The Exhorter Podcast

10/26/2025

82 - Are We "Planting Thorns"? with guest Phil Robertson

Are we planting thorns in our homes? What if the biggest threats to your child’s faith look like good opportunities on the calendar? In this episode, we sit down with Phil Robertson to explore how Jesus’ warning about the “thorns” (Matthew 13:7) still applies today—sports, school, screens, and busy schedules that quietly choke out spiritual growth.

Together, we unpack how parents can cultivate hearts that love God above all, using Matthew 6:19-21 as our guide. Phil shares practical wisdom from his own family—how to set priorities around worship, balance activities with conviction, and keep conversations about faith alive at home.

If you’ve ever felt torn between giving your kids every opportunity and guarding their souls, this conversation will help you find peace, perspective, and purpose.

Full Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2219440/episodes/18074985

10/06/2025

81 - Work Heartily: The Blessing of Work Ethic

Whether you're battling the Monday blues, feeling stuck in a job you dislike, or struggling to find balance between work and home, this episode offers biblical wisdom to help you renew your perspective. Work isn't just about earning a paycheck – it's about glorifying God in everything we do, finding contentment in our current season, and remembering that providing for our families means more than just financial support. From Genesis to Colossians 3:23, we see how working “as for the Lord” turns even mundane tasks into meaningful service and guards us from both laziness and workaholism.

How might viewing your daily work as service to God transform your attitude toward that next deadline or difficult project? Listen now and discover the joy of working "as unto the Lord."

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2219440/episodes/17918329

09/23/2025

80 - What Happens When We Die?

What happens after our final breath? In this episode, we dive into what Scripture teaches about death and the judgment that follows. The Bible makes it clear that our consciousness continues after death—but is this the final judgment, a temporary waiting place, or does that distinction even matter?

Through the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, we explore what Jesus reveals about the reality of the afterlife. While this isn’t a complete or final word on the subject, we aim to help you reflect on what matters most and prepare your heart for eternity.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2219440/episodes/17879240

09/14/2025

79 - When Your Sins Find You Out

When a tech CEO was caught on a stadium Kiss Cam with someone who wasn’t his wife, the internet turned it into a meme fest. Behind the laughs is a sobering reminder: in a hyperconnected world, double lives don’t stay hidden. This episode explores integrity, hidden sin, and the toll of compartmentalized living. We reflect on Numbers 32:23—“be sure your sin will find you out”—and how this truth surfaces in our daily choices.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2219440/episodes/17683389

08/10/2025

78 - Do We Follow Our Feelings or Biblical Truth?

Are emotions misleading distractions or God-given guides? This question sits at the heart of many spiritual struggles as believers try to navigate between what they feel and what they know to be true.

Drawing from biblical examples and personal experiences, our conversation explores the often-misunderstood relationship between emotions and principles in the Christian life. Rather than positioning these as opposing forces, we uncover how God designed them to work in harmony, with emotions providing motivation and principles offering direction.

Are emotions misleading distractions or God-given guides? This question sits at the heart of many spiritual struggles as believers try to navigate between what they feel and what they know to be true.Drawing from biblical examples and personal exp...

08/02/2025

77 - Is the Church Shrinking? Should We Be Worried?

While headlines and studies point to a steady decline in church attendance across the country, what does that mean for us, especially in the Churches of Christ? In this episode, we take a thoughtful look at the data, listen to what some are saying about the future of the church, and consider how we should respond—not with panic, but with purpose. We’ll talk about what it means to live out the mission of Christ, how congregations can stay vibrant and faithful, and why the health of the church depends less on trends and more on our daily walk, our prayers, and our willingness to share the gospel.

While headlines and studies point to a steady decline in church attendance across the country, what does that mean for us, especially in the Churches of Christ? In this episode, we take a thoughtful look at the data, listen to what some are saying...

07/13/2025

76 - Sanctifying Marriage: Boundaries, Wisdom, and the Pence Rule

What boundaries protect and sanctify your marriage? In this episode, we talk about the so-called “Pence Rule,” opposite-s*x friendships, and why 1 Thessalonians 4 calls us to intentional holiness. It's not about fear—it’s about wisdom, trust, and honoring your spouse before God.

Should married people have close friendships with the opposite s*x? We unpack the thinking behind avoiding one-on-one time with the opposite s*x: Is it fear-based, or a wise way to protect trust? Then we turn to 1 Thessalonians 4 to explore how pursuing holiness and transparency can strengthen emotional intimacy with your spouse.

What boundaries protect and sanctify your marriage? In this episode, we talk about the so-called “Pence Rule,” opposite-s*x friendships, and why 1 Thessalonians 4 calls us to intentional holiness. It's not about fear—it’s about wisdom, trust, and ...

05/03/2025

75 - A Biblical Response to Feeling Left Out

Ever felt the sting of being left out? In our latest podcast, we tackle both sides of exclusion - what to do when you feel forgotten and how to create spaces where everyone belongs. The solution might start with you.

Nobody likes feeling left out—but it’s part of life. Feeling left out strikes at our core need to belong, affecting us deeply, whether it's an event we weren't invited to or a subtle sense that others are more connected than we are. This week, we’...

04/26/2025

74 - Disagreeing with Elders

Disagreeing with elders can be challenging, but there’s a right and wrong way. In this episode, we lay a biblical foundation for respecting and honoring church elders while also addressing how to handle disagreements with wisdom, humility, and grace.

How do we navigate disagreement with church leadership while maintaining respect and unity? This thought-provoking episode tackles the delicate balance of honoring elders while addressing legitimate concerns.We begin by examining our fundamental r...

04/10/2025

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04/08/2025

73 - Sharing Secrets: When to Speak, When to Stay Silent

We all carry secrets—ours and other people’s. But should we? Is it ever right to share them? This episode dives into what Scripture says about managing secrets with integrity.

In this episode, we unpack biblical stories like Samuel keeping his mission quiet, Esther hiding her identity, and Samson… oversharing. You'll also hear why making blanket promises of confidentiality isn’t always wise and how to handle sensitive info with love, wisdom, and care.

We all carry secrets—ours and other people’s. But should we? Is it ever right to share them? This episode dives into what Scripture says about managing secrets with integrity.In this episode, we unpack biblical stories like Samuel keeping his miss...

04/01/2025

72 - Why Did God Create Disappointments?

A casual game night conversation led us down an unexpected theological rabbit hole, wrestling with one of faith's most profound questions: Why would a loving God create us, knowing we would sin? This question touches the very core of how we understand God's character and our purpose in His divine plan. Whether you're wrestling with tough questions or seeking deeper understanding, this episode offers a perspective that honors both our honest doubts and God's loving character.

A casual game night conversation led us down an unexpected theological rabbit hole, wrestling with one of faith's most profound questions: Why would a loving God create us, knowing we would sin? This question touches the very core of how we unders...