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Pastor Jonathan Laurie shares lessons from the story of Jonah, a reluctant evangelist who ran from God’s calling. Notes: Focus verse - Jonah 2 Matthew 23:25–27 (NKJV)“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. “Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” Jonah 4:3 (NLT)“Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” #1 God Appoints Circumstances to Bring Us Back Sometimes we think God is punishing us. God paid Jesus back for our sin. Jonah was a historical, biblical character.2 Kings 14:25 Matthew 12:40 (NKJV)“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” God appoints circumstances and storms.Not to pay us back, but to bring us back. #2 God Still Sees in the DarkJonah 2:1 (NLT) Read: Jonah 2:1–9 (NLT) While Jonah sat in darkness inside the great fish, he prayed.God heard and delivered Jonah out of his fishy prison. Psalm 139:11–12 (NLT)I could ask the darkness to hide meand the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.To you the night shines as bright as day.Darkness and light are the same to you. Israel worshipped one God — the true Creator. Romans 12:1 (NKJV)I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Read: Jonah 2:10 –3:5 (NKJV) #3 Saved From and Saved For God rescued Jonah from darkness so Jonah could reach others in darkness. 2 Corinthians 5:18–20 (NLT) Mark 16:15–16 (NLT)And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Romans 10:14 (NLT)But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? Learn more about this year's Harvest Crusade! --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pastor Jonathan Laurie shares lessons from the story of Jonah, a reluctant evangelist who ran from God’s calling. Notes: Focus verse - Jonah 2 Matthew 23:25–27 (NKJV)“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. “Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” Jonah 4:3 (NLT)“Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” #1 God Appoints Circumstances to Bring Us Back Sometimes we think God is punishing us. God paid Jesus back for our sin. Jonah was a historical, biblical character.2 Kings 14:25 Matthew 12:40 (NKJV)“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” God appoints circumstances and storms.Not to pay us back, but to bring us back. #2 God Still Sees in the DarkJonah 2:1 (NLT) Read: Jonah 2:1–9 (NLT) While Jonah sat in darkness inside the great fish, he prayed.God heard and delivered Jonah out of his fishy prison. Psalm 139:11–12 (NLT)I could ask the darkness to hide meand the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.To you the night shines as bright as day.Darkness and light are the same to you. Israel worshipped one God — the true Creator. Romans 12:1 (NKJV)I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Read: Jonah 2:10 –3:5 (NKJV) #3 Saved From and Saved For God rescued Jonah from darkness so Jonah could reach others in darkness. 2 Corinthians 5:18–20 (NLT) Mark 16:15–16 (NLT)And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Romans 10:14 (NLT)But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? Learn more about this year's Harvest Crusade! --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Revisit this timeless interview as Pastor Greg Laurie sits down with his mentor, the late Pastor Chuck Smith, to share the origins of the Harvest Crusade and captivating behind the scenes stories. Since its inception as the “Summer Harvest” in 1990, the Harvest Crusade has far exceeded the expectations of both pastors. Over the years, millions have attended, and hundreds of thousands of coming to faith stories have been created. Join us for the 2025 Harvest Crusade on July 19 and become part of this remarkable story! -- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Revisit this timeless interview as Pastor Greg Laurie sits down with his mentor, the late Pastor Chuck Smith, to share the origins of the Harvest Crusade and captivating behind the scenes stories. Since its inception as the “Summer Harvest” in 1990, the Harvest Crusade has far exceeded the expectations of both pastors. Over the years, millions have attended, and hundreds of thousands of coming to faith stories have been created. Join us for the 2025 Harvest Crusade on July 19 and become part of this remarkable story! -- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30:19–20 NLT) One of the great blessings of being a Christian is that God gives us second chances. He knows that we’re not perfect. He knows that we’re prone to giving in to temptation, allowing our emotions to get the better of us, and acting in ways that cause people to question our commitment to Christ. Even so, He gives us the opportunity to put our sin behind us—even when we’ve failed miserably. God allows us to turn things around dramatically and start anew. But when it comes to second chances, we have a choice in the matter as well. God stands willing to forgive, but we must approach Him. So when we sin, we have two ways to address it. We can confess it to God, ask His forgiveness, turn away from it, and experience the joy of His forgiveness. Or we can try to conceal our sin, refuse to admit guilt, and experience the consequences and repercussions of our wrongdoing. In the book of Deuteronomy, God posed a challenge to His people. He said, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life” (30:19–20 NLT). It’s amazing that some of those people, after hearing God’s challenge, consciously chose death. And it’s even more amazing that people today still choose death. You see, choosing death is essentially what we do when we choose to go against God and His Word. Jesus said of His followers, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). That’s the life you chose when you received Jesus as Savior and Lord. But the key to enjoying a rich and satisfying life is obedience. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 28:13, “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy” (NLT). You can’t cover your sin. You can’t run from it. There is only one way to get rid of your sin and obtain true life. It’s at the cross of Jesus Christ. The choice is yours. Choose life. Reflection question: What would turning from a specific sin look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pastor Greg Laurie has pointed out before how pervasive loneliness is. Well, today is National Cheer Up the Lonely Day. What? You didn’t know? But today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg doesn’t offer warm platitudes to make us smile, he introduces us to the Friend who sticks closer than a brother. From a recent Harvest Crusade, he shows us how Jesus offers connection and purpose . . . and He offers the promise of eternal life. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pastor Greg Laurie has pointed out before how pervasive loneliness is. Well, today is National Cheer Up the Lonely Day. What? You didn’t know? But today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg doesn’t offer warm platitudes to make us smile, he introduces us to the Friend who sticks closer than a brother. From a recent Harvest Crusade, he shows us how Jesus offers connection and purpose . . . and He offers the promise of eternal life. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 NLT) A Sunday school teacher gave the kids in her class an assignment to write down any questions they had for God. Here are some of the questions, comments, and suggestions they came up with: Dear God, did You mean for the giraffe to look like that, or was it an accident? Dear God, I like the Lord’s Prayer best of all. Did You have to write it a lot, or did You get it right the first time? I have to write everything over and over again. Dear God, thank You for my baby brother You gave to us, but what I prayed for was a puppy. Dear God, how come You haven’t invented any new animals lately? We still have just the old ones. Dear God, I bet it is very hard for You to love everybody in the whole world. There are only four people in my family, and I just can’t do it. Dear God, in school we read that Thomas Edison made light, but in Sunday school, they said that You made it. I bet he stole Your idea. If you’re new to the Christian faith, you may have your own questions, comments, or suggestions for God. (And if you’ve been a Christian for most of your life, you probably still have questions, comments, or suggestions for God.) The questions may be tough. They may seem impolite. They may suggest a lack of faith on your part. Ask them anyway. That’s what the psalmists did. Look at Psalm 10:1 above. Those pointed questions are heartfelt cries. And God responds to our heartfelt cries—not with anger or punishment for questioning Him, but with compassion and understanding. He gives us wisdom and peace. He opens our eyes to spiritual truths we can’t see on our own. Few people in Scripture were closer to God than David, the shepherd who killed Goliath and later became king of Israel. First Samuel 13:14 describes David as “a man after God’s own heart.” Yet look what he wrote in Psalm 13:1–2: “O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?” (NLT). He poured out his soul to God because he knew God would see his questions for what they were: genuine attempts to understand God and His will. The apostle James offered this advice: “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5–6 NLT). God welcomes your questions because the more answers you receive, the stronger your faith will grow. Reflection question: What questions would you like to ask God? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God has never encountered a problem or a crisis too big for Him to handle. He’s never said, “Uh-oh.” So when we encounter something we can’t handle, we need to look to our God who can handle anything. