The Test to Claim Me - Pop Quiz - 240

What happens when life threatens everything you love? 

I start out this week's episode with my wife, Michelle's, medical journey - from severe migraines to a botched hysterectomy that nearly cost her a kidney. Through the darkest moments, our mantra became "not today, Satan," as we fought to hold tight to our faith while medical disasters compounded. This raw testimony reveals how personal crisis becomes either the breaking point or the refining fire for our deepest convictions.

Faith that remains untested is faith that remains unproven. The episode explores how Daniel from the Bible knowingly embraced tests rather than avoiding them - requesting a ten-day vegetable diet trial that would eventually elevate him in Nebuchadnezzar's court. This pattern appears throughout Scripture, where the number ten consistently represents the testing of faithfulness. When we face our cultural Babylon, do we shrink back or step forward?

A modern story from a young Christian named Chet working in Manhattan's cutthroat media industry demonstrates this principle brilliantly. When publicly humiliated for his faith by his team leader, Chet made the countercultural choice to respond with forgiveness rather than retaliation. "I've never had someone say that to me," his stunned colleague later admitted. "You actually live what you say you believe." This powerful moment opened doors for conversations that mockery never could.

The etymology of courage - from "cor" meaning heart - reveals why worship becomes our lifeline in crisis. When everything feels overwhelming, time spent in God's presence realigns our perspective and furnishes supernatural strength. As Daniel explains, "The longer you devote to Jesus, the less time you will waste being daunted by the views of others or fretting about your dilemmas."

Culture wants to claim you through tests and trials, but you don't have to surrender. Stand firm, knowing you have all you need to face whatever challenges come your way - the unshakable courage of the Lord himself.

Ready to strengthen your faith for the inevitable tests? Listen now and discover how trials become the proving ground for unshakable faith.

Daniel Dilemma - CH

Chapters

• 0:00 Unshaken: Episode Four Introduction
• 2:13 Michelle's Medical Journey and Crisis
• 7:44 Standing Firm in Faith Through Trials
• 12:49 Daniel's Test of Faith in Babylon
• 17:17 Chet's Story: Faith Tested in NYC
• 22:09 The Purpose of Testing Our Faith
• 27:44 Finding Courage in God Through Trials
• 33:47 Responding vs. Reacting in Crisis

Transcript

Daniel Moore: 0:06

Charles Stanley once said Every test, every trial, every heartache. That's been significant. I can turn it over and see how God has turned it into good, no matter what. This week, on Connecting the Gap, we're continuing our series on Unshaken, holding fast in a culture of compromise. This week we're in episode four of that series. We'll be back to continue that.

Daniel Moore: 0:31

The Gap this is a podcast about marriage, bible and book studies, and we interview people occasionally that have a story. I'm Daniel Moore, your host. Thank you for joining us this week. If you're not familiar with our show, check out our website at wwwconnectingthegapnet. All of our platforms are there YouTube and Rumble links. We're also on the Christian podcasting app, edify. You can also visit us on social, on Facebook X and Instagram at ctgaponline. If you're a fan of our show, please subscribe. Feel free to leave a comment on our platforms, give us a thumbs up or a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and we'd be grateful to you for doing that. Well, as I said here in the intro, we are in episode four of our extended series on Unshaken. Hope you've enjoyed the episode. So far We've got a ways to go, but this week we're going to be doing episode four of that extended series this week.

Daniel Moore: 1:56

The test to claim me. When I married my wife, michelle, we were still young, she already had two boys and I had a girl. In the grand scope of things, everything looked like we were healthy. Truth be known, michelle often fought migraines. She would put the Excedrins down like candy at times and it would still seem to not phase them. The doctors were looking into it to see what could be done. In the process of the tests that were run, it was determined that she had a major cyst on her ovaries which were causing most of the acute pain in her body. I always remember feeling sorry for her because she would be in so much pain sometimes and the migraines would cause her to have complete blackouts and she would be immobile for some time in the darkness of our bedroom until they would subside and she could function again.

