Utah's Hope

In this episode, we explore a biblical worldview on money, possessions, and giving through Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. With everyday examples, Pastor Greg Laurie challenges our obsession with “stuff” and reminds us that life is not measured by what we own, but by our relationship with God. Learn why we should see ourselves as stewards—not owners—and how that impacts the way we live.

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Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years.

Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.

Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupport

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Surrender your life to the Lord and walk according to His will for your life.

Donate: https://store.intouch.org/donate/general

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The holidays are behind us, and you know what that means . . . it’s tax season. But do you know who your tax preparer will be? It’s gone largely unnoticed, but there’s a nationwide shortage of CPAs and accounting talent in general. Waiting to line up your tax preparer could cause problems. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West tells you how to avoid issues. Then, it's on to your calls. That’s Faith & Finance Live, biblical wisdom for your financial decisions. That’s weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

Faith & Finance Live is a listener supported program on Moody Radio.  To join our team of supporters, click here.

To support the ministry of FaithFi, click here.

To learn more about Rob West, click here.

To learn more about Faith & Finance Live, click here.

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Topics:

Super Bowl, Mini-Vans, God Wants To Partner, Church Hypocrisy, Anger, Groundhog's Day, Rage Bait, Prayer, Psalm 23, Hot Take, Breaking Animal News


BONUS CONTENT: Breaking Animal News Follow-up

Quotes:

"If passed by a kangaroo don't bring it up."

"The way of Jesus is better."

"Living with anger and thinking you have a right to it is a problem."

"We're gonna turn to puppets."

"We don't want to get too silly."

"If the Lord is your shepherd, you have everything you need right now."

The holidays are behind us; you know what that means—it’s tax season! But before you start gathering your W-2s and receipts, there’s an important question: Do you know who will prepare your taxes this year?

With a nationwide shortage of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and tax professionals, waiting too long to find a preparer could leave you scrambling—and vulnerable to scams. Here’s how to protect yourself and find a trusted tax preparer.

When hiring a tax professional, your preparer will likely fall into one of three categories:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA): These professionals undergo rigorous education, exams, and licensing requirements. Many specialize in tax preparation and can also provide broader financial guidance.
• Enrolled Agent (EA): Licensed by the IRS, EAs are tax experts who can prepare and file returns, represent clients before the IRS, and provide tax planning services.
• Tax Attorney: These legal professionals specialize in tax law and are particularly useful for complex tax situations, audits, or disputes.

Each of these professionals is highly qualified—but the problem is there aren’t enough of them.

There is a growing shortage of CPAs and tax professionals, largely due to fewer young people entering the field. One of the major "Big Four" firms, KPMG, continues to offer high school students internships at $22 an hour to encourage them to become CPAs.

What does this mean for you?

• Longer wait times to book a tax preparer
• Higher fees due to increased demand
• Greater risk of falling into the hands of fraudulent preparers

When people are desperate to file their returns, they can become easy targets for scammers who fake credentials or engage in tax fraud.

To protect yourself, follow these IRS-recommended steps when choosing a tax preparer:

1. Choose a Year-Round Tax Preparer

A reputable preparer should be available year-round. You don’t want your tax preparer to disappear if you get audited.

2. Verify Their IRS Credentials

Ask for the IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). All paid tax return preparers must register with the IRS and enter their PTIN on every return they file.

Check their status using the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers at IRS.gov.

3. Look for Professional Credentials

Ask if the preparer holds a credential such as:

• CPA (Check with the State Board of Accountancy)
• Enrolled Agent (Verify at IRS.gov under "Verify Enrolled Agent Status")
• Tax Attorney (Confirm with their State Bar Association)

Additionally, inquire about continuing education, as tax laws change frequently; professionals should stay current.

4. Be Cautious About Fees

Beware of tax preparers who:

• Charge fees based on a percentage of your refund
• Claim they can get you a larger refund than competitors

A legitimate preparer should charge a flat or hourly rate based on the complexity of your return.

5. Verify IRS E-File Capability

Most tax preparers handling more than 10 clients must file electronically. If your preparer refuses to e-file, that’s a red flag.

6. Ensure Proper Documentation

A trustworthy tax preparer will ask for the following:

• Your W-2 and 1099 forms (not just a pay

In essence, believers are a part of two families. We’re a part of our earthly families, and we’re part of the family of God. There are privileges and responsibilities that go with both. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how it’s sometimes difficult to share about our faith with our earthly family. Sometimes, one family doesn’t want to hear about the other one. Today, some good insight on what God expects of us within those most important earthly relationships.

—

Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years.

Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.

Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupport

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dreading the car ride home after your child's rough game? Research shows those tense, critical moments drive 70% of kids to quit sports by age 13—and they remember the emotional peak and ending more than the score. Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski, authors of Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports, show how to turn youth sports pressure and disappointment into gospel grace by choosing connection over correction, preparing words of unconditional pride, and rebuilding trust when you miss it.

Show Notes and Resources

• Helpful tools and encouragement for parents available at FamilyLife.com/parentinghelp
• "Away Game" by Ed Uszynski and Brian Smith — a thoughtful look at youth sports, identity, and what really matters for families is available at your favorite bookstore. 

• Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this episode. Learn more at CSBible.com.
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Today’s society is full of sexual expression, gender confusion, and a general disregard about God’s design for sexuality. Dr. Juli Slattery describes how we can live our sexuality in holy and healthy ways by addressing sexual identity, contentment, and true intimacy.

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