How to Absolutely Guarantee a Long and Prosperous Life on Planet Earth

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Three

How to Absolutely Guarantee a Long and Prosperous Life on Planet Earth

We are asking and answering the question, how does one live a long and prosperous life? The answer is found in Ephesians six as it relates to children’s interaction with their parents. When children obey their parents, long life and prosperity are the results. And here is where some problems arise. In 2002, only 9 percent of adults said the children they saw in public were respectful toward adults. In 2004, more than one of three teachers considered leaving their profession or knew another teacher who quit. The reason? students’ “intolerable behavior.” So said Public Agenda, a nonprofit and nonpartisan research group. In 2005, 70 percent of people surveyed said, “People are ruder than they were 20 or 30 years ago.” Among the worst offenders were children, said an Associated Press-Ipsos poll. The reason, experts say, is because of what parents expect from kids. “The pressure to do well is up. The demand to do good is way down.” Dan Kindlon, a child psychologist at Harvard University, believes most parents want considerate, polite, well-behaved children. “But they’re too tired, worn down by work, and personally needy to take up the task of teaching them proper behavior at home,” Kindlon says. He says present-day parenting has more to do with training boys and girls to compete in school or on the soccer field, but competition doesn’t teach civility. “Parents are out of control,” says Dr. Alvin Rosenfeld, a child psychiatrist. “We always want to blame the kids, but if there’s something wrong with their incivility, it’s the way their parents model for them. 1 I just didn’t get to it

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[Tweet “Long life is not left up to genetics — it’s left up to obedience to the Word.”]

How a Jesus-Believing Husband Should Love His Wife in God

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Two

How a Jesus-Believing Husband Should Love His Wife in God

How should a Jesus-believing husband love his wife? We know that the home life is under attack by the ungodly forces of unbelief. And, it’s evident why these attacks are occurring for nothing on earth is as beautiful as the home where Christ is in control. Such a home is the school of mutual unselfishness and attention to duty, where love is continually learning its true work: seeking the happiness and well-being of another. The Christian husband often seems like a vanishing creature, but as one so honored, you will find the Scriptures speaking to you explicitly, simply, and practically, giving you God’s wisdom. In Ephesians 5:28–33, the husband is directed to specialize at home in one great task: Loving his wife.” Behind the simplicity of this command lies the profound depth of the love of Christ, for in all respects the Lord Jesus Christ is the husband’s example.1 In today’s Light on Life podcast, our focus is on the husband’s responsibility to his wife. In last week’s episode, we covered the reverse — the wife’s responsibility to her man. The scripture says that husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. But, what does that mean, exactly? How a Jesus-Believing Husband Should Love His Wife in God? — that’s what we are talking about in this week’s Light on Life.’

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Connectedness: How We Are Powerfully Joined to Jesus and to One Another

[Tweet “In God, a husband and a wife are ‘one flesh.’ The term ‘one-flesh’ means an inseparable union between a man and a woman. “]

What the Word of God Teaches about Submission and Authority

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode One

What the Word of God Teaches about Submission and Authority

We are in Ephesians five, talking today about the subject of submission and its connection to authority. Submission and authority are vitally essential truths God established both in heaven and on earth. Much disharmony has come because of a lack of understanding of what it means to voluntarily submit to one another in a spirit of humility and love. Jim Lamb prayed the following prayer and it’s a good lesson in this area. Jim prayed these words: I seem to have not one Master, but hundreds – an army of people streaming through my life, demanding my time, my strength, my mental attention. They all want me to do something for them. But as I listen to a song of our Savior, I begin to understand the true power that comes in submission, even when it is painful: The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back. I offered my back to those who beat me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame (Isaiah 50:4–7). I hear your song, Lord Jesus. Teach me how to follow your example as a humble servant of all, and yet also be a leader in confidence and strength, just as you were. You are the submissive Lamb of God, without resentment but also the Lion of Judah, courageous and powerful. Teach me these qualities. Help me always to bend willingly, but also to shamelessly take the lead with my face set like flint whenever I must. And thank you for never rebelling or drawing back-earning salvation for us, and endless glory for yourself. That’s quite a prayer. Maybe you can relate to part or all of this. Thank God that Jesus moved into the realm of submission and because He did, he now has ultimate authority. What the Word of God Teaches about Submission and Authority, that’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life1. Ephesians 5:21–24 (ESV): 21 — submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

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How Do I Find My Place in God?

[Tweet “The Bible didn’t say, ‘Husbands, make your wives submit.’”]

What Does It Mean to Be Filled with the Spirit of God?

Podcast: Light on Life Season Nine Episode Fifty-Two

What Does It Mean to Be Filled with the Spirit of God?

