A Joyful Word Podcast

About A Joyful Word Podcast

Faithful & Firm Podcast exists to make Jesus easy to see, easy to hear, and easy to share. Hosted by Pastor Scott Beardsley of East Ridge Baptist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana, this podcast offers biblical teaching, encouragement, and gospel-centered truth to strengthen believers and reach the lost.

Publisher

scottiebeardsley

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Mar 2025

Latest episode

23 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Mar 2026

   Politics, Power, & the Kingdom of God

   Politics surrounds us. Headlines divide us. Power tempts us.But where does the Kingdom of God fit in? In this episode of the Faithful & Firm Podcast, Pastor Scott tackles one of the most emotionally charged and unavoidable topics of our time: Politics and the Christian life. Should believers be involved in politics? Where does loyalty to country end and loyalty to Christ begin? And how do we live as citizens of heaven while still walking faithfully on earth? Through Scripture, we’re reminded that governments rise and fall, leaders come and go, but the Kingdom of God cannot be shaken. Jesus did not come to seize political power. He came to transform hearts. This episode offers biblical guardrails for engaging culture faithfully without losing our gospel focus. In this episode, you’ll hear about:• The difference between earthly power and eternal authority• Why Jesus rejected political dominance• The danger of political idolatry• How Christians should engage without compromising faith• Why the gospel, not legislation, is the true agent of change Our hope isn’t found in elections, parties, or policies, but in Christ alone. 👉 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God…” (Matthew 6:33) If this episode challenges or encourages you, consider liking, sharing, and subscribing to stay connected.

2. 

   16 Mar 2026

   Social Media & the Soul

   In this episode of the Faithful & Firm Podcast, Pastor Scott Beardsley addresses one of the most powerful influences of our time, social media, and asks a deeper, soul-searching question: What is it doing to our hearts and minds as followers of Christ? Social media isn’t inherently evil, but it is shaping what we love, how we think, how we view ourselves, and how we treat others. Through Scripture and gospel-centered teaching, this episode challenges believers to guard their hearts, renew their minds, and engage digital spaces with discernment, humility, and Christlike love. You’ll be encouraged to examine your online habits, realign your affections with eternal things, and remember that true identity and worth are found not in likes or followers, but in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Key passages include Proverbs 4:23, Romans 12:2, Matthew 6:21, Psalm 139:14, and Mark 8:36. If you desire to live faithfully to God’s Word and firmly in biblical conviction, both online and offline, this episode is for you.

3. 

   9 Mar 2026

   AI, Technology, and Faith

   AI is everywhere, but how should Christians think about it? In this episode of the Faith & Firm Podcast, Pastor Scott explores Artificial Intelligence, modern technology, and what it means to live faithfully in a rapidly changing digital world. As AI reshapes how we work, learn, and communicate, believers are asking important questions about discernment, fear, idolatry, and the future. This episode offers a biblical framework for understanding technology, not as something to blindly reject or uncritically embrace, but something to submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ. You’ll hear why the real danger isn’t AI itself, why wisdom can’t be outsourced to machines, and how the gospel remains powerful and unchanging in every generation. If you’re wrestling with how faith intersects with innovation, culture, and progress, this conversation will help ground you in truth while pointing you back to Christ.

4. 

   2 Mar 2026

   Money, Greed, & Contentment

   Money is more than a financial issue; it’s a spiritual one. In this episode of the Faithful & Firm Podcast, Pastor Scott kicks off our March series, Hot Cultural Conversations, by addressing a topic that touches every life: Money, Greed, and Contentment. Our culture constantly pushes us toward more, more success, more possessions, more security, yet Scripture calls us to something radically different. In this conversation, we explore why money has such power over our hearts, how greed subtly takes hold, and why contentment feels so difficult in a comparison-driven world. You’ll hear biblical teaching on: Why money itself isn’t evil, but the love of it is dangerous How greed disguises itself as ambition and success What true, Christ-centered contentment looks like Why generosity is God’s antidote to greed How the gospel reshapes our view of wealth and security Jesus reminds us that life is not measured by what we possess, but by whom we trust. This episode will challenge, encourage, and refocus your heart toward lasting riches found in Christ alone. 🎙️ Faithful & Firm Podcast📖 Biblical clarity for today’s cultural conversations🙏 Episode ends with prayer

5. 

