Nehemiah played a pivotal role in the restoration of Jerusalem's walls. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar dive into Nehemiah’s story when Nehemiah, a trusted cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, receives distressing news about the state of Jerusalem. His immediate reaction was to mourn deeply. In a world often characterized by apathy or complaining, Nehemiah's response stands out as a model of godly sorrow.  For Nehemiah, the condition of Jerusalem's walls was not merely a physical concern....

Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar are diving into the nuanced topic of slavery in the Bible. Atheists like to point fingers at this and claim that the Bible supports slavery. While contemporary perceptions of slavery evoke images of the brutal Atlantic slave trade, the biblical context offers a different understanding.  In biblical times, slavery predominantly referred to a form of indentured servitude  where individuals voluntarily entered service as a means of survival or economic gain. Unlike...

Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar discuss how King Josiah stands as a stark contrast to King Solomon, offering a refreshing narrative of rediscovery and adherence to the law of the Lord. Amidst a lineage tainted by corrupt rulers, Josiah's reign showcases the redeeming power of God over legacies steeped in sin.  Josiah's ascent to kingship at a young age underscores the vital role of discipline and instruction in the upbringing of children, highlighting the need for boundaries that foster both...

Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar discuss lessons from the life of this famous Old Testament king. Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, ascended to the throne and ruled over Israel for a prosperous 40-year reign. His legacy is marked by a duality of wisdom and tragedy. Amidst his achievements, Solomon's life serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the perils of succumbing to worldly desires and straying from the path of wisdom rooted in the fear of the Lord. At the onset of his reign, Solomon...

Hypocrisy creates a disparity between professed beliefs and actual conduct. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar dive into this topic and encourage listeners in ways to avoid hypocrisy in their lives. Ray shares how his evangelistic fervor is fueled by a genuine desire to adhere to the standards set forth by God for Christians to share the gospel boldly and authentically. Yet hypocrisy remains a persistent struggle within the Christian community, from the time of Jesus to present day. Central to the...

Joshua, whose name translates to "Jehovah is his help," emerges as a central figure in the Exodus narrative, embodying courage, faith, and obedience amidst adversity. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar take a deep dive into the life of Joshua, highlighting lessons for every believer. Initially introduced during the battle against the Amalekites, Joshua's significance grows as he becomes instrumental in spying out the promised land alongside Caleb. Their report of the promised land, buoyed by faith,...

In the account of Jesus walking on water, Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar unravel lessons about prayer, faith, and the sovereignty of God. Jesus' solitary prayer on the mountain precedes this miraculous event, illustrating the role of prayer in the life of a believer. As Jesus found solace and communion with God through prayer, Christians are reminded of the necessity of cultivating a deep, conversational relationship with the Father. Prayer serves as both a means of communication with God and a...

Ray, E.Z., and Mark, alongside Vicki and Mike Zoradi, discuss Vicki’s incredible testimony. Vicki's 60th birthday celebration took an unexpected turn when she was struck by a kidney stone, unknowingly setting off a chain of events that would test her faith. What began as back pain gradually escalated into a life-threatening condition as Vicki slipped into septic shock, her organs failing one by one. In the midst of this medical crisis, Vicki's husband, Mike, faced the terrifying prospect of...

In John 4, an encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman unfolds at a well, offering profound insights into Jesus' character and the boundless nature of God's love. Against the backdrop of cultural tension between Samaritans and Jews, Jesus' decision to travel through Samaria defies societal norms, highlighting his intentional outreach to marginalized communities. The woman's visit to the well at an unconventional time hints at her social isolation, emphasizing her marginalized status...

Ray, E.Z., and Mark tackle a pivotal account in the New Testament, the conversion of Cornelius. The Jews had an arrogance regarding Gentiles which is seen in John 4 with the woman at the well. Through the example of Cornelius, God is confirming for us that the gospel is for everyone, not just the Jews. In Acts 10:1-8, we encounter Cornelius, a Gentile influenced by Judaism. His interaction with Jewish centurions instilled a healthy fear of God, emphasizing that salvation is not limited to a...

While self-help books may offer valuable practical tools and insights, their underlying worldviews can be fundamentally at odds with Christian beliefs. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar discuss how these resources promote the idea that individuals are the heroes of their own stories, emphasizing self-improvement and personal achievement. However, the Christian gospel presents a different narrative, underscoring that humanity is composed of fallen creatures in need of redemption, with Christ as the...

