Podcasts about pastor greg laurie

We all begin following the Lord at different times, and from different backgrounds. But we’re all united in finding forgiveness for our sins, and sharing a calling to bring others into a saving relationship with God. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us look at the way Jesus bid His disciples to “come follow me.” We’ll examine that calling, what it costs and what it offers, and we’ll consider the blessing of being used by God to accomplish His Kingdom business. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” (Matthew 7:20 NLT) Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? Not every Christian necessarily is. Some people go no further than making a decision to accept Christ as Savior. They treat their Christian faith as an eternal life insurance policy or a “Get out of Hell free” card. They will take a few steps in their walk with Christ, but only if the path is smooth or the route is pleasant. In their reluctance to commit wholeheartedly, however, they don’t get to experience the transformative power of discipleship. When you submit to becoming a disciple of Christ—to live as He lived, to love as He loved, and to prioritize what He prioritized—you will see things happen in your life that are unimaginable otherwise. And you won’t be the only one who sees those things happening in your life. A disciple of Jesus Christ will bring forth spiritual fruit. Jesus said, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father” (John 15:8 NLT). He also said, “Just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:20 NLT). If you’re a disciple of Jesus Christ, people will be able to tell based on the spiritual fruit they see in your life. In the parable of the sower, Jesus talks about seeds falling on different kinds of ground. Each type of ground represents a different reaction to the gospel. The final type represents people who bring forth fruit after hearing the gospel. “And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Mark 4:20 NLT). Those who last as disciples spiritually embrace this truth and produce spiritual fruit. Spiritual fruit makes itself known in a variety of ways. The author of Hebrews says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (13:15 NIV). Praising God is a way of producing spiritual fruit. What we say is also evidence of the spiritual fruit in our lives. Jesus said, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45 NLT). Our change in conduct and character is also a type of spiritual fruit. Galatians 5:22–23 tells us, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (NLT). Can people see these traits in your life? A Christian’s life should be characterized by these things. Are you bringing forth spiritual fruit? Reflection question: What spiritual fruit do you want people to see in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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.

Billy Graham wasn’t just a good preacher, a passionate speaker, and a strong believer, he was the greatest evangelist in history. But he was a humble young dairy farmer before he accepted God’s call on his life. What kinds of things can God do through you when you accept His call on YOUR life? That’s the question we’ll explore today here on A NEW BEGINNING. Glad you’re along as Pastor Greg Laurie continues his series in Mark. He’s titled this message collection “The Gospel for Busy People.” — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Billy Graham wasn’t just a good preacher, a passionate speaker, and a strong believer, he was the greatest evangelist in history. But he was a humble young dairy farmer before he accepted God’s call on his life. What kinds of things can God do through you when you accept His call on YOUR life? That’s the question we’ll explore today here on A NEW BEGINNING. Glad you’re along as Pastor Greg Laurie continues his series in Mark. He’s titled this message collection “The Gospel for Busy People.” — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26 NLT) Many people choose not to follow Jesus because they’re afraid of what others will think. They choose not to commit their lives to Christ because they’re worried about the opinion of someone else. Maybe it’s a boyfriend or girlfriend, or maybe it’s a husband or a wife. Maybe it’s a close buddy or a group of friends they hang around with. Maybe it’s their parents. They recognize that if they were to fully give their lives to Christ, they would lose a bunch of so-called friends. Or it would mean the end of a relationship. Or it would cause friction in their home. So, they allow the potential consequences to hold them back. But Jesus said, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26 NLT). His declaration may seem shocking, especially because it includes the word hate. But as we balance this statement with other passages of Scripture, we discover that Jesus clearly wasn’t advocating for hatred. Certainly, the Bible doesn’t teach people to hate others. Why would Jesus tell us to honor our father and mother and then also demand that we hate them? Or why would Paul tell husbands to “love [their] wives, just as Christ loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25 NLT)? In context, Jesus wasn’t saying that His followers should hate people. Essentially, He was saying that we should love God so much more than anyone or anything else that our love for those people or things would seem like hatred in comparison. Jesus was talking about priorities. If you ask people to list the top priorities in their life, you’ll probably get a lot of heartwarming, inspiring answers. Near the top of people’s lists will be things like a relationship with Christ, family, nonprofit volunteer work, personal well-being, and career. But real priorities aren’t spoken or listed; they’re lived. The things in your life that get the majority of your time, focus, and interest—whether they are video games, social media, streaming services, significant others, habits/addictions, or other things—are your actual top priorities, whether you care to admit it or not. In Luke 14:26, Jesus is saying, “If you claim to follow Me, I should be in that top spot. What’s more, I should be so far ahead of number two on your priority list that there’s no comparison.” That makes perfect sense when you think about it. If you want to live your Christian life to the fullest, then love Jesus more than anything else. Do you love Him that way? Reflection question: How can you make sure that Jesus is your top priority? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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.

It’s never a mistake to follow Jesus’ example. In fact, that’s implied in the definition of “follower” or “disciple.” We’re walking in the footsteps of Jesus. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie takes us to the dramatic moment when Jesus had a confrontation with the Devil himself. It was the moment the Savior of our souls crossed paths with the accuser of the brethren. But Jesus chose to make it a teaching moment for all of us as believers who encounter the scourge of temptation. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s never a mistake to follow Jesus’ example. In fact, that’s implied in the definition of “follower” or “disciple.” We’re walking in the footsteps of Jesus. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie takes us to the dramatic moment when Jesus had a confrontation with the Devil himself. It was the moment the Savior of our souls crossed paths with the accuser of the brethren. But Jesus chose to make it a teaching moment for all of us as believers who encounter the scourge of temptation. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.’” (Acts 17:5–6 NKJV) Why is it that first-century believers so radically impacted their world? After all, they didn’t have the cool technology we have today. They didn’t have well-known Christian authors and performers. They didn’t have megachurches. They didn’t have printing presses. Yet a relatively small group of men and women turned their first-century world on its ear, or “upside down,” as the Jewish leaders put it in Acts 17. They intended those words as a criticism of Christians—as a warning to others about them. But their description revealed the seismic impact Jesus’ followers had on the world around them. It’s also quite possible that the Jewish leaders inadvertently aided Christians in their evangelism efforts. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by the possibility of turning the world upside down? Yet for many believers today, those sights have been lowered considerably. People are content to live quiet, unobtrusive Christian lives. They don’t want to kick up too much dust in their walk with Christ. Especially in the United States, many believers are surviving on a watered-down, anemic version of Christianity. They don’t seem to be living at the same standard of Christian faith as the first-century Christians lived. You might say they have a “faith-light.” They seem to want to do only what is absolutely necessary. To put it another way, Jesus has a lot of fair-weather followers today. They will be Christians when it’s convenient, when it’s easy, or when it’s the popular thing to do. But the moment things get difficult, the moment hardship hits, the moment persecution rears its head, they retreat. They abandon their faith. They prove themselves to be less than true followers, less than real disciples. That certainly would explain why they’re not turning the world upside down. It also would explain why, far too often, the world seems to be turning the church upside down. Believers today need to get back to Christianity the way it is given to us in the Bible, the way that Jesus proclaimed it, the way the early church lived it—not the watered-down version of today but authentic, New Testament Christianity. In short, we need to become disciples of the Lord. Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? Jesus asks His people to step out from the multitude, from the fair-weather followers, from the fickle people, to be His true disciples. Yet He never asks more from us than we can give. Not only will He reward our genuine discipleship, but He will also guide and direct us every step of the way. Reflection question: What would bold discipleship look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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.

