This broadcaster has 2045 podcast archives available on-demand.
Keep up-to-date with this broadcaster on social media and their website.
October 14, 2022 3:00 am
Ever been the target of a scam? Many of us have—some without even realizing it. None of the scammers admit they’re trying to rip you off. They play upon your fear, or your kindness. They find a weakness or a vulnerability. Satan is like that, only he’s been practicing a lot longer. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie warns us about his tactics and strategies. We’re each in his crosshairs, but as believers we’re under the protection of The Cross.
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.
Everybody you're listening to a new beginning, which is a podcast made possible by harvest partners. If this program is impacted you, I love to hear from you. So just send an email to Mia greg@harvest.org again it's greg@harvest.org you can learn more about becoming harvest partner by going to harvest.org. Our adversary is cunning and gravity manipulative and merciless pastor Greg Laurie warns peers of the devil works he whispers anywhere. Go ahead and do it. It's not that bad in the moment you're doing is you're the biggest improvement that everyone basically your don't even think of reading the Bible again.
Don't even think of showing your ugly face insurance again. Now is the accuser of the brethren versus the tempter will become the condemnor and many of us have some without even realizing the scammers admit long weekly upon your fear, kindness find a weakness vulnerability. Satan is like he's been practicing a lot longer today on a new beginning for Greg Laurie warns us about his tactics and strategies in his cross. As believers we are under the protection of the title of this message is Angels and demons. So this is kind of perplexes us is where the heck did demons come from what we would have to have demons while they're out there for sure in the simplified daemon is a fallen angel God did not create demons as we know them today he created angels what he gave to these angelic creatures of free will and an ability to choose as hard as it is to believe one third of the angels followed a high ranking angel known as Lucifer, the son of the morning and a rebellion. Lucifer is also known as Satan and the devil.
So Genesis 3 very familiar passage or reverses 1 to 7 reading from the new living translation the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden. Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden. The woman replied it's only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the guard were not allowed to eat.
God said don't need it or touch it and if you do, you will die you won't die. The serpent replied to the woman God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil. The woman was convinced she saw the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious and she wanted the wisdom it would give her so she took some of the fruit and ate and she gave door husband with her, and he ate. There South Fork, noting that in this particular passage the devil as compared to a serpent or a snake. So sometimes as compared to a lion sometimes is compared to a snake. This is a fascinating thing because well snakes are very interesting creatures and that they are hard to figure out you know when I was a boy.
For some inexplicable reason I collected snakes, and I don't know why I like them so much but I had quite an exhaustive collection and I was bitten by many snakes.
I might add as well.
My grandkids like guzzling pop until it's all the animals that it bit you and I've been bitten by so many animals that every kind of creature you can imagine is a wide been bitten by mice that been bitten by rats of been bitten by guinea pigs. I do admit bitten by a rabbit I've been bitten by a turtle. You know, so I went over all the animals that it bit me, but thanks I was bitten by them a lot and I this one snake that almost could sense my fear and anybody else would reach in and this little Python would not strike and whenever I put my hand in there. It's striking every thought to be just totally crazy because he just knew here comes Greg Deneb item and so we had this very contentious relationship me and that crazy snake but you know snakes are that way you you can read the snake. You can read a dog it so easy to know where you stand with it all you know in a dog You know when a dog said you know what a dog you can pretty much wherever he is, that you can read it on his face. Cats are former mysterious. Just look at you with those mystical lies and walk off with snakes are even harder to read than than cats or dogs because a snake is a reptile in their brain is very small. They're not intelligent creatures, and people save you contains naked and sorted. You can, but they may bite you in the face and they may be fine with you for a while it all depends what you you always want to be aware of the threat of a snake and another thing about a snake is that you get in and out of the tightest little spot and that so much like the devil you don't know what the devil is going to do next and you'll kind of warm his way enters snake his way into a given situation. But the thing with those snake also was the venom I never had the venomous snakes but you know there are different kinds of snakes that have different strengths of venom, was a guy I knew when I was a young boy who used to have a lot of snakes and he had Tiger states, which are among the most venomous snakes in existence and he had been bitten by a tiger steak and survived it because he had taken the venom and used it to build up his immunity. So this is like the guy who survived the Tiger snakebite C was kind of a legend in the snake world right which I happen to be in. I can explain it but I was in it is like this. Her pathologists is what we called ourselves we were in the reptiles very weird people. Okay but anyway I was into and so he survived the buying of a tiger snake but then one day we heard the tragic news that he died from a cobra by any Cobras dispatch cobra's and I think he thought because I survived the bite of a tiger snake. A cobra isn't that big of a threat. One of his cobras that literally would slither around his house. Him he wasn't aware of it and he didn't get treatment quickly enough that he died from it. So I think that's how we can be something we have our guard up.
