Take Heart Ministries

The prophet Amos foretold a time of famine in the land. It would not be a famine of bread or water “but of hearing the words of the Lord.” Amos 8:11 It is possible to have a powerful weapon at your disposal and never put it to good use. A sword was not designed to be left in a scabbard and the Bible was not designed to rest on a bookshelf. This podcast is about how we are to hear the word of God. It is also about following up with action. God wants us to be proficient at handling the sword that He inspired and provided. How We Hear it How We Heed it How We Handle it

God has given us everything we need in our battle against the wicked one. We don’t win this kind of battle through using our intellect or reason. Politics can’t give us a victory that changes lives. But the word of God can. We need to read it, study it, apply it and take it up as our weapon. It is so trustworthy that even Jesus, when tempted by the devil, said “It is written.” The greatest book ever written is God Breathed God Bound God Blessed. It is altogether trustworthy and this podcast deals with our powerful offensive weapon.

As a teenager I was told, “Use your head for something other than a hat rack!” In other words, “Think!” We often have thinking problems. That is especially true when we are engaged in spiritual warfare. Our salvation protects out thought processes. I often find myself praying “Lord, help me think like a Christian should think.” The reason I pray that way is that I often don’t. I need help controlling my mind, will and emotions. Each of those are controlled by a 3 pound organ in my body. A war rages for control and only a saved mind can bring glory to Jesus. The helmet of the hope of salvation allows me to: 1. Think Clearly 2. Choose Carefully 3. Rest Confidently Put on the helmet of salvation and rest in the Lord in this battlefield of spiritual warfare.

The next defense against the attacks of the devil is a good shield composed of faith. The Apostle Paul said “Take up your shield!” Burning arrows can come anytime from unexpected sources. But a shield made out of faith, will overcome the attack of the wicked one. This podcast deals with the necessary ingredient of faith. Faith keeps the believer in the fight and gives assurance that the battle belongs to the Lord. Faith feeds an attitude that keeps us from giving up. Faith stirs up the activity of actively engaging the enemy. We don’t sit around and take it. We push back and remain strong in the Lord. May this podcast encourage you to be filled with faith, that quenches the enemy’s burning arrows.

Horatio Spafford wrote one of the most peace filled songs ever written out of a very broken heart. “It is Well” was written by a broken hearted father who had lost his children in the North Atlantic when their ship sank. Tho Satan should buffet, tho trials should come Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. Those words, “Tho Satan should buffet”, are not an “if” but a “when”. It is just a matter of time. Our world is troubled and you can only expect that trouble will overflow on you. God promises peace in the midst of spiritual warfare. This podcast talks about the peace that only Jesus can give. We must put on the shoes of the gospel of peace! The Place of Peace The Perspective of Peace The Preparation of Peace We are to be prepared with peace when Satan attacks.

There is battle that is raging for control of your heart. The enemy will attack you with lies because he is a liar. Discouragement and depression may afflict you. Without the covering of God’s breastplate of righteousness we hear the enemy say things like: “Do you really think God can forgive you for that?” “If you were really a Christian you wouldn’t have those thoughts.” “If you really loved Jesus you wouldn’t have done that.” “How many times are you going to ask God to forgive you?” This podcast focuses on God’s work in our hearts. He Purifies Our Heart. He Protects Our Heart. He Perfects Our Heart. It is God who does this wonderful work in the embattled heart. Trust Him!

When Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, he began by questioning God. “Yeah hath God said?” Either God didn’t say what you thought you heard or He really didn’t mean it. Go ahead Eve and just taste it. Our enemy, the devil, still works that way. Jesus said that Satan is a liar and the father of all lies. Lying began with Satan. We hear the voices and believe the accusations that are purely lies. This podcast reminds us to approach spiritual conflict by standing on the solid ground of truth. Be Girded with Truth. Be Guarded by Truth. Be Guided in Truth. Every spiritual struggle involves truth. Know where to turn for answers.

We sometimes feel overwhelmed by the struggles we see around us. It is impossible to avoid conflict because we see it everywhere we turn. This podcast deals with four very clear arenas of conflict. Understand that there is always a story behind the story. There are other battlefields but these four stand out. Governmental Congregational Marital Personal This only scratches the surface, but Jesus promises victory in the face of the enemy. Stand strong even as others drop around you. We can win in these arenas if we don’t quit. Take Heart! Jesus cares for you.

