All Things Christian with Dr. Jason Whitehurst

 The Value of Hands [Podcast]  A Louisville Slugger in my hands is worth $85. The same bat in Albert Pujols' hands is worth an average of $24 million dollars a year.A Spalding NBA basketball is worth $170  in my hands. In LeBron James' hands, its worth $72.3 million dollars a year.A pair of Everlast boxing gloves on my hands are worth $75. But on the hands of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. they are worth $105 million dollars a year.The value of hands.The worth of an object in someone's hands is determined by the value of hands.A paintbrush and a palette in my hands is worth little. But the value of a paintbrush in the hands of Leonardo da Vinci is priceless.A hammer and chisel in my hands is pretty useless. I can probably knock a hole in the wall, that's about the extent of it.But a hammer and chisel in the hands of Michelangelo created some of the greatest sculptures in history.In a moment of transparency and complete honesty, here is my confession: I am not very handy.The worth of an object is determined by the value of the hands it is in.If the human value of hands can be worth millions, how much infinitely greater is what is crafted and formed by the hands of God?"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)The word for "workmanship" literally means "masterpiece".I wish I could say that if you trust me with your life, that I have prepared a great future for you. That I have drawn up an amazing blueprint for your life that includes plans of which you have never dreamed and are beyond your wildest comprehensions.But I can't say that. No one can, except God.My value of hands is limited. But the value of God's hands is limitless.If you are a Christ follower, you are His masterpiece. He is the Great Artist that created you and formed you.He is the One who is painting your life in vivid colors with broad strokes and fine detail.Your life in anyone else's hands, whether it is your doctor, your broker, your financial planner, your spouse, pales tremendously to the worth you have in the hands of the Great Creator.If you follow Him, you are His masterpiece. You belong to Him.His signature isn't at the bottom of the painting of your life, it is written all over you.The value of a life in God's hands cannot be measured on a human scale. The worth is infinite. Â

"I Could Never" [Podcast]  What comes after, "I could never", will be different for everyone. It is a personal statement unique to each individual."I could never go...""I could never be...""I could never say..."No matter how you finish the sentence, it always is a statement of some action you feel you could ever possibly do.The basis for "I could never...", is usually current circumstances, situations, self-doubt, and the inability to see what you are really capable of doing.There really isn't much that you cannot do. The biggest obstacle of going from "I could never..." to "I can definitely..." is yourself.And many times, it is that people are not willing to do what it takes to do what they say they could never do.The difference between those who say, "I can" and those who say, "I can't", is effort. Initiative. Drive. Determination.Usually, when someone says they can't do something, it's from an internal overflow.Jesus said, "For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34b)"For as he (a man) thinks within himself, so he is." (Proverbs 23:7)The phrase "thinks within himself" literally means, "reckons in his soul".  Subscribe

 Just Do It. [Podcast]   (Sermon audio from November 23rd)  In John 2, Jesus and His disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana.Most likely, the bride or groom was a relative of Jesus, because Mary is aware of a situation that only someone working in the kitchen would know.  It was customary for the women of the wedding party to work the kitchen.Jesus and His disciples arrive at the wedding, around the 3rd day into the celebration.  The Jewish custom was for the wedding festivities to last 7 days.When Jesus gets there, Mary comes to Jesus with a dilemma.  The wine is gone.Mary comes to Jesus with the problem because it would have been a colossal embarrassment to run out.  It would be like running out of fried chicken at Homecoming.So Jesus asks His mom basically, "What do you want me to do about it?  What does this have to do with me and you?"And Mary turns to the servants of the house, and says, "Whatever He says to you, do it" (John 2:5)Just do it.Mary was really saying, "I don't know what He is going to do to fix this, or how He is going to.  But I know that whatever He says, you just need to do it."And Jesus did fix it.Through a call to action, a group of servants responded and were a part of the first recorded miracle Jesus performed.Mary was speaking to the servants of the house at that time, but her words transcend down through history to everyone.Whatever Jesus tells you, just do it.What if the servants said no?What if they refused to surrender and obey the instructions Jesus gave them?Are we even reading about this miracle now?When Jesus tells you to do something, you just do it.There is really no need to ask questions or request an explanation.  Because when He says to do something, Jesus already knows how He is going to use you to accomplish it.  It is for Him to know the details, and you to just follow His instructions.Whatever He says, just do it. SubscribeÂ

When Jesus Is In The House [Podcast] (Sermon Audio from November 16th, 2014) Jesus has returned to Capernaum (His own city, Mt. 9:1), and is in Peter’s house (1:29).  It was “noised” that He was in the house.  The word was spread around town that Jesus was in the house.  As a result, people […]

 Remember the Sabbath [Podcast]  1. Everyone needs a sabbatical.2. Failure to remember the Sabbath will cost you physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.3. Remember the Sabbath, to take a day to unplug from the things that drain you and plug into the things that recharge you.4. Man was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was made for man.5. Set aside a day every week to rest, God created your body with a day of rest in mind.  SubscribeÂ