I John 1:8 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Given that . . . given we’re all in this boat together . . . what do we do now? How do sinners like us find forgiveness for our sin, relief for our guilt, and re-establish a relationship with a Holy God? That’s the subject on the table today on A NEW BEGINNING as Pastor Greg Laurie launches a brand new series. We’ll see how we can access that second chance Jesus offers. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I John 1:8 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Given that . . . given we’re all in this boat together . . . what do we do now? How do sinners like us find forgiveness for our sin, relief for our guilt, and re-establish a relationship with a Holy God? That’s the subject on the table today on A NEW BEGINNING as Pastor Greg Laurie launches a brand new series. We’ll see how we can access that second chance Jesus offers. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.” (Hebrews 6:1 NLT) As a father and a grandfather, I know from personal experience that babies are a lot of work. For instance, it takes a great deal of effort to teach a baby how to eat. You start with baby food, which presents its own unique set of challenges. And then comes solid food, which must be cut into baby-sized bites. Of course, a baby doesn’t always want to eat, so you must think of creative ways to get the baby to take the food. Children need to learn how to eat their food, cut up their food, and ultimately prepare their food. That’s all part of growing up. The author of Hebrews reframes this idea of growing up in spiritual terms. Many people have never grown up spiritually. They made an initial commitment to Christ but have never really understood what it means to be a totally committed follower of Jesus. In short, they have not responded to what the Bible calls discipleship. This isn’t just a matter of ignoring biblical exhortations such as “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NLT). It’s also a matter of missing vital opportunities and life experiences. Think of all the culinary delights you’ve enjoyed since you progressed from baby food to solids. Think of how your palate has changed and matured. Think of all the different tastes you’ve experienced. Think of the many ways you’ve been nourished. The same principle applies to Christian growth. Progressing from spiritual milk to spiritual meat, as described in Hebrews 5:11–14, requires effort and a willingness to stretch, to step outside your comfort zone. But the rewards are more than worth the effort. The Christian life is more than simply saying a prayer of commitment to Christ. It involves following Jesus not only as your Savior but also as your Lord. If your only source of spiritual intake is hearing other people preach sermons, then you will be in a relatively weakened state spiritually. There is a place for teaching and preaching, but you must learn how to cut your own food, so to speak. You must learn how to feed yourself spiritually. Hebrews 6:1 says, “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God” (NLT). We need to mature as believers and refuse to be spiritual babies forever. We need to grow up to be men and women of God. Reflection question: In what areas do you need to grow spiritually? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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.

Jesus is still saying what He said 2,000 years ago: "Follow Me." And He doesn't mean only on Sundays, but every day. Pastor Greg Laurie shares how we can put Jesus first in our lives and move away from things that pull us down. Notes: Luke 5 Social media is stealing hours you can never get back. The algorithm is designed to capture your attention and never let go- Who or what are you following? You will become like the people you follow.You will reflect their values, or lack thereof. It’s time to follow Jesus. Social media influencers want your attention.Jesus wants your heart. Jesus is here for you.He says, “Follow Me.” The bible challenges you to check on yourself. Are you really a Christian? Or are you just pretending to be one? (2 Corinthians 13:5) Acts 11:26 (NLT)It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians. To call the believers Christians was a mockery.It meant “little Christs.” Matthew 7:22 (NKJV)“Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” Matthew 7:23 (NKJV)And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” John 14:15 (NKJV)If you love Me, keep My commandments. Are you a follower of Jesus Christ? Read Luke 5:27–32 Luke 5:28 (NLT)So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. Why did Matthew change so quickly? Jesus simply looked at him and said two words, "Follow Me.” Luke 5:31 (NLT)Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do.” God will come to us in a way we can understand. To the military man Joshua, Jesus came as a general.To the combative Jacob, He came as a wrestler.To the astrologers, the Wisemen, through a star in the heavens. Psalm 18:25 (NIV)To the faithful you show yourself faithful,to the blameless you show yourself blameless, Psalm 18:26 (NIV)to the pure you show yourself pure,but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. If you are drowning in guilt and shame,Jesus offers you forgiveness and relief. If you feel like you don’t belong,Jesus makes room at His table. God does not turn people away because of who they are.He comes to them because of it. Luke 5:27Later, as Jesus left the town, He saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector's booth and said, "Follow Me.” Tax collectors collected exorbitant taxes from each person daily.Often, they skimmed off the top or charged more than was required and pocketed the profit. Matthew was considered a traitor, a turncoat, a backslider, and a collaborator with Rome. The people who put up the biggest fight are often closer than those who don’t fight at all. Jesus knew that Matthew wanted a relationship with God.Jeremiah 29:13 Matthew couldn't bring himself to leave that tax booth and go to Jesus. Most non-Christians say they have never had a Christian explain the gospel clearly. The word used for saw, means to gaze intently upon, to stare, to fix one's eyes constantly upon an object. 