Jesus left us with a promise. “I will build my church.” Two thousand years later, the promise is still in effect. He led His disciples to the northern most part of Israel to get some rest and to teach a lesson. Surveying the paganism of Caesarea Philippi, He asked “Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?” That question led Peter to say, “You are the Christ the Son of the living God!” It must have been a powerful moment. Then Jesus gave one of His greatest teachings. It involved a promise of victory against the gates of hell. “I will build my church.” It expressed a resolve that comes down to us. Our Comprehension of Christ Our Confession of Christ Our Confidence in Christ Be steady in the midst of battle. The battle belongs to the Lord.

We all find ourselves in the middle of conflict of heart and soul that we cannot see. We sense it. We know it. If it were a physical battle, we would seek help. We would figure something out. But it is not primarily physical in nature. The Apostle Paul closed his letter to the church at Ephesus with both warning and encouragement. They were warned that spiritual warfare was real. Living in Ephesus, I think they were well aware of that. But they needed to be reminded to “be strong in the Lord”. We all need that reminder. Step by step Paul lays out the attacks of Satan and the armor needed to overcome those attacks. We are led in victory by Christ who is the Victor. This podcast is an introduction to what will follow over the next several podcasts. Take Heart and be strong in the Lord. Jesus cares for you!

The rugged old cross is our hope for all eternity. It is not the cross itself, that can save us from our sin. Our hope is in the one who died there. Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. I hope you will give serious consideration to what happened there. That event and the Resurrection stands the center of Christianity. In the cross of Christ we glory! The Cross is an Instrument of Death. The Cross is a Fulfillment of Prophecy. The Cross is the Replacement for Human Effort. The Cross is the Appeasement for God’s Wrath It is good for us to stop and think about the cross. Paul said there is no place for boasting except in the cross of Christ.

The Apostle Paul gives clear instructions for what we should put in our minds. “Think on these things.” Truth be told, we allow clutter to fill our brains very much like it fills our closets. God is calling us to a Repentant Mind Renewed Mind Readied Mind Restful Mind All of this fits together into a file called “The Mind of Christ.” Put the things in there that fit there. Clean the things out that don’t fit. Let your mind rest on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

The Apostle Paul used himself as an illustration of one who tried please God through religion. He had a list of accomplishments that he thought would be enough. One day he witnessed the stoning of Stephen and perhaps realized that Stephen possessed something that Paul couldn’t identify with. Stephen had faith that Paul didn’t have. We grow up being encouraged to try harder, work harder and do better. It is Performance Based Acceptance and that is not what God requires. This podcast reminds us that it is not what we do, but what Jesus has done that makes the difference. In the light of the cross of Christ, how can we boast of our efforts? Trusting Christ is what God desires. Trying harder won’t please God.

Easter Sunday, 2020, was the strangest Easter we have known. The passing of time has given us some understanding of the Covid pandemic. There was much we didn’t know then, that we know now. One thing I do know. Jesus rose from the dead. He is alive! The reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ has been challenged from the morning it happened. Skeptics tried to silence it. Unbelievers didn’t believe. Doubters gonna doubt just like haters gonna hate. But no one can cancel the Resurrection. This podcast sets forth four great truths. Distractions cannot cancel the Resurrection. Doubters cannot cancel the Resurrection. The Devil could not cancel the Resurrection. Death cannot cancel the Resurrection. May God remind that no crisis can cancel what Christ has done for us. Take Heart. Jesus cares for you.

The view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives is beautiful. The shortest path between those two points is a steep and crooked little street. It passes through a cemetery. It wanders by a garden of Olive trees. It goes across a little stream called “Kidron” and then up a hill to the Eastern Gate. Jesus walked through this general area on what we call Palm Sunday. The Bible tells us that multitudes gathered to welcome Him to Jerusalem on the first day of Passover week. There was no multitude to hear me preach this message on Palm Sunday 2020. Those were interesting days but we could celebrate anyway because He came in triumph. There was a Triumphant Celebration. There was a Triumphant Coronation. There was a Triumphant Invitation. Rejoice and be glad because “our King came meek and lowly and seated on a donkey.”  He is our Messiah!

