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In Luke 12:1, Jesus warns His disciples, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” What did he mean by that statement? Yeast, or leaven, is something that works its way through an entire batch of dough. Jesus is warning His disciples about something that can quietly work its way into their hearts and shape the way they understand and practice their faith. As we look at the Pharisees throughout the Gospels, we see people who were deeply concerned with religious faithfulness, but who could become so focused on outward behavior, human traditions, and their own standards of righteousness that they missed the heart of what God was doing. They could be meticulous about certain rules while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. And perhaps most dangerously, they could begin to measure other people’s righteousness by standards that made them feel more righteous themselves. It’s a warning that still speaks to us today, because sometimes the things that shape our faith can quietly become the things we use to measure someone else’s. Our traditions, theological convictions, and personal standards may all begin with good intentions, but what happens when we start looking down on other Christians because they see things differently? On our next episode, we’re talking about the subtle ways legalism can creep into our lives, how to recognize it in ourselves, and how to hold firmly to God’s Word without confusing our own convictions with His commands. How do we pursue holiness without falling into self-righteousness, and how do we guard our hearts against the leaven Jesus warned us about?

A woman accused of killing her three young children has just seen her trial end in a hung jury. A Tennessee execution went horribly wrong when Christa Pike survived two doses of the lethal-injection drug. And the Army has scheduled a firing-squad execution for Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter who murdered 13 people, with plans to make the execution public. These stories force us to confront a difficult question: Are there crimes so horrific that the only just punishment is death? If a person deliberately murders innocent people, does justice require the government to take their life…or does the Christian commitment to mercy and redemption place limits on what the state should do? The Bible says human life bears the image of God. It also gives governing authorities the responsibility to punish evil. But Jesus commands his followers to love their enemies, and the gospel holds out the possibility of redemption even for the worst sinner. So where should Christians stand? Is opposing the death penalty a failure to take justice seriously? Or is supporting it a failure to take mercy seriously? On our next episode, we’re asking the tough questions that test our understanding of justice, human dignity, government, and the gospel: what should a Christian think about the death penalty?

What happens when following Jesus becomes comfortable? In the 4th century, thousands of Christians walked away from the cities and into the wilderness. They lift cultural Christianity behind not to escape God, but to find Him. What can the Desert Fathers and Mothers teach us about spiritual formation, simplicity, silence, and becoming like Jesus? And what if we don’t need to move to the desert…but we do need to create a little wilderness in our own lives to grow into the people Jesus invites us to become?

If you haven’t noticed recently, AI is everywhere. And it seems like it can do pretty much everything that we can do as humans. AI can write. AI can think. AI can create. But should we let it? And what happens when we start outsourcing to a machine the things God intended for us to do ourselves? On our next episode, we’re talking about Christians and our use of AI. How can we use it wisely without letting it replace our creativity, our relationships, our thinking, or the work of the Holy Spirit? And what are the potential dangers of letting it think for us?

Should Christian women wear head coverings to church? In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul says women who pray with their heads uncovered dishonor their “head.” He talks about shaved heads, long hair, creation, headship, angels. And somehow expects the Corinthians to understand what he means. So…what are we supposed to do with 1 Corinthians 11 today? Was Paul simply giving a cultural opinion? Is every Christian woman actually supposed to wear a head covering to church? Or is Paul giving us an authoritative biblical principle through a first-century cultural practice? And perhaps the bigger question: what do our clothing, appearance, relationships, and behavior communicate about our theology?

Beards and Bible listeners, last time we thought we could cover Leviticus in one episode… we were wrong. On our last episode, we did a flyover of Leviticus and looked at the big picture, but we left two hot topics on the table: tattoos and tithing. So we’re going back into Leviticus and asking what these commands mean for us as Christians. Specifically: are tattoos a sin that the Bible clearly prohibits? Do Christians have to give 10% in their local church? These are two questions that often bring up strong opinions. So we’re opening up Leviticus and asking: how should Christians understand these Old Testament laws today?

In the Old Testament book of Leviticus, God’s glory fills the tabernacle… but suddenly, no one can go in. The exodus brought Israel out of Egypt, but it didn’t take Egypt out of Israel. God wants to dwell with His people—raising the ultimate question: How can a holy God live alongside a broken humanity without consuming them? Why all the bloody sacrifices, skin parameters, and dietary codes? Is Leviticus just a bizarre ancient rulebook, or the structural roadmap of God restoring Eden? What actually happens on the Day of Atonement when a scapegoat carries a nation's rebellion into the wilderness? On today's episode, we take a flyover of Leviticus with a low-altitude look into its center. We’ll unpack how ancient priests, scapegoats, and holy calendars point directly to Jesus—and why holiness isn't about isolating yourself, but living set apart to radically love others. If ancient rituals couldn't permanently fix the human heart… what can?

