Hardwired with Jeff Wickwire

Every single athlete who wins a championship does so because they had a solid team behind them. Even in individual sports, a fierce competitor has coaches and trainers to help them hone their skills. Pastor Jeff wants you to know today that you can't go out and start a new work for God on your own. You're not meant to! The Lord has placed people around you to guide you and assist you. Without guidance and accountability, you won't be able to complete the mission that God has given you.

The apostles of the New Testament held some very important roles in forming the early Church. Much of what we know about the life and ministry of Jesus comes from the accounts of the apostles throughout the New Testament. Pastor Jeff teaches you today about how the apostles wrote words without error by the guiding of the Holy Spirit, and how those words give life to a Church today whose members believe despite not being direct witnesses to Jesus' ministry on Earth.

When you get the keys to a car, you're not being given the keys so that you can show off your influence and authority to others! You're given those keys so that you can put the vehicle to use, to transport people or things where they need to go! Pastor Jeff teaches the importance of understanding that while Peter was given the “keys to the Kingdom” by Jesus, he wasn't being given a role of authority. Peter was being empowered to serve others, to meet them on their level and share the Gospel with them.

When Jesus encourages you to have endurance, He isn't trying to say that salvation is something you can just lose! Rather, the endurance that Jesus is talking about is the ability to withstand the world's trials. Pastor Jeff teaches you today that the world will try all kinds of deception and trickery to distract you from the path of righteousness. But as long as you keep your eyes on Jesus and on following the path He has set for your life, you'll be able to withstand the storms the world is throwing at you. 

How do you react when you meet a fellow believer who has a different viewpoint from you? Most denominations within the Church have more in common than you might realize. Pastor Jeff reminds you that it isn't worth the effort to get into petty fights with your fellow believers about minor issues of doctrine or theology. The body of Christ needs to present a unified front against a world lost in sin. The world needs to see the light that is present when the Church is united against evil.

What do you see when you look in a mirror? The image you see isn't a real object, but it is a reflection of the environment around it. And just like a mirror, your life is a reflection of God's work within you! So, Pastor Jeff wants to ask you some simple questions today: Are you a good reflection of the Lord? Are you representing Him well to the world around you? Pastor Jeff will show you Paul's three commandments in the book of Ephesians that guide you to become that better reflection.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus says that He is knocking at the door of your heart, waiting for you to let Him in. And in today's message, Pastor Jeff teaches you that God will work in your life only if you let Him in. All throughout history, you can find examples of God working in the lives of people, and turning them into vessels of His Glory, but He first requires the person to let Him in. Will you answer the Lord when He calls to you, or will you keep your heart shut and miss out on His plans for you?

There are some people who are born with the unique gift of a photographic memory. In the most extreme of cases, they can even memorize pages of information with just a short glance. But what Pastor Jeff wants you to realize today is that you can memorize every single verse of Scripture, every single description of God's character, and still not really know Him. Intellectual pursuit can only get you so far, you need to have a personal relationship with Jesus in order to be truly saved.

What you believe about God is just as important as believing in Him to begin with! If you only think of Him as a vengeful and wrathful God, you probably won't have a very good relationship with Him. But Pastor Jeff reminds you today to focus in on what Scripture says about God's character. He is a father who loves His children, the shepherd who leaves 99 to go after the one, and a God who gave His own Son to redeem the debt of your sin. If that's not a God worth entrusting with your life, who is?

Do you consider yourself to be someone who is easily offended? Well, being a Christian is going to be a difficult challenge if that is the case. Pastor Jeff shows you today how Jesus wants you not to be easily offended, and to instead react with grace and love towards those who persecute you. Don't allow yourself to be steamrolled by someone making credible threats against you, but when you show that you aren't afraid to be called names because of your faith, those insults will just slide off your back.

Are you ever worried about blaspheming the Holy Spirit? About committing the unforgivable sin? Well, Pastor Jeff encourages you that by listening to this program today, you are, in fact, innocent of blasphemy! The Pharisees were guilty of blasphemy because they knew that Jesus fulfilled all of the signs of the Messiah, and yet they chose to accuse him of working under the power of Satan. They were looking the Son of God right in the face and called him a demon. Blasphemy requires intention.

