Episodes
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
The Showdown at Mt. Carmel
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
"If I were the devil … If I were the Prince of Darkness, I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I’d have a third of it’s real estate, and four-fifths of its population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — Thee. So I’d set about however necessary to take over the United States. I’d subvert the churches first — I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.’
“To the young, I would whisper that ‘The Bible is a myth.’ I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what’s bad is good, and what’s good is ‘square.’ And the old, I would teach to pray, after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington…’
“And then I’d get organized. I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d pedal narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills."
The late Paul Harvey gave this speech back in 1965, reedited and republished it several times over the years. There is not a more poignant reminder of how satan fights against all of us. Sometimes, it leads to a showdown. That's exactly what happened to Elijah during the days of wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.
Listen as Pastor Ed tells us what happened, and gives us some things we can apply to our lives about following God and how to deal with the devil when he attacks.
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Let Freedom Ring
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Kimberly Henderson of Proverbs 31 Ministries wrote the following:
“I would have pulled Joseph out. Out of that pit. Out of that prison. Out of that pain. I would have cheated nations out of the one God would use to deliver them from famine.
I would have pulled David out. Out of Saul’s spear-throwing presence. Out of the caves he hid away in. Out of the pain of rejection. I would have cheated Israel out of a God-hearted king.
I would have pulled Esther out. Out of being snatched from her only family. Out of being placed in a position she never asked for. Out of the path of a vicious, power-hungry foe. I would have cheated a people out of the woman God would use to save their very lives.
I would have pulled Jesus off. Off of the cross. Off of the road that led to suffering and pain. Off of the path that would mean nakedness and beatings, nails and thorns. I would have cheated the entire world out of a Savior. Out of salvation. Out of an eternity filled with no more suffering and no more pain.
And oh friend. I want to pull you out. I want to change your path. I want to stop your pain. But right now I know I would be wrong. I would be out of line. I would be cheating you and cheating the world out of so much good. Because God knows. He knows the good this pain will produce. He knows the beauty this hardship will grow. He’s watching over you and keeping you even in the midst of this. He’s promising you that you can trust Him. Even when it all feels like more than you can bear.
So instead of trying to pull you out, I’m lifting you up. I’m kneeling before the Father and I’m asking Him to give you strength. To give you hope. I’m asking Him to protect you and to move you when the time is right. I'm asking Him to help you stay prayerful and discerning. I'm asking Him how I can best love you, and be a help to you. I’m believing He’s going to use your life in powerful and beautiful ways. Ways that will leave your heart grateful and humbly thankful for this road you’ve been on.”
Today is Independence Day in the USA. Today, we celebrate freedom. But, our freedom didn't come without a high cost. Many people gave their lives so that the USA could become a nation and be established on the Godly principles we live by. But, many of us, if we could go back in time and see the suffering of these people, might likely "pull them out" of their situations. But, if we do that, America will never be free.
Pastor Ed delves into the topic of suffering, and why it's OK to suffer and give praise to God in today's podcast. You don't want to miss this extraordinary message!
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
The Elephant Rope
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
A gentleman was walking through an elephant camp, and he noticed that the elephants weren’t being kept in cages or held by chains. All that was holding them back from escaping the camp, was a small piece of rope tied to one leg and attached to a steak driven in the ground nearby.
As the man gazed upon the elephants, he was completely confused as to why the elephants didn’t just use their strength to break the rope and escape the camp. They could easily have done so, but instead, they didn’t try to escape at all.
Curious and wanting to know the answer, he asked a trainer nearby why the elephants were just standing there and never tried to escape.
The trainer replied; “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s strong enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope still holds them fast, so they never try to break free.”
Did you know that people can be trained in a similar manner?
Are you "trained" by the enemy of our soul to seek out sin rather than to avoid it? Find out on today's podcast entitled "The Elephant Rope."
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Guard Your Heart
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Nuclear submarines consist of some of the most amazing technology on the planet. These incredible military vessels can stay underwater for ninety days, but every ninety days the submarine must resurface to maintain proper alignment with the North Star. While underwater, the submarine's navigational system is affected by the earth's magnetic forces. Because these submarines carry missiles of mass destruction, they must pay close attention to keeping the navigational equipment aligned to the true reference point of the North Star.
The nuclear submarine provides an excellent picture of our heart. Just as the submarine may have enough physical provisions like food, water, or fuel to survive, it cannot perform at its highest level or complete its mission without maintaining proper alignment with the true reference point. Your heart is the navigational equipment of your life. It must stay aligned with God. By guarding your heart, you stay locked on to God's will and the "wellsprings of life."
Guard Your Heart, today's podcast. Don't miss this important podcast!
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
It’s OK To Struggle
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Many years ago, a wealthy man went duck hunting with a hired hand named Sam. They took a horse and carriage, and along the way a rim came off one of the wheels. As Sam hammered it back on, he accidentally hit his finger. Instantly he let go with some bad words. He quickly fell to his knees, asking God's forgiveness. "Lord, it's difficult at times to live the Christian life", he prayed. When he finished his prayer, the wealthy man asked Sam, "Sam, I know you're a Christian, but tell me why you struggle so, I'm an atheist, and I don't have to deal with such insignificant problems as that."
Sam didn't know what to say. About that time, two ducks flew overhead. The wealthy man raised his gun and fired two shots. "Leave the dead one and go after that wounded bird!" he shouted. Sam pointed at the duck that was fluttering desperately to escape and said, "I've got an answer for you now, Boss. You said my Christianity isn't any good because I have to struggle so. Well, I'm like the wounded duck and I struggle to get away from the devil. But you're like the dead duck! Remember,” he said. “Dead ducks don't flutter.”
