Category Archives: Commentary

The Bridge Commentary is a running verse by verse breakdown of the Books of the New Testament including word definitions, significant historical background and comments.

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Why It’s Right to Embrace Prophecies in the Local Church

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Forty-Two

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Why It’s Right to Embrace Prophecies in the Local Church

In today’s podcast, we take a look at prophecies in the local church. Now, the simple gift of prophecy is speaking unto men for edification, exhortation, and comfort. Sometimes this gift of the Spirit goes hand in hand with some of the other gifts listed in First Corinthians twelve. Check this story out from the life of John Wesley for example. Wesley was not an advocate of sensationalism in preaching. But on one occasion, he interrupted his own sermon and shouted, “Lord, is Saul also among the prophets? Is James Watson here? If he be, show Thy power!” And James Watson dropped to the floor and began to cry loudly for God’s mercy!1 Wesley called this man’s name out when he didn’t even know who this man was — the result of this remarkable manifestation was the salvation of that man. There’s a story where Charles Spurgeon, at a Monday evening prayer meeting, suddenly interrupted his sermon, pointed in a certain direction, and said, “Young man, those gloves you are wearing have not been paid for; you have stolen them from your employer!” After the meeting, a young man came to the vestry and begged to see Spurgeon. Pale and trembling, the young man confessed that he had stolen the gloves he was wearing! He promised never to steal again and begged Spurgeon not to expose him to his employer.2 Manifestations of the Spirit — Gifts of the Spirit — Prophecies that come from the Spirit — that’s our focus today. Why It’s Right to Embrace Prophecies in the Local Church all on this week’s Light on Life.

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Being Filled with the Spirit

[Tweet “Receiving the Baptism of the Spirit with the evidence of speaking with tongues is an experience separate from salvation.”]

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Three Things You Can Do To Operate in the Will of God

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Forty-One

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Three Things You Can Do To Operate in the Will of God

If you want to know how to grow up spiritually, if your heart desires to know what God’s will is for your life, you’ve come to the right place today. On the heels of knowing God’s will, comes this illustrative story from the lips of F.B. Meyer. Myer was a Baptist Pastor and Evangelist whose life spanned England’s 19th and 20th centuries. When crossing the Irish Channel one dark starless night, F. B. Meyer stood on the deck by the captain and asked him, “How do you know Holyhead Harbor on so dark a night as this?” He said, “You see those three lights? Those three must line up behind each other as one, and when we see them so united we know the exact position of the harbor’s mouth.”1 We are going to see in this week’s podcast that there are three things — three lights if you would — that have to line up in your life to be able to guide your ship into the harbor of God’s will. Three Things You Can Do To Operate in the Will of God. That’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

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The Value of Casting Your Care on the Lord

[Tweet “All Jesus’ followers should rejoice, pray, and give thanks.”]

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Why Doing Righteous Good Instead of Taking Revenge Is The Jesus Way

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Forty

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Why Doing Righteous Good Instead of Taking Revenge Is The Jesus Way

The Word of God warns us against the idea of revenge, taking matters into our own hands, paying evil for evil, or any other similar phraseology. Plotting your revenge against someone who has wronged you is not the Jesus way. It leads to irrational decisions and if executed, potential life-altering results. When he was an attorney, Abraham Lincoln was once approached by a man who passionately insisted on bringing a lawsuit for $2.50 against a man who owed him some money but was totally impoverished. Lincoln tried to discourage him, but the man was bent on revenge. When he saw that the man would not be put off, Lincoln agreed to take the case and asked for a legal fee of $10, which the vengeful man paid. Lincoln then gave half the money to the impoverished man, who pled guilty to the debt and paid the vengeful man his $2.50! The funny part about it is that the man was satisfied — he got paid back with his own money!1 Lincoln was wise to deter this man’s vengeful ways and is just one example of ‘Why Doing Righteous Good Instead of Taking Revenge Is The Jesus Way.’ Understanding this is what our focus will be on this week’s Light on Life.

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Demonstrating the Glory of God

[Tweet “Revenge and retribution are not matters for the Jesus follower. They are solely to be left in the hands of God, the righteous judge.”]

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Simple Yet Effective Directives for Living the Dynamic Jesus Life

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Thirty-Seven

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Simple Yet Effective Directives for Living the Dynamic Jesus Life

