エピソード

  • It Takes Faith Part 8 - Heaven's Reward - Moses

    It Takes Faith Part 8 - Heaven's Reward - Moses
    2026/09/22
    Send us Fan MailClick here to support Talk About It!For more information or booking details, visit www.donmsmith.comBuy us a Sweet Tea and a Little Debbie Snack CakeWelcome back to Season 11! This week, Pastor Don continues our journey through Hebrews 11 by examining the faith of Moses—the one who challenged Pharaoh and delivered the Israelites out of Egypt. While Moses is best known for leading the Exodus and wandering in the desert with God's people, there was much happening in his life before he became Israel's great leader. Moses exhibited faith well before he stood before Pharaoh.In Hebrews 11:23-26, we see faith demonstrated in two powerful ways: first through Moses' parents, who risked everything to protect their newborn son, and then through Moses himself, who made the extraordinary choice to leave behind the luxury of Egypt for the sake of God's people. His story teaches us that it takes faith to make the right choice—to value the eternal over the temporary, and to choose God's way even when it costs us everything.In This Episode, Pastor Don Explores:1) The Faith of Moses' Parents (Hebrews 11:23)The Hebrews had settled in Egypt during Joseph's time, but a new Pharaoh arose who feared their growing numbers. He first enslaved them, then ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill every newborn boy. When they refused out of fear of God, Pharaoh decreed that every Hebrew boy must be thrown into the Nile River.Moses' parents ignored this decree and hid him for three months. Exodus 2:2 tells us that Moses' mother "saw that he was no ordinary child"—a phrase that may also mean "fair in the sight of God." There was something unique about Moses, and his mother sensed that this child was destined for something special in God's service.When she could no longer hide him, she placed him in a basket coated with pitch and sent him down the Nile. Pharaoh's daughter found him and took him in as her own. Through Moses' sister Miriam, his own mother was able to nurse and raise him—all under the protection of the Egyptian palace!Moses' parents took enormous risks. They defied the king's order and trusted God with their son's life. They would rather face the king for disobedience than face God for going against what they knew they needed to do. This is how faith acts—it enables us to take risks for the right reasons.2) The Faith of Moses (Hebrews 11:24-26)When Moses had grown up—Acts 7:23 tells us he was 40—he came to a defining moment. He refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.This was an incredible sacrifice. Aligning himself with Hebrew slaves meant a humble, strenuous lifestyle instead of royal comfort. He could have stayed in the palace and possibly risen to become the next Pharaoh. But his heart was with the one true God, and he couldn't continue to serve Egyptian gods.The defining moment may have come when he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. Exodus 2:11-15 records that Moses killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. His motive was noble—avenging the mistreatment of his people—but he took it too far. We can have righteous indignation, but we still need self-control.What's admirable is how completely Moses switched sides. He grew up as an Egyptian for 40 years, yet when he saw an Egyptian attacking a Hebrew, his allegiance was complete and undeniable. When we transition to the side of Christ, may we be as "all in" as Moses displayed here.The next day, when Moses saw two Hebrews fighting, he tried to stop it. But the one in the wrong challenged him: "Who made you ruler and judge over us?" Moses did the right thing but was met with hostility. Our efforts may be met with hostility too, but that shouldn't stop us from trying.Moses fled to Midian, where he spent the next 40 years tending sheep, getting married, and raising two sons. What a lifestyle change! God used this time to prepare Moses. The first 40 years in Egypt taught him how to operate in the palace and court. The next 40 years in Midian taught him the ways of God and the wilderness. He was perfectly equipped to approach Pharaoh and to lead God's people through the desert.3) Moses Made a Better ExchangeMoses exchanged the role of ruler for the role of slave. He gave up the posh life of the palace for the impoverished life of the plains. His peers would have thought him a fool. "He did what? He could have been the next Pharaoh!"But Moses wasn't a fool—he was wise. He left everything behind to gain something far better. The Egyptians had it good—the treasures of King Tut's tomb alone included thousands of pounds of pure gold. But to Moses, the reward of heaven was far more valuable than the treasures of Egypt.Hebrews 11:26 says he "regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward." Moses was able to forsake the visible pleasures of...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    31 分
  • It Takes Faith Part 7 - Faith Rest On The Promise

