True Vs. Truth Podcast

Season 5 kicks off with a discussion about marriage from a kingdom perspective. Instead of allowing ourselves to be fed false narratives about selfish and transactional love, we dive deep into God’s word to uncover the truth about why marriage exists, what men and women can do to support each other in these partnerships, and how strong communication between spouses and with God can create a strong marital union that can survive and thrive long term.  

Timecoded Guide:  

• [4:50] Looking beyond expectations in a marriage and seeing the reality 
• [12:09] Submission and the role of a wife 
• [13:17] Responsibility, guidance, and the role of a husband 
• [19:08] Showing respect for your partner and not giving into pride 
• [25:05] Understanding true intimacy with your partner and with Christ 

Matt and Danielle explore the concept of your calling in Christ and the purpose that God has given you in your life. No matter our age or stage in our lives, we all have to seek the life our Lord wants us to lead to bring him glory and solidify our place as his loyal followers.  

This week, Matt and Danielle cover: 

• Seeking validation in the wrong places 
• Finding your calling at any point in your life 
• Understanding that the impact happens outside ourselves 
• Being refined through the waiting process 
• Trusting God even in contradictions  

 

The purpose is something that grows and develops  

You may not have found your purpose in life, and we understand the hunger you may be feeling to find your calling and follow your purpose that God has set out for you. As Christians, we have to accept that God has laid out a plan for our lives, and that our purpose can be revealed to us at any time in our lives. When we do find our purpose, we have to remember too we need to be ready for God to call us to do something more at any time.   

“I’ve seen what he has for me, and I’m planting the seed….Whenever he is ready for it to bloom, I need to be ready too.” 

 Persisting for God’s glory  

Our purpose as disciples is not to do something for ourselves, it is solely to do something for God. As true disciples of God, we aim to bring God further glory through the work we do as Christians and further encourage our fellow Christians to embrace God’s plan for each of us. The impact is always outside of ourselves, and so much larger than we can ever think to imagine.  

“When God seeks to use you, the main goal is that he will get more glory out of it.” 

Protection from God in your purpose  

What do you receive when you find your calling and uncover your purpose? A stronger sense of faith and an unwavering dedication to Christ. Each person has their own unique needs, passions, and desires, all of which can be better guided and solidified through our dedication to God and his dedication to us. Even when left in waiting, we have to remind ourselves that there is fruitful joy and incredible peace on the other side. 

“Through discovering the calling and purpose of your life, that will actually allow you to be protected from stumbling.” 

Matt and Danielle break down the concept of kingdom stewardship and why God has entrusted us with this responsibility. Instead of believing what each of us has is “mine”, we have to consider why God granted each of us our talents and gifts as opportunities for stewardship.  

This week, Matt and Danielle cover: 

• Overcoming the challenges of life-long stewardships  
• Comparing what you have to what others have 
• Being entrusted with certain talents and abilities 
• Finding compassion for your own journey and for others  
• Making yourself a useful tool 

 

Stephanie Rousselle, the host of the Gospel Spice Podcast, joins Matt and Danielle to discuss her journey from France to the US, her discovery of God in her life, and the difference between cultural Christianity and truly believing in Christ.  

 

This week, Matt, Danielle, and Stephanie cover: 

 

• Growing up as an Atheist in France and her early perspective on Christians  

• Discovering Christianity on her journey to the US and how that changed her life 

• Believing in the resurrection vs learning to trust God’s plan 

• Embracing her flaws as a Christian and celebrating her growth 

• Understanding God’s infiniteness and admitting how finite people are 

This week, Matt, Danielle, and Afshin cover: 

-Growing up as a Muslim in Iran  

-Moving to the US during a time of anti-Iranian prejudice  

-Having numerous encounters with Christianity growing up 

-Being disowned by his family when he changed his faith 

-Encouraging new Christians to remain loyal to God no matter the cost 

As Matt and Danielle embark on Season 4, they talk about authentic discipleship, shepherding new Christians, and understanding how to better represent Christ.  

This week, Matt and Danielle cover: 

• Defining authentic discipleship  
• Showing compassion like Christ  
• Missing out on the fruit through inauthentic discipleship 
• Understanding the word as your weapon 
• Balancing yourself as a Christian 

Serving  

When we strive to be as authentic as possible in our discipleship and our following of Christ, we will feel called to serve and appreciate all who serve us. The world we live in can be an extremely tumultuous and trying place, and it is up to each of us to represent Christ through his compassion for all people and his willingness to be appreciative and humble. Selflessness is our goal as followers of Christ, making ourselves as close to God’s image as possible and showing us the path to righteousness.   

“It's very naive of Christians to believe that just because Jesus suffered, we shouldn't have to suffer.” 

Salvation  

Our salvation in Christ, as Matt and Danielle have emphasized before, is free for those who choose to follow God and to become authentic Christians, but there is a cost to achieving the inheritance that the Bible promises us in heaven. The inheritance is God’s ultimate gift, and suffering has to be endured to be rewarded. No individual Christian is perfect, we all have made missteps in faith, but those who are willing to pay the cost of becoming a seed for God will get to enjoy the fruits of inheritance and celebrate eternal life with Christ.  

