This broadcaster has 2045 podcast archives available on-demand.
Keep up-to-date with this broadcaster on social media and their website.
July 26, 2022 3:00 am
Listen on harvest.org
---
Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org.
A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.
Support the show: https://harvest.org/support
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's episode of a new beginning is brought to you by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God. Learn more@harness.org and while you're there, browse our library and free e-books designed to help you grow in your faith, or ruin your day doing here. We actually worrying to ruin your life, worry a lot of energy accomplishes red. Lori has a much better just take each day shirted into frame more and more. You parent your hand really does rush out Lori laid down which we will offer some practical would tell my younger self inside. Let me give you a little bit of advice say things to you that you need said to you as a younger person. This first one may be surprising, but I want to start with this. What ever you're going through. It's going to be okay. I know when you're young and you're experiencing things for the first time life can seem kind of scary. You're wondering about what you're going to do with your life where you're going to go who you're going to marry what career path you're going to choose and then maybe something bad happens to you love a huge setback you break up with your boyfriend or your girlfriend, and it almost seems like your world is just ended.
Listen, it's going to be okay. Whatever you're going through your going to get through it. Number two what I say to my younger self.
Good God first in your life. Put God first in your life. This of course starts with asking Christ become of your life. But then, the means following Jesus summed it up this way.
Matthew 633 seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you know what was he talking about when he said all these things Jesus said don't be like the nonbelievers.
All they think about is what the gun aware what they're going to drink what they're going to eat but I said you seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and these things will be added to you and I were obsessed with all the things what will lead mobile drink bubble. Where will go will drive where we will work where we will live.
These are not bad things about the way to think about. But Jesus is saying don't make those. The focus of your life. Put God first in your life.
Seek first the kingdom of God. What is that mean the kingdom of God is the rule and reign of Christ in your life one day will go to guy vented enter into the kingdom of God and the kingdom of God will come to work but also when the Bible tells us to seek.
At first it means just put Jesus first think about God's will. When you make those decisions don't put money first. Don't put career first. Don't put politics first. Don't even put ministry first put Jesus first and he will take care of you in life.
There was a young Solomon ascending to the throne of his father David died, the Lord comes to Solomon and says Solomon asked me for what ever you want and I will give it to you. Imagine for a moment of God give you and said that's what you want, I'll give it to you, what would you ask for. Solomon said Lord I pray for wisdom. Wisdom to lead your people the Lord in effect said because you didn't pray first off, you didn't pray for possessions you didn't pray for great wealth or honor, to give you the wisdom you asked for, and all these other things as well. It's a perfect illustration of why putting God first is the right thing to do. That doesn't mean that God's going to make everybody incredibly wealthy, but what it does mean is God, the Bible says will supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus Oakwood God first in your life. That's where I would start what is the will of God, you might ask about this thing. I'm about to do. How do you know the will of God answer by reading the word of God will reveal his will to you in Scripture understand this.
Why are you in this earth and this enters the big question. The question of why am I here what is the meaning of my life.
Here's the answer.
The meaning of your life.
You are here to bring glory to God not to bring glory to yourself.
Isaiah 43, seven, God says, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory. That's why you're here so know this God wants to speak to you.
God wants to fill you with this Holy Spirit each and every day, put God first in your life and the rest will be blessed peers point number three. What would I say to my younger self. I would say young Greg read the Bible every day and I pretty much followed that advice. Thankfully and I hope many of you are following it as well because sometimes I think Christians as they grow in their faith think well I don't need to read the Bible is much as I used to know. Listen, you need to read the Bible every single day. You should start the day with it. You should end the day with it and someone it says happy is the man or the woman who doesn't walk in the counsel of the ungodly, or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of the scornful. Listen, is the light is in the word of the Lord, and in it does seem meditate day and night. Then it goes on to say, to be like a tree planted by the rivers of water is leave shall not weather and whatsoever he does shall prosper.
Happy is MN you want to be a happy man you want to be a happy woman read the word of God. It says meditate in it in Eastern Europe meditation one seeks to empty their mind and biblical meditation one fills their mind with the word of God. This is how you going to grow spiritually. This is how you will be able to resist temptation were told in the Psalms. How silly young man cleanse his way answer by listening to what the word of God says so you need to read the Bible every day because Scripture says study to show yourself approved on the God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Listen to this access failure in the Christian life depends on how much of the Bible you get into your life on a regular basis and how obedient you are to it, repeat that success or failure in the Christian life depends on how much of the word of God you get into your life in a regular basis and how obedient you are to it. So read the word treasure.
The word memorize the word. I've never met a strong Christian who is not full of Scripture. Mr. Greg Laurie love the second half of his message just a moment. Hearing about listeners whose families are impacted because of the Ministry of harvest is so encouraging predatory anger and hurt when my 25 years as a mining. I have family day writing halfway. What a great story of how Pastor Greg's teachings from God's word made an impact on this family if you like to listen to Pastor Greg's podcast. You can do that through Google, Apple, or spot a fine or just go to harvest.org that's harvest.org you tuned in for a fascinating study.
