Trent Stewart Leadership Podcast

Have you ever walked away from a conversation and thought, “That wasn’t random. That was God.” Maybe it started with small talk about work or the weather but somehow, it turned toward hope, healing, or even Jesus. What if those moments weren’t interruptions but invitations from God? Today, we’re diving into how to live on mission in your everyday life, and how to see every conversation as a divine appointment.What is a Divine Appointment?Any God -ordained moment when he brings two people together to encourage, bless, or share the Gospel.We usually miss these opportunities because we’re busy and distracted.God is always at work, before us, around us, through us, and He often speaks through those ordinary moments with extraordinary intention.Phillip the Evangelist (Acts 8):Philip obeys because he’s not just busy for God, he’s sensitive to God.You can be doing ministry and still miss the mission if you aren’t listening to His Spirit.Develop a holy attentiveness to the what the Spirit is doing around you; be on the lookout.“When you’re looking, you’ll start seeing.”Engaging in Spiritual Conversations:Philip doesn’t lead with a sermon or a theological argument; he simply asks a good question.You don’t need a seminary degree to engage in spiritual conversation.You need a heart of compassion, a spirit of curiosity, and a willingness to speak when the Holy Spirit prompts you.When God prompts you to speak, trust that He is already working in that person's life.“Don’t discount the value of your obedience just because you don’t see immediate results.”The Legacy of Charlie Kirk:Charlie was committed to engaging the culture with the truth of Scripture, even amidst hostility.You’re either shaping culture, or being shaped by it.The Gospel isn’t just something we preach in church; it’s the lens through which we see everything."Truth sounds like hate to those who hate truth."Having a Sense of UrgencyPhilip didn’t delay; he acted immediately.A simple question can lead to a divine encounter that transforms someone’s life.There are over two billion people in the world who have never heard the gospel.82% of people say they would attend church if someone invited them.“We aren’t lacking opportunity. We’re lacking urgency.”How Do I Start Living on Mission?Pray for one divine appointment every day.Be mindful and willing to follow the prompting of the Spirit.Ask questions.Share your story.Lead someone through Christ Killers book.Leave the results to God.Bottom Line: When you live on mission, there's no such thing as random. When you obey the Spirit, even small conversations can carry eternal weight.Subscribe & ShareIf this episode encouraged you, please take 30 seconds to:Subscribe to the podcastLeave a review on your favorite platformShare this episode with someone who needs itVisit trentstewart.org for more resources.Visit Christkillers.com to get your copy of my latest book.

Episode 39: When Tragedy Strikes – Processing the Death of Charlie KirkThis 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.Subscribe & share. If this episode encouraged you, please take 30 seconds to:Subscribe to the podcastLeave a review on your favorite platformShare this episode with someone who needs it 

Episode 38: Real Friends: Why You Can’t Follow Jesus AloneHave 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 HimHow 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. Subscribe & Share. If this episode encouraged you, please take 30 seconds to:Subscribe to the podcastLeave a review on your favorite platformShare this episode with someone who needs it 

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 callingHow 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 itWhy a clear sense of mission matters more than comfort or securityHow to stop chasing success and start pursuing significancePractical leadership questions to ask yourself in every phase of your journeyWhy your story, your obedience, and your courage matter for God’s KingdomEpisode 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:What’s a God-given nudge you’ve been ignoring?Are you waiting on full clarity before stepping out in faith?How has fear, opposition, or comfort kept you from moving forward?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.Subscribe & Share - If this episode encouraged you, please take 30 seconds to:Subscribe to the podcastLeave a review on your favorite platformShare this episode with someone who needs it

Welcome to the Trent Stewart Leadership podcast! I’m here to help everyday leaders make every day count. My goal is to help you grow as a leader and make a difference in your church, business, and home by influencing others to look to Jesus. Episode 36: “A Holy Unrest: When Your Soul WantsMore”What if your dissatisfaction isn’t a problem to be solved—but a gift from God? What if the ache inside you isn’t meant to be silenced by more noise or numbed by more stuff, but awakened into something eternal? Today, we’re talking about that divine discontent—that holy unrest—and what it really means to thirst for God. When your body is thirsty, it’s not just a mild suggestion—it’s a desperate signal. Your brain is telling you, “You need water to live.” If that’s true physically—how much more essential is the spiritual thirst within us?  We try to quench the thirst of our souls in different ways that might feel satisfying in the moment—but actually make things worse. This is because we often drink from the wrong spiritual cups. Cups We Reach For:·     Entertainment, achievement, appearance, relationships·     It might feel good going down, but it’s not going to fill us.·     What tastes good to our flesh often harms our soul.·     These cups are designed to gratify your senses and not nourish your spirit.·     We laugh, indulge, chase while quietly dying of spiritual dehydration King David Truly Thirsted for God (Psalm 63):·     To thirst for God, you have to know who God is(v1-2)·     Thirst changes your perspective of God (v3)·     Thirst leads to worship (v4-5)·     Thirst awakens spiritual attentiveness (v6-8)·     Are you thirsting for God? Symptoms of Spiritual Dehydration:·     Negative attitude – complaining has become your default·     Loss of purpose – you’re just going through the motions·     Increased appetite for sin – and less conviction when you indulge·     Apathy towards Jesus – you’re not against Him, you just don’t care about Him·     Lack of gratitude – you only focus on the negative Only Jesus Can Quench the Thirst of Your Soul:·     We naturally thirst for love, friendships, and happiness·     God designed your body to tell you when you’re thirsty, so you won’t die of dehydration·     The love, acceptance, hope and peace you need is found in Jesus, the Living Water When your spirit is craving more, run to Scripture, run to prayer, and drink deep of the living water that Jesus promises to give you when you worship Him.

Welcome to the Trent Stewart Leadership podcast! I’m here to help everyday leaders make every day count. My goal is to help you grow as a leader and make a difference in your church, business, and home by influencing others to look to Jesus.Episode 34: “How Jesus Fulfills Your Deepest Need”What’s your biggest need today? Most of us immediately know what that is. It might be a financial need, it might be healing, or maybe it’s a relationship you need restored. We all have needs and they all feel urgent. Today we’re going to talk about how Jesus fulfills your deepest needs.In Luke 5:17-26, we read the story of a paralyzed man whose friends went to extreme measures to bring him to Jesus. They lowered him through a roof, expecting a miraculous healing, but Jesus says something unexpected, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”1. Jesus Knows Your Deepest Need.Jesus started with the man’s spiritual condition instead of just healing him physically.Our greatest need is spiritual health and that starts with God’s forgiveness.At the core of every human being is the need to be reconciled to God.2. Jesus Wants to Meet Your Biggest Need.Jesus wanted them to understand that He was God in the flesh.Jesus proved His authority to forgive sin by healing the man.Sometimes we’re so focused on our immediate need that we forget Jesus is working on something greater.I think I know what I need, but I can trust that Jesus KNOWS what I need.  3. Jesus Heals Every Day.In John 14:12, Jesus says, “Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do” God has blessed humanity with medicine so that our needs can be met.We see God heal people every day through the use of technology.4. Sometimes What You Think You Need Isn’t Your Deepest Need.Whatever your biggest need is, it’s tied to your spiritual health.God wants you to be spiritually healthy.The problems in your life become tests.Will you trust God? Will you depend on Him? Will you repent of sin? Will you humble yourself and say you’re sorry?It’s all part of the journey of growing closer to Christ. We have to go through challenges to grow. Trust that God knows what you need and is giving it to you right now. Thank Him in advance and trust Him in the waiting.How Do We Respond?Be honest about your commitment to Christ.Be a friend who brings people to Jesus.Be filled with praise, and share your story.Jesus fulfills our deepest needs. He knows exactly what you need today. You can rest in that. The question is, will you trust Him?

Episode 33: “Hanging Out with God” Just as a car's fuel gauge lets you know when you're running low on gas, there are signs when your spiritual life is running on empty. Anxiety, frustration, stress, anger, and depression can be indicators that you need to refuel spiritually. Daily habits, such as time spent in God’s Word and in prayer, are essential to keeping your spiritual tank full. Who we are is shaped by the commitments we make and habits we develop. The good news is you can start new habits that will transform your life, and I believe one of the most powerful habits you can develop is spending time with God.  The Apostle Paul writes to the Philippian church: “Therefore my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence, but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13) To “work out your salvation” means to be on a path of growth.  Are you on a path of growth? What steps are you taking? An authentic Christian will develop the habit of spending time with God.  Paul is saying, “When I was with you, teaching you, leading you, you were growing. Now that I’m gone you must continue to grow even though I’m not there.”  We can’t just depend on Sunday mornings. It requires more.  Some Truths about Spiritual Growth: Your relationship with God is meant to grow. Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey. Developing spiritual habits helps you grow on your own. The Habit of Having a Daily Devotion: If the only time you eat is on Sunday, you’re going to be a starving Christian. You must be able to feed yourself spiritually. Hanging out with God is consistent time in His Word and in prayer.  What Happens When You Hang Out with God? He changes your heart. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) He gives you direction. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (Psalm 119:105) He offers His presence during your problems. “He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4) Practical Tips: What to do when you sit down with your Bible. Manage your expectations – Change happens over time with consistency. Start with Prayer – Ask God to open up your heart to the truth. Read the Bible – There’s no set amount; the important thing is that it’s consistent. Ask Questions: What do I learn about God? What do I learn about myself? What is God telling me to do? Close with Prayer – Make the Scripture personal by praying it for yourself. Resource: “How to Pray,”  a seven-session online course on how to develop your prayer life. Available at trentstewart.org. PETS Acronym: P – Promise to hold on to E – Example to follow T – Truth to put into action S – Sin to confess I hope this episode inspires you to develop the habit of spending time with God. This simple practice is going to fuel your faith in ways you've never imagined.

