Episodes
Monday Oct 31, 2022
Esther Part 2; Surprise Endings
Monday Oct 31, 2022
Monday Oct 31, 2022
Esther Part 2
Esther was a woman who lived in the world, experienced the life as a slave and then a queen. But, down in her heart she never forgot that she was God's child. Her heart for the Lord and the fact that Mordechai told her that she was put there as queen "for such a time as this."
God has raised up YOU "for such a time as this." The question is, will your heart for God or your desire for the world drive you in making the choice as to which one to follow? Your choice will lead you to victory or to ruin.
Pastor Ed dives into the second sermon in the Esther Series "For Such a Time as This"
Sunday Oct 23, 2022
Esther Part 1; ”For Such a Time as This”
Sunday Oct 23, 2022
Sunday Oct 23, 2022
For 60 years in a row the percentage of Christians in every American state has been decreasing. Some people, including me, see this decline as evidence that the end is near. Some experts and scholars say this is the historical trend of the gospel worldwide…the gospel comes and goes. Many of us who are trying to follow God feel overwhelmed at times by the godless culture that we live in.
But for Christians; this isn't a new thing. It’s happened before; several times. Historically the people of God have almost always been in the minority in their respective countries and cultures. Jesus and his disciples were branded, ostracized, and persecuted.
Our new study on the Book and story of a brave woman and her adoptive father, her “blood cousin,” Mordecai, are average Jews living in captivity in the Persian Empire under the rule of the evil King Xerxes. After years of hiding their identity as Jews and “blending into the culture,” these two people did something incredible; and it had an incredible impact on all Jews living in the kingdom. “For Such a Time as This,” the incredible story of Esther and Mordecai begins on today’s podcast with our Pastor and teacher, Ed Smith.
Monday Oct 17, 2022
Monday Oct 17, 2022
It was a little after twelve in the afternoon on a Sunday at my father-in-law's, it was his birthday, and he was busy cooking up his self-proclaimed famous brisket. My wife was inside finishing up the potato salad while I was occupied helping my uncle with the TV. The food was about ready so all of the kids rushed outside with their grandma and grandpa.
While working on my uncles TV the door flew open, Noah’s grandmother was screaming hysterically, “Noah fell in the pond!” My heart was in my throat as I barreled around the corner. Everything felt as though it was in slow motion. I screamed for my baby boy “Noah, Noah!”
While rounding the corner, I notice a crowd of people kneeling around him. My boy was lifeless and grey - and I watched as his little body bounced on the dirt as my father-in-law pressed on his tiny bare chest. I later learned later that my wife was able to evacuate the water from his lungs and get a pulse before I saw him, but chest compression had to continue because he wasn’t breathing on his own.
Hear the conclusion to this story on today's podcast entitled, "Your purpose is determined by your worldview."
Sunday Oct 09, 2022
Sunday Oct 09, 2022
Special guest speaker on this week's podcast, Joy Christian Radio's own
Donna Sellers as she speaks on the topic of "Live For Jesus"
Friday Sep 30, 2022
Friday Sep 30, 2022
“One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness, bind them.”
So begins probably The Most Epic quest story of all time.
Here is a clip from what has become one of the most famous lines in movie history: “One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.”
Throughout the entire epic adventure in this trilogy of movies, Tolkien’s beloved cast of characters puts life, love, and limb on the line time and time again just to make sure that the One Ring doesn’t achieve its evil purpose of uniting all in evil and darkness.
However, throughout the Bible, there is but one common thread: man’s relationship to God; and man’s being able to get along with his fellow man.
Check out this week's podcast as Pastor Ed delves into satan's singular purpose, one that he chose without God's consent. his consent is to keep man away from God. satan hates you and me and could care less about you, with only one exception and that's when we get too close to God.
Discover ways to defeat the devil's attempts to devour you on this podcast!
Sunday Sep 25, 2022
Finding God’s purpose for your life - Series sermon 1
Sunday Sep 25, 2022
Sunday Sep 25, 2022
Here’s a description of a man who knew his purpose and refused to quit.
This man was born in 1809.
In 1816, at age 7, he was forced to work because his family was expelled from their home because they couldn’t pay for it.
In 1818, he lost his mother.
In 1828, he lost his sister.
In 1831, he opened his first business and promptly went bankrupt.