Pastor Greg today called what I would tell my younger self. Let's continue. Here's 1/4 thing I would say to a younger me stop worrying and start praying. I know we all have things we worry about life and I'm reminded of the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4 when he says don't worry about anything, pray about everything. Tell God what you need. Think of Raleigh is done then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your heart and mind as you live in Christ Jesus. Worry worry can ruin your day.
It can ruin your week. It can ruin your month actually worry can effectively ruin the your life.
The word worry comes from a root word that means to choke or to strangle a number of years ago, my grandkids would like to come up and choked me from behind the thought that was very cute and fun.
It was okay. There were very small.
They were hurting me and so they would come over to public and we choke you will as I've gotten older. If I let them do that now.
I might die so we can play that game anymore, but that's worry does it show to out it doesn't make things better. It makes them worse.
John Curtis, director of the University of Wisconsin stress management Institute says oh I believe that 90% of the stress we face is brought on by not living in the present moment, worrying about what's already happened or what's going to happen or what could happen. Listen to this. When you worry about the future you cripple yourself in the present worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.
I mean he would. Things are going well all it's a good day. Nothing is going wrong and then you start worried what's going to go wrong, something is going to go wrong. I just know what Woodside all about that cannot be helpful. I read it.
Comic strip Charlie Brown says I have a new philosophy.
I'm only going to dread one day at a time. Well, actually, Jesus said this.
Today's trouble is enough for today.
Don't worry about tomorrow. Just take each day and think that worry and churning into prayer I would compare this to a natural reflex and a conditioned reflex to learn how to turn, worry and the prayer is a conditioned reflex limits what natural reflex you don't have to teach us about it, even a little child touches a hot stove.
They pulled her hand back right because they know that's hot. They know they should not touch but that's a natural reflex. If you touch a hot iron. The same thing happens I heard about a guy that went to see a doctor yet to horribly burned ears. So the doctor said what happened you sizzle.I was ironing and I got a phone call and I answered the iron instead of the phone doctor was horrified. I can't believe you did that, but what happened to the other air gets his will he call back today so anyway that's a reflex. I tried something hot. I pull back again.
But then there's a conditioned reflex.
This is something I'm taught to do.
I have a granddaughter name Allie.
She is swim meets on Saturdays and before the meat begins. They have someone sing the national anthem. What is everyone do we stand we put our hand over our heart in respect for our nation, which is represented by our flag that we look for. That is a conditioned reflex. I would not of done that naturally someone had to teach me to do that same thing with driving you know when you first learned to drive. Remember five a granddaughter that just learning how to drive. So I let her drive the other day and I was next to her and you know she had to think about everything you know 010. I do know churn your turning signal on our own parking that's a situation visited trying to figure that out so you want to consciously think about everything you're doing and if you're in a stick shift car manual transition okay I got a push in the clutch. I'd have it in gear. I slowly release the clutch.
Then I get the accelerator you know a lot of things to remember whatever while you think about it anymore. You drive you eat Doritos you do your taxes, you actually should put you to all kinds of things when you're driving because you turned that into a condition reaction. A conditioned way to respond what you're facing. So known, the same way worry gets anxiety gets predicates right away. Pray oh I'm scared let's pray let's pretty stop everything you're doing and committed to the Lord.
First Peter five we read these words give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares for you. By the way the original language that signifies a definite act of our will.
Where we choose to stop worrying and let God assume the responsibility for our welfare. You take out the trash. I don't know why that is but men have been basically chosen to take the trash out. That is our job and that's what were supposed to do and I don't know why but I always put off taking the trash. It's not hard.
I these big plastic cans with a handle and a wheel on it to do so. The tribes in the can take it out a few feet put in front of my house and the tribesman picks it up, but I have to take it out your worries, your anxieties are like trash take them out and make a deliberate choice to give them over to the Lord. The same is true of all anxiety and worry. Pray more and worry less. Billy Graham was interviewed and he was asked the question if he had his life to live over what would you do differently.
Billy's response was quote I would study more, I would pray more, I would travel less tickler speaking engagements right-handed to do all over again. Billy said I would spend more time in meditation and prayer. Just telling the Lord how much I love and adore him and looking forward to the time where I will spend with him for all eternity. Will Billy's in that time, Billy's and have but I love always in a way I like to do over.
It is said speak more. I do more, he says. I'd pray more and I would spend more time in God's presence. I think that's really good advice. Remember this God is in control of your life.
There are no accidents in the life of a Christian. Only Providence we don't believe in fate. We believe in faith is another thing an older Greg would say to a younger Greg advice I would give to anyone young people, but older people as well have an attitude of gratitude have an attitude of gratitude back to the recycled in Philippians 4. Thank God for all he has done then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can under stand, listen, there are things in life that happened was that make no sense, inexplicable things.