The brands that we love are known for something. They’re known for their quality. They’re known for being cool or for looking good. They’re known for something that we like, and that’s why we acquire them. That’s why we want to wear them. But what are you known for? What’s your “brand”?   Today, we’re talking about what it means to be branded by a commitment and what it would look like for you to commit this year, specifically to God and a church.  Put a Stake in the Ground. Make a commitment.  Make a change. Claim this decision. What stakes do you need to put in the ground before the year ends?   Paul writes to the church in the city of Colossae: “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints.” (Colossians 1:4)  They were known for their commitment to Jesus – “we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus…” Their reputation preceded them. People knew about their faith. Do people know you as a follower of Jesus? Have people heard of your faith? What would it look like for you to be known as a person who is committed to Jesus?   They were known for their commitment to their church family – “… the love that you have for all the saints.” Attend church on Sunday and spend time in a small group. Our culture has a consumer mindset when it comes to church. Don’t treat God’s church like a restaurant. Go where God calls you to go and commit to helping resolve issues and making ministry better.   When You’re Committed, You Get: 1. Help to Strengthen Your Faith - “For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you.” (Colossians 4:9) Your church family prays for you. Everybody needs at least one prayer partner. 2. Help to Guide Your Decisions - “We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,…” (Colossians 4:9) Everybody has the potential to drift from the Lord. Be alert to behavioral changes in the people in your life. The responsibility to keep one another from drifting is a group thing. 3. “So that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God.”  (Colossians 4:10) The whole point is so that you walk worthy of God. Pleasing God, producing fruit by your actions, and knowing God’s will. When you struggle to know God’s will, your church friends, leaders, and pastors will help you make decisions.   As we get ready to close out this year, think about what decisions you need to make. I encourage you to put a stake in the ground that you will be committed to the Lord and committed to a church. 

Welcome to the Trent Stewart Leadership podcast! I’m here to help everyday leaders make every day count. My goal is to help you grow as a leader and make a difference in your church, business, and home by influencing others to look to Jesus.  Episode 31: “Branded as a Disciple of Jesus” We all like various brands. Maybe you love Lulu Lemon, or Nike, or Apple. Whatever brand you think is cool, you begin to subscribe to. Cost doesn’t matter because you’ve been convinced that this particular brand offers a superior product. Because of marketing and the quality of the product, these brands become known for something. So, what’s your brand as a human being? In other words, what are you known for? Today we’re going to explore the idea of being branded. Not by the latest fashion trend, but as a disciple of Jesus Christ. What are you going to be known for? “From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body.” - Galatians 6:17 (NRSV) The Apostle Paul made it clear that he belonged to Jesus. He was persecuted for preaching the Gospel and had the scars that proved his devotion to  Jesus. True followers of Jesus want to be known as such. If you’re a follower of Jesus you might not get invited to the party, you might not make the sale, some people may not want to be around you. Are you willing to follow Jesus anyway? What does it mean to be branded as a disciple of Jesus? “And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matthew 4:19 Someone who is committed to follow Jesus Do you spend time with Jesus? You can’t be a part-time disciple. It’s a full-time relationship. You will grow spiritually when you spend time with Jesus. “If you want to be my disciple you must come and follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And if they follow me, the Father will honor them.” – John 12:26 Three important truths about spiritual growth: 1. Spiritual Growth is a CHOICE. “If you want to be my disciple…” You’ve got to want it. Spiritual growth is not automatic. It’s intentional. 2. Spiritual Growth is a COMMITMENT. “… you must come and follow” It’s going to take action. Any kind of commitment is going to require change. You can’t be committed to everything. Spiritual mentors & coaches help us sort through our commitments when we over commit, and prod us along when we don’t want to make commitments. 3. Spiritual Growth is a RELATIONSHIP. “… be where I am.” It’s not about rules, rituals, formulas, or expectations you have to meet. Spiritual growth is about being with Jesus in a relationship. “He appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles to be with him, to send them out to preach.” - (Mark 3:14) Jesus helped 12 guys grow spiritually as leaders to send them out to preach. Small Groups model that relational approach. Not everyone will be called to full-time ministry, but we all have the capacity to grow and then lead other people in their faith journey. What does it mean to be with Jesus? Are you talking to Him consistently? “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Prayer is really just having a conversation with Jesus. The more you grow spiritually, the more you’re able to determine God’s voice. The more time you spend with Him and in the Word of God, the more you’ll be able to apply it to your life. The more you’re around godly people, the more you’ll be influenced to be godly. We should be seeking to be branded as a disciple of Jesus and want others to know that’s the brand that we care about.

We’re continuing in this series about purpose. Why are we here? What is the point of life? Why do I exist? Well, if God is the Creator, and we believe that He is, then there is meaning to why He created us. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” We can either pursue the purpose God created us for, or we can ignore it. We've talked about how both worship and becoming more like Jesus are a part of what it means to fulfill the purpose that God has given to us. Today, I want to focus on the idea that you are saved to serve. God didn’t just save you for eternal life, He saved you to fulfill a purpose in this life, and part of that is learning to serve. The Church is a lot like a team sport. Players on a successful team figure out what they’re good at. If a team doesn’t have everyone doing their role, they’re not going to be successful. As a church, we function like a team to accomplish God’s mission of making disciples by serving in our local church. 1 Corinthians 12:7 says, “A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good.” Every Believer has a Spiritual Gift. You were given a spiritual gift at the moment of salvation. A spiritual gift is different than a natural ability. Only believers in Jesus Christ have spiritual gifts. Every Believer is Gifted to Help the Entire Church. Spiritual gifts are used to benefit other people, and for the common good of God’s church. Some might feel like they can’t find their place, or they don’t belong. 1 Corinthians 12:16 – “If the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.” Every Believer is Important and Necessary. When you’re not fulfilling your role on the team in the body of Christ, the whole body suffers. It’s unnatural to see a body part not attached to a body – that’s what it’s like to be a Christian who is not attached to a local church body. It doesn’t feel right. God designed you to make a contribution and gave you specific gifts to fulfill a role. Every single gift is vital to the success of the church. What Does God Want You to do with Your Spiritual Gift? 1. Discover it. 1 Corinthians 14:1 – “Eagerly desire spiritual gifts.” Learn what you’re gifted at by taking an assessment, a class, or by trying different ministries. 2. Develop it. Just because you're gifted at something doesn't mean that you're going to be great at it on day one. 1 Timothy 4:14 – “Don't neglect the spiritual gift that is in you.” You are neglecting your gift when you’re not seeking to develop it. 3. Use it. 2 Timothy 1:6 – “Fan into flame the gift that God gave you.” Do the thing that you feel like you’re gifted to do. Commit to a church and God will use you in the church. Find that place of service to use the gifts that God has given to you. God saved you so that you would serve Him through His church.

God is the Designer of the world and because there is a Designer, there is a design for your life. If there is a Maker, there is meaning. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Before you were even born, God had you in mind. He loved you, and He created you for specific work. There’s a purpose for your life. It’s important to determine what that is. You can either pursue your purpose and try to accomplish it, or you can ignore it.  1.        Commit to God’s Plan. ·      Romans 3:23 – We’ve all sinned and fall short of God’s glory. ·      There’s no way you can live a good enough life to get to heaven. ·      Romans 10:9 – Has there been a moment in your life when you’ve asked Jesus for forgiveness and surrendered your life to Him? ·      Putting your faith in Jesus is the first step to committing to God’s plan. ·      If you haven’t committed your life to Jesus you are rejecting God’s plan for your life and your purpose. ·      Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.” ·      You have to decide to either accept Jesus’ words as truth, or reject them.   2.        Commit Yourself to Change the Way You Think. ·      Ephesians 4:22 – It’s not enough to just stop doing bad things. You have to think differently.  ·      We must be informed by the Word of God and begin to think like Jesus. ·      As humans, we copy the behavior of other people. ·      Romans 12:2 – Don’t copy behaviors and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. ·      As God transforms you from the inside out, you begin to understand His perfect will for your life. ·      Christians must let God’s Word show them the right way to think about situations and issues in the world. ·      What I saw on a mission trip to Venezuela changed the way I think.   3.        Commit Yourself to Develop Christ-like Character. ·      Ephesians 4:24 - The goal of becoming like Christ is to live a more righteous, holy life. ·      We’re not trying to become more righteous so that we can earn heaven. ·      Heaven is a gift God gives us solely based on faith in Christ alone. ·      Becoming more like Christ is a continuous journey. We have a long way to go! ·      God uses us as we surrender our actions and attitudes to Him.  ·      As we seek to become more like Him, He uses us to impact other people. ·      If you choose to ignore your purpose, life will continue to feel meaningless.   The only way we begin to find true meaning and purpose in life is by committing ourselves to God's plan, changing how we think, and allowing our character to be developed by Jesus. As we do that, we truly worship God and embrace him as our Lord.