In 1832, he ran for office in the legislative elections and lost.
In 1833, he borrowed money to open another business and went bankrupt a second time.
In 1835, he met a wonderful woman. He fell in love with her. They got engaged, and she died before they could marry.
In 1836, he entered a dark period of his life when he fell into deep depression.
He remained bedridden for 6 consecutive months. But he finally got up and in that same year of 1836 he runs in the legislative elections and lost again.
In 1840 he presented himself as an elector in the electoral college and lost.
In 1842, he met the woman he would spend the rest of his life with.
They fell in love, got engaged, got married and she gave him 4 children, but they lost all three.
Who is it?
Check out today's podacast and find out! Today, Pastor Ed begins a new series on the subject of finding God's purpose for our lives and doing it!
Saturday Sep 10, 2022
Hindrances to Prayer - Part four in the series ”Back to the Basics”
Saturday Sep 10, 2022
Saturday Sep 10, 2022
During the gold rush, a man who had been mining in Colorado for several months quit his job, as he hadn’t struck gold yet and the work was becoming tiresome. He sold his equipment to another man who resumed mining where it had been left off.
The new miner was advised by his engineer that there was gold only three feet away from where the first miner stopped digging.
Find out what happened on this week’s Podcast.
This is part four of our series on “Back to the Basics” as we delve into the basic fundamentals of Christianity.
Sunday Sep 04, 2022
Christianity 101
Sunday Sep 04, 2022
Sunday Sep 04, 2022
Do you know for certain that you're a Christian? Can you clearly identify Christ as being at the center of your life?
Today on #SundayWorship and here on the podcast, Pastor Ed goes back to the basics for part four of the sermon series by that same title. "It's important that we understand the basics, and no matter how long you've been a Christian, we still need to hear these again and again," Pastor Ed said of the message today.
Do your own Spiritual Checkup today by listening to the podcast and heeding God's instructions for your life.
It's all today on the message of the week podcast.
Saturday Aug 27, 2022
The Importance of a Prayer Life as Christians
Saturday Aug 27, 2022
Saturday Aug 27, 2022
Do you sometimes feel like your prayers just bounce off the ceiling? Are you truly passionate about prayer? Do you REALLY believe that God answers prayer that He will answer YOURS?
Prayer is, for the most part, an untapped resource, an unexplored continent where untold treasure remains to be unearthed.
F.B. Meyer, the author of the great little book, The Secret of Guidance said, "The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but un-offered prayer."
Instead of it being something we do everyday, like breathing, eating and walking and talking, it seems to have become like that little glass covered box on the wall that says, "break in case of emergency." It is true that way too often we associate prayer with crises in our life.
Today in part 2 of our series “Back to the Basics,” Pastor Ed discusses what Prayer is all about and how important it is in the life of a Christian.
Be sure to catch this important message that all of us as Christians need to hear!
Sunday Aug 21, 2022
Gideon Served God Faithfully. Be. Like. Gideon.
Sunday Aug 21, 2022
Sunday Aug 21, 2022
So Gideon gathered up an army and started out for the Midianite camp. Gideon was probably feeling pretty good about the way things were going at this point. He had lots of men to help him fight and God promised He would help him win the victory.
But, God had something a little different in mind. He told Gideon he had too many men in his army. So God said to Gideon, "Announce to the people, 'Anyone whose afraid may go home now'." Amazingly twenty-two thousand of the men left! Only ten thousand stayed.
But, that's not the end of the story. Discover today how God uses a tiny army that He "whittles down" from a large number and uses these men to defeat a large army. That's today's topic as pastor Ed discusses the life of Gideon and how God used him....and how God can use you.
Sunday Aug 14, 2022
New Series! Part 1 - The Importance of following God’s Teachings
Sunday Aug 14, 2022
Sunday Aug 14, 2022
As an athletic contest approaches its closing stages and the contestants are neck-and-neck, it’s often a matter of who wants it most—of who’s the hungriest! If there is little separation between the physical abilities, conditioning, and skills of the athletes, the winning edge frequently comes down to a matter of heart—where desire and determination dwell, where commitment and courage reside.
Today, Pastor Ed takes a look at Basic Training for the Christian and how important it is to Devote oneself to the learning of the Word of God and Devoted to prayer. Take heart! God is right by your side.