1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. A people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Matthew bolted at the chance to follow and serve Jesus. “Follow Me” means to walk the same road. Following Jesus is not just something we do on Sunday. Jesus wants to be a part of everything you do and everywhere you go.Romans 13:14 How do we follow Jesus?Through prayer and Bible study. Start the day with the Bible.End the day with the Bible. Joshua 1:8 (NLT)Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. “Follow Me” also means to "Follow with Me," meaning companionship and friendship. Matthew happily jumped at the chance of a lifetime.Luke 5:27 Matthew knew the cost and willingly paid it. An old Scottish preacher called this “The expulsive power of a new affection.” When a person really meets Jesus Christ, they cannot leave the old life fast enough. Matthew lost a career but gained a destiny.He lost his material possessions but gained a spiritual fortune. Matthew was so excited that he decided to throw a party for Jesus.Luke 5:29 Jesus sees you for who you are, and He sees you for who you can be. The Bible says, “Today is the day of salvation.” — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesus is still saying what He said 2,000 years ago: "Follow Me." And He doesn't mean only on Sundays, but every day. Pastor Greg Laurie shares how we can put Jesus first in our lives and move away from things that pull us down. Notes: Luke 5 Social media is stealing hours you can never get back. The algorithm is designed to capture your attention and never let go- Who or what are you following? You will become like the people you follow.You will reflect their values, or lack thereof. It’s time to follow Jesus. Social media influencers want your attention.Jesus wants your heart. Jesus is here for you.He says, “Follow Me.” The bible challenges you to check on yourself. Are you really a Christian? Or are you just pretending to be one? (2 Corinthians 13:5) Acts 11:26 (NLT)It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians. To call the believers Christians was a mockery.It meant “little Christs.” Matthew 7:22 (NKJV)“Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” Matthew 7:23 (NKJV)And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” John 14:15 (NKJV)If you love Me, keep My commandments. Are you a follower of Jesus Christ? Read Luke 5:27–32 Luke 5:28 (NLT)So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. Why did Matthew change so quickly? Jesus simply looked at him and said two words, "Follow Me.” Luke 5:31 (NLT)Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do.” God will come to us in a way we can understand. To the military man Joshua, Jesus came as a general.To the combative Jacob, He came as a wrestler.To the astrologers, the Wisemen, through a star in the heavens. Psalm 18:25 (NIV)To the faithful you show yourself faithful,to the blameless you show yourself blameless, Psalm 18:26 (NIV)to the pure you show yourself pure,but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. If you are drowning in guilt and shame,Jesus offers you forgiveness and relief. If you feel like you don’t belong,Jesus makes room at His table. God does not turn people away because of who they are.He comes to them because of it. Luke 5:27Later, as Jesus left the town, He saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector's booth and said, "Follow Me.” Tax collectors collected exorbitant taxes from each person daily.Often, they skimmed off the top or charged more than was required and pocketed the profit. Matthew was considered a traitor, a turncoat, a backslider, and a collaborator with Rome. The people who put up the biggest fight are often closer than those who don’t fight at all. Jesus knew that Matthew wanted a relationship with God.Jeremiah 29:13 Matthew couldn't bring himself to leave that tax booth and go to Jesus. Most non-Christians say they have never had a Christian explain the gospel clearly. The word used for saw, means to gaze intently upon, to stare, to fix one's eyes constantly upon an object. 1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. A people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Matthew bolted at the chance to follow and serve Jesus. “Follow Me” means to walk the same road. Following Jesus is not just something we do on Sunday. Jesus wants to be a part of everything you do and everywhere you go.Romans 13:14 How do we follow Jesus?Through prayer and Bible study. Start the day with the Bible.End the day with the Bible. Joshua 1:8 (NLT)Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. “Follow Me” also means to "Follow with Me," meaning companionship and friendship. Matthew happily jumped at the chance of a lifetime.Luke 5:27 Matthew knew the cost and willingly paid it. An old Scottish preacher called this “The expulsive power of a new affection.” When a person really meets Jesus Christ, they cannot leave the old life fast enough. Matthew lost a career but gained a destiny.He lost his material possessions but gained a spiritual fortune. Matthew was so excited that he decided to throw a party for Jesus.Luke 5:29 Jesus sees you for who you are, and He sees you for who you can be. The Bible says, “Today is the day of salvation.” — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.’” (Mark 6:4 NKJV) Imagine being the half brother of Jesus. You could never blame Him for anything. Think about it. Who were Mary and Joseph going to believe—you or the only sinless human being who ever lived? Imagine trying to compete for your parents’ attention with the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of your people. That was the lot in life for James, the author of the New Testament book that bears his name. It’s noteworthy that neither James nor any of Jesus’ other half brothers believed in Jesus prior to His resurrection. In fact, at one point, Jesus’ family came to take Him home, thinking that He had taken leave of His senses. John 7:5 states plainly, “For even His brothers did not believe in Him” (NKJV). Yet James starts his epistle by identifying himself as “a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1 NKJV). He doesn’t identify himself as “James, the brother of the Lord” or even “James, the half brother of Jesus.” Instead, he writes, “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Still, it seems hard to believe that James came to recognize the truth about Jesus so relatively late in life. After all, Jesus lived a flawless life. He never lied or stole or lost His temper. He never even sinned inwardly. Yet as Jesus Himself said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house” (Mark 6:4 NKJV). That just goes to show that even living a perfect life is not necessarily enough to convince someone of the truth about Jesus. And, for believers who are trying to share that truth, it becomes even more difficult because all of us have fallen short at times in living out the witness we ought to live. The hardest people for many Christians to reach are those who are closest to us, especially in our own families. Many of us were raised in non-Christian homes. We know how difficult and hostile an environment that can be. It took the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to finally reach His brothers. That’s when they all believed. It took the power of the gospel. Reaching family with the gospel message is still a challenge. But it’s a challenge we must rise to. The questions that the apostle Paul poses in Romans 10:14–15 still apply. “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” (NKJV). Reflection question: How can you help the people who are closest to you understand the Good News of Christ? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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.