There’s a reason why Rick Warren’s book, “Purpose Driven Life” is the greatest selling book outside of the Bible. People want to know what their purpose is! Why are we here? What’s the point of life? Today, we’re starting a new series of episodes that will help you understand what God’s purpose for your life actually is. God created you: If there is a Designer, there is a design for your life. If there is a Maker, there is meaning to life. Isaiah 64:8 – There is purpose behind God’s creation. You can pursue your purpose, or you can ignore it. Ephesians 2:10 – God has prepared things that He wants us to do. You are wired to worship: Acts 17:22-31 – They had thousands of false gods to worship, but were still empty because they didn’t know the one true God. God is the giver and creator of all things. (v24-25) God’s great purpose for our life is to seek Him and know Him. (v27-28) To embrace your purpose, you must repent of your sin and turn to Jesus (v30) Worship is the desire of the human soul: It’s not just what religious people do. Everybody is worshipping something. To worship something is to give value to it. To deem it worthy of your time, talents, and energy. An idol is anything that we value more than God. We’re wired to worship God, but we find idols to worship instead. Worship is not just experienced by what we say, it’s confirmed by how we live. There’s a trail of our time, devotion, possessions and money that leads to the throne of our heart. Look at the evidence of your life to determine what you’re worshipping. Romans 12:1 – there’s improper worship “Worship is the believer’s response of all that they are – mind, emotions, will, body – to what God is and says and does.” – Real Worship by Warren Weirsbe Worship is your response to God in view of His mercy. In view of God’s mercy, the proper response is to give Him our entire life. The definition of God’s mercy is not getting what you deserve. Instead of getting the punishment we deserve, Jesus takes the punishment for us. When we understand how great God’s mercy is, it’s good and right to surrender everything to Him. You are wired for worship. God created you to know Him and worship Him. Are you living a life of sacrifice, service, and worship to God? When you elevate your worship, you’re going to elevate your life.

As you go through different seasons of life, you’re going to face sad situations. You’ll potentially experience depression. It’s just part of life. God gave us emotions, so it’s ok to be sad, but God doesn’t want you to be sad forever. He wants you to learn from the sad times in your life. Life is more than the feelings you feel. Life is about the choices that you make. Today I want to help you make every day count by helping you learn how to deal with sadness. God uses sadness to help you. Culture teaches us that being sad is a bad thing. When we’re around people, we try to hide our sadness. Read 1 Samuel Chapter 1. Hannah is depressed because she can’t have children. The emotional pain she’s in is so severe, she can’t eat. What can we learn from how Hannah responds to her sadness? 1. Hannah goes to church. (v9) She went to the temple to worship God. If you’re sad, you’re going to want to stay at home and isolate. If God’s going to use the sadness in your life, you have to get out of bed and worship with God’s people. 2. Hannah prays to God. (v10) She runs to God for help. When you’re sad, talk to God, lay your heart out to Him. Access my free video course called, “How to Pray” 3. Hannah admits how she feels (v15) She was honest about her sadness and shared it with Eli the priest. Stop trying to pretend that you’re not sad. Don’t be ashamed of how you feel. Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” God will put people in your life to help bear the burden you’re experiencing. 4. Hannah talks to a spiritual leader. (v15-16) That person will be able to encourage you in your time of need. Maybe it’s a counselor, pastor, small group leader, or a trusted friend. Just as every sports team needs a coach to guide them to victory, we all need a spiritual leader who will coach us through life’s problems. 5. Hannah eats. (v18) You need physical refreshment. Food is an important part of our physical health, but also our emotional health as well. If you eat bad food, you’re going to feel bad. You need proper nutrition, exercise, sunshine. Get outside, take a walk, get some fresh air, decide to start eating healthier. 6. Hannah believes God will help her. (v18) People can see sadness on our face. God had not yet answered her prayer, yet her face was no longer sad. What changed was her attitude. Her face reflected what she believed in her heart. Maybe you need an attitude change. Instead of thinking everything and everyone is against you, would you have the boldness to start believing that God is for you and that He is going to answer you? God is going to show up in your life. Hope comes from the belief that God’s going to take care of you. Hannah doesn’t know for sure that God is going to give her a child, but her belief was there. Hannah wasn’t focused on what she didn’t have, she was focused on what God was going to do. “And the Lord remembered her. And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1:19-20)

When someone asks, “How are you feeling today?” our typical response is “I’m good!” whether we’re feeling good or not. We’re usually unaware of how we’re feeling because we don’t think about it. Emotions are triggered by the events that happen in our life, and they kind of just happen. You don’t have to tell yourself to feel happy when you win, you’re just happy. You don’t have to tell yourself to feel sad or angry when you lose, the anger just comes out. But here’s the thing, you get to choose how long those emotions stick around. Instead of your emotions controlling you, we need to learn how to choose them because life is more than the feelings that you feel. Emotions come and go. The more you learn to control your emotions, the healthier and more successful in life you will be. Live on Devotion, Not on Emotions Some of us are living on our emotions; whatever we feel, we do. To find purpose in life, you need devotion to Jesus. Choose Joy There’s a difference between being happy and being joyful. Happiness is a feeling. Joy is a decision. Joy isn’t based on how well your day is going. Joy is a state of mind. Choose joy because happiness isn’t enough. Happiness is achieved by external things. Joy happens internally. John 15:10 Three Things that Kill Your Joy: 1. Selfishness I want what I want, and I don’t care how it makes other people feel. We think it will bring us joy, but it does the opposite. James 4:1 - The root problem of relational difficulties is a power struggle between two selfish, insecure people. The solution is to grow up and stop being so self-centered. If you want joy in your life you have to get the focus off yourself and onto other people. 2. Comparing Causes sadness and depression Instead of celebrating others, we become jealous. Social media might be one of the most devastating things in our culture today. What would happen to your emotional health if you deleted that app from your phone for one week? 3. Fear We fear that we aren’t good enough, we fear the future, that we’re not going to be able to solve the problems in our life. But what if things actually work out the way that you hope? God says, don’t fear because He’s with you no matter what happens. (Isaiah 41:10) Why did I spend so much time obsessing over the negative things that might happen? I let fear control me instead of enjoying my life. Three Ways You Can Have Joy: 1. Focus on GIVING rather than RECEIVING. This is what it means to love. God is love. (1 John 4:8) God gives good gifts. (James 1:17) God gave us His Son. (John 3:16) You can give without loving but you can’t love without giving. 2. Focus on HEALING rather than HURTING. You’re going to get hurt by people, even those who love you deeply. It’s how you handle the hurt that makes the difference Human nature is to hold on to the hurt. Forgive because you’ve been forgiven (Colossians 3:13) There’s no value in obsessing over pain. 3. Focus on GOD’S POWER rather than YOUR PROBLEMS. Trust in God at all times. (Psalm 62:8) He’s in control, can repair every hurt, and can help even when the situation seems hopeless. Focusing on your problems will make you miserable. Focusing on your faith in Jesus and His power will bring joy. God created you for more. He created you for purpose. He created you for joy. Life is more than the feelings that we have. It’s about living with devotion and not emotion. As you start doing these things, you’re going to find more joy in your life.

How do we prepare to defend ourselves against spiritual attacks? In Ephesians 6, Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God. This gives us the mentality that we are in a fight. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6:11-12 We’re in a spiritual battle. The enemy is trying to steal, kill, and destroy everything that God wants to do in your life. Scripture gives us ways to fight this battle against the spiritual forces in the present darkness. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. - Ephesians 6:14-17 As a follower of Jesus, we have authority over the demonic influences in our life but if we’re not wearing the armor of God, we can’t fight the battle effectively. If you want God’s power, you have to wear God’s armor. 1. The Belt of Truth (v14) One of Satan’s primary attacks is lies. The best defense against lies is truth. Jesus is truth. (John 14:6) Fight by knowing, believing, and living out the truth of God’s Word. 2. The Breastplate of Righteousness (v14) Part of your identity as a follower of Jesus is that you are righteous. God doesn't see your work; He sees the work of Christ in you. We fight the enemy’s attack by knowing who we are in Christ. As we live out the righteousness of Christ in our life, it begins to fight against those thoughts in our head. 3. The Right Shoes (v15) The Greek word translated as “stand” is a military term that means to hold your position. When the enemy attacks, you have to stand your ground by: 1) Submitting your life to God (James 4:7) 2) Being self-controlled and alert (1 Peter 5:8) 3) Prayer (James 5:16) 4. The Shield of Faith (v16) When you’re in an intense battle, it’s going to require endurance. God responds to those who trust in His sufficiency in the midst of our weakness – this is faith. When you have faith in the midst of the arrows that Satan is throwing at you, God is going to give you victory. Your faith is what gets God’s attention. 5. The Helmet of Salvation (v17) The helmet protects the most important part of your body. The battle you’re fighting is in your mind. Book by Mel Robbins, “The Five-Second Rule” provides a practical way to fight against anxiety and negative thoughts. 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9 – the helmet is the hope of salvation. Christian hope is not wishful thinking, it’s a confident expectation that God is going to accomplish His will. 6. The Sword of the Spirit (v17) The sword is both a defensive weapon and an offensive weapon. When Jesus was tempted by the enemy in the desert, He fought by quoting Scripture. Hebrews 4:12 – The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. As you read the Bible, circle verbs where God tells us to do something, underline adjectives that describe God, highlight things that stand out to you. After being in the Word of God, your mind starts thinking differently. Remember, we’re told to put on the full armor of God, not just part of it.Stand firm, have faith and put on the whole armor of God. We're fighting this battle together. Book: “The Five-Second Rule” by Mel Robbins