Philippians 2 is one of the great “Christological” passages of scripture that teaches much about the humiliation and the exaltation of Jesus Christ. In reading this passage we rush to verses 5-11. Those verses were used as an example to us as to how we are to deal with others. Jesus came for us. He humbled Himself to the cross. He suffered and died and He rose again. If He could humble Himself, then certainly, we can too. We are to love one another. A Plea For Loving Others. (Philippians 2:1-2) A Principle For Loving Others. (Philippians 2:3,4) A Pattern For Loving Others. (Philippians 2:5-11) I could even add that there is a Price to loving others. It was a high price that Jesus paid. We are to walk “in His steps.”

God is calling us to live a life focused on Christ. Focus is difficult with all the distractions we face. Children struggle to focus. Adults struggle as well. This tendency toward ADD and ADHD impacts Christians too. Many churches have lost focus but are not short on activity. They add activities in order to hopefully hit the mark when they have forgotten what the mark is. Paul reminds us of the target in Philippians 3. He wanted to be a Faithful Man. He wanted to be a Focused Man. He wanted to be a Finished Man. He reminds us to forget our failures and successes and to lean toward the finish line. Stay faithful, focused and finish well.

The reminder to be thankful is an “all the time” message. We frequently forget to be thankful. We receive blessings from God and then move on to the next set of blessings. If we are not careful we fall into the “trap of entitlement”. The great preacher, Charles Spurgeon said this about being thankful. There are more who receive benefits than ever give praise for them. The number of those who pray are greater than the number of those who praise. More obey ritual than praise the Lord. There are more that believe than there are who praise. In the case of the ten lepers who Jesus healed, only one returned to give thanks. The others went away to show themselves to the priest. Jesus asked the one leper, “Where are the other nine?” Their great blessing distracted them from returning to thank the Lord and receive an even greater blessing. Hopefully “10%” is not the percentage of thankfulness.

Storms come to all of us and occasionally the weatherman gets it wrong. Calm seas are forecast and suddenly the wind gets up. You find yourself in a small boat in a big storm. We don’t always see the storm coming. Jesus put His disciples in a boat and He went up on a mountain to pray. I think He prayed for them. As the wind rose and the boat tossed, I think they wished that He was in the boat with them. In the middle of the storm, Jesus showed up. We get distracted by trouble but Jesus walks on our troubles. He comes to us in the middle of our trouble. Jesus comes in the middle of our fears. Jesus may invite you to leave what little security you know. Faith calls for me to focus on Jesus. If you get distracted, call on Jesus. Jesus will walk with you in the storm. John Ortberg wrote a good book about putting yourself in a position to be used by God. If You’re Going to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get out of the Boat. I recommend it and used it for a reference in this sermon.

We’ve heard people say “I don’t get mad. I get even.” Often that statement is meant as a joke between friends or family who have teased or tricked us. Sometimes it is not a joke. We mean it. Someone may have lied to us or lied about us. We kick into our “get even” mode. Jesus spoke much about forgiveness from the model prayer to the cross. He taught His disciples to forgive. This text deals with a question asked by Simon Peter. “How many times shall I forgive my brother?” I cannot Forget the Consequences of Unforgiveness. I cannot Forget the Casualties of Unforgiveness. I cannot Forget the Cross that leads to Forgiveness. There are three words that can change a life. “I forgive you!” I know because they changed mine.

We know of King David as the great King of Israel. We sing from the Psalms that he wrote. We remember his many mighty deeds. The Bible refers to him as “a man after God’s own heart.” But we also know David as a man who failed greatly. This podcast looks at the pathway and the penalty of David’s failure. How did it happen and what was the cost of his distraction? The Bible does not gloss over the transgressions of those heroes recorded there. David was Distracted by a Woman. David grew Detached from his own children. David was Despondent over the loss of Absalom. David’s ultimate Desire was to come back to God. This podcast is not Fathers Day sermon. It could be, but it was actually preached in October. It is not just for men. It is for all of us who let their heart be led away because of distractions.

