The Faith Compass Podcast
Welcome to "The Faith Compass Podcast with Javier," where every episode takes you on a captivating journey through the heart of Scripture. Whether you have five minutes or thirty, our host Javier offers insightful and spiritually enriching discussions that bring the sacred texts to life.
Our podcast is dedicated to helping you critically examine the complex beauties of the Bible. We aim to illuminate the Word, making it a powerful tool for your faith journey.
Join us for each inspiring episode as we explore the depths of the scriptures, making them accessible and relevant to everyday life through biblical critical thinking.
The Faith Compass Podcast
Faithful Missteps: Unraveling Popular Christian Myths Pt 2
Salvation: it's not just for the "good" people. Join us as we challenge the belief that good deeds secure a place in heaven, diving into the profound teachings of Romans and Ephesians. Our deep-dive reveals how salvation is a gift of grace, shedding light on God's standard of holiness and the true freedom that arises when we live in response to His grace. We also tackle the misconception that God is solely interested in our happiness, urging a pursuit of deeper fulfillment and alignment with His greater purpose.
Doubt and conflict play crucial, yet often misunderstood roles in faith. Drawing from the lives of Thomas and Job, we explore how questioning can bring us closer to God, revealing a more authentic relationship. Conflict is not something to avoid at all costs; instead, it's an opportunity for growth when approached with truth and love. By embracing tough conversations, we nurture spiritual integrity and foster genuine peace on our journey.
As we continue, we emphasize the importance of authentic prayer and challenge the notion that suffering is synonymous with punishment. Through biblical narratives like the tax collector in Luke 18 and Joseph in Genesis, discover how sincerity in prayer and the purpose in hardship guide us to a fuller understanding of God's role in our lives. We conclude with a celebration of God's grace and the joy of engaging deeply with Scripture, encouraging ongoing learning and trust in God's plan. Join us for more insightful discussions on the Faith Compass Podcast.
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Hey there, welcome back to the Faith Compass Podcast. I'm so glad you've decided to tune in for this second part of our special two-part series, faithful Missteps. I'm your host, javier, and if you joined me in our last episode, you'll remember we spent a good deal of time exploring some of the myths, legends and cultural cliches that so often get tangled up with genuine biblical teaching. We took a deep dive into the ways these misconceptions can shape our understanding of God, ourselves and the world around us, and how, when we compare them to Scripture, we discover a far richer and more accurate portrayal of truth. Today we're diving back into this journey together by exploring a few more ideas that many of us have probably heard and maybe even believed at some point, just like the ones we talked about last time. These ideas can sound good at first. They might even bring a sense of comfort or empowerment, but when we take a closer look and measure them against what God's Word actually says, we'll see they don't quite line up with scripture. Let's unpack them together.
Speaker 0:Before we dive in, let's take a moment to pray together. It's such a gift to pause, recognize that God is with us and ask him to lead our hearts and minds. Father, we're so grateful for your word. It truly lights our way and shows us the path you've laid out for us. Thank you for your spirit, who teaches us, nudges us when we need it and helps us grow in wisdom. As we talk about these common misconceptions, I ask that you give us humble hearts, help us to let go of anything that isn't from you, and if your truth challenges us, give us the courage to embrace it. Lord, draw us closer to you and help us trust you more each day. We pray all this in Jesus' name, amen.
Speaker 0:Alright, let's kick things off by talking about something a lot of people just assume is true Good people go to heaven Sounds pretty harmless, right. Honestly, it even feels kind of logical to be nice, treat others well and try to live a decent life, and surely that means you're set for heaven Makes sense, doesn't it, or does it? Let's dig into this together. You know, that's exactly how I used to think when I was younger. Back in high school I had a best friend and we'd have these deep talks about the afterlife, whether we believed in heaven and hell and what it actually took to get to out there committing major crimes or hurting anyone. God's probably going to let you in. The whole thought behind that was this idea that God grades on a curve, like there's this cosmic scale somewhere weighing your good deeds against your bad ones, and as long as the good side tips the scales enough you're in, but if it doesn't, well, tough break. The thing is that's just not the gospel.
