Episode 39: When Tragedy Strikes – Processing the Death of Charlie Kirk

This week has been heavy. The tragic loss of Charlie Kirk has left many of us brokenhearted, wrestling with questions of evil, justice, and God’s purposes. But here’s the truth: even in the darkest moments, God is still working. Nothing is wasted in His hands.
In today’s episode, we’re processing the heartbreaking death of Charlie Kirk and asking: Where is God when tragedy strikes? We’ll look to Romans 8:28 and see why it’s not just a verse to memorize, but a rock to stand on.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“We know.” This is not a guess or blind faith; this promise is rock solid.

· The promise is for those who love God.

· The promise is for those called according to His purpose.

· The promise stands firm not because of our performance, but because of God’s purpose.

· It’s God’s love and God’s work, not ours, that keeps this promise true for us.

“Your love for God may be shaky, but His call on your life is unshakable.”

Three ways God uses ALL THINGS, even suffering, for our good:

1. To Deepen Our Devotion

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness…” (James 1:2-4)

· Evaluate trials through the lens of eternity

· Joy is delight in God in the middle of pain

· Steadfastness is remaining under the pressure

2. To Advance the Gospel

“What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard…” (Philippians 1:12-13)

· Paul’s pain had a purpose.

· We don’t know the why, but we can know and trust God is at work.

3. To Bring Us Back to Him

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret…” (2 Corinthians 7:10)

· Suffering wakes us up

· The Holy Spirit is working, drawing us to do more, to bring us back to our purpose in Christ.

Examples from Scripture:

· Joseph said to his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20)

· Job lost everything and still declared, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21)

· Esther was placed in a pagan king’s court “for such a time as this” to save her people.

· The Cross was God’s plan to save the world.

“Romans 8:28 isn’t a vague encouragement. It’s a battle cry.”

Bottom Line: The trial might bend you, but it will not break you, because if you love God and you're called according to His purpose, nothing is wasted.

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Episode 38: Real Friends: Why You Can’t Follow Jesus Alone

Have you ever felt completely alone, even in a crowded room? Maybe you're surrounded by classmates, coworkers, or followers online, yet deep down, you're starving for something real. What if I told you that your loneliness isn't a flaw? It's a signal. It's a holy ache, pointing you to the kind of friendship your soul was made for.

Today’s episode is not just about friendship. It’s about spiritual growth. It’s about how God designed your soul to grow and thrive, and why you’ll never become the leader He’s calling you to be if you’re alone. Real friends don’t just make life better – they make you more like Jesus.

The Most Connected Generation is also the Loneliest:

· Almost half of Americans say they feel alone

· 43% believe their relationships aren’t meaningful.

“We were created for deep connection, but we’ve become professionals at pretending we’re just fine while we quietly drown in isolation.”

What Happens When We Don’t Have Real Friendships?

· We lose perspective

· We isolate

· We grow selfish

· Our health suffers

“Loneliness isn’t just about the absence of people. It’s about the absence of meaningful connection.”

A Real Friend Helps You Grow Closer to Jesus:

· Proverbs 13:20

· The people closest to you either pull you toward Jesus or away from Jesus

· All friendships share a common bond. When the common bond of a friendship is Jesus, it changes everything.

· Proverbs 18:24

“If you want a real friend, you’ve got to start being a real friend.”

Why Small Groups are so Important:

· A small group is not just another church activity. It’s a place where you can be real, ask honest questions, be with people who will point you to Jesus, help you study the Bible, celebrate your wins, and pray with you.

· The theological anchor of why real friendship is so important goes back to Genesis.

· Gensis 1:26: “Let us make man in our image.” - Community is seen in the Godhead

· Genesis 2:8: “It is not good for man to be alone.” – Isolation is a spiritual danger.

· Because of sin, we run from the relationships and settle for shallow connections.

· Ephesians 4:1-3: You need to be connected to God’s people through a local church to “walk in a manner worthy of your calling.”

Roadblocks to Real Friendships:

· Busyness - Even good things can become barriers to God’s best for you.

· Laziness

· Spiritual Apathy – people don’t care enough about Jesus to care about the people who follow Him

How to Prioritize Gospel-Centered Relationships:

“If you want real friends, you’ve got to make space for them.”

· Show up – go to small group. Don’t just attend, engage.

· Open up – let people see the real you

· Reach out – don’t just wait for an invitation. Jesus was always the initiator.

Bottom Line: You were made for community, and real friends don't just make life more fun, they help you follow Jesus.

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What if the biggest threat to your calling isn’t failure—but comfort?

In this episode, Pastor Trent unpacks a powerful message from Acts 20:22–24 that reveals four phases every leader walks through when God calls them to step into something greater. If you’ve ever felt a divine nudge, battled fear of the unknown, or wondered how to move forward when life gets hard—this message is for you.

We’re not called to live a safe life. We’re called to live a significant one. Don’t settle for success that’s void of purpose. Learn to recognize the Spirit’s prompting, embrace uncertainty with confidence, endure opposition with faith, and live on mission with gospel urgency.

Key Scripture: “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there… However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” — Acts 20:22–24 (NIV)

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• Why Deo Pneuma moments (being “compelled by the Spirit”) are critical to your calling
• How to move forward in “confident uncertainty” even when you don’t know what’s next • What to expect when opposition comes—and how to push through it
• Why a clear sense of mission matters more than comfort or security
• How to stop chasing success and start pursuing significance
• Practical leadership questions to ask yourself in every phase of your journey
• Why your story, your obedience, and your courage matter for God’s Kingdom

Episode Highlights:

• The Mission Beneath the Process - You’re not in a holding pattern. God is refining you for His purpose—today.
• Phase 1: A Nudge You Can’t Ignore – Learn how to discern the Holy Spirit’s prompting.
• Phase 2: Confident Uncertainty – Why God often gives light for only the next step.
• Phase 3: Expect Opposition – Faithfulness doesn’t guarantee ease. It guarantees resistance.
• Phase 4: A Mission That Matters More Than Comfort – Purpose always outweighs security.

Leadership Challenge: Identify which phase you’re in—and take your next step with courage.

Reflection Questions:

1. What’s a God-given nudge you’ve been ignoring?
2. Are you waiting on full clarity before stepping out in faith?
3. How has fear, opposition, or comfort kept you from moving forward?
4. What mission would you be willing to give your life to?

Challenge of the Week: God isn’t calling you to a safe life—but a significant one. Don’t waste your life. Take the next step He’s calling you to.

Resources Mentioned:

• Main Text: Acts 20:22–24 (NIV)
• Visit trentstewart.org to subscribe and get free access to the "How to Pray" video course.
• Connect on socials to stay up-to-date with content and leadership insights.

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