Posted on

Why God Is Super Pleased with Holy Living and Right Conduct

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Thirty-One

by

Why God Is Super Pleased with Holy Living and Right Conduct

Holiness is the word for today. It’s found in Paul’s simple message to the Thessalonians – this is the will of God your sanctification. Jerry Bridges, the author of many an article and book on the subject of holiness writes the following: “As I sat in the doctor’s waiting room, my attention was drawn to a portrait of a man sculpted out of a block of marble. The sculpture was complete down to about mid-thigh, but below that the partially chipped-away marble gradually phased into the outline of the original block. The man in the sculpture was handsome and robust, the kind of body any man would like to have. But the arresting thing about the picture was that the sculptor’s hammer and chisel were in the hands of the man being sculpted. The man was sculpting himself. As I pondered the painting, [this guy is working on himself] I was struck by its graphic portrayal of how many Christians seek to grow in personal holiness [by trying to work on themselves]. We try, as it were, to sculpt or mold ourselves. We seek to grow in holiness through our own personal efforts and willpower. And we’re just as ludicrous as a block of marble trying to sculpt itself. Holiness is not, as is so often thought, adherence to a set of rules. It is conformity to the character of God—nothing more, nothing less. It is God’s plan for us. He has “predestined [us] to be conformed to the likeness of his Son” [Romans 8:29]. To this end, Paul says, “We are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” — 2 Corinthians 3:18. 1. So in today’s podcast, we take up what Paul took up Why God Is Super Pleased with Holy Living and Right Conduct. That’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

Why It’s Important to Flow in Faith’s Domain

[Tweet “All of spiritual life falls under the heading of walking in love. But, there’s an absolute tie-in to sanctification or holiness.”]

Posted on

What to Do When the Answer to Your Prayer Is Delayed

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Thirty

by

What to Do When the Answer to Your Prayer Is Delayed

Answered prayer is a joyous occasion indeed. But what happens when the answer to your prayer seemingly doesn’t come? What is up with this? Have you ever asked yourself why you didn’t get the answer? It’s okay to ask that question because the answer on the other end of that query leads to astounding insight into the character and mind of God. Let me say it boldly. It is God’s intent that every prayer prayed in Jesus’ Name, prayed according to His will, prayed in line with the Bible be answered one hundred times out of one hundred. Have you ever thought, ‘Wow, I sure missed it here? Well, are you sure you failed? George Muller thought he did. He wrote concerning his orphan ministry: “The funds are exhausted. We had been reduced so low as to be at the point of selling those things which could be spared.…” Then a woman arrived who had been traveling for four days, brought with her sufficient funds for the orphanage. Muller and his co-workers had prayed those four days for something God had already answered. Under these circumstances, Muller made the following observation: “That the money had been so near the orphan house for several days without being given, is a plain proof that it was from the beginning in the heart of God to help us; but because he delights in the prayers of His children, He had allowed us to pray so long; also to try our faith, and to make the answer so much sweeter.”[ 1. Cited in George Muller, Autobiography [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1981], p. 110.] There’s a tremendous lesson here. What to Do When the Answer to Your Prayer Is Delayed, that’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

How to Build Your Life Praying Bible Prayers

[Tweet “When you experience delays, keep standing. Delays are not denials. God has already sent the answer.”]

Posted on

Why You Can Overcome Fear and Anxiety In a World Gone Crazy

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Twenty-Nine

by

Why You Can Overcome Fear and Anxiety In a World Gone Crazy

In today’s podcast, we take a broad look at the subject of anxiety, a symptom that’s on the rise in a mighty way in some as they struggle in uncertain times. In the book ‘Streams in the Desert,’ Mrs. Lettie B. Cowman tells of a minister who was heavily burdened under a load of anxiety and care. After carrying this weight for quite some time, he one day imagined that he could place his burden on the ground and stand back a step or two. Then he could look at it and analyze it. When he did that, he discovered that weight was made up almost entirely of borrowed things. A good portion of it belonged to tomorrow. An even larger amount of it belonged to the week to come. And a sizable percentage was a carryover from his yesterdays or his past. The author of this book indicates that this pastor was guilty of “a very stupid but very ancient blunder.” He had made the mistake of burdening himself in the “now” with things that belonged to “yesterday and tomorrow.”1. Did you know that there is money to be made in making people nervous? Journalist Eric Sevareid (1912–1992) said, “The biggest business in America is not steel, automobiles, or television. It is the manufacture, refinement, and distribution of anxiety.” 2. There is money in making people anxious. So in today’s podcast, we will address this issue as we continue on in our study on First Thessalonians. Why You Can Overcome Fear and Anxiety In a World Gone Crazy — that’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