Speaker 0:The Bible doesn't teach that being a good person is what earns us eternal life. In fact, it says the opposite. Romans, chapter 3, verse 23, puts it pretty plainly For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Now, the whole idea of good people go to heaven might sound comforting at first. Right, it gives this impression that as long as you're better than the average person, you're good to go. But here's the catch what about God's standard of absolute holiness? When we compare ourselves to other people, it's easy to think, well, I'm not that bad, I'm a decent person. But when we compare ourselves to a perfect and holy God, that's a whole different story. We all fall short.
Speaker 0:That's why Paul goes on to say in Romans, chapter 6, verse 23, for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Isn't that incredible? It's not about what we do. It's about what he's already done for us. That free gift isn't something we can earn by ticking off a bunch of boxes on a moral or religious checklist.
Speaker 0:Ephesians chapter two, verses eight and nine, put it perfectly. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing. It is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Did you catch that? It's all about grace, this incredible, unearned favor, that who puts their trust in Christ. Think about it.
Speaker 0:If we could get into heaven just by being good enough, the cross wouldn't even make sense. Why would Jesus need to die in our place if we could handle it all on our own? The cross is a powerful, humbling reminder that we can't save ourselves. Our righteousness isn't something we create. It's found in Him, and when we truly get that, it's so freeing. We don't have to do good not to earn salvation, but as a joyful response to the salvation we've already been given. It's not about earning, it's about living in the freedom of grace.
Speaker 0:You know, I think one reason the whole idea of good people go to heaven sticks around is because it feels fair, doesn't it? It gives us a sense of control, like if we just do enough good, give to charity, volunteer or simply avoid being rude, then we've somehow earned our spot. But here's the thing real grace. It's wild, it's completely unexpected. It's God saying I love you not because you've earned it, but because I choose to. And here's the kicker the standard for goodness isn't just being better than the next guy, it's God's perfect holiness that levels the playing field. Real quick, no-transcript.
Speaker 0:Let's talk about something that sounds so sweet and uplifting at first but can actually be a little misleading. God just wants me to be happy. Now, does God care about your happiness? Of course he does. He cares about every part of your life. But if we boil down God's purpose for us to just being happy, we're missing out on something much bigger and deeper. Here's the thing happiness. As our culture sees it is usually tied to stuff that's temporary. It's about having enough money, achieving success at work or feeling comfortable and secure, and while those things aren't bad, the Bible shows us that God's ultimate goal for us is so much more. His desire is for us to be shaped into the image of Christ. That kind of transformation it's not always easy or happy in the way we think of it. It might mean going through tough seasons, experiencing growth that feels like pruning, or even making sacrifices. Those moments can be hard, but they're all part of a much greater purpose.
Speaker 0:Let's think about James, chapter 1, verses 2 and 3, for a moment. Count it all. Joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. Now here's the thing joy isn't the same as happiness. Joy runs deeper. It's this lasting sense of peace and confidence in God's goodness, no matter what's happening around us.
Speaker 0:The Bible doesn't promise that we're going to feel happy all the time, like we'll just smile our way through life without ever dealing with pain or hardship. Instead, it assures us that God will take all of it, the good, the bad and even the really tough stuff, and use it to grow our faith and shape our hearts. Paul puts it beautifully in Romans 8, verse 28. We know that for those who love God, all things work together for good. Notice he doesn't say everything in life is good. He says all things work together for good. That means there's a process, something being transformed, and often that transformation comes through challenges we'd never choose for ourselves. But here's the comfort. God, in His sovereignty, uses those trials to refine us, making something beautiful out of even the hardest moments.
Speaker 0:You know, there are times when we might catch ourselves thinking I'm not happy, so this must not be where God wants me, or God wouldn't want me stuck in a job that's making me unhappy, or even, surely he wouldn't ask me to serve somewhere that feels uncomfortable. But here's the thing sometimes God does ask us to stay in tough situations, like a challenging job or a difficult ministry, because he's shaping something within us. Maybe it's perseverance, maybe it's compassion, or maybe it's learning to rely on Him in ways we haven't before. Now that doesn't mean God wants us to be miserable forever Not at all. But it does remind us that real growth, spiritual maturity, often comes from those moments when we're stretched beyond what feels easy or comfortable.
