Spiritually Fit Today

The Risk Most Christians Won’t Take - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and his guest this week Paul Abbott. In this episode Arnie and Paul wrestle with Acts 2 as a practical model for serving the poor: shared life, table fellowship, prayer, and mutual accountability. Paul describes the real work of Nehemiah’s Road Home and how a discipleship community — not programs or fundraisers — can actually change lives and address chronic homelessness. Expect specific, doable next steps for individuals and churches who want to move from good intentions to faithful presence.4 R Action StepsRead: Read Acts 2:42 and 44–47 aloud and slowly. Let the phrases “devoted themselves,” “broke bread in their homes,” and “had everything in common” settle in.Reflect: Ask: Where in my life could I invite someone to share a meal, a rhythm, or regular friendship? Who around me is lonely, overlooked, or living on the margins?Respond: Pray for one opportunity this week and then take one concrete step: invite a neighbor to coffee or a meal, host a short weekly home gathering, or start a three-person accountability rhythm. Reveal: Demonstrate this passage by modeling hospitality and consistent presence. Share your story of small, sacrificial hospitality with a friend or your church, invite someone into your home, or start a pilot discipleship household to show what Acts 2 looks like today.Resources & ContactFor help launching a small hospitality rhythm or joining a discipleship community, contact Arnie at arnie.cole@bttb.org.Keywords: Acts 2, discipleship, hospitality, breaking bread, mutual accountability, Paul Abbott, Arnie Cole, Nehemiah's Road Home, homelessness, Christian community, faith in action, Bible study, Spiritually Fit TodaySubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

What Homeless People Need More Than Money - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and Paul Abbott. In this episode Arnie and Paul explore dignity in serving people experiencing homelessness—starting with something as simple and powerful as eye contact—and ground the conversation in Galatians 6:2: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Paul shares on-the-ground experience from serving in Reading through Good News Rescue Mission and even living on the streets, highlighting how to avoid paternalism, build mutual accountability, and help others move toward flourishing.4 R Action StepsRead — Read Galatians 6:2 slowly. Let the phrase "carry each other's burdens" shape how you see people in need.Reflect — Ask: Where do I filter or judge others' burdens? How can I honor dignity in everyday encounters (eye contact, listening, respect)?Respond — Pray and act: make a list of 2–3 people who could hold you accountable and whom you can support; commit to one dignity-focused practice (e.g., sustained eye contact, active listening, connecting someone to local resources).Reveal — Demonstrate this passage by inviting a friend to serve with you, modeling respectful care in outreach, or sharing this episode and Galatians 6:2 with someone as a step toward mutual accountability.Contact: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: homelessness, dignity, Galatians 6:2, carry each other's burdens, Christian service, discipleship, mutual accountability, poverty, homeless ministry, Good News Rescue Mission, Paul Abbott, Arnie Cole, Spiritually Fit TodaySubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

How to Help Without Hurting - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Paul Abbott. In this episode they unpack the common trap of paternalism in Christian service — when well-meaning help ends up stripping dignity and creating dependence — and point to Proverbs 19:17 as the corrective: kind, respectful help that seeks to make disciple-makers, not dependent recipients. Paul shares practical wisdom about listening, empowering local ownership, and shifting from performative giving to relational, dignity-preserving service. 4 R Actions to practice:Read — Read Proverbs 19:17 and other passages on mercy and stewardship; meditate on what "lending to the Lord" means for your giving.Reflect — When you encounter someone in need, note your emotions (fear, pity, guilt, indifference). Journal or pray about what those responses reveal.Respond — Shift how you give: prioritize empowering relationships, support local leadership and sustainable solutions, ask how your help builds capacity rather than dependency.Reveal — Model dignity in action: listen first, invite others into ownership, share what you’re learning, and recruit friends to join context-led, respectful ministry.Contact: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: paternalism, serving the poor, Christian service, discipleship, Proverbs 19:17, dignified ministry, empowering giving, poverty ministry, how to help effectively, faith-based charity, Christian generositySubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Most Christians Skip This Command of Jesus - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Paul Abbott. In this episode Arnie and Paul unpack Matthew 25:35–40—Jesus’ call to care for the hungry, stranger, and prisoner—and wrestle with why that command so often gets sidelined in Christian life. Paul shares stories from decades serving the poor across Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and now among the chronically homeless in Redding, California. Action steps using the 4 R’s:Read — Read Matthew 25:35–40 today.Reflect — Picture one person you’ve passed recently. Ask: How have I treated people like this? What comforts am I protecting?Respond — Pray a one-sentence prayer (for example: “Father, you see them; help me see them too”), then take one concrete step this week (listen for 15 minutes, bring a meal, give a gift card, volunteer locally, or donate to a trusted ministry).Reveal — Demonstrate this truth by inviting someone to serve with you, sharing your story of one small step, or offering practical hospitality to someone in need.Connect with Arnie: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: Matthew 25, homelessness, poverty, Christian discipleship, faith in action, serving the poor, Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Paul Abbott, homelessness outreach, Christian podcast, social justice, gospel compassionSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