We don’t know this man’s name but time and tradition has given him a name. He is referred to as “the rich young ruler” and his many possessions stood in the way of his following Christ. Three rich people in the Bible show up in the parables of Jesus. There is the rich young ruler distracted by his possessions. There is a rich farmer who surveyed his accomplishments and said “I will build bigger barns.” There was a rich man who died and lifted up his eyes from the place of torment. The poor man, who previously had begged for crumbs from the rich man’s table, was in a place of comfort. Some have suggested that the three men were actually the same man in three stages of life. All three men would have lived an abundant life by the world’s standards but not by God’s standards. Don’t be distracted by your stuff. You can’t take it with you!

In many ways Samson doesn’t measure up as a man of God. He judged Israel for 20 years and did many heroic acts. But Samson was easily distracted, and in that way he is a warning of our need to stay focused. He started well but he was easily drawn away by women. He lacked patience and dedication. The story of Samson also is a good lesson of God’s grace. At the end of his life, God heard Samson’s prayer, and destruction fell on the Philistines. The story of Samson serves as a call for faithful living. Avoid distractions. Don’t sell out for sex. Be faithful. The Dedication of Samson. The Distractions of Samson. The Destruction of Samson. The Death of Samson.

Allow me to introduce you to one soldier in Joshua’s army. His name was Achan and as far as we know he had always been a good soldier. But at Jericho, he stole some valuable pieces and buried them under the floor of His tent. This was strictly forbidden. No one knew. At the next battle, involving a much smaller city than Jericho, Israel was defeated. At Jericho, there were no Israelite casualties. At Ai, there were 36 soldiers killed. The fault fell on Achan and all the people suffered because of one man’s distraction and disobedience. No one else knew, but God knew. Distraction can come to any of us and cause suffering. We are easily distracted. Every distraction follows a pattern. Distractions have a price. There is a way to refocus. God calls us to stay focused.

The story of Lot, and his settling down in Sodom, is one that Jesus used to warn of a world that was coming, and judgement that was certain. Lot was a nephew of Abraham and was held in high regard. He chose a path that led to a compromised life. It led to prosperity and easy living but ultimately the sins of Sodom “vexed his soul” and cost him his family. It could have been avoided. This podcast calls for us to remember this downward path. Lot’s Decision (Genesis: 13:7-13) Lot’s Descent (Genesis 18) Lot’s Deliverance (Genesis 19) Lot’s wife is remembered as her many distractions caused her to look back. She turned into a pillar of salt. Remember Lot’s wife!

It happens to nearly everyone. Your eyes change and you can’t see the board. You can’t read the sign. You can see the forest but you can’t see the trees. You need glasses. A visit to the optometrist can usually correct your vision, but what if the world you live in is fuzzy and filled with distractions? All around are distractions that seek to pull you off path. To stay on the path of freedom and growth we must keep our eyes on Christ. Two things we need to understand. We need an alignment with the Lord. We must avoid the allurement of this world. Stay out of the ditch. Avoid the side streets of life. John Bunyan referred to it as by-path meadow. Stay focused on Christ and don’t give the enemy opportunity to work.

Have you ever wondered why some church people act the way they act? The church at Corinth was a troubled church. They divided and chose sides over the preachers they preferred. They turned a blind eye to the deep sin that had penetrated the congregation. They argued about spiritual gifts. They tried to live a spiritual life with one foot in the world and the other in heaven. They were a mess. This text teaches that every member of any congregation fits in one of three categories. The natural man has never been born again. The carnal man tries to live in both worlds. The spiritual man is in tune with God’s will. This message examines the three categories of mankind. Bruce Wilkinson wrote a very helpful book. Experiencing Spiritual Breakthrough: The Principle of Three Chairs. It is one of the most encouraging books I have read regarding spiritual growth. I am drawing some principles from that book. May we all experience “spiritual breakthrough” and surge ahead. Pass your faith in Jesus to the next generation.

The coming of Christ into the world was a universe of light penetrating a valley of darkness and death. No darkness can overcome His light and no valley, of a shadow of death, can be in darkness. This podcast deals with three important texts about light. Isaiah prophesied that in a darkening world, light would come. Matthew quoted Isaiah and said, “Light has come.” John drove the point home that we no longer are in darkness. The People Who Walked in Darkness. A Great Light Arises. Some Still Love Darkness But we don’t have to walk in darkness. The Light has come, so why love darkness rather than light? “As many as received Him to them He gave power (the right, the authority) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. (John 1:12). Merry Christmas! The Light has come.

