The Harder Way Podcast

#103 - Life is Precious and Precarious

Welcome to the Harder Way Podcast, where hosts Scott and Mattie explore the challenges of living faithfully in a world of uncertainty and change. This week, they share personal experiences of unexpected health scares and discuss the paradox of holding onto life's temporary nature while embracing the eternal promises of faith.
Through the lens of Christian perseverance, Scott and Mattie emphasize the importance of prioritizing spiritual life over fleeting material pursuits. They examine the call to live each day purposefully, focusing on actions that reflect eternal values rather than transient successes.
Join them as they reflect on how faith guides believers to live boldly in the face of life's brevity, encouraging listeners to anchor themselves in the timeless word of God while building for a future that transcends the present.

#102 - Faith Over Fear: Standing Strong Against Compromise

Welcome to the Harder Way podcast, where hosts Mattie and Scott explore the challenges Believers face when pressured to compromise their faith in today's culture. This episode explores the inspiring stories of Christians who have demonstrated unwavering faith, including acts of courage by actor Neil McDonough and the founder of Voice of the Martyrs, Richard Wurmbrand. Additionally, biblical examples such as Daniel and the apostles highlight the power of faith over fear.
Discover how small daily decisions shape our ability to stand firm in larger tests of faith. Mattie and Scott emphasize the significance of declaring, "I don't know, but the Lord knows," to navigate uncertainties while trusting God's providence. The episode challenges listeners to evaluate their own faith responses to life's pressures, encouraging a steadfast journey on the narrow path with Christ.

#101 - The Missionary's Field Manual Explained

Episode 101 (New 5-ish Minute Format) 
In this episode of The Harder Way Podcast, Scott and Mattie explore the transformative power of viewing the Bible as a field manual for everyday life. They challenge listeners to see themselves as missionaries in their own communities, emphasizing the importance of active participation in God's mission. By drawing from the experiences of persecuted Christians, our hosts encourage Believers to approach their faith with a mission-driven mindset, where the church is about equipping and sending rather than just personal enrichment. Discover how this shift in perspective can activate a more profound commitment to living out your faith in today's world.
Show Notes:
Using the Bible as a field manual in your own life means approaching it not just as a collection of teachings or theological ideas but as a practical guide for everyday living. Here’s how you might do that:
Daily Application: Just as a soldier uses a field manual for immediate guidance in real-world situations, you can apply Bible passages to the challenges and decisions you face each day. For instance, when dealing with stress or conflict at work or home, passages like Philippians 4:6-7 ("Do not be anxious about anything...") can guide how to respond with peace and trust in God.
Actionable Insights: Instead of just reading the Bible for knowledge, focus on how it calls you to act. When Jesus talks about loving your neighbor (Matthew 22:39), don't just see it as a nice sentiment; see it as a command to be actively kind, patient, and selfless toward those around you, even when it's difficult.
Equip Yourself for Challenges: The Bible provides wisdom and strategies for navigating tough situations. For example, James 1:2-4 talks about persevering in trials and seeing them as opportunities for growth. When facing difficult circumstances, you can use this verse as a guide for maintaining perspective and finding purpose in your struggles.
Strengthening Your Faith: When you’re in a tough spot, you can turn to passages that remind you of God’s faithfulness and promises. Psalm 23:1-4 can remind you that God is with you, guiding and protecting you, no matter what you’re going through. These passages can serve as spiritual ammunition to keep you steady.
Living Out the Great Commission: The Bible isn’t just about personal growth; it’s also about sharing God’s love with others. When Jesus gave the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), He wasn’t just giving orders to a select few—He was speaking to all believers. You can use this as a field manual to live missionally in your neighborhood, workplace, or beyond by looking for opportunities to share the gospel and make disciples.
Spiritual Disciplines: The Bible also outlines the "how" of living out your faith through spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, and Bible study. In a sense, these are like your training exercises in the field. By consistently engaging in these practices, you’re better equipped to handle life’s challenges and stay aligned with God's mission.
Community and Accountability: The Bible encourages us to be in community and to hold each other accountable (Hebrews 10:24-25). Just like soldiers in a field need to work together, you’re not called to live out God’s mission alone. Engaging with others in small groups, Bible studies, or accountability partnerships can help you stay focused and grow stronger in your Kingdom mission.
Dealing with Persecution: Many turn to the Bible for comfort and strength in times of trial or opposition. Just as soldiers need a field manual to understand their purpose in battle, you can look to passages like Romans 8:18-39 to remind yourself that suffering isn’t in vain and that God works through all things for His glory.
Using the Bible as a field manual means making it a practical tool that equips you to live out God’s will daily in ordinary and extraordinary circumstances. It’s not just about knowing the Scriptures but about actively living them out as a missionary in your own life, wherever God has placed you.