How to Get Spiritually Fit in Just Minutes a Day - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and Braden Pedersen. This episode invites you into a free daily spiritual workout (5–10 minutes) built around the Four R’s and powered by an AI companion at bttb.ai. Try for seven days, and let small daily rhythms multiply your faith. Scripture to absorb today: Psalm 119:11 — "I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."Four R actions to do now:- Read: Read Psalm 119:11 slowly and aloud.- Reflect: Ask: What word or image stands out? Where could this truth help me resist temptation today? Spend 1–2 minutes listening. - Respond: Internalize by writing one sentence: “Today I will…” or memorize the verse and set a simple if-then plan (e.g., “If I feel discouraged, I will repeat this verse”). - Reveal: Share the verse and your one-sentence application with one person—text, call, or invite them to join the 7‑day workout.Get started: visit bttb.ai, enter your email, and begin your first workout in under a minute. Questions or feedback? Email Arnie: arnie.cole@bttb.org.Keywords: spiritual fitness, daily devotional, Bible workout, Psalm 119:11, AI spiritual companion, daily scripture, faith habit, spiritual growth, Bible reading plan, devotional, Christian podcast, Arnie Cole, Braden PedersenSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Should Christians Trust AI for Spiritual Guidance? - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to the podcast Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and Braden Pedersen. In this episode we explore how AI can be redirected to point people back to Scripture instead of away from it. Learn about BTTB.AI — a closed, vetted library of biblical content that delivers personalized spiritual workouts guided by the four R’s: Read, Reflect, Respond, Reveal. This AI companion is designed to supplement discipleship (not replace pastors or real community) and to help you apply Scripture to everyday struggles like anger, criticism, or doubt.Check out the librarian: bttb.aiHow to practice the four R’s today- Read: Open Psalm 119:105 — “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Let this verse be your starting point.- Reflect: Ask: Where is my path dark right now? What truth in this verse speaks to that struggle?- Respond: Use the AI librarian to pull biblical teaching, a short scripture list, and daily practical steps (breath/prayer prompts, memory verse, simple behavioral next steps) tailored to your situation. Then do one small action today based on those steps.- Reveal: Take what the AI pointed you to in God’s Word and bring it to a person — a friend, mentor, or small group. Share what you learned and ask for prayer and accountability.Contact: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: AI and Bible, Christian AI, BTTBAI, spiritual workouts, Psalm 119:105, discipleship, personalized discipleship, spiritual fitness, Bible study, digital discipleship, Arnie Cole, Braden PedersenSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
 
 