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, as Pastor Greg Laurie returns to our studies of the life of David, we’ll see what happened when David faced a giant-sized problem. It’s a familiar story, but sometimes we miss the practical application. That’s Pastor Greg’s focus as we begin today’s study. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God has never encountered a problem or a crisis too big for Him to handle. He’s never said, “Uh-oh.” So when we encounter something we can’t handle, we need to look to our God who can handle anything. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, as Pastor Greg Laurie returns to our studies of the life of David, we’ll see what happened when David faced a giant-sized problem. It’s a familiar story, but sometimes we miss the practical application. That’s Pastor Greg’s focus as we begin today’s study. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.” (Ephesians 1:11 NLT) When I was growing up, I moved a lot because my mom was married and divorced seven times. We lived all over the country. Because I was always switching schools, more people knew me by the title “new kid” than by my name. I can’t remember how many times I had to stand in front of a class of kids who all knew each other while the teacher introduced me. Few things are as humiliating and lonely as being put on display for everyone to inspect and judge. In high school, because I wasn’t the most athletically inclined kid, I was often the last person chosen for a team. “Who wants Laurie?” “I don’t want him; you take him.” I would get picked for first base—not to play first base, but to be first base, you see. I’m not telling you this so that you’ll feel sorry for me. I’m just pointing out that I know what it’s like to be isolated from others. I’ve felt the sting of not belonging or not being wanted. Maybe you’ve felt it, too. If you’ve recently made a decision to follow Christ, you may be feeling isolated and alone now. The apostle Paul wrote, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT). That’s an amazing promise, but if the old life is all you know, you may be feeling like a new kid in front of the class. If so, there are a few things you need to know. First, you are very much wanted. As Paul makes clear in Ephesians 1:11 above, God has chosen you. He wants you on His team. Second, not only has God chosen you, but He also cares about your well-being. Psalm 33:18 says, “But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love” (NLT). Third, God will bring spiritual allies, friends, and mentors into your orbit. Hebrews 10:24–25 says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (NLT). This is fellowship, one of God’s awesome gifts. Fellowship is much more than superficial conversations on Sunday mornings. God intends for believers to live in community with one another. That means investing yourself in the lives of others and allowing others to invest themselves in your life. Fellowship involves serving together, worshiping together, encouraging one another, challenging one another, holding one another accountable, and embracing your responsibilities to one another. Whether you’re celebrating, mourning, or simply enduring, you need never face a season of life alone. God makes sure of that. Reflection question: How can you become a spiritual ally to a fellow believer? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Some tend to think that God only uses perfect people . . . people with no blindspots, no failings, no shortcomings. But the more we study the Bible, the more we see how God used imperfect people to do remarkable things for His Kingdom. How can we be the kind of person God is looking for? Pastor Greg Laurie answers that today here on A NEW BEGINNING as we examine the life of a great leader of Israel who God chose personally, over and above other candidates who appeared more impressive. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Some tend to think that God only uses perfect people . . . people with no blindspots, no failings, no shortcomings. But the more we study the Bible, the more we see how God used imperfect people to do remarkable things for His Kingdom. How can we be the kind of person God is looking for? Pastor Greg Laurie answers that today here on A NEW BEGINNING as we examine the life of a great leader of Israel who God chose personally, over and above other candidates who appeared more impressive. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:41–42 NLT) If your aim is to experience genuine revival in your spiritual life, in addition to being an ambassador for Christ and a neighbor like Christ, you must also be a worshiper of Christ. That’s the third ministry role found in Luke 10. Some believers make the mistake of allowing their work for God to overshadow their worship of God. They convince themselves that what they say or do is indispensable to God’s kingdom. That their ministry is vital to the success of the Christian faith. That God needs them. Newsflash: God doesn’t need us. Another newsflash: Everything that believers do must emanate from our worship of God. Worship is the source of our power and effectiveness, so it must be our top priority. If it isn’t, we will not burn bright for Christ. We won’t feel a sense of revival. Instead, we’ll find ourselves burning out. We can’t give out what we don’t possess. We can’t take people any further than we’ve gone ourselves. We see this principle played out in the story of Jesus’ visit to the house of his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Luke 10. Storm clouds were looming large in the life of the Lord. In fact, He was on His way to Jerusalem to be crucified. Before that happened, He wanted to talk about the coming changes with His friends. This was an important evening. Martha’s instinct was to prepare a good meal for Jesus—to stay busy doing things for Him. Mary, on the other hand, “sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught” (Luke 10:39 NLT). Martha saw obligation; Mary saw opportunity. The Creator of the universe, in human form, was sitting in her house, revealing life-changing spiritual truths. As far as Mary was concerned, washing dishes and setting the table could wait. Her priority was to spend as much time as possible in Jesus’ presence. Martha grew annoyed with Mary for not joining her in her busy work. She took her complaint to Jesus. “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me” (verse 40 NLT). Jesus helped her see where her priorities were out of order. “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her” (verses 41–42 NLT). There’s a time for work and a time for worship. Martha’s mistake was offering activity instead of adoration, perspiration instead of inspiration, and work instead of worship. She didn’t realize that Jesus preferred her company over her service in that situation. He wanted her fellowship and companionship more than He wanted a meal. There are countless ways to serve Jesus, but our worship must come first. That’s where our spiritual power and energy come from. That’s where revival begins. What we do with Christ is far more important than what we do for Christ. Reflection question: What can you do to revitalize your Christian worship? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We see the social media posts of certain friends and marvel at how great their life is. Lunch on the beach in Cabo. Sipping a hot chocolate in a ski chalet in Aspen. Social media has become a collection of highlight reels – because people want to look good. But today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out God follows you . . . no, not on social media, in real life. And He’s most impressed by things that would never show up in a highlight reel. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We see the social media posts of certain friends and marvel at how great their life is. Lunch on the beach in Cabo. Sipping a hot chocolate in a ski chalet in Aspen. Social media has become a collection of highlight reels – because people want to look good. But today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out God follows you . . . no, not on social media, in real life. And He’s most impressed by things that would never show up in a highlight reel. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“‘Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?’ Jesus asked. The man replied, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Yes, now go and do the same.’” (Luke 10:36–37 NLT) *Enjoying Pastor Greg's devotional podcast? Let us know what you think with this quick survey!