I can only find two occasions in God’s word where the words “fear” and “joy” are found together in the same verse. They do appear in the same context but not necessarily in the same verse. At the announcement of Christ’s birth to a bunch of humble shepherds the angel of the Lord said “Fear not! I bring you good tidings of great joy to all people.” After the resurrection of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and another Mary left the tomb with “fear and joy.” I think it is significant that “fear and joy” come together these two times in the gospel account. They serve as bookends to the greatest story ever told. They still come together when we see God at work in our lives. Fear and joy meet in the incarnation. Fear and joy meet at the resurrection. Fear and joy meet in the invitation to come to Jesus. Think on these things!

The Bible contains many passages of Scripture that proclaim the Christmas story. From Genesis to Revelation we are met with our need for a Savior. We need a Savior and we cannot save ourselves. God must interrupt the constant flow of life and death and send someone to redeem mankind. That is what He did. Our Savior Jesus is no make believe character. He is Real. He is a Messiah who can be seen, heard and touched, yet He is from the beginning. He is Relevant. He was made known as He walked among us as one who cared about the cares of mankind. He did something about it. He is Reaching. He draws us into fellowship with the Father and the Son. In tune with the Father and Son, we are then in tune with one another. He is our Redeemer. Jesus cleanses us from our sin and gives us peace. He is The Savior We Need.

We are to live our lives under the authority of Jesus Christ. In Colossians 3:22-25, the Apostle Paul urges us to live “heartily” unto the Lord. He covers much territory. All people All situations All activities All actions. All of life’s situations are open before the Lord and we are to be focused on pleasing Him. This podcast draws from the “70 resolutions” of Jonathan Edwards and are to be considered as a New Year nears. How do we please God? I am to live with Single Heart. (3:22) I am to live with a Steadfast Heart. (3:23) I am to live with a Satisfied Heart. (3:24) Some must live life with a Scared Heart. (3:25) There are always those who refuse to please God. “Scared” is not a strong enough word for the depth of fear they will experience as they receive what is promised in Colossians 3:25.

Eugene Peterson in “The Message” translated our text this way. "Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ- the Message- have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives- words, action, whatever- be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way." This text calls the whole church to be grateful to God. It is a joyful text and expresses what we should all want in the congregation we attend. The thankful church can be easily discerned when these characteristics are present. The Peace of God is Ruling in the Church. The Precepts of God are Rooted in the Church. The People of God are Rallying in the Church. The Praise of God is Rising in the Church. The Preeminent Son of God is Reigning in the Church.

There is always the temptation to rush past Thanksgiving. Please don’t do that. This is one of the best times of the year. Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae is rich in theology and is constantly pointing toward Christ. On a practical level we are called to live a thankful life. We are invited to live in the “land of gratitude” where King Jesus reigns. Citizens of this country will live thankful lives. 1. Let the Peace of God Rule Clearly. (3:15) 2. Let the Word of Christ Dwell Richly. (3:16) 3. Let the Son of God Reign Completely. (3:17) As you listen to this podcast, may you reminded of the joy of living a thankful life. There no place quite like the land of gratitude.

Our life changes when we come to Christ. Our desires change. While we still battle temptation, the Holy Spirit fills us with power to walk in victory. This all proceeds from the new life of Christ in us. It affects our morals, our language and the way we treat one another. Thoughts of Christ fill our mind and it changes our daily conduct. We are kinder to those we love and to those we don’t. The results of being “risen with Christ” can be seen in what interests and attracts us. Changed Altitude (3:1) Changed Appetite (3:1) Changed Affections (3:2,3) Changed Anticipation (3:4) The view from above is amazing and Jesus is calling us to life on a higher plane.

If you have ever felt that something in your life was missing, then join the club. You may take a wonderful vacation and come home dissatisfied. You have a good family, great career, excellent health and you are out of debt. Why do feel that something is missing? On the other hand, there may be many flaws and failures and yet you are whole because Jesus made you whole. These verses introduce us to the one who makes us complete. Complete Authority (2:9,10) Complete Identity (2:11,12) Complete Immunity (2:13,14) Complete Victory (2:15) Only Jesus can put the pieces in place.