This first part of the latest series of sermons entitled, “Back to the Basics” is sure to empower and enlighten you in your walk with Christ.
Friday Aug 05, 2022
How to have a Genuine versus a Hypocritical Faith in God
Friday Aug 05, 2022
Friday Aug 05, 2022
Is your faith truly genuine, or is just being a member of a church good enough to get you to Heaven?
Today, Pastor Ed delves into the topic of truly possessing genuine faith and how to know the difference.
Listen to the podcast for more on “Genuine or Hypocritical Faith.”
Saturday Jul 30, 2022
Wheelbarrow Faith
Saturday Jul 30, 2022
Saturday Jul 30, 2022
#SundaySermon Exerpt
“A 24 year old boy was looking out from the train’s window and shouted…
“Dad, look the trees are going behind us!”
Dad smiled and a young couple sitting nearby, looked intently at the 24 year old’s childish behavior with pity, suddenly the boy again exclaimed… “Dad, look the clouds are running with us!”
The couple couldn’t resist any longer and said to the old man…
“Why don’t you take your son to a good doctor?”
The old man smiled and said…“I did. We are just coming from the hospital, my son was blind from birth, he just got his sight yesterday. Today is the first time he has seen the world outside.”
How much faith do you have? Enough to cross the Niagara Falls on a tight rope in a wheelbarrow? Today, Pastor Ed takes a look at what he calls “wheelbarrow faith.” You don’t want to miss this podcast!
Saturday Jul 23, 2022
Genuine Spiritual Revival - Part 6, the finale of the series ”Revival and Renewal”
Saturday Jul 23, 2022
Saturday Jul 23, 2022
"The whistles were blowing as the lifeguard charged from his perch with a swift, flowing and practiced movement.
In one swoop his right arm took hold of the small life preserver that hung beside him on his station, as his feet plunged into the sand.
Bouncing forward, he barely touched down on each stride as he charged ahead with his eyes fixed on the horizon.
He lunged with four pronouncedly large paces into a few feet of depth in the water, and then dove headlong into the sea, as he began a fast-paced swim to the little body that was bobbing face down in the water.
He approached the child, pulled their limp body upward, and slung what appeared to be a lifeless pale blue body on his side – swiftly pulling the child back to the beach.
It was an unmistakably nightmare for a parent that was nearby and missed the clues that their child was in life-threatening trouble...."
Catch "the rest of the story" as Pastor Ed delves into the finale of the sermon series, "Revival and Renewal." Today's message is "Genuine Spiritual Renewal."
Don't miss this encouraging and edifying message!
Saturday Jul 16, 2022
Saturday Jul 16, 2022
The Bible clearly says in 2 Timothy 4:2-5 that pastors and ministers are to "Reprove, Rebuke and Exhort" their flock. But, quite often in this society, Christian people resent being told they’re wrong, even by a pastor or by God Himself. Why is that? Today, Pastor Ed takes a look at a few reasons why people, and Christians in particular, hate to be told they’re wrong.
Saturday Jul 09, 2022
Strengthen That Which Remains Before It Dies - Part 4 Revival and Renewal Series
Saturday Jul 09, 2022
Saturday Jul 09, 2022
Nobody wants to hear this. Very few Christians admit it. But, when you look around at our culture, it's obvious this exists on a very large scale within Christian Churches and among Christian People.
Churches, along with the people who are part of them are Dying or are already Dead.
False teachings abound, people are trying to redefine God, or as I like to say, trying to re-Create God in their own image. Human sexuality is god of the land and god of many churches. The "fight' for morality is at a fever pitch. The Church is the people! And, when a church is dying, that means the people are either dying or are already DEAD.
The Bible commands that, in such a time as this, we which are alive Spiritually are supposed to "Strengthen that whic is remain while it is alive." You can't breathe life into a corpse, but you can breathe life into someone who is starving for air!
Today, Pastor Ed delves into the touchy subject of dead churches and what we are to do if we find ourselves there. Should we just quit and go elsewhere (that seems to be what most people are doing), or is is OK if we feel God wants us to stay there and fight for life? If we are in a dead or dying church, what can we do about it?
Listen to today's podcast for real answers.