    It Takes Faith Part 7 - Faith Rest On The Promise
    2026/09/15
    Send us Fan MailClick here to support Talk About It!For more information or booking details, visit www.donmsmith.comClick Here to Buy us a Sweet Tea and a Little Debbie Snack CakeWelcome back to Season 11! This week, Pastor Don continues our journey through Hebrews 11 by examining one of the most challenging and powerful stories in all of Scripture—the testing of Abraham's faith when God commanded him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Hebrews 11:17-19 reveals that Abraham, by faith, offered Isaac as a sacrifice, reasoning that God could raise the dead.This is probably the greatest test of faith given to any man, followed by the greatest display of trust and obedience (next to Jesus, of course). Abraham faced the impossible: God commanded him to sacrifice the son of promise, the covenantal son, the son he and Sarah had waited decades for. And Abraham obeyed. His example teaches us what it truly means to put God first.In This Episode, Pastor Don Explores:1) The Ultimate Test (Genesis 22:1-2)"Sometime later" God tested Abraham. Scholars believe this was 20-25 years after Isaac's birth. Abraham had likely thought the trials were over. Life was good. Then God dropped a bombshell: "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and sacrifice him."This shows Abraham knew the voice of God. If ever there was a command that could be mistaken for Satan's voice, this was it. Yet Abraham didn't argue. He didn't demand an explanation. He simply obeyed.God tests us not to trip us up, but to strengthen us. The testing of our faith develops perseverance and proves its genuineness (1 Peter 1:6-9, James 1:2-4). Like silver and gold refined in fire, our faith is purified and strengthened through trials.2) The Ultimate Response (Genesis 22:3)"Early the next morning" Abraham got up and made preparations. He didn't hesitate. He didn't struggle. He did what God commanded.Abraham could obey so willingly because of what he had seen God do previously. He saw God lead him to a great land. He saw God provide the son of promise. His past experiences with God enabled him to exercise his faith to the fullest. The more we know God and His love, the less apprehensive we'll be to trust Him. The more we see God at work, the easier it will be to step out in faith.3) The Ultimate Faith (Hebrews 11:17-19)Abraham told his servants, "We will worship and then we will come back to you." He told Isaac, "God himself will provide the lamb." Abraham was confident that he and Isaac would return together.Hebrews 11:19 reveals the depth of Abraham's faith: "Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead." Since Isaac's birth was a miracle, Abraham believed God could perform another miracle. He had no precedent for resurrection—no one had ever been raised from the dead. Yet Abraham believed.This is faith that obeys when it doesn't make sense. Faith that believes in the God of miracles. Faith that trusts God's promises even when circumstances seem to contradict them.4) The Ultimate Devotion (Genesis 22:9-12)Abraham built the altar, arranged the wood, bound his son Isaac, and raised the knife. Isaac, likely around 25 years old, could have overpowered his 125-year-old father. He was submissive and obedient—even unto death. What loyalty! What faith!Then the angel of the LORD called out: "Do not lay a hand on the boy. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."Abraham's test was a test of devotion and loyalty. Was God first in his life? Abraham proved that God came before everything—even his beloved son. Corrie Ten Boom wisely said, "We must hold everything loosely, because when I grip it tightly, it hurts when the Father pries my fingers loose and takes it from me."Jesus said, "Anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:37-38). If Jesus doesn't have first place in our lives, then someone or something has taken His rightful place.5) The Ultimate Provision (Genesis 22:13-14)Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in a thicket. He sacrificed it instead of Isaac. He called that place "The LORD Will Provide"—Jehovah-Jireh. God provided a substitute, just as He would one day provide His own Son as the ultimate substitute for our sins.Abraham didn't need an explanation because he already had the promise. He passed the ultimate test and showed he was fully devoted to God. And as a result, God reiterated His promise that Abraham's descendants would be as numerous as the stars and the sand.A Powerful ConnectionThis story points forward to Jesus:Abraham offered his only son; God offered His only SonIsaac carried the wood; Jesus carried His crossIsaac submitted to his father; Jesus submitted to His FatherGod provided a ram; He provided the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the worldThe Legacy of FaithThink of what might have happened if Abraham had failed this test. Instead of enjoying more years with Isaac, God may have taken him away. Instead of showing his son the ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    33 分
  • It Takes Faith Part 6 - I Believe But I Need Some Help