We are always in a struggle but we do not always struggle. That may not make sense but truthfully in the midst of the struggles of life, God sends times of refreshing. You may call it revival. How do we react following the refreshing work of the Holy Spirit? Paul wrote to a church that he had never visited and to people he had never met. They were just like us. He reflected on the work that God was doing in their lives. The Warmth of their Fellowship (2:1) The Worship of Jesus Christ (2:2,3) The Warfare that will Come (2:4) The Walk of Faith (2:6,7) The Wealth of Thanksgiving (2:7) These are all things we experience when God moves in.

There are many people who look at our world and say “There is no hope”. If they are seeking to find hope in this world they are 100% correct. Jesus entered our world as the only one who could bring real change and leave us with eternal hope. This text speaks of the “hope of the gospel”(1:23) It then speaks of the “hope of glory” (1:27) Between these two “hope” is an ocean of assurance that we really need. Trusting Jesus carries us all the way home to God. If Christ is in you then you have the hope of glory.

The only way that Colossians 1:16 and John 1:3 can align with Genesis 1:1 is to say “Jesus is God”. If God created all things and Jesus created all things then Jesus and the Father are one and the same. In fact Jesus declared them to be “One”. The majesty of Jesus is proclaimed in these verses. He created all things and holds all things together. He is also the head of the church. He is proclaimed to have preeminence over all things. The fullness of the Father is revealed in the Son. Throughout eternity the worthiness of the Lamb of God is proclaimed. The Lord of Creation. The Length of Creation. The Limits of Creation. The Logic of Creation.

We do not know what God the Father looks like. No man has seen God. Jesus coming in the flesh reveals the Father. He unpacks the Father so that we can know Him. The Father wants us to know Him. Jesus is the image of the invisible God. The word translated “image” is our word “icon”. Paul desires to teach us about the Father by showing us Jesus. The Father Desires us to come to Him. The Father Pulls us out of Darkness. The Father Paid a great Price for our Redemption. The Father made peace with us Through the Blood of Jesus. The Father invites us to come to Him. Listen and Take Heart because Jesus Cares for you.

There are four chapters and ninety five verses in Paul’s letter to the church at Colosse. They focus a strong argument against Gnosticism, on the one hand, and legalism on the other. To counter false doctrine, Paul turns the focus on Jesus Christ. He lifts Jesus high above all man-made wisdom and effort. There is no one like Jesus. There is no one comparable Jesus. There is certainly no one above Jesus. He is above all. This message introduces a brief study of Colossians with a call to lift Jesus high above all others. There is Salvation in No Other. There is Creation by No Other. There is Continuation from No Other. Our Congregations Exist for No Other. When things around us seem to be spinning out of control, Jesus remains above all. Trust Him today.

The city of Athens was known for having more gods than citizens. Idols stood all around Paul as he confronted them with the God that they knew nothing about. God appointed a Judgement Day. God appointed a Judge. God appointed a Proof by raising Jesus from the dead. His great guarantee is that the dead shall rise and stand before Him. He gave us assurances by raising Jesus from the dead. This podcast deals with the working out of that resurrection. Everyone needs to know these things. 1. Be Aware of the Resurrection 2. Be Alarmed by the Resurrection. 3. Be Assured by the Resurrection. That message served to shock some people in Athens. It awakened some to repent and turn to Christ. It alarmed others that such a day of judgment was coming. As always, for the believer there is no more comforting truth.

It is important to understand that Jesus is the same yesterday today and tomorrow. Year by year church attendance and convictions are analyzed. Things change. Worship styles, music preferences, cultural standards vary greatly around the world. The major issue remains the same. Jesus is the answer. He is above all. To the unbelieving folks on Mars Hill, Paul proclaimed a message that is relevant today. Jesus is: Knowable Creator Transcendent Self-sufficient In control Close Father Living Patient Forceful Coming Judge Jesus Alive He is the Christ of all Cultures.

God is calling people out of darkness into light. The Bible makes it clear that the human heart loves darkness more than it does light. In fact John 1 makes it clear that Jesus came as light in a dark world. When Paul stood on Mars Hill he boldly confronted darkness and his preaching resulted in 3 different reactions. Some mocked. Some believed. Some wanted to hear more. People still react in that way to the message. They reacted that way to Jesus in His own day. Every faithful witness will see it happen. This podcast takes a dive into: Defining Lostness Dissecting Lostness Defeating Lostness How do you confront lostness when you encounter it?

