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SPIRITUALLY FIT | TODAY In this episode of Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole sits down with helicopter flight nurse Katlyn to explore what it means to trust God in the middle of chaos. From horrific accident scenes to near-death moments in the air, Katlyn shares how prayer helps steady her mind, calm fear, and prepare her for crisis. Discover how building a habit of trust-filled prayer today can strengthen your faith before life’s storms arrive. BACK TO THE BIBLE DAILY In this episode of Back to the Bible Daily, Braden Pedersen reflects on John 11:32–36, exploring how Jesus responds to grief and loss. Discover why Christian sorrow is not a failure of faith, but a response Jesus Himself shared. Learn how hope and grief can coexist, and find comfort in knowing that Jesus meets us in our pain and promises a future where every tear will be wiped away. ADDITIONAL STEPS: STEP 1 - RECEIVE (Receive God's Word and Grow in Bible Knowledge) As opposition to the early church grew, it was only a matter of time before it turned to violence. And in this dramatic portion of Acts we're introduced to two men who would have a significant impact on the history of the church. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who preached a powerful sermon even as stones were hurled at him, and Saul, a passionate persecutor of the church whose story was just beginning. STEP 2 - REFLECT (How does this Scripture Apply to your life?) We're all familiar with the kind of anger that explodes in a sudden outburst. But there's a type of anger that can sit and simmer in the darkness slowly poisoning our lives. Karmin is here today to talk about that kind of anger, and to share some wisdom she learned from the Bible about dealing with it. STEP 3 - RESPOND (How will you Win Today?) Today, Coach Ricky Kennedy introduces you to “quick, slow, slow” – an important spiritual fitness principle that sets the pace for patience and understanding rather than anger! Today, memorize James 1:19 and start being quick to listen to God in His word and slow to speak. STEP 4 - REVEAL (How will you reveal Jesus to others today through praying and sharing?) Whatever you're going through, God can help you. Join Jon today as we pray that God will continue to be with us through every challenge life presents. BONUS STEP Click HERE for your DAILY FORWARD DEVOTIONAL

We’re used to fast food, one-minute rice, and same-day shipping. We’re NOT used to waiting. Coach Caleb White shows us the importance of patience and the role it plays in our spiritual maturity. If you’re feeling impatient, admit this to God and invite Him to help you trust and wait patiently for Him to act. Ask another person to pray for you in this matter as well.

STEP 1 - RECEIVE (Receive God's Word and Grow in Bible Knowledge) As the message of Christ spread like wildfire through the land, troubles began brewing. And not just external troubles, but internal troubles as well. But the response of the disciples to these growing troubles shows us a church with Christ at its heart. We'll look to learn from their wisdom in today's message. STEP 2 - REFLECT (How does this Scripture Apply to your life?) You ever have one of those days where you're just completely spent? We all have, and many of us have called out to God for help in those times. Laura knows the feeling and learned a little wisdom about this from the Bible (and her toddlers) that she's going to pass along to you. STEP 3 - RESPOND (How will you Win Today?) We’re used to fast food, one-minute rice, and same-day shipping. We’re NOT used to waiting. Coach Caleb White shows us the importance of patience and the role it plays in our spiritual maturity. If you’re feeling impatient, admit this to God and invite Him to help you trust and wait patiently for Him to act. Ask another person to pray for you in this matter as well. STEP 4 - REVEAL (How will you reveal Jesus to others today through praying and sharing?) Alejandro leads our daily prayer today asking God to mold us and shape us into more accurate reflections of Him as we spend time in the Bible and sharing His Word with others. BONUS STEP Click HERE for your DAILY FORWARD DEVOTIONAL

You ever have one of those days where you're just completely spent? We all have, and many of us have called out to God for help in those times. Laura knows the feeling and learned a little wisdom about this from the Bible (and her toddlers) that she's going to pass along to you.

Alejandro leads our daily prayer today asking God to mold us and shape us into more accurate reflections of Him as we spend time in the Bible and sharing His Word with others.

As the message of Christ spread like wildfire through the land, troubles began brewing. And not just external troubles, but internal troubles as well. But the response of the disciples to these growing troubles shows us a church with Christ at its heart. We'll look to learn from their wisdom in today's message.

