Telling the Truth
634 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 125 ratingsHear biblical wisdom on contemporary topics like marriage, parenting, relationships, work, faith, and so much more on Telling the Truth, a half-hour radio program by Stuart, Jill and Pete Briscoe. Inspiring, challenging, and always true to God’s Word, Telling the Truth has a heart for encouraging and teaching people to grow in faith and knowledge of Christ and His love.
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Episodes
The Call to Shine, Part 1, Let Your Light Shine
June 21, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBWhen Jesus took His disciples on a retreat into the hills near Galilee, He told them about the blessings, privileges and responsibilities of being members of the “kingdom of the heaven.” What He said is still very important to us as modern day disciples.
God's Plan for Spiritual Growth , God Has a Plan - and We're Part of It
June 18, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBHaving explained what God was doing in his life and wanted to do in the Ephesians lives, Paul turned to prayer. His concern was that they would discover and experience all that God had in mind for their spiritual growth and development. We need similar concerns today.
A Night to Remember, Part 2, God in the Shadows
June 17, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBGod will use you, no matter how broken you are, if you are obedient. This is the lesson we can learn from the book of Esther. Esther started as a simple Jewish girl. But God asked her to be obedient, and she ended up risking her life to go before the king and make a request that her people be saved. She went with the knowledge that she would most likely be killed. But Esther had faith and was obedient.
A Night to Remember, Part 1, God in the Shadows
June 16, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBGod will use you, no matter how broken you are, if you are obedient. This is the lesson we can learn from the book of Esther. Esther started as a simple Jewish girl. But God asked her to be obedient, and she ended up risking her life to go before the king and make a request that her people be saved. She went with the knowledge that she would most likely be killed. But Esther had faith and was obedient.
Daring to Dare, Part 2, God in the Shadows
June 15, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBMost of us like to put our roots down and feel secure. We don't like change. We don't like being pushed into situations where we'll risk anything. But sometimes God calls us to do this! God calls us to be believers, like Esther and Mordecai, who care enough about the souls of others that we risk our own comfort, and sometimes our own lives, in order to fight for the lives of those around us. Jill teaches us how to be believers who care enough to dare—believers with courage to do the right ...
Daring to Dare, Part 1, God in the Shadows
June 14, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBMost of us like to put our roots down and feel secure. We don't like change. We don't like being pushed into situations where we'll risk anything. But sometimes God calls us to do this! God calls us to be believers, like Esther and Mordecai, who care enough about the souls of others that we risk our own comfort, and sometimes our own lives, in order to fight for the lives of those around us. Jill teaches us how to be believers who care enough to dare—believers with courage to do the right ...
The Darkening Sky, God in the Shadows
June 11, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBHave you experienced a darkening sky in your life? When you find yourself there, do you shine brighter for it, or flicker out? Esther's life seemed to be a downward spiral of difficulties. But she continued to shine brightly for God in the unbelieving kingdom of which she was now queen. As Jill takes you through the amazing story of Esther, a simple Jewish girl made queen, you will see that you, too, can be empowered by God to keep shining his light, even in an ever darkening sky.
A Star Is Born, God in the Shadows
June 10, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBSometimes God's will isn't what we would have picked out for ourselves. It isn't what we want. And it's difficult to accept. Esther's life didn't turn out how she wanted it to. She found herself separated from her family and married to the unbelieving King of Persia. Through these trials, God made Esther into a Supernova, shining even more brightly in the hardships. But before she could get there, she had to die to her own dreams and her own plan. Are you willing to do the same?
Starlight, Part 2, God in the Shadows
June 09, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBIf God called you to a difficult task in a difficult place, would you shine light into that place? Would you, like Esther, be a star for God? Esther is a great example of someone who faced seemingly impossible circumstances. She was forced to marry a very powerful, very worldly man: the King of Persia. While not many of us can relate to such a circumstance as Esther had, we can learn from her faith and obedience. You are right in center stage of where God wants you to be and what God wants ...
Starlight, Part 1, God in the Shadows
June 08, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBIf God called you to a difficult task in a difficult place, would you shine light into that place? Would you, like Esther, be a star for God? Esther is a great example of someone who faced seemingly impossible circumstances. She was forced to marry a very powerful, very worldly man: the King of Persia. While not many of us can relate to such a circumstance as Esther had, we can learn from her faith and obedience. You are right in center stage of where God wants you to be and what God wants ...