Witnessing is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God. We cannot bring about spiritual breakthrough in a person’s heart. I lack the ability to save anyone but saving a person, a city, a people is not what I am charged to do. I am to share Christ and depend on the Holy Spirit. God gives the increase. Paul stood on Mars Hill surrounded by unbelief. Idols were all around him but he did what he always did. He trusted God’s power and preached the word. This podcast is about trusting the Holy Spirit to do what He has already promised to do. He gives us power in difficult situations. The Source of Power The Course of Power The Force of Power Pray for your pastor as he labors to preach the word and depend on the Holy Spirit for spiritual breakthrough.

Of all the challenges you may face in life, none equal the challenge of facing God unprepared. Many are convinced that they can handle all the “whatever’s” that come their way. Luke 12 gives us the parable that is known as “The rich fool”. In one moment he realized that he wasn’t ready for whatever. His plans changed. His priorities changed. His possessions changed. His presuppositions changed. Suddenly he realized that he wasn’t ready for “whatever”. Are you? This is a simple invitation to get ready. No one knows the hour when suddenly they meet God.

Everyone encounters storms. In fact, one day I found myself thinking about big storms I have faced. Our whole nation was in a storm in 2020 and we didn’t know what to do. Acts 27:29 kept coming to mind. It is a seemingly insignificant historical statement that speaks to the heart in a storm. “They cast four anchors and wished for daylight.” If you haven’t done that you probably will. This podcast suggests that you need four anchors. Peace Perspective Prayer Praise Whatever you may be facing please know that Jesus will hold us fast. Morning will come.

In the valley of Elah, David found the army of Israel cowering in the face of a literal giant. His name was Goliath and he stood nine feet nine inches tall. He was wrapped in armor and was defying the Lord God. David was embarrassed by the cowardice of Israel. It is a well known story full of implications as we all face our giants. What giants are you facing? Is it the giant of doubt or discouragement or depression? Are you running from from a giant when God has asked you to take a stand? This podcast lays out some principles of giant slaying. Find Your Giant Face your Giant Fight your Giant. David killed a giant because he fought one. He did not run. He stood.

David readily confessed to experiencing fear. Was it on the battlefield facing Goliath? Was it hiding in the wilderness while Saul hunted for him? Did fear come when he was firmly placed on the throne of Israel. Everyone knows fear. Most of our fears are purely irrational. We worry about things that never happen. We are filled with phobias. And yet the word of God tells us “Do not be afraid.” David reflected on all the fears he had faced but he was also considering how God had brought him through. The Changing Face of Fear The Crushing Force of Fear The Confident Focus of Faith Put your eyes on the Lord and do not be afraid.

The final two chapters in the Bible give us a glimpse of the joys that await those who follow Christ. It describes the wonderful things that await the saint in the wonderful place called heaven. Why would anyone not want to be in such a place? All sorrow, sickness and suffering are gone. There is no more rebellion or punishment. Best of all we shall “see His face”. We will serve our Savior forever and to the saint, that is appealing. We will never grow tired and we will never grow old. There is no boredom in the presence of the glory of God. We will worship without hindrance and with a pure heart. This short series from Genesis and Revelation ends with an appeal to come. “The Spirit and the Bride say “Come”. Won’t you come? “And whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely!” Now how about that! An Appeal of Heaven An Appeal from Heaven Thank you for listening to Take Heart Ministries.

Judgement falls on many people and nations throughout the Bible. Judgement is not a popular subject but it is clearly demonstrated. Adam and Eve are removed from Eden. A great worldwide flood destroyed all living creatures except for those safe in the ark. Every city and nation that rejected God, experienced God’s judgment. Ultimately God will judge this world and no one will escape it. Either the penalty for your sin was paid for on a rugged cross or it will be paid for on the day described in Revelation 20. You need to be ready to face the judgement. The Scene of Judgement Day. (Revelation 20:11) The Summons on Judgement Day. (Revelation 20:12-13) The Sentence on Judgement Day. (Revelation 20:14-15) Today is the time to come to Jesus and get ready for Judgement Day.