Being filled with the Holy Spirit via psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is the focus of our podcast and this post today. The Spirit of God has given utterance to many songs and hymns throughout the centuries. On the subject of hymns, Charles Spurgeon shared the following story from his life. “During one of many holidays at Salmbourne, [I looked this place up on the internet and after I did I had no more idea where it was than when ai stated – it’s somewhere in England], I had a varied experience which I am not likely to forget. My dear grandfather was very fond of Dr. Watt’s hymns, and my grandmother, wishing to get me to learn them, promised me a penny for each one that I should say to her perfectly. I found it an easy and pleasant method of earning money and learned them so fast that grandmother said she must reduce the price to a half-penny each, afterward even more, if she did not mean to be quite ruined by her extravagance [meaning she was going broke paying Charles to recite these hymns]. There is no telling how low the amount per hymn might have sunk, but grandfather [offered him a different deal]. He said that he was getting overrun with rats, and offered me a shilling [which is five pennies] a dozen for all I could kill. I found, at the time, that the occupation of rat-catching paid me better than learning hymns [5 times as much], but I know which employment has been more permanently profitable to me. No matter on what topic I am preaching, I can, even now, in the middle of my sermon, quote some verse of a hymn in harmony with the subject; the hymns have remained with me, while those old rats for years have passed away, and the shillings I earned by killing them have been spent long ago.1 Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are utterances given by the Spirit of God and they are evidence of being filled with the Spirit. What Does It Mean to Be Filled with the Spirit of God? — that’s the core of this week’s Light on Life.

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The Big Scoop on Magnifying God

[Tweet “Don’t be filled with a substance — be filled with a being — a spirit — THE Spirit in fact — the Holy Spirit of God.”]

What’s the Connection between Evil Days and Redeeming the Time?

Podcast: Light on Life Season Nine Episode Fifty-One

What’s the Connection between Evil Days and Redeeming the Time?

Today, our study in Ephesians chapter five brings us to the subject of time: redeeming time. How does one redeem time? That’s what we want to study today. This story may help you along these lines. John Erskine, the well known author, professor, and lecturer, once wrote that he learned the most valuable lesson of his life when he was fourteen. His piano teacher asked him how much he practiced and how long at a stretch. The boy replied that he practiced for an hour or more at a time. “Don’t do that,” warned the teacher. “When you grow up, time won’t come in long stretches. Practice in minutes, whenever you can find them—five or ten minutes before school, after lunch, between chores. Spread the practice throughout the day, and music will become part of your life.” Erskine stated that the observance of this advice enabled him to live a comparatively complete life as a creative writer outside his regular duties as an instructor. He wrote most of Helen of Troy, his most famous work, on streetcars while commuting between his home and the university.1 In today’s podcast, we are talking about time: What’s the Connection between Evil Days and Redeeming the Time? – Answering that question is our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

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Why Redemption Through the Blood of Jesus Is God’s Way [Podcast]

[Tweet “It’s a sobering thing to realize that during your time apart from Jesus, you may have contributed to the darkness of this age.”]

Why Your Monumental Mission In Life Is to Expose Evil

Podcast: Light on Life Season Nine Episode Fifty

Why Your Monumental Mission In Life Is to Expose Evil

Today, we are talking about the subject of exposing evil. Evil is not to be babysat. It’s not to be tolerated or gotten used to. The believer is strongly warned. He cannot live in the darkness of this world and expect the light of God to guide him throughout life. Here is the story of one man who tried. Aaron was a salesman with a strong personality and lots of charisma. Image was very important to him. He loved the applause of men and would feed his ego by seeking out popular places to make an appearance. Trying to become “one of the guys” was his excuse for compromising his values to sell more products. On Sunday mornings, he went to church. In public, he even talked like a Christian. But in reality, Aaron led a double life and did whatever he felt necessary to get ahead in business. When it came to his Christian life, Aaron “talked the talk” but didn’t “walk the walk.” It did not take long for his double standards and hypocrisy to affect the reputation of the business. Aaron’s employer soon took him aside and said, “Aaron, I really appreciate all the good things you do, like meeting your sales goals. But for your own good, I’m going to ask you to take a break from working outside the office. I want you to take a close look at your lifestyle. You are making choices that no longer affect just you alone. Until you can make some changes in your lifestyle, I’m taking you off the road.” Aaron hung his head in shame. His employer had seen past his smooth exterior into his dark inner self. The light of God’s Spirit had exposed Aaron’s, true heart.1 This man was caught in contradiction but did it have to go that far? What if someone had the guts to pull him aside and say to him, ‘Aaron, you’re missing it here.’ What if someone overcame the uncomfortableness of confrontation, to rescue a wayward believer and help him right his course? Would it not have been the right thing to do? That’s the question that we are proposing today. Why Your Monumental Mission in Life Is to Expose Evil — that’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

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How to Overcome Darkness by Following the Light of the World [Encore]

[Tweet “The Word says have no part of the unfruitful works of darkness. It did not say have no part of unfruitful people.”]