Daniel Moore: 2:59

After many consultations and attempts to try different medications, the doctor decided some more invasive intervention was needed. They eventually decided that the best route to take was a complete hysterectomy. They bypassed the possibility of a partial because they didn't think the problem would be completely solved. The surgery was set up and completed. Michelle was in the recovery stage. The surgery was set up and completed. Michelle was in the recovery stage.

Daniel Moore: 3:30

As she was healing, she eventually began to have acute pains in her side and back. The pain finally got so bad that we decided to have some deeper tests run to see what needed to be done to resolve the issue. Something inside of her wasn't right. They sent her in to have several tests run to see what the issue was. What they found would completely rock our world at the time. As they were running the test, they found that her ureter had been cut when they did the hysterectomy. The reason this was possible was because they did the hysterectomy robotically to be as invasive as possible.

Daniel Moore: 4:07

Some time had passed already since the procedure had been done and, to our dismay, they found that the kidney was slowly shutting down. We were in a race for time to save her kidney. The scheduling was a little bit of a mess as we needed to get her in quickly to have any chance of saving it. They rushed her in and put in a stent. The ureter at that time had started to heal but was closing off from the scar tissue. The stent relieved the pressure in the kidney enough to give her some relief from the pain, and the healing process continued. The time finally came to remove the stent, so after a quick outpatient procedure it was removed.

Daniel Moore: 4:47

We moved on thinking that everything was resolved. Then she started hurting again. We got another appointment set up and went to have it checked. The ureter had closed over again and the kidney was in about as bad of shape as it had ever been. The stent had been taken out too quickly. They rushed her in to try to insert a new stent and after some time in the waiting room they came out to inform me that it closed over too much and they couldn't get it back in place.

Daniel Moore: 5:20

My worst fears set in. What were we going to do now? How was I going to tell Michelle that they couldn't get it fixed? When she came out to the car with me and was released, I asked the doctor what the next step was. The answer he gave me was even more disturbing. They couldn't perform the necessary procedure locally. We would have to go to a specialist in Springfield, missouri, or KU Medical Center in Kansas City. We chose KU as it was a much better option.

Daniel Moore: 5:51

But then there was another problem. There were only a couple of specialists there that performed those kind of procedures and due to the nature of the medical center. The doctors had to look over your case and agree to take you on as a patient. Of course, the first doctor turned her down. By this time I had sat and watched my wife shed many tears of pain. There was also some anxiety and a little fear of the unknown in there as well. If this didn't get fixed, she was going to lose that kidney. To make a long story short, a doctor finally did take her case and he even stayed late on Thanksgiving holiday to do her surgery before he left for his vacation. We were so thankful for his care and willingness to help. Michelle left the medical center with stage 4 kidney disease. I am happy to say that today she now only has stage 2 kidney disease, which is considered a pretty standard level for most adults. God has worked a miracle in her body to this day Now.

Daniel Moore: 6:56

I'm not one that thinks there are demons hiding behind every rock, but it is easy to tell when Satan is messing with you sometimes and trying to cause problems. Michelle and I had resolved our marriage differences by this point and Satan didn't like that. Our mantra through the whole thing was not today, satan, we leaned on God and he delivered us in the last hour. It's time like these in 1 Corinthians 15, therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm, let nothing move. You Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. While these verses are true, we shouldn't fret about our perishable bodies, because there is a resurrection. I still didn't want Michelle to die. I didn't want to watch her suffer with such a debilitating disease that could very likely claim her life prematurely. Then there is verse 58, which encourages us to stand firm in our faith so that nothing can shake us, to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. My uneasy feeling during that time persisted for a while, but I had to make a choice. Eventually, I decided to reaffirm my commitment to Jesus to serve Him no matter what, even in the unbearable event of losing my precious wife.

Daniel Moore: 8:40

The timing of Michelle's ailment and subsequent recovery could have been coincidental. The timing of Michelle's ailment and subsequent recovery could have been coincidental, but in this case, hindsight is 20-20. The entire incident clearly tested our faith. God allowed it to mature our faith and increase our trust and joy in Him. The challenges that we encounter in life are not mere coincidences or happenstance. Rather, they serve as chances for us to deepen our faith and personal growth in God. God uses these trials to test our strength and prepare us for what lies ahead.

