Walk Talks

In this episode, Cody Bill joins the podcast to explore Psalm 119:129–136, a stanza that highlights the powerful imagery of light and sight in the Word of God. The psalmist describes God’s testimonies as wonderful, the entrance of His Word as giving light, and prays for God to open his eyes while grieving over those who ignore the truth.Through this passage, we walk through a simple three-part framework that captures the heart of the text:Wonder — Be Submissive: When we recognize the wonder of God’s testimonies, our natural response is humble submission to His Word.Hunger — Be Satisfied: The psalmist pants for God’s commandments, reminding us that a true hunger for Scripture leads to deep spiritual satisfaction.Depend — Be Strengthened: Acknowledging our weakness, we learn to depend on God to direct our steps, deliver us from sin, and shine His face upon us.Join us as we discuss how the light of God’s Word opens our eyes, fuels our longing for truth, and strengthens us to walk faithfully before Him.

On today's Friday Focus podcast, Malachi Herbster sits down with Erik Hanson to talk about Erik’s journey into camp ministry and the ways the Lord used camp service to shape his life. Erik shares how God worked through his college years at camp to teach him practical lessons about service, growth, and faithfulness in everyday responsibilities.They also discuss the importance of discovering and developing gifts you may not even realize you have. For Erik, that meant stepping into areas like construction and hands-on projects—skills he never expected to develop. This conversation challenges listeners to try new things, grow in areas that feel uncomfortable, and pursue the opportunities God may place in front of them as they learn, serve, and become more equipped for the future.

In this episode, we arrive at the sixteenth stanza of Psalm 119 and discover a passage filled with action. The psalmist describes the actions of oppressors, his own responses of faith, and—most importantly—the powerful work of the Lord. While many actions are recorded, the emphasis ultimately falls on what God Himself does for His people.Psalm 119:121–123 introduces the psalmist as a man who has practiced justice and righteousness even while facing oppression. Surrounded by unjust treatment, he turns to the Lord and prays that God would become his surety—his pledge of protection and defender. In the midst of pressure, the psalmist’s eyes are fixed on the salvation that only God can provide.In verses 124–125, the psalmist identifies himself in two humble ways: a servant and a student. As a servant, he appeals to God not on the basis of his own merit but on the basis of divine mercy. As a student, he repeatedly asks the Lord to teach him and grant understanding so that he may truly know and live by God’s testimonies.Verse 126 highlights the psalmist’s confidence that the Lord will act at the right time. When God’s law is being broken and His enemies seem to prevail, the believer’s hope is not in personal strength but in the certainty that God will work on behalf of His people.The stanza closes with the psalmist’s response to the Lord’s work: he loves God’s commandments, esteems them as right, and hates every false way. True love for God is demonstrated not only by affection for His Word but also by a growing hatred for the sin that opposes it.Join us as we explore this passage and learn to make much of the work of God—trusting Him in oppression, submitting to Him as servants, learning from Him as students, and responding with wholehearted love for His truth.

On this week’s Friday Focus, Emily and Emaley sit down with Nancy Hamilton for a heartfelt and practical conversation on cultivating a godly home, marriage, and family. Alongside her husband, who pastored Friendship Baptist Church from 1989–2024, Nancy invested decades in shepherding a local church family while faithfully raising six children who now serve the Lord around the world. Having recently spoken at the Southland Couples' Retreat, Nancy shares from a well of lived experience—offering wisdom shaped not just in theory, but in the daily rhythms of ministry, motherhood, and marriage.In this episode, she opens up about why she is so passionate about encouraging families in this season, walking listeners through the distinct stages of child-rearing—from early training to launching adult children with confidence and faith. With warmth and clarity, Nancy emphasizes the steady power of consistency in the home: consistent love, consistent discipline, consistent example. Whether you are newly married, in the thick of parenting, or preparing for the years ahead, this conversation will strengthen your vision for a Christ-centered home and remind you that faithfulness in the ordinary moments bears fruit for eternity.