* In our last devotion, we looked at one role of ministry that’s key to personal revival: being an ambassador for Christ. Today, we’re going to look at a second role of ministry, also from Luke 10: being a neighbor like Jesus. The great evangelist D. L. Moody once attended a conference on reaching the lost world. Soon, however, he grew frustrated with the proceedings because nothing was being accomplished. None of the attendees had come up with any viable strategies for reaching the lost. Moody, a man of action, decided to make a point. He instructed his song leader, Ira Sankey, to meet him at a certain street corner at 6 PM. At the appointed time, Moody placed a little box on the sidewalk and said to Sankey, “Get up there and start singing.” Sankey had an incredible voice, and soon a crowd gathered to listen to him. When he finished, Moody preached for a few moments. Then he said to the crowd, “I want you to go with me down to the civic auditorium, and I am going to tell you more.” The civic auditorium was where the conference was being held. The conference attendees had left for dinner. Moody led the crowd into the auditorium and started preaching. The place was full. When the attendees returned, Moody stopped preaching and said, “We have to close our meeting because our brothers are here at the conference to talk about how to reach the masses. So let’s all go.” He made his point. You guys can talk about it all day long, but this is how you do it. Moody’s emphasis on “doing” echoed Jesus’ message in the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10. In the parable, a Jewish man is robbed, beaten, and left for dead beside a road. Three travelers encounter the severely injured man. The first is a priest, probably coming from the temple. The second is a temple assistant. Both are well-respected in the religious community. Neither lift a finger to help. The third man is a Samaritan. In Jesus’ day, Jewish people hated Samaritans. They considered Samaritans to be a racially impure and inferior people. Yet it’s the Samaritan who stops to help the man. Not just to offer his thoughts and prayers, but to tend to his wounds, transport him to a nearby inn, and pay for weeks of care. Jesus concluded the parable with a pointed question: “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” (Luke 10:36 NLT). The answer is obvious, of course, but the lesson is lost on many people today. Being a neighbor like Jesus has nothing to do with geographic or social common ground. It has everything to do with getting involved in the lives of other people, meeting their needs, and showing them grace and mercy. Being a neighbor like Jesus means sacrificing our time, energy, and financial resources for the sake of others. Your neighborhood is as large as you choose to make it. Reflection question: What would being a neighbor like Jesus look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When the alarm goes off early so we can get up and work out, it’s easy to wish we could strengthen our muscles while we lie there in bed. But we know it doesn’t work that way. When it comes to growing strong in our faith, sometimes we have to exercise our faith . . . and sometimes that comes at the most painful, distressing times of life. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us get through the toughest times of our lives. Today, we’ll see our faith grows as we lean hard on the Lord. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When the alarm goes off early so we can get up and work out, it’s easy to wish we could strengthen our muscles while we lie there in bed. But we know it doesn’t work that way. When it comes to growing strong in our faith, sometimes we have to exercise our faith . . . and sometimes that comes at the most painful, distressing times of life. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us get through the toughest times of our lives. Today, we’ll see our faith grows as we lean hard on the Lord. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.’” (Luke 10:1–2 NLT) *Enjoying Pastor Greg's devotional podcast? Let us know what you think with this quick survey!* A spiritual revival often begins with a sense of dissatisfaction, a realization that something is missing in your life. Have you experienced that? Maybe you’ve wondered what to do with your life. Maybe you’re middle-aged or getting on a little bit in years. You’re looking at the course that your life is taking and asking, “Is this really where I want to go?” Maybe you’ve reached some of the goals you set for yourself. You’ve had a certain level of success, but still feel like your life is lacking some meaning and purpose. Maybe you’re a young person asking, “What am I going to do? What should I be spending my life on?” None of us wants to squander our lives in pursuit of nothing. We want to find purpose and meaning. We want to pursue something noble. But what does that mean? And how should that pursuit impact the way we live our lives? In terms of revival, we might ask how we can tap into something deeper, more vibrant in our Christian faith. The answers to these questions are found in Luke 10, which highlights three roles that every follower of Jesus Christ should fill. In today’s devotion, we’ll look at the first role: ambassador. Believers must be ambassadors for Christ. We must represent Him and His message to the world. We must live in a way that reflects Him so that when people look at us, they see Him. In Luke 10, we find Jesus at a crucial point in His life and ministry. His time in Galilee had come to an end, and He was beginning the slow journey to Jerusalem that would culminate in His crucifixion. To prepare the way, He selected 72 disciples to go ahead of Him to the areas He would be visiting. This was a critical opportunity, and He wanted His disciples to make the most of it. If you’ve made the decision to follow Jesus, you have critical opportunities, too. Opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus. Opportunities to talk about your own journey to faith. Opportunities to introduce others to the life-changing wisdom of God’s Word. You have no way of knowing where and when you’ll find “open doors”— people who are especially receptive to your message because of the circumstances of their lives. But you need to understand that open doors may not stay that way for long. You must be prepared to seize every opportunity. That’s what it means to be an ambassador for Christ. Look at Luke 10:2 again. Jesus didn’t say He needed spectators or critics; He said He needed workers, people willing to step out of their comfort zones and risk rejection for something infinitely more important than comfort and acceptance. Your work as an ambassador won’t go unnoticed. Proverbs 11:25 says, “Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (NLT). That’s how personal revival works. Reflection question: What would being an ambassador for Christ look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Discover how to overcome hesitation and share your faith boldly with Pastor Greg Laurie’s new series, "The Reluctant Evangelist," exploring the story of Jonah. Notes: Focus verse - Jonah1 #1 CHRISTIANS HAVE BEEN CALLED TO EVANGELIZE. #2 WHY DON’T WE SHARE OUR FAITH MORE? THE FEAR OF REJECTION OR OFFENDING SOMEONE. WE DON’T SHARE THE GOSPEL DUE TO OUR LACK OF CONFIDENCE OR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES. 1 PETER 3:15 THE OBJECTIVE IN EVANGELISM IS NOT TO WIN THE ARGURMENT, BUT TO WIN THE SOUL. ABOUT HALF OF ALL AMERICAN ADULTS SAY THEY’RE SOMEWHAT OPEN TO HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT FAITH OR THE GOSPEL WITH A STRANGER. WE DON’T SHARE OUR FAITH BECAUSE WE DON’T REALLY CARE. PEOPLE DON’T CARE ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE. 2 TIMOTHY 2:26 EFFECTIVE SHARING OF ONE’S FAITH STARTS WITH A CONCERN AND A BURDEN. JONAH ACTUALLY DID HATE THE PEOPLE GOD CALLED HIM TO PREACH TO. #3 JONAH WAS THE RELUCTANT EVANGELIST. JONAH WAS NOT JUST RELUCTANT, HE WAS RECALCITRANT. READ JONAH 1:1–3 "…FOR THEIR WICKEDNESS HAS COME UP BEFORE ME."JONAH 1:2 NINEVAH, A CITY OF THE ASSYRIANS, WAS LEGENDARY FOR ITS CRUELTY. THE NINEVITES WERE THE AVOWED ENEMIES OF ISRAEL. THIS WOULD BE LIKE GOD CALLING AN ISRAELI TO GO PREACH TO TEHRAN. GOD LOVES THE PEOPLE OF IRAN.THEY ARE SUFFERING UNDER A CRUEL AND AUTHORITARIAN ISLAMIC REGIME. WE ARE HEARING STORIES OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF IRANIANS COMING TO CHRIST. GOD TAKES NO PLEASURE IN THE DEATH OF THE WICKED.EZEKIEL 33:11 CHRISTIANS WANT TO SEE PEACE IN THE LAND. #4 WE HAVE OUR MODERN NINEVAHS. GOD HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON CALFORINA. THE BOOK OF JONAH IS ALL ABOUT SALVATION-THE SALVATION OF SOME PAGAN SAILORS FROM A STORM.THE SALVATION OF A DISOBEDIENT PROPHET.THE SALVATION OF ONE OF THE MOST WICKED CITIES ON EARTH. GOD SEEMS TO GO OUT OF HIS WAY TO FIND THE MOST UNLIKELY PEOPLE TO USE. LET’S CONSIDER MOSES’ RESPONSE WHEN CALLED BY GOD TO SPEAK FOR HIM.EXODUS 4:10–13 JEREMIAH FELT HE WAS TOO YOUNG. THERE IS NO GOOD REASON YOU CAN OFFER AS TO WHY GOD CANNOT AND WILL NOT USE YOU. GOD IS NOT LOOKING FOR ABILITY. HE IS LOOKING FOR AVAILABILITY. JONAH REPENTED OF HIS SIN. HE CALLED ON THE LORDAND GOD HAD MERCY ON HIM.JONAH 2:10–3:2 GOD’S ORDERS ARE THE SAME FOR US AS THEY WERE FOR JONAH.THE METHOD IS THE SAME TOO. THE GREAT COMMISSION IS, “GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL.” GOD HAS CHOSEN VERBAL COMMUNICATION TO REACH PEOPLE.ROMANS 10:14 THERE ARE ONLY TWO ROADS IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE:THE ROAD OF OBEDIENCE OR THE ROAD OF DISOBEDIENCE. #5 THE REASON JONAH DID NOT GO WAS BECAUSE OF A FEAR OF SUCCESS.JONAH 4:2 #6 WE NEED TO GO TO PEOPLE WHO ARE UNLIKE US. IF GOD BROUGHT REVIVAL TO NINEVAH, IMAGINE WHAT HE CAN DO TODAY. START BY PRAYING FOR THEM AND NEVER STOP CARING FOR THEM. GOD CAN SAVE ANYONE AND WANTS TO SAVE EVERYONE.1 TIMOTHY 2 #7 SHARING OUR FAITH CAN BE EXCITING AND FUN! JESUS TOLD US THERE IS JOY IN HEAVEN OVER EVERY SINNER WHO COMES TO REPENTANCE.LUKE 15:7 THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT WE ARE MISSING OUT ON IF WE ARE NOT SHARING OUR FAITH. ACTS 20:35 EVERY STEP AWAY FROM GOD IS ALWAYS A STEP DOWN. WE FAIL TO REALIZE GOD’S PLAN FOR US IS BETTER THAN OUR PLAN FOR OURSELVES. LETS’ COMMIT TO PRAY FOR PEOPLE THAT DON’T KNOW THE LORD. Learn more about this year's Harvest Crusade! --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Discover how to overcome hesitation and share your faith boldly with Pastor Greg Laurie’s new series, "The Reluctant Evangelist," exploring the story of Jonah. Notes: Focus verse - Jonah1 #1 CHRISTIANS HAVE BEEN CALLED TO EVANGELIZE. #2 WHY DON’T WE SHARE OUR FAITH MORE? THE FEAR OF REJECTION OR OFFENDING SOMEONE. WE DON’T SHARE THE GOSPEL DUE TO OUR LACK OF CONFIDENCE OR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES. 1 PETER 3:15 THE OBJECTIVE IN EVANGELISM IS NOT TO WIN THE ARGURMENT, BUT TO WIN THE SOUL. ABOUT HALF OF ALL AMERICAN ADULTS SAY THEY’RE SOMEWHAT OPEN TO HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT FAITH OR THE GOSPEL WITH A STRANGER. WE DON’T SHARE OUR FAITH BECAUSE WE DON’T REALLY CARE. PEOPLE DON’T CARE ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE. 2 TIMOTHY 2:26 EFFECTIVE SHARING OF ONE’S