#S3-052: Why Faith Demands the Eviction of Ishmael [Encore Podcast]

America is known as the land of the free and the home of the brave. When we think of America we think of the concepts of liberty and freedom. These values are fundamental to our nation. Our desire for freedom is so great that Patrick Henry word’s “Give me liberty or give me death” still ring in our ears. Freedom is a big thing in America but it’s even a bigger thing in God. Jesus told us plainly, ‘You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free (Jn. 8:32).’ That’s what The Year of Jubilee represents, freedom. But in order to be really free, Ismael, or Ishy for short, has to go.

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[Tweet “The truth of God’s Word is this. While you’re waiting on Him, God’s already acting on your behalf.”]

Why Following Jesus is Difficult, Risky, and Adventurous

Toward the end of the nineteenth century, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel awoke one morning to read his own obituary in the local newspaper: “Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who died yesterday, devised a way for more people to be killed in a war than ever before, and he died a very rich man.” Actually, it was Alfred’s older brother who had died; a newspaper reporter had bungled the epitaph. But the account had a profound effect on Nobel. He decided he wanted to be known for something other than developing the means to kill people efficiently and for amassing a fortune in the process. So he initiated the Nobel Prize, the award for scientists and writers who foster peace. Nobel said, “Every man ought to have the chance to correct his epitaph in midstream and write a new one.” 1 What do you want your life to be known for? Do you desire to be known as a man who followed God’s plan fully for their life? Do you desire to complete all the will of God? Then strap your seatbelt because you are in for a ride. It’s a great ride. A wild ride. A challenging ride. A ride that will test you to the max. Jesus will lead into places you never thought you’d be and ask you to do things that are way outside your comfort zone.

[Tweet “If you’re looking for a life with no challenges, you’re in the wrong business following Jesus.”]

#S3-042: More of How Do You Know You Really Believe God [Podcast]

Take The Test!

We can learn so much from looking at Abraham in the Old Testament. Abraham was fully persuaded and absolutely convinced that God would do what He had promised He would do. He is called the father of faith for a reason and rightly so. And here’s the marvelous truth you can be just like him in faith. But how can we get there? How can we grow our confidence in God? One way is to understand what it means to believe God? Let’s ask the question then. What does it mean to believe? What does it mean to stand on the Word of God? There are some tests you can take. And that’s what we’re talking about in this week’s Light On Life.

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[Tweet “You don’t want to bring God your opinion. Bring Him His Word. Take the will of God test.”]

Why the Holy Spirit is the Great Helper of Our Prayer Life

Roaming through Romans

Romans 8:26-27 is a mountain of Bible truth and comfort on the subject of prayer. J. Oswald Sanders in his book, Cultivation of Christian Character says these words. “It is worthy of note that the Spirit’s assistance in prayer is more frequently mentioned than any of His other offices. All true praying springs from His activity in the heart. Both Paul and Jude teach that effective prayer is ‘praying in the Holy Spirit,’ which has been defined as praying ‘along the same lines, about the same things, in the same Name as the Holy Spirit.'” 1 In today’s post, we take a glimpse at this all important aspect of the Spirit’s work in the life of a believer.

[Tweet “The truth is we don’t know how to pray as we should but, the Spirit comes to help us.”]

#S3-007: How Would You Have Ministered at the Pool of Bethesda? [Podcast]

Healing and Miracles in the Life of Jesus

In this episode, we look at the man who was healed at the Pool of Bethesda from a different angle. We ask the question, ‘How would you have ministered to this invalid man who was sick for thirty-eight years if you were walking in Jesus sandals?

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[Tweet “It’s impossible to separate being led by the Spirit from operating by faith and still be successful.”]