The Value of Casting Your Care on the Lord

[Tweet “We know that Paul was caught up with anxiety in some of the other letters Paul wrote where he outright told us so.”]

Posted on

The Real Reward In Helping People Through A Tough Day

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Twenty-Eight

by

The Real Reward In Helping People Through A Tough Day

Helping others is the focus today. On this subject of help, Tony Evans weighs in on a situation on an elevator. Tony said, ‘One time I was trapped on an elevator. The immediate reaction of all of the people was panic. We were trapped, stuck, and couldn’t get out. Some people were crying, “Help! Help! Help!” Were we sincerely crying out? Yes! Were we begging for help? Yes! But it wasn’t working. Other folks were banging on the door. Bam, bam, bam! No one was hearing all that noise, but those folks didn’t care. They kept right on banging. Desperate people do desperate things. They were crying out. There was one calm man on the elevator. I simply walked to the other side, pulled out a latch, picked up the telephone, and waited. A voice said, “Is there a problem?” I said, “We’re trapped on the elevator between this floor and this floor. Can we get some help?” They responded, “We’ll be right there.” See, everybody forgot about the phone. We were so into being trapped that we forgot there was a phone link to the security department. Merely by picking up the phone, we were released from our hostage situation. All the human effort we put forth, banging and yelling, wouldn’t work, but picking up the phone and asking for help did. We had to seek help using the connection.1 There’s a right way to help is one point you can glean from this illustration. In the first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul found a way to help those believers through their time of trial. Would you like to know what method he employed? Stay with us as we address the Real Reward in Helping People Through a Tough Day. That’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

What Is the Scoop on Holiness, Sowing and Reaping?

[Tweet “If you are taught the Word, share all good things with the one who teaches.”]

Posted on

Hindrances To The Gospel of Jesus: Do You Know What Goes On Behind The Scenes?

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Twenty-Seven

by

Hinderances To The Gospel of Jesus: Do You Know What Goes On Behind The Scenes?

In today’s episode, we delve into the subject of hindrances to the gospel of Jesus Christ. These hindrances have only one origin, the Kingdom of Darkness. One gentleman said that the Lord has given to every man his work. It is his business to do it, and the devil’s business to hinder him—if he can. So, sure as God gives a man a work to do, Satan will try to hinder him. He may present other things more promising; he may allure you by worldly prospect; he may assault you with slander, torment you with false accusations, set you to work defending your character, employ pious persons to lie about you, editors to assail you, and excellent men to slander you. You may have Pilate and Herod, Ananias and Caiaphas all combined against you, and Judas standing by to sell you for 30 pieces of silver. And you may wonder why all these things have come to pass. Can you not see that the whole thing is brought about through the craft of the devil, to draw you off from your work and hinder your obedience to Christ? Keep about your work. Do not flinch because the lion roars. Do not stop to stone the devil’s dogs. Do not fool around your time chasing the devil’s rabbits. Do your work but, see to it that nothing hinders you from fulfilling the work God has given you. Let your aim be as steady as a star. Let the world brawl and bubble. You may be, as the Apostle Paul, assaulted, wrangled, insulted, slandered, wounded, and rejected. You may be chased by foes, abused by them, forsaken by friends, despised and rejected by men, but see to it that with steadfast determination and with unfaltering zeal you pursue that great purpose of your life and the object of your being until at last you can say; “I have finished the work which you, dear God, have given me to do?”1 Hindrances To The Gospel of Jesus: Do You Know What Goes On Behind The Scenes? That’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

Casting Crowns: Are Your Works Floor Worthy?