FAITH STARTS WITH A CONCERN AND A BURDEN. JONAH ACTUALLY DID HATE THE PEOPLE GOD CALLED HIM TO PREACH TO. #3 JONAH WAS THE RELUCTANT EVANGELIST. JONAH WAS NOT JUST RELUCTANT, HE WAS RECALCITRANT. READ JONAH 1:1–3 "…FOR THEIR WICKEDNESS HAS COME UP BEFORE ME."JONAH 1:2 NINEVAH, A CITY OF THE ASSYRIANS, WAS LEGENDARY FOR ITS CRUELTY. THE NINEVITES WERE THE AVOWED ENEMIES OF ISRAEL. THIS WOULD BE LIKE GOD CALLING AN ISRAELI TO GO PREACH TO TEHRAN. GOD LOVES THE PEOPLE OF IRAN.THEY ARE SUFFERING UNDER A CRUEL AND AUTHORITARIAN ISLAMIC REGIME. WE ARE HEARING STORIES OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF IRANIANS COMING TO CHRIST. GOD TAKES NO PLEASURE IN THE DEATH OF THE WICKED.EZEKIEL 33:11 CHRISTIANS WANT TO SEE PEACE IN THE LAND. #4 WE HAVE OUR MODERN NINEVAHS. GOD HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON CALFORINA. THE BOOK OF JONAH IS ALL ABOUT SALVATION-THE SALVATION OF SOME PAGAN SAILORS FROM A STORM.THE SALVATION OF A DISOBEDIENT PROPHET.THE SALVATION OF ONE OF THE MOST WICKED CITIES ON EARTH. GOD SEEMS TO GO OUT OF HIS WAY TO FIND THE MOST UNLIKELY PEOPLE TO USE. LET’S CONSIDER MOSES’ RESPONSE WHEN CALLED BY GOD TO SPEAK FOR HIM.EXODUS 4:10–13 JEREMIAH FELT HE WAS TOO YOUNG. THERE IS NO GOOD REASON YOU CAN OFFER AS TO WHY GOD CANNOT AND WILL NOT USE YOU. GOD IS NOT LOOKING FOR ABILITY. HE IS LOOKING FOR AVAILABILITY. JONAH REPENTED OF HIS SIN. HE CALLED ON THE LORDAND GOD HAD MERCY ON HIM.JONAH 2:10–3:2 GOD’S ORDERS ARE THE SAME FOR US AS THEY WERE FOR JONAH.THE METHOD IS THE SAME TOO. THE GREAT COMMISSION IS, “GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL.” GOD HAS CHOSEN VERBAL COMMUNICATION TO REACH PEOPLE.ROMANS 10:14 THERE ARE ONLY TWO ROADS IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE:THE ROAD OF OBEDIENCE OR THE ROAD OF DISOBEDIENCE. #5 THE REASON JONAH DID NOT GO WAS BECAUSE OF A FEAR OF SUCCESS.JONAH 4:2 #6 WE NEED TO GO TO PEOPLE WHO ARE UNLIKE US. IF GOD BROUGHT REVIVAL TO NINEVAH, IMAGINE WHAT HE CAN DO TODAY. START BY PRAYING FOR THEM AND NEVER STOP CARING FOR THEM. GOD CAN SAVE ANYONE AND WANTS TO SAVE EVERYONE.1 TIMOTHY 2 #7 SHARING OUR FAITH CAN BE EXCITING AND FUN! JESUS TOLD US THERE IS JOY IN HEAVEN OVER EVERY SINNER WHO COMES TO REPENTANCE.LUKE 15:7 THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT WE ARE MISSING OUT ON IF WE ARE NOT SHARING OUR FAITH. ACTS 20:35 EVERY STEP AWAY FROM GOD IS ALWAYS A STEP DOWN. WE FAIL TO REALIZE GOD’S PLAN FOR US IS BETTER THAN OUR PLAN FOR OURSELVES. LETS’ COMMIT TO PRAY FOR PEOPLE THAT DON’T KNOW THE LORD. Learn more about this year's Harvest Crusade! --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“Then he told John’s disciples, ‘Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.’ And he added, ‘God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.’” (Luke 7:22–23 NLT) *Enjoying Pastor Greg's devotional podcast? Let us know what you think with this quick survey!* John the Baptist was a forerunner of Jesus. He prepared people for Jesus’ arrival. He also confronted Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for his immorality. That landed John in prison, where he began to struggle with his faith. Specifically, John began to doubt who Jesus was. Like many people of that time, John probably thought Jesus, the Messiah, was going to overthrow the Roman government and establish His kingdom immediately. When no such thing happened, John’s doubt got the better of him. He sent a message to Jesus, asking, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Luke 7:20 NLT). John’s faith didn’t falter because God had failed him. He doubted because he failed to understand God’s purpose and plan. Many believers today struggle for the same reason. Our faith falters not because God has been inconsistent or unfaithful, or because God has broken His promises. We experience lapses of faith because we have a false perception of what God is supposed to accomplish. Our expectations of Him are built on misconceptions and misguided thinking. We offer our prayers to Him and expect Him to answer with exact precision. And when God doesn’t come through like we asked Him to, we—like John—may start to doubt who God is. This is especially true if you’re experiencing—or want to experience—a rejuvenation in your relationship with Christ. If the devil starts to see spiritual embers catching fire in your life, he will do his best to extinguish them. One of his most effective strategies is to throw the cold water of doubt on them. John the Baptist made a spiritual mistake by not fully recognizing or understanding God’s will. But even in the depths of his doubt, he did something very, very wise: He looked to Jesus for an answer. He didn’t try to sugarcoat his struggle. He asked Jesus point-blank, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Luke 7:20 NLT). Look closely at Jesus’ reply in Luke 7:22–23 above. He wasn’t offended by John’s question. He didn’t condemn John for his lapse in faith. And He didn’t say, “Just believe—or else!” Instead, He pointed to verifiable evidence: “The blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life” (Luke 7:22 NLT). Jesus didn’t give John a reprimand for his doubt; He gave him the hope and assurance he needed. If you struggle with a lapse of faith as John the Baptist did, don’t despair. Rethink your expectations. Take your doubts straight to Jesus. Ask Him to help you understand His purpose and His plan. When you open your heart to His truth, you’ll find that it far exceeds your greatest hopes and dreams. Reflection question: In what areas and in what situations are you most vulnerable to spiritual doubts? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Lord wants us to turn this world right side up for Him. But all too often, the world turns the church upside down. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie takes us to a recent Harvest Crusade for his message called, It’s Time for Another Jesus Revolution. Jesus Revolution is another name for the Jesus Movement of the 60s and 70s . . . and it’s also the name of the hit movie that told the story of Pastor Greg’s life as he grew up during that turbulent time. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Lord wants us to turn this world right side up for Him. But all too often, the world turns the church upside down. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie takes us to a recent Harvest Crusade for his message called, It’s Time for Another Jesus Revolution. Jesus Revolution is another name for the Jesus Movement of the 60s and 70s . . . and it’s also the name of the hit movie that told the story of Pastor Greg’s life as he grew up during that turbulent time. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” (Romans 5:1–2 NLT) *Enjoying Pastor Greg's devotional podcast? Let us know what you think with this quick survey!* When we come to Christ, He not only forgives us of our sin, but He also justifies us. The apostle Paul explained justification in his letter to the Romans: “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1 NLT). Salvation has to do with what takes place in believers’ hearts, but justification has to do with our standing before God. In salvation, God gives us new life, but justification goes beyond that. When God justifies us, He declares us righteous in His sight. “Just-as-if-I’d never sinned” is one way the word justified has been explained. God not only forgives us, but He sees us as if we had never sinned. He removes our sin, and in its position, He places the perfect righteousness of Christ. That’s a difficult concept for a lot of people to grasp. Our human instinct is to remember those who wronged us. We elevate holding grudges to an art form. We like to throw around phrases like, “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” The Bible makes it clear, though, that God has a different way of looking at things. As far as He’s concerned, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross—the blood He shed there—covers our sins. The apostle John put it this way: “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7 NLT). The author of Hebrews wrote, “For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22 NLT). And the apostle Paul wrote, “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them” (Romans 4:7–8 NIV). When God looks at believers, He doesn’t see people who have failed Him time and time again. Instead, He sees His Son. And He made His feelings about His Son quite clear in Matthew 3:17: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (NIV). Sometimes we allow our sins to linger in our consciousness long after they’ve been forgiven. They live rent-free in our heads, messing with our self-esteem. In extreme cases, they can play havoc with our spiritual and emotional health. That’s why it’s important to see ourselves as God sees us. Imagine that your checking account is overdrawn, and you owe your bank thousands of dollars. Not knowing what else to do, you go to the ATM, enter your PIN, and discover that you have a balance of five million dollars. Best of all, it’s a legitimate transaction! You did nothing to earn it, but the windfall is yours. God has done something much more meaningful for those who believe in Christ. He has given us righteousness. He has made us justified. Reflection question: How would you explain justification to someone who’s struggling with guilt? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Disgraced pastor Perry Noble gets his WrestleMania walkout song played by the church worship team as they choose AC/DC's "Highway To Hell" as a funny way to introduce him. We take a look at prominent figures such as Rick Warren, Greg Laurie, Carl Lentz, Steven Furtick and others who have seemingly loved to meditate on the works of artists like the Beatles, Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC and Led Zeppelin in their private life only to have their devilish desires played out for their congregations. Good Fight New York Conference https://www.goodfight.org/media/Good-Fight-July-2025-NY-Conference.pdf Follow Good Fight Ministries on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodfightministries Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodfightministries Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/goodfightmin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodfightministries Support Us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/goodfight
