Real Life with Jack Hibbs

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that when we are overwhelmed, the Lord is unchanging. We can be in the middle of long and lonely days of spiritual dryness, fighting off unhappiness, and yet, we can still hold onto God and His Word.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that the seed of our desires are rooted in our soul. It's why we need to take our desires to the Lord. We cannot manage desire without knowing God, and what He says in His Word.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that desire is part of being human. But, there are many types of desire. Some are Godly, and some are ugly. So, the discipline of desire is to take control of those desires and choose the ones that reflect God's glory.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that there is a myth about the 10 Commandments. That they don't let us do anything and are set up to quench our desires. But, the 10 Commandments are designed by God to drive us to absolute freedom and liberty.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that just as we love to depend on others, we need to remind ourselves to also be dependable. Doing the right thing may make us feel uncomfortable, but we need to keep a watchful eye on the things that can lead us back to our old selfish ways.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that dependability is proven through the difficult times. Our hearts need to be guarded through the pressures of life so we can praise and worship the Lord, fellowship with others, and meditate on His Word.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that who and what we are is often decided in our youth. Influences through the years have created certain disciplines. But for the Christian, our lives are being recreated where dependability begins in the heart.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that at the moment of conversion we are given a new heart spiritually. This results in a new attitude, and through Christ we are able to have and enjoy what others in the world strive to achieve.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that when we delight in the Lord, we think less of ourselves. This is a great and powerful thing. To see life as God's responsibility, we are free to be what He wants us to be.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that joy strengthens our faith and brings contentment to our hearts. When we recognize who really owns what we have, a real peace can sweep over us and bring rest to our minds.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that God knows how it's all going to turn out. And, when we wait for His results, and not try to make things happen, we're actually letting God be God, and it's amazing what he can do.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that God has a plan for our lives. His delay is what separates us from the advice of the world, and even from those who are closest around us. The longer we have to wait for the Lord to act, the more clearly we see, and the more simple things become.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches us that to wait on the Lord is to pursue Him, and His Word, even when it feels like He delays His answer. It's only by waiting and trusting that we overcome our anxieties, and the challenges of our day.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that deformity can be a strength to us, confident that God loves us, and His grace is sufficient. The flesh will often fail us, but we can still find joy in the deformities that keep us humble.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that people are spiritually impaired without Christ. We need to recognize our need for Him so we can hear His truth and respond to it with meaning and purpose.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that we need to remind ourselves of certain facts. God is our refuge and strength. He is here with us in times of trouble, and we're not to fear what this world can do to us.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that we need to eagerly wait on the Lord. It feels wrong to wait, but David tells us in Psalm 46 to be still and know that He is God. In His time, He will strengthen us as we exalt Him through life's difficulties.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that when it comes to our spiritual life, we need to be intentional. What's inside of us, our desires, thoughts, or beliefs will affect our actions and how we live out our faith.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that God, the Father, knows everything, including us. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses, and it's why He reminds us in scripture that we are one with Him, and no one can take us out of His hands.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that dependence often shows up through prayer, reading the Bible, and by actively surrendering our plans and fears to God. Humility and dependence on God is not a weakness. He's a strong tower to run to when life feels unstable.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that the less we depend on ourselves, the more we depend on God. It takes discipline to live a life opposite to the world's point of view. The world relies on its own strength, but for the Christian, it's about living every day in reliance upon God.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that the days of declining activity are to be met with days better spent, and our days of declining numbers are to be met with words that bring new life. Are you older? Then your wise words are needed, and what you would change if you had to do it all over again.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that the days of declining responsibilities are to be met with increased delegation. Handing the baton over unlocks the next door to new ministries. The wisdom we've gained, and the legacy we leave behind really matters.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that to remain effective and faithful to God in these days of declining strength, we are to face it with a greater vision. It's a time to take stock of our lives when so much of our younger days are wasted on empty and meaningless endeavors. 