The Shocking Place Young Christians Go for Spiritual Advice - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Braden Pedersen. In this episode we explore new research showing many men in their 20s and 30s are turning to AI for spiritual questions. Braden explains why anonymity and perceived safety make AI appealing, and Arnie and Braden warn about the danger of trusting confident-sounding answers over Scripture. Our scripture for reflection: Proverbs 18:1 — "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment."4 R Action StepsRead — Read Proverbs 18:1 aloud and note any phrase that sticks out to you.Reflect — Ask: What am I hiding? Where do I turn for answers first — a person, a phone, or prayer?Respond — Name the one question you've been carrying alone. Tell one real person you can trust that question out loud and notice how isolation changes.Reveal — Share this passage and your takeaway with someone you trust; invite them to pray with you or hold you accountable.Contact Arnie: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: AI and faith, Christian men, Proverbs 18:1, spiritual questions, faith and technology, discernment, Bible study, men's ministry, prayer, Braden Pedersen, Arnie ColeSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

The Dangerous Gap Between Faith and Action - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and Braden Pedersen. In this episode we tackle the common gap between believing and doing. We center on James 1:22: "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Arnie and Braden explore why conviction often doesn’t translate to action and how scripture absorption (quality over quantity) helps close that gap.4R action guide- Read: Start with James 1:22 and a few surrounding verses. Make it a short, focused daily habit.- Reflect: Ask, “What is God calling me to do today?” and “Where am I only hearing and not doing?”- Respond: Choose one concrete action before the day ends — text someone, forgive the person who comes to mind, or make a call you’ve been avoiding. Treat reading as input and action as the output.- Reveal: Share what you learned or demonstrate it in a tangible way (forgiveness, a helpful conversation, or sharing the verse with someone).Contact Arnie: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: James 1:22, Bible reading, scripture absorption, daily devotion, Christian living, faith into action, evangelism, discipleship, spiritual growth, Arnie Cole, Braden Pedersen, Spiritually Fit Today, BTTBSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

You're Not Losing Faith—You're Spiritually Out of Shape - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and this week's guest, Braden Pedersen. In this episode Arnie and Braden discuss why many Christians feel spiritually drained despite regular church attendance and Bible reading — and how spiritual fitness (not just faith effort) brings lasting change. They unpack a simple, practical daily roadmap from 1 Timothy 4:7–8: Receive, Reflect, Respond, Reveal, and offer steps to build small daily habits that grow your spiritual life.What to do next (4 R actions)- Read: Pick a clear starting point (Matthew chapter 1, Proverbs, or a daily Bible plan) and read a short passage each day. - Reflect: Pause and meditate on the passage. Ask what it reveals about God, yourself, and your story. Use a study Bible, devotional, or brief questions (Who? What? So what? Now what?) to guide thought. - Respond: Turn your reflection into prayer. Ask God, “What are you asking me to change?” and commit one personal next step. - Reveal: Share what you learned with someone else — a text, a quick conversation, a social post, or living out the truth in a practical way. Make that small step publicly count.Contact: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: spiritual fitness, daily Bible reading, Bible habits, spiritual disciplines, Receive Reflect Respond Reveal, 1 Timothy 4:7-8, daily devotion, Christian growth, Braden Pedersen, Arnie ColeSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

The Father's Day Message Every Man Needs to Hear - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie talks with Brian Doyle (founder of Iron Sharpens Iron) about Father’s Day, the state of fatherhood, and Malachi 4:6 — “He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the hearts of the children to their parents.” They discuss how many men are still trying to become the fathers they needed, practical ways to mentor boys without fathers, and a simple soul-pump assignment to start making a difference today.4 R Action StepsRead — Read Malachi 4:5-6. Let the promise and responsibility settle in.Reflect — Ask: What father did I need? Who in my life passes by unseen? How can my heart turn toward a son who needs spiritual leadership?Respond — Name one young man (son, nephew, neighbor, kid at church). Pray for him, send a casual text, invite him for a Coke or a meal, and commit to showing up consistently as a spiritual mentor.Reveal — Demonstrate this truth by bringing him to church, sharing your faith story, teaching Scripture with him, or introducing him to a men’s discipleship group.Want to help or send photos/questions to the show? Email arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: Father’s Day, fatherhood, Christian father, Malachi 4:6, mentoring, spiritual father, men’s ministry, Iron Sharpens Iron, Arnie Cole, Brian Doyle, discipleship, Christian podcast, spiritual fitnessSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft