Eagle Brook Church Podcast

When it comes to both your body + your emotions, your heart pretty much runs the show. It's no wonder that the book of Proverbs talks about how wise it is to "guard your heart." So… time to build your personal bubble! Just kidding—but what does it actually take to guard your heart?

Jesus was known for approaching the unapproachable of his time and providing miraculous healing—and we believe he still heals today. So whether it's a life-altering diagnosis, the childhood trauma that changed you, or anything in between, come to Jesus. He is FOR the sick.

When you're held captive by something, it controls you. You're held back by a force beyond yourself, paralyzed by that *thing*. Maybe it's fear, addiction, doubt. But the spiritual freedom Jesus offers is simple—accepting it means you don't have to be bound by that *thing* anymore. He is FOR the captive.

We’re wired to make a difference, but sometimes it’s hard to take action. Where do you start? Not only did Jesus know what it was like to be poor while he was here on earth—he also had some surprising advice for those around him when it came to making a difference. He is FOR the poor.

You know the feeling when you lose something really important? You drop everything to search until you find it. That's how God feels about people who are spiritually lost. He's not idly waiting for them to find him—he's out searching for them because they're valuable to him. He is FOR the lost.

Habits. We've all got 'em. They're #normal. They take, what… 21 days to change? That feels like a commitment. And yet, if we're honest, we're not happy with the way our days are going. Here's the truth: your days won't change until you change something about them.

Think about your family at its best. You work as a team. You love each other no matter what. Sure, it's not perfect—but you're in it together. Now, think about your family normally. If disagreements, overcommitments, and fuzzy boundaries come to mind, you're not alone. But… is that working?

We all have moments of anxiety. Did I leave the stove on? Who's picking up the kids today—was it my turn?! …the list could go on and on. But when those anxious occurrences become a constant undercurrent of anxiety—that's not working. And it's time to make a change.

Infuse some intention into your friendships and you end up with an invaluable support system. Embrace the different viewpoints of a friend and your perspective grows exponentially. Friendships can be tricky—but healthy friendships are priceless.

If your biggest wish is for more time in the day so you can pack it all in… you might need this message. Because your out-of-control schedule might be normal, but it shouldn’t be.

The people in the Christmas story experienced the world just like we do. Mary, Joseph, the shepherds… they were familiar with fear and darkness. And what was true for them then is true for us now—God sees us, loves us, and sent his son Jesus for us. And Jesus? He brings peace in the face of fear, light in the presence of darkness, and hope in a heavy world.

Picture this: you're eating lunch in your high school cafeteria, and you catch the eye of the new kid. He's looking around, trying to find a spot to sit. You know the table you choose matters. So… do you pull up a chair? Could feel like a risk—but it's exactly what love would do.

It sounds obvious—make time for the people you love. But then life gets in the way. You've got a schedule to keep. But here’s an inconvenient truth: the kind of love that truly makes a difference doesn't stick to your schedule.

Love stays when everyone else leaves. Love keeps fighting when others back down. Love stands in the gap when faith is hard to keep. That kind of love is hard to find—but it can start with you.

Love can be complicated—but it's also worth fighting for. Want to get better at loving the people around you? Take a look in Jesus' playbook. But be warned: you might have to leave your comfort zone...

The words "who knows" can be frightening—or they can be full of potential. The words "what if" can be fueled by anxiety—or inspired by ambition. So flip the script. Take your "what if" and see what God can do when you open yourself up to seizing the moment.

God loves that he gets to include you in his plans. He invites you into moments, not because he needs your help, but because he delights in your participation. And he's preparing you for those moments even when you don't realize it—but when the time comes, it's up to you to say "yes."

God gave us a vision to reach people in Minnesota, across the Midwest, and to the ends of the earth. Because the message of Jesus changes lives, and we’re going to share it with as many as we can in the time God has given us.

"I'm stuck… I don’t know what to do." Feel familiar? Maybe a little anxiety-inducing? A man named Saul in the Bible finds himself in a tough spot… and God isn't answering his prayers. In a panic, he consults an unlikely—and rather spooky—source…

The spiritual world can feel a little unreal—even unbelievable. Jesus encounters a demon-possessed man in the Bible and we get to see spiritual warfare up close. What we learn will help us in our own battles, even when the enemy we're fighting is invisible.

Have you ever felt... surrounded? Like life is coming at you from all sides, set to overtake you at any moment. An army surrounds a prophet in the Bible, and they’re ready to capture him. What happens next took faith—and a bit of divine intervention.

You never know what’s happening behind the scenes when you pray to God. A man in the Bible prays and everything seems quiet—no answer from God when he needs it most. Then a supernatural being tells him a crazy story…

Grateful people are joyful people. So what are three ways you can develop an attitude of gratitude—that sticks around in life’s ups and downs?

The happiest people aren’t the ones who have the most. They’re the ones who give the most. What could you gain by living a generous life?

Something powerful happens when we put ourselves in a position to serve other people. How can serving others help increase your happiness?