Be careful here, then I lower my guard over there and all of a sudden I'm vulnerable take the bite of the this is a whole message on snake.
She did know this is coming when do a brain dump of everything I know about snakes tonight are not really, but time almost a mistake, did you know that the venom of a baby rattler is more toxic than that of an adult rattler so you know you you might see a full-grown rattlesnake and you back away from Adele good near that thing. Stay away from it. Then you see a little baby rattler will you need to be be good. Please in your hand.
You know will be deleted for a called baby red alert is bit me. It's so cute, feeling faint you don't mess around that. I bring this up because you know we have our guard up against the big sin, but we lower our guard with what we perceive as little sins or areas that were strong in and we ended up getting defeated in their varying areas is making sense to you.
So the devil comes like a serpent, and what does he do what we need.
He questions God's love effectively. You know what God really love you. He would like to eat of any tree you want to eat out in the garden so the fact that he isn't letting you eat of it must be an indication he doesn't really love you at all by the way you eat this fruit you will become like God.
Eve, you will be contests and you will know the things that only God knows, and that she just went for. That's all she needed to hear an appeal to her prime. So the devil is clever he will, just say you know the Bible saw the word of God is a did you really understand the Bible correctly did God really say what you thought. God said maybe you just miss understood and so here come to us and so you know it's really not that bad for you to do that other people do that other people who say they are Christians, do that. Why can't you do that is, it will because you know I just think that Slocum don't be so uptight. Don't be so rigid you're being legalistic go in and just do that thing that everybody else's been okay will do it one time and I'll just have a little bit yeah the famous last words and then here's what happens. Any get you, then you do that thing in your photo book here pulled in and no one is the devil due right after he deceived you and told you go ahead and do it. He then condemns you, because the Bible describes Satan is the accuser of the brothers and sisters, and he accuses us before God DNI to here's how the devil works he whispers in your ear. Go ahead and do it. Everybody else is doing it. It's not that bad would just want you'll be fine. Or no one will ever know, and then the moment you do it. He comes back and says you're the biggest hypocrite that ever walked the face of the year. How can you call yourself accredited. Don't even think of reading the Bible. Again, don't even think of showing your ugly face in church again.
Now is the accuser of the brethren first sees the tempter pulling the UN getting you to take is free sample. Now he will become the condemnor and the accuser of the brethren. Greg Laurie will have the second half of this message just a moment, emails, letters and phone calls from listeners are so encouraging to us and they let us know the effectiveness of these studies. Pastor Greg and I wanted to relate an extraordinary experience.
My Bible study group shared recently. We are studying your tell someone online class material and had come to the between called what is the gospel. Our usual study leader was ill and asked me to lead the group of 15 or 20, which by the way, includes two very experienced pastors. I was hesitant and felt very insecure, but agreed to fill in. Just as we were getting started. A young lady walked into the meeting room and sat down to join us. I not seen her church for several years and to my delight, she participated in the discussions and soak in the message of the gospel as you presented afterward, while we were enjoying refreshments. I noticed that our pastor and the young lady were talking off to the side and within a few minutes. He announced to the group that she accepted Christ.
Right then and there.
We were able to live or congratulate her and welcome her and then we found just the right resources that she might need and began to get connected with other believers. Pastor Greg, I'm so thankful that you included that chapter as it was exactly what this young lady needed to hear. Thank you and your team at harvest, for all that you do. What an encouraging story of how God's word touch this young woman's life. If you or someone you know had their life changed because of the Ministry of harvest, would you let Pastor Greg know just drop him an email.
great@harvest.org again, that's great@harvest.org and check out all of Pastor Greg's free online courses@courses.harvest.org will Pastor Greg's message today is titled Angels and Demons is part of his enlightening series called the afterlife and the eternal was continue know when you go into Krispy Kreme donuts. 11. Been there for a while, but the last time I was there. I of course over eight as I always do.
