Episode 21: What Does God Look for in a Leader?

Episode 21: What Does God Look for in a Leader?

In this episode of The Sift, we begin a new series on the life of David by exploring 1 Samuel 16 and one of the Bible’s most important lessons about leadership. As Saul’s reign comes to an end, God sends Samuel to anoint a new king. Yet the man God chooses is not the strongest, oldest, or most impressive by human standards. While others are captivated by outward appearance, God reminds Samuel that “the Lord looks on the heart.” Together, we examine the historical setting surrounding David’s rise, the surprising way God chooses and prepares leaders, and the role of character, faithfulness, and humility in God’s kingdom. We also discuss how God’s providence opened doors for David while he faithfully served in obscurity. Ultimately, David points us to Jesus Christ, the greater David, the King God promised and the King we all need. Subscribe to the Sift Podcast! Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/18Jlr9A1gyWsoglyBhF3rU?si=4511590f88924da6 [https://open.spotify.com/show/18Jlr9A1gyWsoglyBhF3rU?si=4511590f88924da6] Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sift-sorting-through-life/id1868521732 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sift-sorting-through-life/id1868521732] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thesiftlife [https://www.youtube.com/@thesiftlife] Stay Connected with The Sift on Social Media You can find The Sift  on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582488430324 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582488430324]and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesiftlife/ [https://www.instagram.com/thesiftlife/] Get Connected with a Local Church If you’re looking for a local church to connect with, we’d love for you to learn more about Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Alabama:https://www.redeemerdecatur.org [https://www.redeemerdecatur.org/]

Episode 20: How Do You Trust God Until the End?

In this episode, we wrap up the story of Joseph in Genesis 50 and consider what it looks like to trust God all the way to the end. As Joseph faces the lingering fears of his brothers after Jacob’s death, he responds with grace toward his brothers and faith in God: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Even after years of suffering and success, Joseph’s confidence rests not in circumstances, but in God’s sovereign hand. We reflect on how true faith in God is not situational, it’s forged over time and sustained through both hardship and blessing. Joseph’s final words and his request concerning his bones reveals his hope in God’s promises. This episode is a call to finish well, to see God’s goodness throughout your life, be confident in His purposes, and trust Him to the very end. Subscribe to the Sift Podcast! Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/18Jlr9A1gyWsoglyBhF3rU?si=4511590f88924da6 [https://open.spotify.com/show/18Jlr9A1gyWsoglyBhF3rU?si=4511590f88924da6] Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sift-sorting-through-life/id1868521732 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sift-sorting-through-life/id1868521732] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thesiftlife [https://www.youtube.com/@thesiftlife] Stay Connected with The Sift on Social Media You can find The Sift  on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582488430324 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582488430324]and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesiftlife/ [https://www.instagram.com/thesiftlife/] Get Connected with a Local Church If you’re looking for a local church to connect with, we’d love for you to learn more about Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Alabama:https://www.redeemerdecatur.org [https://www.redeemerdecatur.org/]

Episode 19: How God Uses Imperfect People

In this episode, we finish Genesis 49 and begin Genesis 50, exploring how God works through flawed people to accomplish His perfect purposes. As Jacob speaks his final words over his sons, he’s honest about their failures, and yet he knows God’s plan will move forward through them. And there is a thread of grace that runs through it all, pointing to Christ. We also talk about how God uses both the highs and lows of our lives, encouraging you to recognize the Lord’s hand in every season of life. When we get to Jacob’s burial request, we see his trust in God’s promises, while Joseph’s grief reminds us that sorrow is real and appropriate. We hope this conversation is a helpful reminder that God’s purposes are not hindered by imperfect people again but are accomplished through them. Subscribe to the Sift Podcast! Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/18Jlr9A1gyWsoglyBhF3rU?si=4511590f88924da6 [https://open.spotify.com/show/18Jlr9A1gyWsoglyBhF3rU?si=4511590f88924da6] Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sift-sorting-through-life/id1868521732 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sift-sorting-through-life/id1868521732] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thesiftlife [https://www.youtube.com/@thesiftlife] Stay Connected with The Sift on Social Media You can find The Sift  on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582488430324 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582488430324] and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesiftlife/ [https://www.instagram.com/thesiftlife/] Get Connected with a Local Church If you’re looking for a local church to connect with, we’d love for you to learn more about Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Alabama:https://www.redeemerdecatur.org [https://www.redeemerdecatur.org/]

Episode 18: How Does a Person Die Well?

In this episode, we walk through Genesis 48, which is near the end of the Joseph story, and we consider what it means to die well. As Jacob nears the end of his life, his focus is not on possessions but on the promises of God. He reflects on God’s faithful care, “the God who has been my shepherd all my life long,” and anchors his hope in what God promised to do. We explore how dying well starts long before the final moments of life. It involves consistently pointing our families to the Lord, passing down a living faith, and trusting God to work over the course of generations. Jacob adopts Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which gives us a picture of how God graciously brings us into His family and teaches us to call Him Father. We hope you’ll join us for this episode. There’s a seat at the table for you! Subscribe to the Sift Podcast! Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/18Jlr9A1gyWsoglyBhF3rU?si=4511590f88924da6 [https://open.spotify.com/show/18Jlr9A1gyWsoglyBhF3rU?si=4511590f88924da6] Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sift-sorting-through-life/id1868521732 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sift-sorting-through-life/id1868521732] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thesiftlife [https://www.youtube.com/@thesiftlife] Stay Connected with The Sift on Social Media You can find The Sift  on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582488430324 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582488430324] and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesiftlife/ [https://www.instagram.com/thesiftlife/] Get Connected with a Local Church If you’re looking for a local church to connect with, we’d love for you to learn more about Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Alabama:https://www.redeemerdecatur.org [https://www.redeemerdecatur.org/]

Episode 17: How God Works in Unexpected Places

In this episode of The Sift, Nathan Eldridge and Jeff Hollesclaw explore Genesis 47 and ask: how does God work in your life when He places you somewhere unexpected? As Jacob’s family settles in Egypt, we see God’s providence unfold through leadership, hardship, and surprising blessing. Joseph models wisdom and humility in crisis, while Jacob reminds us that this world is not our true home. Even in famine, God causes His people to flourish in Goshen.  This conversation highlights faith in difficult circumstances, contentment in every season, and trusting God’s purposes when life doesn’t go as planned. Wherever God has placed you, especially when it’s not where you expected, He is still at work, shaping your life and fulfilling His promises. Subscribe to the Sift Podcast! Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/18Jlr9A1gyWsoglyBhF3rU?si=4511590f88924da6 [https://open.spotify.com/show/18Jlr9A1gyWsoglyBhF3rU?si=4511590f88924da6] Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sift-sorting-through-life/id1868521732 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sift-sorting-through-life/id1868521732] Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@thesiftlife [https://www.youtube.com/@thesiftlife] Stay Connected with The Sift on Social Media You can find The Sift  on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582488430324 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582488430324] and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesiftlife/ [https://www.instagram.com/thesiftlife/] Get Connected with a Local Church If you’re looking for a local church to connect with, we’d love for you to learn more about Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Alabama:https://www.redeemerdecatur.org [https://www.redeemerdecatur.org/]