Hardwired with Jeff Wickwire

It doesn't take very long to find something wrong with the world. One of the main drawbacks of this connected age is that we are instantly aware of the evil deeds going on in the far reaches of the planet, and we can feel powerless to do anything about it. But Pastor Jeff reminds us that Jesus came to this world knowing full well what was going on in those times, but also what would be going on today. He sees all of the suffering of the human race, and extends mercy to all who will call on His name.

Some things in this world just can't coexist. Fire can destroy forests, water can drown living things, and heavy winds can wreak havoc on anything that stands in its path. But nothing falls apart as quickly as demonic oppression when the person being oppressed meets Jesus! Pastor Jeff shows us today how the demon-possessed man of Gadara has his life completely transformed after just a few moments with Jesus. The word of God makes all things new, and it restores what the enemy destroyed.

The enemy has one goal for your life, and that is to destroy everything that God has given you, and fill you with misery and bitterness. And without Jesus, that is exactly where our lives would be headed. But Pastor Jeff reminds us today that because we have Jesus, we can live a life in freedom! We have been bought and paid for, redeemed from an eternity of isolation from God by the blood of Jesus, and the enemy has no hold over our souls. We have been set free from the bonds of sin forever!

Walking in the way of Jesus is a very difficult thing to do. So many aspects of living a life that is pleasing to Christ involve putting aside your human nature and human reactions, and instead choosing a different path. And Pastor Jeff teaches today that you just don't have the strength on your own to live that kind of life consistently. Instead, rely on the sources of strength that God has provided for you. Spend time in God's word, seek the Lord in prayer, and build relationships with other believers.

God allowed the enemy to do a number of terrible things to Job, and yet Job remained faithful to God. Despite losing his entire family, and all of his possessions, Job refused to curse the God that had given him everything in the first place. And Pastor Jeff reminds you today that when Job came through the other side of the storm, God blessed him even more than he had been before. When the Lord allows you to face a storm in life, He will be there waiting to lift you up and make the sun shine on you.

Can you imagine if people weren't able to change because of their past mistakes? People like the Apostle Paul, who persecuted Christians, or John Newton, the author of the hymn “Amazing Grace”, made more of an impact after repenting of their sins and following Jesus than they had while following the ways of the world. Just like with the Prodigal Son, God is ready with open arms to welcome you home. All you need to do is repent of your sin, and drink from the living water that Jesus provides.

Something that you learn as you step into adulthood is that life is a lot like juggling. You are constantly having to catch and throw balls up in the air as you keep your different physical needs met. But the juggling doesn't get easier over time, instead, you usually end up with more balls than before! But Pastor Jeff reminds you today that Jesus offers you a drink of living water, a fountain that won't necessarily satisfy your physical needs, but it will nourish your soul for the long term, for all eternity!

Does it ever confuse you when you hear people say that God is a jealous God? After all, isn't jealousy supposed to be a sin? Well, the Bible doesn't say that God is jealous because He is evil or controlling. Instead, Pastor Jeff teaches you today that God doesn't easily let go of things that belong to Him, and that includes you and me. God won't stop us from leaving His presence if that's what we truly want, but He isn't going to bend over and allow us to be led astray if we truly belong to Him.

God's will for your life is like a suspenseful novel. You may have already read the last page to see how the story ends, but the mystery that remains is how the story unfolds to reach that ending. But Pastor Jeff wants you to know today that when you ask God for something in prayer, He will grant it to you as long as it is part of His will for your life. You may not know at the time how He will make it all work out, but you can have faith that He has a plan for you in His Kingdom, even if you can't see it yet.

When you come to meet Jesus, you begin to change into a new creation from the inside out! No longer are you bound by the curse of sin in your life, that leaves you feeling empty and wanting inside. Instead, the Holy Spirit fills in the cracks in your life that you've been trying to repair for so long, and fills you with the hope of eternal life that has been made available to you! Accepting Jesus into your life is just the first step in a lifelong transformation process that makes you more and more like Him.

