Dying to Live Podcast

Today we're diving into a subject that lies at the very heart of the Christian life: "Guarding & Growing in Joy."

Joy is one of the great themes of Scripture. Yet for many believers, it can seem elusive. Life brings trials, disappointment, suffering, and uncertainty, and it's easy to wonder: Is lasting joy really possible?

The Bible tells us that joy is far more than a passing emotion or a response to favourable circumstances. It is a deep, enduring confidence rooted in the character of God, the finished work of Christ, and the unchanging hope of the gospel. It's a joy that can exist even in the midst of hardship.

So what does the Bible actually say about joy? How is biblical joy different from happiness? How do we guard our joy when life is difficult? And what practical habits help us grow in joy day by day?

In this episode, we'll explore the Scriptures to discover why joy is described as a fruit of the Spirit, why we're repeatedly commanded to rejoice, and how believers can cultivate a life marked by gratitude, worship, hope, and delight in God—even when circumstances are far from ideal.

We'll also discuss the things that rob us of joy, how to recognise them, and how to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, the true source of lasting joy.

Whether you're walking through a season of blessing or a season of struggle, our prayer is that this conversation will encourage you to experience the joy that God intends for His people—not a superficial happiness, but a deep and abiding joy that sustains us through every season of life.

Today we're tackling a difficult but important subject for the Church: discipline, repentance and restoration.

What happens when a believer falls into serious sin? What does the Bible teach us about church discipline? Is discipline simply about confronting sin and imposing consequences, or is there a greater purpose?

The Bible presents a road that leads from discipline, through repentance, toward restoration.But how do we recognise genuine repentance? And when someone has truly turned from their sin, how should we receive them back into fellowship?

Then there’s another difficult question: what happens when repentance doesn't remove the consequences of sin?

A person can be genuinely repentant and forgiven by God, while trust still needs to be rebuilt, relationships repaired, and certain responsibilities changed.

So how do we hold together truth and grace, holiness and mercy, accountability and forgiveness?

How do we discipline without crushing? Forgive without minimising sin? And restore a repentant sinner in a way that is truly biblical and godly?

Today, we're going to explore what the Bible says about the road from discipline to repentance and ultimately to restoration.

John de Beer, an elder in the life of JoshGen, shares his story of brokenness and restoration after the tragic death of his brother Carl. Together with his wife Christa he chats about some of the trials and deep emotional pain caused by a suicide in the family.

Today we're exploring a subject that is deeply personal, often misunderstood, and profoundly important to the heart of God: "Reflecting God's Heart to Single Moms."

For many single mothers, life is marked by extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and resilience. Yet alongside those realities, many also carry the weight of judgement, stigma, and assumptions—sometimes from the very communities where they should find grace and support. The truth is that women become single mothers through a wide range of circumstances: bereavement, divorce, abandonment, abuse, unplanned pregnancy, or the difficult consequences of living in a broken world. Every story is unique, and every person bears the image of God.

So what should the Church's response be?

How do we move beyond stereotypes and reflect the compassion, truth, and love of Christ? What does Scripture teach about caring for those who are vulnerable? And what does it look like for believers to come alongside single mothers in practical, meaningful, and biblical ways—without compromising truth or withholding grace?

In this episode, we'll consider how the Church can become a place of refuge rather than rejection, support rather than suspicion, and hope rather than hardship. We'll explore God's heart for those who carry heavy burdens and ask what it means for His people to faithfully represent that heart in today's world.

Whether you're a single parent, a church leader, or simply someone who wants to love others more like Christ, we pray this conversation will encourage, challenge, and equip you.

Today we're tackling a topic that affects every single one of us, whether we realise it or not: Conscience.

What exactly is our conscience? Is it simply an inner voice, or has God given every person an inbuilt moral compass? Can we trust our conscience completely, or does it need to be shaped and informed by God's Word?

We'll explore what the Bible teaches about conscience, how it relates to morality, and why our culture seems increasingly divided over questions of right and wrong. We'll also unpack one of the Bible's most sobering phrases: a seared conscience. What does it mean? How does a conscience become hardened? And is there a way back?

Joining us for this conversation are two elders from the Joshua Generation family of churches, Russell Fraser and Michael D'Offay. Together we'll examine Scripture, discuss the challenges Christians face in today's moral landscape, and consider how believers can cultivate a conscience that is sensitive to the voice of God.

Whether you're a Christian seeking biblical clarity or simply curious about where morality comes from, we hope this conversation will challenge your thinking and strengthen your faith.