“Don't you think God is burying you? You’re a seed, and this is your growth.” 

Sin 

Authentic discipleship does not mean that you live a flawless life without trials or sin. Instead, it is about the balance of your faith and the role you play in representing God in all his glory and salvation. Sin is a temptation brought upon us by Satan, but Christ continues to be our key to endless love and eternal life. A focus for this upcoming season is understanding that sin and suffering will always be around us, but it is up to us to learn the word, to embrace the teachings, and to strive to be more like Christ every single day.  

“The more seriously you take sin, the less you want to do it because you know the consequences of it.” 

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Family isn’t just your immediate relatives, it should also include your church. In this episode of True Vs. Truth, Matt and Danielle Forte explain what it means to be a part of a church family and what your church should provide for you as a Christian.  

As a pastor, father, and person of color, Dr. Loritts weighs in on the important role that Christianity and God’s word plays in family, government, and the church.

What is our responsibility as Christians living in a democracy?

As an avid advocate for democracy and systemic change, Dr. Loritts understands that the word of God does not fit perfectly into the political parties that America is divided into. Instead, Dr. Loritts encourages Christians to care for people of all ages and races and to vote in a way that supports human life and paves the way for an equal, peaceful world. “We need to be voting and voting in such a way that brings human flourishing.”

How do we show love and acceptance for all people in our churches?

Dr. Bryan Loritts experienced significant racial trauma as a black man in theology school, despite the messages that his Christian classmates and professors were teaching and preaching. To combat the racism he’s personally experienced and the systematic racism that all people of color experience in America, Dr. Loritts preaches strong messages of love, acceptance, forgiveness, and justice.

“When God blesses me to get into a position of authority, I want to give back.”

Are there ways to make disciples of our family?

As a family man with a wife and 3 kids, Dr. Loritts believes strongly in bringing the message of God into both his marriage and his parenting. Through preparing his sons for the lives they have ahead of them and supporting his wife as his primary relationship, Dr. Loritts encourages discipleship among his family and builds a strong foundation of love and respect at home.

“My kids are getting an education of what it’s like to love a woman based on watching how I treat my wife.”

An excerpt from this week’s prayer:

“Heavenly father, I recognize that I am a sinner and that I am in need of a savior. And I believe that your son, Jesus Christ, came down here to die for our sins. I believe that he died on the cross and that, on the third day. Lord, you are the Lord over my life, and I submit my own will and I now look to your will for my life.”

When we talk about faith and family, we also have to talk about the youngest members of our families: children. As parents themselves of 3 children, Matt and Danielle spend this episode of True Vs Truth talking about raising their kids to be faithful followers of God and teaching them to be genuine believers in his word.  

When should parents start introducing faith into their children’s lives?  

Faithfulness starts at a young age and the Forte’s are living proof of how God can and should be introduced to children when they’re still learning about the world. With children at the ages of 10, 7, and 5, the Forte’s practice teaching their children bible verses to make sure that their kids grow up with a deep knowledge of the bible and of all the lessons within it.  

 

“Our children are the first disciples, besides each other, within the home and we have to take that seriously and intentionally.” 

What are children gaining from studying and learning God’s word? 

 As children grow and experience the world around them, they will need the grace and wisdom to make good decisions and to honor God in their actions. It’s up to parents to show their children how to be loyal followers of God so that they can live their lives according to God’s plan and can show up as good Christians in everything they do.  

“God's word is so deep that we can never touch the bottom but shallow enough for babies to swim in.” 

How do blended families practice faith together?  

Matt and Danielle know the struggle of parenting from a distance with one of their children living partially with another parent. For many families, this is their reality and it can feel impossible to teach faith from afar and to feel connected as a family. However, nothing is impossible with help from God and from his guiding word, especially when we dedicate ourselves as Christians to make disciples of all of God’s children. 

“Unfortunately, you have to do it over the phone, but that’s better than not doing it at all.” 

How can we heal from our past traumas?

With a past full of abuse and tragedy, Nona knows exactly how hard it can be to acknowledge, accept, and address trauma. On her journey as a young woman, Nona was lucky enough to discover Christ, who has shown her the way to healing through forgiveness and love, both for herself and for those who have hurt her the most. It has not been an easy journey, but health and happiness have found Nona because she is willing to work through what happened to her.

“When God heals you, he removes the mile markers of past pain.”

Where does family fit into faith?

As a preacher who is married to a pastor, Nona finds that boundaries still need to be set between church and family, especially when it comes to raising and spending valuable time with her two sons. Embracing family as her first priority has created a balance in Nona’s life because faith really does start at home within our own families.

“For my husband and I, we see our family as our first ministry.”

What can we do to promote Christ on social media?

Engaging with social media can seem endlessly fun, but Nona has learned over the years that her usage of social media apps and sites has to focus more on God than just on herself. When we spend too much time involving ourselves with the latest trends and influencers, we forget God’s true plan and vision for us as his children. If we spend our time promoting Christ instead of our yourselves, we can transform our social media followers in followers of God.

“My hope is that we’ll use social media to shine the light on Jesus.”