It’s a statistical certainty that someo ne listening to A NEW BEGINNING today has just received the toughest news of their life. A diagnosis. A court order. An eviction. A pink slip. A phone call. It’s so often a phone call. What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Today, Pastor Greg Laurie reassures you that God knows, God sees, and God cares. And God has power that’s bigger than this crisis. And he can make a way when there seems to be no way. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s a statistical certainty that someo ne listening to A NEW BEGINNING today has just received the toughest news of their life. A diagnosis. A court order. An eviction. A pink slip. A phone call. It’s so often a phone call. What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Today, Pastor Greg Laurie reassures you that God knows, God sees, and God cares. And God has power that’s bigger than this crisis. And he can make a way when there seems to be no way. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5 NIV) *Enjoying Pastor Greg's devotional podcast? Let us know what you think with this quick survey!* From the day that we commit our lives to Jesus Christ, everything changes for us. Gone is that ever-present guilt that used to nag us day and night. There is no longer an empty hole deep inside of our soul. In the place of those things, God gives us what the apostle Paul referred to as His “peace, which exceeds anything we can understand” (Philippians 4:7 NLT). God places a new joy in our hearts and gives us the hope of Heaven when we die. But when we commit our lives to Christ, we also gain enemies. That’s what David was talking about when he wrote, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:5 NIV). These enemies want to weaken our commitment to Christ and throw up obstacles to our spiritual growth. The three primary enemies Christians face are the world, the flesh, and the devil. The world is the external enemy. It entices us with temptations, diversions, and false teachings. It points us down paths where God doesn’t want us to go. The flesh is the internal enemy. It plays on our weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and appetites. It tries to convince us that satisfying our own needs and wants should be our highest priority. The devil, who works in and through the world and the flesh, is the infernal enemy. The apostle Peter warned, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT). Jesus said the devil “was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 NLT). This unholy trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil creates a powerful opposition, especially for new believers. The best strategy to combat it is to nurture an intimate relationship with the Lord, whom David describes as a shepherd in Psalm 23, as we sit at His table. We do that by studying God’s Word, where we find His promises, His wisdom, His will for our lives, and His guidance. And we do it by talking and listening to Him in prayer, keeping the lines of communication open at all times. When we sit at the table of the Lord, we’re satisfied because we know that everything we need is there. We don’t hunger for anything else. I’m not saying that we’ll become temptation-proof. What I am saying is that we won’t be as drawn to temptation as we once were. We’ll see the diversions of the world, the appetites of the flesh, and the schemes of the devil for what they really are: dead ends, worthless enticements, and cheap imitations of the truth. The Lord has set a table before us. We have no reason to fear our enemies. Reflection question: What would sitting at the Lord’s table look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sometimes we may think that our effort, by itself, does count for much. Maybe we’re the only believer in our family . . . or the only Christian at work . . . or the only one in our group of friends at school. The odds are against us. Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie takes us to one of the most encouraging stories in the Old Testament. We’ll catch up with a military leader about to fight a battle, when God told him to send most of his army home so that God alone would get credit for the victory. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sometimes we may think that our effort, by itself, does count for much. Maybe we’re the only believer in our family . . . or the only Christian at work . . . or the only one in our group of friends at school. The odds are against us. Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie takes us to one of the most encouraging stories in the Old Testament. We’ll catch up with a military leader about to fight a battle, when God told him to send most of his army home so that God alone would get credit for the victory. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.” (1 John 1:9–10 NLT) *Enjoying Pastor Greg's devotional podcast? Let us know what you think with this quick survey!* One of the most important aspects of the Christian life is to know what it means to confess our sin. In fact, our very forgiveness hinges on our understanding of the term. The Hebrew word for confess means to acknowledge. In the New Testament, confess could be translated as “to agree with someone” or “to say the same thing as another.” The apostle John used this word in 1 John 1:9 when he said, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (NLT, emphasis mine). That word confess is essentially saying that if you’ll agree with God about your sin, if you’ll acknowledge it for what it is and not make excuses for it, and if you’ll turn from it, God will forgive you. The problem is that people think they’ve confessed their sin when they haven’t. New believers, people who aren’t used to confessing their sins, may struggle at first. In addition, far too many people believe that to confess their sin is merely to acknowledge their sin. Therefore, when they sin and get caught, they say something to the effect of, “I acknowledge what I did. I confess that sin. That was a bad thing.” And they go out and do it again. And when they get caught again, they say, “I did it again. I confess.” That’s not a true confession. They’re simply recognizing what is obviously sin. Genuine confession means understanding that sin puts distance between you and your heavenly Father. Isaiah 59:2 says, “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore” (NLT). Sin interferes with your ability to recognize God’s will for your life and enjoy the blessings that come with it. Sin also undermines your Christian witness. It gives people a distorted view of Christ and the difference He makes in a person’s life. God wants people to see His Son in you. Your sin keeps them from doing that. The more we understand about the seriousness of sin, the more genuine our confession will be. The Holy Spirit helps us in this regard. Everyone who receives Christ as Savior and Lord has the Holy Spirit inside them. Jesus said the Holy Spirit “will convict the world of its sin” (John 16:8 NLT). He calls out our sin from deep within us and convicts us to confess it. Confession means to see sin for what it is, to be sorry for it, and to turn from it. You must recognize that it’s offensive to the one and only true God and respond accordingly. Are you willing to do that? If so, then God will forgive you and cleanse you from all your wickedness. Reflection question: What’s your biggest obstacle when it comes to confessing sin? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Let’s say you want to sell your car. You think it’s worth about 10 thousand dollars. But right away, someone pays you 15 thousand dollars. Sold! So what was your car worth? Well, it was worth what the buyer was willing to pay. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings us some encouraging insights on OUR worth based on the One who purchased us with the blood of His only begotten Son. And given our real worth, we’ll see how the Lord has equipped us for real Kingdom work. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Let’s say you want to sell your car. You think it’s worth about 10 thousand dollars. But right away, someone pays you 15 thousand dollars. Sold! So what was your car worth? Well, it was worth what the buyer was willing to pay. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings us some encouraging insights on OUR worth based on the One who purchased us with the blood of His only begotten Son. And given our real worth, we’ll see how the Lord has equipped us for real Kingdom work. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT) *Enjoying Pastor Greg's devotional podcast? Let us know what you think with this quick survey!