Spiritual warfare is a real thing. Satan & his followers are battling against the will of God and His followers. Ephesians 6 tells us that we aren’t fighting flesh and blood, but spiritual forces of evil. The enemy is fighting to divide God’s Church and in many ways he’s winning. Today I want to talk about the enemy’s strategies to steal kill and destroy. In Ephesians 6, Paul is talking to the church and calling them to fight this battle against the enemy. The best way to fight this battle is in the context of community – being involved in and connected relationally to a church. Why does the enemy attack the church?1. To direct our focus away from the mission Matt 28:19-20- The Great Commission The task is to make disciples, teach them to observe, and baptize them. Jesus gave all of these tasks to the Church. Satan doesn’t want the Church to be passionate about evangelism. He wants us to criticize and fight over opinions, so our energy is focused on small issues instead of the bigger spiritual problem of separation from God. 2. The unity of the church is a witness to Jesus’ love John 13:35 - Our love for one another, our unity, is how other people will know that we are followers of Jesus. John 17:20-23 – Jesus prayed that you and I, the Church today, would be unified so that the world would believe in Him. Satan wants to create division in the Church to counter our witness in the community. 3. The church teaches the life-changing Word of God Satan can entice the Church to ignore, neglect, and distort the Word of God. All over the world, he’s leading people to doubt the authority of Scripture. 1 Tim 4:1 – Demonic power is what stands behind false teachers. When members and staff are divisive, pastors are forced to focus on mitigating problems instead of teaching and strategizing. What’s Satan trying to do? Create division. Matt 12:25 – A divided church will not stand. You will not be effective in reaching people for Christ if there’s unresolved conflict. Churches in conflict are unable to grow or start new ministries. Division happens when... 1. Believers sin against each other Eph 4:35-32 – Paul explains how Christians should treat each other. Anytime we don’t immediately deal with conflict, we are giving the devil a foothold. Instead of venting, Scripture calls us to go to the person and have a conversation. Don’t let anger linger. Forgive and let it go, or discuss it. Eph 4:3 – Make an effort to keep unity. 2. We stop showing love for one another Col 3:14 - Unity comes when church members love each other. No storm or trial will separate friends who truly care about each other. If our love for our brothers weakens, we can begin to tolerate disunity and if it goes unchecked we can eventually justify division. 3. We put our needs before the needs of other people James 3:15 – Anytime we’re being selfish, we’re engaging in demonic thinking. Phil 2:4 - Don’t just look out for your own interests. 4. We act immature 1 Cor 3:1-3 – Paul can’t give them the deeper truths of scripture because they’re like infants. The result is that non-believers will have no interest in Jesus. The world will not be attracted to disunity. When we’re not united around the gospel we’re not able to be effective evangelistically. Next time: How to put on the armor of God and truly fight for unity.

One of my favorite leaders in the Bible is Elijah. You can read his story in 1 Kings. During this time in the nation of Israel, the character of the leaders and the spiritual condition of the people were terrible. They were worshipping idols and being led by wicked men. But Elijah was different. The name Elijah means “The Lord is my God.” God was building Elijah into the leader he needed to be to confront the people’s sin, lead them into repentance, and back to worshipping God. 1 Kings 17:1-7. God sent a drought into the land and told Elijah to go away to a stream in the desert. So, Elijah did what God told him to do.Just like Elijah, God has given you an invitation to follow Him. To be a faithful leader, you must accept the call God has given you. Elijah is taken out of his comfort zone. There’s a process to preparation. There’s growth that needs to take place. We see this in Moses’s life as well. One of the greatest lessons God will let you learn is to be alone and realize that He’s the only One you can count on and all you need. God is teaching Elijah to trust His provision. God may not be giving you everything you want, but He’s giving you everything you need. God took Elijah to Kerith to teach him a lesson and to protect him. God’s invitation will always take you outside of your comfort zone. Elijah is cut off and alone, and the stream dries up. If you’re following God but things are difficult, it’s not because He’s punishing you; He’s preparing you. God wants Elijah to depend on Him, not on the stream. When the stream in your life dries up, remember that God has a bigger plan, and He always comes through. It’s easy to follow God when things are good when all of our needs seem to be met, but you don’t learn or grow when things are easy. When you believe God is preparing you, you know He’s about to do something great. God was helping Elijah become a leader who would transform the nation. Don’t see your circumstances as bad luck; God may be using them to take you to another level of faith, trust, and maturity. God has something planned for you. Don’t miss it!

One thing that unsuccessful people have in common is that they lack consistency. When you’re consistent, you’re dedicated to carrying out the task until it is completed. You’re clear on what you want to accomplish and you’re going to take the steps to actually reach those goals. Today, I want to talk about the need for consistency in leadership. “Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over time.” - John Maxwell We often mistakenly think that success happens overnight. The truth is most successful people have been consistently grinding for some time before they become successful. Jesus is consistent. (Hebrews 13:8) Be steadfast. (James 1:4) Don’t waver. (Hebrews 10:23) The march towards consistency can sometimes hurt. We don’t want to get up early, go to the gym, read our Bible, put in the effort. Somethings you just have to start out of obligation. Eventually you see positive results and then you get momentum. Just starting it is the first step. Three areas you need to be consistent in as a leader: 1. Your CHARACTER Jesus put other people first. (Philippians 2:3) Character means what you say and how you live are consistent. Who are you when nobody’s around? If you say you’re going to do it, do it. (Matthew 5:37) Character is communicating. Show integrity. (Ephesians 4:1) 2. Your ATTITUDE Have an attitude of humility. (Philippians 2:5) Bring a positive attitude even when you have a bad day. A bad attitude comes through in your body language. You bring a bad attitude when you say things like: “That’s not my job.” – Do whatever is necessary to help the team. “That’s not my problem.” – Offer solutions. “I’m really busy.” – You should expect to be busy at work. “I don’t care.” – Give some insight. 3. Your EFFORT Jesus gave the maximum effort, His life. (Philippians 2:7) Give your very best every single day. Don’t be lazy. Even when nobody is looking we give the effort because we’re working for the Lord. (Colossians 3:2) When you are consistent in your CHARACTER, your ATTITUDE, and your EFFORT, you’re going to be the example that other people look to. You’re going to be the leader that is worth following. PRACTICAL STEPS: Start small and build from there. Create a schedule. Schedule tasks in your free time. Celebrate yourself when you win. “Let us not become weary of doing good for in due season, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

One of the most difficult things you’ll ever try to do in life is forgive someone. When someone hurts you and you don’t forgive them, it robs you of joy and peace. A relationship with Jesus is one that is characterized by forgiveness. God’s path is paved with forgiving people. The world’s path is paved with retaliation. When someone hurts you, they have essentially taken something away from you. Your reputation, your dignity, your trust, your childhood. A debt was acquired and now you feel they owe you something. We think the remedy for pain is payback. Hurt turns into anger, and eventually into bitterness. Unresolved bitterness is like poison that infects your leadership and all of your relationships. Jesus teaches that we must always be willing to forgive, and we must continually forgive. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant” (Matthew 18:21-35). To forgive, you have to have mercy on others. You will be tempted to focus on how much better you are than the person who hurt you. You must move from wanting to get back at them to having compassion on them. You’ll never feel like forgiving. Like the master, you must decide to cancel the debt. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that what happened to you is ok, it means that you’re done allowing the pain to traumatize you. Jesus asks, “Should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” (v33) Jesus says, “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (v35) The master represents God, the servant who was shown mercy represents anyone who has had their sin cancelled by God, and the servant who was not shown mercy represents those who have wronged us who we have not forgiven. If you’re holding onto bitterness and waiting to be paid back, you’re the one who’s suffers because you will never have peace. If you cancel the debts owed to you, you will be set free. Jesus calls us to forgive just like He has forgiven us. The process of cancelling the debt: Admit that you’ve been hurt. Identify the person who hurt you. Determine what they owe you. Cancel the debt – release them. Practically, how is the debt paid? Every time you think about taking revenge... every time you want to speak badly about them... every time you think about the event and start to get angry... take the thought captive, tell yourself you release them, and ask God to give you the grace to forgive them. You pay down the debt little by little until one day you are free. Forgiveness isn’t letting them off the hook, it’s letting yourself off the hook by modeling the grace and love that Jesus has shown to you. Prayer: “Lord, they owe me, but I owed you and you were willing to cancel my debt, so I cancel their debt. I forgive _____ for taking _______.” On the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished” which means, it is paid. Jesus paid our debt with His sacrifice.

One of the longings of the human soul is to find peace. The world offers us peace through things like health insurance, retirement funds, policemen and firefighters. The world’s peace depends on circumstances, but Jesus offers us a different kind of peace that can’t be taken away. Even in the midst of pain, tribulation, and despair, your heart can be settled and peaceful if your hope is fixed on Jesus. Peace can be difficult to find in today’s culture and fast-paced world. Some of the things that rob us of peace are ambition, envy, being critical, and needing to be in control. Several years ago, I was facing an uncontrollable situation and was in a season of sorrow, depression, and grief. I was worried, stressed out, and overwhelmed. What I learned was how to really seek the peace of God. How do you experience the peace of God that transcends all understanding when all hell is breaking loose in your life? Dark times are meant to be a place for us to learn the deeper truths of God’s grace. You can be a faithful Christian who loves Jesus and still go through dark seasons. You can be surrounded by great people and still feel like you’re alone. The enemy wants you to believe that no one cares or understands what you’re going through. Even when depression and anxiety set it, the world doesn’t stop moving. You have to continue to lead. Do you desire to find the peace of God while you go through this season?In John 14:1 Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” How to experience the peace of God in the middle of suffering: 1. Believe that Jesus is peace. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27) If you want to find peace in life, you need to find Jesus. You will continue to experience fear, anxiety, loneliness, and worry if you don’t have the holy spirit living inside of you. Godly peace can’t be produced on a human level. It has to be given to you by the grace of God. 2. Believe in your future with Jesus. “I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3) When you commit your life to Christ, you can rest in the knowledge that heaven is your home, and that Jesus is in control of your future. What you’re going through is only for a season, God will resolve it. 3. Believe that Jesus is with you in your pain.“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) We’re tempted to think we’re alone and that God doesn’t care, but Jesus reminds us that His Spirit is always with us. In the midst of our anxiety and pain, the Holy Spirit teaches us and reminds us of what Jesus said. God teaches us how to trust Him by allowing us to go through situations that require trust. The world’s peace depends on circumstances and can be taken away but the peace that Jesus offers remains, even in the midst of difficulty. 4. Believe in the power of prayer. Prayer is essential and it works. God fills us with peace when we are in constant communication with Him. Connect with me on social media @trentonjstewart

