“In the months following that first confession of my same-sex desires, with help from Jesus, I began the slow and messy process of disentangling those desires from the man he created me to be. When I made my desires and my self a package deal, I couldn’t fight one without feeling like I was fighting the other. Repenting of my same-sex desires felt like I was repenting of being emotional, or creative, or tall. But as I’m learning how to distinguish my sin from my self, the freedom that I’m finding has been truly transformational.” - Stephen Moss Today’s episode from Stephen Moss shares his story of disentangling his self-conception from his battles with same-sex desires. He chronicles his journey from an identity based on stereotypes and tribalism to one of freedom in Christ as he learned who he truly is—a unique image bearer of God and a new-creation man, united to Christ. Click here to read along with today’s episode: https://harvestusa.org/disentangling-my-self-from-same-sex-desires/
Do you treat God like a mere tool to serve your own agenda? When life is comfortable, relationships are fulfilling, and ventures are successful, it might be easy to seek him. But when life gets tough and God isn’t delivering us from hardship, it becomes tempting to stop praying and find something else to fill our unmet desires. This heart posture is fertile ground for sexual sin to grow in. On today’s episode, Mark Sanders challenges us to avoid sexual sin by worshipping God, not for what he can do for us, but for who he is. Click here to read along with today’s episode: https://harvestusa.org/foxholes-field-goals-and-false-worship/
If questions about masturbation, emotional crushes on other girls, hatred for their bodies, and exposure to porn are left unaddressed by the church, struggling women will pursue answers elsewhere. Women who believe in Jesus need faithful disciplers who will help them walk out true repentance by learning what it means to be sexually faithful women. On today’s episode, Ellen Mary Dykas shines light on the hurt women experience when leaders are silent about these issues and calls women’s ministry leaders to invest in honest conversations with those under their care about applying the gospel to sex and sexuality. Click here to read along: https://harvestusa.org/should-your-womens-ministry-talk-about-how-to-be-sexually-faithful-women/
Life in Christ requires humbly surrendering to God as Lord, Creator, and Savior over every areas of our lives, including our relational desires and sexuality. Yet many Christians are tempted to believe they can take up their cross and follow Jesus here and there, while not surrendering their sexual identity to Him. On today’s episode, Ellen Mary Dykas shares how Jesus’s holy lordship lovingly confronts the false perception that our sexual and romantic desires belong to us and how this same lordship personally comforts us by graciously giving us his full protection and provision. Click here to read along: https://harvestusa.org/no-private-real-estate-our-desires-and-attractions-belong-to-jesus/
One of the most common things we hear from parents who contact Harvest USA is the deep sense of isolation they feel when a son or daughter identifies as LGBTQ+. They already feel heartbroken over their child’s choices, and, on top of that, they carry a heavy load of guilt and shame—an inner voice telling them they must have failed as parents. Today’s episode from Joy Worrell seeks to help these parents remember grace. She helps parents reject false guilt, remember God’s sovereignty over their situation, and remember gospel and God of grace who lifts their shame. Click to read along with today’s episode: https://harvestusa.org/parents-dont-live-in-the-land-of-guilt-and-shame/
Can cultivating habits, hobbies, and traditions really help you fight sexual sin? They can. Among many other lies and temptations, sexual sin tempts us to believe that we can navigate the unfolding of our lives better than God can and that our lives are ultimately self-governed. It bids us to pursue a pattern of life that’s contrary to God’s design and fails to glorify and enjoy God in every season and experience. In today’s episode, Men’s Ministry Director Keith Seary shows us how pursuing intentional habits, hobbies, and traditions can help us resist these temptations and fight sexual sin. Read along on our website → https://harvestusa.org/habits-hobbies-and-traditions-a-god-given-necessity-in-fighting-sexual-sin/
Should Christian singles apply themselves to preparing for marriage when there’s no guarantee that they will be married someday? In today’s episode, Keith Seary calls single Christian’s to cultivate four traits that mark a Christ-centered marriage: gospel focus, love for others, holy attraction, and submission to God. Even if God does not call you to marriage, cultivating these traits will be fruitful in your life as you pursue a life of devotion to and dependence on Christ. Click here to read along with today’s episode: https://harvestusa.org/should-i-prepare-for-marriage-even-though-its-not-guaranteed/
Caring for those struggling with sexual sin can be a humbling and wearying task. God often reminds us that our gifts and skill cannot reach or heal a struggling human heart. If you’re discouraged in ministry, today’s episode is for you. Men’s ministry staff Yohan Huh Prudente shares three precious truths about God’s love that can anchor and empower your ministry to sexual strugglers. You can read the original article on our website: https://harvestusa.org/be-anchored-in-gods-love-as-you-care-for-sexual-strugglers/
What can we say to parents grieving the news that their child is about to transition? What do we say or do when our hearts are breaking for our loved ones? Indeed, those who follow Christ face a continuous barrage of conflict and suffering. But you are not alone, dear Christian parent, brother, or sister. In today’s episode, Yohan Huh Prudente leads you to into the presence of our dear Savior, who offers abundant blessings to his children, even in the midst of their pain and suffering. You can read the original article on our website: https://harvestusa.org/cries-of-the-heart-when-christ-meets-a-wounded-soul/
Even through the hope of joy of Christmas, many of us still feel unsatisfied. We’ve sand Christmas carols full of joy and promise, but as we face the new year, we’re reminded that the world is still fallen and we’re still awaiting the return of Christ to make all things new. In today’s episode, former Harvest USA staff David White considers how our holiday aches point to our ultimate hope.