92 - Is 'I Love Them, But I Don't Have to Like Them' Biblical?

92 - Is 'I Love Them, But I Don't Have to Like Them' Biblical?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2219440/fan_mail/new] Can you love someone you don't naturally like? We've all heard the phrase, "I love them, but I don't have to like them." But is that really the attitude Scripture calls us to have? In this episode, we explore the tension that can exist between faithful Christians who simply don't connect, have different personalities, or have allowed misunderstandings and assumptions to create distance. Looking at Philippians 4, Colossians 3, and 1 Corinthians 13, we discuss what biblical love actually requires—and why avoiding people may be easier than pursuing unity, but rarely reflects the heart of Christ.  We also offer practical steps for repairing strained relationships: praying intentionally for one another, speaking well of others, and having humble conversations that seek understanding instead of assumptions. The church isn't a curated friend group—it's a redeemed family. And how we treat one another says a lot about how seriously we take the gospel.  Contact the Exhorter Podcast * Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.org * Find us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085225296368]or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theexhorterpodcast/] Thanks for listening!

91 - What Does It Really Mean to Be Blessed?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2219440/fan_mail/new] We often say “I’m blessed”—but what do we really mean by that? In this episode, we challenge the common idea that blessing simply means good or positive circumstances, and instead explore a more biblical definition—what is truly profitable for our souls, even when life is difficult.  Walking through James 1 and Romans 8:28, we unpack how trials, loss, and hardship can still serve a purpose in shaping our faith. From Solomon and David to Israel and the bronze serpent, we examine how blessings can turn into curses—or reveal themselves over time—depending on our attitude, stewardship, and response to God. At the core, this episode reframes blessing not as what we receive but as how God uses every experience to draw us closer to Him. If you’ve ever wrestled with hardship, comparison, or understanding God’s purpose in your life, this conversation will challenge how you see both trials and blessings. Contact the Exhorter Podcast * Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.org * Find us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085225296368]or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theexhorterpodcast/] Thanks for listening!

90 - Are Your Words Honoring God? with guest Kevin Clark

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2219440/fan_mail/new] Are your words honoring God—even in everyday conversations? In this episode, we’re joined by Kevin Clark from Birmingham, Alabama, to discuss how our speech reflects our hearts and how small, intentional changes can have a significant impact on our homes, relationships, and walk with Christ. We explore what it looks like to speak with grace, use biblical language naturally, and even step into moments of prayer when the opportunity arises. Along the way, we introduce five simple questions to help filter your words so they are true, loving, timely, and edifying. Our words aren’t accidental—they reveal who we are and who we serve. This episode challenges us to be more mindful, more intentional, and ultimately more Christ-centered in the way we speak. Contact the Exhorter Podcast * Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.org * Find us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085225296368]or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theexhorterpodcast/] Thanks for listening!

89 - How to Talk to Mormons: A Biblical Approach

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2219440/fan_mail/new] Mormons are often kind, family-oriented, and eager to talk about faith—but conversations can quickly stall once you move beyond the surface. In this episode, we walk through a real relationship that led to ongoing Bible study with an LDS couple and highlight how easy it is to use the same words while meaning very different things. At the heart of the discussion is authority: Is the Bible the complete word of God, or one of several sources alongside modern revelation and additional writings? We explore key differences in belief, examine how concepts like a personal “witness” function in conversations, and compare these ideas with Scripture. Along the way, we share practical, respectful ways to engage—how to ask better questions, think through claims, and keep the focus on truth without losing kindness. You don’t have to have every answer, but you do need to know God’s word and speak it with gentleness and clarity. Contact the Exhorter Podcast * Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.org * Find us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085225296368]or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theexhorterpodcast/] Thanks for listening!

88 - Making Promises to God

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2219440/fan_mail/new] We often talk about keeping promises to one another — but what about promises to God? Is a vow the same as promising, or is that bargaining with God? We dig into the difference between making a sincere commitment to God and putting God to the test, and why “let your yes be yes” matters just as much in prayer as it does in everyday life. We walk through key Bible passages on vows and promises, including Gideon’s fleece (Judges 6), Jesus rejecting the temptation to force a sign (Matthew 4), and the sobering warning of Ecclesiastes 5: when you vow, you must pay what you vowed. Along the way we talk about why rash “blank check” promises go sideways fast, what Jephthah and Herod teach us about thoughtless words, and how to build wise guardrails like capacity, intention, and alignment with God’s will. Then the conversation turns personal: the vows we may already be making without realizing it. The Psalms are full of “I will” statements, and the songs we sing in worship can become real commitments if we mean what we say. We also explore baptism as a public covenant marker and how to think about spiritual goals, including New Year’s resolutions for Christians, without sliding into transactional faith. Contact the Exhorter Podcast * Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.org * Find us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085225296368]or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theexhorterpodcast/] Thanks for listening!