Devotions are difficult for me. So I do them a little differently.
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Welcome to the Exhorter Podcast where we aim to stir up love and good works, through bite-sized biblical discussion. This local effort of the Church of Christ located in Clovis California is hosted by Kyle Goodwin, Paul Nerland, Nate Shankels, and Jon Bradford.
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60 - What Are We Summer Vacationing From?
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It’s summer and most of us will be finding ways to take a break from school and work, through long planned vacations or smaller trips throughout the summer. In this episode we conclude season 2 of the Exhorter Podcast by providing a few suggestions for how we can spend this summer not just becoming further away from hour homes, but drawing closer t…
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Is doubting your faith and God wrong? Are we expected to have an unwavering belief as Christians? Join us as we search the scriptures for examples of doubters and see how God responded to them. We also talk about the right and wrong ways to test the scriptures and our faith. Learn about the core problem of the deconstruction movement and how it can…
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58 - Unearthing the Basics of Bible Translations
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What bible translation do you read from? How accurate is it? What is the difference between each translation? Whether you read from KJV, NKJV, ESV, NASB, NIV, or NLT, in this episode, we briefly examine the broad categories of translations, speak about their accuracy, and discuss the overall value of side-by-side comparison during bible study. Cont…
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Are you one of the 20-25% of Americans that have a tattoo? Are you thinking about getting a tattoo? There are many differentviews about tattoos within the church - some earnestly opposed andothers see no issue. Join us as we have our own lengthy debate on this topic and let’s see what the bible says, and doesn’t say, about getting that ink. Contact…
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56 - That Sounds Denominational: Focusing More On Authority
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Historically we’ve made a strong effort to draw doctrinal distinctions between the Church and denominational churches. But when determining if an activity is right for us or our local church, we sometimes may ask ourselves “Would that make us look like them?”. Let’s unpack this comparison idea a little more and dive into the practice of finding scr…
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55 - Self-Forgiveness: It's Ok to Let It Go
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Struggling with feelings of guilt over your sins, past mistakes, or lingering regrets? Why do we hold on to guilt and regret of sin and why does it manifest in physical pain sometimes? Maybe like us, you are contemplating the concept of self-forgiveness and questioning its validity in comparison to relying on divine forgiveness. Come join us as we …
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54 - Watch Your Mouth. We're Talking About Euphemisms.
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Have you ever caught yourself substituting a potentially offensive word with a seemingly innocent one? Well, that's a euphemism. What is the real impact of euphemisms? Are they wrong to use? Join us for a brief chat about our words of choice, euphemisms, blasphemous slang, and crude language. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovischu…
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What is wrong with gambling? Is gambling a sin? Are innocuous friendly wagers and raffles wrong? What about investing? Join us as we unpack these questions and dive into gambling's relationship with our walk as Christians. Whether you're firmly rooted in your views on gambling or still pondering where the line in the sand should be drawn, this disc…
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52 - Navigating Grief by Learning to Lament
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Grief is a journey we all navigate differently, and in this episode, Kyle and Jon talk candidly about lamenting to God in the mourning process. We will guide you through the biblical accounts of expressing our anguish to the Almighty—taking cues from David and Jeremiah—and reveal how their example may lead us to hope and healing. Finally, we honor …
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51 - Fitness & Faith: How Important Should Fitness Be for Christians?
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As the new year approaches many have healthy resolutions on the brain. Well so did Kyle, and he asks "How important should the pursuit of fitness be in the life of a Christian?". Being physically fit is a good thing right? Then what could be bad about it? On the other hand, aren't we supposed to be disciplined and good stewards of the lives that Go…
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50 - Should Christians Listen to Contemporary Christian Music?
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Do you like to listen to Christian Rock, Gospel, or any other genre of instrumental music outside of worship that mentions God and is centered around Christianity? How about religious Christmas music? Or, does it all bother your conscience to do so? In this episode, we talk about what our perspective should be, as Christians, on instrumental Christ…
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49 - How Close to Sin Can You Get Without Sinning?
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Join us and Tommy Peeler as we talk about when sin first entered the world in Genesis 3. We'll discuss how tempting it is to get close to sin and why that's not a good idea. Let's chat about setting clear boundaries, avoiding messing with sin, and understanding how we deal with it. We'll also look at Matthew chapters 5 and 6 and use the idea of "gl…
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48 - Not Superstitious, But A Little Stitious
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Ever wonder why we have quirky rituals for sports games or high-stakes competitions? Are you guilty of patting your car dashboard before a road trip or avoiding ladders at all costs? We unravel these peculiarities, linking them to biblical teachings and how God views superstitions. Sharing a few laugh-worthy anecdotes we explore how superstitions a…
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47 - Balancing Life and Keeping God as a Priority
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Ever wondered why, despite a packed schedule and ceaseless hustle, there’s a nagging feeling that something is missing? Are we sacrificing the truly important on the altar of the urgent? Join us as we have an honest conversation about the struggle to keep God at the forefront, amidst the whirlwind of life. In our quest to balance faith, family, hob…
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46 - Should I Care What People Think of Me?