In this episode of The Word Within, Mike Herbster opens Psalm 119:113–120 and draws a sharp contrast between two ways of living—and two ways of thinking. In the face of opposition, the psalmist identifies the enemies of the godly and of God Himself as empty-thinkers, evildoers, the erring, and the wicked. But over against them stands a different kind of person: one who loves God’s law, hopes in His Word, keeps His commandments, stands unashamed, respects His testimonies, and trembles in holy fear before Him.What makes the decisive difference between these two opposites? Verses 116–117 anchor the passage in the upholding work of God. He alone sustains the believer, proving Himself to be our hiding place and shield. This conversation calls us to examine whether our thinking is divided or undivided—and to find stability not in ourselves, but in the faithful support of our God.

Today, Malachi Herbster continues his conversation with missionary Andrew Livingstone, turning from God’s leading in his life to the pressing burden of reaching the lost. With clarity and compassion, Andrew speaks about the call to evangelize, even when it feels uncomfortable or intimidating.Drawing from Scripture, he reminds listeners that the Great Commission is not optional: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). He shares practical encouragement on overcoming fear, trusting the Spirit’s help, and remembering that “we are labourers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Brother Andrew also emphasizes the power of a personal salvation testimony, echoing the heart of the man in John 9:25: “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”Listeners will be challenged to pray intentionally for open doors, to recognize divine appointments, and to speak boldly when the Lord provides opportunity—trusting the promise that “my word… shall not return unto me void” (Isaiah 55:11). This episode is a stirring reminder that evangelism is both our responsibility and our privilege, and that God delights to use willing vessels to accomplish His saving work.

In this episode, Micah Herbster walks through Psalm 119:109–112, the fourteenth stanza of this great psalm, reminding listeners that the Christian life is not a passing moment but a lifelong path. Building on the theme of God’s Word as a light for the way, Micah focuses on two powerful words that shape our spiritual resolve: never and forever. From the sobering reality that “my soul is continually in my hand” to the firm declaration “yet do I not forget Thy law,” this passage calls believers to steadfast remembrance and unwavering obedience—even in danger, opposition, and uncertainty. With illustrations drawn from the “Never Forget” refrain following September 11, this challenge presses the urgency of staying on the path of Scripture.The second half of the passage lifts our eyes to lasting devotion: “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever… I have inclined mine heart to perform Thy statutes alway, even unto the end.” God’s Word is not merely instruction—it is inheritance, delight, and heart-joy. When the Word truly rejoices the heart, it inclines the will toward obedience. This episode challenges listeners to examine whether Scripture is genuinely their delight, to resist drifting under pressure or pain, and to determine—by God’s grace—to obey Him to the very end. The episode closes with a prayerful response, learning not only to study the Psalm, but to pray it.

For this week and next week's Friday Focus, Malachi Herbster sits down with Andrew Livingstone—missionary, pastor, and camp director—to trace the Lord’s faithful leading in his life and ministry. From his upbringing in Ireland to God’s unexpected call to serve in France, Andrew shares how the Lord orchestrated each step in His perfect timing.Now serving with Baptist World Mission, Andrew and his wife Sephora are actively involved in church-planting efforts and camp ministry in Larodde, France, where they help lead Camp Rainbow. Sephora, a graduate of The Crown College, previously taught in a Christian school before the Lord directed her back to France to serve alongside her parents, BWM missionaries Tim and Elisabeth Knickerbocker. It was through God’s providential work on the field that Andrew and Sephora met and were united in 2021.Sent out of Calvary Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia, the Livingstones are passionate about reaching souls in France and training the next generation through local church and camp ministry. In this episode, Andrew reflects on obedience, patience, and the importance of trusting God’s timing every step of the way.

In this episode of Walk Talks, Micah and Malachi Herbster open Psalm 119:105–108 to explore what it truly means to walk in the light of God’s Word.“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Before the light can be appreciated, the darkness must be acknowledged. They reflect on the reality of living in a fallen, sin-cursed world where the world, the flesh, and the devil constantly speak lies. Without the Word of God, there is no true direction. But God, in His mercy, has given believers everything needed for life and godliness through His truth.The conversation emphasizes the believer’s desperate dependence on Scripture—not merely as information, but as divine authority. Owning a Bible or knowing its contents is not enough. The Word must be engaged daily, submitted to fully, hidden in the heart, and obeyed. Walking implies consistency—step by step, decision by decision—marked by intentional, biblically conscious living.Psalm 119:106 introduces the theme of covenant commitment. The psalmist vows to keep God’s righteous judgments, prompting reflection on why God so faithfully keeps His covenants while His people so often struggle to keep theirs. Micah and Malachi discuss the importance of renewing holy resolutions and cultivating spiritual resolve in a wavering world.Verse 107 reminds listeners that faithfulness does not exempt believers from affliction. The psalmist remains under trial, yet he does not turn to self-pity, frustration, or anger. Instead, he turns to the Word—the source of revival, restoration, and strength. Suffering is framed as a refining fire that prepares believers for deeper service to the King.Finally, Psalm 119:108 reveals a heart that responds rightly—with prayer, praise, confession, and a sincere desire to grow in obedience. A life shaped by the Word is marked by humility, worship, and perseverance.This episode serves as a call back to the lamp, back to the path, and back to the Word within—urging believers not only to know the Word, but to walk in it, live by it, and obey it.