That's why stay away but I want to know what they do. Would you like a free Krispy Kreme doughnut. Why do they do that because they love us no because they know the moment you eat that hot, freshly made donut glistening with sugar you will eat more gently, it's worth it to them see you take a bite going there to interfere with notice or a little smaller than regular donut. How many of you have had Krispy Kreme donuts. Cannot everybody give and have them you should go try like the devil. All of a sudden one time try this little one that's out work so I try that first one of another of another of another minute so someone I meeting the and then it just becomes all this greasy dough in my stomach and you wanted. I just do that then I go to a food coma. You know how works. That's all similar terms are used Krispy Kreme in that way, but it fit you take the bait and then you're hooked. Then he condemns you cc what you do, we just remember that that's attacked and no matter what sin you've committed God can forgive you if you will admit that sin, repent of it if the Lord I'm sorry for that sin. And don't forget something else and we been talking about this is are studying the book of Romans together as a Christian you been justified before God is not based on anything you've done it solely based on what he did when he sent Christ to die on the cross in our place.
And remember, justified means just as if it never had happened so I stand righteous before God. So I say Lord forgive me of my sin. I stand right before God now is child to the devil I just say go to hell because that's what he's going in and trust me he would like to drag as many people there with him as he possibly could. So it's very important for us to know how the enemy works.
I think it was Victor Hugo who said he was the author of Les Miserables, who said, quote you must penetrate the brain of your enemy. A good general will penetrate the brain of his enemy. The ideas know your opponent know what your opponent may do and be ready for him and he comes in. These are the tactics of the enemy that he uses over and over again. But here's the good news 2000 years ago on the cross Jesus defeated Satan. He defeated a look at double can still tempt you. The double can still have so you, the devil can still kind of buffet you word strike get you even the apostle Paul talked about how he was buffeted by the enemy but the devil can never overcome you, the devil can never overpower you and the devil can never possess you, because you are under new management because you put your faith in Christ and Satan knows that the Bible does is a God puts his ID tag on us and that ID taxes property of Jesus Christ and that ID tag is the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian I was traveling recently on my back came off of the conveyor belt and wheeling it out and some lady comes chasing after me.
You have my back on things like this crazy is my bad. She gets you up my bag as it now. I'm sorry this is my back. She says open it up.
I opened it up reserve we had identical bags and I'm so glad I didn't keep her bag because I did not want to dress in women's clothing for that trip and she had my bag in and I mistook it and the reason was I didn't check the ID tag using the God is what is ID tag on you your under his protection. So you don't be afraid of what the enemy is going to do you just need to be aware of it and you need to keep your guard up. But here's the bottom line and I'll close with this God want you to come into a relationship with him in the devil want to do everything he can to keep you away from a relationship with God.
The Bible says the God of this world that Satan has blinded the eyes of those that don't believe lesser.
I should be open and they should see the glorious light of the gospel so Satan doesn't want you to believe in the Bible also says he's taken people captive to do his well.
So he tries to keep us from coming to Christ.
But then when we do come to Christ. He'll do everything he can to get us to fall away or to compromise so he can neutralize us so we need to be aware of these things so let me speak to people as I close, number one, you may be a person who is joined as soon is not sure if your sin is forgiven that the devil is just been having a hate in your life, and he has you trapped in addiction. Drugs, alcohol, pornography then he has you trapped in some relationship he is you trapped in something else and you just feel like I can never get out of this place. You can you can but you must ask God for his help for his forgiveness and Jesus can pull you out of that pit your rent and change.
You literally in moments so give never believed in Jesus. I want to give you an opportunity to believe in him tonight and have all of your sin forgiven and get a fresh start of life, and most importantly, know that when you die you will go to heaven whether some of you who have accepted Christ in your life, but realistically and honestly you been kinda trapped by the enemies, got you wound up in some compromise situation and and you're not a happy person right now because you're trying to live in two worlds of bedroom and sitting here right now thinking about what you're going to do, and that other world you live in the moment you get out of this church service that is not a good thing, watched some TV, to go to this club on go yell really, you're in a bad place because I don't think we should want to get out of this place quickly. I think we should want to be here and savor the moment. With God's people. I know you have to get home and get to work and things like that. But I'm talking about.
Enjoy every moment that we have to worship and learn the word of God.
It's a privilege to live in two worlds so if you're in that sort of no man's land of compromise and really encourage you to make a recommitment to Christ and and really start walking with the Lord is you want to do all of the enemy have a foothold in your life.
The Bible says don't give place to the devil. Don't give them anything. Don't have tea with him so hang out with him don't have a short conversation with him. Don't text him. Don't let them text you I just stay away from. Keep as much distance as you can. The Bible says, resist the devil and he will flee from you.
So we have to resist him, but before that, it says submit to God.
So first I submit to God, then I resist the double because as I submit to God have the power to resist the devil and he will flee from so some of you may need to make a recommitment, I'll give you that opportunity right now as we all).
Let's pray now father think you for your word to us.
We know there's a devil we know there are demons, but more importantly we know there's you and we know there are angels and we know you're more powerful than our adversary.