Speaker 0:God isn't aiming for us to have shallow, fleeting happiness. What he wants for us is something so much deeper, a joy that's anchored in Him. And here's the beautiful part this kind of joy can exist even when life feels heavy or the circumstances aren't perfect. Why? Because it's built on trusting that God is good, that he's in control and that he's right there with us even when we're walking through the valleys. That brings us to another common idea that can really weigh on people the belief that faith means never doubting. Have you ever heard someone say if you doubt at all, you don't faith, or stop questioning, you just need to believe? It can feel heavy, right, but here's the thing. The Bible is packed with stories of men and women of faith who struggled with doubt, wrestled with uncertainty and asked big questions. In fact, doubt can often be a stepping stone to deeper faith. It pushes us to search for answers, to pray more honestly and to really examine our hearts before God.
Speaker 0:Let's take a moment to think about Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples. After the resurrection, when the others told him they had seen the risen Christ, thomas had a very human reaction. He said he wouldn't believe it unless he could see and touch Jesus' wounds for himself. That's how he ended up with the nickname Doubting Thomas. It might sound a little negative at first, but Jesus' response to Thomas is incredibly powerful. Rather than condemning him for his doubts, jesus meets him right where he's at. He invites Thomas to touch his wounds and gently says Do not disbelieve, but believe. John, chapter 20, verse 27. In that moment, thomas' doubts were answered in a way that completely transformed him. He went from doubting to declaring with conviction my Lord and my God. John, chapter 20, verse 28. And here's something amazing Tradition tells us that Thomas didn't stop there. He went on to travel far and wide to share the gospel. His moment of doubt didn't disqualify him from a life of faith. It actually deepened his conviction once he saw the truth. Isn't that such a great reminder for all of us? Doubts don't have to push us away from faith. They can lead us to an even stronger belief when we bring them to Jesus.
Speaker 0:Let's take a moment to think about Job. His entire world was turned upside down by tragedy. He lost everything His wealth, his children and even his health. Can you imagine the weight of that? In his pain? With raw honesty, and you know what's incredible, god never dismissed him or labeled him as faithless. In fact, the Bible calls Job a righteous man. What's even more striking is that by the end of Job's story, god doesn't give him a full explanation for all the reasons behind his suffering. Instead, god reveals just enough of his sovereignty and greatness that Job is drawn to a place of humble worship.
Speaker 0:Job's questions and doubts weren't roadblocks to his faith. They were part of the struggle that brought him into a deeper, more authentic relationship with God. Isn't that powerful? You know, faith isn't about having every single question answered or never feeling a bit of hesitation. It's about trusting in God's character, even when things don't fully make sense. Honestly, it's often during those seasons of doubt and questioning that we grow the most. That's when we dig deeper, search the scriptures more carefully and uncover parts of God's love and goodness we might have missed if we were just coasting along. So if you're wrestling with doubt right now, don't freak out. Seriously, it's okay. Take those doubts to God, talk to him about them, pray, ask your questions, seek out wise advice from others who can help guide you. You might just discover that on the other side of all this, your faith is even stronger and more resilient than before.
Speaker 0:You know, there's this common myth that really gets to me, because I've seen how much it can hurt well-meaning believers. It's the idea that Christians should avoid conflict at all costs. Now, don't get me wrong. I love peace Honestly. Who doesn't? And yes, the Bible does say blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew, chapter 5, verse 9. We're absolutely called to pursue peace and unity in the body of Christ whenever we can.
Speaker 0:But here's where things can get tricky. Some people take that to mean we should avoid hard conversations altogether, like we should never call out sin, never disagree, never speak up when something isn't right. And what happens then? Well, instead of real peace, we end up with this surface level harmony, where tough issues are ignored, frustrations build up and nothing really gets solved. That's not biblical peace, that's just plain avoidance. When Jesus said in Matthew, chapter 10, verse 34, do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. He wasn't promoting violence. Instead, he was showing how the truth of the gospel can sometimes divide people. You know, following Christ can create tension, even within families. There might be situations where one family member's commitment to Jesus creates a rift. Or maybe a believer stands firm in their faith and ends up being shunned by their community for not going along with harmful practices.
