Everyday Faith

Hey everyone! Little awkward, but we ever posted this last episode! You may have wondered where we went. It'll all be explained in the episode. We didn't quite want to call this the last episode ever. So let's just think of it as Will and Ben going on an indefinite holiday. Thank you so much to all of our loyal listeners, whether you listened from episode one, or this is your first. We love and appreciate all of you and are so grateful for your support in this passion project. God bless you, and may your faith be an Everyday kind of Faith, Will and Ben

This week we're keeping it light with a conversation about a word that sends some mixed messages: retreat. In the secular world, retreat isn't a good thing! It's an admission of defeat. But as Christians we participate in these weekend long (or longer) events called retreats. As you'll hear, we Christians take a different stance on retreats! It's not about what we're retreating from, but who we are retreating to. Join us this week to learn all about what it means to retreat, what happens on retreats, and why we do it! Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11-13 - God is in a still, small voice Credits: Hosts: Pastors Will Harris and Ben Damato Editing and theme music: Travis Damato (@damatomusic93 on Instagram) Don't forget to follow us on social media @everydayfaithpodcast

This was a bit of a unique topic for us in that, this is not something we've heard talked about a lot and were simply giving Will and Ben's opinions or take on it. This week we covered an idea that God laid heavily on my (Ben's) heart. The idea is grace for the people who are in between "just saved" and sanctified. We tend to be very easy on those who have just been saved, and idolize those who have seemingly been totally transformed by the Spirit. But for many of us, we find ourselves in this middle state where we do things that we are no longer new to the faith, but we still have lots of room to grow, and it can be a merciless place! Join us this week as we talk about how we can do better having grace for those in the process of sanctification, and how we can have mercy on ourselves as we walk ever closer towards godliness. Scripture: 1 John 1:8-10, If we claim we have no sin, we make God out to be a liar, but if we confess, God is faithful to forgive Romans 3:23, All have sinned and fallen short 1 John 2:1-2, If we do sin, we have an advocate, Jesus Christ James 5:16, Confess your sins to one another Romans 6:3-7, We are no longer slaves to sin References: The Chosen, look for Season 2 Episode 6! Or even better, watch them all! Credits: Hosts: Pastors Will Harris and Ben Damato Editing and theme music: Travis Damato (@damatomusic93 on Instagram) Don't forget to follow us on social media @everydayfaithpodcast

There are many, many beliefs in the Christian faith. For many of these things, we need to take a step back and take a deep breath and realize these things are not the end all be all. In this episode, Will and Ben traverse some of the issues that are worth talking about but are not essential. These things don't disqualify you from being a Christian nor do they make someone else less of a Christian. Jump into the conversation and may the conversation drive you to be more engaged with scripture as you struggle through your own theology!

There are many, many beliefs in the Christian faith.  Unfortunately, there are many things that we do not agree on as Christians across denominations.  When you hear about all the disagreements, it can get a little overwhelming!  After all, don't we all serve the same God?  Read the same Bible?  Why is there so much division and disagreement?  It's because, for many people, we have lost sight of what's essential.   This week we are going to dig into the essentials of Christianity, the things that we can agree on across denominational, cultural, and every other type of line.  Our hope is that, if we can establish what really matters and focus on what we can agree on, maybe one day we can see a truly united Church! References: The content in this episode was most heavily drawn from the Apostle's Creed.  We highly recommend exploring this Creed.  It is not Scripture, but it is the traditional summation of the beliefs of all Christians and can serve as a powerful foundation for which beliefs are most important in our faith. Credits: Hosts: Pastors Will Harris and Ben Damato Editing and theme music: Travis Damato (@damatomusic93 on Instagram) Don't forget to follow us on social media @everydayfaithpodcast

