Are you hearing God’s Word and walking away unchanged? She shows that “quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” isn’t only about how we treat people. It’s also how we respond to God. She shares honest examples, from the times she’s been angry that God didn’t answer a prayer her way to the arguments where she wanted to make someone hurt. She also looks at why human anger doesn’t accomplish God’s righteousness and what it means to be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer. She asks us to look into God’s Word as long as we look into a physical mirror, and to watch what we put into our eyes and ears.

“But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)

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Is God testing you, or is something else pulling you away? In this episode, Brittani walks through James 1:13-18 and explains the difference between trials, which God uses to make us mature, and temptation, which never comes from Him. She uses a fishing analogy to show how temptation works: the bait gets wiggled in front of us, desire grows, and sin slowly builds over time. She shares honest examples, from hitting snooze to the perfectionism and control she’s tempted by while God stretches her in her nonprofit. She also reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from a Father who never changes, and she ends with Isaiah 40:28-31.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

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https://linktr.ee/brittani.r.rodriguez

When a trial hits, what do you run to? In this episode, Brittani walks through James 1:9-12 and admits this passage convicted her. She looks at why James talks about both the poor and the rich, and how material things can’t make us more like Christ, though we often use them to cope. She shares honest examples, from reorganizing a room to binge-watching when she’s anxious, and tells the story of buying a new car after years of being completely dependent on God. Then she looks at what “blessed” really means in verse 12: not a better situation, but more of Jesus, and a crown of life promised to those who love him.

“Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

If this episode encouraged you, please like, share, and subscribe. We’re still in James 1, so grab your Bible and read along.

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After a few weeks off (post-retreat recovery plus an unexpected eye surgery!), Heart on the Altar is back to weekly episodes — and kicking off a brand new series in the book of James. In this intro episode, Brittani reads through James 1:1-8 for context but zooms all the way in on verse 1, laying the foundation for the whole series: who James actually was (Jesus's half-brother, who didn't believe in Him until after the resurrection), who he was writing to, and why this letter is all about one thing — spiritual maturity. She shares five practical questions for actually living out what you believe instead of just hearing it, including one gut-check story starring her daughter Hazel and a shower she did not want to take.

"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad: greetings." — James 1:1

Heart on the Altar is back to a weekly rhythm starting now — if you've missed it, this is the perfect place to jump back in. Please like, share, and subscribe, and consider inviting a friend to walk through James with you.