We've All Been Called, Why Church?
June 07, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBIf you're a Christian, you have been called by God. Simply by beckoning you into a relationship with Him, God has called you to be a part of His ministry. In this message, Stuart challenges you, as a member of the community of believers, to use your unique gifts for reaching your unique mission field. God gave you certain gifts to reach certain people. This is what it means to be the church.
Being Part of Something Grand, Why Church?
June 04, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBDo we ever really recognize the enormity of what it means to be part of the body of Christ? If you are a Christian, you have been invited and commanded to join in on God's plan to make all things new. God wants to renew everything that was lost in the fall. This is what mission means—to be part of the community infiltrating culture and society in order to bring people into the kingdom and to bring about the purposes of God.
Gathered for Fellowship, Why Church?
June 03, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBIn the modern day church, our constant emphasis on our personal relationships with Christ has caused us to lose sight of the community of faith that we're a part of. Jesus commanded that His people gather as a church so that they would be reminded of their citizenship in this community—both the visible and the invisible. Fellowship is also the reason that Jesus first commanded His disciples to disciple others, so that more people could come to share the fellowship that Christians enjoy with ...
The Church Gathered, the Church Scattered, Why Church?
June 02, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBIf we're stuck in the mindset of the church as a building in which we gather, instead of a community of believers, we lose sight of one of the key purposes of the church: to scatter among the lost. The first church understood what it meant to be a rich, powerful community that prepared and supported people for mission work. Have we lost this in our churches today? In this message, Stuart explains the missions of the early church, while encouraging us to use our churches today not just to g...
Happy Birthday, Church!, Why Church?
June 01, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBThe church was officially born at Pentecost, when the Spirit of the Lord was sent to indwell Christ's followers. In this message, Stuart describes the beginnings of the church and how the indwelling of the Spirit marks the new identity of every believer in Christ.
The Church: A Community of the Called, Why Church?
May 31, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBWhen we think about the church as a building, we lose sight of the real purpose of the church—to be an example of loving community to the fragmented communities in the world around us. In this message Stuart explains what it means to be part of the community of the called.
Combating Crows, the Enemy of the Harvest, Roll Up Your Sleeves and Sow!
May 28, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBHave you ever witnessed someone growing in their faith and then suddenly there is a horrible spiritual attack? Jesus warned there is an enemy of the harvest—crows that are bent on snatching the seeds scattered in the fields before strong roots can take hold. We may not like to think about it, but Satan is eager to discourage and snatch away believers. In this message, Jill Briscoe encourages all the saints to get in the fight, disciple those around them, and help people grow strong roots in...
Tending the Kingdom's Garden, Roll Up Your Sleeves and Sow!
May 27, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBIt's easy to see when a garden needs watering. The plant leaves begin to wilt, the ground becomes dry, and cracks appear. And if the plants aren't tended to, they're at risk of withering and dying. It's the same with people who need Jesus. In this message, Jill Briscoe helps us understand what's at risk and asks us to dedicate ourselves to impacting people in our sphere of influence.
The Power of the Seed, Roll Up Your Sleeves and Sow!
May 26, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBCan an orchid grow in a putrid and smoldering garbage pile? Yes, and it has. That's the power of life within the seed. And so it is with the Good News. Are you all out for Jesus, scattering news of Him wherever you go, no matter how dirty or unwelcoming the circumstance might be? In this message, Jill Briscoe encourages us to believe that God's Word will always find good soil. It's up to us to take advantage of every opportunity so that the fields will be ready for someone to come along and...
The Characteristics of a Follower, Part 2, Brave Enough to Follow
May 25, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBHe was full of himself, and always the first to talk. He was also passionate, loyal, and hungry to learn. He wasn't perfect—far from it. In other words, Simon Peter was just like us. It was only when he abandoned his old life to follow Jesus that he began to be transformed. Jesus makes the same offer to us: Leave your old life and follow Me! You may be telling yourself that Jesus can't love you because you aren't good enough, don't know the Bible well enough, or don't have a spotless past. L...