    It Takes Faith Part 6 - I Believe But I Need Some Help
    2026/09/08
    Send us Fan MailClick here to support Talk About It!For more information or booking details, visit www.donmsmith.comClick here to Buy us a Sweet Tea and a Little Debbie Snack CakeWelcome back to Season 11! This week, Pastor Don continues our journey through Hebrews 11 by examining the faith of Abraham and Sarah when it came to the miraculous birth of Isaac. Hebrews 11:11-12 tells us that by faith, Abraham—even though he was past age and Sarah was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered God faithful who had made the promise.But here's the encouraging truth we discover in this episode: although Abraham had great faith, he didn't have perfect faith. And that's important for us. We can look at the heroes of faith and think their faith is beyond our capabilities. But seeing that their faith wasn't perfect helps us see them as human—just like us. We don't need to have perfect faith to have great faith.In This Episode, Pastor Don Explores:1) I Believe… But I Need a Little HelpAbraham believed God's promise that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars. Yet in Genesis 15, after believing, Abraham asked God, "How can I know that I will gain possession of it?" Abraham believed but still wanted assurance. And God didn't rebuke him—He provided a sign.There's a difference between asking for confirmation and asking for proof. The religious leaders of Jesus' day were skeptics who demanded signs despite already seeing plenty of evidence. Abraham, on the other hand, already believed; he just needed a little help being completely convinced because the promise seemed so unbelievable.Sometimes we believe but don't fully understand. Sometimes we believe but things seem way out there, and we ask God to give us something to confirm what He has said. That's okay. We can have strong faith but still need confirmation regarding certain things.2) Leaning on Our Own UnderstandingGenesis 16 tells the difficult story of Abraham and Sarah's lapse in faith. After ten years of waiting with no child, Sarah proposed that Abraham have a child through her servant Hagar. Abraham agreed. The decision made sense to them—Sarah was past child-bearing age, and Hagar was younger. But it was a decision made without seeking God.This was a classic case of leaning on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Abraham believed God would do what He said, but he didn't inquire of God as to how to go about it. They were impatient. And the result? Hagar conceived, despised Sarah, Sarah mistreated Hagar, and Hagar fled. The fallout from this decision continues to this day—the conflict between Isaac and Ishmael's descendants is still playing out in the Middle East.Like Abraham and Sarah, we can believe God's word but then come up with our own plan to carry it out. We can see God doing something through a character in the Bible and conclude that it automatically pertains to our situation. But we need to seek the Lord rather than lean on our understanding. It takes faith to be patient and wait on God.3) What's with All the Laughter?In Genesis 17, when God reiterated the promise and specifically named Sarah, Abraham fell facedown and laughed. In Genesis 18, when the Lord appeared again and said Sarah would have a son, Sarah laughed to herself.Commentators believe Abraham's laughter was one of delight—joy and amazement at what God was about to do. Romans 4:19-22 confirms that Abraham did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise. Sarah's laughter, however, appears to have been rooted in skepticism. The Lord confronted her, asking, "Is anything too hard for the LORD?"Sarah doubted, but God was gracious. The KJV translation of Hebrews 11:11 says Sarah "received strength to conceive seed... because she judged him faithful who had promised." Sarah became convinced that nothing was too hard for the Lord.When the promise finally came to pass, the laughter was different. Genesis 21:6 records Sarah saying, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." The laughter of doubt became the laughter of joy.4) The Promise FulfilledIsaac was born when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90—15 years after the announcement in Genesis 17 and 25 years after God's original promise. God was gracious to Sarah even though she had a bout with doubt. Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses. He rebukes us for lack of faith, but He is gracious at the same time.Abraham stayed committed to God because he believed in the promise even though it was far off. He persevered through years of wondering, waiting, and struggling. Abraham had great faith, but he didn't have perfect faith. And that gives us hope.A Word of EncouragementThe heroes of Hebrews 11 had great faith, but that doesn't mean they had perfect faith. Abraham had moments of doubt, moments of leaning on his own understanding, moments of impatience. Yet God still called him righteous because he believed.We don't need to have perfect faith to have great ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    32 分
  • It Takes Faith Part 5 - Noah