Many people are tempted to give up on a project after it fails. How many unfinished hot rods are sitting in people's garages, unfinished after a setback? But the key is to not give up just because of a setback. And God knows better than anyone else that growth is a process. When you buckle under the pressure of your storms, don't worry that God is going to give up on you. In fact, He will come alongside you and help you rebuild what was broken. Pastor Jeff wants you to know that God is on your side.

When car manufacturers are designing new models, they need to run safety tests to ensure that their vehicles will protect passengers in the event of a crash. And just like those vehicles, your own life will be subject to tests and trials to refine and develop your faith. Pastor Jeff reminds you today of the parable of the house built on the solid rock, and how having that foundation in Christ will keep you from being blown away by the storms of life. Resisting those storms will help you get stronger.

These days, it's so easy to fake a message from someone! The technology exists to recreate someone's voice or appearance, and make them say or do whatever you want! It's more important than ever to be sure that you are receiving information from authentic sources. But Pastor Jeff teaches you that the ultimate seal of approval of the truth comes from the Holy Spirit. He convicts the hearts of those hearing the Gospel, and gives discernment to those who quiet themselves to listen to His voice.

The forces of the devil are always trying to get in your way, trying to ruin your life just because you are a follower of Jesus!  Pastor Jeff reminds you today that the devil has been given a level of control over this world and that he uses every resource available to him to create stumbling blocks and pitfalls for the community of believers worldwide. But the power that the Holy Spirit gives can help you overcome those roadblocks and live a fulfilling life in spite of the enemy's attacks against you!

In the legal system, laws need to be very specifically written out to avoid problems with their interpretation. Loopholes can be taken advantage of to avoid paying taxes, avoid providing a safe workplace, or even to avoid food safety standards. But Pastor Jeff reminds you that God's system of laws and regulations can be wrapped into one commandment: to love others as God loves you. If you apply that commandment to your entire life, He will bless your life in ways you couldn't dream of!

How often do you hear the phrase, “kill two birds with one stone”? It means that one action can solve multiple problems at once. And God is someone who excels at multitasking! His plans for humanity are like a giant tapestry, with threads weaving and crossing over each other in unexpected ways, but Pastor Jeff teaches you that the overall goal of God's plan is to bring glory to His name! So even the blessings that God has given you in this life serve a bringer purpose, and that is to glorify the Lord!

When you have a well-stocked toolbox, you are ready to handle any kind of problem you may have around the house. The right tool can be the difference between a quick fix and an expensive call to a handyman or repair person. Pastor Jeff teaches you today that the Holy Spirit provides the toolbox that every believer needs to follow Jesus in this broken world. Your exact set of tools may differ from everyone else's; that's because God has a unique plan for your life that isn't exactly like everyone else's.

Jesus set a high bar for Christians when he was confronted with the failure of His disciples to stay awake with Him in the garden of Gethsemane. He could have brought down righteous anger, knowing that there was horrible suffering coming His way, but instead, Jesus prayed for His friends. Pastor Jeff reminds you today that you should always be in prayer, especially in seasons of depression. The enemy may try and tear you down, but the Lord is the one who will bring healing to your mind.

When a boat starts taking on water, the crew has to spring into action to bail the water out of the boat, if they want to have any chance of saving the boat from sinking. And that's exactly what you have to do if you want to prevent your mind from sinking into the pit of depression. Pastor Jeff teaches you today that negative thoughts can accelerate your descent into depression, so the best thing you can do is capture those negative thoughts before they begin to make you sink.

Scientists estimate that only 20% of the world's oceans have been explored. That means that there are millions of square miles of territory that are a complete mystery to human understanding! But the nature of God is a far greater mystery that mankind will never be able to truly comprehend. Pastor Jeff reminds us today that God does not have human characteristics, but what we can understand is that God's love for the human race is so great that He sent His Son to save us from our sins!