The Characteristics of a Follower, Part 1, Brave Enough to Follow
May 24, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBHe was full of himself, and always the first to talk. He was also passionate, loyal, and hungry to learn. He wasn't perfect—far from it. In other words, Simon Peter was just like us. It was only when he abandoned his old life to follow Jesus that he began to be transformed. Jesus makes the same offer to us: Leave your old life and follow Me! You may be telling yourself that Jesus can't love you because you aren't good enough, don't know the Bible well enough, or don't have a spotless past. L...
Clothed with Power, Believing What We Believe
May 21, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBBefore the day of Pentecost, the disciples were in the middle of a faith crisis. They were broken after seeing Jesus crucified, they lost their purpose. But part of God's divine plan was for the Holy Spirit to come and empower the disciples to go out into the world and launch the great commission. What was this day like for the disciples and what does it mean for us? We know it was spectacular and it forever changed the disciples. Peter, who couldn't even speak about Jesus to a girl a month...
Dealing with Our Differences - Chiseled, Part 2, Faith Enough to Finish
May 20, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBWhat is God using to chisel you into the image of Christ? Will you lie still in His hand and let Him do it? For Jeremiah, God was using his ministry partner, Baruch, to chisel and hammer him into shape. Jeremiah, too, was chiseling Baruch. Without the encouragement of the other, neither would have had faith enough to finish when their ministry got difficult. In this message, Jill describes how we can learn to work with and celebrate the differences between us and the people in our lives.
Dealing with Our Differences - Chiseled, Part 1, Faith Enough to Finish
May 19, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBWhat is God using to chisel you into the image of Christ? Will you lie still in His hand and let Him do it? For Jeremiah, God was using his ministry partner, Baruch, to chisel and hammer him into shape. Jeremiah, too, was chiseling Baruch. Without the encouragement of the other, neither would have had faith enough to finish when their ministry got difficult. In this message, Jill describes how we can learn to work with and celebrate the differences between us and the people in our lives.
His Plan in My Life - His Words in My Mouth, Part 2, Faith Enough to Finish
May 18, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBDo you ever find yourself running away from God's plans because you feel inadequate? Jeremiah felt inadequate when God called him to be a prophet. But God spoke a promise to Jeremiah saying, “My plan will be in your life, My work will be in your hand, and My words will be in your mouth.” In this message, Jill teaches how to have the kind of faith that believes that God will enable and equip us to do everything He asks of us.
His Plan in My Life - His Words in My Mouth, Part 1, Faith Enough to Finish
May 17, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBDo you ever find yourself running away from God's plans because you feel inadequate? Jeremiah felt inadequate when God called him to be a prophet. But God spoke a promise to Jeremiah saying, “My plan will be in your life, My work will be in your hand, and My words will be in your mouth.” In this message, Jill teaches how to have the kind of faith that believes that God will enable and equip us to do everything He asks of us.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness - Morning by Morning, Part 2, Faith Enough to Finish
May 14, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBTrying to walk in faith is a day-by-day lesson in leaning on God. It's figuring out moment-by-moment what a Christian life looks like—and it's not easy. Jeremiah had to learn how to have faith like this when he was in the pit, when he was fighting despair and doubt. During this time, God was teaching Jeremiah to put his mind on Him, instead of on the troubles of life. Jeremiah's testimony of learning faith morning by morning is a great lesson for us in pursuing faith, even in doubts and ...
Great Is Thy Faithfulness - Morning by Morning, Part 1, Faith Enough to Finish
May 13, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBTrying to walk in faith is a day-by-day lesson in leaning on God. It's figuring out moment-by-moment what a Christian life looks like—and it's not easy. Jeremiah had to learn how to have faith like this when he was in the pit, when he was fighting despair and doubt. During this time, God was teaching Jeremiah to put his mind on Him, instead of on the troubles of life. Jeremiah's testimony of learning faith morning by morning is a great lesson for us in pursuing faith, even in doubts and ...
Faith Requires More than a Little Effort, Keep the Faith
May 12, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBThe letter to the Hebrews, as is common with New Testament epistles, having dealt with many deep theological issues, is brought to a conclusion with many essential, practical instructions. A healthy reminder that faith is not just a matter of belief—it involves behavior, too.