If you find yourself struggling with a lack of purpose and fulfillment in life, it’s likely that you have not yet figured out what God is calling you to be. Today, I’m joined again by my dad, Ron Stewart, and we’re picking up where we left off last time in our conversation about finding the key to life. Your purpose in life is to glorify God and to do His will. Even as a 12-year-old, Jesus knew His purpose. His business was to be a carpenter, but His purpose was to do the will of God. Your job isn’t you. It’s just a way to finance your real purpose in life. Not fulfilling your purpose impacts both you and others. If you don’t know your purpose, someone is going to hell. Jesus said His purpose was to seek and to save the lost. As Christians, our purpose is the same as Jesus’s. We glorify God and do His will by seeking and saving those who are lost in the places where God has put us in our daily life (our job, school, community, etc.) It’s when we engage with God in this purpose that we really start to feel His presence. There’s a difference between your goals and your purpose. Sometimes our personal goals get in the way of what God wants us to do. Even if you meet your goals, it doesn’t mean that you’ve completed your purpose. Your goals might change, but your purpose does not. There’s more to life than goals. Goals aren’t enough. If you find your purpose in anything other than Jesus, you’ll be devastated when the job changes, the relationship ends, the kids leave, etc. We must hang on to our ultimate purpose. Jesus is the perfect example of what it looks like to fulfill your purpose. Jesus came to complete the will of God, and when it was accomplished, he shouted, “It is finished.” Jesus fulfilled His purpose in providing salvation for everyone. Have we, as Christians, fulfilled our purpose in proclaiming His salvation to everyone? Someone may end up in hell for eternity if you don’t discover your purpose and start witnessing to others. Not everyone will be saved when they hear the Gospel, but we keep sharing it because that’s our purpose in life. “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain. Connect with me on social media @trentonjstewart

A USA Today survey asked, “If you had the opportunity to ask God one question, what would it be?” The number one answer was, “What is my purpose in life? Why am I here?" Whether we realize it or not, everyone is looking for the key to life. We’ve each been given a purpose, and our goal is to find out from our Creator who we are and what that purpose in life is. So, where do we start? Today, I’m joined by my dad, Ron Stewart, to help us answer that question. Start with yourself: If you don’t know God, you can’t know you. And if you don’t know you, then you’ll never discover what your purpose is. Bertrand Russell – “Unless you assume a God, the question about life’s purpose is meaningless.” When we know our Creator and how He’s designed us, we can begin to understand this is the life that He’s given us. Many people believe their purpose in life is to be happy: God’s purpose for you is to have a personal relationship with Him. Real happiness comes from discovering and following God’s perfect will for your life. If you ever get to the center of God’s will, you will discover it’s what you’ve been searching for. That doesn’t mean you won’t have problems, but you will have an inner peace. We have to go back to God: Whenever we’re struggling or trying to learn about ourselves, we have to go back to God. He’s the one who created you so He knows what’s best for you. Many people fight against God and His will for so long, but when they finally make the commitment to give their life to Him, they wonder why they waited so long. Moses, David, and Peter all found their purpose for living AFTER they developed a relationship with the Lord. You will never know your purpose until you know your Creator in a personal way. Why do Christians who know God still struggle to find fulfillment? If you don’t know your purpose you won’t be satisfied with anything for very long. Satisfaction doesn’t come having everything go your way. It comes from knowing you’re doing what you were created to do. When your relationship with God is right, your circumstances don’t control you. You must be careful not to identify your work, your spouse, or your children as your purpose in life. If you don’t know your purpose you can become so dissatisfied that your life feels meaningless. In the next episode, we’ll continue this discussion about discovering your purpose in life.Connect with me on social media @trentonjstewart

It’s easy to have a staff, but what about a team? Whether you’re an employee at a business or have employees who report to you, we all want to belong to a team, not just be part of a staff. A team collaborates, enjoys each other, and works hard together to accomplish what needs to be done. When you’re a team, you can count on each other.  Today, I want to talk about three fundamentals that can help you establish a healthy team. Fundamental #1: Be Committed to the Vision/Mission “Vision High Jackers” are committed to their personal mission instead of the organization’s. Every organization needs a vision statement. The book, “The Advantage,” by Patrick Lencioni will walk you through creating one. Chick-fil-A is an excellent example of a business living in a secular world but using Biblical principles. Values are what allow the team to accomplish the purpose. Create values that will inspire and motivate your team to accomplish the purpose. Being committed to the vision means taking ownership.  Be proud of what you’re doing or fix the problem. “Quiet Quitting” is doing the bare minimum of your job requirements and putting in no more time or effort than necessary.  Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” As Christians, we must call ourselves to a higher standard at our work. Fundamental #2: Spend Consistent Time Together Be present and available for your team. Be intentional about creating ways for team members to be known and cared for by each other, especially in larger organizations. Inconsistent time together causes relationships to dwindle and can lead to turnover. When we are close and available: We get answers faster. We’re able to build relationships. It’s easier to get your job done because we hold each other accountable.  To be a healthy team, our relationships have to get stronger and deeper. Fundamental #3: Be Consistent in the Work As a leader, you must show up committed to and excited about the work every week. You have to bring the energy and the passion to build your team up. Consistency builds trust, and more work gets done.  It’s a matter of integrity and character. Remember Colossians 3:23. Knowing we are working for the Lord will inspire us to give more effort. We want to be on a team of people who give 100% effort and consistently show up and work hard. If you have people on your team who aren’t putting in the effort, start calling them to a higher standard. “The Advantage” by Patrick LencioniConnect with me on social media @trentonjstewart

We’ve been looking at the book of Ecclesiastes and learning a lot about the wisdom of Solomon. In Ecclesiastes 7:13-18, Solomon tells us that there are some things in our life that we won’t be able to straighten out. It’s these crooked parts that we struggle to make straight, but we don’t have the power to do it. What’s the one thing you wish God would straighten out in your life today? 1. God is the one who makes things crooked. (v13) No one can straighten out anything that God has made crooked. Crooked doesn’t mean morally wrong or evil, it means difficult. These things can cause us to question God’s goodness. 2. The crooked parts of your life are meant to straighten you out. (v14) They lead you to deeper faith and trust in Jesus. God wants you to experience Him on a deeper level. Some days are full of prosperity. On those days, praise God. Don’t become lazy or self-absorbed. Some days are full of adversity. On those days, consider the work of God and trust Him. Don’t give in to depression or despair. God is doing something good in your life even when things feel crooked. 3. Paul’s adversity (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) To keep Paul from becoming arrogant because of all the good things God was doing through him, God gave him a “thorn in his flesh.” Paul begged God to take it away, but He didn’t. If all we experience is prosperity, it will lead us to become conceited. When you are weak you will feel God’s power stronger. Paul didn’t let this crooked part of his life defeat him. It led him to experience the depth of God’s love and grace. We need to be able to say, “Your grace is sufficient for me, Lord. In this adversity your power is made perfect.” We believe God can do it, but even if He does not, His grace is strong enough to get us through it. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. 4. We live in an unfair world. (v15-18) We see righteous people suffer and unrighteous people succeed. Don’t be self-righteous or conceited. Anyone, righteous or wicked, can face adversity at any moment. Grab hold of God and He will bring you through any situation. To fear God means to revere Him; to recognize, in prosperity and in adversity, it’s God who we are trusting to bring us through it. 5. The hardest part is to see the work of God in all of our circumstances. The good times seem to make us ignore God and the bad times seem to make us angry at God. If you’re angry at God because of the bad times, consider the work of God in your life; how He has saved you and provided for you. Accept the crooked parts of life as necessary parts of our growth knowing one day God will straighten them out. Instead of trying to fix the situation, worship through it. Thank God in advance for straightening out the problem because you believe and know that He will. Connect with me on social media @trentonjstewart

Would you like to have more money? Would you even say that you love money? In America, many of us are tempted to love money. Most of us worry about it and want more of it. Today, we'll talk about the truth about money because if you want to be a leader who makes today count, you have to grasp the concept of what money really is and what we are to do with it. King Solomon was an extremely wealthy man. In Ecclesiastes chapter 5, he shares some important truths that having wealth has taught him. 1. If you love money, you will never be satisfied. (v10) The more you have, the less satisfied you will be because you’ll always want more. “I’m a simple man, I don’t need a lot, I’m good right here with what I got, but a little more, a little more, a little more would be alright.” – Drew Green Coveting causes anxiety and disappointment when you don’t get what you want. Or guilt and shame from running up debt trying to get what you don’t have. Living for the things that money can buy is vanity. It’s like chasing after the wind, which can never be grasped. 2. Having money costs money. (v11) Having money attracts a circle of people who you end up spending your money on. What’s the advantage? Solomon says there is none. All he can do is watch people take and use his money. The more property you own, the more toys you have – the more money you need to take care of those things. 3. Money is stressful. (v12) Loving money causes stress and loss of sleep. A rich man’s diet can have negative physical affects. The worker isn’t consumed with the cash flow. He physically works hard and sleeps like a baby. Don’t assume that having more money is always a blessing. 4. If you’re selfish with money, it will hurt you. (v13-14) God gives so that we can be generous with others. Money can be easily lost. Financially plan for your family. (Proverbs 13:22) Count on God to provide for you, not your money. Saving up your money doesn’t mean you’ll get to keep it.5. Money disappears at death. (v15-17) What is the point of loving money when it causes loneliness and frustration, and you don’t get to take it with you when you die. At the end of life, you will not be thinking about money. You will be asking, Did I making a difference? Are the people I love with me? Where am I going when I die? 6. Money is a gift from God and so is the ability to enjoy it. (Ch 6, v1-2) The only way to enjoy wealth is to put God first. Enjoyment doesn’t come from the “stuff,” it comes from God. Enjoy God first, and then you can enjoy the blessings He gives to you. 7. The person who is truly blessed is the one who knows God and has a genuine relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. When material things come your way, you can enjoy them without coveting At the end of your life, you won’t care about how much money you have; you’ll care about how much love you have given. Don’t love money, love God and use the money you have be generous and to glorify Him. Bottom line: Love money and enjoy nothing or love God first and enjoy everything. Connect with me on social media @trentonjstewart

