Bridging the Gap With Pastor Lloyd Pulley

 There was a time when discipline in the classroom was not only acceptable, but an integral part of growing up. Things have changed, haven't they? Now kids can go through the metal detectors at school knowing they won't ever face any discipline in the classroom. God's attitude toward discipline has never changed. It's an important part of the life of the believer.

We've just begun a new series in Proverbs, so turn there in the Old Testament and join us. Today we'll begin a look at chapters three and four, and the rewards we can reap by making Godly wisdom a part of our decision making.

The dangers we face as Christians are everywhere as well, no matter how nice a neighborhood we live in. How do we combat satan's attacks, and ultimately triumph? We are studying Proverbs chapter two.

A closer walk with God is a worthy goal, but it can only be accomplished if we pursue it passionately. If you really want something badly in life, whether it's a blouse, a house or even a spouse, you'll have a passion to obtain it that drives you toward success. That's exactly what Lloyd is talking about in this study - a passionate pursuit after God.

Today on Bridging the Gap we'll put aside irrational fears and concentrate of a fear we'll all have if we're wise - a fear of God. As Lloyd reminded us yesterday, that doesn't mean we should tremble at the thought of God, and live in fear of what awful thing He's going to do to us if we sin.

Everyone has fears in their life. Some of them are more rational than others. The most rational fear any of us can have is a fear of God. Afraid of God? What's that all about? Well, fear of God as defined by God's word is a very healthy thing. We're going to see exactly what it means today as we again return to the book of Proverbs.

John Rockefeller was once asked how much money was enough, and his reply was "just a little bit more". Living well really doesn't have anything to do with material wealth, as we'll see today. It has more to do with living a life pleasing to God. That's where wisdom comes into the picture.

Today we begin a new series in the Proverbs. The theme throughout this book is wisdom. Now the word wisdom has a very specific definition in this book - It's really an extended series of tests you can apply to your life to see if you're really living by God's standard of wisdom.

The new year seems to be an appropriate time to set new goals and take an honest look at our relationship with God. Have you done that? Pastor Lloyd will lay some pretty specific groundwork for a fresh start with Jesus Christ today, as we again look at Romans thirteen.

Today we are going to bring you a special message from pastor Lloyd for the new year, and to say this message will challenge you, is a huge understatement. Lloyd is basing today's message on Romans chapter thirteen, verses eleven through fourteen. These four verses display Paul's ministry perfectly.

Today we'll wrap up Lloyd's series on sharing the gospel, titled "Eternal Influence".  As we bring you the final message in this series, let me remind you that there is a great opportunity to share right now, with our country and the world in complete turmoil.

You and I never know when an opportunity will come up to share the good news of salvation through Christ, so, as the Boy Scouts say, we should "be prepared". But we also need to approach those opportunities with the right attitude and tone. Our country is in desperate need of a change of heart, and the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ is what can make that change. That's what today's message is all about - sharing the gospel the right and effective way. 

With our country in upheaval, there's never been a time when the good news of salvation through Christ has been more needed. And I know you have loved ones who are unsaved. How do we reach these people without offending them or alienating them? John chapter four will be our focus. 

Today, pastor Lloyd will put the finishing touches on on our Christmas series by taking us to John's gospel for a message titled "The Light of the World". This world is certainly in need of a some light, wouldn't you agree? Jesus came to the earth to provide that light and to show us the way to heaven - by dying on a cross for our sins. 

Today we continue pastor Lloyd's series for the Christmas season. We''ll be looking at the reason Jesus came to the earth today - to shine the light of righteousness and salvation, in a dark and troubled world. Scientists will tell you that even as advanced as science knowledge is, we still don't know all that much about light.  Lloyd will tell us about the greatest light - and the brightest - God's light!

 Even atheists know the story of the manger, Joseph and Mary, and all the rest. But  instead of embracing the miracle of the birth of our savior, many people choose today to simply pass it off as a myth. Today our special Christmas series continues as pastor Lloyd takes us back to that cold night over two thousand years ago. Join us in Luke chapters one and two.

Today we'll consider the most significant birth in the history of man. Over two thousand years ago, a baby was born into the world under the most inauspicious of circumstances. But the life He led and the reason He came to the earth make this event truly life-changing.

Today we present pastor Lloyd's final study in Acts.  If you've been with us since the beginning, you've witnessed some incredible things!  You may recall that the Lord promised Paul that He'd be in Rome one day, and today is that day.  Our final study is in the final chapter of this amazing account, written by Doctor Luke. Join us in Acts twenty-eight.