Discipline - Who Needs It?, Keep the Faith
May 11, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBThe contemporary debate on discipline has led to a dramatic decrease in child abuse and an equally dramatic increase in ill-disciplined children and many attendant social ills. But we must understand the significant role discipline plays in spiritual experience.
Growing Weary and Losing Heart, Keep the Faith
May 10, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBVarious metaphors have been used to describe the Christian life. Some see it as a war to be fought, others as a party to be enjoyed, others as a task to be completed, and still others as a race to be run. The writer of Hebrews chooses the race metaphor.
Faith, Hope and Clarity, Keep the Faith
May 07, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBHaving encouraged his readers to “keep the faith” despite the pressures under which they were living, and having delivered warnings to them about the dangers of abandoning the faith, our writer now defines, describes, and illustrates faith and hope so that there will be no confusion.
Faith, Hope and Patience, Keep the Faith
May 06, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBIt's easy to place your faith in people, parties, and programs. But it's impossible for all those things to sustain and uphold your heart. When patience wears thin and genuine hope is all you long for, the “who” of faith matters greatly. And there's no better Who than the Lord, our God. In this message, Stuart Briscoe opens Scripture to reveal the character of our promise-keeping God. He is true, He is faithful—and there's no better place for your faith to be than in Him.
The Faith We Profess, Keep the Faith
May 05, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MB“Whom we confess” and “the faith we profess” are both translations of the Greek word homologia, which is defined as “an act of proclamation in which the concrete relation of man to Jesus is expressed in binding and valid form.” Jesus expressed the importance of such a homologia (Matthew 10:32), and Hebrews confirmed it.
The Full Assurance of Faith, Keep the Faith
May 04, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBGiven the experiences they had gone through and the possibilities of further problems, it is understandable that some of the Hebrew Christians were possibly losing their nerve. They needed assurance, which the author of Hebrews provided for them—and us.
Faith's Fundamentals, Keep the Faith
May 03, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBHebrews addressed a struggling group of Jewish believers discovering that discipleship would not be easy as Jesus had warned. In it they were encouraged to “keep the faith,” warned of the dangers of failure to do so, and reminded how to mature in their faith. But they must be willing to move beyond faith's fundamentals—to make progress and mature.
What Is God Really Like? Part 2, What Is God Really Like?
April 30, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBPeople become remarkably imaginative about God. But Scripture says, “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, neither has entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love Him, but God has revealed them to us by His Spirit.” Not speculation, not imagination – but revelation. God is in the business of self-revelation, which is a fundamental tenant of Christianity. He has made human beings uniquely capable of receiving what He is revealing. And more than that, He has given u...
What Is God Really Like? Part 1, What Is God Really Like?
April 29, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBPeople become remarkably imaginative about God. But Scripture says, “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, neither has entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love Him, but God has revealed them to us by His Spirit.” Not speculation, not imagination – but revelation. God is in the business of self-revelation, which is a fundamental tenant of Christianity. He has made human beings uniquely capable of receiving what He is revealing. And more than that, He has given u...
Be a Witness, Part 2, Be a Witness
April 28, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBJesus left simple and clear instructions for all believers who have received the Holy Spirit. Be a witness—tell people about Me, tell them about the cross, tell them how I've transformed your life. That's the passionate witnessing we see the disciples doing in Acts after they received the Holy Spirit. Do you see this in your life—in your church? In this message Pete Briscoe reminds us where our priorities lie as the church of Christ and challenges each of us to make a difference in our home...
Be a Witness, Part 1, Be a Witness
April 27, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBJesus left simple and clear instructions for all believers who have received the Holy Spirit. Be a witness—tell people about Me, tell them about the cross, tell them how I've transformed your life. That's the passionate witnessing we see the disciples doing in Acts after they received the Holy Spirit. Do you see this in your life—in your church? In this message Pete Briscoe reminds us where our priorities lie as the church of Christ and challenges each of us to make a difference in our home...
Sufficient Grace, Part 2, Grace in the Garden
April 26, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBSplinters, thorns, prickers. It doesn't matter what they are called, they hurt and get under your skin! Life in our world is filled with thorns: difficult relationships, illness, loss of loved ones, broken promises. The Bible tells us that even the Apostle Paul and God Himself in Jesus struggled under the bite of thorns. But God does not allow thorns in our lives without providing sufficient grace to live in the prickly mess. What Satan intends to push us down often results in pushing us to ...