[Tweet “We’re more than conquerors. What does that mean? It means Satan can hinder you but he can’t stop you! “]

Posted on

Why It’s Important to Realize that the Wrath of God Will Balance Everything

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Twenty-Six

by

Why It’s Important to Realize that the Wrath of God Will Balance Everything

In today’s episode, we peer into the open door of a subject mostly unspoken in our churches, the Wrath of God. It’s not a comfortable subject for sure. In Scripture, wrath is God’s stop sign showing His strong and vigorous opposition to everything that smacks of evil. Knowing that there are over 580 references to the wrath of God in the Old Testament alone, why is it that this subject is primarily unknown in our grace-filled churches? Concerning wrath, one gentleman said that when we speak of God’s wrath, we point to a kind of anger that results from a settled and consistent disposition, and not to a loss of one’s temper. God’s wrath is like that, rather than like human anger on a grand scale. With us, wrath always has elements of passion, lack of self-control, and irrationality. The wrath of God does not. 1 In other words, God’s wrath is not sudden explosive anger. It is clear that when we think of the word “wrath” as applicable to God, it must be divested of everything that is like human passion, especially the passion of revenge. [God’s wrath] is the opposition of the divine character against sin; and the determination of the divine mind to express that opposition in a proper way, by excluding the offender from the favors which He bestows on the righteous. We admire the character of a father who is opposed to disorder, vice, and disobedience in his family and expresses his opposition properly. We admire the character of a ruler who is opposed to all crime in the community, and who expresses those feelings in the law. Why shall we not be equally pleased with God, who is opposed to all crime in all parts of the universe, and who determines to express His opposition in the proper way for the sake of preserving order and promoting peace?[2, Albert Bones, Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002)] Why It’s Important to Realize that the Wrath of God Will Balance Everything, that’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

Why Jesus Substitutionary Death is the Greatest Exchange Ever

[Tweet “The wrath of God is not a popular subject. When was the last time you heard any teaching on this in our grace-filled churches?”]

Posted on

How the Word of God Is Remarkably at Work in You

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Twenty-Five

by

How the Word of God Is Remarkably at Work in You

We’re talking about the Word of God today, specifically the Word of God working in you. AW Tozer had this to say about God’s Word. “The Bible is the written word of God, and because it is written it is confined and limited by the necessities of ink and paper and leather. The Voice of God, however, is alive and free as the sovereign God is free. “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” The life is in the speaking words. God’s word in the Bible can have power only because it corresponds to God’s word in the universe. It is the present Voice that makes the written Word all-powerful. Otherwise, it would lie locked in slumber within the covers of a book.1 Tozer is right. We have to get the Word out of the book, out from between the leather covers and off the pages and down on the inside of us for God’s will to be performed in us. As we will see in this podcast, Paul commended the Thessalonians for this very thing. How the Word of God Is Remarkably at Work in You, that’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

Why The Gospel of Jesus Destroys the Gospel of Performance

[Tweet “We need to exhort one another to press on, to run, to hasten, to move rapidly and decisively forward in the things of God.”]

Posted on

How a Spiritual Dad Can Demonstrate the Love Walk towards His Children

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Twenty-Four

by

How a Spiritual Dad Can Demonstrate the Love Walk towards His Children

During this Father’s Day season, we are talking about the subject of spiritual dads. Paul was a spiritual dad to the born-again believers of Thessalonica. Spiritual dads, natural dads, — it’s great when a natural dad is also a spiritual one. Some people say any man can be a father; it is a job that takes little talent. However, the rate of failure in fatherhood is actually higher than in any other occupation. Fathers have a colossal full-time job that most people underestimate. It is the most important task a man can tackle. Despite vast changes in America’s social fabric in recent years, one thread of tradition shows no sign of unraveling: sons and daughters who follow in their father’s footsteps. A nationwide survey was taken recently to determine how much time fathers were spending with their children. The results were astounding. Fathers with children between the ages of 2 and 12 were spending 12 minutes a day with their children. Twelve-minute dads contribute greatly to 12-year-old delinquents. But not all dads are 12-minute dads. A busload of dads and sons left a church parking lot for an overnight camping trip. The dads represented various vocations, but they all had one thing in common: they did not want to be 12-minute dads. You cannot substitute a popsicle for Pop himself, though both may have their places. Whether it be a car or a candy bar, a fishing rod or a hot rod, you cannot substitute these “presents” for the “presence.” America is standing at a crossroads of history; our very survival as a nation may depend on the presence or absence of masculine leadership in millions of homes; leadership in the form of loving authority; leadership in the form of financial management; leadership in the form of spiritual training and leadership in maintaining good marital relationships.1 We’re talking about spiritual dads today. How a Spiritual Dad Can Demonstrate the Love Walk towards His Children, that’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