    It Takes Faith Part 5 - Noah
    2026/09/01
    Send us Fan MailClick here to support Talk About It!For more information or booking details, visit www.donmsmith.comClick here to Buy us a Sweet Tea and a Little Debbie Snack CakeWelcome back to Season 11! This week, Pastor Don continues our journey through Hebrews 11 by examining one of the most remarkable stories in Scripture—Noah. Hebrews 11:7 tells us that Noah, "when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family." Noah's faith demonstrates what it means to commit to the seemingly impossible.Imagine being told to build a massive boat—450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high—in a land that had never seen rain. Imagine spending 75 years on a project while people mocked you, all because God told you judgment was coming. Noah's faith wasn't passive; it was active, persistent, and unwavering. And his example challenges us to trust God even when His commands don't make sense to the world around us.In This Episode, Pastor Don Explores:1) Noah Was WarnedGenesis 6:9-22 reveals that Noah was "a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." God chose Noah because of his righteousness—which came through faith. Noah was close to God, and that closeness enabled him to live righteously in an unrighteous world.God warned Noah of the coming judgment and told him exactly what to do. Noah obeyed. When God gives us warnings—through His Spirit, through uneasiness, through circumstances—we have a choice: heed them or ignore them. Noah also became a "preacher of righteousness" (2 Peter 2:5), warning others of what was coming. Our faith should compel us not only to heed God's warnings but also to share them with others.2) Noah Was Moved by Holy FearThis wasn't a paralyzing fear; it was reverence and respect for God and His Word. Noah's faith enabled him to trust what God said and act on it. The task was impossible by human standards:Nothing like this had ever happened beforeNo one had ever built a boat this massiveIt took roughly 75 years to completeTwo of every animal species would have to find their way to the arkYet Noah's "holy fear" told him, "I believe what God said is going to happen, so I better prepare." God's Word was all Noah had, and God's Word was all Noah needed. For 75 years, that Word kept him dedicated. As Pastor Don shared, Dr. Percy Ray obeyed God's call to dig footings for a large assembly hall in Mississippi—and God provided when a man from Memphis was led to give a large donation. When we have a healthy fear that reveres God and His Word, we will have the faith to believe and act upon the impossible.3) By His Faith He Condemned the WorldNoah's words and actions condemned the world—not because he had authority to judge, but because his faith was a living testimony. Every day he built, he was preaching. Every hammer strike was a warning. 1 Peter 3:20 tells us God waited patiently while the ark was being built, giving people time to repent.God is still patient today. 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us that the Lord is "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." When we grow impatient waiting for the Lord's return, we should remember that His delay is actually mercy—giving more people time to come to Him.4) Noah Became an Heir of the Righteousness That Comes by FaithRighteousness comes through faith, not works—but true faith is always accompanied by action. Romans 1:17 tells us, "The righteous will live by faith." Noah lived out his faith, and he inherited the blessing of righteousness.Pastor Don asks us to reflect: How often do we grasp the magnitude of being among the "few" who find the narrow road? Matthew 7:13-14 warns that many will follow the broad path to destruction. Do we grieve over the lost, as Jeremiah and Jesus did? Do we rejoice when one sinner repents, as heaven does? A faith that declares us righteous also produces a heart that cares about what God cares about.5) It Takes Faith to Believe the ImpossibleWe will all face challenges that seem impossible—moments when faith demands we believe what the world considers foolish. Pastor Don shared how stepping into the sole ministerial role of his church seemed impossible, but God made a way.Noah faced 75 years of jeers, second-guessing, and temptation to quit. But he stood firm and completed his mission. And while the world called him crazy, history proved him right. Today, we still have the same evidence Noah had—God's Word. We have fossilized fish in mountains, the Grand Canyon, and other evidences, but the ultimate authority is Scripture. Until someone can undeniably prove the Bible false, we will believe everything within its pages.The Application for UsWe don't have to worry about those who reject or criticize what God has called us to do. We just need to stay true to the task we've been given and persevere until the end. The Lord will provide authenticity to His truth; He will silence the foes. We just need to have the faith that Noah...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    33 分
  • It Takes Faith Part 4 - Abraham's Confidence in God