   23 Feb 2026

   Marriage Under Pressure

   Marriage is a gift from God, but it also comes with real pressure. In this episode of Faithful & Firm, Pastor Scott speaks honestly and biblically about the challenges every marriage faces. From financial stress and communication breakdowns to spiritual dryness and emotional distance, no marriage is immune to pressure. But pressure doesn’t have to break a marriage, it can strengthen it. This episode explores: God’s original design and purpose for marriage Why pressure is normal and not a sign of failure How spiritual opposition targets marriages Biblical principles that anchor marriages in hard seasons Practical encouragement for couples feeling distant or worn down Gospel hope for those who feel like quitting Whether your marriage feels strong, strained, or struggling to hold on, this episode points you back to Christ, the true source of healing, unity, and lasting love. God is for your marriage, and He is present even in the pressure. 🎧 Listen, be encouraged, and share with someone who may need hope today. www.YouTube.com/PastorScottERBC www.erbc-lakecharles.com

6. 

   16 Feb 2026

   Friendship in a Lonely World

   We’ve never been more connected, and yet so many people have never felt more alone. In this episode of the Faithful & Firm Podcast, Pastor Scott Beardsley explores why loneliness is becoming one of the deepest struggles of our time and what God says about real, life-giving friendship. Why do so many relationships feel shallow, transactional, or temporary? What does biblical friendship actually look like? And how does God use community to protect us, heal us, and help us grow? This episode calls us back to the kind of relationships that go deeper than likes, follows, and casual conversation. If you’ve been feeling isolated, unseen, or disconnected, even while surrounded by people, this conversation offers hope, direction, and a better way forward. Because God never designed you to walk alone.

7. 

   9 Feb 2026

   Love is Love: What Scripture Really Says

   “Love is love” has become one of the most powerful, and confusing, phrases in our culture. But what does it actually mean, and how does it line up with what God has revealed in His Word? In this episode of the Faithful & Firm Podcast, Pastor Scott Beardsley takes a thoughtful, biblical look at love, truth, and how they were always meant to go together. Is love defined by our feelings, our desires, or our choices? Or does God, who is love, get to define what love truly is? This conversation cuts through cultural slogans and returns us to the deeper, richer, and more demanding love we see in Scripture: a love that seeks holiness, restoration, and real freedom. This episode isn’t about winning arguments; it’s about pointing people to a love that actually transforms lives. If you want to understand how to speak truth with grace and stand firm without losing compassion, this episode will ground you in what the Bible really says about love.

8. 

   2 Feb 2026

   Swipe Right: Dating in a Digital World

   Dating has changed, but God’s design for love, purity, and commitment hasn’t. In a world of dating apps, endless options, and swipe-right relationships, how do followers of Jesus pursue romance with wisdom, integrity, and faith? In this episode of the Faithful & Firm Podcast, Pastor Scott Beardsley dives into the challenges and opportunities of dating in a digital age. From ghosting and hookup culture to online profiles and emotional burnout, this conversation brings biblical truth to a generation navigating love through screens. What does it look like to honor God with your heart, your body, and your relationships? How do you guard against counterfeit connections while seeking something real? And how can singles, parents, and church leaders help create a healthier dating culture? If you’re tired of shallow relationships and searching for something deeper, this episode points you back to God’s design for love that lasts. Because swiping is easy but building something holy takes faith.

9. 

   26 Jan 2026

   Cancel Culture & Forgiveness

   We live in a world quick to judge, slow to forgive, and eager to cancel anyone who falls short. But what does that say about us, and how different is it from the heart of Christ? In this episode of the Faithful & Firm Podcast, Pastor Scott Beardsley explores the collision between cancel culture and the radical, restoring power of biblical forgiveness. Is accountability the same as condemnation? How do grace and truth actually work together? And what happens to a society that forgets how to forgive? This episode challenges the mindset of permanent punishment and reminds us that the gospel is a story of redemption, not erasure. If you’ve ever been wounded, written off, or tempted to write someone else off, this conversation invites you into a better way, the way of Jesus. Because forgiveness doesn’t ignore sin… it overcomes it.

10. 