Preparing for Persecution: Lessons from the Restricted Church

Join missionary Don Roberts as he shares his profound experiences from over 33 years of serving in restricted countries like China, Cuba, and Vietnam. In this episode, Don explores the importance of living by faith in the face of persecution and the lessons learned from Christians who endure such hardships daily.Discover the seven keys to understanding and preparing for religious restriction and how these lessons apply to Christians in the West today. Don challenges listeners to confront their fears and insecurities, urging them to embrace faith over comfort.This episode is a call to action for believers to evaluate their commitment and live out their faith courageously, even in the face of increasing persecution. It's a powerful reminder of the only true security in life - Jesus Christ.

Perceiving Blessings Amidst Christian Struggles

NOTE: Mattie and I are working on our new formatting, which will be revealed at the end of January. We will still be coming to you every week but will change up the content a bit. This week and next, we want to encourage our old listeners to engage with Don Roberts' two seminal messages about the persecuted church and living on the Harder Way. I try to listen to these two messages once per year and invite you all to do the same. - ScottSpoiler Alert: In our new format, you will hear some of these things straight from the Horse's mouth!
Summary: In this profound sermon, Christian missionary Don Roberts passionately explores the role of persecution in the life of devout Christians. Drawing from his vast experiences serving in restricted countries like China, Vietnam, Cuba, and North Korea, Roberts discusses the Scriptures on persecution, particularly Matthew 5:11 and 2 Timothy 3.12. He shares inspiring stories of Christians globally who live out their faith in the face of adversity, highlighting the relationship between persecution and spiritual growth.
Roberts addresses the unfortunate imbalance in the United States due to ungodly attempts to restrict Christian lifestyles. He emphasizes that understanding and preparing for persecution is fundamental for believers, irrespective of their roles within the church. The sermon concludes with an encouraging note, reminding believers that enduring persecution with joy leads to longer-lasting rewards.
By extracting lessons from the trials and tribulations of early Christians, the speaker encourages the audience to reignite their youthful zeal and dedication to the Lord. Using impactful stories, such as that of Pastor Lam's 21-year endurance in a hostile prison camp, he teaches that embracing persecution can strengthen our relationship with God and make significant impacts on the lives of others.
Finally, this episode encourages Christians to foster a relationship with Jesus and uphold key values such as humility, love, faith, and endurance. It also emphasizes the role of personal tests and trials in shaping our spiritual journey. It concludes by instilling hope and confidence in Christians worldwide, reminding them of the more significant rewards that come from faith, perseverance, and divine condition.

#100 - Celebrating 100 Episodes of The Harder Way

Welcome to a special episode of The Harder Way Podcast as our hosts, Scott and Mattie, celebrate their milestone of reaching 100 episodes. This reflective episode revisits the themes and values that have shaped their journey, exploring the core message of faith over fear. As they review their past discussions on restriction versus persecution and the importance of choosing faith over fear, Scott and Mattie also look towards the future, sharing their plans for more in-depth content and exciting new formats.
Join our hosts as they reflect on the lessons learned and the unique insights gained from engaging with the Persecuted Church and continue bridging the gap between the free and restricted churches. As they embark on the next chapter, Scott and Mattie invite listeners to be part of this evolving journey and to continue embracing the Harder Way – a path of complete dependence on faith in Jesus.

#99 - Facing Fear: Establishing Faith in Uncertain Times

Mattie is back! This week, we discuss the Cuban people's acts of resistance, the unsettling stories of imprisonment for simple acts of protest, and the parallel scenes in countries like England. Against a backdrop of global unrest, we reflect on the urgency of holding firm to faith in Jesus Christ.
Drawing parallels between current events and past revolutionary downfalls, we underscore the perennial temptation to seek saviors outside of Christ and encourage listeners to build a resilient spiritual foundation.
From the sweep of historical reflections to a hopeful look toward a  Third Great Awakening, this episode will leave you pondering where your foundation lies during life's storms. Cling to the rock, embrace the Lord, and walk in faith rather than fear.

#98 - The Struggles and Hopes for Cuba's Future

Welcome to another episode of The Harder Way Podcast. In this installment, Scott leads the conversation solo, as Mattie takes a break to rest her voice after performing in numerous Christmas services. Scott takes the opportunity to dive deep into pressing issues facing the people of Cuba as they struggle with dire economic challenges and looming fears of societal deconstruction.
Scott shares a heart-wrenching story of families in Cuba grappling with food shortages and the impending discontinuation of ration books amidst government and infrastructural struggles. The hardships are not just economic but spiritual, as he implores listeners to pray for a profound movement of God on the island, bringing about hope and change.
The episode also delves into a theological debate surrounding a well-known Bible passage about a camel going through the eye of a needle, providing insights into historical and contextual misunderstandings. Scott explains the proper understanding of wealth in Biblical times. He emphasizes the need for humility and reliance on God's sovereignty, highlighting how salvation is a gift of grace beyond human efforts.
As Scott ties these themes back to personal resilience and faith, listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own societal status and spiritual journey, drawing parallels and seeking ways to contribute positively to both the Cuban and American churches in the new year.