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Ever found yourself grappling with the harsh reality of prioritizing others' opinions over your faith? You're not alone. In this episode, we crack open some biblical accounts to shed light on this dilemma. We look at John 12, where many couldn't openly profess their belief in Jesus due to their fear of the Pharisees. We also explore the story of An…
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45 - Are You Excited for Extracurriculars?
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Gospel meetings, singings, lectureships, youth forums...events like these are somewhat above and beyond the usual weekly worship service. They aren't more important but they do have their own benefits to our congregations and our own Christian walks. What is your attitude in regard to these "extracurricular" events? Join us as we reminisce about th…
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44 - Rekindling Lost Love in Faith & Marriage
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Remember the excitement of the start of a relationship? Those little notes, sweet gestures, and genuine eagerness to impress? In this episode, we explore the reminiscent charm of the initial stages of relationships and also draw a parallel to the early days of our conversion. Listen as we dissect the Church of Ephesus from Revelation 2, a congregat…
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43 - Back to School: Advice for Letting Lights Shine
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Have you ever felt the pressure of fitting in while trying to maintain your faith in school? We're taking you on a journey back to our school days, exploring the trials and triumphs of navigating peer pressure, fitting in, and upholding faith. We delve into the importance of recognizing influences, the challenges in explaining our beliefs, and the …
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Life frequently diverges from our expectations, especially in relationships and careers, causing disappointment. This episode explores setting aligned expectations with God's will and managing them in interactions with others. Pulling insights from Proverbs 13:12, we discuss how anticipations can lead to disappointment, and how the art of compromis…
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41 - Reviving Gratitude for a Contented Life
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In this podcast episode, we explore the pervasive struggle of falling into the comparison trap and succumbing to negativity, especially fueled by the influence of social media. By delving into the harmful consequences of these traps on both our well-being and relationships, we uncover the true cost of constantly reaching for more while neglecting g…
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Remember that time you walked into a room where everyone else seemed to know each other, and you felt like an intruder? Picture that scenario, but this time you're walking into a Church of Christ, trying to find solace and connection. In this episode, we peel back the layers of what it's like to be a newcomer in a church environment. We begin with …
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39 - Let’s Talk About Addiction - Part 2: Digging Deep
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In this episode, we continue our interview with brother Jim Ruby and our subject of substance abuse, addiction, and its effect on so many lives in the church. This part-2 is a Q&A, where we dig deeper into the roots of addiction and bring in a biblical approach to helping those entrapped in it. This is our longest episode yet because it is jam-pack…
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38 - Let’s Talk About Addiction - Part 1: Jim’s Story
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We don’t talk much about substance abuse and addiction, but in various ways, it does affect many lives in the Lord’s Church. In this part 1 of a 2-part episode - we interview brother Jim Ruby, hear how his life was affected by addiction, and set the stage for some valuable discussions about this difficult topic. This episode is only part of the sto…
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37 - How to Avoid Sexual Temptation & Pornography
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In this episode we approach a subject we often fail to talk about, How can we avoid sexual temptation, specifically that of pornography? We discuss how prevalent this issue is, strategies and tactics to avoid sexual temptation, and talk about how we can better guard our eyes and our minds. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovischurch…
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What is your relationship with money? Are you driven to acquire it? Are you content with what you have? In this episode, we all discuss what it means to love money and how you balance providing for your family, being a good steward of your income, and being content with your material blessings. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovisc…
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Last year this time (Father's Day) we talked about “Being Better Fathers”. In this episode, we continue that conversation and discuss what Psalm 103 teaches us about being better fathers. In this passage we learn from God, our Father in Heaven, to be slow to anger, compassionate, and forgiving. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovisc…
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Ever see a political post-on-line and you can’t help yourself from unleashing the “correct” response? In this episode, we discuss how we all blend our faith with our political views. Whether it be at work, online, or with other brethren - Should Christians engage in political discussions? If so, how should they approach such a potentially divisive …
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33 - Godly Relationships with Unbelievers
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What should our relationships be like with those in the world? Can we be friends with non-Christians? In this episode, we take a look at 2 Corinthians 6 and discuss what it means to be “unequally yoked”. How does this relate to all of our relationships, but especially with unbelievers and those of not like faith? Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email …
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Warning to watch our toes, they might just get stepped on in this episode. What is your attendance at worship like? Do you attend every opportunity you have? If not why? Join us as we discuss the topic of church attendance. Why is it important? Why is it necessary? What happens to a church, when we’re not here? How does it affect our relationships …
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Welcome back! Are you a procrastinator? Are there some things in your life, that you are dragging your feet to accomplish? Join us as we discuss our own experiences with procrastination and share some tips on how you can stay focused on your goals and your walk in the faith. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.org Fi…
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For the last episode of this season, we talked about how we measure success OR How do we cope when plans fail? It is important to make plans and strive to accomplish things in this life, but we don’t know the future, so how do we as Christians deal with unexpected changes to those plans? Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovischurchof…
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29 - Holiday Episode: Christmas & Santa Clause