Just like we change our wardrobe with the season, we have to make adjustments in life according to the season of life that we’re in. Sometimes we fight against the season that God has put us in. We try to avoid the things He wants us to experience instead of learning and growing from them. If you want to make today count as a leader, it’s important to know what season of life you’re in because when you start to understand it and accept it, you’ll be able to respond to it in a more faithful way. In Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, Solomon talks about how God works in times and seasons. Today I want to help answer the question, “What are we to do with the season that we are in today?” Read Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. There’s a time and season for everything that happens in life. A season has a fixed time and a predetermined purpose. Fixed time means it won’t last forever, eventually it’s going to end. Predetermined purpose means it’s not by accident. God wants to use this time for a purpose. We can trust that He’s doing something good even when we don’t understand it. God is sovereign. Nothing happens outside of His will, and it always happens at just the right time. Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. You might be in a Season of Harvest: “a time to plant and a time to pluck up.” The Planting - God is tilling the soil of your heart and planting things in you. You are learning, growing, struggling, grinding. This is typically a hard season to be in. The Waiting - You are watering and caring for the seeds that have been planted in your life and waiting on the Lord to show you what’s next. The Fruit - It’s time to celebrate. You’ve been through hard times but now you are reaping the benefits and fruit of the planting and waiting. You’re collecting the blessings. This is the season we want to be in. You might be in a Season of New Beginnings or Endings: “a time to break down, build up, seek, lose, cast away, gather, embrace, refrain from embracing.” Any time there’s a new beginning, you’re usually letting go of something in your past. This can be sad but it’s a natural part of life. God will use it to mature you and grow you. Embrace it as God’s purpose for your life. Don’t fight against it but serve and worship God in the midst of it. You might be in a Season of Conflict or Healing: “a time to kill, heal, break down, build up, be silent, speak, love, hate, war, and peace.” God uses healthy conflict to bring peace, love, and healing. Embrace it with purpose. Make sure you’re doing your part and wait for the healing. You might be in a Season of Life or Loss: “a time to be born, die, mourn, dance, weep, and laugh.” New life causes us to rejoice, laugh and dance. Maybe you’ve lost a loved one and are hurting. Embrace it with purpose. God has you in this season for a reason. Be faithful. He will bring you through it. Ecclesiastes 3:9 We will go through different seasons, but what are we to do with the season we’re in? In verses 2-8, Solomon focuses on our life. There’s no mention of God. But in verses 9-15, Solomon’s focus changes to what God does with the time in our life. Our focus shifts from us to God. God makes everything beautiful in His timing. (v11a) You might feel like your life is a mess, or that you’re a failure. When you’re faithful to apologize and forgive, God can make ugly relationships beautiful in every area of your life.God put eternity in man’s heart, yet so he cannot find out what God has done from beginning to end. (v11b) We want to live forever. We think about eternity and the afterlife. We desire knowledge about what’s going to happen next, but we’ll never fully understand it. Bottom line: If you want to make today count, embrace each season with purpose. Trust in God’s timing and find joy and fulfillment in worshipping Him and living for Him today. Get in the habit of saying, “I don’t know the Lord’s timing, but I know He’ll be on time.”

Even as Christian leaders, we go through seasons where we feel run down and that what we’re doing isn’t important. We’re all looking for meaning, significance, and enjoyment in life and we try to find it in our jobs, kids, relationships, material things. There’s a song by Justin Bieber called “Lonely” that says, “What if you had it all but nobody to call. Maybe then you’d know me. Because I’ve had everything but no one’s listening. I’m so lonely.” Many of us can relate to that song. Eventually we realize that the things we have don’t fulfill us. We want to enjoy life and have meaning but we’re often looking for it in the wrong places. Today I want to talk about the only way that you can enjoy this life. We’ll stay in the book of Ecclesiastes in Chapter 2. Solomon had everything, yet he felt like it was all a waste of time. He wanted to have a good time in life. He wanted happiness and distraction from pain. He hoped that laughter and entertainment would bring joy and meaning. (v1-2) Laughter can be good for us, but much of the things we laugh at are sinful and displeasing to God. Entertainment provides an escape from reality, but it will not give you any sense of meaning in life. Many of us fall into a rut because we’re chasing entertainment and laughter in trips, vacations, concerts, show, etc. He tried to cheer himself with wine. (v3) The Bible is clear that drunkenness is a sin and will lead to regret. Solomon is not saying that wine is sinful, but that he was looking for a good time by drinking wine and it didn’t work. He was lonely and empty. Alcohol is not the answer to finding joy. He tried to find meaning in doing something important. (v4-6) He made great buildings, gardens, pools. He wanted to create something beautiful to feel like he did something great. He built it all for himself. He went after money. (7-10) He amassed all kinds of possessions. He had money to buy whatever he needed or wanted.Money is evil, but the love of money is the root of all evil. He might have had fun spending the money, but it wasn’t bringing him any meaning. He had performers to play music, wives, and concubines for sexual pleasure. Whatever he wanted he took. Whatever he wanted to try, he did. Pleasure seekers are never pleasure keepers. It will never be enough. You’ll always want more. We live like kings and have access to just as much as Solomon did. Are you searching for pleasure in these things and feeling empty? Or searching for more of God and feeling grateful Maybe he wasn’t living a significant life, but at least he was having fun, right? Solomon says he hated life. It was all striving after the wind. (v17) Maybe you’re chasing the same things that Solomon chased. He uses words like despair, sorrow, vexation, unable to find rest. (v18-23) He realized that work, accomplishments, sex, fun, entertainment did not deliver. Apart from God there is no enjoyment. But with God there can be much enjoyment. (v24-25) Bottom Line: The only way you’ll be able to enjoy the good gifts that God has given you is if you find your enjoyment in Him FIRST. Prayer: Jesus I need you and only you. Show me the path to finding joy in you. Connect with me on social media @trentonjstewart

We’re all looking for something that will bring meaning into our life. We need life-giving moments to keep us going. King Solomon was known as the wisestman who ever lived. In the book of Ecclesiastes, he describes his search for purpose and satisfaction and what he learned from his attempts to find meaning in life apart from God. In today’s episode we’re going to look at Ecclesiastes 1 to help us answer the question, what should we be searching for? King Solomon had it all: wealth, power, women, material possessions, but it still wasn’t enough. He had walked away from God and was searching for meaning in life. 1. Solomon searched for meaning in education and knowledge. (v13)- He sought to know “everything under the sun” and he accomplished it.- Education is a good thing. Leaders should never stop learning, but Solomon was hoping to find meaning by growing intellectually.- We too depend on education to give us hope and happiness.- Education won’t provide meaning and significance because just knowing something does not produce change in your life.- You must apply what you learn and allow it to change you.- The best education can be found in the Bible. How much time are you spending growing in the knowledge of God’s Word?- Without God, knowledge is meaningless. 2. Solomon searched for meaning in madness and folly. (v17)- The term “madness and folly” represents sinful living, a “party lifestyle.”- It can’t provide lasting satisfaction because it leads to pain and brokenness. 3. Solomon tried living the wrong way, and he tried living the right way.- Some of us are trying to live for God but also for the world.- When you’re living a dual lifestyle you are breaking your soul.- You will experience confusion, anxiety, and frustration.- Solomon found that neither path led to happiness. It was “striving after the wind.” 4. Life without God is meaningless.- Trying to live a good life won’t bring meaning, and neither will living a self-indulgent life. - It’s all ”vanity” (v14). It’s meaningless. - As your knowledge grows, so does your sorrow and frustration. (v18)- Why? Because you still won’t be able to fix the problems around you.- Our efforts in a fallen world are like trying to catch the wind in our hands. - A relationship with Jesus Christ is the only thing that will provide meaning and purpose to all the things you accomplish in your life.- If Christ is not the center and foundation of the work you’re doing, you will struggle with feeling like you’re chasing after the nothing.- Jesus gives you the purpose behind the work. What should we be searching for?If it’s true that life is meaningless without God then the #1 thing we should be pursuing is God through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Make reading the Bible and connecting to God your first priority. Resources: Visit trentstewart.org and sign up to receive the TSL 5, updates on new podcast episodes, and to access these free resources.- Reflect & Review - Bible Reading Plan “100 Days to Read the New Testament”- “How To Pray” online course Connect with me on social media @trentonjstewart