    19 Jan 2026

    Identity Crisis

    Who are you… really? In a culture obsessed with labels, platforms, and personal branding, it’s never been harder to answer that question with confidence. In this episode of the Faithful & Firm Podcast, Pastor Scott Beardsley tackles the growing identity crisis shaping our homes, our churches, and our generation. Are we defined by our past? Our pain? Our politics? Our feelings? Or has God already spoken something better over us? Through a biblical lens, this episode exposes the danger of building your identity on shifting ground and points you back to the unshakable truth of who you are in Christ. If you’ve ever wrestled with comparison, insecurity, or the pressure to “be someone,” this episode offers clarity, hope, and a firm foundation to stand on. You don’t have to guess who you are. You just have to believe what God has said.

11. 

    12 Jan 2026

    Hustle Culture vs. Sabbath Rest

    In a world that glorifies busyness, burnout, and “the grind,” where does a follower of Jesus draw the line? In this episode of the Faithful & Firm Podcast, Pastor Scott Beardsley takes on the tension between hustle culture and the biblical call to Sabbath rest. Is nonstop productivity a badge of honor, or a quiet form of unbelief? What does it mean to trust God enough to stop striving and actually rest? And how does Sabbath shape our spiritual health, family life, and long-term faithfulness? From Scripture to real-life pressure, this episode challenges the lie that your worth comes from what you produce and invites you back into the rhythm God designed: one of work, worship, and holy rest. If you’re exhausted, overextended, or constantly running on empty, this conversation is for you. Slow down. Breathe. And rediscover what it means to be faithful and firm.

12. 

    10 Jan 2026

    Truth in the age of "My Truth"

    In a culture that celebrates personal feelings over absolute truth, it’s getting harder to know what to believe, and even harder to speak with confidence. In this opening episode of the Faithful & Firm Podcast, Pastor Scott Beardsley tackles the popular idea of “my truth” and contrasts it with the unchanging truth of God’s Word. You’ll discover why truth is not something we create, but something God has revealed, and how standing on biblical truth brings freedom, clarity, and hope in a confused world. Whether you’re wrestling with doubt, cultural pressure, or simply want a stronger foundation for your faith, this episode will challenge and encourage you to live faithfully and stand firm.

13. 

    11 Apr 2025

    Grace, Glory, & the Coming King

    Episode 3 – Grace, Glory, & the Coming King 📖 Revelation 1:4–8 🎙️ Featuring Pastor Scott Beardsley & Ray Crouch In this episode of A Joyful Word, Pastor Scott Beardsley is joined by Ray Crouch, leader of the Outreach Team at Edgewood Church of Joy, as they dive into the powerful introduction of Revelation. Together, they explore the rich themes of grace, the glory of Jesus Christ, and the promise of His return as King. Why does John begin this prophetic book with such a strong emphasis on Jesus? What does it mean that He is "the Alpha and the Omega"? And how should we live in light of His coming? Tune in for encouragement, insight, and a joyful reminder that our King is coming again! 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs some hope today. #AJoyfulWord #Revelation1 #GraceGloryKing #BiblePodcast #EdgewoodChurchOfJoy

14. 

    4 Apr 2025

    Why We Are Complementarian

    Episode 2 – Why We Are Complementarian In this episode of A Joyful Word, Pastor Scott Beardsley takes time to explain why Edgewood Church of Joy holds to a complementarian view of men and women in the church and the home. With clarity and grace, he walks through key biblical texts that shape our convictions, including passages from Genesis, Ephesians, and 1 Timothy. Pastor Scott also addresses common misunderstandings and explains how complementarianism, rightly understood, reflects God’s good design and promotes human flourishing. Whether you're new to the conversation or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode provides a thoughtful and pastoral perspective on an important theological issue.

15. 

    30 Mar 2025

    Unveil: Revelation 1:1-3

    Episode 1: The Revelation Begins – Revelation 1:1-3Welcome to the very first episode of A Joyful Word, a podcast from Edgewood Church of Joy, where Pastor Scott Beardsley takes us verse by verse through the book of Revelation from a pretribulation, premillennial perspective. In this opening episode, Pastor Scott unpacks the powerful introduction found in Revelation 1:1-3. What is the "revelation of Jesus Christ"? Who is it for, and what is promised to those who read, hear, and keep what is written? With clarity and conviction, Pastor Scott explains how these first three verses set the tone for the entire book and why Revelation is a message of blessing—not fear—for every believer. Whether you're new to Bible prophecy or looking for a fresh perspective, this episode will encourage you to see Revelation not as a puzzle to fear, but a promise to cherish.

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