Is there a celebrity that you know a lot about? Maybe it's an athlete whose career you've watched for years. Maybe it's your favorite movie star, or the lead singer of your favorite band, and you know some obscure detail about their life! But you don't really know that person; you just know about them. Pastor Jeff reminds you today that just because you know what God's Word says doesn't mean you truly know Him. If you don't have the love of God in your heart, it's like you've never known Him at all.

False teachers don't have to use fancy language to lead people astray! Instead, many of those false teachers use words that are easy to understand, luring people into a false sense of security. Pastor Jeff warns you that your greatest enemy isn't going to present himself with red horns and a pitchfork. Instead, you will be tempted by those who claim to have a different road to Heaven, one that is easier than following the way of Jesus. But those teachers are liars! Jesus is the only way to the Father.

The devil is so dangerous to humanity because he's an excellent liar! Not only is he able to make the path of destruction seem appealing to mankind, but he is also able to pinpoint specific areas of temptation to deceive people on an individual level. But Pastor Jeff reminds you to hold the devil's false promises accountable to the words of God's Word! If God's Word represents absolute truth, the devil is the complete opposite of that. He sits on a throne of lies, and his power fades away in the light of the Word.

God doesn't usually answer your prayer on the first time! When He knocked down the walls of Jericho, He made the Israelites march around the city's walls for seven days! Pastor Jeff encourages you with today's message that praying for something over and over again isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of great faith! It means that even though God hasn't answered you just yet, you still believe that He has the power to grant your request! He is just waiting for the right time to say “yes”.

Sin is like an old man who's lived in the same home his entire life. He never wants to leave it behind, and it may take a lot of effort to get him to completely leave, even if it's what's best for everyone involved. Pastor Jeff teaches you today that sin can be a stubborn thing to get rid of, but the power of Jesus can purge it from your life one piece at a time. But He won't do the work unless you surrender those issues of sin to Him. You need to do the work of recognizing the sin issues within yourself.

Is it a bad thing for you to be hungry? When you break it down, hunger is just your body communicating a desire to eat food. Needing to eat is not a bad thing, but if you commit sin while obtaining the needed food, that becomes a problem. Pastor Jeff doesn't want you to be ashamed of being hungry or of having needs and desires. The problem is when you turn to sinful behavior to meet the needs of the flesh. Trust in the Lord to be your provider, and let Him show you what He can do.

Something that many home cooks tend to overlook in their kitchens is having a working fire extinguisher. It's much better to have one and never need it than to need one and not have it! That fire extinguisher can put out a dangerous fire before it spreads and destroys your entire home. Pastor Jeff reminds you today that when you begin to doubt your way in life, all you need to do is think back to the power of the blood of Jesus in your life! God has brought you this far, and He won't let you down now.

In our fallen human nature, we are prone to behaviors such as jealousy. We crave possessions that others have, instead of being grateful for what we have already been given. Pastor Jeff warns us today that jealousy can turn into hatred, and hatred can lead to some dark and irreversible sins! When we have hatred towards our brother or sister, Jesus says we have committed murder in our hearts. The best way to avoid falling into this dark sin is to take control of jealousy and envy in our lives.

In the book of Acts, we see that followers of Jesus are empowered with the Holy Spirit to do good work in this world. But the Holy Spirit also serves the role of a guard on a watchtower. When you begin to allow sin into your life, the Holy Spirit rings the alarm within your soul! Pastor Jeff teaches you today that that conviction doesn't go away once you have truly accepted Jesus, so even those who stray from Jesus still have someone on their side, reminding them of where they belong.

When we want to make changes in our lives, we usually have to start by building habits that make us a better reflection of the person we want to be. We're starting from the outside and working our way into the core of our being. But salvation flips that formula on its head! Pastor Jeff teaches us today that when we accept Jesus into our lives, the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts and starts changing us from the inside out! We are made into new creations because of the power of Christ within us.