Leadership starts at home and if you want to lead but your marriage is struggling it’s going to affect how you show up at work and in ministry. In today’s episode, Micah and I continue talking about getting the fire back in marriage. 1 Corinthians 13 is a familiar passage of scripture which is often read at wedding ceremonies. It describes the ideal love that we are all striving to give and to receive. If we’re going to grow in our marriage, these are the ways we can build that fire back up. “[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:7-8) 1. Love BEARS all things. This does not mean you accommodate unjust treatment. It means that you don’t give up easily. It requires learning how to forgive each other. Humble yourself, own your mistakes, and be willing to say, “I’m sorry.” 2. Love BELIEVES all things. This does not mean you have a naïve, blind trust in someone. It means believing in the One who calls you to love your spouse. You live out that love by believing what God’s Word teaches in how to interact with your spouse. 3. Love always HOPES. This does not mean having a naïve optimism. It means maintaining hope in the God who empowers you to love. Your love for Christ, and His love for you, leads you to hope in Him knowing your future is secure. 4. Love ENDURES. This means sustaining the assaults of the enemy, never quitting, and persevering through suffering and hardship. Problems in marriage are a pathway to discover what real love is. The problem may simply be not knowing how to react to your spouse in love. We have to stay calm and pursue God’s definition of love. When you stay calm you can stay connected. In his book, “Self-Centered Marriage,” Hal Runkel describes... The Five Ways We Scream in Marriage: Literal screaming; aggressive, open conflict Distance ourselves Cut ourselves off Over/under Pattern Triangulate others Do you want to get the fire back? You’ve got to stay calm and bear all things in love. Here are some practical steps to take: Identify yourself - which reactive mechanism do you tend to fall into? Confront yourself - realize it’s not helpful and it’s sinful, repent, recognize the negative effects it’s having on your marriage. Get help – book, podcast, spiritual leader or counselor, read the Bible together 5. Love NEVER FAILS God’s love for you will never fail. Jesus is calling you to love your spouse like He loves you. We experience Christ’s love first, then we try to extend that love to our spouse. Resources: Visit trentstewart.org and sign up to receive the TSL 5, updates on new podcast episodes and show notes. Connect with me on social media @trentonjstewart

Leadership starts at home so if your marriage is struggling it’s going to impact other areas of your leadership, especially your work and relationships. In today’s episode, I’m joined by my wife Micah for part 1 in a series about marriage. Like most marriages, yours probably started out on fire, but slowly began to fade over time. The good news is that you can get that fire back. In fact, the problems you’re facing in your marriage today can actually be the catalyst to building a fire that will last a lifetime. Remember when your marriage was on fire? Everything was new and exciting. Phone calls lasted for hours. You couldn’t wait to be together. But as life happens, the fire begins to dim. You slowly drift apart until you wake up one day to find your marriage has lost its fire. 1. What are some reasons why couples drift apart in marriage? Kids exhaust you physically when they’re little, and mentally as they get older. Money problems can be a source of worry and anxiety. Issues with in-laws can cause disagreements and stress. Your spiritual maturity, or lack of, is exposed in how you treat your spouse. All marriage problems stem from a lack of spiritual maturity. 2. How do you get the fire back? Men and women define “fire” differently. Building an actual fire is a lot like building the fire in your marriage. It takes time, work, and patience. The good news is you can get the fire back! Key Point: All marriages have problems, but those problems can be the catalyst to finding love and build a lasting fire if you are willing to walk through the fire together. “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7) 3. How do problems in marriage help you build a lasting fire? The problems you’re facing will weigh you down. What will you do? Your response will reveal the level of faith you have in Christ. It’s not the size of the problem that defeats you, it’s your perspective. Clinging to Jesus during the trials will bring Him honor and glory. The right perspective sees problems as temporary. The wrong perspective see problems as permanent. The right perspective knows problems will make us better. The wrong perspective allows problems to make us bitter.” – John Maxwell 4. What have we learned from walking through the fires in our marriage? Be willing to ask for help. Divorce is not an option. Decide to be on the same team. Consider what you’re arguing about; some battles aren’t worth it. Final Thought: If you want your marriage to be on fire, you have to be willing to walk through the fire together. Next Episode: Micah joins me again for Part 2 of this series on marriage. Resources: Visit trentstewart.org and sign up to start receiving the TSL 5, updates on new podcast episodes, and show notes

We’ve been talking about anxiety and how it can be used for our good when we know how to respond to it. Today I want to finish this series by sharing three practical ways to redirect your anxiety to strengthen your faith and deepen your relationship with God. In Philippians chapter 4, Paul teaches us three important ways to build faith and overcome your anxiety. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7) 1. Let Anxiety Be a Trigger for Prayer As soon as you start to worry - stop, take a deep breath, and tell it all to God. Admit that you don’t know what to do and that you need help. James 4:2 says, “You do not have, because you do not ask.” If we prayed as much as we worried, we’d have a lot less to worry about. Over 20 times in the New Testament, God tells us to ask. Nothing is out of His control. He’s the source of all our needs. Have you really been praying about the situation? Thinking about it is not the same as praying about it. How much would you have if you simply asked God? 2. Let Anxiety Be a Trigger for Thankfulness Tell Jesus what’s weighing you down, but also what you’re thankful for. Instead of thinking about worst case scenarios and the bad things that MIGHT happen, think about the great things that ARE happening. An important step of spiritual growth is to replace negative thoughts with thanksgiving. Make a list of all the things you’re thankful for. Stop allowing things that haven’t happened (and probably never will) to rule your thoughts and stress you out. 3. Let Anxiety Be a Trigger that Jesus is With You Jesus hasn’t left you. He’s nearby. He knows exactly what you’re going through and where your heart is. Are you still trying to do everything in your own power? Maybe God wants you to come to the end of your rope so that you realize you need Him. God will give you what you need for today. If He gave you everything all at once, how often would you go to Him in prayer? God wants you to depend on Him daily. That’s what it means to live by faith. Final Thought: Let Anxiety Be a Trigger to Trust God. (1 Peter 5:6-11) When the anxiety begins to hit, let that be a trigger to trust God. The problems and anxieties you’re facing today are actually going to make you a stronger person if you allow them to. You’ll have a deeper relationship with the Lord, more joy, and greater appreciation of life if you take your concerns to God and trust Him. Resources: Visit trentstewart.org and sign up for the TSL 5 to start receiving free resources to equip you on your leadership journey. You’ll also get updates on new podcast episodes and immediate access to the show notes. Connect with me on social media @trentonjstewart

We all deal with anxiety on some level, so we’ve got to learn how to deal with it. In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus actually tells us what the key to overcoming our anxiety is. In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about what it means to seek the Kingdom of God, why it’s the solution to anxiety, and some practical ways to do it. Seek First the Kingdom of God: Read Matthew 6:25-33; 7:7-8 When you worry, you are concentrating on things that are out of your control. Anxiety over material things is pointless because it won’t bring you any of the things you need. God knows what you need and will provide for your needs. You’re probably worrying about: Things that will never actually happen. Things that God is going to take care of anyway. Things that aren’t important in the grand scheme of things. Last episode I shared some examples of how we typically respond to anxiety such as blowing up, shutting down, and self-medicating. Question: How does Jesus tell us to respond to anxiety? Answer: Let your anxiety trigger you to seek God’s Kingdom. Seek God’s Kingdom by Serving Others: The key to overcoming worry is to stop thinking about yourself and start thinking about others. Get out of your head and start using your hands. There are people who need your help. Serve God by serving them. Seek God’s Kingdom by Getting Outside and Thinking: Get out in nature and look at how God is taking care of His creation. Go for a walk, look at the stars, get some Vitamin D. Be reminded of how big God is. He is meeting all the needs of the universe and sustaining the world. hen you think about how God works, you tend to trust in how God works. He’s providing for animals and nature, of course He’s going to provide for your needs too! Seek God’s Kingdom in Small Groups: We are wired to be in relationships and need to develop them on a deeper level. Get into a small group, invite someone out to lunch or coffee. You need to open up to others about your worries and struggles. Get a different perspective from those around you. Next Episode: We’ll conclude this series on overcoming anxiety. Resources: Visit trentstewart.org to sign up for “The TSL Five,” my monthly newsletter full of free resources, and you’ll immediately receive the Life Assessment Tool. You’ll also get updates on new podcast episodes and show notes. Connect with me on social media @trentonjstewart

With everything that’s going on in the world today it’s no wonder we’re anxious. We’re stressed about politics, the economy, health, education, our job, our marriage, our family. If you’re going to be a leader worth following, you have to learn how to deal with the stress and anxiety of life because the world is never going to be perfect. There will always be something to worry about. So, the question is, how should we deal with our anxiety? Four Types of Anxiety Anxiety because of danger Clinical anxiety Anxiety because of sin Anxiety because you don’t trust God How to deal with anxiety will depend on which type you’re experiencing. Good news - No matter which type, it can get better! Anxiety is our body’s natural response to stressful situations. Usually, we just want it to go away, but what if your anxiety is something that God wants to use for your good? Step 1 - Identify Your Triggers Most anxiety flows from some kind of fear. Identifying the fear that triggers your anxiety is the first step. Ask yourself, “What am I afraid of?” Write it down in a journal so you can see it with your eyes. Ask yourself, “Can I limit my exposure to it?” Step 2 – Identify Your Typical Response When worry and anxiety begin to fill your mind, how do you typically respond? Do you explode? Do you shut down? Do you fight? Do you self-medicate? Do you stay busy? Write it down in your journal. Step 3 – Turn to Scripture Study it. Meditate on it. Apply it to your life. God is trying to communicate something to you through your anxiety. Homework: Ask yourself these questions and write down your answers. What triggers my anxiety? What am I afraid of?” Can I limit my exposure to this fear or situation? Next Episode: We’ll continue to talk about how to deal with anxiety, specifically how Jesus tells us to respond to it. Resources: Visit trentstewart.org to sign up for “The TSL Five,” my monthly newsletter full of free resources. You’ll also get updates on new podcast episodes and show notes. Connect with me on social media @trentonjstewart

