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Trials are an inevitable part of life—even for Christians. But how we respond to those trials reveals something profound about our faith. Dr. Robert Jeffress helps us develop the spiritual strength to stand firm when life’s storms hit, as we view trials from God’s perspective.

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Sadly, in the U.S., there are more than 18 million children with no father in the home. Dads are absent from 80% of single-parent homes. But each and every one of them has a Heavenly Father who cares deeply for them. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us recognize the blessing of provision and protection that provides. Pastor Greg points out we have a Father in heaven who loves us and always has time for us. Good encouragement coming from the Psalms.

Join us on August 16 for the annual Jesus Revolution Baptism, a celebration of new life in Christ at Pirate’s Cove with Pastor Greg Laurie!

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A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.

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A recent survey reveals that nearly 1 in 4 Americans has no emergency savings, and more than a third had to tap into their savings just to get through the past year. Even more sobering, Bankrate reports that only 46% of U.S. adults have enough savings to cover three months of expenses, while 33% have more credit card debt than they do in emergency savings.

The numbers are alarming, but they don’t have to define your future.

Before we talk about building wealth or making investments, we must start with the foundation: living on less than you earn. It’s the bedrock of biblical financial wisdom. As John Maxwell put it, “A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.” Without a plan, it’s easy to drift. But a budget anchors your finances and gives every dollar a purpose.

That’s where the FaithFi app can help—offering a practical tool to craft a spending plan rooted in biblical values.

Proverbs 6:6–8 urges us:

“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.”

The ant doesn't wait for a crisis—it stores up in advance. That’s what budgeting does. It’s not about restriction; it’s about preparation and wisdom.

Once you’ve created margin through budgeting, the next step is investing. Why? Because while money sitting in a checking account loses value due to inflation, investing allows your resources to grow through the power of compound interest.

As Proverbs 21:5 (TLB) says:

“Steady plodding brings prosperity; hasty speculation brings poverty.”

Wise investing isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about faithful, consistent action over time.

Maybe you’re thinking, “I don’t make enough to invest.” But consider this: If you invest just $100 a month starting at age 25, earning an 8% annual return, you’ll have over $300,000 by age 65. That’s the power of small, faithful steps over time.

And today, getting started is easier than ever. Roboadvisors, such as Schwab Intelligent Portfolios or Betterment, offer diversified, user-friendly platforms that require minimal financial knowledge.

Remember: financial freedom isn’t independence from God—it’s dependence on Him with wisdom. Deuteronomy 8 reminds us that even the ability to produce wealth comes from the Lord. As Proverbs 13:11 teaches:

“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”

God doesn’t call us to perfection—He calls us to faithful stewardship.

Why do we budget, save, and invest? So we can live with margin, give joyfully, and bless others. Wise financial decisions position us to participate in God’s Kingdom work—not just provide for ourselves. So if you’re feeling stuck, start small:

• Build a budget
• Create margin
• Save a little
• Invest a little
• Trust God with the process

Over time, you’ll be amazed at what He can do through your faithfulness.

• My friend is interested in investing directly in Israel’s stock market—how would they go about doing that? Additionally, I’m 83 years old and own a home valued at $360,000. I need to replace the iron pipes, which could cost between $35,000 and $51,000. At my age, what are my options for financing a project like this?
• My 66-year-old brother wants to set aside money to care for his adult autistic son, who currently lives in a group hom

Matt and Lisa Jacobson highlight practical ways a husband and wife can better express their love and serve each other well. They cover topics like choosing to think the best your spouse, being of one mind in Christ, and cherishing your spouse through various seasons of life.

Receive a copy of the Loving Your Husband/Wife Well bundle and an audio download of "Learning to Love Your Spouse Well" for your donation of any amount!

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Breaking the Bonds of Fear – A great resource for those who suffer from fear, stress, and anxiety. Take courage, and learn what the Bible says about a different type of fear: “fear of the Lord.” Use the coupon code: RADIOGIFT for free shipping!

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Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible.

Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org.

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How do you parent when your kids are grown? Dave and Ann Wilson chat with Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages, on this episode of FamilyLife Today, offering vital wisdom for parents of adult children. Learn how to release them to make their own choices, even when it's difficult, and maintain a loving influence through open communication. Drawing from his own family experiences, Gary provides practical guidance on respecting their autonomy and navigating tough conversations with grace and humor.

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The disciples felt abandoned when Jesus said He would leave them. Similarly, in our sorrow and feelings of worthlessness, we question God’s presence. In this message, Pastor Lutzer explains how Jesus’ departure actually benefits us by bringing the Holy Spirit. This Spirit not only grieves when we sin but also provides the comfort we need.

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Discover the perseverance and opportunity factors … today on Bold Steps with Pastor Mark Jobe. Last time, Mark started a message called, Breaking the Cycle of Scarcity … and touched upon the first two points of our message—the seed and time factors.  And on this program, he’ll expand upon the third and fourth points—perseverance and opportunity. It’s the final message in our series … Connected.

Bold Step Gift: MOVING FORWARD AFTER MESSING UP: A NEW FUTURE WITH THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES

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In this bonus episode of Breakpoint, John Stonestreet has a conversation with Gabe Lyons, Andrew Walker, and Ryan Anderson. They discuss what can we learn by looking back over the last several decades of the church's involvement in culture and what it means to embrace and lose our public morality.