Following Jesus is a lot like running a marathon. See, there will be thousands, or maybe even millions of times throughout your life where you're faced with the opportunity to choose to live righteously, or to give in to sin. You won't make the right choice every single time. Pastor Jeff reminds you today that the only way that people who have been saved fall back into a life of sin is if they consciously choose a life of sin over a life of righteousness. It's not something you fall back into by mistake.

So what do you do when it seems like the enemy has won? When things don't work out the way you think they will? Pastor Jeff shows you how sometimes God will allow the enemy small victories, while giving you greater opportunities to serve Him in the process. The apostle Paul could have put his head between his legs and endured prison sentences, but instead he put his time to good use and wrote the letters that would become the Epistles: some of the most important New Testament books.

Do you hear the enemy trying to talk you down from doing something? Does he try and make you think that you're doomed to fail, or that God has abandoned you? Well, Pastor Jeff shows you today how Nehemiah faced similar challenges when rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. In order to complete the task that the Lord had given him, Nehemiah had to fend off both verbal and physical threats and trust in God to be his protector and Savior. Trust in the Lord, and He will see it all through.

Are you the kind of person that puts on a radio program or a podcast to just listen passively? Well, Pastor Jeff wants you to really pay attention to today's message. Because there are so many people that have claimed to follow Jesus, but because of apathy, or the temptations of the world, they let their passion for Jesus fade away, and they stop following Him. But Pastor Jeff desires for you to build a solid foundation in God's Word, so that when the way gets tough, you can return to the presence of the Savior.

Do you remember where you were when you accepted Jesus into your heart? When you said those words and believed in your heart that Jesus is Lord, a change took place within you! The Lord poured His Holy Spirit into your heart and changed you from the inside out forever. Pastor Jeff wants you to understand that there is a difference between saying that you're a believer in Christ and experiencing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit that works within you, changing you from the inside out.

Satan and his demonic forces aren't just a fairy tale to scare us into good behavior; they represent a real enemy in the spiritual realm! But the battleground that we are fighting on isn't in public spaces, or even in the material world at all. Instead, Pastor Jeff teaches us that the battles we fight are in the spiritual world and in the strongholds that the enemy has in today's society. Don't be afraid, because no matter what comes against you, remember that you have the power of Jesus on your side!

For someone who has been reading Scripture for a long time, it can become a passive habit to get into God's Word. But Pastor Jeff encourages you today to take an active approach as you dive into the Word in your daily devotions! You may have been reading the same passages over and over for years, but it's in those times when you think you have learned everything you can that the Lord speaks to you. He can breathe new life into the words that you've grown accustomed to over the years.

Did you know that the first thing you do in the morning has a big impact on the rest of your day? If the first thing you do is grab your phone and check the news, you'll immediately fill your mind with thoughts of what is going wrong in the world. But Pastor Jeff reminds you that if you make the effort to make time with God a central part of your day, you will be more and more blessed by the Lord. Spending time with your heavenly Father should be as natural to you as eating your first meal of the day.

Don't let doubt become an obstacle that hinders your relationship with God! Instead, Pastor Jeff tells you today that it should just be a step on the journey, a small part of a bigger story of faith. When you are faced with doubt, the Bible tells you that you should confess it to Jesus and place them at His feet. Allow Him to calm your fears and anxieties, and live in the freedom that His love provides. God will always be there for you, so long as you don't give up on His love for you.

Every believer is going to doubt God at some point. There will be times where your faith in Him wavers, even just for a moment. That isn't sinful behavior, and God isn't going to look poorly on you because of it. But Pastor Jeff warns you to not confuse doubt and unbelief, because unbelief is the thing that can begin to rot away at your relationship with God. You don't sin when you doubt God's goodness or doubt God's word. You sin when you hear God's word proclaimed and reject it completely.

If you were accused of a crime and had to go to court right now to be put on trial, would you defend yourself? Or would you seek after someone to represent you, to speak up on your behalf? Pastor Jeff reminds you today that when you accept Jesus' gift of forgiveness, He becomes the advocate that intervenes for you! While your sins would condemn you to an eternity without God, Jesus has taken the penalty of all of your sin so that you can live a life free of guilt, and be in the presence of God forever!