 Frozen In Church [Podcast]  1.  I have literally seen "Frozen" over 100 times.  My 2  year old daughter watches it at least once a day.2.  She knows the words to all the songs (on iTunes  "Let It Go" is still charting.  The YouTube video has over 215 MILLION views.  Also still charting,  "Do You Want to Build a Snowman"  and "For the First Time in Forever" )3.  "Frozen" is the highest-grossing animated movie of all time.4.  The more I watched it, the more I realized there are parallels between the movie and the church.Church members can be afraid to be themselves.Church members can shut others out because they don't want to let others see their issues or character flaws.Some church members just need to "Let It Go".Church members can have knee-jerk reactions in the spur of a moment.There are church members who are "too happy" sometimes.There is often a "Duke" in the church.People in the church should be willing to put the needs of others before their own wants.Recognize your gift and use it for the benefit of all in the church.A radical act of sacrificial love can change the world.  "No greater love is there than this, that a man would lay down his life for his friends"  Anna was willing to die to protect her sister and save her life.  Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice, and His radical act of sacrificial love changed mankind and the world forever.   Dead, frozen hearts can be changed because of what Jesus did.  There is no more radical act of sacrificial love that has ever happened or will ever happen, than what Jesus did on the Cross.  SubscribeÂ

Don't Let Time Pass By [Podcast]  1.  Time is the most valuable commodity on the planet.2.  When you let time pass by, you lose something you can never buy or accumulate.3.  The richest people in the world cannot buy time.  It is invaluable.4.  There is a need to make better use of the time you have.5.  Methods for using time more efficiently.Be purposeful with time.  Most of the people who are efficient with their time, make the most of every moment.  If they have a spare minute or two, they fill that time doing something meaningful.  They don't stare at the clock waiting for their next meeting or appointment.  They are mindful of the time, and will do something rather than let seconds tick off the clock, as they do nothing.Delegate to others.  I will be the first guy to raise my hand and say I don't do this well.  The old saying, "If you want something done right, then do it yourself", is what compels me NOT to delegate anything to someone else.  But if I want to be more efficient with the time I have, I have to realize that there are things that others can do, which frees me up to use that time on other tasks.  Letting go and delegating assignments to others can be difficult, but it is necessary.Find your optimal work window.  This is different for everyone.  Some people do their best work, and have the most energy, first thing in the morning.  For others, their optimal time to get the most accomplished is the 4-5 hours after lunch.  The main thing is just to find what that block of time is for you, and schedule the most important things to be done, during that time.  Don't answer emails or do other things that are less important and do not take much effort during your optimal work window.  This is your heavy lifting time.  This is when you need to be free from distractions, to focus on what matters most.  If you need to be on your computer during this time, there are apps that block all social media alerts and any other distractions, so that you can be as productive as possible.Remember the Sabbath.  Your body was designed with a day of rest in mind.  When God created you, He intended for you to take time to recharge so that you are energized the rest of your week to do what needs to be done.  An efficient use of time, is to take time, to rest and be refreshed.  If you fail to rest, the time that you do spend getting things done will be diminished by your inability to function at your highest level.  Subscribe

  Outside Looking In [Podcast]  1.  No one likes to be on the outside looking in.2.  No one enjoys being left out of a group and being excluded.3.  Churches and Christians in America are finding themselves on the outside looking in.4.  The Pharisees were outside of Matthew the tax collector's house where Jesus was eating and reclining.5.  Society has metaphorically formed a circle to keep Christians on the outside looking in because of the stereotype that all Christians are judgmental and condemning.6.  The place to be is where Jesus would be, which is in the middle of people who were nothing like Him, so He could minister to them.7.  Jesus never condoned their actions, but He didn't condemn them either.  He taught repentance and change.8.  It will take time for many churches and Christians to go from the outside looking in, to being included in the group where they can make a difference.  SubscribeÂ

 The Great Cost of Leadership [Podcast]  1.  Leadership that costs nothing usually doesn't accomplish anything.2.  The cost of leadership separates being named a leader and actually being a leader.3.  Titles don't make you a leader.4.  Great leaders understand the costs of leadership and are willing to pay them.5.  Vince Lombardi spoke about the cost of leadership.6.  John Quincy Adams spoke about the influence of a leader.7.  Henry Kissinger spoke about leaders understanding the cost of their actions.8.  Jesus paid the highest price of any leader in history.  [email protected]  SubscribeÂ

 Opposites Attract [Podcast]  1.  A follow-up to a previous episode on introversion.2.  Opposites attract.3.  Example of magnets.  Opposite ends attract each other.4.  I married an extrovert.  Opposites attract.5.  In relationships, there is usually more balance when two people are opposite of each other.6.  It is not a flawless principle, but more often than not there is greater balance in that relationship.7.  One reason that opposites attract is because there is less opposition when the two sides are different.8.  I married an extrovert and my life is infinitely better because of it.  We are total opposites in a lot of ways.  And that is why it works. [email protected]  SubscribeÂ

&#160; &#160; Know Your Role [Podcast] &#160; 1.  Know Your Role.  Drive safely when podcasting. 2.  &#8220;Know your role jabroni&#8221; &#8211; The Rock 3.  Know your Role.  Own your Role.  Live your role. 4.  John the Baptist is an amazing example of someone who knows their role in life and is faithful to fulfill it. [&#8230;]The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://jasonwhitehurst.org/2014/05/17/019-know-role-podcast/">#019: Know Your Role [Podcast] appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://jasonwhitehurst.org">Jason Whitehurst.