Imagine a local food pantry to feed the hungry and less fortunate. They collect donations from far and wide. There are shelves full of food reaching to the ceiling. Great! But if they never distribute any of that food, what a crime. Some believers have a heart full of compassion and a head full of knowledge about the Christian life, but it never gets distributed. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us all reach out and share. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine a local food pantry to feed the hungry and less fortunate. They collect donations from far and wide. There are shelves full of food reaching to the ceiling. Great! But if they never distribute any of that food, what a crime. Some believers have a heart full of compassion and a head full of knowledge about the Christian life, but it never gets distributed. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us all reach out and share. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you.’” (Mark 2:3–5 NKJV) The Gospel writers give us very little insight into why Jesus chose the people He did to serve as His disciples. We can get a sense of the personalities of Simon Peter, John—and Judas Iscariot—because they are featured prominently in certain stories. But for the rest of the Twelve, we must rely on quick glimpses. We must look beyond the words to the circumstances in which they’re mentioned to see just a little of what Jesus saw in them. Case in point: Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. We find the origin story of Andrew’s discipleship in John 1. Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist. One day, as Jesus walked past, John the Baptist pointed at Him and said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (verse 36 NKJV). That was all Andrew needed to hear. He immediately started following Jesus. But that’s not all he did. “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus” (verses 41–42 NKJV). The thing about Andrew is that once he was convinced, he was convinced. He saw for himself. He believed. And he immediately went out to tell his brother Simon. How we need more Andrews today. If we had more Andrews, we would have more Simon Peters. One person bringing another person to Jesus—it’s so simple. It’s so effective. And it’s so neglected. Mark 2 gives an account of four men who brought their paralyzed friend to Christ. As Jesus was teaching inside a house overflowing with people, these four persistent men climbed up to the roof and lowered their friend inside. Jesus was so impressed with their demonstration of faith that He forgave the paralyzed man of his sins and healed him (see Mark 2:3–5). This story serves as an inspiration and a reminder that sometimes a number of Christians working together can bring a person to Christ more effectively than one person working alone. As Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6 NKJV). We all have a part in God’s plan. Andrew was brand-new in the faith, and often the newest converts are the most zealous evangelists. That’s probably because they are so cognizant of the fact that they have just been saved from a miserable lifestyle. That was Andrew. Maybe we, too, need to remind ourselves time and time again of what God has done for us. Reflection question: Who can you bring to Jesus? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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.

Would you walk all the way to work because you forgot to get in your car? Would you stand over a tub doing laundry like it’s 1910 when the washing machine is sitting right there? When power tools are available, we use them. Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out that the Lord has made spiritual gifts available to each of us – the power tools, as it were, of serving the Kingdom. And today we’ll see just how important it is that we use them. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you walk all the way to work because you forgot to get in your car? Would you stand over a tub doing laundry like it’s 1910 when the washing machine is sitting right there? When power tools are available, we use them. Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out that the Lord has made spiritual gifts available to each of us – the power tools, as it were, of serving the Kingdom. And today we’ll see just how important it is that we use them. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“When Jesus heard it, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’” (Mark 2:17 NKJV) Jesus interacted with a remarkably diverse group of people during His public ministry. The Gospels record His encounters with Pharisees, tax collectors, Roman officials, fishermen, a Samaritan woman, and a host of others. One of the extraordinary things about these encounters is the personalized attention He gave each person, whether He was offering encouragement, rebuke, or healing. He recognized that every man, every woman, and every child is different. And though they have many of the same problems and the same basic needs, He realized that there were unique things about them that required individual ministry. He saw people for exactly who they were. He understood exactly what they needed. And He provided it. It’s no wonder people refer to Him as the Great Physician. Jesus Himself said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Mark 2:17 NKJV). Like a physician, Jesus usually saw people at their worst. I’ve always thought that one of the hardest things about being a doctor is that you only see people when they’re sick or in need of medical assistance. Most physicians don’t get a lot of patients stopping by their office to say, “Hey, Doc, I’m feeling great! I just wanted to let you know. Want to go to lunch?” You don’t usually call your doctor when you’re feeling good. You call when you’re feeling sick. And your doctor will have you come in, examine you, and apply the necessary treatment to the area of need. Doctors, of course, are limited in their areas of expertise. Cardiologists specialize in heart health. Dermatologists specialize in matters of the skin. Gastroenterologists specialize in digestive system health. Hematologists specialize in blood disorders. Oncologists specialize in cancer treatment. The list goes on and on. Jesus, on the other hand, can treat the whole person. He caused the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the disabled to walk, and the dead to live. He removed the spiritual torment of the demon-possessed. He eased the emotional struggles of the frightened and grieving. He didn’t just improve people’s quality of life; He gave them a life they never knew was possible. That’s what He meant when He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV). Jesus still provides personalized care for His people. He knows what you need. In fact, He knows better than you do what you need. And He can and will provide it. Reach out to Him. Open yourself to His loving ministry. Let Him guide you into the life He has planned for you. Enjoy all the benefits of having a personal Physician. Reflection question: How has Jesus impacted your life in a personal way? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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 so many spiritually hungry and needy people around us. Pastor Greg Laurie says ???we're blessed to be a blessing.??? Friday on A NEW BEGINNING, he points out how we can use our spiritual gifts to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s about time to pay the credit card bills from this past Christmas. Sadly, often those bills last longer than the gifts did. Ouch. But that’s how it is, right? The things of this world promise a lot of joy, but the joy expires before the cost. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us reevaluate our priorities, and set our focus on the eternal. A life lived for eternity experiences joy that never fades, and the price has been paid. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s about time to pay the credit card bills from this past Christmas. Sadly, often those bills last longer than the gifts did. Ouch. But that’s how it is, right? The things of this world promise a lot of joy, but the joy expires before the cost. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us reevaluate our priorities, and set our focus on the eternal. A life lived for eternity experiences joy that never fades, and the price has been paid. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38 NKJV) Have you ever been caught doing something you weren’t supposed to do? One day I found my son playing a game on the computer, something he wasn’t allowed to do until he finished his schoolwork. With a guilty expression on his face, he looked at me and said, “I couldn’t resist myself.” That’s a correct view of temptation. When we give in to temptation, we like to blame others. Think of when Adam was caught in the act in the Garden of Eden. The Lord asked, “Did you eat of that tree?” And Adam replied, “It’s the woman You gave me, Lord. She made me do it” (see Genesis 3:8–12). And then there’s Aaron, who offered a classic example of a bad excuse for giving in to temptation. When Moses went up the mountain to receive God’s commandments, he entrusted the people to his brother Aaron. When Moses returned, he saw the people dancing naked around a golden calf. Aaron explained it this way: “We just threw the gold into the fire, and this calf came out.” The truth was that Aaron told the people to bring their gold jewelry. He molded it into a calf. And then he encouraged them to worship it (see Exodus 32:22–24). James 1:14 leaves little room for bad excuses. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (NKJV). Every person plays the key role when they give in to temptation. The devil may tempt you. Someone may try to trap you. But they will not succeed unless you give in. The Bible makes it clear that no temptation is irresistible. “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 NLT). Despite those assurances, temptation is shockingly easy to give in to. But you probably don’t need to be told that. Perhaps there’s a sin in your life that’s caught up with you. Perhaps you’re contemplating getting involved in a sinful relationship. Perhaps because of your sin, you’ve been overcome with guilt. If so, there’s something you need to know: God gives second chances. First John 1:9 says, “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). And David, who knew a thing or two about giving in to temptation and seeking God’s forgiveness, wrote, “He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust” (Psalm 103:10–14 NLT). Reflection question: What is your most effective strategy for avoiding or resisting temptation? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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 says we each have been gifted by God for Kingdom service. And we need to put those gifts to work. Thursday on A NEW BEGINNING, he points out how those gifts are God's special power tools to help us serve Him more effectively. Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever gotten up too quickly and felt a little light-headed . . . maybe lost your balance? When you lose your balance, it’s hard to walk a straight line. Spiritually, some believers let their lives get out of balance, and then have difficulty walking the straight and narrow path of faith. Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, some help from Pastor Greg Laurie on bringing our lives back into balance . . . back into harmony with God’s plan. It’s a prescription for healing what ails us spiritually. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever gotten up too quickly and felt a little light-headed . . . maybe lost your balance? When you lose your balance, it’s hard to walk a straight line. Spiritually, some believers let their lives get out of balance, and then have difficulty walking the straight and narrow path of faith. Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, some help from Pastor Greg Laurie on bringing our lives back into balance . . . back into harmony with God’s plan. It’s a prescription for healing what ails us spiritually. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” (Mark 13:33 NKJV) Prayer is one of the most powerful and misunderstood tools available to God’s people. Many people confuse it with normal conversation or the daily interactions they have with other people. So, they ask skeptical questions like these: If God knows what we need before we ask Him, why should we even bother to ask? If God is going to do what He wants to do, and He already knows what He’s going to do, what difference does prayer make? The Bible offers several compelling reasons for God’s people to pray. Let’s look at four of them. First, we should pray because Jesus told us to. Do we need a better reason than that? Jesus said, “Men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1 NKJV). Not to mention the blessings of watching our prayers get answered, whether that involves the salvation of a loved one, a divine healing, or a wonderful provision. If Jesus says we should do it, then let’s do it. Jesus led by example in this area. He prayed frequently. A significant percentage of the red letters in the Bible are words of prayer. Jesus’ prayerful connection with His heavenly Father was essential to His earthly ministry. Second, we should pray because it’s God’s appointed way for us to obtain things. God works in our lives through prayer. James 4:2 tells us, “You do not have because you do not ask” (NKJV). This means there may be things God wants to give to us that are not yet ours because we haven’t specifically asked. That’s not to suggest that God is a cosmic genie, waiting to grant our every wish. The key to praying effectively is to discover what God’s will is and then prioritize it in your life. When your desires align with God’s will, amazing things will result from your prayers. Third, we should pray because through prayer, we overcome our anxiety and worry. The Bible says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6 NKJV). When we are tempted to worry, we should pray instead. Prayer isn’t a mantra or a string of empty words to repeat to distract our attention from the things that cause us anxiety or worry. Prayer is the act of staring down those things, acknowledging them and their impact on us, and then handing them off to God, who is powerful and loving enough to take care of them for us. Fourth, prayer is one of the ways we make ourselves ready for Christ’s return. Jesus said, “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is” (Mark 13:33 NKJV). For many believers, Jesus’ return is a source of anxiety. The apocalyptic descriptions in Scripture paint a stark picture. For others, Jesus’ return is a source of impatience. They can’t wait. Prayer addresses both issues. It helps believers get in the proper mindset regarding Jesus’ return. These aren’t the only reasons to pray. But they are compelling reasons to pray. Why not put them into practice today? Reflection question: Why do you pray? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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.

Why are we here? So many people ask that. Wednesday on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings us a peek inside heaven to get a glimpse of our purpose here on earth. It's a refreshing message on how to live a more balanced Christian life. Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some professions have specialty clothing . . . and it saves lives. Firefighters have “turnout pants and jackets” to protect against heat. Police officers wear kevlar vests. Soldiers have vests and helmets and boots. As we’ll learn today, Christian soldiers have specialty clothing, as well. But too many of us don’t know much about it. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us get to know our six pieces of spiritual armor, and how we can use them in spiritual battle. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some professions have specialty clothing . . . and it saves lives. Firefighters have “turnout pants and jackets” to protect against heat. Police officers wear kevlar vests. Soldiers have vests and helmets and boots. As we’ll learn today, Christian soldiers have specialty clothing, as well. But too many of us don’t know much about it. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us get to know our six pieces of spiritual armor, and how we can use them in spiritual battle. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8:36–37 NLT) Years ago, I ran into a guy I used to hang out with in school. I hadn’t seen him in twenty-five years. He called to say that he was coming to hear me speak, so we arranged to meet beforehand. As we talked, he told me that he had been married twice and was presently divorced from his second wife. Then he said, “I basically drank my marriages away.” He went on to explain that he had gotten into the partying lifestyle and had never stopped. He said it had ruined his life. I said, “You know, in the Bible, God says, ‘You will seek Me and find Me—’” “You can quote your book, and I’ll quote mine,” he interrupted. “I’m in fellowship, too. I’m in a 12-step program.” Once upon a time, our lives probably looked pretty similar. We enjoyed the same pleasures and chased the same vices. The difference was that I stopped chasing at the age of seventeen. And for him, the chase never ended. As I thought about the course his life had taken and the course my life had taken, it was clear to me who had given up the most. There may be times when you look at unbelievers and think, “I don’t know, maybe they are having a better time than I am. Maybe I’m denying myself things for no good reason.” That’s when you need to remind yourself that looks can be deceiving. What looks like fun and freedom from a distance may turn out to be misery and addiction upon closer inspection. Make no mistake, there’s always a price to pay for sin. We all reap what we sow. Jesus put it this way: “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8:36–37 NLT). The problem is that most people don’t realize that they are losing their souls. There is no “Check Soul” indicator light on the dash to warn us. There is a famous quote that goes, “Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.” In that same vein, losing your soul is what happens when you are busy living life on your own terms. It’s what happens when you pursue success as you understand it or as society defines it. If you live for Christ, if you determine to do things God’s way, you won’t regret it. Because you won’t find happiness or fulfillment through sex, drugs, or drinking. You won’t find it through relationships, success, possessions, or accomplishments either. You will find the happiness and fulfillment you’re looking for in life only through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Don’t risk losing your soul. Gaining the whole world is a poor substitute. Reflection question: What do happiness and fulfillment look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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.