    It Takes Faith Part 4 - Abraham's Confidence in God
    2026/08/25
    Send us Fan MailClick here to support Talk About It!For more information or booking details, visit www.donmsmith.comClick here to Buy us a Sweet Tea and a Little Debbie Snack CakeWelcome back to Season 11! This week, Pastor Don continues our journey through Hebrews 11 by examining one of the most significant figures in all of Scripture—Abraham. Known as the father of the Israelites, Abraham was credited with righteousness because he believed God. He was called God's friend, and his life stands as a powerful example of what it means to trust God completely.In Hebrews 11:8-10, we see Abraham faced with a staggering command: leave everything familiar and go to a place God would show him—without telling him where that place was. Abraham's response? He obeyed and went. His faith didn't just believe in God; it acted on God's Word. And that's the kind of faith that God honors.In This Episode, Pastor Don Explores:1) It Takes Faith to Step into the Unknown (vs. 8)Abraham was seventy-five years old when God called him to pack up his entire household—his wife, servants, livestock, and all his possessions—and leave Haran. God didn't give him a destination map; He simply said, "Go to the land I will show you."Think about what God was asking:Abraham was prosperous and comfortableHe had built a good life for himselfLeaving meant uprooting everything familiarThe journey was hundreds of miles through unfamiliar territoryHe had no idea what awaited himYet Abraham obeyed. As A.W. Tozer said, "The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith."The story is told of a father who jumped into a bomb crater during war and called for his son to follow. The terrified boy cried, "I can't see you!" The father replied, "But I can see you. Jump!" And the boy did—because he trusted his father. Abraham couldn't see where he was going, but God could. And Abraham trusted Him.2) It Takes Faith to Commit to a Future Promise (vs. 9-10)After arriving in Canaan, Abraham didn't settle down permanently. He lived in tents—the dwelling of a nomad, not a landowner. When his wife Sarah died, he had to purchase a burial plot from the Hittites because he owned no property of his own.Abraham was a "stranger in a foreign country," yet he stayed faithful to God. Why? Because he understood something profound: this wasn't his ultimate home. As Hebrews 11:10 tells us, "he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."Abraham committed to a promise he wouldn't fully receive in his lifetime. The true inheritance would come to his descendants. But Abraham's faith looked beyond the present to the eternal. He knew that God's promise was sure, and he patiently waited for its fulfillment.E.M. Bounds captured it perfectly: "Earth is but a pilgrim's stay, a pilgrim's journey, a pilgrim's tent. Heaven is a city, permanent, God-planned, God-built, whose foundations are as stable as God's throne."The Application for UsGod calls us to the same kind of faith. When we come to Christ, we are called to leave behind our old patterns and step into a new kind of life. Sometimes God calls us out of comfortable situations to follow Him into the unknown. Sometimes we're asked to work faithfully without seeing the full reward in our lifetime.But Hebrews 6:12 reminds us to "imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." Abraham had faith and patience. He had obedience and determination. That's what works for us as well.Key Takeaways:True faith always leads to obedienceGod often calls us to leave our comfort zone for His purposesWe may not see the full fruit of our obedience, but we can trust God's promisesThis world is not our permanent home—we are pilgrims passing throughThrough faith and patience, we inherit what God has promisedAbraham's example shows us that it's never too late to step out in faithA Question to Ponder:What is God calling you to leave behind so you can follow Him into the unknown?"The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience." — A.W. TozerNext week, we continue our study of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Don't miss it!📖 Key Scriptures: Hebrews 11:8-10, Genesis 12:1-5, Acts 7:2-4, Genesis 23:1-6, Hebrews 6:9-15Support the show
    続きを読む 一部表示
    28 分
  • It Takes Faith Part 3 - Walking With God