&#160; &#160; Take Me to The King [Podcast] &#160; (This is a short audio clip from a message recently I preached recently, &#8220;Take Me to The King&#8221;) &#160; 1.  The Kingship Concept 2.  The King Provides 3.  The King of Kings 4.  Dr. S.M. Lockridge, &#8220;That&#8217;s My King&#8221; 5.  Somebody take somebody, to the King [&#8230;]The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://jasonwhitehurst.org/2014/05/12/take-king-podcast/">#018: Take Me to The King [Podcast] appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://jasonwhitehurst.org">Jason Whitehurst.

&#160; &#160; Lean on Me [Podcast] &#160; 1.  &#8220;Lean on Me&#8221; is one of my all-time favorite  movies. 2.  &#8220;Lean on Me&#8221; is based on the true story of Joe Clark. 3.  If you can lean on something or someone, it implies trust and stability. 4.  Deuteronomy 7:9 &#8211; the Hebrew word picture is the idea of being [&#8230;]The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://jasonwhitehurst.org/2014/05/05/017-lean-podcast/">#017: Lean on Me [Podcast] appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://jasonwhitehurst.org">Jason Whitehurst.

&#160; Hello. My Name is Introvert [Podcast] &#160; 1.  What does it mean to be an introvert? 2.  Famous introverts. 3.  How do you know if you are an introvert? 4.  Myths and Misconceptions of an introvert. 5.  Characteristics of an introvert. &#160; [email protected] &#160; Subscribe &#160;The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://jasonwhitehurst.org/2014/04/30/016-hello-name-introvert-podcast/">#016: Hello. My Name is Introvert. [Podcast] appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://jasonwhitehurst.org">Jason Whitehurst.

&#160; The God Factor [Podcast] &#160; 1.  46 million Americans make consumer decisions based on their faith. 2.  This group spends $1.75 trillion per year. 3.  The success of Duck Dynasty and The Bible mini-series 4.  &#8220;Son of God&#8221;, &#8220;God&#8217;s Not Dead&#8221;, &#8220;Heaven is for Real&#8221;, &#8220;Courageous&#8221;, &#8220;Passion of the Christ&#8221; have incredible ROI&#8217;s.  &#8220;Noah&#8221; [&#8230;]The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://jasonwhitehurst.org/2014/04/26/015-god-factor-podcast/">#015: The God Factor [Podcast] appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://jasonwhitehurst.org">Jason Whitehurst.

&#160; Hey Type A [Podcast] &#160; 1.  We are all designed and formed by the Great Creator. 2.  It is important for every person to understand themselves and others. 3.  What is &#8220;Type A&#8221; personality? 4.  Characteristics of a &#8220;Type A&#8221; personality. &#160; [email protected] &#160; Subscribe &#160; The post #014: Hey Type A [Podcast] appeared first on Jason Whitehurst.

&#160; &#160; &#8216;Cause We&#8217;ll Never Be Loyal [Podcast] &#160; (Note: Thank you to everyone who has subscribed in iTunes, and has moved the podcast up to be listed in the &#8220;New and Noteworthy&#8221; section.  And to those who have taken the time to leave an encouraging comment. It is greatly appreciated!) &#160; 1.  We live in [&#8230;] The post #013: &#8216;Cause We&#8217;ll Never Be Loyal [Podcast] appeared first on Jason Whitehurst.

&#160; &#160; The Power of One [Podcast] &#160; (Note: Thank you to everyone who has subscribed in iTunes, and has moved the podcast up to be listed in the &#8220;New and Noteworthy&#8221; section.  And to those who have taken the time to leave an encouraging comment. It is greatly appreciated!) &#160; 1.  The Power of [&#8230;] The post #012: The Power of One [Podcast] appeared first on Jason Whitehurst.

&#160; Pause When Attacked [Podcast] &#160; 1.  Do You Ever Feel Attacked? 2.  Attacks Come in Different Ways 3.  What is the Best Strategy When Attacked? 4.  King David in Psalm 3 5.  Pause and Realize There is a Shield 6.  Pause and Realize The Shift in Mood 7.  Pause and Take a Nap &#160; [&#8230;] The post #011: Pause When Attacked [Podcast] appeared first on Jason Whitehurst.

&#160;  Finish What You Started [Podcast] &#160; 1.  There are no moral victories when you do not finish what you started. 2.  You get credit for what you finish, not for what you start. 3.  Nehemiah 4.  &#8220;I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down.&#8221; 5.   Refuse to lose focus on [&#8230;] The post #010: Finish What You Started [Podcast] appeared first on Jason Whitehurst.