The Jesus life is our focus this week. How different His life was from the normal of that day. Illustrating this Sue Monk Kidd shares the following story. “Years ago, she says, while shopping in a mall in Atlanta, I let go of my three-year-old son’s hand to examine a display of scarves. When I looked around a minute later, he was gone. In vain I searched the store aisles, panic beginning to churn in my stomach. Mall security began a search, but no one could find a riffle boy in a red Sesame Street shirt. For twenty minutes I circled the store with the manager, becoming more frantic with every loop. Finally, overwhelmed, I sank onto a bench. My child was gone. As I sat there grasping for direction, I suddenly remembered the scripture I had read that morning. Jesus, walking on the shore of Galilee, called to the disciples in their boat, “Haven’t you any fish?” (John 21:4–6). “No,” they answered. Then Jesus said a curious thing. “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” They tossed their nets on the opposite side and could scarcely haul them in for all the fish. At first, the verses seemed irrelevant to my missing child. Then suddenly, I sat straight up. If I want to figure out where a three-year-old would go, I thought, I need to think like a three-year-old. In other words, I should cast my net on the “other side” of the boat. I should come at the problem from a different angle, with a new vision. All at once it was as if the needle on an inner record player were lifted out of an old groove, and a whole new piece of music began to play. I walked to a children’s shoe store we had visited earlier. There, beside a replica of Big Bird of Sesame Street, I found my son. My nets were full. The verses in John that helped me find my son taught me that creative solutions are fished out of the cistern of our own being only when we break away from rusted, familiar ways of experiencing life and dare to approach it in unique ways.1 We are talking about living the Jesus life today: Simple Yet Effective Directives for Living the Dynamic Jesus Life. All on this week’s Light on Life.

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Keys to A Happy Heart

[Tweet “If your desire is to live the Jesus life — that is live life like He lived it, then you must be an encourager.“]

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Why Grief Is a Killer and How You Can Side Step This Deadly Foe

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Thirty-Three

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Why Grief Is a Killer and How You Can Side Step This Deadly Foe

Paul writing to the Thessalonians addresses the subject of believers falling asleep in Jesus and the toxic grief that was occurring because of these deaths. The following illustration speaks to this thought. You know fifty years ago, industrialists thought they could just bury toxic waste and it would go away. We have since learned it doesn’t just go away. Toxic waste leaks into the water table contaminates crops, and kills animals. Buried grief does the same thing. Raw time doesn’t heal a thing. Buried pain leaks into our emotional system and wreaks havoc there. It distorts our perceptions of life, and it taints our relationships. That contamination happens subconsciously.1 You’ve heard the expression ‘time heals all wounds.’ I’m happy to bust the bubble on that. It’s misinformation — it’s incorrect — don’t believe it. Time is not the healer — Jesus is. Why Grief Is a Killer and How You Can Side Step This Deadly Foe. That’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

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#S2-035: Why Calvary is the Home of the Double Cure [Podcast]

[Tweet “It’s not okay to be swallowed up with grief or be down in the dumps with depression or be continuously sad.”]

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Three Things You Can Do to Rise Above Unnecessary Drama in Your Everyday Life

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Thirty-Two

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Three Things You Can Do to Rise Above Unnecessary Drama in Your Everyday Life

Many a person enjoys watching a good drama-type show on television. But, did you know the Bible is stocked full of dramatic God encounters? These are the kinds of drama that are good, wholesome, and healthy. But what if you weren’t just being a spectator viewing or reading about the drama but you were embroiled in it yourself? What if you were the lead character? On the night of November 16, 1930, Mrs. Henrietta Garrett, a lonely 81-year-old widow, was the main character of what turned out to be a negative drama episode. She died in her home in Philadelphia and, unwillingly, started the most fantastic case of inheritance litigation in history. She had failed to leave a will, or no will was found, to her $17,000,000 estate; a mystery left unsolved. She had expertly handled her financial affairs since the death of her husband in 1895 and, therefore, she must have realized that, without a will, her fortune would become involved in many legal battles. Although Mrs. Garret had, at the time of her death, only one known relative, a second cousin, and less than a dozen friends attempts to prove a relationship to her and to claim a part or all her estate have since been made by more than 26,000 persons from 47 states and 29 foreign countries, represented by more than 3,000 lawyers. I’m talking drama here. In their frantic efforts, these alleged relatives have committed perjury, faked family records, changed their names, altered data in church Bibles, and concocted absurd tales of illegitimacy. As a result, twelve were fined, ten received jail sentences, two committed suicide and three were murdered. The estate has, in the meantime, increased to $30,000,000 and is not expected to be settled for some time.1 Drama: How can we embrace the positive and avoid the negative? That’s what this podcast is about today. That’s why we are giving you Three Things You Can Do to Rise Above Unnecessary Drama in Your Everyday Life all in this week’s Light on Life.

Now, Father God as we jump into your Word today grant unto us all a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you. Help us to know you better. Help us to know your ways. We receive this and thank you for it in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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#S4-023: Secrets to Hearing God: Are You Listening [Encore Podcast]

[Tweet “To live the ‘no negative drama life,’ strive to be a person of quietness.”]

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Why God Is Super Pleased with Holy Living and Right Conduct

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Thirty-One

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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.

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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.”]

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What to Do When the Answer to Your Prayer Is Delayed

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Thirty

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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.

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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.”]

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

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Twenty-Nine

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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.

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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.”]

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The Real Reward In Helping People Through A Tough Day

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Twenty-Eight

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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.

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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.”]

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

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Twenty-Seven

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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.

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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! “]

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

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Twenty-Six

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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.

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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?”]