Tuesday on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings us the prescription for a balanced Christian life. We'll look to the believers of the First Century, and learn the importance of a life that looks upward, inward and outward. Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Evangelism is a God-given calling every Christian must answer in obedience. In this message, Pastor Greg Laurie shares principles of a good "fisherman." Notes: Luke 5 There are right and wrong ways to go fishing.And there are also wrong ways to share our faith. The problem today isn’t that Christians are sharing the gospel the wrong way.It’s that 8/10 Christians never share the gospel in any way. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” Do you want to know how to share the gospel effectively? Do you want to go fishing for men? Read Luke 5:1–10 This is a story of how a miracle of Jesus touched the lives of three men,Peter, James, and John. This terrific trio accompanied Jesus on many occasions.They were there at the transfiguration.They were there when Jesus raised Jairus’s daughter.They were there during His agony in Gethsemane. Were they afforded these privileges because they were better than the others? Maybe Jesus was essentially saying, “I need to keep my eye on you, boys.” Peter’s misstatements were legendary. There were never three men who had less promise or natural ability.Yet they became three of the greatest missionary preachers in church history. Luke 5:3 (NLT)Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So He sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. John 1:42 (NLT)Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "Your name is Simon, son of John--but you will be called Cephas" (which means "Peter"). Jesus looks at Simon and sees what he will become. There was another time Jesus looked at Peter.It was after Peter’s denial of Jesus.That was a look of understanding. It appears that Peter, James, and John had a spiritual lapse of sorts.Or perhaps they were just unsure of what it meant to follow Jesus. Peter, James, and John did not realize the potential Jesus had for them. Jesus was making them into powerful spiritual leaders who would touch their world.They had the privilege of writing the very scripture we hold in our hands. Have you sensed God’s call on your life to do a certain thing and then not done it? When Jonah ultimately stepped up to the plate, a national revival happened in the wicked city of Nineveh. Not to respond to God’s call on your life can be an actual sin.It is a sin of omission. Luke 5:4 (NLT)"Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish." Luke 5:5 (NLT)"Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing." Fishing at this time was back-breaking work because it involved laying out a great net in a semi-circle. It encompassed over 100 feet. Then it had to be drawn in hand over hand. Luke 5:5 (NLT)"Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again." Peter used an interesting term for Jesus when he called Him, “Master.”It was a nautical term, "Captain of this boat." Peter let down the net instead of the nets.The result was that the net started breaking. This was supernatural, and these fishermen all knew it. Jesus gave Peter fish because that is what Peter understood. It’s amazing how Jesus can reach the academic and the uneducated,the certified genius and the little child. Augustine lived for drinking, partying, and rampant immorality. Weeping, Augustine heard the voice of a child repeating, “Take and read.”Augustine saw this as God entering his world. This is a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God. Peter is overwhelmed with gratitude and guilt as Jesus gives him a great catch. God is not looking for self-confident people.He is looking for people who are aware of their inadequacies and weaknesses. When you encounter the Holy God, you realize how sinful you are. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now, on you’ll be fishing for men!”(Luke 5:10) The Lord said we can catch men alive.Either we do it, or the devil does. Luke 5:11 (NLT)And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. The word for followed signifies the “deepest inward attachment.” #1 A fisherman needs to be patient. The Bible compares evangelism to farming.1 Corinthians 3:6–8 We live in a microwave society, but God often works like a slow cooker. Ecclesiastes 7:8a (ESV)Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. #2 A good fisherman must persevere. God doesn't grade us on our closing percentage.He grades us on our obedience. #3 A good fisherman must know to go to the right place at the right time. #4 A good fisherman must have skill. We learn effective skills through experience. We learn to build a bridge rather than to burn it. One of the best ways to share the gospel with someone is to listen. Know the word of God.2 Timothy 2:15 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. # 5 A good fisherman must know how to work with others. Cooperation is the key to effectively sharing your faith. God specializes in turning sinners into saints. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Evangelism is a God-given calling every Christian must answer in obedience. In this message, Pastor Greg Laurie shares principles of a good "fisherman." Notes: Luke 5 There are right and wrong ways to go fishing.And there are also wrong ways to share our faith. The problem today isn’t that Christians are sharing the gospel the wrong way.It’s that 8/10 Christians never share the gospel in any way. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” Do you want to know how to share the gospel effectively? Do you want to go fishing for men? Read Luke 5:1–10 This is a story of how a miracle of Jesus touched the lives of three men,Peter, James, and John. This terrific trio accompanied Jesus on many occasions.They were there at the transfiguration.They were there when Jesus raised Jairus’s daughter.They were there during His agony in Gethsemane. Were they afforded these privileges because they were better than the others? Maybe Jesus was essentially saying, “I need to keep my eye on you, boys.” Peter’s misstatements were legendary. There were never three men who had less promise or natural ability.Yet they became three of the greatest missionary preachers in church history. Luke 5:3 (NLT)Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So He sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. John 1:42 (NLT)Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "Your name is Simon, son of John--but you will be called Cephas" (which means "Peter"). Jesus looks at Simon and sees what he will become. There was another time Jesus looked at Peter.It was after Peter’s denial of Jesus.That was a look of understanding. It appears that Peter, James, and John had a spiritual lapse of sorts.Or perhaps they were just unsure of what it meant to follow Jesus. Peter, James, and John did not realize the potential Jesus had for them. Jesus was making them into powerful spiritual leaders who would touch their world.They had the privilege of writing the very scripture we hold in our hands. Have you sensed God’s call on your life to do a certain thing and then not done it? When Jonah ultimately stepped up to the plate, a national revival happened in the wicked city of Nineveh. Not to respond to God’s call on your life can be an actual sin.It is a sin of omission. Luke 5:4 (NLT)"Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish." Luke 5:5 (NLT)"Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing." Fishing at this time was back-breaking work because it involved laying out a great net in a semi-circle. It encompassed over 100 feet. Then it had to be drawn in hand over hand. Luke 5:5 (NLT)"Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again." Peter used an interesting term for Jesus when he called Him, “Master.”It was a nautical term, "Captain of this boat." Peter let down the net instead of the nets.The result was that the net started breaking. This was supernatural, and these fishermen all knew it. Jesus gave Peter fish because that is what Peter understood. It’s amazing how Jesus can reach the academic and the uneducated,the certified genius and the little child. Augustine lived for drinking, partying, and rampant immorality. Weeping, Augustine heard the voice of a child repeating, “Take and read.”Augustine saw this as God entering his world. This is a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God. Peter is overwhelmed with gratitude and guilt as Jesus gives him a great catch. God is not looking for self-confident people.He is looking for people who are aware of their inadequacies and weaknesses. When you encounter the Holy God, you realize how sinful you are. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now, on you’ll be fishing for men!”