So we would just say right now to the enemy and his forces we rebuke you in the name of Jesus Christ and we would say Lord that there are people here that need to come to you and I pray that you would take off the blinders help them to see what we've shared tonight is true or not fairytales. These are not myths us is hard reality the supernatural world that I pray Lord for any person here that doesn't know you yet. I pray you would help them to come to you and believe in you and be forgiven of all of their sin in Jesus name I pray that Esther, Greg Lord in prayer. If you like to make a change today for this edition of a new beginning wrapped up in a moment.
Pastor Greg will help you do that, so please stay with us.
You know Pastor Greg will admit that I watched a lot of how-to videos on YouTube.
I learned how to poach an egg nice. I learned how to solve some software problems. Excellent and I learned that there's a lot more to learn. But when it comes to the Christian life. We need to be careful where were getting our instruction. Don't worry yet. We really do we need a reliable source and authority of source and for the Christian. Clearly that is the Bible the word of God. The Bible is God's autobiography. Everything you need to know about God is found in the Bible everything you effectively need to know for life is also found in the pages of Scripture, including how to live the Christian life. The Bible tells us how to grow spiritually, how to pray how to resist temptation. How to know the will of God and so much more in the Kennedy help you get started. I've written a book called the new believers guide to effective Christian living here just some of the topics we deal with in this book, how to know God through Bible study how to know God through prayer. How to know God through fellowship with other believers. I also talked about how to overcome temptation how to deal with your problems. How to share your faith, and much more. I like to send you this little book that you could read in one sitting called the new believers guide to effective Christian living.
I think it will be just as good as a YouTube video whether to order a copy right now. Dave will tell you more. You want to let us put a copy of this in your hands were making it available to say thank you for your partnership in helping to keep these daily studies available and in helping us reach out with the gospel.
As will be doing very soon at SoCal harvest in Southern California again is called the new believers guide to effective Christian living contactors today. You can call us at 1-800-821-3300 reach us any time.
Again, 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or just go online to harvest.org Pastor Greg or somebody listening right now knows that they need to ask the Lord to forgive them of their sins. Could you help them with that right now you know a Dave of love to do that. It's an amazing thing to me that over the years I've heard so many stories of people who have come to know Christ. Listening to this broadcast and will say things like I prayed the prayer with you with the end of the program that one guy wrote me and said I pulled my car over to the side of the road and prayed that prayer in Christ came in the my life just incredible and I like to lead you in that same prayer look, I don't have some super special prayer.
It's is the basic prayer based on scriptural principles of what it means to believe in Jesus Christ. I mean if we want to get real technical. The only sinners prayer if you will. We often call this for a sinner's prayer. The only real sinner's prayer in the Bible is a guy who just prayed God be merciful to me a sinner solidly join a prayer similar to that. But this is a prayer will you will be acknowledging your need for Jesus and putting your faith in him solicit if you want to go to heaven when you die if you want to know that you are a child of God.
If you want the Lord to forgive you of your sins is pray these words. If you would, Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner and I'm sorry for my sin and I turn from that sin. But I know that you died on the cross of Calvary for my sin and rose again from the dead, so forgive me Lord, I choose to follow you from this moment forward. I want you to be my Savior. I want you to be my friend. I want you to be my God, thank you for hearing my prayer and answering my prayer in Jesus name I ask this amen.
Now I want to help you start growing spiritually so I have something to send you at no charge. It's my gift to you. It's called the new believers packet and then it is a copy of the New Testament in a very friendly understandable translation called the new living translation also have some notes that I wrote hundreds of notes.
Actually, that will encourage you in this commitment you made these notes will answer a lot of the questions you probably have right now there's some other materials in this packet as well so order your copy of the new believers packet immediately and thanks for giving me the opportunity to lead you in that prayer and I wanted to be the first to say to you, welcome to the family of God. You let me pass along our contact information so you can get that free new believers growth packet. Just call us at 1-800-821-3300 were here 24 seven to take your phone call that's 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online to harvest.org and click on know God everybody what are you doing this weekend. I like to hang out with you at harvest and home services home. It is a time of worship and Bible study exclusively designed for people that are viewing in from all over the place so you can be a part of our extended congregation at Harvest at Home.
Join us this weekend Saturday and Sunday for Harvest at Home@harvest.org next time the finale to pastor Greg important series, the afterlife and the eternal practical help for fighting the spiritual battles we face every day. Join us here on a new beginning with pastor and Bible regularly. Thank you, a new beginning.
Greg Laurie podcast made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for daily devotions and learn how to become a harvest partner harvest.org