#S2-008: What Is The Parable of the Sower? [Podcast]

[Tweet “Paul, as a model spiritual dad, had his heartstrings invested in the believers in Thessalonica.”]

Posted on

What’s Our Responsibility to Those Newly Come to Faith in God

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Twenty-Three

by

What’s Our Responsibility to Those Newly Come to Faith in God

Today, we undertake to highlight the vital nature of responsibility as it relates to those who have just received Jesus as their Savior. What is our role when it comes to people who have just been born again? Isn’t it to make disciples? That’s what Jesus said. Take the raw elements of a new convert and help them on their journey of being molded into the image of God. That’s positive production. Picture a large manufacturing plant in your town or city that produces shoes. The management has invested great sums of money and many man-hours into the plant to produce the finest shoes possible. Money has been spent on salaries for the employees, machinery for shoemaking, and materials from which the shoes are to be made. The plant is now in operation with hundreds of workers scurrying to and fro. Machines are running full blast, and activity is at a maximum. One day the president asks the production manager, “How many shoes have we produced so far?” “None,” the manager answers. “None?” the president exclaims. “How long have we been in operation?” “Two years.” “Two years? And still no shoes?” “That’s right,” the manager says, “No shoes, but we are really busy. In fact, we have been so busy that we are all nearly tired out. We’ve been very active at our jobs.” The management would probably be very concerned, fire somebody, and try to find out what the problem was. If we now put a cross on top of that building and transform it into the church on the corner—your church, we find much activity going on. Men and women are working hard. The budget is higher this year than ever before. The objective, however, is to produce disciples. Is all that money and man-hours production in your church going into the production of disciples for Jesus Christ?1 Producing disciples, that’s our job and that’s why we’re talking today on the subject of What’s Our Responsibility to Those Newly Come to Faith in God — all on this week’s Light on Life.

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

What Is The Parable of the Sower?

[Tweet “A responsible take on the gospel is not only to get people saved but to get them established in God.”]

Posted on

#S10-022: Why the Second Coming of Jesus is the Expectation of All Believers [Podcast]

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Twenty-Two

by

#S10-022: Why the Second Coming of Jesus is the Expectation of All Believers [Podcast]

