Lighting the Way Today

"When we find ourselves in a position where we feel like we have to prove ourselves worthy for God's love, we'll find that we always fail—because God's unfailing love for us is unconditional." A lot of us carry this subtle pressure to prove we’re doing well enough spiritually, personally, even internally with God. It can show up as trying to be perfect to others, overthinking mistakes, striving to “do better” by man’s standards, or feeling like your position with God rises and falls based on your performance. In this episode, Heather Neault interviews minister Ben Dailey, and they take a step back and ask a deeper question: Through the completed works of Jesus Christ, you’ve been legally acquitted of guilt and sin. But what if you’re living like your case before God is still open…even though the verdict has already been decided? They explore the difference between living for approval and living from it, and how that shift can change the way you approach God, yourself, and even your failures. Because when you stop trying to earn your place, you can finally begin to live like it’s secure. Conversation Links: Matthew 4:3 III John 2 John 10:10 I John 4:8 I John 1:5 Ephesians 1:4 Ephesians 2:10 Psalm 40:2 Romans 2:4 Ephesians 4:1-3 II Corinthians 10:12 Galatians 5:22,23 Romans 12:2 Hebrews 13:5 The Bible Tells Me So To Learn More about The Way International: https://linktr.ee/thewayintl https://www.theway.org/contact-us/ Certain opinions expressed in this podcast may or may not represent the views of The Way International. All music used is either owned by The Way International, is used with permission, has been purchased for use, or is in the public domain.

“A lot of what we believe about ourself influences our decision-making and our behaviors. A question I ask myself is, ‘What do I really believe about myself?’” Righteousness is a sonship right that deeply influences how you see yourself, how you approach God, and ultimately how you live your everyday life. In this episode, Steele Bergman and minister Edgar Mendoza unpack what righteousness really means and why it matters beyond definition. They explore how your view of righteousness can draw you closer to God with confidence, while ignorance of it can keep you at a distance with fear or shame. They also look at what it practically looks like to live from a place of righteousness and how it influences your thoughts, choices, and interactions, and contrast that with the struggle of living outside of that identity. If you’ve ever wrestled with feeling good enough for God or wondered how your rights as a son of God connect to your daily life, this conversation will help you see righteousness not as something to earn, but as something that transforms how you live. Conversation Links: Romans 3:22 [New American Bible (Revised Edition)] II Corinthians 5:21 [English Standard Version] Proverbs 28:1 [English Standard Version] Genesis 3:15 Romans 10:9 I John 3:20-22 [New International Version] Ephesians 4:16 [English Standard Version] James 1:22 Romans 14:4 [English Standard Version] Psalm 139:14 Galatians 5:13 [English Standard Version] To Learn More about The Way International: https://linktr.ee/thewayintl https://www.theway.org/contact-us/ Certain opinions expressed in this podcast may or may not represent the views of The Way International. All music used is either owned by The Way International, is used with permission, has been purchased for use, or is in the public domain.

“A big key in having joy in life is ‘Don’t just run away from the challenge or the pressure...but run toward God.’” Adulthood can feel like a blur of responsibilities: work, bills, relationships, errands, exhaustion. Between hustle culture, constant pressure to be productive, and the weight of expectations, many young adults feel burned out long before they feel joyful. In this episode, Lauren Schiano and minister Chris Shroyer explore how Scripture invites us to see joy, play, and refreshment not as escape, but as actual soul-level joy. They talk about how God built us with limits on purpose, why He isn’t impressed with burnout, and why He promotes rest in His Word. From learning how to establish life-giving rhythms and building a healthy community to finding hobbies that make you feel alive again, this episode is designed to help us rethink adulthood as a time where joy is not only allowed, but essential. God didn’t just call us only to work well, but to live well, delight deeply, and rest in the security that He holds what we can’t. Conversation Links: Mark 1:35 Psalm 16:11 Exodus 18 Romans 12:11 Exodus 18:18 Genesis 2:1-3 Exodus 35:1-3 Mark 2:27 [The Amplified Bible (1987)] Romans 10:9,10 Psalm 46:10 To Learn More about The Way International: https://linktr.ee/thewayintl https://www.theway.org/contact-us/ Certain opinions expressed in this podcast may or may not represent the views of The Way International. All music used is either owned by The Way International, is used with permission, has been purchased for use, or is in the public domain.