* The Bible’s greatest example of communicating the gospel is none other than Jesus Christ. Not only is He God, not only is He our Savior, but He also offers the perfect example of communication. He modeled how to communicate. You can read story after story in the Gospels of how Jesus approached people and how He spoke with them. It’s worth noting that some of the most profound statements that Jesus ever made took place in one-on-one conversations. The words of John 3:16, which may be the most famous verse in the Bible, were spoken during Jesus’ one-on-one conversation with a religious man named Nicodemus. One thing you’ll notice about Jesus is that He adapted His message to the people He spoke to. He adjusted how He communicated depending on the person’s needs, background, and situation in life. He was equally comfortable with—and effective in—talking to everyone from Israel’s leading religious leaders to the outcasts of society. Often when believers share their faith, they behave as though they’re preprogrammed computers. They get a glazed-over look in their eyes and repeat the same words to every person. It’s no wonder that the people they speak to tend to dismiss them as religious nuts and keep their distance. This one-size-fits-all approach to sharing God’s truth is certainly not the example that Jesus gave us. He took time with people. He made an effort to understand them. Jesus also possessed something that is unknown to many Christians today. It’s called tact; it’s the intuitive knowledge of saying the right thing at the right time. Though it involves intuition, tact can be learned and sharpened with experience. Every time you interact with someone, you can come away with a better understanding of what you did right and what you could do better. All it takes is a little awareness. In order to follow Jesus’ example, we need to treat each faith-sharing interaction as a unique opportunity. Instead of falling back on the “same old same old,” we need to stay in the moment. We need to listen carefully and compassionately to the things people share. We need to ask thoughtful follow-up questions to draw them out more, without getting too personal or setting off red flags. We need to be vulnerable and open about our own struggles, questions, and doubts. We need to build a rapport. We need to look for natural openings to talk about our faith, rather than awkwardly trying to inject a gospel presentation in the middle of a conversation about something else. Most of all, however, we need to pray. We need to ask God to guide our words, to give us the wisdom to know what to say and when to say it. God’s desire is for us to be like His Son. If we pray for the ability to talk to others as Jesus did—to share God’s life-giving message as He did—God will answer our prayers in powerful and life-changing ways. Reflection question: How can you be more like Jesus in the way you share your faith? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT) Have you ever had one of those seemingly perfect moments in life when everything just came together? That stunning sunset. Or that beautiful star-filled night. That special moment with someone you love, when you thought to yourself, I always want it to be this way. Of course, it isn’t always that way. Those seemingly perfect moments pass just as quickly as they occur, leaving you wanting more. Along those same lines, maybe you believed that when you reached certain goals in your life, you’d be happy. Maybe when you were single you thought, If only I had a boyfriend or a girlfriend, I’d be happy. So you got yourself a boyfriend or a girlfriend. And then you thought, If only we were engaged, I’d be happy. So you got engaged. And then you thought, If only we were married, I’d be happy. So you got married. And then you thought, If only we had kids, I’d be happy. So you had kids. While there can be happiness in every phase of life, no matter what our circumstances are, fulfillment—genuine, lasting fulfillment—always seems to be a little beyond our reach. Why is that? Because from the day each of us was born, we’ve been on a quest. We were created in the image of God, so we’re aware that there’s more to life than mere existence. There’s purpose. There’s meaning. But they’re not always apparent, so we search for them in moments big and small. The apostle Paul gives us valuable insight into these ideas of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in Ephesians 2:10. “We are God’s masterpiece” (NLT). We have a very high ceiling—the potential to accomplish some amazing things and experience soul-deep fulfillment. Finding our meaning and purpose begins with the decision to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. When we do that, God creates “us anew in Christ Jesus” (NLT). He unlocks our potential to “do the good things he planned for us long ago” (NLT). He unleashes us to be change agents in a world desperate for them. Some people try to find purpose in doing good deeds to earn God’s favor. But that’s a dead end. In the two verses that precede Ephesians 2:10, Paul says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (NLT). It’s only when we acknowledge that we can never do enough to earn God’s favor that we start to find purpose. The Holy Spirit is our guide. He opens our eyes to the opportunities we have to do good things in gratitude for the matchless gift of salvation that God has given us. The more closely we align our daily lives with what God created us to be, the more we’ll experience the sense of adventure, purpose, fulfillment, and joy that comes from our walk with Christ. Reflection Question: What gives you a sense of purpose and meaning? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After all the deep truths covered in 1 John, we see an added “P.S.” in John’s following epistles. Pastor Greg Laurie shares they’re filled with love, warning, and encouragement. Notes: Focus verse - 2 John 1 2nd and 3rd John are filled with love, warning and encouragement. We can find comfort in God’s Word—His ultimate love letter to us. 1st John was written to give assurance to believers.(1 John 5:13) The Bible promises, “He who began a good work in you will complete it.”(Philippians 1:6) Salvation is God’s work from beginning to end. It’s not based on how you feel, it’s based on what Jesus did. John was refuting something called Gnosticism. Gnostics did not believe that God came into this world and walked among us. “If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God.”(1 John 4:2) To be a Christian, you must believe that Jesus was born of a virgin and was God among us; that He was fully God and fully man and He died on the cross for our sins, and He bodily rose three days later and will come again. 1 John can be divided into three sections:1. God is Light (1 John 1:1–2:2)2. God is Love (1 John 2:3–4:21)3. God is Life (1 John 5) Read: 2 John 1:1–3 1. God wants us to walk in truth and love. Truth without love is harsh. Love without truth is hollow. Truth anchors us while love moves us.Truth gives us the message; love gives us the method. Love is obeying the Lord. 2. When we walk in truth and love the devil will be opposing us.(2 John 1:7–8) John has warned us about both Antichrist and Antichrists. 3. God cares about every area of your life.(3 John 1:1–2) “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”(3 John 1:2) God does want us to prosper, but what is Biblical prosperity?In short, it is knowing and walking with God and bringing forth spiritual fruit. God can and will bless you with wealth, but with that wealth comes responsibility.(1 Timothy 6:17–18) If you are blessed financially that’s not a sin, it’s a stewardship. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”(3 John 1:2) God does not heal everyone, but He does still heal today. 4. Coming to Christ is life-changing; continuing with Christ is life-sustaining.(3 John 1:3–4) “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”(3 John 1:4) “A good character is the best tombstone. Those who love you and were helped by you will remember you, so carve your name on hearts, not marble.” —C.H. Spurgeon 5. God’s people should underwrite God’s work.(3 John 1:5–8) It pleases God when we support God’s Word financially.(3 John 1:6) We should not have a discomfort talking or hearing about giving.The Bible speaks more about giving than prayer or faith. There are over 2,000 verses on the topic of money, possessions, and giving. Giving is not just about finances, it’s a test of trust and obedience to God. We share in the reward when we invest our money. 6. There are real and fake believers in the church.(3 John 1:9–11) Ultimately, it is God who will sort out the real and the counterfeit. 7. Be a Demetrius not a Diotrephes.(3 John 1:9, 12) Demetrius v. DiotrephesHad a good testimony. Had a poor testimony.Respected by all. Rebuked by John for being divisive and proud.Welcoming and faithful. Kicked people out of the church and drove them away. 1. Walk in truth and love.2. Support God’s people and God’s work.3. Be a bridge-builder, not a bridge-burner.4. Leave a godly legacy.5. Don’t be a Diotrephes, be a Demetrius. Learn more about this year's Harvest Crusade! --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After all the deep truths covered in 1 John, we see an added “P.S.” in John’s following epistles. Pastor Greg Laurie shares they’re filled with love, warning, and encouragement. Notes: Focus verse - 2 John 1 2nd and 3rd John are filled with love, warning and encouragement. We can find comfort in God’s Word—His ultimate love letter to us. 1st John was written to give assurance to believers.(1 John 5:13) The Bible promises, “He who began a good work in you will complete it.”(Philippians 1:6) Salvation is God’s work from beginning to end. It’s not based on how you feel, it’s based on what Jesus did. John was refuting something called Gnosticism. Gnostics did not believe that God came into this world and walked among us. “If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God.”(1 John 4:2) To be a Christian, you must believe that Jesus was born of a virgin and was God among us; that He was fully God and fully man and He died on the cross for our sins, and He bodily rose three days later and will come again. 1 John can be divided into three sections:1. God is Light (1 John 1:1–2:2)2. God is Love (1 John 2:3–4:21)3. God is Life (1 John 5) Read: 2 John 1:1–3 1. God wants us to walk in truth and love. Truth without love is harsh. Love without truth is hollow. Truth anchors us while love moves us.Truth gives us the message; love gives us the method. Love is obeying the Lord. 2. When we walk in truth and love the devil will be opposing us.