Daniel Moore: 9:16

Recognizing the significance of these trials, regardless of their duration, and learning how to effectively navigate them can be transformative. Knowing our identity is critical. Setting our core convictions is too, but unfailingly, at some point we will all be tested. As discussed in Episode 2, establishing our fundamental beliefs is crucial for maintaining a resilient and unwavering faith. However, having strong convictions alone will not shield us from the trials that will challenge them. Just as a chain is only as sturdy as its weakest link, the strength of our faith depends on the steadfastness of our beliefs in times of adversity. It takes bravery to confront the adversary and hold firm, so we must be certain of the foundation on which our faith stands. Convictions reflect the decisions we make prior to facing hardships, while faith demonstrates our capacity to act on those convictions.

Daniel Moore: 10:20

When tested, daniel knew what it meant for his faith to be tested repeatedly. In fact, he even asked his Babylonian captors to put him to the test, and here's how it happened. In Daniel 1, verses 11-14,. Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, hananiah, meshiel and Azariah Please test your servants for ten days. Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food and treat your servants in accordance with what you see. So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. Daniel asked Ashpenaz to test him and his Hebrew friends for ten days. Well, why ten? Well, throughout Scripture, the number ten represents the testing of faithfulness obeying the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20,. Giving a test to the Lord in Deuteronomy 14.22 and Malachi 3.10,. Praying for ten days in the upper room after Jesus ascended in Acts 13,. Enduring ten days of persecution in Smyrna in Revelation 2.10. Daniel knew that his faith would be put to the test and he embraced the challenge Rather than trying to avoid the discomfort of being tested.

Daniel Moore: 11:41

Daniel saw this conflict with culture as an opportunity. Our faith will always be challenged when faced with cultural changes. Satan employs trials to weaken us and lead us astray from our beliefs. He seeks to hinder our progress and question our commitment. Paul experienced this and explained we wanted to come to you. Certainly, I, paul did again and again, but Satan blocked our way. That's 1 Thessalonians 2.18. The Greek term used for blocked here means to cut a ditch or make a detour. When we are following God's plan for us, we directly oppose Satan's intentions and strategies. Consequently, the enemy tries to obstruct our path and persuade us to surrender, diverting us from our course, us from our course. Ultimately, his aim is to make us serve him. When our truth is put to the test, we must decide whom we will serve.

Daniel Moore: 12:44

This story was once shared with me by a man named Chet. One of the most defining challenges to my faith came during my summer internship in New York City. Let me start by saying that living in the city as a young Christian was a whole different world compared to the quiet suburb I grew up in. The fast-paced culture, the overwhelming distractions and the constant push to blend in with the crowd. It all tested my convictions in a way I hadn't expected. Chet continued I landed a competitive marketing internship at a trendy media firm in Manhattan. Chet continued I landed a competitive marketing internship at a trendy media firm in Manhattan. The job was exciting, the team was sharp and the environment was intense. People there lived for the hustle, late nights, loud bars, casual hookups and a steady flow of just one more drink seemed to be the rhythm of everyone's life. It was like stepping into another universe where faith didn't even seem to fit.

Daniel Moore: 13:41

From day one, chet said, I quietly committed to stay grounded. I kept a small devotional in my backpack and made time to read it during lunch breaks at the little park down the block. I didn't make a big deal about it, but people noticed, especially my team lead, brandon. He was young, charismatic and always had something sarcastic to say about religion. One afternoon he spotted me reading and smirked Still reading your fairy tales? Huh, he said loud enough for the team to hear. I looked up and replied calmly yeah, I read this every day. It keeps me grounded. Brandon chuckled and rolled his eyes. Come on, man, you're smart. You really believe that stuff? All of it I really do. Chet said, trying to smile without sounding defensive. Brandon leaned in his voice, dropping just a bit Even when life kicks your teeth in, you still believe in this God of yours. Then? Yes, chet said more firmly, especially then. The conversation ended there, but I could tell it stuck with him.

