The Watching World

What about you is evidence of the fact that Jesus is in you? Abigail DeJarnatt is the founder and CEO of Counteract USA, a non-profit organization equipping young adults to counteract ever-changing political and cultural ideologies with grace and truth. Accompanied by Allie Paris, the COO at Counteract USA, Abigail shares the heart behind the organization. Bad news consumes our generation, and young adults either check out of their faith or deconstruct it altogether. Counteract USA exists to equip young adults to bring the truth of the Gospel into the bad news. Their peer-to-peer discipleship groups meet nationwide to discuss what is happening in the political sphere and what the Bible says about these issues. The girls remind young adults that staying holy, humble, and hungry is the key to maintaining a biblical worldview. We don’t have to make the Word of God relevant because it already is. The goal is not to win the information battle. It’s to win people to Christ by using the truth of the Gospel and being gracious in our words and actions. Abigail and Allie’s testimonies are inspiring and compelling to all young adults not to shy away from difficult conversations but to pursue them with a biblical worldview backed up by grace and truth.

In the second and final part of what the Bible says about health and fitness, Bart and Les talk about how to stay in shape as you age. Bart reminds listeners that they should care for their bodies because God called them to. Our bodies can become our idols, so we need to have a strong “why” for exercising and set realistic goals that help us stay on track. Bart shares an inspirational story about why we should diligently exercise, especially as we age. He also reminds people that getting in shape does not start in the workout room but in the kitchen! He encourages listeners to see nutritionists, personal trainers, or medical professionals to create the best fitness plan for their bodies based on how God made them. Not everyone can do bodybuilding or extreme training. Still, each believer is called to diligently steward the body they’ve been given by eating foods that fuel them and regularly exercising so they can have the energy to complete the work God has called them to.

Bart Cox joins Les for part 1 of a series exploring what the Bible says about health and fitness. As believers, we are called to steward our resources, which includes keeping our bodies in good health through regular fitness routines and healthy eating. We do not own our bodies; God gave them to us. Taking care of them communicates a thankful and obedient heart. Bart and Les remind listeners that the goal is not for them to look how the world wants them to. God created each person fearfully and wonderfully, but He wants us to be healthy so we can be used for the purpose He has created us for. When we are healthy, we have more energy to serve God and His people. Exercise is about helping you be the best you can be. You’ll sleep better, have a clearer mind, be more mobile, and recover better from injuries and sicknesses when you follow a regular fitness plan and eat a well-balanced diet. Bart encourages listeners to start small and pick a goal they can be proud of and reasonably pursue on their fitness journey. God doesn’t need any of us, but He wants all of us, so it is our job to steward our bodies in a way that honors Him and equips us to serve Him faithfully.

Brandi Wilson is on a mission to help women in ministry lead and thrive in their roles. She shares her story of finding hope and healing from divorce and how her experiences sparked her passion for coaching women who have walked a similar path. She reminds listeners that divorce does not define you or sideline you because no one can take God’s call on your life. Brandi shares her journey from divorce to where she is now and how she learned to voice her needs and ask for help. As she was healing from divorce, it seemed easier to do things on her own, but she realized that it is vitally important to ask people for help when needed. Asking for help takes courage and bravery, but Brandi encourages anyone healing from divorce and facing a future they never anticipated to take things one day at a time. There is no perfect formula for healing from divorce, but looking for the small victories can keep you thankful and focusing on God’s goodness.

People are searching for hope on Christmas, and we have a living hope we can share with them. Although Christmas is a cultural holiday, Christians view it as a religious holiday that celebrates the greatest gift ever given to humanity. Pastor Phil Hopper encourages listeners that inviting their neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family to church is a great way to bring hope on Christmas. He and Les challenge listeners to look for people who are hurting and searching for the truth. As the people of God, we should live with the most optimistic worldview we can possibly have. The real hope on Christmas is the truth that Jesus is coming again, and we are promised to spend eternity with Him. It doesn’t take much to show kindness and joy to the people around you. If you have a smile, if you can write, if you can type, if you can bake, if you can serve in any capacity, use those gifts to bring hope on Christmas to the people around you.

How could a school change if students had access to Bible education during school hours? Ben Ruprecht is a representative for LifeWise Academy, which offers Bible education for public school students during school hours. Their ministry has expanded to over 35,000 students in 330 schools across 12 states. He shares how Bible education has a transformational impact on students' lives, which ultimately pours over into the classroom. Schools report that kids pay better attention, and classes have fewer interruptions when implementing this program for their students. According to their educational survey, 76% of educators (teachers, principals, administrators) agree that it benefits both the school and the student. Join Les as he interviews Ben on the benefits of bible education in schools and learn how schools in your area can get involved!

Everyone is consumed by busyness, and our guest this week is no exception. To lay the foundation for this episode, Les shares about his last two hectic weeks and what the Lord taught him. Then, Jeremy chimes in and shares that if we’re not entirely sure who we are or what our calling is, we will say yes to many things that are not necessary. Les shares that the formula for productivity amidst busyness is organization and intentionality, which leads to focus. Les and Jeremy reflect on how they handled their time and priorities in the past and discuss what they do when they feel busy. Jeremy reminds us that we need time with the Lord daily to create solitude and silence in our constantly connected world. He encourages listeners to prayerfully seek out their specific mission to stay focused in busyness so they don’t lose sight of what they’re working toward.

How do you know you are called to homeschool your kids? Darcy Struckmeier is the leader of the Homeschool Center at Abundant Life. After finding homeschool programs that worked for her kids and graduating 3 out of her 4 kids, she and her husband are thankful for the opportunities it gave their family. The Abundant Life Homeschool Center serves homeschooling families by providing weekly clubs, monthly activities, and quarterly training. Darcy encourages families that homeschooling is difficult, but just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. She advocates for families joining homeschool programs and clubs to find like-minded communities, since homeschooling can sometimes feel lonely. If the Holy Spirit is prompting you to homeschool, take the leap! Abundant Life’s Homeschool Center exists to serve you, your spouse, and your kids as you embark on your homeschool journey.

We can’t be loved if we’re not known, but vulnerability in discipleship and community can be intimidating. Robby Angle is the CEO of TrueFace, a ministry committed to helping others experience authentic relationships. He reminds us that grace is foundational to our experience of Christ’s love and our path of discipleship as Jesus' followers. God revealed to him that his striving was in the way of experiencing true grace while he was on the mission field in Pakistan. Before this revelation, he thought that being a Christian meant sinning less, doing better, and reading more of the Bible. However, he found that instead, all we are called to do as Christians is receive God’s gift of grace. Robby and Les discuss how we can truly let go and be fully known and why authentic community is vital for believers. He challenges listeners to tell God their fears about vulnerability and authenticity and to have the courage to build genuine and vulnerable relationships with one trusted person. Accepting and appreciating grace takes time, but we are not called to do life alone.

Dr. Emerson Eggerichs is a pastor, author, speaker, and founder of the Love and Respect Conference. His book, “Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs,” and his conference have helped thousands of couples learn how to resolve conflict and meet each other’s needs. The book’s inspiration comes from Ephesians 5:33, which commands husbands to love their wives and wives to respect their husbands. Approximately 3 out of 10 marriages end in divorce because love alone is not enough. Dr. Eggerichs and Les discuss the crazy cycle and the energizing cycle that marriages go through and how couples can work to bring peace, unity, love, and respect back into their marriage. Les shares things he wishes he could change if he could go back to the early years of his marriage, and Dr. Eggerichs reminds him that his current marriage is a testimony to the work God can and will do in any marriage. Learn more about Dr. Eggerich’s work: https://www.loveandrespect.com/about-us