*This weekly newsletter will share about the Bible Breakdown podcast, things about RLC, and my favorite things from around the web. My prayer is it will help you know God better.
Hello friends. Happy Saturday!
By mid-August, stores are filled with school supplies, and pumpkin spice is lurking around the corner. It’s a time of transition, and that makes it the perfect moment to pause and reflect. In Matthew 23, Jesus speaks directly to religious leaders and calls out hypocrisy with razor-sharp honesty. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s also an invitation: to stop pretending and start living authentically before God.
🎧 My Favorite BibleBreakdown Episode This Week>>>
📚 Scripture. 💪
(Matthew 23:25) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”
Observation: Jesus doesn’t mince words in this chapter. He confronts the Pharisees not for believing wrong things, but for faking righteousness while neglecting mercy and humility. He compares them to clean cups on the outside but filthy inside, highlighting the difference between religious performance and spiritual transformation.
Application: It’s easy to fall into the trap of appearance—looking good on the outside while avoiding the hard work of heart change. Jesus wants integrity, not image. Today, I’ll ask God to search me and help me prioritize inward transformation over outward impressiveness.
Prayer: Lord, I confess that sometimes I care more about how I look than how I live. Clean my heart, not just my habits. Make me real, humble, and rooted in You.
Join Our Facebook Community and Share Your Insights
✍️ My Blog.
Brandon Cannon
🤔 Question of the Week.
Brandon Cannon
🖤 My Favorite Links This Week.
📣 Sermon/Testimony. Small Choices That Keep You Stuck
Craig Groeschel explores how seemingly insignificant daily decisions can build momentum—either forward or backward—in our spiritual growth. His leadership-focused insights are packed with humor and straightforward application, making this a powerful wake-up call. Recommended for anyone wanting to reset patterns and move toward personal transformation.
🤔 Apologetics. Why Do We Even Need A Savior?
We are more technologically, academically, intellectually, and financially advanced than ever before in human history. Yet the indicators of human flourishing are in free-fall. Suicide, depression, divorce, anxiety and social dislocation are at all-time highs globally. What has gone wrong?
🤓 CS Lewis. Danger of Apologetics
This insightful piece explores Lewis’s warning in God in the Dock that apologetics can make faith feel “spectral”—rooted in argument rather than Christ Himself. It includes Lewis’s poignant "Apologist’s Evening Prayer," urging apologists to rely on God, not clever reasoning. Essential for anyone who wants to guard their heart while engaging skeptically.
✍️ Going Deeper. Bible Study Tools: A Practical Video Tutorial
This 12-minute YouTube tutorial demonstrates using concordances, lexicons, and interlinear tools in real-time on a passage. It’s a clear tech-driven walkthrough that demystifies advanced Bible tools. Perfect for those ready to leverage digital or print study aids with confidence.
✍️ Biblical Archeology. The Ancient City of David: Groundbreaking Excavations Revealed
A recent video showcases new finds in the City of David area, highlighting how on‑site digs are reshaping our view of Jerusalem’s early history. It's visually rich and field‑focused, making the connection between excavation and biblical narrative tangible. Ideal for viewers who want to see archaeology in action.
📚 Book. Evidence That Demands a Verdict – Josh McDowell
A classic apologetic title updated for contemporary readers, presenting historical, archaeological, and logical evidence for the reliability of Scripture. Beloved by skeptics and believers alike for its thorough and confident case. Ideal for those seeking conviction rooted in facts and history.
🕺 Biblical Manhood. The Heart of a Godly Man
This practical article explores heart-level character traits like integrity, resilience, and passion for Christ that define biblical masculinity. It includes Scripture-based benchmarks (e.g., David’s heart, Paul’s endurance) that readers can emulate. It’s especially useful for personal reflection and growth beyond social expectations.
🎧 Song of the Week. Sevens – Brandon Lake
With a rock-infused sound and rich biblical imagery, “Sevens” explores themes of Revelation and God’s sovereignty.
✍️ Quote of the Week That Makes You Think
"We cannot pander to a man’s intellectual arrogance, but we must cater to his intellectual integrity." —Your Mind Matters
🤪 Dad Joke of the week
How does a penguin build its house? Igloos it together.
Jesus doesn’t call us out to shame us—He calls us up to heal us. Matthew 23 may feel like a spiritual slap, but it’s actually a loving wake-up call to stop pretending and let grace do its deep work.
🤪 Meme of the Week