How to Absolutely Discern the Will of God: What the Bible Says

Podcast: Light on Life Season Nine Episode Forty-Nine

How to Absolutely Discern the Will of God: What the Bible Says

In today’s podcast, we examine one of the most well-known questions that Jesus’ followers pose — how do I discern the will of God for life? We could simply ask the question what is God’s will for my life? This is an essential question that you must walk out in your everyday life. The answer to this question doesn’t come by wondering — it comes by an active, diligent, heartfelt seeking of God. One godly man from the mid-twentieth century had this to say about this area. His name was Dr. Truett. He died in July 1944. One of his most memorable statements was about the will of God. He said, “To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge; to do the will of God is the greatest achievement.” Then he added, “The will of God is not always easy, but it is always right.” One gentleman attended his funeral. He said, ‘As I viewed him in his casket, he held an open New Testament in his left hand. The index finger of his right hand pointed to Matthew 6:10: “Thy will be done.” It was the motto of his life. We should make it ours.’[Herschel H. Hobbs, My Favorite Illustrations (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1990), 124.] How to Absolutely Discern the Will of God: What the Bible Says, this is our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

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The Secret to Discerning of Spirits

[Tweet “The will of God is not going to be written across the sky or be sent by text message to your cell phone.”]

Ten People Who Will Not Inherit The Kingdom Of God: What You Should Know

Podcast: Light on Life Season Nine Episode Forty-Eight

Ten People Who Will Not Inherit The Kingdom Of God: What You Should Know

In this week’s episode, we are talking inheritance, that is inheriting the Kingdom of God. The Bible details for us those who will and those who won’t inherit the Kingdom. God’s Kingdom is all about righteousness. John Eckhardt wrote the following spiritual ode about God’s Kingdom written from God’s viewpoint. “My kingdom is a kingdom of righteousness, and I hold the scepter of righteousness in My hand. I will lead you in the paths of righteousness. If you will trust in Me, I will bring forth your righteousness as the light. Those who wait upon Me will inherit the earth and will delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Blessed is the woman I choose and cause to approach Me. You will dwell in My courts and be satisfied with the goodness of My house. I will answer you with awesome deeds of righteousness, and I establish the mountains by My strength. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness will be quietness and assurance forever”1 From a study in Ephesians we look at the Kingdom of God from a different point of view. We look at those who definitely will not inherit the Kingdom. Ten People Who Will Not Inherit The Kingdom Of God: What You Should Know — all on this week’s Light on Life.

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The Second Coming of Jesus: What You Need to Know

[Tweet “It’s possible to change with the help of God. He will transform you, and straighten up your desires. “]

Why the Holy Spirit Connection between Morals and Thanksgiving Matters

Podcast: Light on Life Season Nine Episode Forty-Seven

Why the Holy Spirit Connection between Morals and Thanksgiving Matters

This is Thanksgiving week, and it just so happens that we are coming to a verse in Ephesians chapter five that contains an admonition to thankfulness. How cool is that? Right on time — right on target. So, thankfulness is the subject today, and Mark Tidd of Webster, New York, describes an experience from his college days in line with this theme. He said, — An old man showed up at the back door of the house we were renting. Opening the door a few inches, we saw his eyes were glassy, and his furrowed face glistened with silver stubble. He clutched a wicker basket holding a few unappealing vegetables. He bid us good morning and offered his produce for sale. We were uneasy enough that we made a quick purchase to alleviate both our pity and our fear. To our chagrin, he returned the next week, introducing himself as Mr. Roth, the man who lived in the shack down the road. As our fears subsided, we got close enough to realize it wasn’t alcohol but cataracts that marbleized his eyes. On subsequent visits, he would shuffle in, wearing two mismatched right shoes, and pull out a harmonica. With glazed eyes set on a future glory, he’d puff out old gospel tunes between conversations about vegetables and religion. On one visit, he exclaimed, “The Lord is so good! I came out of my shack this morning and found a bag full of shoes and clothing on my porch.” “That’s wonderful, Mr. Roth!” we said. “We’re happy for you.” “You know what’s even more wonderful?” he asked. “Just yesterday I met some people that could really use them.1

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Who Do You Say Jesus Is to You?

[Tweet “When it comes to being compassionate, there is no better example than God the Father.”]