Daniel Moore: 14:52

Over the next few weeks Brandon found new ways to poke fun Mocking prayer, quoting scripture out of context, joking that I wouldn't last a month without breaking down and joining the quote-unquote real world. Then one day it got personal. Brandon called me into a conference room under the guise of helping with a campaign. But as soon as I sat down he tossed a folder on the table. But as soon as I sat down, he tossed a folder on the table. Inside was a mock proposal he had made using my name for a satirical, faith-based ad campaign. It was filled with crude jokes about Christianity and portrayed me as a naive preacher boy. Everyone else had seen it already. Chet's stomach dropped. He was humiliated. What do you think? Brandon asked with a grin.

Daniel Moore: 15:40

Too close to home, chet paused, fighting the urge to lash out. His heart was pounding. Every instinct wanted to defend himself, to snap back, to walk out and never come back. But then, quietly, chet said, I felt a different response rise up inside of me. I looked Brandon in the eye and said I forgive you. He blinked. What? I forgive you, it hurt, it's not funny, but I forgive you. The room went still. Something in Brandon's expression shifted. He didn't say a word, he just stared at me, then slowly nodded and walked out.

Daniel Moore: 16:26

The next day he pulled me aside, I've never had someone say that to me. He admitted you actually live what you say you believe. That's rare. Can I ask you something? Why? Jesus that day began a series of honest conversations over coffee and lunch breaks not debates, just talks.

Daniel Moore: 16:48

Brandon never did become a Christian during that internship, but he listened and, more than that, he respected the faith that he once mocked. All because in that moment I chose not to fight back but to live what I claim to believe. Chet said. I tell you this story not because I'm such a strong believer who faced such terrible persecution. This little incident is nothing compared to the persecution so many Christians around the world face from their families, their communities, their leaders and their governments. I still think about Brandon and pray for him, and I still remember what that humiliation felt like for the rest of that week. But there has never been a moment in my life that forced me to choose whether or not to follow my faith the way that one did, whether or not to follow my faith the way that one did. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters. Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. That's James, chapter 4, verse 4. When culture shifts, you will be tested, but never give in to the pressure, because it will make you stronger. God will always use the test in our lives to make our faith stronger and to reveal His glory to those around us.

Daniel Moore: 18:15

Just look at what happened next with Daniel and his friends. At the end of the 10 days, they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. To these four young men, god gave knowledge and understanding, to all kinds of literature and learning, and Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. At the end of time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them and he found none equal to Daniel, hananiah, meshiel and Azariah. So they entered the king's service. That's Daniel, chapter 1, verse 15 through 19. They excelled in the test, impressing God, who granted them knowledge and wisdom. The king was so impressed that he invited them to join his inner circle for their unmatched skills. Through the 10-day trial, their circumstances improved tenfold.

Daniel Moore: 19:20

Testing always leads to growth and improvement. Life is filled with challenges and trials. Significant lessons and achievements often come from experiencing hardships. The process of childbirth, the beginning of life, involves immense pain for both the mother and the baby. Most women describe the agony of giving birth to a baby the size of a bowling ball as unmatched by any other pain. It is likely a difficult transition for the baby also, moving from the comfort of the womb to a noisy cold room where they are handled roughly until they cry out. Thankfully, we do not retain memories of that initial discomfort. However, we do recall the effort, difficult sacrifices and extensive time invested in establishing a career, starting a new venture or serving in a ministry.

Daniel Moore: 20:17

When we adhere to God's direction and align our lives with His purpose, we will encounter challenges. There will be moments when we are tempted to quit, to opt for the simpler path or to flee from adversity. Yet these trials serve as an opportunity for personal growth, transforming into milestones that propel us towards fulfilling God's plan for our lives. In Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 19 through 21, it says how gracious he will be when you cry for help. As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more. With your own eyes, you will see them Whether you turn to the right or to the left. Your ears will hear a voice behind you saying this is the way. Walk in it.