(2 John 1:7–8) John has warned us about both Antichrist and Antichrists. 3. God cares about every area of your life.(3 John 1:1–2) “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”(3 John 1:2) God does want us to prosper, but what is Biblical prosperity?In short, it is knowing and walking with God and bringing forth spiritual fruit. God can and will bless you with wealth, but with that wealth comes responsibility.(1 Timothy 6:17–18) If you are blessed financially that’s not a sin, it’s a stewardship. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”(3 John 1:2) God does not heal everyone, but He does still heal today. 4. Coming to Christ is life-changing; continuing with Christ is life-sustaining.(3 John 1:3–4) “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”(3 John 1:4) “A good character is the best tombstone. Those who love you and were helped by you will remember you, so carve your name on hearts, not marble.” —C.H. Spurgeon 5. God’s people should underwrite God’s work.(3 John 1:5–8) It pleases God when we support God’s Word financially.(3 John 1:6) We should not have a discomfort talking or hearing about giving.The Bible speaks more about giving than prayer or faith. There are over 2,000 verses on the topic of money, possessions, and giving. Giving is not just about finances, it’s a test of trust and obedience to God. We share in the reward when we invest our money. 6. There are real and fake believers in the church.(3 John 1:9–11) Ultimately, it is God who will sort out the real and the counterfeit. 7. Be a Demetrius not a Diotrephes.(3 John 1:9, 12) Demetrius v. DiotrephesHad a good testimony. Had a poor testimony.Respected by all. Rebuked by John for being divisive and proud.Welcoming and faithful. Kicked people out of the church and drove them away. 1. Walk in truth and love.2. Support God’s people and God’s work.3. Be a bridge-builder, not a bridge-burner.4. Leave a godly legacy.5. Don’t be a Diotrephes, be a Demetrius. Learn more about this year's Harvest Crusade! --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.” (Romans 16:17–18 NLT) For years now, we’ve been living in an era focused on sensationalism. I’ve never seen a culture and society so obsessed with gossip, innuendo, and rumors. Just look to social media, and you’ll find all kinds of posts that probe into the personal lives of others. This mentality has saturated the news media, too, where reporters hunt for any juicy piece of gossip they can find. And if someone is charged with a crime today, we often try them in the media before they can enter a court of law where evidence is presented and where they face their accusers. That same skeptical, rush-to-judgment tendency works its way into our personal interactions, too. How many people are struggling with feelings of bitterness or sadness because they’ve been dealt an unjust reputation? How many people feel misunderstood and helpless to do anything about it because others have chosen to believe the worst about them? How many people have had to learn to live with being known for something they didn’t do? Proverbs 6:16–19 tells us that two of the things the Lord hates are “a false witness who pours out lies” and “a person who sows discord in a family” (NLT). People who gossip, spread rumors and innuendo, and slander others fall into these categories. That is, the categories of things the Lord hates. The apostle Paul warned about such people in the passage from Romans 16 above. It comes down to this: The Lord has a better plan for His people. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31 NLT). He wasn’t talking about having a general loving attitude toward others. He was talking about performing tangible acts of love for the people around us. Showing care, concern, and generosity to others in ways that make a difference in their lives. One of the ways we can do that is by refusing to believe the worst about others. The apostle Paul wrote, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV). That certainly includes believing the best about other people. One of the most meaningful gifts we can offer another person is the benefit of the doubt. That’s not to say we should be naïve or overlook the obvious. But when we lead with a spirit of kindness and optimism, we open the door to deeper, more meaningful interactions. And consider this: Your willingness to believe the best about someone may inspire that person to live up to your expectations. That’s why the writer of Hebrews said, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24 NLT). Reflection Question: What would believing the best about someone look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” (Galatians 6:1 NLT) After observing the behavior of some believers, you’d think that they have a verse in their Bibles that says, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, go and tell as many people as possible. And then set about trying to drive that person away from the faith.” But that’s not what Scripture tells us to do. Jesus addressed the topic in Matthew 18:15–20. If a fellow believer appears to have fallen into sin, our first responsibility is to approach the person in a spirit of love and say, “I heard that you __________. Is that true?” If the person confesses and repents, the matter is settled. Unfortunately, that’s not what usually happens. Instead of confronting the person directly, people whisper behind the person’s back. They spread rumors. And many times, they end up slandering an innocent person. If you’ve ever had that happen to you, you know how painful and destructive it can be. But that’s not the end of the damage. The apostle Paul warned in Galatians 5:9 that a little yeast spreads through a whole batch of dough. In the context of a person suspected of falling into sin, the point is that the fallout from mishandling the situation doesn’t stay isolated between the two people involved. Instead, it works its way through the entire body of believers as people take sides. So dealing in gossip and slander isn’t just cruel, it’s also self-defeating. In 1 Corinthians 12:12, the apostle Paul wrote, “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ” (NLT). And in verse 26, he reminded believers what this means: “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad” (NLT). We have a vested interest in the spiritual and emotional well-being of our fellow believers. If one person is damaged by innuendo, gossip, or slander, everyone suffers. If you’re faced with confronting someone suspected of falling into sin, there are a few things to keep in mind. The spirit in which you approach the person is key. In Galatians 6:1, Paul emphasizes the importance of gentleness and humility. “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself” (NLT). And instead of getting caught up in sordid details, keep your eye on what’s really happening. Remember that the devil wants to turn believers against each other. He’ll attack us from the outside, but many times, when that doesn’t work, he’ll try to infiltrate our ranks and divide us. Jesus said, “Love one another” (John 13:34 NIV). With that love comes responsibility. And sometimes that means stepping out of your comfort zone. But if you love someone enough to seek the truth and confront, when necessary, you will strengthen not only the bond between the two of you, but also the entire body of Christ. Reflection Question: What are some important dos and don’ts for helping someone who has stumbled spiritually? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” (1 Corinthians 8:3 ESV) Did you know that God is vitally aware of what’s happening in the life of every individual? He is interested in every detail of our lives. Proverbs 15:3 says, “The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good” (NLT). It makes sense when you stop to think about it. How could He reward and punish otherwise? God is omniscient. He is always aware of everything that is happening. There is not one single thing that happens on this earth that escapes the attention of God. Proverbs 5:21 says, “For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes” (NLT). Coming to grips with the realization that God knows everything about everyone—including you—can be either frightening or encouraging. It all depends on your relationship with Him. If your life is not right with Him, if you’re living in sin, then God’s complete knowledge could be rather terrifying. It might be unsettling to think that nothing about your life escapes His attention. But if your life is right with God, then knowing that He’s aware of what’s going on in it, every minute of every day, is a comforting thought. It’s comforting because we know God won’t forget us. We know that we’re not just another face in this massive human sea of some eight billion people. If you’re a Christian who’s walking with God, His complete knowledge guarantees that He’s watching over and taking care of you. His awareness of us is much more personal and meaningful than a 24/7 tracking device. He created us. He wired us. He knows what will give us soul-deep joy and fulfillment. And He directs us to the choices and opportunities that will bring us genuine satisfaction. That’s what the apostle Paul was talking about when he wrote, “But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” (1 Corinthians 8:3 ESV). The Old Testament prophet Jonah proved that there’s no hiding from God. Remember him? God instructed him to warn Nineveh that judgment was coming. But Jonah hated the Ninevites and was afraid that they would repent and escape judgment. So he hopped on a ship that was sailing away from Nineveh. He tried to escape God. It didn’t work, of course. A storm battered the ship, so Jonah had himself tossed overboard. But even the depths of the sea couldn’t hide him. A fish swallowed him and then vomited him back onshore three days later. Jonah may have turned his back on God, but at no point was Jonah ever out of God’s sight. The better option for anyone who loves God is to embrace His constant vigilance and awareness. We do that by making decisions and conducting ourselves in ways that please Him. That is, to make sure that, when He watches us, He’s pleased with what He sees. When we make the decision to honor and obey Him in the way we live, we can pray, with all sincerity, “Lord, I know You see me always. Please direct me in the paths You would have me go. Thank You for never letting me out of Your sight and for always wanting what’s best for me.” Reflection Question: What does God know about you that no one else does? