The Shepherds -Lk. 2:15-17 - Your Time
• Joseph -Mt. 1:18-24 - Your Reputation
• Mary -Lk. 1:26-38 - Your Future
• Jesus -Mk 10:45 - Your Life
• The Father -Jn 3:16 - Your Most Precious Possession

Three observations:

1. Generosity is not so much a virtuous act, as it is a virtuous RESPONSE.
2. God does not measure generosity by the size of our gift, but by the size of our SACRIFICE.
3. Increasing levels of generosity bring increasing levels of REWARD / BLESSING.

Generosity is to love as thunder is to lightning: Luke 6:38

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Hope in the Night - Anxiety

In this episode of The Creative Connection, Ed Young explores the life of Crispus from Acts 18, illustrating how baptism by immersion symbolizes the believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and encourages believers to embrace biblical baptism as an outward act of obedience and influence in the faith community.