God, Country & the American Story With Billy Hallowell

Do you show favoritism? Do you treat the wealthy better than the poor? The Bible has some pretty convicting things to say about how we treat others. Here are some powerful lessons we all must keep in mind.

Some might look upon the idea of "fearing the Lord" as a bad thing, but most of us — if we're being honest — will admit that we have had healthy fears of our parents and other authority figures throughout our lives. If the Creator of the very air we breath and the bodies we inhabit has specific standards and truths, we would be operating in great error to ignore that wisdom.

Life can be both beautiful and painful. And when uncertainty hits, it’s not uncommon for fear and anxiety to take hold. But there's true hope. Here's some encouragement.

God's standards matter. The Bible repeatedly tells us where the Lord stands on various issues — as well as on the state of the human condition, with Solomon detailing in Proverbs 6 the "six things the Lord hates." These activities and character flaws might sometimes arise in our own lives, so knowing and understanding each of them can be deeply beneficial to each of us, especially as we embark on the ongoing quest to be better and stronger people.

In an era characterized by rampant relativism, self-control is slipping away. But no matter what culture says, the Bible calls us to personal restraint, with moral parameters guiding our paths. When we reject God's order and live life for ourselves, we're on spiritual quicksand. Here's why.

There's a lot of talk today about "following your heart." The generally spouted mantras are "be true to yourself" and "be who you want to be," but there's an important reality that these feel-good slogans fail to take into account: we must first be who God wants us to be.

Our view of the world — and creation — impacts our entire existence. It dictates how we interact with people and institutions, and how we respond to moral choices. Unfortunately, it's becoming more and more difficult in our "everything goes" era to discover truth and, in turn, to live that truth out. In the end, though, truth is fixed; it doesn't ebb, it doesn't flow — and it certainly doesn't bend to individual whims. How are you measuring up?

Where do your morals, values and ethics come from? This is an essential question, because, whether we realize it, each one of us has a defined moral and ethical framework — and many of our ideas come from what we choose to put into our hearts and minds.

What is knowledge? That's a question that is becoming increasingly difficult for our modern world to answer. That said, the Bible is pretty clear about where knowledge comes from, what it is, and where we can obtain it. Sure, schooling and college are great. But life is about more than earthly education. Let's dive right in.

How should we respond when unimaginable tragedy strikes, when everything around us seems to be imploding — or when life simply doesn't go as planned? These are monumental questions we all face at various points throughout our lives, as we encounter an array of struggles, pain and unexpected happenings. Here's my response.

"Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt us." This is a nice slogan, but is it biblical? Here's why the answer to that question truly matters.

What is truth? Why does truth matter? This devotional episode dives into what the scriptures say about truth, lies and so much more.

Colossians 3 has a powerful message about dying to self that should have us all do a double take. We're called to rid ourselves of anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language -- but are we failing? Here's some hope.

Prayer is powerful, yet we live in a chaotic world. Kids, family, work, responsibilities and other barriers sometimes cause us to forget the power and importance of prayer. And in an increasingly secular culture, it's easy to simply diminish or ignore what can truly happen if we seek God daily. Here are eight prayers and areas of focus that will change our lives — and the lives of others.

We’ve thrown respect out the window and exchanged it with this obsessive belief that what we believe, feel and say is what matters most. This faulty ideology will destroy us — unless we cling to true hope.

Culture tells us we're perfect, that we can do anything we want -- and do it with glee. Realty TV rewards the unthinkable. Relativism rages. But the Bible calls us to something very different. Here are the four questions we all must answer.

The Bible makes it clear that we're supposed to trust in God. But what happens when we drift away, fail to ask and always find ourselves saying "yes?" Things get a bit complicated...here's the solution.

Pastor David Platt has been under fire after President Donald Trump made an unannounced visit to his Virginia church and the preacher prayed for the president. The fallout has been telling, as critics seem to miss some gospel points along the way. Here's why this matters. And deeply.

Culture tells us we're essentially perfect. Anything we say or do goes, there's no need for self-reflection, we decide what's right or wrong. Unfortunately, this isn't reality. We are each filled with weaknesses that we must confront — weaknesses that hold us back from people the people God wants us to be. I had a convicting moment this morning, and I'm hopeful it can help us all dive deeper so we can become more like Christ.

How we react says a lot about where we are, spiritually speaking. When I first saw Miley Cyrus' tweet I had a pretty pointed response, but then I felt convicted. Let's dive into my reaction, while also covering some helpful tips on how to survive and thrive in a chaotic, fractured and strange culture.

Kathie Lee Gifford is known for her incredible career in TV, but you'll get a chance in today's devotional podcast to hear her speak about her Christian faith — and what she calls the "cure for the malignancy of the soul." After today's devotional, be sure to also check out the original, full-length interview between Billy Hallowell and Kathie Lee, which you can find here.

Are you humble -- or too prideful? Do you struggle with needing others' praise? The Bible tells us that "humility comes with wisdom," but many of us lack in this area. Let's dive deep into what the Bible says about pride — and challenge ourselves to really look into our hearts to see where we're failing and succeeding.

James 3 warns us that our mouths can end up causing a lot of drama. Here's why you need to stop, think and then speak. Hint: not everything you want to say is worth saying.

What does it really mean to love your enemies? In a world of hate, anger and fighting, the gospel has a message of hope that will immediately change your life -- if you choose to live it out.

We are increasingly living in a post-truth world, as morals and values slowly sink deeper and deeper into the abyss. A quick look at the news makes it more than clear: we’re headed for an ethical derailment, and most people seem completely oblivious to the erosion of sanity that has taken form. For Christians, a number of worries have emerged, with questions coming along with a great many fears. But in the end, it’s truth that most matters, and we are called to embrace God (and reality). But are we answering that call?