#S2-047: How To Make Sure You Are An Instrument of Righteousness [Podcast]

A college Sophomore was in need of a car and had a series of dreams one night and everything was in yellow, everything! Early the next morning he began to hit the used car lots, looking at one car after another. Finally he found God’s will for him: a yellow car, yellow inside and out. He didn’t even ask to drive it. He just bought it. Turned out to be a lemon. 1 Yellow in your dreams is hardly the way to acquire God’s will. Jesus knew what the Father’s will was for His life. One day Jesus began to share with His disciples some of that plan. He met with some resistance. What lessons can we learn from Matthews account of this encounter?

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#S2-028: Why It’s Important to Get Rid of Ishy [Podcast]

The Season of Jubilee

America is known as the land of the free and the home of the brave. When we think of America we think of the concepts of liberty and freedom. These values are fundamental to our nation. Our desire for freedom is so great that Patrick Henry word’s “Give me liberty or give me death” still ring in our ears. Freedom is a big thing in America but it’s even a bigger thing in God. Jesus told us plainly, ‘You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free (Jn. 8:32).’

Listen to the Audio

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More of What A Real Disciple of Jesus Looks Like

All of the apostles were insulted by the enemies of their Master. They were called to seal their doctrines with their blood and nobly did they bear the trial.

  • Matthew suffered martyrdom by being slain with a sword at a distant city of Ethiopia.
  • Mark expired at Alexandria, after being cruelly dragged through the streets of that city.
  • Luke was hanged upon an olive tree in the classic land of Greece.
  • John was put in a caldron of boiling oil, but escaped death in a miraculous manner, and was afterward banished to Patmos.
  • Peter was crucified at Rome with his head downward.
  • James, the Greater, was beheaded at Jerusalem,
  • James, the Less, was thrown from a lofty pinnacle of the temple, and then beaten to death with a fuller’s club.
  • Bartholomew was flayed alive.
  • Andrew was bound to a cross, whence he preached to his persecutors until he died.
  • Thomas was run through the body with a lance at Coromandel in the East Indies.
  • Jude was shot to death with arrows.
  • Matthias was first stoned and then beheaded.
  • Barnabas of the Gentiles was stoned to death at Salonica.
  • Paul, after various tortures and persecutions, was at length beheaded at Rome by the Emperor Nero.

Such was the fate of the apostles, according to traditional statements. 1 What is it about these kinds of men? What traits do these disciples of Jesus possess that they would be willing to follow Jesus to the end?

What is Being in God’s Will Like?

Once while Francis of Assisi was hoeing his garden, he was asked, “What would you do if you suddenly learned that you where to die at sunset today?” He replied, “I would finish hoeing my garden.” – Francis of Assisi 1. This is the answer of man who knows he is in the place he should be in. You can gain this sense of peace. You can walk in this confidence. It comes by knowing how to find your place.

How to Know if Your Passionate about God’s Will

George Muller prayed in 7.5 million dollars for his orphanage work without one single person being asked to contribute. Many asked Mr. Muller how he sought to know the will of God, in that nothing was undertaken, not even the smallest expenditure, without feeling it was certain he was in the will of God. You can find his answer here. Do you desire to be as passionate about God’s will as George Mueller was? Here are some Bible thoughts to equip you along this line.

#021: Which of Jesus Stripes Healed You? [Podcast]

People are often impressed with heroes and martyrs. – Remember Nathan Hale – who said “I only have one life to live for my country.’  We appreciate the liberty and freedom that we have because of the sacrifice of others. What about the sacrifice of Jesus? Do you appreciate His death on your behalf? Do you appreciate all that His death provided for you? We can rejoice and thank God because we were saved by His blood. But you can also rejoice that not only did Jesus save you from your sins but He also provided healing for your body at the same time.

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Which of Jesus Stripes Healed You?

People are often impressed with heroes and martyrs. – Remember Nathan Hale – who said “I only have one life to live for my country.’  We appreciate the liberty and freedom that we have because of the sacrifice of others. What about the sacrifice of Jesus? Do you appreciate His death on your behalf? Do you appreciate all that His death provided for you? We can rejoice and thank God because we were saved by His blood. But you can also rejoice that not only did Jesus save you from your sins but He also provided healing for you body at the same time.