(Luke 5:10) The Lord said we can catch men alive.Either we do it, or the devil does. Luke 5:11 (NLT)And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. The word for followed signifies the “deepest inward attachment.” #1 A fisherman needs to be patient. The Bible compares evangelism to farming.1 Corinthians 3:6–8 We live in a microwave society, but God often works like a slow cooker. Ecclesiastes 7:8a (ESV)Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. #2 A good fisherman must persevere. God doesn't grade us on our closing percentage.He grades us on our obedience. #3 A good fisherman must know to go to the right place at the right time. #4 A good fisherman must have skill. We learn effective skills through experience. We learn to build a bridge rather than to burn it. One of the best ways to share the gospel with someone is to listen. Know the word of God.2 Timothy 2:15 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. # 5 A good fisherman must know how to work with others. Cooperation is the key to effectively sharing your faith. God specializes in turning sinners into saints. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you're in a war, you can't just say, ???I don't wanna do this anymore.??? They have a word for that: surrender! Monday on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie says, we're in a spiritual war, and we need to fight to win! He'll explain how in the finale to his top ten series. Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On January 21, Harvest Riverside hosted the first stop of TPUSA Faith's Make Heaven Crowded Tour, a gospel-centered gathering calling people to repentance, faith, and bold obedience to Jesus. Listen in to Pastor Greg Laurie's full speech, where he encourages Christians to remember the urgent calling of evangelism and invites nonbelievers to receive Jesus Christ. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On January 21, Harvest Riverside hosted the first stop of TPUSA Faith's Make Heaven Crowded Tour, a gospel-centered gathering calling people to repentance, faith, and bold obedience to Jesus. Listen in to Pastor Greg Laurie's full speech, where he encourages Christians to remember the urgent calling of evangelism and invites nonbelievers to receive Jesus Christ. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“But Jesus replied, ‘We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.’” (Mark 1:38 NLT) In John 4, Jesus visits a Samaritan village, meets a woman at a well, and talks to her. A simple story, right? No miracles, no healings, no drama. Perhaps, but this seemingly simple story is loaded with profound significance. For one thing, in Jesus’ day, most Jewish people did not travel to Samaria. In fact, they often went well out of their way to avoid it. For another thing, most Jewish people didn’t talk to Samaritans. They considered Samaritans second-class citizens. (That’s why Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan was so shocking to His Jewish listeners.) And for another thing, most Jewish men did not talk to women, not even their wives, in public. So, why did Jesus do all three of these things? In answering that question, we unlock two very important principles of the Christian life—principles that should guide our efforts to share the Good News of Christ with others. First, we must go to where the people are. Jesus went to a Samaritan village because there was a Samaritan woman who needed to hear His words. That mentality fuels the servant heart. Jesus didn’t say that the whole world should go to church; He said that the church should go into the whole world. Mark 16:15 records one of Jesus’ last interactions with His disciples. “And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone’” (NLT). That was the message He left them with. And that’s the assignment His followers today are given. When Harvest Ministries was doing an outreach in Disneyland several years ago, I was asked, “Why are you doing this in a place like Disneyland? Why would you hold an event in a place like this?” I said, “Because Jesus said, ‘Go into all the world,’ and He did not exempt Disneyland. There are people here. And we want to reach people.” The glorious thing is that many people came into God’s kingdom through that outreach. We need to go to where the people are. Second, we must care about the people we speak to. Jesus needed to go to Samaria because He cared about this woman (see John 4:10). When the apostle Paul was in Athens, he saw that the city was given over to idolatry, and his spirit was “deeply troubled” within him (see Acts 17:16–17 NLT). He felt righteous indignation as he saw so many people turning to false gods. In the same way, any effective sharing of the gospel must always begin with a God-given burden. We must care. Jesus cared. Do you? Do you want to reach out to perishing people? We must go to where the people are. We must care about them and reach out to them. Reflection question: Where are the people with whom you need to share the Good News of Christ? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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 old evangelist Billy Sunday said, “Temptation is the devil looking through the keyhole. Yielding is opening the door and inviting him in.” How many of us have our fingerprints on the doorknob, and wonder why we fell to the devil’s lures? Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings us good insight on the spiritual environment we’re living in. It’s a look at the spiritual battle being waged all around us, whether we realize it or not . . . and how we’re all combatants in the fight. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The old evangelist Billy Sunday said, “Temptation is the devil looking through the keyhole. Yielding is opening the door and inviting him in.” How many of us have our fingerprints on the doorknob, and wonder why we fell to the devil’s lures? Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings us good insight on the spiritual environment we’re living in. It’s a look at the spiritual battle being waged all around us, whether we realize it or not . . . and how we’re all combatants in the fight. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NLT) We’re a month removed from the Christmas season, although you wouldn’t know it from the number of people who still have their decorations up. Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus’ coming. But amidst the traditional readings, carols, and pageants of the season, one question that often gets overlooked is the most basic one of all: Why did Jesus come? Let’s look quickly at five different reasons. First, Jesus came to proclaim Good News to the spiritually hurting. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor” (Luke 4:18 NLT). Not only did He proclaim the Good News, He was the Good News. He was the Messiah, the Savior the world had been waiting for. Second, Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted. Medical technology has made stunning advances in pain management, but there is still no cure for a broken heart. People struggle with all kinds of heartbreaking challenges—physical, relational, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Jesus understands. He lived as one of us. He experienced pain and betrayal and grief. He knows what we feel. The psalmist wrote of the Lord, “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3 NLT). Third, Jesus came to set people free who are bound by sin. He came to open our spiritual eyes to our spiritual need. One of the greatest tricks the devil ever pulled was convincing people who are slaves to sin that they are free. The apostle Paul wrote, “So Christ has truly set us free” (Galatians 5:1 NLT). Jesus exposed the devil’s lie and shone a spotlight on people’s sin. He then provided a means for their sins to be forgiven forever. Fourth, Jesus came to lift up those who are crushed by life. Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). He came to give us abundant life. Jesus came to show us that there is more to life than this. He came to give us hope. Fifth, Jesus came to give His life for us. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NLT). God is holy and just. He demands punishment for sin. That punishment is death. Only a perfect sacrifice offered in our place could save us from death. Jesus was that perfect sacrifice. He willingly took our punishment for sin. He allowed Himself to be killed so that we might live. Jesus Christ came to this earth to seek and save those of us who are lost, just as a shepherd seeks a lost sheep. Those who trust in Him will enjoy eternal life with Him. Reflection question: Which of these reasons for Jesus’ coming would resonate most powerfully with someone you know? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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.