Anger is a natural emotion that we all experience sometimes. It’s important that we learn how to deal with it appropriately otherwise it ends up hurting us and others. In this episode we’ll pick up where we left off and I’ll share some more practical steps we can take towards overcoming our anger. Change Your Perspective on Anger Matthew 5:21-22 It’s a big deal. Jesus compares anger to murder. It’s inevitable. We all experience it. How should we deal with it? Slow Down Your Anger Proverbs 15:18 Hit the delay button on your anger. Anger is like a switchblade. James 1:19-20 You must learn to slow down your anger to be an effective leader How? Spend time with God You will become more aware of your emotions. Talking to Jesus in prayer changes your heart. Don’t be legalistic about how much time. Out comes the fruits of the Spirit instead of anger. Consider fasting from the negative things that stress you out. Seek to Resolve Your Anger Quickly Unresolved anger gets in the way of your relationship with God and may be the reason why you feel spiritually stuck today. Keep a short record of offenses. Seek reconciliation, ask for forgiveness, try to talk it out. Learn From Your Mistakes Stop blaming others. No one makes you react the way you do. Acting on your anger is a choice. Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Peacemakers take the first step towards reconciliation, but Peacekeepers avoid conflict. Most of us can easily identify the things that make us angry, but have you ever stopped to think about why those things make you angry? You’ll realize it’s probably one of two emotions Fear – of failure? Of rejection? Of losing control? Hurt – some type of wound that causes you to lash out. You might need to talk to someone to figure it out. Resources Visit my website to start receiving “The TSL Five,” my monthly newsletter full of free resources. You’ll also get updates on new podcast episodes and show notes. Connect with me on social media @trentonjstewart

Anger is a natural emotion that we all experience it at some time or another. Getting angry doesn’t make you a bad person, it’s what you do with that anger that can lead to sin. In today’s episode, I want talk about the negative effects of unresolved anger and some practical ways in which we can deal with it. Anger is Inevitable: We all experience anger on some level. What makes you angry? Ephesians 4:26 says “In your anger, do not sin.” There are two types of anger: righteous and unrighteous. Most of us experience the unrighteous kind which stems from selfishness. In Matthew 5, Jesus talks about the effects of unrighteous anger. Anger Wounds Some examples of destructive anger are lashing out, name calling, verbal insults, and physical violence. When you don’t deal with your anger you hurt others, but you also hurt yourself. Unresolved anger negatively affects you physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Holding onto anger will affect your leadership. Anger Obstructs Worship Unresolved anger gets in the way of your relationship with God. It can hinder your prayer life and stunt your spiritual growth. Jesus tells us to seek reconciliation before we worship. Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Peacemakers take the first step towards reconciliation, but Peacekeepers avoid conflict. It’s impossible to stop anger, but we can change what we do with it. What are some practical steps we can take to tame the negative results of our anger? Practical Step #1: Admit Your Anger Acknowledge your anger, stop denying it, and stop blaming it on others. Two ways we experience anger: The Volcano and The Pressure Cooker. Don’t try to stop your anger, that’s impossible. When anger wins, you lose. Next Episode:“What Makes You Angry” Part 2. In Part 2, I’ll share three more practical steps we can take to stop anger from winning. Resources: Click HERE to start receiving “The TSL 5” resources to help you make today count. You’ll also get updates on new podcast episodes and show notes. Connect with me on social media @trentonjstewart.

The heart of a leader is the most important part of a leader. If your heart is not right, nothing you accomplish through your leadership will bring satisfaction. One thing many people struggle with is forgiveness. When we fail to forgive those who hurt us, bitterness and anger fester within our heart and rob us of joy. Today, I want to talk about the power of forgiveness. As we continue to read Joseph’s story in Genesis 45, we’ll see that he had every reason to remain angry, yet he chose to forgive. How was this possible? What do you do when someone hurts you? Are you quick to forgive? Our natural instinct is to hurt those who hurt us. Joseph is forgiving Genesis 45:9-11, 20 Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. How could he be so forgiving? We are commanded to forgive. Ephesians 4:32 What is forgiveness? To answer that, let’s talk about what forgiveness is not. Forgiveness is not forgetting. Forgiveness does not remove consequences. Forgiveness is not a feeling. Forgiveness is not self-motivated. Forgiveness is not private. Forgiveness is: “A commitment by the offended to pardon graciously the repentant from moral liability and to be reconciled to that person, although not all consequences are immediately eliminated.” Forgiveness is given to those who ask for it. God is willing to forgive anyone, but you must ask for it to receive it. (1 John 1:9) Forgiveness brings reconciliation to the relationship. Be willing to forgive when asked. How can we forgive someone who doesn’t ask for it? Release them from the bitterness and anger (Hebrews 12:15) Do not hold it against them any longer Do not wish them harm or think bad of them. Recognize that even though you release them, the relationship may not ever be restored. Application: Who do you need to release today? Book: “Unpacking Forgiveness” by Chris Brauns Start receiving The TSL 5, my monthly newsletter full of free resources Connect with me on social media: @trentonjstewart

You may not consider yourself a leader, but as John Maxwell says, “Leadership is influence.” That means you become a leader when you decide to influence others. A big part of leading others is thinking about the future: what you want to accomplish and what you want to become. In today’s episode, we’ll continue to talk about our dreams and goals, and some of the situations we can expect to encounter as we work toward achieving our dreams. In Genesis 37, God gives Joseph a dream but before that dream is realized, Joseph is tested. The trial Joseph faced was not something he expected but it was necessary in order to become the man God wanted him to be. Your Dream Will Require an Unknown Test Going after your dream will require sacrifice that you weren’t expecting, a trial you didn’t see coming that will surprise you. You’ll be tempted to wish God had given you a different trial to face Stop wasting time and energy on wishing your trial was different and start believing that God will bring you through it. Your Dream Will Require Time to Grow You don’t get to pick what your trial will be, it’s your mountain to climb Through the testing, God will build your character, if you let Him. No matter how painful the trail, God will use it to help you accomplish your dream. Your dream wasn’t shattered, it was just tested. How you respond to the test is your choice. What you do with the adversity and heartache will make all the difference in the world. 1. Joseph didn't give up He continued to work faithfully He kept believing that God would fulfill his dream You can’t give up either! God is still working 2. “Recycle your pain” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 God allows you to experience suffering so you can learn how to comfort others. Jesus will walk with you through the trial. Application What’s your main goal – the one thing you want to accomplish in the next 6 months? This is your “lag goal.” Now identify three smaller goals that will move you toward your lag goal. These are your “lead goals.” Remember, unexpected trials are inevitable. How will you respond? Resources: Visit my website (trentstewart.org) to start receiving my monthly newsletter full of free resources, and immediately receive the Life Assessment Tool. Next Episode: Forgiveness

Most of us have dreams and aspirations for our life; what we hope to become or things we hope to do. Maybe you’ve been pursing your dreams and working hard to accomplish them, but it seems like they’re never going to come true. In today’s episode I’m going to remind you that no matter how difficult things have been, your dreams aren’t lost. You may have just forgotten that dreams are dangerous, and those who pursue their dream are bound to face adversity. Dreams are always dangerous: If you’re chasing a God-given dream, you’re in dangerous territory because the enemy wants to destroy them. Dreams require sacrifice and hard work. Dreams require faith in God and belief in yourself. Chasing your dream includes risk. Dreams are supposed to be hard. If they were easy they wouldn’t be worth chasing. Dreams are necessary: Without a dream, it’s easy to get stuck and miss what God wants to do in your life. Maybe you had a dream, but it’s been shattered so you’ve given up hope. Maybe you’ve forgotten your dream and lost your purpose. When you aren’t doing what God put you on earth to do, you will feel lost, confused and alone. God-sized dreams are discovered deep within your soul. Two truths about dreams: Dreams come before ability. Genesis 37 Joseph didn’t know how to accomplish his dream or who to share it with. Sometimes dreams can come across as arrogance. Maybe your dreams are getting crushed because you’re sharing them with the wrong people. Don’t tell anyone, just start working on it! Dreams need adversity to build character. Joseph faced extreme adversity. Trials will come that you didn’t expect. You’ll be tempted to compare your struggle with something else. Stop wasting time wishing your trial was different and start believing God will bring you through it. Application: Identify the one dream or goal that you want to accomplish in the next 6 months. Resources: Access the Life Assessment Tool HERE. Next Episode: We’ll continue to talk about our dreams and goals. Connect with me at trentstewart.org and sign up to receive monthly free resources. Subscribe to this podcast and share it with your friends!

Episode 1: What Does “Make It Count” Mean? We can probably all agree that there is no shortage of interesting and entertaining podcasts out there to listen to. So today I want to start by sharing my reason for creating this podcast and where I think it fits in this over-crowded market. Next we’ll answer the question, what does it mean to “make your life count?” I’ll introduce three key values which I believe are integral to making a difference with your life. Why another podcast? There are good podcasts out there that are informative but not practical. They focus on current events and concepts that are interesting but don’t help us connect to God in a deeper way or make a difference in our life. The purpose of this podcast is to empower you and equip you with practical ways that you can make your life count. What does it mean to “make your life count?” Connecting to God: Many people think they can connect to God on their own terms. God has designed a specific way for us to connect to Him. Jesus is the only way that we can connect to God. Through Jesus, we connect to God for our salvation, but also to experience God’s power and presence. Three values which are key to making a difference with your life: Live for Jesus You must understand who He is and give your life to Him. Where does Jesus fall on your list of priorities? What do you spend your time, energy, money, and thoughts on? Discover Your Purpose God created you in His image and for a unique purpose. (Ephesians 2:10) o Before you were even born, God prepared good works for you to do. You matter to God, His Church, and your community. Invest in People Who are you investing in today? Jesus built relationships and invested in people. As you empty your cup to pour into others, God will fill it back up. Resources: access the Life Assessment Tool here: trentstewart.org Next Episode: Your dreams, goals, and future. Connect with me at trentstewart.org and sign up to receive monthly free resources. Subscribe to this podcast and share it with your friends!