God is pro-life. Undoubtedly so. And if that's true, there's a deep responsibility on behalf of us all. Whether you're pro-life, pro-choice or confused about where you stand, this episode will convict you.

Are you struggling with sin? A lot of us beat ourselves up over our mistakes -- but here's how we can find a path forward.

We are called to hate evil, cling to what is good, be patient in affliction — and to bless our enemies. Romans 12 is the insanely counter-cultural message we all need right now.

Is the Bible real? Did Jesus really die for the sins of humanity? Critics and atheists often demand evidence for these things. It's an endless battle, but here's what I have found to be the most compelling proof for Jesus and the Bible.

The Jussie Smollett saga has captured the headlines, but there are some elements of the case that might be overlooked. And believe it or not — whether you care about celebrity news or disregard it — the story holds some essential and convicting lessons for us all.

Amid the chaos of the current culture, there’s an essential question you must ask yourself: are you taking your cues from culture or Christ? Your answer could change absolutely everything.

What does it mean to really love others in our age of moral chaos? How do we show that love? What does the Bible really say about our divides? Today's podcast deals with this all -- and plenty more.

Take a moment and listen to my response to Kathy Griffin.

The Bible calls us to love our enemies, but many of us fail miserably. This is particularly true when it comes to politics, as some Christians seem to assume that the biblical commandments to treat others well and to watch what comes out of our mouths are somehow supernaturally suspended when it comes to our ideological opponents. Here’s why this massive error must be corrected.

“Duck Dynasty” star Missy Robertson is passionate about helping those in need. From assisting women coming out of trafficking and prison to helping children and families in need, Robertson and her family have devoted much of their time to charity — a topic that the TV star recently discussed in detail during an interview with “The Billy Hallowell Podcast.”

Looking for a new beginning in 2019? I have a list of 17 Bible verses (and commentary) over at PureFlix.com that can help you get there. But there are three verses in particular that I think are most essential as we dive into the new year. Listen to me break them down.

Are you wrong about the details surrounding the nativity? Here are some fascinating facts.

“Duck Dynasty” star Missy Robertson recently revealed some of her family’s Christmas traditions, noting that the most comical annual event is her mother-in-law Miss Kay’s gag gift giveaway — something that she said typically has the entire Robertson family rolling on the floor in laughter.

Too many of us feel alone, trapped and confused. And it’s not all that surprising, as the world can be a truly tricky, complex and daunting place. But as the pressures of life weigh us down, we’re reminded that there’s a source of comfort and calm that is always available to us.

There’s a “coolness” epidemic that threatens to ravage the Christian church — an insatiable quest among some to be seen as cool, relevant and in-step with the culture. Many times this curious quest comes from a genuine place of love, with Christians making their best effort to mix in well with the world around them. And make no mistake: we are called to love others, even those with whom we disagree. But where's the balance?

Crowder is on a mission to share God’s love, using his music as a vehicle toward spreading the gospel. The solo performer, who formerly front-manned The David Crowder Band, recently told The Billy Hallowell Podcast that he believes Christians have a unique opportunity right now to make a real impact in the midst of a divided culture.

Celebrity trainer and fitness enthusiast Alec Penix is on a mission to inspire people to think deeper about physical — and spiritual — changes that can help transform lives. Penix, who trains some well-known names in Hollywood, is a Christian whose faith informs his work, as he helps people reach their hopes, aspirations and personal goals.

At a time when many people see politics as the primary means to change culture, Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, is placing his attention on a very different institution: the family.

'Tis the season for…difficult family dynamics. I was pretty intrigued to see how my last podcast and devotional about Christmas chaos so widely resonated. GET UPLIFTED: Sign Up for Billy Hallowell’s Newsletter and Read His Book ‘Fault Line’ My “Christmas survival guide” offered some biblical insights on dealing with tough family members and related problems. So, I want to follow up on that.

The Christmas season is filled with food, fun — and family. Spending quality time with friends and loved ones is many times the most amazing part of the season. Unfortunately, though, many of us have complicated family dynamics. While the holiday season is a time for peace and joy, difficult dynamics can sometimes cloud our festivities. The question is: how should we react to difficult and challenging family members?

Human nature can lead us to some pretty problematic (and even horrific) things, particularly when people avoid adhering to a concrete moral code. Solomon affirms this reality again and again throughout Proverbs, reminding us in Chapter 28, verse 26 that “those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.” So, who are you trusting in?

Today’s devotion is short, sweet and down-to-the-point. As we head into the weekend and most of us have a bit more time to think and be introspective, let’s reflect on Romans 12:2.

We’re all heard the timeless slogans — “There are no guarantees in life,” “We make plans and God laughs,” “Life gives you lemons and you make lemonade” — and the list goes on (and on). The reality is, outside of our own definitive decisions, we have very little control over what happens to us in our lives. From curveballs to unforeseen circumstances, life can get pretty dicey. Here's how to navigate it.

The Bible’s timeless truths are designed to get us thinking deeper about life, love and spiritual matters. Sometimes, a simple verse can spark a deep thought or stunning realization. This is exactly what happened to me the other day when I was doing a morning devotion with my 6 year old and my 3 year old. It was the text of Psalm 24:1 (NIV) that stopped me in my tracks.

Society is tragically losing its ability to win and lose with grace. We’ve come to assume that a brash tone and a harsh tongue are the best methods for winning arguments. But are we wrong? Whether your side wins or loses Tuesday's election, DO THIS.