Daniel Moore: 21:12

The manner in which we navigate challenges and hardships is crucial for a thriving Christian life. We will all encounter tough times. They are unavoidable. Our reactions in these situations have a direct impact on our faith and personal development. Embracing and acknowledging tests as essential components of our growth is vital. They serve as vehicles for our advancement.

Daniel Moore: 21:39

It is emphasized that embracing struggles is a fundamental aspect of our spiritual journey. It's how we grow, we're told in 1 Peter 1, 6, and 7,. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while. While you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials, these have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith, of greater worth than gold which perishes even though refined by fire, may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Virtually every aspect of our lives serves as a trial. Those committed to deepening their faith may encounter more challenges than individuals who do not follow God.

Daniel Moore: 22:22

Referred to as the refiner's fire in the Bible, in Malachi 3.2,. This process mirrors the technique used by blacksmiths and metal workers to enhance the quality of their creations. By heating the metal and identifying impurities, they purify and refine the material to better suit its intended purpose. God tests us to refine us, not to punish us. You may recall the days when your teachers would spring a pop quiz on you, catching you off guard with an unscheduled and often unforeseen test. You catching you off guard with an unscheduled and often unforeseen test. While not always enjoyable, these assessments served as valuable indicators of our learning progress. Likewise, our daily lives present us with similar impromptu quizzes. Each day offers opportunities for us to strengthen and develop our faith.

Daniel Moore: 23:16

Spiritual testing essentially mirrors God's version of a pop quiz, presenting challenging situations or unforeseen circumstances that bring to light our capabilities, advancement and maturity. Often we may misinterpret opposition. It is common to perceive tests simply as assaults from the devil, but this is not always the reality. While the enemy may seek to strike during times of testing in hopes of finding us at our weakest and most vulnerable, the tests we undergo present opportunities for personal growth, elevation and advancement to the next stage. Rather than seeing them as hindrances to be detested, these challenges should be embraced as chances for progress. In truth, they may indicate that we are closer than ever to fulfilling our divine purpose.

Daniel Moore: 24:11

Paul wrote in Acts 20, verse 23,. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. After facing numerous tests and trials in his life and ministry everything from shipwrecks to jail cells, not to mention murderous crowds Paul knew the value of those situations. He said not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Perseverance, character and character, hope. That's Romans, chapter 5, verses 3 and 4. 5, verses 3 and 4. In Romans 12, 12, it says. Later he also encouraged us to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Daniel Moore: 24:59

And Paul wasn't the only one with this counterintuitive message. James, the half-brother of Jesus, explained consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your, that's James 1, verses 2-4. We can only grow in our faith if we're tested. It's that simple. It might not be what we want to hear, but it's true. Long before Paul and James, david also saw the value of test and welcomed them. In Psalms 26, 2, david said test me, lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind. Like Daniel, david asked to be tested. That was Psalms 139, 23, and 24.

Daniel Moore: 26:08

More frequently, it's the other way around for many of us. We want God to spare us from trouble and remove all obstacles from our paths. But when we ask for that, we're essentially praying that we won't grow. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, reminded us in Proverbs 17, 3, the crucible for silver and the furnace for gold. But the Lord tests the heart. If we want to grow, we can't back away from places where we see our faith clashing with the culture around us. Instead, we can view that friction as an opportunity for our faith to be tested, embrace the conflict with the courage of the Lord.

Daniel Moore: 27:06

It is not unexpected that courage frequently empowers us to persevere through trials and surmount challenges. Courage is a mindset that enables you to maintain faith in your eventual success, even without a clear path to achieve it. But what is the source of this courage? The etymology of the word itself sheds light on how courage is cultivated within us, deep in our innermost being. The term courage in English originates from cour or c-o-u-r, the Middle English word denoting the heart, symbolizing one's profound emotions. This usage stemmed from old French courage, derived from the Latin word cour c-o-r, meaning heart. The correlation between cour and courage stemming from the word word cor C-O-R, meaning heart, the correlation between cor and courage stemming from the word for heart, is striking. This connection is logical as our hearts serve as the arena where our beliefs and challenges clash. They engage in a confrontation to ascertain that endures and remains steadfast within our hearts. In times when societal norms test our beliefs, it is essential to demonstrate courage, a profound inner strength, by standing firm and refusing to yield or adapt. Courage is the driving force behind upholding our beliefs. What is the source of our fortitude to remain steadfast amidst shifts in culture? Well, it originates from the same place as where Daniel, abraham and Paul drew their strength the divine presence and the teachings of God. This is the very wellspring from which David derived his courage when confronted with the possibility of losing everything dear to him his loved ones, his authority and the esteem of his followers.