Yes it is true.
Bad things happen to good people.
Sometimes bad things even happen to godly people take Job as an example. This was a godly man. This man was so godly the Lord was bragging on him in heaven. But the Lord allowed a series of calamities, double fault his servant, and Job loss pretty much everything he lost members of his family. He lost his possessions. He lost his help and we read that Job gave thanks to God for what was happening, but despite what was happening. Joe gave thanks to the Lord.
And so we should have an attitude of gratitude we say Lord I don't know why this is happening, but I am rejoicing that your soul on the throne having to give thanks to you because you are good and you are in control of my life so spend less time complaining and spend more time rejoicing. You'll feel better if you do actually a medical research is been done.
That is, revealed that people who gave gratitude to God and keep things for what they had experienced fewer heart issues, fewer aches and pains in a change their outlook on life is another piece of advice in older me would give to a younger me but that I would give to any person, especially a young person live with honesty and integrity.
What is integrity. Integrity is what you are in the dark when nobody is watching you. I bring this up because you know there are people in life that she and Eli and they steal and they cut corners and they seem to get away with it and is a will. Why shouldn't I do that. Why should I play by the rules. They don't play by the rules look they got that job because they live in their resume or they got that job to build a building even though they cut corners didn't pull the proper permit or look up person cheated on their spouse and they got away with it and I been faithful to my spouse. And why should I do with they do because in the end all these people are going to reap what they saw.
The Bible says don't be deceived, God is not mocked whatsoever a man sows, that will he also reap. Listen, the longer I live the more impressed I am with character over charisma. I've seen a lot of preachers with dynamic personalities flameout because they did not seek to maintain honesty and integrity. Someone 01 verse two says I'm careful to live a blameless life.
I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. Then someone 19 one says joyful people are people of integrity. The great evangelist Neil Moody once said, if I take care of my character, God will take care of my reputation. The Bible we read of Daniel, a man of integrity amended did the right thing affect one time he was arrested for it because he prayed after the King had signed a decree that no one can pray to. When he got except him. Will Daniel prayed anyway and his enemies came in out of arrested and thrown into a lion's den. Pretty bleak scenario, but out of that story and all the very men that lied about Daniel ended up being eaten by the lions and Daniel live to pray another day, same thing is true of Joseph, the stories in the book of Genesis.
This is a young man who lived with honesty and integrity, though he was falsely accused of raping the white robot over. He was vindicated in the head and you will be to pastor Greg Laurie's message called what I would tell my younger self and is much more to come as this message continues here new beginning and then were trying to make available a new DVD as the film called the Jesus music we hear contemporary Christian music every day, but it developed during a revival in the late 60s and early 70s the Jesus movement pastor Greg. It's interesting that the first wave of Christian music was called Jesus's. That says a lot right there. It was a Jesus movement and there was Jesus music and then it became contemporary Christian music is what I love about worship is it's really going back Jesus and no longer in California.
Bad thong and revival meeting was quite a thing.
The Jesus movement may be covered. That's right, and thick speaking of Time magazine in the very late 60s, they put out a cover story this ominous question on a black background with red letters. Is God dead?
Within just a few years later is as vibrant sort of psychedelic design image of Jesus with the words Jesus revolution when a difference a revival. Makes you know it was actually time magazine that dubbed that the Jesus revolution we call of the Jesus movement but they sought as a revolution and you know what they were right and was a revolution because it turned things upside down lives were changed churches were changed and music was changed. So one of the main expressions of it was in these new songs that were coming from. These young men and women who'd come to Christ and had their lives transformed.
And so they started putting bands together and next thing you know an album or drawer coming out, and next thing you know it's like a wave sweeping the nation now is mentioned. Today we call it contemporary Christian music but it started out as simple songs of praise and worship and proclamation written by some gifted forerunners out there. The got this ball rolling and we want to tell you this amazing story of this music that was born out of revival called Jesus music that God is the title of the resource we want to send you. It's called the Jesus music produced by the Erwin brothers from the kingdom story company.
You see, and I can only imagine. I still believe they did those movies and they also did this documentary film we want to send you a copy of the Jesus music and DVD, Blu-ray, and a downloadable version for your gift of any size. So whatever you can send this here at harvest ministries a week and continued to teach the word of God and preach the gospel here in a new beginning will rush you your copy of the Jesus music.
So thank you in advance for whatever you can do so. I think you're gonna love this get your copy soon yeah that's right. When I call right now we won't be mentioning this much longer.
So contact us soon. Our 24 hour phone number is 1-800-821-3300 and will thank you for your investment right now by sending you the Jesus music again dial 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.more next time pastor Greg has more godly counsel by way of his unique message called what I would tell my younger self join us here on the new beginning pastor and Bible teacher Greg Laurie and everybody thinks for listening to this podcast to learn more about harvest ministries follow the show and consider supporting it. Just go to harvest.org and find out how to know God personally go to harvest.org and click on know God