    It Takes Faith Part 3 - Walking With God
    2026/08/18
    Send us Fan MailClick here to support Talk About It!For more information or booking details, visit www.donmsmith.comClick here to Buy us a Sweet Tea and a Little Debbie Snack CakeWelcome back to Season 11! This week, Pastor Don continues our journey through Hebrews 11 by examining one of the most extraordinary figures in Scripture—Enoch. Hebrews 11:5-6 tells us that Enoch was "taken from this life" without experiencing death because he pleased God. But what made Enoch so special? And what can we learn from his walk with God?Unlike the repeated refrain in Genesis 5—"so-and-so lived... and then he died"—Enoch's story is uniquely different. He didn't just live; he walked with God. And instead of dying, God simply took him home. Enoch's life challenges us to examine the depth of our own relationship with God and ask: Am I walking with Him? Am I pleasing Him?In This Episode, Pastor Don Explores:1) Enoch Walked with GodGenesis 5:21-24 reveals that Enoch walked with God for 300 years after becoming the father of Methuselah. The Hebrew phrase used here is translated in the Septuagint as "pleased God," which connects directly to Hebrews 11:5. Enoch's life wasn't just about existing—it was about intimate, ongoing communion with his Creator. He had confidence in God, lived in communion with Him, opened his heart to Him, and consulted Him as a bosom friend.2) To Walk with God Is to Be in Agreement with GodAmos 3:3 asks, "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" Walking with God means being aligned with His will and His ways. Enoch's faith gave him confidence in God's ability, wisdom, and love. Even when God allows things we don't understand, walking with Him means trusting that His ways are higher than ours. When we disagree with God and separate ourselves, we lose joy and peace. When we agree with Him, we experience the blessings of a close relationship.3) To Walk with God Is to Be in Step with GodEnoch lived in increasingly wicked times—soon after him, God would send the flood. Yet Enoch maintained his integrity and chose to live by the Spirit. Jude 14-15 tells us Enoch was also a prophet, warning his generation about God's coming judgment. Walking with God means keeping in step with the Spirit—not running ahead in impatience or lagging behind in procrastination. It means allowing the Spirit to produce His fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.4) Then He Was No More, Because God Took Him AwayEnoch's departure is one of only two such events in Scripture (Elijah being the other). While Elijah's translation involved chariots of fire and a whirlwind, Enoch's was quieter—but no less miraculous. What's striking is that Enoch lived only 365 years, while his father Jared lived 962 and his son Methuselah lived 969. Why would God take a man who walked so closely with Him so "early"? The answer: his work was finished. Sometimes we don't understand God's timing, but faith trusts that He knows best.5) Without Faith It Is Impossible to Please GodHebrews 11:6 makes this crystal clear: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Enoch's faith produced works, prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope. And God testified—perhaps directly—that Enoch pleased Him. Romans 8:16 tells us the Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. These confirmations sustain us when the enemy tries to steal our assurance.A Critical WarningPastor Don also addresses a dangerous assumption: some people think they are pleasing God when they're not. They attend church, read their Bibles, but live the rest of their lives according to selfish desires. They've created a god of their own design—one that suits their comforts rather than the true God who calls us to surrender. Romans 8:5-8 reminds us that those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. True faith expresses itself through love and obedience.Key Takeaways:Walking with God means being in agreement with HimPleasing God requires keeping in step with the SpiritYou don't have to understand everything to trust GodGod rewards those who earnestly seek Him with assurance and peaceTrue faith produces works prompted by loveIt's not just the length of your life, but the depth of your walkA Question to Ponder:Does God testify that you are pleasing Him? Are you earnestly seeking Him?"Without faith it is impossible to please God." — Hebrews 11:6Next week, we continue our study of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Don't miss it!📖 Key Scriptures: Hebrews 11:5-6, Genesis 5:18-24, Amos 3:3, Galatians 5:16-25, Jude 14-15, Romans 8:5-8Support the show
    続きを読む 一部表示
    33 分
  • It Takes Faith Part 2 - What is Faith Part 2

    It Takes Faith Part 2 - What is Faith Part 2
    2026/08/11

    Send us Fan Mail

    Click here to support Talk About It!

    For more information or booking details, visit www.donmsmith.com

    Click here to Buy us a Sweet Tea and a Little Debbie Snack Cake

    Welcome back to Season 11! This week, Pastor Don continues our journey through Hebrews 11 by examining the very first example in the "faith chapter"—Abel. In Hebrews 11:4, we learn that Abel offered a better sacrifice than his brother Cain, and by faith he was commended as righteous. But what made Abel's sacrifice superior? And what can we learn from Cain's tragic mistake?

    The story of Cain and Abel isn't just ancient history—it's a mirror that reveals the condition of our own hearts when we come before God. Pastor Don unpacks the critical difference between a sacrifice given by faith and one offered out of mere duty.


    In This Episode, Pastor Don Explores:

    1) It Takes Faith to Make a Right Sacrifice
    Cain brought an offering, but Abel brought the best of what he had—the fat portions and firstborn of his flock. The distinction is clear: Abel brought the first; Cain brought the rest. As Proverbs 3:9 reminds us, we are to honor the Lord with the firstfruits of all we have. Faith enables us to give God what is right, not just what is left. Malachi's words echo this truth—God's people were robbing Him by bringing partial offerings, much like Cain did.

    2) It Takes the Right Heart to Make a Right Sacrifice
    Making the right sacrifice isn't just about money or material goods—it's about ourselves. Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. Cain's offering was rejected not because of the gift itself, but because of the heart behind it. Warren Wiersbe wisely noted, “Cain wasn't rejected because of his offering, but his offering was rejected because of Cain: his heart wasn't right with God.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver, not one who gives reluctantly or under compulsion. Faith changes our motivation from obligation to joyful devotion.