Sufficient Grace, Part 1, Grace in the Garden
April 23, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBSplinters, thorns, prickers. It doesn't matter what they are called, they hurt and get under your skin! Life in our world is filled with thorns: difficult relationships, illness, loss of loved ones, broken promises. The Bible tells us that even the Apostle Paul and God Himself in Jesus struggled under the bite of thorns. But God does not allow thorns in our lives without providing sufficient grace to live in the prickly mess. What Satan intends to push us down often results in pushing us to ...
Saving Grace, Grace in the Garden
April 22, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBWhy is a walk in a garden so relaxing? Because we were created to live in God's garden of perfection, forever. Unfortunately, as the story goes, Adam and Eve made a fatal error and were forced to make their home in the garden of sin instead, where nothing is perfect or peaceful. But remember, this is God's story! God came looking for Adam and Eve after they disobeyed. And in His grace, He still comes looking for us today. Jill Briscoe takes us through biblical examples of God's saving grac...
What Do You Want Me to Do, God? Part 2, God's Will for My Life
April 21, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBHow does God want you to live your life? Although you don't have to do anything to earn His favor, God still desires you to live in a way that glorifies Him and brings honor to His name. In this message, Stuart Briscoe takes you to Romans 12:1-2 to share what exactly God wants you to do with your time on the earth. And as you step out in obedience—by the power of the Spirit—you'll experience the richness and fullness of the life God has for you.
What Do You Want Me to Do, God? Part 1, God's Will for My Life
April 20, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBHow does God want you to live your life? Although you don't have to do anything to earn His favor, God still desires you to live in a way that glorifies Him and brings honor to His name. In this message, Stuart Briscoe takes you to Romans 12:1-2 to share what exactly God wants you to do with your time on the earth. And as you step out in obedience—by the power of the Spirit—you'll experience the richness and fullness of the life God has for you.
Finding God's Will for Me, Part 2, God's Will for My Life
April 19, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MB“What is God's will for my life?” It's a serious question that is asked by believers of all ages facing all kinds of decisions and uncertainty. As Jill Briscoe explains, you cannot know the will of God until you find God and get to know Him personally—or at least slow down long enough for Him to find you! God does not intend for His will to be a mystery to us. In fact, He makes it perfectly clear in His Word. What can we learn from the stories of the Bible... from how Jesus handled certain...
Finding God's Will for Me, Part 1, God's Will for My Life
April 16, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MB“What is God's will for my life?” It's a serious question that is asked by believers of all ages facing all kinds of decisions and uncertainty. As Jill Briscoe explains, you cannot know the will of God until you find God and get to know Him personally—or at least slow down long enough for Him to find you! God does not intend for His will to be a mystery to us. In fact, He makes it perfectly clear in His Word. What can we learn from the stories of the Bible... from how Jesus handled certain...
Knowing God's Will for My Life, Part 2, God's Will for My Life
April 15, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBDo you ever hear people say, “God told me to do that,” and think, did He really “tell” you? You hear others claim they know God's will for their life, but how do you really know what God wants? We can look in Scripture and see, generally, what God wants for His followers, but what does He want for each of us individually? Maybe there's a decision you're grappling with now—who to marry, which college to attend, or a major career or lifestyle choice. In this message, Pete Briscoe gives clear ...
Knowing God's Will for My Life, Part 1, God's Will for My Life
April 14, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBDo you ever hear people say, “God told me to do that,” and think, did He really “tell” you? You hear others claim they know God's will for their life, but how do you really know what God wants? We can look in Scripture and see, generally, what God wants for His followers, but what does He want for each of us individually? Maybe there's a decision you're grappling with now—who to marry, which college to attend, or a major career or lifestyle choice. In this message, Pete Briscoe gives clear ...
Be Wise About the Will of God, God's Will for My Life
April 13, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBAre you living for yourself or for God? That's a great question to answer when you're struggling to understand God's will for your life. He really is amazingly clear about His purpose and will for the life of the believer. But finding clarity means setting yourself apart from conventional worldly thinking and sharply focusing on God's Word. It's in Scripture where God tells you the purpose for your life. He has eternal work set aside since before creation for you to do—work that blesses God...