Depression is no longer a fringe topic—it’s a pressing reality in our churches, homes, and ministries. In this episode, Micah sits down with Pastor Samuel Fuller of Faith Baptist Church in Easley, South Carolina, for a candid and deeply pastoral conversation on depression, discouragement, and hope.Pastor Samuel shares his own journey—from growing up in a third-generation Christian home, sensing God’s call at a young age, and serving in Easley for the past seven years with a passion to reach his city and train believers. Together, they explore what pastors and families are seeing firsthand: a rise in anxiety and depression not only among believers in general, but especially within the younger generations.The discussion thoughtfully distinguishes between the normal discouragement and depression Scripture openly addresses—so vividly voiced in the Psalms—and the modern mental health crisis accelerated by phone-based childhoods, social media, and constant digital immersion. Drawing from current data and cultural observations, Pastor Samuel explains why this issue can no longer be ignored, and why one hour of church a week cannot counter thirty hours of TikTok.Turning to Psalm 42–43, the episode centers on the repeated refrain: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? … hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him.”Listeners will hear a biblically honest description of depression—sleepless nights, loss of appetite, relentless waves of sorrow—and be reminded that experiencing these struggles does not make someone a “sub-level” Christian.Pastor Samuel also walks through the causes Scripture identifies—spiritual distance, vocal enemies, loss of former joys, loneliness, and living in an ungodly culture—before offering hope-filled, practical solutions. From learning to lament, to preaching truth to your own soul, to engaging in personal worship, this episode presents depression not as a passive state, but as a battle for joy fought with God’s Word.This conversation is honest, timely, and deeply rooted in Scripture—offering hope to weary pastors, anxious parents, and anyone whose soul feels cast down.

In this episode, Micah Herbster continues the journey through Psalm 119 with verses 101–104, part of the thirteenth stanza—a section centered on pondering and practicing God’s Word with both discipline and delight.After reading the passage, Micah walks verse by verse through the Psalmist’s testimony, highlighting the clear purpose statements woven throughout the text. Each action is tied to a reason—revealing how obedience to God’s Word is never accidental, but intentional.Listeners will explore four defining responses to Scripture:Restrain — learning to hold back from evil in order to obey God’s Word, recognizing that true holiness involves a growing hatred for sin.Remain — staying on the path because the Lord Himself is our Instructor, illustrated through the vivid picture of a climber trusting a Sherpa to guide them safely up Mount Everest.Rejoice — discovering the personal sweetness of God’s Word, more delightful than honey, savored through meditation and spoken with joy.Repulse — gaining understanding from Scripture that produces discernment and a settled rejection of falsehood and evil.Drawing from rich cross-references and timeless voices like Spurgeon, Matthew Henry, and Thomas Brooks, this episode emphasizes that God’s Word does more than inform—it shapes our affections, directs our steps, and trains us to love what God loves and hate what He hates.The episode closes with a prayerful response, “praying the Psalm,” inviting listeners not just to study the Word, but to live it.A thoughtful and practical meditation for anyone seeking to walk wisely, love Scripture deeply, and follow the Lord with understanding and conviction.

In this episode of Friday Focus, Malachi Herbster sits down with Cody Bill to talk about faithful service and personal faith—what it looks like to walk steadily with the Lord through every season of life and ministry.From meeting his wife Amy at Bible college to years of church service, bivocational ministry, and eventually full-time service at Southland Christian Ministries, Cody shares how God has used ordinary faithfulness in ordinary work to shape his walk with Christ. They discuss serving the Lord in the local church, raising a family committed to ministry, and trusting God’s call whether in the pew, the workplace, or behind the scenes.This conversation is a reminder that lasting impact isn’t built on the spotlight, but on consistent obedience—day after day, year after year. A timely encouragement for anyone seeking to serve Christ faithfully right where God has placed them.