The great thing about Jesus' gift of salvation is that it isn't a one-time purge of your sin record! In fact, Jesus' forgiveness applies to all the sins of your past, your present, and even your future! But there is a caveat to this truth. While your sins are covered and forgiven by the blood of Jesus, you still have a mandate to turn away from your sin, and to seek a life of righteousness. Pastor Jeff warns you not to be complacent in sin, but to instead repent from your sin and find a new life as you follow Jesus.

Any structure that exists in the world today is only as strong as its foundation. Whether it's a building with a physical foundation, or an organization or institution with a set of values as its foundation, having a weak foundation can spell disaster for the long-term health of the structure. Pastor Jeff reminds you today that the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation that the Christian faith is built on. The disciples even doubted the Resurrection at first, but when they laid eyes on Jesus, they truly believed.

There is a brand of Christianity in modern culture that is all about the experience. Big conferences, celebrity speakers, and trendy outfits. And while there may be sound teaching spread at these events, it can be hard to tell if that is the focus of the events. Pastor Jeff reminds you to always place God at the center of your worship. People need spiritual nourishment to grow in their faith. They need the solid food of God's Word, not the big flashy experiences that create shallow faith.

Whether we like it or not, there is a market for false prophets in Christian culture. People desire a new revelation from God, and they're willing to look past some major red flags if they like the prophecy they are hearing. Pastor Jeff warns us in today's message to be on the lookout for these false prophets, but he also reminds us that the best way to discern false teaching is to compare it with Scripture! God doesn't contradict Himself, and His prophets won't contradict His Word either.

God did not promise that you would have an easy path through life. Scripture is actually full of examples of people who follow God with their whole hearts, still being faced with trials, because that's just the reality of how the world works. But Pastor Jeff isn't just giving you bad news today; he wants to remind you that God will always give you a way to endure the temptations that you face in this life! It may be difficult to see, and you may have to listen for His voice, but the Lord always will provide a way out.

Temptation is all about repeating patterns of sin, and Satan is very good at exploiting your patterns of behavior. That's why Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount that if something is causing you to sin, you should cut it out of your life. Pastor Jeff reminds you today that your own human strength is limited, and that if you are regularly putting yourself in situations where you are easily tempted, you may not always be able to resist the devil. You need to learn to give temptation a wide berth.

There are people out there who just want to find a hidden meaning in something. A common version of this phenomenon is people who believe in the importance of numbers and how certain patterns of numbers carry spiritual or supernatural meaning. But Pastor Jeff wants you to realize that God isn't cryptic like that. If He is going to tell you something, it won't be in patterns that only certain people with supernatural senses can see. He tells you what you need to hear, straight from His Word! 

When you think about the way the devil is portrayed in human culture, there's almost always a deal involved. There are many fictional stories of people signing their souls over to the devil in exchange for power, favor, or even good health. And while those stories may be fictional, Pastor Jeff reminds you that the temptation is real, all the same. The occult wants you to think that you can gain access to power by following their teachings, but what you're really doing is opening your heart to demonic influence. 

One of the ways people try to conflate Christianity with Islam is by claiming that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. But Pastor Jeff reminds you today that Muslims are reading a different sacred text! The Quran is not the Bible, and vice versa. So, even though both groups claim to be worshipping the same God, only one can be the true and inspired Word of God. You can't serve Jehovah and Allah; you will one day be asked who you serve, and you will be held accountable for your choice.

If people are good at being one thing, it's being stubborn! How many times have you received correction from someone, and how many times has your first reaction to that correction been to get defensive, or to dismiss the criticism completely? Well, Pastor Jeff reminds you today that a cult member may not be able to escape the deception on their own. You need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to get through to someone who is too stubborn to see how trapped in lies they have become.