Bottom line upfront: We’re quick to shake our heads at syncretism — mixing different religions. This happens a lot, especially in Africa, where many blend belief in Jesus with traditional witch doctors. But this isn’t just an Africa problem. When faith in Jesus starts to feel thin, most of us reach for a “witch doctor” too. We just give ours a nicer title and a corner office. I’ve spent more hours than I want to admit lately buried in research on the state of Christianity in Kenya. And what a study. Our own national survey of more than 1,500 Kenyan adults found 86% call themselves Christian making them one of the most outwardly faithful nations on earth. They have churches on every corner and worship that would put most of our Sunday mornings to shame, with high levels of Bible reading to match: a remarkable share of Kenyan believers are in the Word four or more days a week, roughly double the rate we see here in the States. So I went in expecting a story about strength. Then the numbers turned. More than half of Kenyan believers (51%) said they practice Christianity and African traditional religion at the same time. Not instead of Jesus. Alongside Him. So, when life gets hard like with a sick child, or a failing business, a startling number still go consult a witch doctor, just in case. When you look at young adults, those who’ll shape that nation’s church for the next fifty years, the number climbs to two-thirds. At first, I almost laughed. My mind went straight to that goofy old “Witch Doctor” song sung by the Chipmunks. I mean, who doesn't remember that song? My friend the witch doctor He told me what to say, My friend the witch doctor He told me what to do Ooh eee, ooh ah-ah, Ting tang Walla-walla, bing bang It felt so cartoonish. Distant. A problem way over there. But I found the reality is far less silly than an old Chipmunks song. Because I turned the question back on myself: When faith in Jesus feels thin for me, what do I reach for? We don’t have witch doctors in the American church per se. We have far more respectable places to turn to for advice. We have financial planners, retirement accounts, medical specialists, strategic relationships and more. Most of us have a plan for the future that makes us feel safe. Now hear me out: I’m not against any of those things. But I am against what I sometimes do with them. Last year, when some unexpected major financial pressure hit our Back to the Bible family and it looked like for sure we were going to run out of money, my first move wasn’t prayer. It was pulling up the accounts, running the numbers, and quietly calculating how I could fix it myself. Only later did I realize I had run straight to my “witch doctor” before I’d really run to the Father in prayer. (In fact, only after I gave it all to Jesus and left it totally with Him did a miracle start to happen). Your pressure, the thing that drives you to your “witch doctor,” might not be money. It might be the relationship you can’t release, he reputation you protect, or the hustle you trust more than prayer. Whatever it is, we’ve all got something that can drive us to seek out our own “witch doctor” before we turn to Jesus. The Kenyan believer and the American believer are standing on the same ground. Both of us have quietly decided, somewhere deep down, that Jesus is wonderful, but maybe not quite sufficient. Our study even reaffirms this: among the Kenyan believers who don’t just call themselves Christian, but say plainly that they’re “saved by grace alone,” nearly a third still admit they keep one eye on other spiritual forces, just in case. We all lean on something when we’re scared. So, what are you leaning on? Proverbs 3:5 tells us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Jesus said it even plainer: “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). Not should not. Cannot. The heart doesn’t have room for a Savior and a backup. So is there a better way? Yes, and it isn’t white-knuckling up more faith. It starts with naming your ”witch doctor” honestly, dragging it into the light. Ask yourself the hard question out loud: In my last real crisis, who did I actually trust? Then hand that problem back, one decision at a time, to the only One worthy of carrying your burdens. I’d love to hear from you. What’s your “witch doctor”? Email me at arnie.cole@backtothebible.org - I read every one of your messages. I’m wrestling with my own answer right alongside you. In it to Kingdom win it — Arnie PS Be sure to join us this week on Spiritually Fit Today where a Flight Nurse joins me to discuss the secret to peace under pressure as well as how to spiritually handle trauma when it lands at our door.