"Follow your heart."  It's advice you've probably heard before.  If you haven't heard that, then at some point you might have heard "do what feels right" or something similar, or at the very least you've seen it somewhere online.  But is it good advice?  Scripture seems to tell us otherwise!  The truth is, our feelings are fleeting, and oftentimes misleading, yet we build our lives and make decisions based on them.  Perhaps many of us are overdue for a shift in our thinking.  Join us this week as we talk about how to lead with actions first, rather than our feelings. Scripture: Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things Joshua 24:1-28 - Joshua's farewell address Credits: Hosts: Pastors Will Harris and Ben Damato Editing and theme music: Travis Damato (@damatomusic93 on Instagram) Don't forget to follow us on social media @everydayfaithpodcast

Spiritual gifts are always a fun topic for discussion!  Who doesn't love taking those gifts tests and learning which gifts they have?  The problem is that, as much fun as we have finding what our gifts are, sometimes we don't know how to use them!  If we can't recognize what our gifts are, we can't use them, and if we can, it doesn't mean we know how to use them.  Even if we have the right tools, it doesn't mean we are using them the right way.  Join us this week as we discuss not only how to discover your gifts, but how to use them. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit.  This is a list of spiritual gifts for your reference! References: John Teele, The Voyage Church Credits: Hosts: Pastors Will Harris and Ben Damato Editing and theme music: Travis Damato (@damatomusic93 on Instagram) Don't forget to follow us on social media @everydayfaithpodcast

Hopefully by now our listeners know that we don't take or endorse this sort of view about life!  Unfortunately, as Christians, it can very often be the attitude we take towards people who don't share our views on things.  It's the mindset that splits churches, divides denominations, and ultimately leads to brokenness and heartbreak.  The thing is, sometimes this mindset almost feels necessary!  After all, when it comes to God, we want to be as right as possible!  So what do we do when someone, whether it's another Christian or the pastor, believes something that we believe is incorrect about God or our faith?  Join us this week as we discuss how to handle differing beliefs amongst Christians with grace and love, and most importantly, mutual respect! Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17 - Handling disagreements according to Jesus Isaiah 55:8-9 - My ways are higher than yours... Mark 4:30-31 - Heaven is like a mustard seed Revelation 12:1-6 - The woman and the dragon Matthew 11:25 - These things have been hidden from the wise 2 Timothy 2:23 - Have nothing to do with foolish controversies Credits: Hosts: Pastors Will Harris and Ben Damato Editing and theme music: Travis Damato (@damatomusic93 on Instagram) Don't forget to follow us on social media @everydayfaithpodcast

God is love.  We see it everywhere, but what does that actually mean?  In a language that uses one word to explain our feelings towards hamburgers and our spouses, how can we possibly hope to express what the source of love Himself actually is?  Fortunately, others came before us and did a much better job of explaining this whole concept of love, and when we can better understand what love is, we get a better understanding of who God is.  Join us this week as we take this verse that has been so widely used, but so little understood, and unpack what it really means, and why it's such a crucial part of understanding God. Scripture: 1 John 4:8, 16 - God is Love John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends Luke 10:37 - Go therefore and do likewise Credits: Hosts: Pastors Will Harris and Ben Damato Editing and theme music: Travis Damato (@damatomusic93 on Instagram) Don't forget to follow us on social media @everydayfaithpodcast

What if, hear me out now, what if God actually meant all the things he said in Scripture?  Could He really mean it when He said that He loved the whole world?  Is there really going to be a day when every tear is wiped away?  Can I do all things through Christ?  It's funny the way we read Scripture sometimes.  We know it's the Word of God, but sometimes we just don't take Him at His Word.  This week, join us as we discuss some passages where we often don't like to take God at His Word, and what the implications could be if we did! Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness Matt 4:9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Psalm 137:9 “Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks” Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more... Luke 17:5-6 "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed you can make mountains move" John 14:12 "You will do greater things than I" - Jesus Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Matt 21:22 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” James 4:2 You do not have because you do not ask Luke 7:48,50 Your sins are forgiven… your faith has healed you Ephesians 2:8-9 You are saved by grace through faith and not of works Mark 9:23-24 “I believe; help my unbelief!” References: Voices, by House of Heroes Credits: Hosts: Pastors Will Harris and Ben Damato Editing and theme music: Travis Damato (@damatomusic93 on Instagram) Don't forget to follow us on social media @everydayfaithpodcast