Many game shows will offer their contestants the chance to give up all of their winnings for the chance to win a mystery prize. The contestants don't know for sure if the mystery prize is worth the risk, but many choose to go after the mystery prize anyway. Pastor Jeff teaches you today that following Jesus is way better than a game show! Your human mind is unable to comprehend the wonders of His Glory, but you can know for certain that they are far greater than anything you can gain on this Earth.

You can't force a church to be healthy. Even in a small congregation, there are too many factors at play for someone to just decide that the church is healthy now. Instead, it takes a dedicated effort from every member to grow in their faith and to commit themselves to deeper fellowship with each other. But Pastor Jeff reminds you that when a church becomes spiritually healthy, the presence of God becomes unmistakable! Every bit of effort is worth it when it comes to building strong faith communities.

Peace is a valuable commodity in today's world. There is conflict everywhere you look, and there is almost always an excuse for people to get into fights with each other. So when Pastor Jeff says today that Jesus is your peace, he means that the Lord surpasses every barrier that mankind tries to use to divide. Racial tensions, national identities, political ideologies, all of these earthly constructs crumble into dust in the presence of Jesus. All of mankind is united in its need for a Savior.

The best marksmen train their entire lives just to hit their target more consistently and from greater distances. But did you know that you have a target to hit in life, and if you miss even once, your soul is forfeit? Well, that's what it's like trying to live up to the perfect standards of righteousness found in the Bible. But Pastor Jeff brings you a message of hope today, because now you don't have to live up to the perfect standard! Jesus' gift of salvation is enough to account for every sin you will ever commit.

Do you understand what it means to have the power of Jesus living inside you? It means that when you are faced with ridicule in this world, or you are faced with storms, you have the tools you need to keep from getting blown over! Pastor Jeff encourages you with today's message, reminding you that you can do all things through Jesus! The Lord is constantly working within you, shaping and forming you into a greater reflection of His love. That presence becomes magnetic inside you.

When you think about the symbol of the cross in today's age, you almost certainly think of it in relation to Jesus. But two thousand years ago, the cross symbolized a torturous death reserved for criminals. Pastor Jeff teaches you today that when Jesus said to take up your cross, it means that you will have to give something up. Maybe it's a relationship, maybe it's a sinful habit that you indulge in, but there is always going to be something you must lose in order to follow the way of Christ.

If you looked at a world map from two hundred years ago, you'd see dozens of countries that exist today either didn't exist back then, or had completely different names. It seems that every few years, a government falls, only to be replaced with another. Well, Pastor Jeff encourages you today to remember that Jesus is coming to establish an eternal Kingdom! While there may be conflict and struggle on the Earth right now, the time is coming when there will be no more war, only God's eternal peace.

Did you know that your life is proof of the grace of God? Pastor Jeff teaches you today that the change that goes on in your life when you come to know Jesus isn't just internal; it can be seen by other people around you as well! As you become more and more like Jesus, those people who knew you before will take notice. Just by living your life for God, you become a living testimony! That kind of testimony can be even more effective in spreading the Gospel than an altar call or a street preacher.

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I need to be saved?” Many people believe that their good deeds in this life will bring them rewards in the life to come. But Pastor Jeff is here to put those thoughts to bed in today's message. Humanity has been cursed by its sinful nature, and there is no way to cleanse yourself from it. Only an outside intercessor is able to save you from the penalty of your sin, but God sent His Son to be that intercessor for the entire human race. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

When you are adopted into God's Kingdom, you become a Co-heir with Jesus! Pastor Jeff teaches you today that being part of the Body of Christ comes with its responsibilities, but it also comes with its privileges! You have been given the gift of eternal life because of that adoption, and it is your job to bring as many people into the Kingdom as you can! This gift is available for anyone who will call on the name of Jesus for their salvation. Many are called, but few will answer.