In the days of the pony express, riders would blaze across trails, up hills, down embankments, across grassy meadows and through blazing deserts. They had one job: deliver the mail. They may have had plenty of reasons to abort their mission: weather, hunger, sickness, attacks by Paiute Indians – but they persevered. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out we have a much more important message to deliver, and that message must get through. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the days of the pony express, riders would blaze across trails, up hills, down embankments, across grassy meadows and through blazing deserts. They had one job: deliver the mail. They may have had plenty of reasons to abort their mission: weather, hunger, sickness, attacks by Paiute Indians – but they persevered. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out we have a much more important message to deliver, and that message must get through. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Peter exclaimed, ‘Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified.” (Mark 9:5–6 NLT) Sometimes the words just hang in the air for a moment. That awful moment when you realize too late that you should have kept quiet. That moment when you and the people listening to you silently ask the same question: Why did you just say that? When was the last time you said something that you wish you hadn’t said? Something that may have sounded perfect in your head as the words were formulating, but somehow turned unbelievably lame as they left your mouth? It happens to the best of us. It happened to Peter. At just about the worst time imaginable. Jesus had led Peter, James, and John, the disciples in his inner circle, up a mountain for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The event is known as the Transfiguration. God briefly allowed Jesus’ disciples to see Jesus in His glory. Jesus’ face and clothes suddenly shone like the sun. Moses and Elijah, two of the most revered figures in Jewish history, appeared and spoke with Him. It would be hard to imagine a more profound, life-changing experience. It would be hard to imagine a scene more fitting for respectful, awestruck silence. It would be hard to imagine a situation less suited for Peter. Unable to contain himself, Peter interrupted the conversation—once again, involving Jesus, Moses, and Elijah—to blurt out, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Mark 9:5 NLT). Mark adds this interesting commentary: “He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified” (verse 6 NLT). I wonder if Moses turned to Jesus and asked, “Who is that guy?” Or if Jesus rolled His eyes a little and replied, “Oh, that’s Rock. Never mind.” How easily thoughts can jump into our minds and then out of our mouths before we fully process them. How much better would it be if we could just hit a momentary delay button and ask ourselves, “Is this the right thing to say? Would this be an appropriate statement to make? Would this glorify the Lord?” As the old proverb says, “Better to be silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” The author of Ecclesiastes wrote, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. . . . A time to be quiet and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7). If you don’t know how to “tell the time” where your tongue is concerned, ask God to help you. James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you” (NLT). Reflection question: When is it appropriate for you to be quiet? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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 live in the information age. If we have a question, the answer should be just a mouse-click away. The trouble is, for every question, you’ll find a million answers on the Internet. And yet with all that information, depression and hopelessness are at an all-time high. Is there just no way to find hope . . . or have we just been looking in the wrong places? Today on A NEW BEGINNING, as Pastor Greg Laurie continues his study of Jonah, we’ll find hope in the same place Jonah found hope. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We live in the information age. If we have a question, the answer should be just a mouse-click away. The trouble is, for every question, you’ll find a million answers on the Internet. And yet with all that information, depression and hopelessness are at an all-time high. Is there just no way to find hope . . . or have we just been looking in the wrong places? Today on A NEW BEGINNING, as Pastor Greg Laurie continues his study of Jonah, we’ll find hope in the same place Jonah found hope. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a pilot’s in a bad mood, is he allowed to re-route all his Toronto-bound passengers to Hawaii, just for kicks? No. If a firefighter is feeling a little down, is he allowed to take his sweet time responding to a fire? No. We do the right thing no matter how we feel. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, from the story of Jonah, Pastor Greg Laurie shows us how to look beyond our feelings to the faithfulness of God. We’ll find hope in hopeless situations. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They’ll know we’re Christians by . . . our protests? By . . . our self-righteousness? By . . . all the things we’re against? Sometimes it might seem that way. Jesus actually said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us reevaluate how our faith is seen by others. Is it off-putting . . . or irresistible? As we consider the bad example of the prophet Jonah, we’ll ask ourselves if our witness is working. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scripture reveals we were not only created on purpose, but for a purpose. And while that purpose may bring opposition, it also brings authority and sends us forward. Notes: Luke 4 Why do you exist?Why were you created? The Bible says we were not only created on purpose,but that we were created for a purpose. Luke 1:3 (NLT) Luke 1:4 (NLT) What is God’s purpose? Luke 4:14–30 #1 Purpose Brings Opposition Before you accomplish the purpose of God, you need to have the Spirit of God. Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV) Luke 4:18–19 (NKJV)"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,Because He has anointed MeTo preach the gospel to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captivesAnd recovery of sight to the blind,To set at liberty those who are oppressed;To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." Jesus doesn’t just bring comfort.He claims authority.He is the Messiah. Luke 4:30 (NKJV)Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way. Luke 4:30 (MSG)But He gave them the slip and was on His way. Living for God’s purpose brings opposition. Live for God’s purposes rather than your own. Luke 4:31–37 #2 Purpose Carries Authority Opposition is confirmation that we are on the right track. Sometimes opposition is correction.Sometimes opposition is immaturity.Sometimes opposition has consequences. "The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to Him."—D.L. Moody But Jesus isn’t just authoritative, He’s compassionate.He’s not just powerful, He’s loving and merciful. Luke 4:38–44 #3 Purpose Sends You Forward Jesus had authority in the synagogue,compassion in the home, andmercy in the streets. Luke 4:43 (NKJV)but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." What is your purpose? — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.