“We can get lost in the excitement, but taking the time to sit down for two hours, pull up a chair and actually have a conversation with someone, it’s that quality over quantity that we really see God go to work and people’s lives changed.” This bonus episode was recorded live at Rock of Ages ’25 for the young adult participants. Sierra Bergman moderated a roundtable discussion with Caleb Becvar, Sarah Siano, and Moriah Thomas about how we can adjust our mindset to the things of God so we aren’t pressured by the world’s demands and hustle culture. Rock of Ages Website To Learn More about The Way International: https://linktr.ee/thewayintl https://www.theway.org/contact-us/ Certain opinions expressed in this podcast may or may not represent the views of The Way International.  All music used is either owned by The Way International, is used with permission, has been purchased for use, or is in the public domain.

“Regardless of anything else that we experience, obtain—if we keep God’s commandments, we will have a successful life. And the beauty of that truth is that God promises to be our sufficiency in everything while we do that.” In this episode, Steele Bergman interviews ministers David Watson and Greg Carter to help young adults navigate the emotional, spiritual, and cultural pressures around earning money today. From feeling underpaid and overwhelmed to navigating influencer culture and quick-money opportunities, they explore how God’s Word can help us reframe our sense of worth, work, calling, and stewardship. They unpack why money feels so personal and why “financial success metrics” (salary benchmarks, savings goals, vacations, status goods) mess with our sense of worth. They also discuss the difference between “fast money” and faithful, steady growth, and how Scripture guides us toward integrity, wisdom, generosity, and peace. By the end, listeners can walk away with practical tools and Biblical grounding to make financial choices with clarity and confidence, especially when money is tight. Conversation Links: Philippians 4:19 I Timothy 6:9-11 Ecclesiastes 5:10 [English Standard Version] Ecclesiastes 5:12 [English Standard Version] Ephesians 2:10 [New International Version] I Peter 1:18,19 [New American Standard Bible] Ecclesiastes 12:13 Matthew 6:33 III John 2 I Timothy 6:6-8 [English Standard Version] Romans 12:2 Proverbs 13:11 [English Standard Version] The Way Corps Training Program “Budgeting for the Believer” Luke 6:38 John 3:16 Acts 20:35 I Thessalonians 5:17,18 [The Amplified Bible] John 10:10 Lighting the Way Today T-shirt To Learn More about The Way International: https://linktr.ee/thewayintl https://www.theway.org/contact-us/ Certain opinions expressed in this podcast may or may not represent the views of The Way International. All music used is either owned by The Way International, is used with permission, has been purchased for use, or is in the public domain.

“Everybody is a beginner at some point....And that’s OK. In fact, it’s very exciting. It’s an opportunity for you to be able to trust God, to be able to turn to Him.” So many young adults feel like they’re faking adulthood, like everyone else somehow knows what they’re doing. In this episode, Hunter Mullins and minister Lauren Ely unpack imposter syndrome through a spiritual lens: why we minimize our gifts, what insecurity whispers to us, and how stepping into responsibility doesn’t mean you’re pretending. We look at Biblical identity, real workplace examples, and why humility is not the same thing as self-doubt. There’s a way to be both youthful and capable, inexperienced and called, without feeling like you have to become someone you’re not. Conversation Links: Impostor Syndrome Definition The Way Corps Training Program “Joyful Noise” Psalm 95:1 Psalm 98:4 Exodus 3—4 Numbers 12:3 Camp Gunnison—The Way Family Ranch Psalm 3 I John 4:4 Lighting the Way Today T-shirt To Learn More about The Way International: https://linktr.ee/thewayintl https://www.theway.org/contact-us/ Certain opinions expressed in this podcast may or may not represent the views of The Way International. All music used is either owned by The Way International, is used with permission, has been purchased for use, or is in the public domain.