If you go to your local animal shelter to adopt a pet, you'll usually be presented with furry creatures of different ages and breeds, all looking for a good home. And once you've made a decision, one or more of those animals will go to their new home with you! Pastor Jeff teaches you today that just like a lost animal looking for its home, you have been hand-selected by God, picked out of the world, and placed in His eternal Kingdom. You no longer belong to the world, now you belong to God!

The moment you accepted Jesus' gift of salvation, you were set apart. Just like sheep are separated from among the goats, you became part of a different flock. And Pastor Jeff teaches that as part of the flock of Jesus, you go through different trials and challenges than those around you. But the end goal of your time on this earth is for you to be sanctified over time. As your life more closely imitates the life of Jesus, the power of sin will have less and less of a grip on your life.

Do you know that as you allow worldly influences into your faith journey, you risk drifting further from the heart of the Lord? In today's message, Pastor Jeff wants you to know that you must let God's truth be your guiding light, steering you away from distractions that will lead you astray. By prioritizing His word and promises, you align yourself with His divine will and purpose for your life. Choose to walk in God's ways, even when the world pulls you in different directions. Experience the depth of His grace. 

The Bible always warns against false prophets for good reason; nothing will pull you away from God more swiftly than false doctrine. Today, Pastor Jeff encourages you to remain vigilant for deceitful doctrines and ensure your foundation remains rooted in God's Word. Guard your heart and mind against the allure of deceptive teachings because they will lead you astray. Stay steadfast in discerning truth from falsehood, relying on the wisdom and guidance found within God's Word. 

It is vitally important for a believer in Jesus to not just listen to teaching, but to take the time to dive into God's Word, and to see what wisdom is revealed by the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Jeff encourages you to follow along in this new series on the book of Ephesians by taking the time to read along with his teachings. When you understand the text on your own, that wisdom can take an even deeper root in your soul. And the Lord wants nothing more than for His Word to be imprinted on your heart.

Most of the divisive issues we deal with in life aren't true binaries, but they are a spectrum where our opinions land somewhere in the middle. You may like one brand of soda slightly more than the other, but that doesn't mean that you hate the other one! But Pastor Jeff teaches you today that when it comes to following Jesus, your answer is either “yes” or “no”. You can't say “yes” to Jesus and also say “yes” to the culture. You have to sacrifice your role in human culture to be a true believer.

Did you realize that you and I are very fortunate to live in the time we live in? We have access to information, literature, and entertainment at the touch of a button. Prior generations had limited access to the things that we take for granted now. But one of the biggest things that you and I have access to now is the presence of the Holy Spirit, and that is something that people did not have before Jesus died on the Cross. Pastor Jeff reminds you to use that power to your advantage, to help you overcome your flesh.

The Holy Spirit has been given to you as a tool to help you resist the enemy's temptation in this world. Just like you rely on manmade tools to overcome simple obstacles in your life, you can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. Put your trust in Him to help you overcome temptation and the desires of your flesh, and you will find it easier and easier to make those decisions over time. Pastor Jeff teaches you that trusting in the Spirit is like exercising a muscle: you need to do it over and over again to see results.

How many ancient Roman buildings are still standing today? Unfortunately, many of those buildings have crumbled away and had new construction done on top of the old sites. Buildings and cities rise and fall, and Pastor Jeff teaches you today that the desires of your flesh are just as fragile. Nothing that your flesh desires will last forever, and you can't take anything with you when you go into the next life. But the things of God, those things that produce good spiritual fruit, will last forever.

Are you feeling stuck in your circumstances? Are you getting more and more frustrated by life's problems? Today, instead of dwelling on complaints about life and its challenges, Pastor Jeff urges you to redirect your focus toward surrendering your heart to the Lord. Complaining perpetuates negativity, but entrusting your concerns to God brings relief and peace. Laying your troubles before the Lord will lighten your spirit and comfort you. Embrace a mindset of gratitude and trust in God's mercy. 