    3) The Consequences of a Wrong Sacrifice
    Cain's bad attitude spiraled into bitterness, envy, and eventually murder. When God confronted him, Cain refused to repent and instead lied about his brother's whereabouts. Sin begets sin—one wrong sacrifice led to hatred, then murder, then deception. Cain's punishment was severe: the ground would no longer yield its crops, and he would become a restless wanderer, cut off from God's presence. When we withhold what God deserves, we risk spiritual fruitlessness and restlessness.

    4) A Faith Sacrifice Is Honored by God
    Abel was the one who did right, yet he was killed. Where is the honor in that? Pastor Don explains that Abel's ultimate sacrifice—his very life—was honored by God. His faith still speaks today, even though he is long dead. Abel's legacy inspires millions to stand firm in their faith. And while Cain's punishment was to be hidden from God's presence (which he found unbearable), Abel's reward was eternal righteousness. Sometimes the righteous suffer, but God sees, honors, and rewards their faithful sacrifice.


    Key Takeaways:

    • A right sacrifice gives God the best, not what's left over
    • The condition of your heart matters more than the size of your gift
    • Half-hearted devotion is a form of arrogance—we don't get to rewrite God's standards
    • Wrong sacrifices lead to spiritual fruitlessness and restlessness
    • Faith sacrifices are honored by God, even when they cost us everything
    • Abel's silence in Scripture speaks louder than many words—what legacy is your faith leaving?


    A Heart Check:

    • Are you giving God your first and best, or your leftovers?
    • Is your worship driven by faith and joy, or just religious obligation?
    • Are you trusting God enough to honor Him with all you have?

    "Give God what is right; not what is left."

    Next week, we'll continue our study of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Don't miss it!

    Support the show
    続きを読む 一部表示
    30 分
  • It Take Faith Part 1 - What is Faith

    It Take Faith Part 1 - What is Faith
    2026/08/04

    Send us Fan Mail

    Click here to support Talk About It!

    For more information or booking details, visit www.donmsmith.com

    Click this link to Buy us a Sweet Tea and a Little Debbie Snack Cake

    Welcome to Season 11! We're kicking things off by diving into Hebrews 11—what many call the "faith chapter." Throughout this chapter, we see repeated examples of Old Testament figures who demonstrated extraordinary faith, and their stories challenge us to examine our own walk with God.

    In This Episode, Pastor Don Explores:

    What Faith Really Means
    Faith isn't just wishful thinking—it's being "sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Pastor Don unpacks how faith operates in the unseen realm, distinguishing between believing in someone you can see versus believing in God whom you cannot physically point to. Interestingly, even atheists operate by faith—they believe God doesn't exist without being able to prove it.

    Faith Requires Hearing
    Drawing from Romans 10:14-17, we discover that faith comes through hearing the message of Christ. You can't have faith in someone you've never heard about. Pastor Don emphasizes that faith doesn't require understanding everything—we may never fully comprehend the Trinity or God's eternal nature, but we can still believe.

    Two Kinds of Faith
    Using James 2, we examine the critical difference between:

    • Dead faith—intellectual belief that doesn't change how we live
    • Saving faith—belief that produces action and transforms our lives

    Genuine faith demands action. As the poem reminds us: "The faith of the head is the faith that is dead; the faith of the heart is better in part. But the faith of the hand is the faith that will stand."

    Living by Faith, Not by Sight
    Pastor Don shares the powerful illustration of the African impala—a creature capable of jumping over 10 feet high but kept confined by a 3-foot wall because it won't jump where it can't see its feet will fall. How often do we stay trapped because we can't see what's on the other side? Faith means trusting God in advance for what will only make sense in reverse.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Faith believes in what we cannot see
    • Faith comes through hearing God's Word
    • Faith must be accompanied by action to be genuine
    • Faith frees us from fear and enables us to step into God's plans

    Pastor Don closes with Ruth Morgan's beautiful poem about walking by faith, not sight—reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God is guiding our steps.

    "Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible." — Martin Luther

    Join us next week for Part Two of "It Takes Faith" as we continue exploring the heroes of Hebrews 11!

    📖 Key Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1-3, Romans 10:14-17, James 2:14-19, 2 Corinthians 5:7

    Support the show
    続きを読む 一部表示
    31 分