Young people are growing up in an increasingly godless world. Our culture is pressing in on our children, indoctrinating them with false views of romance and love, morality and truth, sexuality and identity. Our kids need to be equipped with wisdom to respond to the evil they encounter in the world, not simply stay sheltered from it. In today’s episode, Julie Lowe helps us think through equipping our kids with discernment. Discernment to see right and wrong. Discernment to name the darkness. Discernment to rest in the Lord as we acknowledge that our ultimate safety is in his hands. Click here to read the entire article on our website: https://harvestusa.org/keeping-kids-safe/
If God is in control and he hates marital infidelity…why did he allow sexual betrayal into my life? While the Bible is full of honest stories about the misery of sin, and the wreckage it brings, it is mysteriously quiet about the specific impact on many betrayed wives. In today’s episode, Ellen Dykas seeks to answer two questions to bring comfort and hope to wives facing the aftermath of their husband’s sexual sin. Why does suffering, including marital unfaithfulness, exist in a world that God is supposedly in control of? What hope is available to me and all hurting wives as we face this trial? This episode of the Harvest USA podcast features session four from our brand new resource “Hope in Your Heartbreak: First Steps for Sexually Betrayed Wives”. Hope in Your Heartbreak is available now and it’s completely free. If you found today’s episode helpful and want access to the entire course, sign up now at: https://courses.harvestusa.org/courses/hope-in-your-heartbreak/
“My husband’s affair was because he hasn’t felt excited or attracted to me since I’ve aged.” “My husband’s porn issue is because I have not been sexually available.” “All men struggle with sexual sin, so I just need to accept it.” If your husband has been caught in sexual sin or an affair, thoughts like these might be bubbling up in your heart. They may even be coming from others who think they're offering you helpful counsel for your situation and suffering. No matter where these words are coming from or how they’re wounding you, we are certain about one thing… They’re not true and they’re not anchored in God’s Word. Today on the Harvest USA podcast, we’re sharing session 3 of our brand new video series “Hope in Your Heartbreak: First Steps for Sexually Betrayed Wives”. In this session, Caitlin McCaffrey seeks to anchor you in the truths of God’s Word as you wrestle with questions in the aftermath of sexual betrayal. She then shares specific truths from the Bible which will address and bring comfort to you as you wrestle with these common wounding words. Hope in Your Heartbreak is a free resource from Harvest USA. You can register to watch the entire six session course here: https://courses.harvestusa.org/courses/hope-in-your-heartbreak/
When following Jesus doesn’t fulfill our hopes for relationships, sex, and community, are you tempted to throw in the towel and pursue fulfillment in a sinful escape? When singleness drags on…do you think: It’s not the end of the world if I marry an unbeliever. When marriage feels empty…do you think: Surely God would understand if I found someone else who makes me happy. When saying no to same-sex romance feels unbearable…do you think: There’s always that “affirming” church down the street. These options promise safety if Jesus disappoints us—but they actually sabotage our relationship with him. Forsaking all others may leave us feeling empty-handed, but Jesus calls us to this costly loyalty so he can give us something better: himself. In today’s episode Stephen Moss explores what it means to put away these potential escapes and embrace the fullness of Jesus’ love for us in covenant loyalty and grace. Click here to read the original article on our website.
When you’re tempted to look at porn, does giving in feel like the only option? Many men and women feel as if giving in to temptation is the only way to silence that nagging voice of desire you’re wrestling with. It doesn’t have to be this way. In today’s episode, Mark Sanders shows us that there are plenty of practical decisions we can make to escape temptation early in the process. He then offers several practical strategies you can implement to exit the highway of temptation before you reach the point of giving in. Click to read the on our website.
For many who pursue sexual integrity in thought and life, it can often seem like three steps forward, one step backward, on repeat. But God meets us in the struggle. In 40 years of ministry at Harvest USA, founder John Freeman has observed God’s steady faithfulness. In today’s episode, he shares eight lessons he’s learned over four decades of ministry to those in turmoil and sin regarding gender and sexuality. We’re all sexually broken to some degree and in some sense. Many of Satan’s schemes against us are directed at gender and sexuality. The sexually broken are close to God’s heart. People don’t set out to get enslaved by sexual sin. The church and parents must intentionally lead in areas of gender and sexuality. We were never meant to handle sex and sexuality on our own. It’s not over ‘til it’s over. Whatever pit we find ourselves in, Jesus is deeper still. Click here to read the original article on our website.
Do you have a “mug shot” theology? Much like the ugly mug shots we see that tend to stick around, mug shot theology is that picture we’re sure God has of us. A picture he always looks at when we’ve been behaving at our worst - when we’ve really blown it. There are few men who don’t suffer from mug shot theology, especially when it comes to their deep and unrelenting sexual temptations, struggles, and sin. It just seems to come with the territory. In today’s episode Harvest USA founder John Freeman shows us that when we trade a mug shot theology for a gospel theology…everything changes. Click here to read the original article on our website.
Intergenerational discipleship (older men to younger men, older women to younger women) is needed in the church today! Rather than rushing into retirement, taking on the role of mentor to a younger member of your church could be a wonderful way to serve Christ in your older age. How do we devote ourselves to becoming Titus 2 “older believers” who engage in intergenerational discipleship especially in an age where sexual sin can be difficult to talk about? In today’s episode, Keith Seary suggests four points to consider for those who want to embrace the call to participate in intergenerational discipleship in their church. Embrace a higher calling for your age than the world has to offer. Overcome potential fears regarding mentorship. Recognize the unique benefits of growing older. Take one practical first step. Click here to read the original article on our website!
Sexual sin builds on the lie that we can hide, ensnaring us in loneliness. Yet, whether we share our sin struggles with others or not, we are accountable before God. In today’s episode, Keith Seary shows us why biblical accountability is not only good for us, but something we should earnestly desire. He shows us how biblical accountability enables us to live out the high calling God has called us to as his children and how pursuing the ordinary means of grace helps us to turn from sin and live spiritually fruitful lives. Click here to read the original article.
Have you felt so hopeless over your sin that you’ve forgotten the forbearance of God? You told yourself it would be the last time. You cried out to God, begged for strength, and for a while, you tasted freedom. But temptation came and, in a moment, it all fell apart. Once again, you gave in. You wonder, “Does God still care? Am I a lost cause?” And with a sigh, you decide, “Well, God’s patience must have been exhausted.” In today’s episode, Yohan Huh Prudente points us to the wonderful forbearance of God by putting on display the mercy and patience of Christ as he persevered in his earthly ministry, obeyed even amidst the agonizing death on the cross, and ascended to become our eternal high priest. Click here to read the original article.