This week on the Alive & Sober with Reno C. podcast, Reno sat down with Josh to talk about addiction, darkness, redemption, and what happens when God steps into a life that seems too far gone to rescue. Josh’s story is intense, honest, and at times hard to hear. It includes early drug use, decades of IV meth addiction, violence, isolation, spiritual darkness, broken family relationships, and the long ache of believing he had destroyed too much to ever be loved by God. When Escape Becomes a Prison Josh started using drugs when he was young. But underneath the substances was something deeper: low self-esteem, a desire to escape, and a hunger to become someone who looked untouchable. He wanted to be seen as dangerous, powerful, and feared. That desire may sound extreme, but many people in addiction understand some version of it. When you feel weak inside, you may build an image that looks strong on the outside. When shame whispers that you are nothing, you may chase anything that helps you feel like someone. Drugs may promise escape, but eventually they become a prison. The high that once seemed to open the door begins locking it from the inside. For Josh, that prison lasted decades. What began in youth turned into a 25-year battle with IV meth use leaving him desperate for answers. That is the cruel trick of addiction. It sells itself as freedom, then takes away your ability to choose freely. It promises power, then leaves you powerless. It offers belonging, then isolates you from everyone who loves you. And over time, it can convince you that the person you have become is the person you will always be. The Love That Knows Everything One of the most powerful moments in Josh’s story came when he finally began turning toward God. He did not come gently. He was angry, confused, and exhausted. He had no relationship with his daughters, his parents had protection orders against him, and he felt like his life had become a trail of burned bridges. When he cried out to God, it was not in a polished prayer full of church language. It was honest anger from a man who did not understand why God would reveal Himself after so much damage had already been done. And then Josh described a moment where God brought memories to mind—painful memories, shameful memories, moments from across his life that reminded him of the person he had been and the harm he had caused. But in the middle of those memories, Josh sensed God with him. Not approving of the sin. Not minimizing the damage. But present. Then came the message that broke him: “I know everything you’ve ever done, and I love you.” That is the gospel in its rawest form. Not that God loves the cleaned-up version of us. Not that God loves the version we hope to become someday. But that God sees the whole truth and still moves toward us in love. Romans 5:8 (ESV) says, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That verse is not permission to stay trapped. It is the announcement that rescue begins before we deserve it. God’s love does not wait until we have repaired everything, understood everything, or become safe enough to be welcomed. Christ comes into the wreckage to bring us out. For people in recovery, that truth matters deeply. Many are not only fighting addiction. They are fighting the belief that they are unforgivable. They remember the lies, the manipulation, the people they hurt, the years they lost, and the relationships that may never be fully restored. Shame says, “God could never love someone who did what you did.” Grace says, “God already knows, and He is still calling you home.” Coming Home Is Only the Beginning Josh’s return to his family carried echoes of the prodigal son. After years of broken trust, he reached out to his father and asked if he could come home. He expected suspicion, and there was reason for it. Addiction teaches families to protect themselves. Trust does not rebuild overnight. But when Josh arrived, terrified and honest, his father welcomed him. His brother listened. His family made room. That kind of homecoming is beautiful, but it is not simple. In the parable of the prodigal son, the father runs to the son, embraces him, and celebrates his return. But the son still comes home with a past. He still wasted the inheritance. He still has relationships to rebuild. He still has to learn how to live as a son again. Luke 15:20 (ESV) says, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” That is a picture of God’s heart toward the repentant. He does not stand coldly at a distance waiting to see if we can prove ourselves worthy. He runs toward the one who is finally coming home. Still, coming home is only the beginning. Josh did not become instantly steady. He was honest that during his first year of following God, he still relapsed several times. That honesty matters. Some people hear dramatic conversion stories and assume everything changed overnight. Sometimes it does. But often recovery is messy. A person can love God and still struggle. A person can be genuinely changed and still need time, support, healing, and discipline. A person can be walking toward freedom and still stumble along the way. Relapse is serious. It should not be minimized. But neither should it be treated as proof that God has left. The question after a fall is not, “Am I hopeless?” The question is, “Will I get back up and keep walking toward the One who is calling me free?” From Darkness to Purpose Over time, Josh began to see his story differently. At first, he saw only punishment and loss. He wondered why God had allowed him to go so far, hurt so many people, and live in such darkness for so long. But as he grew in faith, he began to recognize something else: God was going to use the very darkness Josh had lived through to reach people others might not know how to reach. That does not mean God caused every evil thing. It does not mean sin was good. It means God is powerful enough to redeem what sin tried to destroy. Today, Josh and his wife serve people in jail, lead Bible studies, walk with people coming out of incarceration, and help them transition back into life. He is not approaching them as someone who has never been broken. He sits across from them as someone who knows what it is like to be lost, addicted, ashamed, and afraid. That kind of honesty lowers defenses. People expecting judgment instead hear, “Let me tell you where I’ve been.” And when someone realizes they are not alone, hope can finally get through. That is the heartbeat of recovery ministry. Broken people helping broken people. Not people pretending to be perfect. Not people standing above others with folded arms. Just people who have been rescued, reaching back with open hands. Josh’s story also reminds us that God often builds purpose slowly. A step of obedience here. A frightening conversation there. A chance to serve. A door into jail ministry. A friendship that becomes marriage. A painful past that becomes a bridge. Little by little, God takes what looked like scattered pieces and reveals that He has been weaving something all along. For anyone who feels too far gone, too damaged, or too ashamed, Josh’s story offers a simple but powerful reminder: if you are still breathing, redemption is still possible. Your past may be real, but it is not stronger than God. Your failures may be serious, but they are not beyond the reach of Christ. And the story you think disqualifies you may one day become the story God uses to help someone else come home. Frequently Asked Questions Can God forgive someone who has done terrible things? Yes. God’s forgiveness does not minimize sin, but Scripture teaches that Christ came to save sinners. No one is beyond the reach of His grace when they turn to Him. Does becoming a Christian mean addiction disappears immediately? Not always. Some people experience immediate freedom, while others walk through a longer process of healing, support, repentance, and daily obedience. What should I do if I relapse after trying to follow God? Be honest immediately. Reach out to someone safe, return to your recovery supports, confess it to God, and take the next right step. A fall does not have to become the end of the story. Why is testimony powerful in recovery? A testimony helps people see that change is possible. When someone hears from a person who has survived similar darkness, it can break shame and open the door to hope. Can God use my past to help others? Yes. God can redeem even painful parts of your story and use them to encourage, warn, comfort, and guide others who are walking through similar struggles. How do I start rebuilding trust with family? Start with honesty, humility, patience, and consistency. Trust usually returns slowly, through repeated actions over time, not one conversation. If you are looking for more ways to ground your recovery in faith, we invite you to explore the resources at Back to the Bible (https://backtothebible.org) or listen to the latest episodes of the Alive & Sober with Reno C. Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or YouTube. You don't have to walk this path alone. And remember, if no one told you they love you today, we do.