When was the last time you experienced spiritual growth? When was the last time you felt like you were experiencing the presence of the Lord? If you desire to cultivate growth in your faith and break free from the dullness that may have settled into your relationship with Jesus, Pastor Jeff shares that consistency in your prayer life is vital. Never cease lifting your cares, worries, and aspirations to Him. Just as a plant needs regular watering to flourish, you'll thrive when you stay in communion with Jesus. 

If you listen to modern-day health gurus, they place a lot of focus on your morning routine, and how the things that you put first in your day will have a cascading effect on the rest of your day. And Pastor Jeff recognizes that there is some truth in that advice, but what he tells you to do is to start your day off by getting into God's Word! When you develop spiritual discipline and start your day off in the Lord's presence, you can build a spiritual strength that will help you get through the world's challenges.

Crucifying your flesh doesn't mean literally nailing yourself to a cross, but it does mean that you need to put the desires and cravings of your flesh aside. Your primary role as a follower of Jesus is to draw others closer to Him by the light of your testimony. Pastor Jeff encourages you to take a look at the sinful behaviors in your life that hold you back, and to remember that the Great Commission is more important than gratifying your own flesh. He will give you the strength to nail those desires to the Cross.

When was the last time you came across a street preacher or someone witnessing in public? Maybe you cringed inside as you walked past them, or tried to hide away from their gaze as you crossed their chosen street corner. But Pastor Jeff wants you to realize that those people understand the urgency of the Great Commission! No one knows the day that Jesus is going to return for His bride, but it is the responsibility of every believer to make sure that as many people are saved as possible before that happens.

The book of Ecclesiastes isn't just a book of lamentation and despair, but it has a narrative of its own! It leads the reader on a journey where Solomon has fallen away from his faith, but rediscovers it along the way. Pastor Jeff reminds you today that life isn't always a straight line going slightly up over time; there are setbacks and struggles that may require you to reset. But when you look back on how far you've come, you realize that God never left your side; He's always been there for you.

Whenever you lay a trap for an animal in the woods, you need to leave some sort of bait to attract your target, or the trap may never be triggered. And just like a piece of meat is attractive to a wild animal, the pleasures of the world are the bait that the enemy uses to lure humanity into sinful behavior. But Pastor Jeff reminds you to be on your guard, because even though the temptation of sin has a sweet and pleasant aroma, it becomes dangerous and painful if you draw too close to it.

In a world of division, the call to sow seeds of restoration and unity rings louder than ever before. Today, in his message, Pastor Jeff illustrates that you must embody God's grace rather than succumbing to the world's divisive rhetoric. While apostasy lurks at every turn, seeking to lure you away from God's truths, you need to remain anchored to God's eternal promises. Claim your stake in eternity and set the world on fire in the name of His mercy. He wants anyone and everyone to join Him in His kingdom. 

Amidst the deception of our world, finding true wisdom has become more valuable than ever. It's no secret that falsehoods and misleading ideals abound. However, Pastor Jeff shares that there is a beacon of light and truth amidst this turmoil: God's grace. By surrendering your heart to Him, you're opening yourself to an eternal source of wisdom that transcends the deceptive narratives of our time. In God's presence, clarity emerges, and mercy flourishes, guiding you through the world's maze of deceit. 

Have you ever seen a lightning strike? It can change the whole landscape around you in moments if it causes a fire or an electrical outage. And just like a lightning strike, the circumstances of your life can dramatically shift with no notice. Pastor Jeff teaches you today that you shouldn't wait for the right opportunity to do good deeds in the world; the time is now! Before you go to bed tonight, try and bless one more person or do one more good deed to spread the love of God on Earth.

Whenever God provides for your needs, He doesn't usually make that provision manifest out of thin air. Instead, He calls people and moves in their hearts to be generous and share the blessings they have received with the one in need. Pastor Jeff wants you to examine the blessings that you yourself have been granted and see where you can give just a little bit more to your fellow man. Is there someone in your life who is in need of a blessing that you are uniquely equipped to provide?