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In this seasonal topic episode, we discuss how we as Christians should view the Christmas holiday. Should it be celebrated? If so how? We’ll also dive into the topic of Santa Clause. No spoilers here but there will definitely be some in the episode. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.org Find us on Facebook or Insta…
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Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 24 in the U.S. - So why aren't we talking more about it? Maybe it’s because we don’t know enough about it, maybe we believe it's a cut-and-dry subject, or that it is just too heartbreaking of a subject to talk about. Join us as we talk about how, as Christians, how we should appro…
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Now that Thanksgiving is over, let us feel bad about ourselves by talking about Gluttony. To that point, this topic is usually addressed through humor, but what really is gluttony? Is it just about over-eating? Why is it a sin? Join our study and discussion on this easily dismissed and forgotten topic. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media…
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In this episode, we grace the surface of a very complex and sometimes controversial topic amongst brethren...Mental Health & Illness. The concepts of mental health and mental illness are two separate things, we dive into the differences, as well as related discussions on medications, pray-it-away teachings, and the duality of leaning on God and see…
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25 - Baptism: Age of Accountability & Rebaptism
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Reflecting on our own baptisms we discuss the difficult topic of knowing when your child is ready to be baptized and how we should be encouraging youth to be baptized. We also talk about the idea of ‘rebaptism’. Why do some Christians seek to be ‘re-baptized’ and is it scriptural? Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.…
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Singing songs and hymns is an important part of our worship to God. But how much do we think about “how” we sing these praises or “if” we are offering up good worship to our Lord? In this episode, we look at a few ways we can “do singing wrong” and offer some encouragement to help our worship and edification of one another. Contact the Exhorter Pod…
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In honor of election week, we are re-introducing a previous episode (Ep. 06 - Cancel Culture) We all know how destructive "cancel culture" can be in our society. Join us as we discuss how "cancel culture" has manifested in the church. We'll also discuss 3 reasons Christians should avoid destroying vital relationships amongst brethren through "cance…
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In this episode, we take a look at the account of Lot in Genesis 13 and learn more about how our decisions affect the spiritual well-being of our families. Whether it's where we choose to live and move our families or the practical everyday struggles to keep our minds and lives pure from the world - we have a great responsibility to put God first i…
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We’ve all heard something “going bump in the night” and many people today believe that it could’ve been a ghost. This time of year there is much entertainment to be had, by the idea that the living could be haunted by those that have passed from this world. But what does the bible say - are there such things as grim grinning ghosts? Contact the Exh…
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Ever feel as if you are too broken to be useful to God and to exhort your brethren? As human beings we all come to God broken with our own past and struggles, we all come to need the same amount of grace. Our guest Steve Johnson leads us through an uplifting discussion on how our brokenness allows us to be of service to God. Contact the Exhorter Po…
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Do you feel that random chance, environmental factors, or the actions of others - are more responsible for the events that occur in your life? In this episode, we take a look at how much control God has given us over our lives and how your “locus of control” can influence not only how you respond to life, but also your motivation to take action. Co…
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We have so many very personal ideas about how we should dress for worship. In this episode, we (somewhat) debate many points of view surrounding this topic. Should we dress our best for worship? Does that mean suits & ties? Does our dress reflect our attitude in worship? Is what's in your heart more important than what you wear? Contact the Exhorte…
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Finding disagreements among brethren is easy, having disputes while maintaining the brotherly love we are called to, is a little more challenging. This episode gives practical examples and tools to help you navigate disagreements with others in an effort to find resolution...not division. Here is a rundown of the tips provided: Show care for the re…
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What does the next generation of the church look like? In this series of episodes “Gen Z”, we dive into the minds of the next generation of our brethren, Generation Z. This week, gained insight into our youth showed us their remarkable self-awareness and maturity when they told us, in their own words, “hold us accountable”. Contact the Exhorter Pod…
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Zeal is not a word we use in our everyday lives but is vital to our spiritual walk. In this episode, we discuss that if we’ve lost that intense emotion (we usually equate with zeal), that’s OK, zeal is more than a feeling - it's a genuine and tangible call to action from our Lord. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.…
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Can gossip ever be good? In this episode, with a little more humor than previous episodes, we unfold the world of gossip, speak to the variety of ways it happens in our conversations, and provide some ways you can avoid it. We also talk about good gossip and the power of speaking positively about others. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at med…
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We all sin and fall short of being like Christ. Has anyone ever called you out on your sin? If so did you get defensive and make excuses like Saul in 1 Samuel or did you react the way David did? Join our discussion on examining how we should react when confronted with our own sin. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.…
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What legacy will you be leaving for the next generation? In this episode, we talk about our own legacies, and how it was we came to be Christians. But more importantly, we will consider the importance of our example in paving the way for generations to come to Christ. How will we impact the faith of generations to come? Contact the Exhorter Podcast…
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Is true joy elusive to you? If the idea of joy often comes and goes with life's circumstances then it is not the true unwavering joy found in John 15. Join us as we discuss this true joy and some practical ways to bring it more into our lives. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.org Find us on Facebook or Instagram T…
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