“When done correctly, these difficult discussions, they promote honest communication, they resolve conflicts, they facilitate change; and it’s one tool that we can use as we endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.” Conflict is uncomfortable and often unavoidable and yet having difficult conversations can be vital for both unity and resolution between people. Join Taylor Thurlow and minister Aaron George in this episode as they talk about how our relationship with God shapes the way we approach difficult conversations. They explore why Christians often either avoid conflict or bulldoze through it, and how alternatively, Scripture invites us to approach conflict with courage, clarity, and kindness. This is a genuine talk about what is helpful and unhelpful to say in difficult conversations, how to stay respectful, and how to hold boundaries without acting out of fear or frustration.   Conversation Links: Matthew 11:29,30 Ephesians 4:3 Philemon I Timothy 2:4 I Corinthians 12:26 Galatians 2:11-13 Acts 4:36 Titus 1:9-13 II Corinthians 13:10 Galatians 6:1 Galatians 6:1 [The Amplified Bible (1987)] Proverbs 15:1 Proverbs 18:19 Philippians 4:8 Psalm 118:24 Isaiah 55:11 Romans 12:9-21 Luke 10:33-35 Lighting the Way Today T-shirt To Learn More about The Way International: https://linktr.ee/thewayintl https://www.theway.org/contact-us/ Certain opinions expressed in this podcast may or may not represent the views of The Way International. All music used is either owned by The Way International, is used with permission, has been purchased for use, or is in the public domain.

“Just start praying about it….Get some people’s believing involved, and then when it’s the right time, God makes it clear to make that big decision. And I have peace when I make mistakes. I think part of understanding success is knowing why you failed. So it’s okay to fail because your heart is still pure for God and you know He’s got your back.” This bonus episode was recorded live at the Rock of Ages ’25 for the Teen Camp participants. Joanna Erickson has an insightful conversation with Marshall Nickolauson and his wife, Hope, about how trusting in God, and taking things one step at a time, can bring about lasting commitments, no matter how young you are. Based on their life experiences, they shared what worked and what didn’t as they grew in their walk with God and each other. Conversation Links: Rock of Ages 2025 Teaching Series Rock of Ages Event Website To Learn More about The Way International: https://linktr.ee/thewayintl https://www.theway.org/contact-us/ Certain opinions expressed in this podcast may or may not represent the views of The Way International. All music used is either owned by The Way International, is used with permission, has been purchased for use, or is in the public domain.

“When I go into the workplace, I don’t think about bringing in a personal agenda. I’m there to do my employer’s work to the best of my ability as a Christian.” Being a Christian at work can feel complicated, especially when your workplace doesn’t share your values. Instead of forcing conversations or shrinking back, this episode digs into what it means to live out your faith naturally through character, integrity, and presence. Jennifer Clesi interviews two ministers—Maria Rupp, who has worked for many years as a teacher in the public school system, and Sally Moudourou, who has spent most of her secular career as a lawyer. In this episode, they discuss where boldness matters, where quiet consistency is just as powerful, and how God can work through everyday interactions long before anyone asks you what church you go to. This is about influence, not pressure, and how you can show up and shine without becoming “that person.” Conversation Links: An Album of Verse, “Sermons We See” Ephesians 2:10 Genesis 2:19,20 Proverbs 3:27 Matthew 18:19 Colossians 3:22-24 I Corinthians 2:16 Romans 14:13 [New International Version] Revelation 3:20 The Bible Tells Me So I Thessalonians 2:1 Romans 12:18 The Way International Bookstore Jewelry Proverbs 11:13 Romans 12:21 Proverbs 3:5,6 To Learn More about The Way International: https://linktr.ee/thewayintl https://www.theway.org/contact-us/ Certain opinions expressed in this podcast may or may not represent the views of The Way International. All music used is either owned by The Way International, is used with permission, has been purchased for use, or is in the public domain.

“You have to not be circumstance-controlled....For me, I don’t want to let a bad work environment turn me into a bad worker. I have to fight to hold myself accountable and to work with integrity.” Many people are in jobs they didn’t plan on, don’t love, or don’t want long‑term. However, God is still present in the in‑between seasons where work feels “less than” or unclear. In this episode, Heather Neault interviews minister David Ely, and they talk about the frustration of waiting, the fear of falling behind, and how comparison can make the waiting feel even heavier when your job isn’t your dream. This episode also touches on how our faithfulness in small things can carry massive purpose for us, so we can have peace and joy regardless of our circumstances.  Conversation Links: Colossians 3:23 Romans 12:15 I Corinthians 12:27 Philippians 3:3-8 Genesis 37—50 Romans 12:2 I Kings 19:12 James 1:5 James 3:17 Philippians 4:6 Philippians 4:11-13 II Corinthians 11:23-33 I Timothy 6:6 I Thessalonians 5:18 To Learn More about The Way International: https://linktr.ee/thewayintl https://www.theway.org/contact-us/ Certain opinions expressed in this podcast may or may not represent the views of The Way International. All music used is either owned by The Way International, is used with permission, has been purchased for use, or is in the public domain.