The Second Coming of Jesus is at the forefront of today’s podcast. Here is a story of how a Hindu found God because of this coming remarkable event. Jimmy Modha, who was raised in a devout Hindu home in Leicester, England, enraged his family by coming to Christ and converting to Christianity. He told them his sins had been forgiven because he had found God. “Which god?” shouted his father “It’s Jesus Christ,” replied Jimmy. “Actually He came and found me. He died on the cross for my sins; I am a Christian.” His mother fainted, his father threw him out of the house, and his brother Jay prayed for the gods to kill him. “We would mourn his death,” said Jay, “but at least our family would not be dishonored.” Jay, a brilliant student working on his Ph.D. in parasitology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine disowned his brother and refused to talk to him. In parting, Jimmy said, “Jay, if you are ever desperate and no one is there to help you, remember Jesus loves you, and His hand is on your life. Call to Him and He will save you.” Jay was furious, but Jimmy began praying earnestly for him. Shortly Jay began having disturbing dreams. “It was as if I was awake in my bed at three in the morning when suddenly a blinding light broke through the roof and ceiling of my bedroom. In that light I could see a cloud descending from heaven, bearing three awesome, fiery men-like creatures. The first blew a trumpet so loud that I was sure the whole world could hear its thunderous sound. I knew whatever was coming was universal in consequence. The second creature cried out, ‘Prepare ye, for the Lord is coming to reap the harvest!’ Then the third swung a scythe over the earth and cried, ‘Now is the earth ready for harvest!’ “I tried to wake up from the dream because I felt I was going to have a heart attack from sheer fright. But I could not. Then, in the middle of the cloud, I noticed a Person who looked completely different. The brilliant light was coming from Him. His face shone so radiantly that no features were clear except for eyes that looked like blazing flames of fire. A robe went from His neck to His feet, which were like white-hot metal. He was dreadful in His beauty and terrible in His splendor. “As He descended, He looked at me. I was completely undone, absolutely terrified. I could not bear to look at Him any longer, so I turned my head. To my amazement, there beside me was my brother Jimmy, who was not scared at all. In fact, his face was joyous, and he was reaching out as if to embrace the figure. “When I gained the courage to look at Him again, He addressed me saying, ‘Jay, what are you going to do when this happens?’ Then everything vanished, and I woke up.” It took Jay an hour to calm down, and he prayed for understanding. A few days later, Jimmy called and, hearing of Jay’s dream, said, “Jay, what you saw is the Second Coming of Christ. Shortly after this, Jay gave his heart to Jesus. Why the Second Coming of Jesus is the Expectation of All Believers, that’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

#S4-025: Secrets to Hearing God: Are You Waiting? [Encore Podcast]

[Tweet “Every chapter in this letter has a reference to the Second Coming of Jesus.”]

Posted on

Why Modeling the Jesus Life Is Such a Powerful Witness

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Twenty-One

by

Why Modeling the Jesus Life Is Such a Powerful Witness

Modeling is a term that has been kicked around in leadership and development circles. What is modeling? One writer said that it is the influence our decisions and lifestyles have upon those around us. Whether we realize it or not, we’re always modeling something. Unlike fashion modeling—in which appearance is paramount—modeling the Christian life requires honesty and authenticity. To model a relationship with Jesus is to be a living, breathing, tangible example to those we disciple. Consider how Jesus did this. He spent three and one-half years literally living with His disciples. This was not a new concept. This was the teaching method of Rabbis. But, consider that in today’s busy world, it’s easier to schedule a meeting than to live life with others. There’s certainly nothing wrong, of course, with having a consistent meeting time. But if we only have time to pass on knowledge in an “academic” way—divorced from everyday life—then perhaps we’re too busy. The vital nature of being in the company of others cannot be overstated. We need one another which is why, in today’s podcast, our focus is Why Modeling the Jesus Life Is Such a Powerful Witness — all on this week’s Light on Life.

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

Why You Should Consider Jesus as Your Rabbi

[Tweet “Paul modeled Jesus for the believers at Thessaloniki. Who models the Jesus life for you? “]

Posted on

Why Turning from Idols Is A Super Exceptional Move of God

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Twenty

by

Why Turning from Idols Is A Super Exceptional Move of God

God is always moving. From the very first pages of Genesis, where the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters, we can know that a move of God is always imminent. It’s just the way it is. God never stands still, and He never goes backward. His direction is always forward. I like what I read about the Australian Coat of Arms. It pictures two creatures—the emu, a flightless bird, and the kangaroo. The animals were chosen because they share a characteristic that appealed to Australian citizens. Both the emu and kangaroo can move only forward, not back. The emu’s three-toed foot causes it to fall if it tries to go backward, and the kangaroo is prevented from moving in reverse by its large tail. Those who truly choose to follow Jesus become like the emu and kangaroo, moving only forward, never back (Luke 9:62)1 I don’t know about you, but that motivates me. I like moving forward. There is nothing spiritual about stagnation. In today’s podcast, we take a look at how God moved among the Thessalonians. Why Turning from Idols Is A Super Exceptional Move in God, that’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

#S4-034: Why You Can Absolutely Expect Powerful Healing Moves of God [Podcast]

[Tweet  “To see miracles, you have to preach miracles. To see a move of God, you have to preach the move of God. “]