The Bridge Austin

Today, in this special Christmas message, Pastor Jack teaches that the first coming of Jesus was the single most powerful influence that the world has ever known or will ever know. In light of this, we are called to love the world as Jesus does and share with others not only the Good News of the Gospel, but the promise of His return.

Can you imagine living your whole life in darkness, broken, afraid, and unsure of the road ahead? That’s what it’s like to live without Jesus. But today, Pastor Chris wants you to know that you don’t have to stay in pieces or walk through life spiritually blind. Through Jesus Christ, you can see the light. He is the One who puts your life back together and frees you from the chains and burdens of this world. In Christ, you can walk in true freedom and look forward to eternal life with Him.

Join Rabbi Schneider as he shares the story of Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal during this special Holy Land journey to Mount Carmel. Do you serve God or compromise your faith? Do you recognize how worldly distractions and idolatry enter your life? Learn holy choices and how to avoid compromising your faith today on this episode of Discovering the Jewish Jesus as we explore Elijah's faith-filled example.

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Today, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how parents often hold tightly to control out of fear, but doing so can stunt a teen’s ability to develop maturity and self-control. Mark explains that healthy independence requires gradually transferring responsibility from ages 12 to 18 so teens can practice decision-making before they leave home. When parents micromanage, teens may rebel or make reckless choices just to prove they’re in control, whereas purposeful, age-appropriate freedom paired with consequences builds wisdom. Ultimately, giving teens increasing control prepares them to become responsible, grounded young adults.

Have our podcast episodes helped you in your parenting journey? Would you help us so we can continue providing resources and encouragement? Please consider giving an end-of-year gift by visiting parentingtodaysteens.org/year-end-match

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. 

Every December, people complain about the commercialization of Christmas … claiming we’ve forgotten the real reason for the season. So where can we turn to find the true answer? Dr. Robert Jeffress shares one powerful sentence from the Apostle Paul that captures the true meaning behind this celebration.

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We live in a world overflowing with stuff—and messages about stuff. Everywhere we turn, someone promises that the next purchase, upgrade, or financial milestone will finally bring joy or peace. But Scripture offers a far better—and far more freeing—vision for how believers relate to money and possessions.

The Bible doesn’t ignore material things. It puts them in their proper place.

We’ve all heard the phrase money can’t buy happiness, yet it’s still easy to live as though it might. When life feels overwhelming, we often reach for the nearest distraction—a purchase, an upgrade, or a new financial goal—hoping it will calm our anxiety or restore a sense of control.

But Scripture never teaches that possessions themselves are bad. In fact, Paul writes, “God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17). Ecclesiastes adds that when God gives someone wealth, possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, “this is a gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:19).

Enjoying God’s good gifts is not unspiritual. Beauty, comfort, and experiences can all be received with gratitude.

The problem isn’t having things—it’s the place things occupy in our hearts. Materialism doesn’t begin when we own possessions, but when possessions begin to own us.

At its core, materialism is the belief that created things can provide what only the Creator can give: meaning, identity, security, and purpose. Jesus understood this deeply. That’s why He spoke so often about money—not because He was worried about finances, but because He cared about our hearts. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

Things were never designed to satisfy the human soul. When they become our deepest treasure, our hearts remain restless.

So how do we enjoy God’s gifts without becoming dependent on them?

The difference is subtle but crucial.

• Enjoyment says, “Father, thank You for this gift.”
• Dependence says, “If I lose this, I’ll lose myself.”

Enjoyment frees us. Dependence enslaves us.

That’s why gratitude is so powerful. Gratitude reminds us that every good thing flows from the hand of a loving God. When we see possessions as gifts, we stop expecting them to carry weight they were never meant to bear.

Generosity is another powerful antidote to materialism. When you give, you declare that your hope is not found in accumulation. You remember that God owns it all—and that your joy is rooted in Him, not in what you hold.

And here’s an important nuance: rejecting materialism does not mean rejecting material things. Scripture never calls believers to asceticism or joyless living. Instead, it warns us against the illusion that anything—even abundance—can become enough apart from God.

Ecclesiastes holds both truths together: God gives possessions and the ability to enjoy them—that’s grace. Yet whoever loves money never has enough. Feeding the craving for more never satisfies it.

If you want to guard your heart, here are three simple questions worth asking regularly:

1. Do I enjoy this gift with gratitude, or do I feel anxious without it?
2. Does this possession help me love God and others—or distract me from them?
3. Am I more excited about having this thing, or about how God may want me to use it?

When things stay in their proper place, they become blessings instead of burdens. They point us to the God who provides rather than pulling us away from Him.

And here’s the irony: the less we depend on things for happiness, the more freely we can actually enjoy them.

God created a world rich with color, beauty, taste, and texture. He’s

In today’s culture, we fear “getting old” and many older adults feel less valuable than they should. But Isabel Tom is encouraging families to honor our elders and cherish them — for their wisdom, experience, and availability in our lives.

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Transferable Concept #5: Teach them to live GRACE FILLED lives

A theology of grace

1. It's the unmerited and unconditional FAVOR of God toward us - 1 Jn 4:19

2. It's free to us, but COSTLY to God -1 Cr 6:19-20

3. The CROSS is God’s greatest act of grace -Ro 5:8

4. SALVATION is a free gift from God -Ro 6:23

5. It must be received by FAITH -Ep 2:8-9

6. It produces GRATITUDE toward God and love toward others -Ti 2:11-12

7. Old Testament roots: Gn 3:21, 6:8

8. Biblical profiles: David, Peter

9. New Testament command: Jn 3:16-18, Ep 2:8-9, 1 Pt 1:13

Teach them that failure is never final

1. Encourage them to MEDITATE on the lives of David and Peter, a murderer, adulterer, and betrayer among God's most beloved and mightily used servants

2. Help them remove the power of the SECRECY and condemnation by practicing repentance and confession with some mature believers you can trust

3. Teach them to REFUSE a "performance-orientation" with God; the relationship is always grace-orientation.

Life message: You were created to RECEIVE grace and to give grace!

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