In this episode of Word Within, Michael McIntyre joins us for a verse-by-verse walk through the 13th stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 97–100)—a section that celebrates the deep, shaping power of God’s Word.Together, we explore how love for the Word fuels meditation (v.97), why obedience makes us wiser than our enemies(v.98), and how a life saturated in Scripture can grant understanding beyond teachers and even the ancients (vv.99–100). Along the way, we’re reminded that true wisdom is not self-made but God-given—“Thou hast made…”—and that, as Thomas Manton observed, “Those that meditate most, thrive most.”This conversation presses us to ask: What does it really mean to delight in God’s law, and how does sustained meditation reshape the way we think, live, and discern? A rich and practical discussion for anyone longing to grow in biblical wisdom from the inside out.

In this episode of Friday Focus, Shelly Hamilton shares a deeply personal testimony originally delivered at The 2026 Worship Conference. She reflects on the lives and legacies of two remarkable men—her father, Frank Garlock, and her husband, Ron Hamilton—whose faithfulness, leadership, and dedication have profoundly influenced conservative Christian circles for decades.Shelly’s story is both moving and inspiring, reminding us that no matter the challenges or burdens we face, we can always give it to God. Listeners will hear lessons of faith, perseverance, and the enduring impact of godly leadership, woven with heartfelt memories of two men whose influence continues to echo today.Whether you’re seeking encouragement, wisdom, or a reminder of God’s sustaining grace, this episode is a powerful invitation to trust Him with every part of your life.To hear more messages and testimonies from The 2026 Worship Conference, visit theworshipconference.org.

In this episode, we arrive at the twelfth stanza of Psalm 119—Our Firm Foundation—and reflect on the unshakable, settled nature of God and His Word. Beginning with a reading of Psalm 119:89–96, Micah Herbster and Cody Bill walk verse by verse through this powerful passage, showing how the eternal stability of God’s Word enables spiritual growth even in the midst of affliction.We explore how God’s Word is forever settled, faithfully standing through every generation, and upholding all things by His power and for His glory (vv. 89–91). From there, the Psalmist’s response unfolds—delighting in the Word, remembering it through lived obedience, seeking the Lord in dependence, heeding Scripture over self-destruction, and humbly acknowledging the limits of human perfection (vv. 92–96).This discussion highlights a vital truth: when God’s Word steadies us, spiritual advancement follows. The episode closes with a prayer drawn directly from the Psalm, reminding us not only to study Scripture—but to pray it.

Today’s Friday Focus episode features a powerful excerpt from The 2026 Worship Conference, capturing a key moment from the opening night of the event. In this session, Dr. Greg Stiekes delivers a thoughtful and challenging message that calls believers to examine how the Word of Christ must shape and govern the life of the church as a corporate body. Drawing attention to the responsibility of the gathered people of God, Dr. Stiekes presses beyond individual devotion and highlights the necessity of shared submission to Scripture in our worship, ministry, and life together.This excerpt serves as a timely reminder that true worship is not driven by preference, personality, or performance, but by a collective commitment to conform every aspect of church life to the authority of Christ’s Word. To learn more about The Worship Conference, including its purpose and upcoming events, or to listen to all of the conference sessions in their entirety, visit www.theworshipconference.org.Greg Stiekes, often known as Pastor Greg, has served as pastor of Gateway Baptist Church since April 2017, initially part-time while teaching at BJU Seminary and transitioning to full-time ministry in 2024 as the church grew. Raised in the Detroit area as the son of an independent Baptist pastor, he trusted Christ as a child and committed to preaching and teaching God’s Word during high school. Greg holds degrees from Bob Jones University, Central Seminary, Erskine Theological Seminary, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and has served in a variety of ministry roles including associate pastor, church planter, youth pastor, and senior pastor in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Carolina, as well as on the faculties of Northland Baptist Bible College and BJU Seminary. His teaching focuses on New Testament studies, Greek exegesis, homiletics, apologetics, and biblical worship, and he remains active in writing and theological service. Greg and his wife Rena have five adult children and several grandchildren, and he joyfully shepherds the Gateway family with a desire to see Christ known, loved, and proclaimed.*Bio taken from www.gatewaytr.org