In his lifetime, the apostle Paul likely reached thousands of people. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar discuss how in today’s age, one video can come across the screens of millions of people. Imagine how many people Paul could have reached if he had been able to access the internet. Digital evangelism can take many forms: posting Bible passages on Facebook, uploading YouTube videos, or posting a podcast. Each like, share, and comment is one more person that may hear the gospel. Even when dealing...

Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar approach the question of if it is right for Christians to attend a wedding when the union is not between one man and one woman. It is pointed out that any marriage that falls outside of what is outlined in the Bible is merely a celebration, not a true wedding. The argument centers on the sacredness of marriage being a union established by God between one man and one woman. The discourse critiques the societal trend of accepting diverse truths and advocates for...

In this episode, Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar dive into understanding God's patience. Man’s capacity to grasp the fullness of God’s patience remains limited, especially when contemplating our sins in the context of a holy God. The guys discuss the Book of Judges and how it illustrates God's enduring patience, despite the people doing what pleased themselves. God's patience is boundless, contrasting sharply with human limitations. Attempting to compare His attributes, such as patience,...

In exploring the distinct characteristics of God, theologians often define “grace” as receiving what one doesn't deserve, and “mercy” as not receiving what one does deserve. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar remind listeners that every breath is an unearned mercy, reinforcing the concept that grace is not guaranteed. Christians should be careful not to abuse God's mercy, as sinning because of mercy leads to judgment without mercy. Grace and mercy, intertwined, reveal God's kindness and love, yet...

In a world hungering for kindness, Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar discuss Proverbs 31:26, highlighting kindness as a guiding principle for every Christian. The passage asserts that embracing the law of kindness is indispensable on the journey of faith, emphasizing that love, in its truest form, becomes action through loving-kindness. Turning to Jeremiah 9:23-24, the guys shift to God's multifaceted nature. Delighting in exercising loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, God invites...

In their contemplation of living within a litigious society, Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar recount strange lawsuits that underscore the prevailing culture of litigation. Instances like a woman suing over repossessed gas and an individual suing himself for perceived religious rights violations highlight the extremes to which litigation has escalated. Yet, amidst these anecdotes, the group turns to scripture, particularly Paul's teachings in Corinthians, to explore alternative paths for resolving...

Today the guys dive into the intriguing aspects of conviction leadership and the monumental challenges leaders face in this modern era with the help of Dr. Albert Mohler, a renowned scholar and stalwart in the world of Christian academia. As the cultural landscape undergoes significant shifts, Christian academia finds itself grappling with the difficulty of preserving Christian truth while maintaining academic standing. Dr. Mohler's candid conversation reveals these dynamics within...

In today's episode the guys discuss anxiety, an unfortunate mark of our modern lives. Everything about the modern age is intended to make us feel most comfortable, yet this is clearly not working. This is because we are not meant to be the center of our own universes. For example, God created us to till the ground and have a relationship with the food we eat and the environment around us. As humans, we were intended to spend uninterrupted time in Creation. The guys define anxiety as a...

Today's episode focuses on the topic of fasting, which is arguably as nebulous and misunderstood  as it is crucial to the Christian life.  Rather than the sort of seasonal recreation many Christians consider fasting to be, it is actually meant to be treated as a spiritual discipline.  Fasting offers to be a restraint on the flesh, testimony of humiliation, and preparation for prayer.  It provides a way to recall mortality, flee from sin, repent, and even grow in gratitude for gifts like food...

In today's episode, the guys discuss the most recognized Bible verse in the world: John 3:16. This verse states, “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse can be quoted by non-believers and can be seen everywhere you look, but it is one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible. When we know Bible verses, we can either become so intimately familiar with it or know it so well that we gloss...

In today's episode, the guys discuss how to deal with unwanted thoughts. Thoughts are silent, invisible voices in our heads that hold great power, and are often a window into what's going on in our heart. If you’re not meditating on truth through God’s word, you’re going to believe that lies are true. In the Bible, Philippians 4:8 states, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is...

The Sabbath, a topic often fraught with division among different Christian denominations, is deeply examined by Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar in this enlightening dialogue. At its core lies the Sabbath's anchoring within the Ten Commandments, suggesting a divine imperative for humanity to partake in rest. Notably, the absence of the customary evening and morning language on the seventh day of creation hints at a perpetual state of rest in God's presence, underscoring His desire to restore...

As devoted Christians, our core calling is to embody the role of peacemakers, actively cultivating harmony in relationships and advocating for reconciliation between individuals and with God. Today, Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar discuss life’s inevitable challenges that attempt to disrupt our peace, but remind listeners it is within our connection with the Lord that we discover a lasting and transcendent peace. At the heart of a believer’s faith lies the understanding that God rescued us not...