And we’re back!   After taking the last 2 months off, Beards and Bible listeners, we’re back with a brand new episode. We’re talking about all the stuff that’s happened in our world in the last 60 days- the US/Iran War, the World Cup, the economy, AI, midterm elections, and…   ...some of our favorite weird and bizarre news stories as we do our best to navigate the world we’re living in as followers of Jesus.

Few books of the Bible have generated more questions, confusion, and debate than the book of Revelation. In this special teaching episode, we explore how to understand and interpret this fascinating book, uncover its original message, and discover why its central focus is not fear, speculation, or conspiracy—but Jesus.

On today's episode, Gabe discusses the importance of riddling our tongue and using our speech to bring life as opposed to death, blessing as opposed to cursing.   We talk through the consequences of slander and its effects on a community and the parallels between it and Biblical tzara'at.   For more information on Dothan Messianic Fellowship, visit www.dothanmessianicfellowship.com

In a culture that constantly bombards us with unrealistic ideals—perfect marriages, flawless friendships, effortless success, and picture-perfect lifestyles—many Christians find themselves exhausted by unattainable expectations.  Misplaced expectations can steal our joy, but biblical contentment and gratitude can restore it. Join Josh as he gives a talk from his upcoming book, Elusive Expectations: Living Free from the Tyranny of Unattainable Ideals.

Join Gabe and the rest of DMF as we look at the Hebrews 12 race and examine how traumatic life experiences can effect us and our interactions with those around us.   For more information on Dothan Messianic Fellowship, visit www.dothanmessianicfellowship.com

Ecclesiastes 1, written by "the Preacher" (traditionally Solomon) argues that human existence is a monotonous, repetitive cycle, where nothing is truly new, and all earthly pursuits and wisdom ultimately fail to bring lasting satisfaction.  Ultimately, Ecclesiastes 1 suggests that life without a proper focus on God is frustrating and futile.  Where are we looking to find meaning and fulfillment in life?

Beards and Bible listeners,  Real quick before we jump into today’s episode: we just wanted to give you a little heads-up on what the next couple months are going to look like for us. May and June are honestly just stacked. Between travel, ministry responsibilities, and everything happening in our local churches, Gabe and I are going to be pulled in a lot of different directions. So instead of trying to force something rushed or half-baked, we thought it’d actually be a lot more meaningful to share some of the teaching that’s already coming out of our local congregations—stuff we’ve been pouring time, study, and prayer into anyway. So over the next several episodes, you’re going to hear some of that. Think of it less like a break, and more like we’re just inviting you into what God’s already doing in our churches. And today’s episode is exactly that. This is a teaching Gabe gave at his church on the Angel of the Lord. This a topic that’s a lot deeper than it might sound at first. It touches on how God reveals Himself, how He draws near, and honestly, how the Old Testament starts to point forward in some really compelling ways. So whether this is a new concept for you or something you’ve wrestled with before, I think you’ll find this one really helpful. Alright, here’s Gabe!

In Genesis 9 we read that flood resets the world—but it doesn’t reset the human heart. Genesis 9 opens with blessing, mandate, and covenant… but it doesn’t take long before something feels off. Why does creation now fear humanity? Why does God permit meat, but forbid blood? Why introduce justice systems right out of the gate? And why, after wiping the slate clean, do we find Noah—Noah, the preacher of righteousness—drunk, exposed, and at the center of one of the most unsettling stories in Genesis? So what actually happened in that tent? Was Ham just seeing something… or doing something? Why does the text use that loaded phrase, “uncovering nakedness”? Why do Shem and Japheth respond the way they do—walking backward, almost ceremonially covering their father? And maybe most confusing of all—why is Canaan cursed instead of Ham? Is this a personal outburst… or a prophetic moment shaping the future of nations? Is this just a strange footnote… or is it the Bible quietly telling you that even after judgment, sin is still alive and well? In this episode, we trace what actually changed after the flood—and what didn’t. We’ll look at the shift from Eden-like harmony to a world marked by tension, survival, and shorter lives. We’ll unpack the covenant with all creation—and ask why God promises stability in a world He knows is still broken. And we’ll wrestle with Noah’s failure as a kind of “new Adam”—and what it reveals about the limits of starting over. Along the way, we’ll connect the dots to the rise of nations, the roots of human conflict, and a sobering truth running underneath it all: a new world doesn’t create new people. If the flood wasn’t the final answer… what is?