Daniel Moore: 28:55

David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, and had taken captive the women and everyone else in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way. When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David's two wives had been captured, ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stunning him. Each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters, but David found strength in the Lord, his God. That's 1 Samuel, chapter 30, verses 1 through 6.

Daniel Moore: 29:51

David, the ruler and military commander of Israel, openly sobbed alongside his soldiers until they had no energy left to cry. Evidently, several of his men succumbed to bitterness and contemplated stoning David for the perceived failures. However, david's reaction is worth noting. He drew his resilience and resolve from his faith in the Lord, his God. God. I love how the King James Version renders verse six saying David encouraged himself in the Lord Sounds great, right, I mean how cool that David, at his lowest point was able to encourage himself in the Lord. But how do we do that? It's no coincidence that David's poetic lyrics in the Psalms often serve to ignite courage in our hearts. In Psalm 61, verses 1 through 2, hear my cry, o God. Attend to my prayer. David, begged From the end of the earth I will cry to. In Psalm 61, verses 1 through 2,.

Daniel Moore: 31:00

I believe that the key to discovering motivation lies in our response, rather than our immediate reaction. Rather than our immediate reaction. In challenging situations, the urge to react impulsively, displaying our anger, fear, confusion and frustration without restraint, can be strong. We might lash out at others, assume self-blame, feel heightened anxiety or fall into despondency. However, it is vital not only to acknowledge our emotions, but also to channel them towards God and devote time to solitary worship. In that time, we each must ask ourselves am I responding or reacting? God is capable of managing our most intense and unsettling emotions, most intense and unsettling emotions Simply perused through Psalms.

Daniel Moore: 31:52

If you harbor any uncertainty, and he desires us to confide in him, with what is at risk, david, akin to Daniel, paul and sundry others, exhibited courage because he comprehended the influence of worship. I, too, have imbibed this wisdom through personal experiences. Following moments when I received distressing news, I have sought peace in my office and beseeched God through my prayer, pouring out my heart to Him in worship. This routine has served as my anchor, furnishing me with the courage I needed.

Daniel Moore: 32:29

Each day, our perceptions often distort the magnitude of our trials. From our vantage point, our challenges can appear insurmountable and all-consuming, while God may seem insignificant and remote. Yet for God, the omnipotent and omnipresent ruler of all existence, our issues likely appear trivial. Nonetheless, when we engage in solitary moments with Him, our perspective finds equilibrium. Although we may still be unable to see beyond our obstacles to fathom a resolution, we understand the importance of maintaining our focus on Jesus as we progress step by step. The longer you devote to Jesus, the less time you will waste being daunted by the views of others or fretting about your dilemmas when confronted with loss, adversity or significant setbacks.

Daniel Moore: 33:20

Now, my initial response is to worship God. Though this behavior wasn't innate to me initially, I now appreciate how it has rescued me countless times in my endeavor to remain resolute in my faith. Worship serves as your lifeline and yields the courage needed to energize your faith amidst trials and you will be tested. The critical question is simply how will you respond? Fearfully, allowing the enemy a chance to derail your faith, or with courage to step forward and trust God? With the outcome? Culture wants to claim you, but you don't have to let it. You have all you need to pass any test that you face. You have the courage of the Lord. Well, that's going to end the episode for this week. As we leave today, don't forget that God's Word never fails us. God's Word has stood the test of time and, through Jesus' death on the cross, he has connected the gap. Connecting the Gap podcast is a part of Connecting the Gap Ministries, and we pray that you have a blessed week.