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in Scripture, but it is far from repetitive. In this episode, Center of the Psalm, Micah Herbster is joined by Mike Herbster for a focused recap of Psalm 119:1–88, walking through the themes, patterns, and spiritual emphases that lead us to the very heart of the psalm. Together, they explore how the opening sections emphasize delight in God’s Word, dependence on His statutes, and faithfulness through affliction—setting the stage for the powerful midpoint where God’s Word is declared forever settled. This conversation helps listeners see not only what the psalmist says, but why the structure matters, and how these opening verses prepare us to stand firmly on the unchanging truth of Scripture today.

Listen to the first episode with Pastor Will:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/walk-talks/id1626316493?i=1000680260001Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5aM0N7d3zDu0uCh8HUySb0?si=c8WJ-A1UQhKLSzcWSJxlNw//In this week’s Friday Focus, we sit down with Pastor Will Esayenko, a faithful shepherd serving in the small mountain town of Hinton, Alberta. Though his congregation is modest in size, his commitment to the Lord and to gospel ministry is anything but small.Our conversation centers on two key themes. First, Pastor Will shares creative and effective ways his church is reaching their community—strategies that build relationships and open doors for the gospel without compromising biblical doctrine. From simple acts of service to intentional community presence, he demonstrates how a church can be both missional and theologically anchored.Second, we take a sober look at the decline of spiritual-mindedness in Canada, shaped by an increasingly lax cultural posture toward faith. Pastor Will speaks candidly about the challenges this creates for pastors and congregations who desire to remain steadfast in truth.Finally, he issues a heartfelt and urgent call: Canada needs more pastors. The fields are white unto harvest, but the laborers are few—not only in Canada, but also across the United States. Pastor Will encourages men to prayerfully consider the pastoral ministry and to step courageously into the work of shepherding God’s people.This is a rich and needed conversation about faithfulness, outreach, cultural discernment, and the ongoing need for biblically grounded leaders. Tune in and be encouraged.

In this week’s episode, Micah Herbster welcomes us from Edson, Alberta, Canada, as we arrive at the halfway point of Psalm 119—the eleventh stanza in this remarkable 22-stanza chapter. Joining Micah is guest Scott Bratt as together they explore verses 81–88, a section many have called the “midnight of the Psalm.”This stanza plunges into the depths of despair using words like fainteth, fail, digged pits, persecuted, and almost consumed. Yet even in this darkness, glimmers of hope shine. With help from the insights of Charles Spurgeon and cross-references throughout Scripture, Micah and Scott walk verse by verse through the psalmist’s cries—his fainting soul, longing eyes, the strange image of a “bottle in the smoke,” and his urgent questions for God.Though the psalmist nears total destruction, he refuses to abandon God’s precepts. And in the final verse of this stanza, he pleads for renewed life—a request that becomes a springboard for the hope and restoration that follow later in the Psalm.This “cliff-hanger” moment leaves us longing for what comes next, and we invite you to join us when Walk Talks returns in 2026. In the meantime, revisit earlier episodes to follow the unfolding journey of Psalm 119.Scott closes today’s episode by praying the psalm, giving voice to both the struggle and the steadfast hope found in God’s Word.

In today's Friday Focus episode, Malachi Herbster sits down with Evangelist David Corn to discuss avenues of gospel ministry. David Corn shares his burden for his own ministry on his website:1. My burden is to preach the gospel to unreached people and see them get saved! My heart is broken about people on their way to hell, and I want to spend my life leading as many people to Christ as possible! Romans 15:20 reads, “Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation.” The public schools are a special heartbeat of mine because so many young people do not know about Christ!2. My burden is to see people added to the church like in Acts 2. Acts 2:41 reads, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Verse 47 reads, “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” We pray that God uses us to see people join Bible-believing, fundamental, independent, local New Testament Baptist churches!3. My burden is to see believers become soul-winners. Matthew 28:18-20 is still in the Bible, reading, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” If believers are not trying to win souls, then they are out of God’s will!4. My burden is to see believers learn to live the Spirit-filled life. I am still learning this myself, but what God has taught me so far is life-changing! We need to learn how to depend on Christ, grow in faith, and look to God to work in our lives! John 15:4 reads, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”//*Burden taken from Evangelist David Corn's website