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that once a decision is made, we must be willing to obey His guidance. God knows what's right, and He wants what's best for us. There is a blessing in a disciplined decision.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that one discipline of decision making is to be willing to wait for God's guidance. We can never make a mistake by waiting. It can bring joy and rest by being patient with the Lord

Today, Pastor Jack teaches us that things that happen in life are not the things that define who we are. We are a people with lives that are far greater, created by God, in His image, and are called according to His purpose

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that Jesus is the only life to live because we're looking to be rescued, loved and accepted. Only Christ can really love us and fill our lives with purpose.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that there is a sense of hope and excitement of Jesus's resurrection when we realize that His return is closer than ever. Our lives may be busy, and our direction gets compromised, but one thing is true. Our lives need His help, and only Christ can change us, and keep us focused on the things that really matter.

Today, in this special Passion Week message, Pastor Jack teaches that there is a call of God on every believer, and the nation of Israel is the center of God's promises. This means that wherever you're at, or whatever you're doing, the God of Israel is watching and waiting for you to finally break through the crowd and invite Him into your life.

Today, in this special Passion Week message, Pastor Jack teaches that Passion Week is a week filled with real events. Israel was under Roman occupation, but the 400 years of silence from God was about to end, and a hope in Christ was about to spring forth.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that wise choices require discipline, a reliance on God, and the willingness to wait for His guidance. Our feelings, advice from others, or leaning on our own understanding will almost always lead us in the wrong direction.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that the discipline of darkness isn't a punishment, but a spiritual process depending on faith, rather than feelings. Temptation will come, especially in dark times, but when we endure, it can deepen our trust in God and helps us to grow spiritually.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that we need to be careful what we let into our lives. When we trust in the Lord, and read the Bible daily, it counteracts the darkness of thoughts and influences that our culture tries to put on us.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that we are all called out of spiritual darkness and into the light of Christ. Whatever God speaks to us in the light, we must not forget when the dark time comes.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that we need to be daring to love the Lord and be daring to obey Him. Our future is in His hands, and to be bold is to be daring about what's coming next no matter what.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that Christians who are daring through the weaknesses in their life, are those who are strong, and know their God, and will do great things for His namesake.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that to be daring, is to have a sufficient amount of courage to meet a challenge. Daring can mean the difference between living in defeat by not doing what God calls you to do, and a completed challenge that He calls, “well done”.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that, as Christ followers, it's good to be encouraged when we are dealing with spiritual threats. But, there is a danger in needing constant approval from others. If we're putting God first, fear dissipates, and our focus on the security of possessions vanishes.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that as we get stronger in the Lord, and are advancing spiritually, we will face resistance. The enemy waits for opportunities to derail our faith, but the danger is not being ready for it.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that the disciple of Christ loves the Lord and make Him their supreme pursuit in life. If our love for Him is first and passionate, it will enable us to love, care and provide for others, even if it costs, and even in the face of hardships.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that the personal discipline of the disciple starts by remembering our sinful state, and our need for our Savior. Our sins, in the magnitude of the Lord's sacrifice, creates within us a humble gratitude, and an unwavering loyalty.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that, as disciples, we're devoted followers of Christ, denying ourselves, even our pursuits, by putting Him first in all that we do. And, as we're united in our journey with the Lord, we're committed to His Word, and faithful in prayer.

Today, in this final segment of First Samuel, Pastor Jack teaches that God is our defense, and, like David, we need to let God be God. It's His desire to lead us into victory. We just have to allow Him to lead the fight against our spiritual and moral challenges.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that King Saul could never see what God had for him. He never asked God for wisdom. He never consulted God on how to move forward and failed to see the importance of the people in his life.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that David trusted God while Saul went full steam ahead without God, and his entire army paid the price. In moments of crisis, if we don't follow God, the results can be tragic.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that David, once again, walked in the Lord's likeness, mercy and grace. After a terrible time of discouragement and loss, he makes a comeback, and God restores all that was taken away from him, and so much more.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that, when David drifts from God, it reminds us that we, too, can drift away, out of exhaustion and fear. But, like David, we can both strengthen and encourage ourselves knowing that God isn't done with us yet.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that David could have easily given up. But he finds that God is still there, even in his poor choices and failures. And, like David, a true comeback begins when we put God first through our faith and obedience.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that a lapse in faith often begins when we slowly stop seeking after the Lord and start managing our fears on our own. David pulled himself into the light of God's will, even in the midst of darkness. A profound way in which we need to live.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that poor choices often stem from fear and not faith. It can place us in difficult, even dangerous positions. God's grace, however, can still deliver, and redirect us. Still, it's better to not allow our faith to falter in the first place.