Speaker 0:In Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 15, paul encourages us to speak the truth in love. Isn't that powerful? It's not just about speaking the truth, it's also about how we do it with love and care. Sometimes addressing tough issues is actually the most loving thing you can do, even if it stirs up a little conflict. Think about it like this if a doctor told you you've got a serious infection and we need to treat it, it wouldn't feel great to hear right. But ignoring it because you don't want to face the problem would only make things worse. It's the same with our faith and relationships. Confronting issues, whether in the church or with people we care about, can be uncomfortable, even painful, but it's often the only way to bring real healing and growth. The key is really in how we handle it. If our goal is just to win an argument, shame someone or prove we're morally superior, then we've already missed the point of what biblical confrontation is about.
Speaker 0:Jesus gave us such a beautiful example of balancing grace and truth. Think about it. He called out the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, but he also showed so much compassion to those who were genuinely seeking help. He cleansed the temple when merchants were exploiting worshippers, but he also spent time healing the sick and comforting those who were hurting. If we want to follow his example, we can't just avoid conflict altogether. Sometimes it's necessary, but the way we approach it matters so much. We need to come into it prayerfully, humbly and with a real desire for restoration. Sometimes that leads to greater unity and stronger relationships. Other times we might face rejection, but as long as we're acting out of love and staying obedient to what God's word says, we can trust Him with, whatever the outcome might be.
Speaker 0:Let's talk about something that gets misunderstood a lot the idea that forgiveness means forgetting. You've probably heard the phrase forgive and forget. It sounds nice, even noble, but it's not really what scripture teaches us. Forgiveness, as Jesus explains, it, is about letting go, releasing someone from their debt to you, dropping the resentment and not allowing bitterness to settle in your heart. It's something we're called to do because God has forgiven us so generously through Christ. Think about Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 32. It says Be kind to one another, tenderhearted forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Did you notice?
Speaker 0:It doesn't say you have to completely erase the memory of what happened like it never existed. In fact, sometimes remembering is necessary, especially if someone has a pattern of harmful behavior or if you need to set healthy boundaries to avoid getting hurt again. Take King David, for example. After his sin with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan called him out. David repented and God forgave him, but the consequences of his actions didn't just disappear. They impacted his family for generations. That wasn't God holding a grudge, it's just the reality that sin has real world effects.
Speaker 0:In the same way, forgiving someone doesn't mean pretending everything's okay or instantly rebuilding broken trust. Trust takes time to heal and sometimes, if the person isn't repentant, it may never fully return. But that doesn't mean you haven't truly forgiven them. It just means you're being honest about the situation while choosing to let go of hatred and vengeance in your heart. Forgiveness is about freeing yourself from that burden, not erasing what happened.
Speaker 0:Forgiveness isn't something that happens all at once. It's more of a journey than a single moment, especially when the hurt runs deep. You might have a day where you feel completely at peace about the person who wronged you, only to have something stir up those feelings of anger all over again, and that's okay. In those moments, it's important to gently remind yourself of the choice you made to forgive. Ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to keep forgiving, even if it feels hard. It can seem like an uphill battle, but here's the thing it's also so freeing. When we hold on to bitterness, we're the ones who stay stuck, chained to the pain of what happened. Forgiveness, though, it's like handing it all over to God. It's saying God, I trust you to handle this. I trust you to deal with that person and with me. I'm not going to let this hurt control me anymore. Forgiveness doesn't wipe out the past, but it allows God to redeem it, and that redemption can open the door to healing, not just for you, but maybe even for the other person too.
Speaker 0:Let's dive into this idea that prayer needs to follow a specific formula to be valid or effective. It's something that can sneak into our thinking without us even realizing it. Maybe we feel like we have to use a certain style of language, like saying thee and thou, or stick to a set pattern of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication for our prayers to work. Now, don't get me wrong. Structured prayer can be a great tool. The Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6, verses 9-13, is a beautiful example that can guide us and center our hearts.
Speaker 0:But here's the thing God isn't grading us on eloquence. He's looking at the sincerity of our hearts. Take the tax collector in Luke 18, verse 13,. For instance, he prays God, be merciful to me, a sinner. That's it. It's not polished or lengthy. It's raw, honest and straight from the heart. Jesus contrasts this with the Pharisee's prayer, which is full of self-praise and polished words, and who goes home justified? It's the tax collector, not the Pharisee, that tells us something powerful. God isn't impressed by our fancy words or perfect phrasing. In fact, all our stumbles, our tears, even those moments when we can't find the words Romans, chapter 8, verse 26, reminds us that the Holy Spirit steps in for us, interceding with groanings too deep for words. Isn't that such a comfort? Even when we can't quite articulate what's on our hearts, god knows.