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The United States has just hit the nuclear reactors Iran through a very successful military authorization. Immediately afterward, President Donald Trump did a press conference. He thanked our military, thanked the Israelis for their cooperation, and he thanked God. But then he did something surprising . . . . Hear Pastor Greg Laurie give an update on Operation Midnight Hammer and give encouragement for what Christians can be doing today. --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Special effects companies are masters at building small models of railroads or high rises or mountain ranges. But in the movie theater, they seem huge – they fill the screen! Could it be that our problems only LOOK big? Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us see our challenges through the lens of faith. And we’ll see, whether our problems are small or big or incalculable, nothing’s too hard for the Lord. Glad you’re along for our series in Joshua. Learn more about this year's Harvest Crusade! --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The United States has just hit the nuclear reactors Iran through a very successful military authorization. Immediately afterward, President Donald Trump did a press conference. He thanked our military, thanked the Israelis for their cooperation, and he thanked God. But then he did something surprising . . . . Hear Pastor Greg Laurie give an update on Operation Midnight Hammer and give encouragement for what Christians can be doing today. --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Special effects companies are masters at building small models of railroads or high rises or mountain ranges. But in the movie theater, they seem huge – they fill the screen! Could it be that our problems only LOOK big? Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us see our challenges through the lens of faith. And we’ll see, whether our problems are small or big or incalculable, nothing’s too hard for the Lord. Glad you’re along for our series in Joshua. Learn more about this year's Harvest Crusade! --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pastor Greg Laurie shares a message for anyone who has ever wondered, "How can I give what I never got?" While some never had an earthly father to learn from, our heavenly Father is here to fill what's missing. He helps us break the cycle. Notes: Focus verse - Ephesians 6 1. A child from a fatherless home is 68% more likely to use drugs or alcohol.2. 85% of all youths in prison are from fatherless homes.3. 63% of teens who attempt suicide are from fatherless homes. We desperately need fathers doing what god has called them to do. “A child that is left to himself brings shame to his mother.”Proverbs 29:15 Passive fathers avoid conflict.Godly fathers resolve it. Passive fathers go with the flow.Godly fathers lead with conviction. #1 you are not defined by your past. God can break the cycle of sin in your family. “If anyone is in christ, he is a new creation.”2 Corinthians 5:17 God promises to be a Father for the fatherless.Psalm 68:5 You are always on God's mind.Jeremiah 29:11 #2 Even if you did not have a father, you can be a good father. #3 Children are on loan to us for a short time. “Children are a heritage from the lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”Psalm 127:3 Children are not ours to keep, but to nurture. Live in such a way that your child will want to emulate you.Proverbs 20:7, 1 Corinthians 11:1 A good father reflects God’s character.Psalm 103:13 Read: Ephesians 6:1–4 Train up is a phrase used to describe breaking a horse. Train up also means to “create a thirst in.” “and you must love the lord your god with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength. and you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that i am giving you today.”deuteronomy 6:5–6 “repeat them again and again to your children. talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”deuteronomy 6:7 #4 Start reading the Bible and imprinting your children early. “give me a child until he is 7, and i will show you the man.” —aristotle god is a loving father who loves his children but gives them a free will.even when they sin against him, he does not stop loving them. #5 godly fathers don’t have to be biological.#6 in the church, we can find and be father figures. #7 leave a godly legacy. if both mom and dad attend church regularly,72% of their children remain faithful in attendance. if only dad attends regularly, 55% remain faithful.if only mom attends regularly, only 15% remain faithful.if neither attend regularly, only 6% remain faithful. you may be fatherless today, but you have a father in heaven.a father in heaven who loves you unconditionally. “for god so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.”john 3:16 Learn more about this year's Harvest Crusade! --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pastor Greg Laurie shares a message for anyone who has ever wondered, "How can I give what I never got?" While some never had an earthly father to learn from, our heavenly Father is here to fill what's missing. He helps us break the cycle. Notes: Focus verse - Ephesians 6 1. A child from a fatherless home is 68% more likely to use drugs or alcohol.2. 85% of all youths in prison are from fatherless homes.3. 63% of teens who attempt suicide are from fatherless homes. We desperately need fathers doing what god has called them to do. “A child that is left to himself brings shame to his mother.”Proverbs 29:15 Passive fathers avoid conflict.Godly fathers resolve it. Passive fathers go with the flow.Godly fathers lead with conviction. #1 you are not defined by your past. God can break the cycle of sin in your family. “If anyone is in christ, he is a new creation.”2 Corinthians 5:17 God promises to be a Father for the fatherless.Psalm 68:5 You are always on God's mind.Jeremiah 29:11 #2 Even if you did not have a father, you can be a good father. #3 Children are on loan to us for a short time. “Children are a heritage from the lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”Psalm 127:3 Children are not ours to keep, but to nurture. Live in such a way that your child will want to emulate you.Proverbs 20:7, 1 Corinthians 11:1 A good father reflects God’s character.Psalm 103:13 Read: Ephesians 6:1–4 Train up is a phrase used to describe breaking a horse. Train up also means to “create a thirst in.” “and you must love the lord your god with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength. and you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that i am giving you today.”deuteronomy 6:5–6 “repeat them again and again to your children. talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”deuteronomy 6:7 #4 Start reading the Bible and imprinting your children early. “give me a child until he is 7, and i will show you the man.” —aristotle god is a loving father who loves his children but gives them a free will.even when they sin against him, he does not stop loving them. #5 godly fathers don’t have to be biological.#6 in the church, we can find and be father figures. #7 leave a godly legacy. if both mom and dad attend church regularly,72% of their children remain faithful in attendance. if only dad attends regularly, 55% remain faithful.if only mom attends regularly, only 15% remain faithful.if neither attend regularly, only 6% remain faithful. you may be fatherless today, but you have a father in heaven.a father in heaven who loves you unconditionally. “for god so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.”john 3:16 Learn more about this year's Harvest Crusade! --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Erase your doubts when it comes to life’s ultimate question: Do I have eternal life? In this message, we’ll see what fruits those who really have Heaven awaiting them bear. Notes: Focus verse - 1 John 5 READ: 1 John 5 (NKJV) #1 Marks of a True Believer The Greek word John used here is “nikao.” Conquering will not be proven by your arrogance, words, or feelings, it will be proven by your actions. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.Romans 8:37 (NKJV) READ: 1 John 5:1–2 • Faith that Jesus is the Christ, and that He is the Son of God • Love for God and His people • Obedience to the Word READ: 1 John 5:3 (NKJV) How you know: Faith, love, and obedience ... These are not prerequisites to being saved. They are products of being born again. #2 The Evidence for Our Faith1 John 5:6–12 The Water, the Blood, and the Spirit Incarnation is the doctrine that Jesus was fully God and fully man. You don’t just know about the truth… you feel it, sense it, and live it. Do you have the Son?1 John 5:12 Jesus is not a step in the process.He is the whole process. #3 Standing in Victory1 John 5:13–21 Confidence in salvation gives you confidence in prayer. Prayer isn’t about getting what we want; it’s about aligning with what God wants. READ: 1 John 5:16–17 If you are standing in victory, you need to help pull others out of defeat. READ: 1 John 5:21 Whatever you do, don’t let anything take Jesus’ place in your heart. --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.