They say thinking you're a success is the first step toward becoming one. But Dr. Tony Evans explains why, when Christians think that, it's more than just their imagination at work.
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. That’s the good news we hear as our journey through the short but powerful New Testament book of Titus continues. Learn from what Paul has to say about conduct in the congregation in Crete and discover that it applies to the church today as well.
People can talk all day about what it takes to get to heaven. Inevitably, the discussion touches on the golden rule, and includes phrases like “be true to yourself” and “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere. ” People can be sincere and sincerely wrong at the same time. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie goes straight to Scripture for the real answer. If we want to know how to get to heaven, it’s best to ask the God of heaven. And that’s what we’ll do today. Listen on harvest.org--- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.orgA New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https: //harvest. org/supportSee omnystudio. com/listener for privacy information.
The focus is on the significance of Jesus’ divine identity, emphasizing that he did explicitly declare himself as the Son of God. Despite common beliefs that he used veiled references, Jesus made clear statements that were understood as declarations of his divinity, leading to accusations of blasphemy by the Jewish leadership. Narratives from the Gospel of Luke and instances from the Gospel of John are highlighted to illustrate how Jesus was both misunderstood and rejected by the people of his time. The message underscores a crucial reminder that Jesus’s love and sacrifice transcend past mistakes, inviting believers to experience the depth of his eternal love and to consider engaging with a welcoming community for spiritual growth and fellowship.
English statesman Francis Bacon once wrote, “Money is a great servant but a bad master. ”If we don’t learn to manage money wisely to take control of it, it will soon master us. It’s one way or the other. Today, Bob Lotich tells us how to be the master and not the servant when it comes to money—and he makes it pretty clear, as well. Bob Lotich is a high-performance financial coach and Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®) and has been named a top-20 influencer in personal finance. His wife Linda and his award-winning website, SeedTime. com, and SeedTime Money Podcast have reached over 50 million people in the past decade. He is also the author of Simple Money, Rich Life: Achieve True Financial Freedom and Design a Life of Eternal Impact. The Wake-Up Call: A Breakdown Leads to BreakthroughBob’s story, which began in 2002 when his car broke down while he was on his way to deposit a paycheck, is one that many can relate to. He described how that moment of crisis led to a deep spiritual awakening about finances and stewardship. Unfortunately, the car breaking down prevented him from depositing his paycheck and paying rent on time. Facing the stress of a possible late fee he couldn’t afford, Bob realized that his financial life was on shaky ground. He describes this moment as a "house of cards" that collapsed. In his frustration, Bob prayed for wisdom, and that simple prayer became the catalyst for a profound change. God responded, leading Bob to learn about biblical stewardship and practical financial management. Biblical Wisdom: Earning, Saving, and GivingAs Bob delved into the Bible, he came across a quote from John Wesley that changed his financial perspective: "Earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can. " This idea, combined with scriptural truths, inspired him to view money not as a burden but as a tool for good. Bob reflected on passages like: Proverbs 13: 11: "Gathering money little by little makes it grow. "1 Timothy 6: 17-19: Paul’s admonition to the rich to be generous. Proverbs 22: 7: The borrower is slave to the lender, which motivated Bob to eliminate debt. These verses reinforced the idea that managing money well is not about hoarding wealth but using it for God’s purposes. Financial Unity in MarriageBob also emphasized the power of financial unity in marriage. Once he and his wife Linda aligned their financial goals with biblical principles, their relationship strengthened. They not only eliminated stress but achieved impressive financial milestones, like paying off their house by the age of 31. Bob’s story reminds us that peace in one’s finances can be a unifying force in marriage, helping couples move forward faster together. The Four Keys to Earning MoreBob shared four essential principles for increasing earnings in today’s digital age: Operate within God-given gifts and passions: Work aligned with your gifts gives you an "unfair advantage. "Continue learning and developing your skills: Hone your craft to glorify God. Solve significant problems: You’re compensated in proportion to the size of the problem you solve. Work where demand is high: Identify where there’s a need and meet it. These principles guide believers to increase their earnings while keeping their hearts focused on God’s kingdom. The Joy of GivingOne of the most impactful parts of Bob’s message was his perspective on giving. He and his wife created a "seed account, " setting aside money each month specifically for giving. By praying and waiting for opportunities, giving became not just a duty but a joyful, fun part of their lives. This practice reminds us of the joy Jesus spoke of when He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20: 35). Enjoying God's ProvisionFinally, Bob encouraged believers to enjoy the financial blessings God provides. He highlighted the importance of gratitude and appreciating what we have. Whether earning, saving, or giving, we can find joy in every aspect of financial stewardship. Bob’s journey teaches us that financial freedom isn’t about accumulating wealth for ourselves but about managing what God has entrusted to us with wisdom and generosity. We can design a life of eternal impact by earning, saving, giving, and enjoying God’s provision. If you’re looking for more practical tips and biblical wisdom, Bob’s book Simple Money, Rich Life: Achieve True Financial Freedom and Design a Life of Eternal Impact is a great resource to guide you on this journey. On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: My identity was stolen over a year ago, and it was used to take out a student loan in my name. It's now showing up on my credit report as a collections item. The college says they don't do credit checks for loans. I'm still determining whether to address this now or wait to see if anything else pops up. I'm interested in buying a small home. I'm 60 years old, and my husband has land, so I wanted to know if it was the best time to build a house with the current interest rates. Would it be better for me to get a modular home instead of building a new one? Resources Mentioned: Simple Money, Rich Life: Achieve True Financial Freedom and Design a Life of Eternal Impact by Bob LotichSeedtime. comLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App