Today we begin pastor Lloyd's final study in the book of Acts, as we turn to chapter twenty-eight.  What an incredible journey it's been, to see the birth of the Christian church, the descending of the Holy Spirit, the conversion of Saul, and all the other things that have happened in this book.  Paul finds himself now shipwrecked and on the island of Malta.  But God had promised him that he would make it to Rome, the voyage would resume, and not even a serpent could prevent that from happening! 

We are just a few days away from finishing our study through Acts, as we find ourselves today in chapter twenty-seven. Paul and his companions are headed back to Rome, and as often happens, they encounter some pretty severe weather. Obviously, we can see a great lesson headed our way as the storm they encountered teaches us some vital principles on how to handle the storms of life.

 As we near the finish line in our series through the book of Acts, we will begin a study in chapter twenty-seven. Here we will once again sail the sea with the Apostle Paul as his journey to spread the gospel continues. If Paul had had one of those disposable cameras on board, the pictures he took would have shown a great deal of panic amongst his fellow passengers.

Today we continue verse by verse through Acts chapter twenty-six with Paul's defense before King Agrippa and Festus the Roman governor. In presenting his defense, Paul recounts his conversion experience and calling by God to make him a minister and witness of Jesus. Paul seeks to fulfill this gift and privilege of life and service that God gave to him as a gift back to God, despite the cost to his own life.

Today, pastor Lloyd continues his study through the book of Acts, chapter twenty-five, as we continue with Paul's defense before those who are unjustly incarcerating him.  Instead of seeking to be released from imprisonment, Paul uses these circumstances to proclaim the gospel and the power of God to his captors.

Today on Bridging the Gap, pastor Lloyd Pulley, will remind us that satan is still very much in the business of "rocking that cradle". We're currently studying through the book of Acts and we've come to chapters twenty-four and twenty-five.

Today we'll be in Acts chapter twenty-four, as we continue with Paul's defense before the Jewish and Roman authorities. Paul has been accused of sedition, but his only offense is preaching the gospel message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

 As we continue pastor Lloyd's series in Acts, we find the apostle Paul needing some encouragement from the Lord. Paul finally had an opportunity to tell his fellow countrymen about Jesus, but before he can, they take offense to him and a riot breaks out. If it weren't for the Roman Guard he would have been killed. God promises to always be by our side, and He came to His servant Paul's rescue, and said to him "be of good cheer."  

On today's broadcast we will hear the Apostle Paul's testimony and defense before the Jews. Acts chapter twenty-two contains these amazing and forceful words. We find Paul finally given his long awaited opportunity to share Jesus with his fellow countrymen, the Jews. And isn't it instructive that he does so with his testimony. 

We are currently in the home stretch of pastor Lloyd's series through Acts, titled "The World Upside Down". It's only logical to think that if you are going to turn the world upside down, you are going to face some opposition. What should be our response to this opposition? Pastor Lloyd has one word to share - determination!

The growth of the Church is largely due to the missionary activities of the apostle Paul and those who faithfully served with him. On today's broadcast Paul has completed his third missionary journey, and is headed for Jerusalem.

Our teacher is pastor Lloyd Pulley, who is currently taking us verse by verse through the book of Acts.  We begin today's' broadcast with the apostle Paul encouraging young Timothy that now is not the time to take it easy - but to press forward for the Kingdom of God.

On the broadcast today we meet up with the Apostle Paul in Acts chapter twenty, and he's convening a pastor's conference of sorts. Paul gathers the elders of the Church and encourages them in their calling. Perhaps you need some encouragement in your calling - we all do from time to time.

Success in life, especially for the Christian, involves perseverance, faith and staying on course. The life of the Apostle Paul reflects these qualities, and so we'll look today at Acts chapters nineteen and twenty.  Paul was a single-minded man after his conversion. His single motivation was Jesus Christ.

Today, as we continue our series in Acts, we'll meet up again with Paul and his crew, as they share the gospel message with the unsaved. Some triumphs were accomplished, but they also met a lot of resistance.

Can you imagine what it must have been like to be in Doctor Luke's shoes? He not only witnessed the life and miracles of Jesus Christ, he got to travel with Paul the apostle and see him spread the gospel! Today we'll return to a scene in which Paul encountered some people who called themselves "disciples", yet they didn't know a thing about the Holy Spirit. Were they saved?

In the first several verses of Acts chapter nineteen, we find Paul in Ephesus, talking to a group of disciples who are sharing God's love, but have never even heard of the Holy Spirit! Now, their motivation was pure, but their doctrine was incomplete. Many Christians today tend to talk about God's magnificent love, and Jesus' atoning death on the cross, but neglect the role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives. Here's Lloyd Pulley with today's study.