How to Live a Victorious Life in a Morally Bankrupt World

Podcast: Light on Life Season Nine Episode Forty-Six

How to Live a Victorious Life in a Morally Bankrupt World

Morals matter. That’s the message today, and, may I say, this topic is an unpopular one in today’s climate. The New Testament is full of admonitions along the line of right living. The fact that this message lacks the pizzazz that the world desires doesn’t matter. It’s still the right message for this hour. On typical nights, television networks run show after show of police activities, social problems, sexual problems, and perversion. For example, on Christmas Eve, a married couple separates after a fight; there’s a drunk in a bar menacing people with a broken bottle; a priest is killed viciously in a church; a drunken driver is there; there’s a stripper; a Peeping Tom; six other killings; and more than a half-dozen woundings. Researchers have found that by the time an American child reaches the age of eighteen, he has spent more than 20,000 hours before the television set, much more than he does in any of the classrooms. Last season, television showed the rape of a housewife, the story of a prostitute’s life and emotions, and a homosexual couple living together—topics that were unmentionable on the air not long ago. The morning and afternoon “soap operas” of the ’70s continue to mirror a version of the “typical” American life that includes abortion, premarital sex, extramarital relationships, blackmail, murder, drugs, wiretapping, and embezzlement. Violence is so much a part of television’s simulated “real life,” that studies have shown that it may occur five to nine times in one hour in “prime-time” television, as often as thirty times an hour during Saturday morning and after-school cartoons. In studying the responses of 120 boys from the ages of five to fourteen, researchers found clear evidence that “heavy TV watchers” were no longer shocked or horrified by violence.… It will be difficult for the children who are raised in this era when they reach adult life to be decision-makers about right and wrong because they have been without guidelines. They will have no idea what moral concepts are all about.1 Now, this report is dated from 1974 — that’s 48 years ago, — five decades later! If all of this was going on then, you know it’s that much worse now. So, how do we live in a world that has gone bankrupt? ‘How to Live Victorious in a Morally Bankrupt World, that’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

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Who Do You Say Jesus Is to You?

[Tweet “When it comes to being compassionate, there is no better example than God the Father.”]

Why You Should Stand Up for Jesus Even When It’s Controversial

Podcast: Light on Life Season Nine Episode Forty-Five

Why You Should Stand Up for Jesus Even When It’s Controversial

Born again children of God must stand up for Jesus. Isn’t that odd to have to say? But in this highly sensitive age, where people get offended over little or nothing, the statement needs to be made. Do we shy away from Jesus when His demands on our lives go against the current of the age? Is it no longer cool to say that sin is sin? An individual writes, “A friend sent me a cartoon showing an old man in a rocking chair. As he rocked, loud squeaks could be heard. After several futile attempts to get rid of the squeaks in the chair, the angry man got his shotgun and shot the chair into splinters. In the final frame of the cartoon, the old man is shown walking away, but the squeaks were still there. They were in his knees. Sometimes the problems that exist in our church may be found within ourselves. Before we destroy everything else, perhaps we need to decide if we are part of the problem.”1 Are we standing up for Jesus or are we the ones with the problem? That’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

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Why Doing the Word of God Is The Ticket to Success

[Tweet “Controversy is needed for change. But, where do you draw the line?”]

The Power of We in a World Of I

Podcast: Light on Life Season Nine Episode Forty-Four

The Power of We in a World of I

In today’s podcast, we are going to talk about the ‘power of we.’ What do I mean by the ‘power of we?’ What I mean by that is the power of a group versus the power of an individual. The power of we in a world of I. Ecclesiastes says that two are better than one. Why is that? Why is the ability of a group so much more potent than the ability of a single person? The May 1987 edition of National Geographic included a feature about the arctic wolf. Author L. David Mech described how a seven-member pack had targeted several musk-oxen calves who were guarded by eleven adults. As the wolves approached their quarry, the musk-oxen bunched in an impenetrable semicircle, their deadly rear hooves facing out, and the calves remained safe during a long standoff with the enemy. But then a single ox broke rank, and the herd scattered into nervous little groups. A skirmish ensued, and the adults finally fled in panic, leaving the calves to the mercy of the predators. Not a single calf survived. Paul warned the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 that wolves would come after his departure, not sparing the flock. Wolves continue to attack the church today but cannot penetrate and destroy when unity is maintained. When believers break ranks, however, they provide easy prey.1 The group’s ability, the strength found in unity, The Power of We In A World Of I — that’s our focus on this week’s Light On Life.

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Why God Believes in Church and Why You Need to Be There

[Tweet “Christianity is a group sport. God works to a greater degree through a company of individuals.”]