Speaker 0:It's not about getting the prayer right. It's about bringing Him your authentic, unfiltered self. You know, if you found a particular structure for prayer that works for you, awesome things like prayer journals, acronyms or even specific Bible verses can be super helpful. But let's not forget that just tools, not rules set in stone. At its core, prayer is about relationship. It's about spending time with God, sharing your heart and being open to hearing His voice. Now, if you've ever felt like you're not doing it right when you pray, let me reassure you. God isn't focused on how eloquent your words are. He's looking at your heart. If your prayer is sincere, he hears you. That's it. Whether you pray on the fly or follow a set liturgy, whether it's early in the morning or late at night. What truly matters is that connection with your Heavenly Father. It's about bringing him your worries, your dreams, your praise and even your confessions, all while resting in his amazing grace.
Speaker 0:Let's talk about another common misconception the idea that suffering is always a punishment for sin. This belief has popped up in different teachings throughout church history, and it's something we see in the broader culture too. You know the mindset If someone's going through a tough time maybe it's a health crisis, financial struggles or even a broken relationship people assume it must be because they've done something wrong. Now, it's true that sin has consequences, and sometimes our own poor choices can lead to painful situations. But here's the thing the Bible shows us that not all suffering is a punishment. Take the story in John, chapter 9. Jesus' disciples see a man who was born blind and ask him Rabbi, who sinned this man or his parents that he was born blind? And Jesus responds it was not that this man sinned or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. In other words, this man's blindness wasn't some kind of divine punishment. Instead, it was an opportunity for God to reveal his power and compassion through healing. Isn't that a beautiful reminder Sometimes the hard things we face aren't about judgment.
Speaker 0:They're about God working in and through us for his glory. Think about Joseph from the book of Genesis. Here's a guy who faced betrayal by his own brothers, was sold into slavery and ended up in prison for a crime he didn't commit. From the outside, it would have been easy to assume Joseph was being punished for something he'd done wrong, but as we follow his story, we see that wasn't the case at all. Despite everything Joseph went through, god was working behind the scenes to bring about something incredible. By the end of his story, joseph becomes a ruler in Egypt, saving countless lives, including the very brothers who betrayed him during a severe famine. In Genesis, chapter 50, verse 20, joseph says to his brothers Joseph's suffering wasn't about punishment, it was part of a greater plan to save and redeem. And isn't that encouraging.
Speaker 0:Sometimes we go through things that don't make sense in the moment, but, like Joseph, we can trust that God is weaving our stories together for a bigger purpose, one that brings glory to him and blesses others. You know, when life gets tough, it's actually a good idea to pause and reflect. Ask yourself is there something I haven't confessed to God, or did any of my choices play a role in this situation. Confession and repentance are such important parts of walking closely with God. But here's the thing we shouldn't automatically assume that every hardship is God's judgment. Sometimes, tough times are just part of living in a broken world. Things like sickness, disasters and injustices happen because this world isn't perfect. In those moments, holding on tightly to Jesus and trusting in His goodness is so important.
Speaker 0:One promise I love is from Romans, chapter 8, verse 28. It reminds us that God can take everything, even our suffering, and work it together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. Isn't that such a comforting thought? Let's talk about this idea that faith is just a one-time decision, a box you check off and then move on with your life. Sure, it's true that the moment we place our trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we enter into salvation, but that moment isn't the finish line. It's more like a wedding ceremony. Think about it A wedding day is incredibly significant, but it's just the start of the marriage. The relationship itself continues to grow and deepen over years, even decades. In the same way, becoming a Christian is the beginning of a lifelong journey.
Speaker 0:Philippians, chapter 2, verse 12, tells us to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Now don't get me wrong. This isn't saying we earn salvation through our efforts. It's about actively participating in the process of becoming more like Christ, step by step, leaning on God's grace every single day.