STEP 1 - RECEIVE (Receive God's Word and Grow in Bible Knowledge) With as large and as organized as the church has become in this day and age, it's easy to forget its humble beginnings. Today we'll look at the fellowship of the early believers. We'll consider how we can be bold witnesses for the risen Christ even today. STEP 2 - REFLECT (How does this Scripture Apply to your life?) Pop Quiz: How many devices or screens are running near you right now? This could be a TV, radio, laptop, mobile phone--things like that. Is it more than one? Handling distractions like this is part of daily life now. But have you wondered how this affects your spiritual life? Cameron is here today with an encouraging word from the Bible that will help you regain some focus. STEP 3 - RESPOND (How will you Win Today?) Have you ever been spiritually stuck; feeling like you’re going through the motions without getting anywhere? Coach Lydia Robertson addresses this common problem with an exercise to help you look behind, around, and ahead at God’s faithfulness in your life. Identify what God has done in your life, what He is doing in your life, and what you know He will do in your life. Write these things down or share them with a friend. Then, be prayerfully expectant of His faithfulness! STEP 4 - REVEAL (How will you reveal Jesus to others today through praying and sharing?) You never know what tomorrow's going to bring. You don't even know what this afternoon is going to bring. Join Karmin in prayer today as we ask God for the wisdom to meet the challenges and opportunities that each day brings so that we may live boldly and wisely for Him. BONUS STEP Click HERE for your DAILY FORWARD DEVOTIONAL

Have you ever been spiritually stuck; feeling like you’re going through the motions without getting anywhere? Coach Lydia Robertson addresses this common problem with an exercise to help you look behind, around, and ahead at God’s faithfulness in your life. Identify what God has done in your life, what He is doing in your life, and what you know He will do in your life. Write these things down or share them with a friend. Then, be prayerfully expectant of His faithfulness!