Saturday Jul 02, 2022
The Day God Ran (Revival and Renewal Series Part 3)
Saturday Jul 02, 2022
Saturday Jul 02, 2022
Can you imagine the God of the Universe running to a person? In today's message, Pastor Ed delves into the Parable that was shared by the Messiah that we often call "The Prodigal Son." It's a story that the Messiah gave us that shares the focal point of the message of Salvation, the heartbeat of Christianity, the very reason Christ came to the earth in the first place. God is standing at the end of the road watching for His Children to come home from the Prodigal Highway.....and He runs to meet one who takes a step towards home.
If you are on Prodigal Highway right now, or if you're like many of us, you have someone close to you who is out there, don't give up hope! Pray for them. Give them to God and watch Him work in their lives. But, whatever you do, never give up on them! It's never too late for them to come home.
Sunday Jun 26, 2022
Series Part 2 - We Need A Revival
Sunday Jun 26, 2022
Sunday Jun 26, 2022
The need for a Genuine, God sent Revival is more obvious these days than in my lifetime. Our world is quite literally disentegrating from the darkness of sin that has enveloped every aspect of life. Churches are closing. Pastors are declaring their sin that took place over a number of years. Church splits are abundant and getting worse.
In spite of all this, many faithful pastors are preaching the Word. Faithful Christians pray earnestly for revival. But, why don't we have revival?
That's Pastor Ed's topic for today. We can learn a lot from men of God in days gone by. Here is what some of these faithful men of God said about revival.
A.W. Tozer said,
“Have you noticed how much praying for revival has been going on of late – and how little revival has resulted? I believe the problem is that we have been trying to substitute praying for obeying, and that simply will not work.”
Charles Finney said,
“A revival is nothing more than a new beginning of obedience to God.”
Henry Blackaby said:
All revival begins, and continues, in the prayer meeting. Some have also called prayer the “great fruit of revival.” In times of revival, thousands may be found on their knees for hours, lifting up their heartfelt cries, with thanksgiving, to heaven.
Billy Sunday said,
“When is a revival needed? When carelessness and unconcern keep the people asleep. {If you’re} trying to run a church without revivals, {it} can be done when you can run a gasoline engine on buttermilk.
Billy Graham said,
“We may not be in the midst of what theologians term a revival. But still, the fires of revival are everywhere. The promise of revival is definite. The need of revival is obvious.”
Sunday Jun 19, 2022
New Series ”Revival and Renewal” Part 1 - Revival and Renewal
Sunday Jun 19, 2022
Sunday Jun 19, 2022
2 Chronicles 6:12-42 is a special prayer that King Solomon read to his citizens in Israel as they dedicated the new Temple of the Lord.
The end of this prayer says, “Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place. “Now therefore, Arise, O Lord God, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. Let Your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, And let Your saints rejoice in goodness. “O Lord God, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed;
Remember the mercies of Your servant David.”
Long before Idolatry in Israel was finally destroyed in 715 BC, Israel enjoyed a special place in God’s heart. Back in 959 BC, the Temple was built and Solomon prayed an incredible prayer of dedication that still rings in hearts and lives today.
He prayed specifically for God to bless leaders of government, to bless homes and to bless the leaders of God’s Kingdom work (the clergy of the day).
As we know, Idolatry eventually destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem fell in 586 BC.
What can we learn from the follies of the Israelite's and their constant worship of idols?
Much.
Today, Pastor Ed delves into a new series that we’re calling “Revival and Renewal.”
There is HOPE in the Gospel of Yeshua, the Lord Jesus Christ.
But, we must meet God’s conditions for revival and renewal if we are to experience it; as the Israelite's discovered.
Friday Jun 10, 2022
Idolatry series part 4 - Idolatry, the aftermath has a price to pay.
Friday Jun 10, 2022
Friday Jun 10, 2022
“If you put your hope in anything that can fail (any idol), your heart will fall when your idol fails.
Proverbs 13:12 says, "Delayed hope makes the heart sick."
If you worship idols, your inner life will decay.
This is what idols - they fail – they literally rot out your heart. Nations that worship idols will face God’s wrath. They will fall!
Trusting in idols for us today should be as foolish as worshipping baal would have been to Elijah.
And, the most horrible thing a person who worships idols can hear is the same that Hosea said to the Northern Tribes of Israel,
“For you are not My people, and I will not be your God.” (Hosea 1:9).
May God help those who will not give up their idols, for their days are numbered.”