Well, elections took place about three weeks ago. Those of us who voted trust that the candidates we supported will follow through on their campaign promises. Some of them do, but a lot of them don't. Most politicians say what they think we want to hear, and when they're elected, they come down with a sudden case of amnesia! It's a matter of living out your convictions. The same can be said of our walk with Jesus Christ. Do you live by the convictions of a life given over to God? Or are they just hollow words? 

Lloyd will continue his series through Acts today with a stop in chapter eighteen.  If you have someone in your life who lives by their convictions, you know what a unique trait that really is. You may be such a person yourself. Too many people today say one thing and live their lives another way. In Acts chapter eighteen, Paul finds himself in Corinth, and addresses the issue of Christians living by their convictions.

As Paul continued to share the truth of the gospel message, he is definitely impacting those around him. Can the same be said of us? one of Paul's main points centered around the need for repentance. It's foundational part of our salvation. Our scripture reference is Acts chapter seventeen.

Today we'll continue our series in Acts, as we observe Paul setting the record straight about darkness and light - and how we can truly overcome the darkness in this world.

Today Lloyd will again take us to the book of Acts, as he continues with his verse by verse journey through this remarkable book. Lloyd is going to make several important points today about repentance. It's a word that has a negative connotation attached to it - one that it doesn't deserve. Paul's message in Acts was one of repentance, and it wasn't too well received. 

Today we'll resume our series called "The World Upside Down", with a study in Acts chapter seventeen. We'll be looking at how the ministry of Paul and Barnabas and friends, was literally turning the world upside down! This message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ was controversial to say the least, but it was saving a lot of souls! 

Imagine how Paul felt as he made his way to Europe to share the gospel with people he knew would be very hostile to the message. Did it keep him from going? No! He relied on God to be his strength in time of trouble and threat. A great example for us today, wouldn't you agree?

Today we'll continue a study in the sixteenth chapter of Acts, as Paul begins his second missionary journey. One of the greatest aspects of Paul's ministry was his developing trust in the Lord's ability to be the sole controlling influence in his life. Despite the complexity of his itinerary, despite the almost daily threats to his very life - Paul learned not to flinch in his trust of God.

There's an old saying in sports "trust is a must or your game is a bust". That means that you have to trust your abilities or you won't have the confidence to succeed. In our Christian walk, we need a different approach. Trust in God is a must or your life is a bust! That's what we'll consider today as we study Acts chapter fifteen, and Paul's determination to keep going forward despite personal setbacks.

The Apostle Paul of course lived in a day without travel agents, but still had a choice to make about who would make his travel plans - himself or the Lord.  It will serve us well to remember that the Lord has not changed one bit since then. He is still an omnipotent, omniscient God. With those credentials, doesn't it makes sense to let Him book our journey through life?

The underlying theme of this chapter is conflict within the church. Paul and Barnabas have been doing the Lord's work, sharing the salvation message with Jews and Gentiles alike. But now they're facing opposition within their own ranks.  A little healthy debate never hurt anyone, but when the discussion turns to the matter of Salvation, it's a very serious matter. 

As we continue our study through the book of Acts on today's program, we reach chapter fifteen. The theme of this chapter is conflict. Disagreements can ruin your day and even ruin a relationship, but they can also be healthy and productive. As we pick up the story we invite you to join in by turning to Acts chapter fifteen

Today's we'll pick up where we left off last time in our study through the book of Acts. Right now we're examining chapter fourteen, and Paul and Barnabas' first missionary trip. This study could be subtitled "Acceptance and Opposition", because that's exactly what these two missionaries found in their travels sharing the Gospel.

Wholehearted, aggressive goodwill accurately describes Paul and Barnabas as they went about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ on their first missionary trip. That's where we're at right now in our study through the book of Acts. Let's join pastor Lloyd in Acts chapter fourteen

I think you'll agree that sharing your faith is one of the most difficult things about being a Christian. Statistics show that a majority of Christians never lead another person to Jesus Christ. One reason we're sometimes reluctant to share is the chance of being persecuted. That was the risk Paul and Barnabas faced in Acts thirteen. How did they respond? Let's find out.

Today on Bridging the Gap, Lloyd Pulley will take us again to Acts chapter thirteen as we explore the foundations of our faith in God. One of pastor Lloyd's most popular series was one titled "Everyday Theology", and now we are getting to see that Theology being shared by the Apostle Paul and his friends.