{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Why God's blessings can be dangerous (so burn the chariots!)","description":"In today\u2019s episode, Bob & Linda explore one of the most overlooked spiritual tests in the Christian life: how to stay dependent on God in the midst of blessings. Drawing from Joshua 11, they unpack the strange moment where God tells Israel to hamstring the horses and burn the enemy\u2019s chariots\u2014the ancient equivalent of destroying tanks after a battle. Why would God command that? Because victories can be just as spiritually dangerous as trials. Through personal stories\u2014from unexpected financial provision, to early blogging years, to painful seasons of health challenges\u2014Bob & Linda reflect on how easy it is to place trust in the \u201cchariots\u201d of modern life: savings accounts, credit cards, systems, friendships, therapy, comfort, or even spiritual routines. This episode is an invitation to ask the Holy Spirit: \u201cWhat chariot in my life have I started to rely on more than God?\u201d It\u2019s a vulnerable, practical conversation about dependence, provision, and the subtle ways our security can shift from the Lord to the blessings He provides. (Scripture from NLT.)   Big Takeaways God sometimes blesses us with success\u2014but the real test comes after the victory. \u201cChariots\u201d today can be anything we lean on before we lean on God\u2014money, strategies, credit cards, relationships, even good systems. Joshua\u2019s obedience protected Israel\u2019s dependence; Solomon\u2019s disobedience eroded his. Trusting God doesn\u2019t mean rejecting tools\u2014it means refusing to let tools replace Him. Obedience may feel costly, but it leaves room for God\u2019s provision to be unmistakable.   Key Scriptures (NLT) Joshua 11 \u2014 God commands Israel to cripple the horses and burn the chariots. Psalm 20:7 \u2014 \u201cSome nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.\u201d Deuteronomy 17:16 \u2014 Instruction to future kings not to store up horses. Matthew 14 (referenced) \u2014 Jesus\u2019 exhausting day of grief, ministry, feeding the 5,000, walking on water, and praying through the night.   Highlighted Quotes from the Episode \u201cGetting the blessing is one thing\u2014keeping God at the center is another.\u201d \u201cSome victories make you feel strong. God wants you to stay dependent.\u201d \u201cYou can have a blessed life and still miss what God is trying to form in you.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re not called to trust the tool\u2014only the One who provides it.\u201d \u201cAsk the Holy Spirit: What chariot am I still holding onto?\u201d   Timestamps 00:00 \u2014 The surprising test after a breakthrough 02:00 \u2014 Why did God tell Joshua to burn chariots? 04:15 \u2014 Dependence vs. self-reliance when life is going well 06:30 \u2014 Modern \u201cchariots\u201d: money, comfort, systems, relationships 10:00 \u2014 A real inheritance story: when provision can become a trap 11:00 \u2014 Bob\u2019s personal story: the blog, losing his job, and losing their \u201cincome lifeline\u201d 13:30 \u2014 How challenges can strengthen faith more than comfort 15:00 \u2014 Jesus\u2019 exhausting day: grief, ministry, storm 17:00 \u2014 Joshua vs. Solomon: a tale of two responses 20:00 \u2014 Is God asking you to lay something down? 25:00 \u2014 Guided prayer: \u201cLord, show me my chariots\u201d 26:30 \u2014 Final verse + encouragement   Weekly Action Item Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal ONE \u201cchariot\u201d in your life\u2014a place where you\u2019ve subtly shifted trust from God to a tool, resource, or comfort. Write it down and pray: \u201cLord, show me how to surrender this and depend on You again.\u201d   CTA If you want help building money systems that support your trust in God rather than replace it, visit our SeedTime Money Resources Page for our latest guides and tools.     BONUS: Ever dreamt of hanging out with us for 6 weeks in your small group or church? Head to https:\/\/seedtime.com\/true for details or shoot us a DM on Instagram (http:\/\/instagram.com\/seedtime).   Watch this episode on our SeedTime Money Podcast YouTube channel (https:\/\/youtu.be\/4bPH1z_soAs! If you haven\u2019t checked out our best-selling book Simple Money, Rich Life (https:\/\/seedtime.com\/smrl\/), we think you\u2019ll love it. It was named the 2022 Book of the Year by ICFH and has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, and is best described as \u201ca money book for people who don\u2019t read money books.\u201d  You can take it for a test drive for FREE at https:\/\/SeedTime.com\/sample where you can download chapter 1 of the audiobook, grab the 1st 2 chapters of the ebook version, and even get the 5-week book study companion guide. ","author_name":"SeedTime with Bob and Linda Lotich","author_url":"https:\/\/seedtime.com","html":"