The Forty Podcast - Life From a Biblical Perspective

Episode 025 - Rethinking Blessings and Rethinking Prayer

In this episode of the Forty with Jeff and Mike we want to challenge some popular perspectives of God’s word. In the first half of the episode we discuss what’s wrong with the prosperity gospel interpretation of scripture and how that is damaging to our faith. In the second half we look at how Jesus challenges us to rethink our approach to prayer. What is the purpose of prayer? Why do we get it so wrong so often? Then as we begin to dive into Jesus’ model for prayer we begin to find the help and encouragement we need to get the most from our prayers.

Episode 024 - What‘s the Deal With Prayer?

This week Jeff & Mike dive into the practice of prayer. Why is it important? What does God want to accomplish in us through the act of prayer? Is prayer to petition God to change our circumstances or to allow God to change our perspective? Or both? Join us as we discuss the practice and power of prayer and why it's vital to the Christian life.

Episode 023 - The Challenges of Faith

In today's episode, Jeff & Mike discuss the challenges of faith, and why a disciplined life of worship to God is vital to growing our faith. Using the character of Abraham as a launching point, we see his faith is on full display as God begins to prepare him, and as Abraham is obedient and steadfast in his devotion to God. 

Episode 022 - Share Your Faith With Confidence

This week Jeff & Mike spend the episode discussing how to practically talk about faith, and how to open up conversations about God and the Bible. God calls us to be spreading the good news of the gospel, but sometimes we can come across as uncomfortable, unsure, or even abrasive or judgmental. Take a listen for some discussion on how to share our faith as a natural extension of our Christianity.

Episode 021 - Seriously, Jesus?

It seems like everything Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount could be considered revolutionary. But what He said about loving our enemies might be at the top of the list. This week Jeff & Mike talk about what it really takes to love your enemies. Also, in this episode Jeff & Mike discuss living life in the "extra mile" and how actions like turning the other cheek have a specific purpose. Listen to find out more.

Episode 020 - Conspiracy Theories

In this episode, Jeff & Mike discuss conspiracy theories. There's a lot of them floating around lately, but Christians encountering and dealing with them is nothing new. But why do so many Christians put their trust into conspiracy theories? What is the appeal? What is our responsibility as Christians when it comes to these theories? All that and more on Episode 20 of The Forty.

Episode 019 - The Problem of Evil and the Problem of Pride

In the first half of this week's episode, Jeff & Mike talk about why there is evil in the world. Where did it come from and why doesn't God seem to do anything about it? In the second half we are back in Genesis as Jeff & Mike discuss the Tower of Babel and God's response to pride.

Episode 018 - Redefining Sin

This week Jeff & Mike spend the entire episode talking about Matthew 5:21-30 where Jesus lays out a deeper understanding of sin, and how it's not just the outward actions that define sin. Sin isn't just the part of the iceberg we can see, it's also the massive chunk of ice that lurks beneath the surface, waiting to sink the unsinkable. Hmmm... sounds like an opportunity to throw in some movie quotes from a famous movie as well!

Episode 017 - Having an Unsinkable Faith

In this episode, Jeff & Mike talk about Noah. What would you do if God asked you to do something that sounded crazy, like build an Ark? Noah wasn’t perfect and made his own mistakes, but Jeff & Mike discuss the importance of walking by faith and what we can learn from our friend Noah. Not to mention all the water and boat puns you’ll hear in this episode. 

Episode 016 - Is the American Dream a Christian Reality? & Does God Have Regrets?

In the first half of today's episode, Jeff & Mike piggy-back off last week's discussion about work and discuss the idea of the American Dream. Is that a Christian Reality? Can we pursue God and our dreams at the same time? In the second half, Jeff & Mike are in Genesis 6 looking at the state of the world before Noah and the great flood.