The Harder Way Podcast

Faith Over Fear: Psalm 141 to Isaiah 4 — The Harder Way

Scott explores Psalm 141 through Isaiah 4, tracing how honest prayer, guarded speech, and covenantal obedience form faith under pressure. He links the Psalms' seasoned laments and Isaiah's prophetic warnings to the realities of the persecuted church and the call to trust God rather than fear.

Listeners are invited to embrace the harder way: restraint, repentance, and dependenc...

Psalms in the Fire: Prayers for Persecution and Hope (Psalms 47–140)

Scott walks through Psalms 47–140, exploring how these poems teach honest prayer, praise, lament, and trust. He highlights key passages such as Psalm 51 and Psalm 119, encourages using the Psalms as a prayer book and hymnal, and explains how they shape the faith of the persecuted church.

The episode also includes a global update on rising pressures against believ...

When Words Are Under Fire: Faith, Freedom, and the Persecuted Church

Scott reflects on recent global cases of religious restriction — from Ireland and Canada to South Korea — and explores how words and speech are central to both persecution and Christian witness. He prays for believers under pressure and highlights the power of testimony, the sword of the Spirit, and the role of suffering in spiritual formation.

The episode also gu...

Scott walks listeners through 2 Chronicles 36 to Job 8, tracing a path from national collapse and exile to return, rebuilding, hidden providence, and deep personal suffering.

The episode highlights Ezra’s call to holiness, Nehemiah’s determined leadership, Esther’s quiet providence, and Job’s faithful endurance, connecting these stories to the experience of the persecuted church and the call to choose faith over fear.

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In this message, “A Tale of Two Kings,” Scott opens 2 Chronicles 14–16 and traces the life of King Asa, a leader who begins with courage and conviction but ultimately succumbs to pride and self-reliance. Asa tears down idols, leads Judah back to true worship, and cries out to God when a vast army threatens to wipe his nation out. God answers, scatters the enemy, and gives the land rest. But years later, when pressure comes ag...

Scott and Mattie continue their Bible-in-a-year journey, covering 1 Chronicles 28 through 2 Chronicles 35. They explore the themes of leadership, pride, revival, and repentance as they trace the rise and fall of Judah’s kings—from David and Solomon to Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah.

The episode highlights how obedience builds while pride destroys, the possibility of renewal after spiritual decline, and how the persecuted church’s p...

Join Scott and Mattie on The Harder Way Podcast as they continue a nine-month journey through the Bible, moving from the end of 2 Kings into 1 Chronicles. This episode examines Judah’s fall, the Babylonian exile, the hope that remains in God’s covenant, and David’s preparations for the temple, all through the lens of faith over fear and the wisdom of the persecuted church.

They highlight themes of spiritual warfare, leadership and ...

Week 10 of the Harder Way Podcast explores 1 Kings 10–2 Kings 15, tracing Solomon’s spiritual decline, the division of Israel and Judah, and the rise of bold prophets such as Elijah and Elisha. Hosts Scott and Mattie explore how idolatry, fear, and poor stewardship led to national collapse while the faithful remnant preserved God’s light.

The episode ties these Old Testament stories to the theme of faith over fear, urging listeners...

Scott and Mattie continue their Bible read-through, covering 2 Samuel 4 through 1 Kings 9–10. They trace David’s rise, the Ark’s arrival in Jerusalem, his grievous sin with Bathsheba, and his powerful repentance in Psalm 51, as well as Solomon’s humble request for wisdom and the building of the temple.

Along the way, our hosts reflect on leadership, repentance, and choosing faith over fear, offer practical ways to support the podca...

Scott and Mttdie walk through the book of 1 Samuel (with a brief look at 2 Samuel), highlighting key stories from Hannah and Samuel to Saul and David, and the Ark of the Covenant. They explore how God’s sovereignty and timing shape leaders and nations.

The episode connects these biblical accounts to the podcast’s theme of "faith over fear," discusses responses to persecution and compromise, and offers practical application about tr...

Scott and Mattie walk through Joshua 22–24, the book of Judges, and Ruth, tracing covenant renewal, the recurring cycle of sin and deliverance, and the hope of the kinsman‑redeemer. They connect these stories to Christ’s work and to the faithfulness of believers living under persecution.

The episode highlights practical takeaways for modern Christians—reminding listeners to renew covenant faithfulness, recognize patterns of spiritu...

Join Scott and Mattie as they cover Deuteronomy 20 through Joshua 21, exploring themes of holiness, covenant renewal, and choosing faith over fear. Hear stories of the restricted church and Bible courier ministry, plus key moments like the fall of Jericho, Rahab’s faith, Joshua’s commissioning, and the cities of refuge — all pointing to God’s faithfulness and the work of Christ.

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Week 7 Reading: Joshua 22 - ...

Scott and Mattie walk through Numbers 22–Deuteronomy 19, unpacking stories such as Balaam and his speaking donkey, Israel's fall into idolatry, the Shema, and the cities of refuge (a type of Christ!), while highlighting God's sovereignty and providential care.

This episode urges listeners to choose faith over fear, embrace holiness the "God way," and learn from the persecuted church to live faithfully on the Harder Way.

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Scott and Mattie guide listeners through Leviticus 19–27 and Numbers 1–21, unpacking holiness codes, laws, and the practical challenges of faith over fear. They highlight key stories, the manna and quail, the twelve spies, Korah's rebellion, Moses striking the rock, and the bronze serpent, and draw connections to Jesus, leadership, and the persecuted church.

The episode encourages readers to trust God’s timing and providence, learn...

Scott and Mattie walk through Exodus 27–Leviticus 18, exploring God’s specific design for worship, the tabernacle, and the call to holiness. They trace Israel’s pattern of rebellion, renewal, and idolatry, and explain how the priestly laws and Day of Atonement point to Jesus.

The hosts connect these Old Testament themes to the persecuted church and modern Christian life, urging listeners to choose the harder way of faith over fear ...

In this episode, Scott and Mattie recap Genesis 40–50 and Exodus 1–26, tracing Joseph’s rise from slavery to second‑in‑command, his forgiveness of his brothers, and the theme of God turning evil intent into a good outcome. They then cover Exodus: Moses’ calling, the ten plagues and Passover, the parting of the Red Sea, the giving of the Ten Commandments, and the tabernacle instructions.

Throughout the conversation, they highlight H...

Season 2 of the Harder Way Podcast begins with a concise walkthrough of Genesis 1–39 — creation, the fall, Noah’s flood, Babel, and the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph — highlighting the recurring choice of faith over fear and the roots of God’s covenant people.

Hosts Scott and Mattie invite listeners to join a nine-month Bible reading plan, reflect on persecution and living the God-way, and follow along via show notes...

Join Scott and Mattie for Season Two of the Harder Way Podcast: a nine‑month read‑through of the entire Bible, exploring Scripture through the lens of the persecuted church and choosing faith over fear.

Each week, the assigned reading (approximately 15–25 minutes a day) is tied to practical application and current events. Start with Genesis 1 and follow the show notes or sign up through the episode links to read along. Sign up for...

Join Scott and Mattie for an exclusive sneak peek of Season 2 of the Harder Way Podcast as they invite listeners on a nine-month journey to read the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation, viewing Scripture through the lens of faith over fear and the persecuted church.

Each week, they'll summarize passages, offer simple reading tips, and encourage a 20-minute daily habit to experience spiritual transformation, grow compassion for ...