Speaker 0:Take the Apostle Peter, for example. He was one of the first disciples to follow Jesus and he boldly declared that Jesus was the Messiah. But his journey didn't end there. He stumbled big time. He denied Jesus three times and was crushed by it, weeping bitterly. But then he met the risen Christ, who restored him and gave him a mission to feed his sheep. Peter's faith wasn't a straight path. It was messy, full of highs and lows, but through it all, peter kept moving forward and God used those experiences to shape him into a leader in the early church.
Speaker 0:And isn't that true for all of us? We have moments of victory and moments of failure in our walk with God, but the important thing is that we don't stop walking. We keep seeking Him, repenting when we mess up and growing in our love for Him and for others. This is where community comes in. We're not meant to do this alone. We need each other to encourage, challenge and support one another as we grow. Hebrews chapter 10, verse 24 reminds us to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, and verse 25 says we shouldn't neglect meeting together. Faith isn't something we're supposed to live out in isolation. It thrives in community, through fellowship, accountability, service and worship alongside others who share this hope. Yes, that one-time decision to follow Christ is where it all begins. But that one-time decision to follow Christ is where it all begins. But it's the ongoing relationship with Him and with His people that nurtures and matures our faith.
Speaker 0:As we wrap up this second part of our Faithful Missteps series, I want to take a moment to remind you of the bigger picture here. Sharing all these examples, both today and in the previous episode, isn't about criticizing anyone's spiritual background or traditions. My goal is to encourage all of us to really reflect on what we believe and why we believe it. It's so easy to pick up cultural sayings, half-remembered verses or teachings that sound biblical but actually aren't. When we do that, we risk building our faith on sentiment or assumptions instead of the solid foundation of God's Word. You know, the amazing thing is that God isn't thrown off by our questions or even our misunderstandings. He actually welcomes us to come to Him to ask, to seek, to knock and to learn. He gave us Scripture as a solid, reliable guide to measure everything else that claims to be biblical. The more we spend time reading his word, the better we'll get at spotting the difference between human traditions and what truly comes from God. And as we start aligning ourselves more with that truth, we'll find the freedom, joy and spiritual energy Jesus talked about In John, chapter 8, verse 32,. He says you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. That kind of freedom is incredible. It's about growing closer to God and living without the burden of half-truths or guilt trips that never came from Him to begin with.
Speaker 0:If you've been listening to these two episodes and realize you've been holding on to a particular misunderstanding, I want to encourage you to bring it to God. Take some time to dig into the scriptures, pray for clarity and have conversations with mature believers who can offer their wisdom and perspective. Unlearning can be a challenging process. It might feel a little unsettling at first, but trust me, it's worth it. When we let go of what isn't true, we create space in our hearts for the truth, and that truth brings us closer to the heart of God. I also want to encourage you to stay curious and open. There's a good chance we've only scratched the surface of these topics. As you keep exploring, you might uncover insights or perspectives that challenge you in new ways, and that's a sign you're growing. Don't shy away from the tough questions. Instead, bring them back to the Word of God. Remember the Holy Spirit is our teacher and he loves to guide us into all truth.
Speaker 0:Before we wrap up, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being here with me on the Faith Compass Podcast, not just for this episode, but for this whole two-part series on faithful missteps. If you missed the first part, I really encourage you to go back and listen. It lays the foundation for everything we've talked about today. These discussions matter so much because they help us build a faith that's deeply rooted and free from unnecessary burdens. My prayer is that you walk away with more clarity, deeper devotion and a renewed hunger for God's Word.
Speaker 0:Let's close our time together in prayer. Father, thank you for your incredible grace. Thank you that we don't have to earn our way into your kingdom and that your love leads us, not condemnation. Thank you for correcting us when we need it and for giving us wisdom through your Word. I pray for each person listening today that they would find joy in learning more about who you truly are. Help us anchor our hearts in Scripture and extend the same grace to others that you've shown us. Keep teaching us, lord, and draw us closer to you every day. In Jesus' name, amen. Friends, it's been such a privilege to walk through these topics with you. As always, stay grounded in Scripture, live in God's love and trust Him with every part of your life. I hope you'll join me again here on the Faith Compass podcast for more conversations about faith, life and the amazing God we serve. Thank you for listening and may God bless you abundantly until we meet again. Take care, and God bless, thank you.