Who is the greatest athlete you can think of? What about the greatest musician or the best writer? Well, no one becomes truly great at something without years and years of practice because they understand that in order to be great, they must perfect their skills. Pastor Jeff teaches you today that being a follower of Jesus is a lot like being a person of great skills, you become better at listening to His voice the more time you spend practicing healthy spiritual habits and the more time you spend in prayer.

Sometimes, you find yourself in a hole with no possible escape. When you're in that deep, dark situation, you need to look to the Lord to free you. That's exactly what Joseph had to deal with because even though he did not sin against Potiphar, he ended up locked in prison. But Pastor Jeff teaches you in today's message that God can change any situation in the blink of an eye. Just when all hope seems lost, you may look up and see the beam of light that symbolizes the end of your trial.

God's purposes behind blessing some people and leaving others wanting don't always make sense. You'll almost always be left wondering why someone wasn't blessed enough or even why they were blessed too much. But Pastor Jeff wants you to understand that God rains blessings on the evil and the righteous alike because, in the end, those blessings will bring glory to His name. He will reward those who serve Him the greatest, but you may have to wait longer to receive your portion.

How do you respond when you hear the Lord's voice and know where He's calling you? Do you drop everything and go? Or have you decided that you have a better plan of your own? In today's message, Pastor Jeff reminds you that when you rebel against the Lord's guidance, you forfeit the miraculous things He has in store for you. Stop turning away from your inheritance of grace and choose to embrace His promises. Walk in alignment with His will and open yourself up to receiving the fullness of His blessings. 

Often, when we read about the end times, it can be discomforting. Although we know that our faith is rooted in the sacrifice of Jesus, reading about death, fire, and deception can be unsettling. Today, Pastor Jeff assures you there's no need to fear the end times. When it seems like the world's chaos is closing in, let it serve as an encouragement to pursue Jesus with more enthusiasm than ever before. Instead of succumbing to fear or anxiety, anchor yourself in the promises of God's Word. 

Living life as a Christian in a world of sin is meant to be difficult. You're surrounded by people who aren't held to the same standard that you are, and it would seem so much easier to just give in to sin and follow a looser set of rules. But Pastor Jeff doesn't want you to trade in short-term relief and lose out on the long-term blessings that come with living a life pleasing to God. When you live a righteous life, God will reward you by inviting you into the eternal Kingdom that He is going to establish on Earth.

It's an unfortunate reality that evil reigns in the world as we know it. Everywhere we look, we can see how evil people have built empires for themselves, exploiting those beneath them without regard for anyone else's well-being. It can be discouraging for anyone, even a follower of Jesus, to see this kind of evil reigning unchecked. But Pastor Jeff wants us to realize that evil is only in control for a short time. When Jesus returns, He will cast down every evil ruler and tyrant and establish His Kingdom on Earth.

You are not guaranteed a single second more on Earth than the ones you have already been given. There are plenty of people who got out of bed one morning without knowing that they wouldn't be ending their day on this side of eternity. Pastor Jeff doesn't want you to waste the time you have on this Earth, which is why he quotes the book of Galatians to remind you that you should take every opportunity to do good on the Earth. You never know which good deed will be your last in this world.

Philosophy is one of the vehicles that mankind has built in an effort to understand reality on its own terms. Countless people have turned to philosophy to round out their own worldviews and attempt to fill the God-sized hole in their hearts. But when you realize that all of mankind's wisdom is eclipsed by the glory of God, you don't need to listen to those dead men and their thoughts about the world anymore. Pastor Jeff reminds you that you have a direct line of communication with the Creator of the universe.

If you were to get lost in a forest, would you rather have a hand-drawn map made by a child or a detailed map of the area with major bodies of water and nearby roads? Clearly, the second option would help you find your way out of danger and back to civilization, while the hand-drawn map would be inaccurate and lead you astray. Well, Pastor Jeff puts it bluntly today when he reminds you that your heart is an imperfect guide for your life. If you want to navigate the world safely, you need God's map to be your guide.