Pastor Ed deals with Struggle in today's podcast.
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
A Decidedly Christian Worldview
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
One day, God was looking down at Earth and saw all of the bad behavior that was going on. So, He decided to send an angel down to Earth to check it out.
He did just that.
When the angel returned, he reported to God, "Yes, it is bad on Earth; 95% are misbehaving and 5% are not."
God thought for a moment and said, "Before I do anything about this, perhaps I should send down a second angel and get another opinion."
So God called another angel and sent him to Earth for a time.
When the second angel returned he went to God and said, "It is true. The Earth is in decline; 95% are misbehaving and 5% are being good."
God was not pleased. So, He decided He would send an e-mail the 5% that were good, because He wanted to encourage them and help them on their way. He wanted to give them a little something to help them keep going as they were.
Upon hearing the news that God had sent emails to the good 5% of people on the earth, one Deacon asked a Sunday School teacher, “Do you know what that e-mail said? “
“No? I don’t.” Replied the Sunday School teacher.
The Deacon said, “Oh I see. So you didn't get one either? “
Today, Pastor Ed delves into the question, "Just how 'Christian' is your Christian Worldview?"
Don't miss this important podcast!
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
When God Ran
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Have you ever seen God run? If you have ever departed from His favor and wandered off down Prodigal Highway and later came back home, you have seen God run.
In today's podcast, Pastor Ed takes a look at a young boy who took his father's inheritance early, ran away from home, got into deep sin and lost everything. But, when he came to himself, he went home.
Now his father was watching, and he ran down the road to meet his son. It's the exact same for those who have wandered away from home. God will run to meet you when you come down that road.
Today's broadcast is titled "When God Ran."
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Who Knocked a Hole in the Roof?
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
May 23, 2021
During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific Island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.
Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.
As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen."
After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.
As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.
"Ha, he thought. "What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor."
As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout......
HEAR THE REST OF THE STORY ON TODAY"S PODCAST ENTITLED, "Who knocked a hole in the roof?"
Monday May 17, 2021
Doubting Your Faith in God - Faith Under Fire 2
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
Have you ever been confronted by a skeptic who challenges your belief in God? That scenario is more common these days than it has been in over a century. With the advent of the Internet, atheists and all manner of Christian skeptics have come to the surface challenging our faith in God.
Can you provide an answer to skeptics who ask you why you read and believe that “Bronze-Age book of fairy tales” that we call the Bible? How can you fight off the questions of “How do you know there is a God?”
Perhaps you have already confronted these ideologies and are doubting your own relationship today. Well, if you think you are the only one who has doubted, take heart! Today, we will talk about some people in the Bible who doubted God and how God responded to their doubts. You will be pleasantly surprised to learn that even dedicated Christian people have doubts from time to time and how God can help you deal with your doubt.
Monday May 17, 2021
Does God exist - Your Faith under Fire 1
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
Former atheist and journalist Lee Strobel has written a powerful book that is also a Bible Study entitled “Faith Under Fire.” We will take a look at some of the things he reports on his journey to discover the truth about God and living the Christian Life over the next few weeks.
Do you believe in God? Really? Can your belief in God stand up against the world that swears that God is a “sky god” from a “Bronze Age Book of fairy tales?” Our prayer is that once you’ve heard these messages on the reality of God that you will be better prepared to defend your faith in a world that demands we know what we believe.
Monday May 17, 2021
The Essentials of Life
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
Can you list the things that are “essential” in YOUR life?
Most would say things like, “Health, family, love, education, a nice home, a car to drive, a good job, etc.”
Would you be honest for a minute and answer one more question?
How did God and your relationship with the Creator of the Universe fit in with your initial answer? Was it immediately #1 or did you have to work it in the list when I asked the second question?
Too many times, God is relegated to a second thought in our busy modern world. But, that shouldn’t be!
We live in a world that is falling apart at the seems; and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.
Here is today’s challenge:
Let’s make our relationship with God “essential” to our lives, and be at the top of the list! After all, the Word of God says to seek first the Kingdom of God (and then) these things will be added unto you.
Put God first. Let’s start working in God’s Kingdom like everything is dependent on you to get it done and live like we can do nothing without God. That’s actually a very good place to live!
Learn more in this week’s sermon entitled “The essentials of life in Christ.”
Monday May 17, 2021
Life After the Storm
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
When a storm hits us in the middle of our lives, there is often devastation followed by depression and lots of grief. But, there’s hope! After the storm will take a look at life once the storm passes and how there is hope to rebuild our lives. Listen as pastor Ed brings us hope from the Word of God as we rebuild our lives following the devastation of a storm.
Monday May 17, 2021
Standing In The Storm
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
Standing In the Storm – The Cares of Life. Standing in the center of God’s will while the storms rage is often a hard thing to do, but it is necessary. God will bring us through the storms. Just take His hand and never let go. Today, we will seek ways to find Peace in the midst of the storms of life.
Monday May 17, 2021
The Death, Burial and Resurrection of a Messiah
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
The death on a cross was a cruel, agonizing and slow death. Torture would also be an appropriate description.
Once the Messiah was dead and His side pierced, the “blood and water” (medically, the red blood cells and the clear plasma that had separated – a true sign of death), His body was removed and put in a borrowed tomb.
But, Glory to God, He didn’t stay there! On that Resurrection Sunday Morning, Christ Arose!
So, what is the result of all of those events?
Our salvation from hell and the ability to be “crucified with Christ” as Galatians 2:20 says.
Monday May 17, 2021
The Triumphal Entry - Journey to the Cross
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
When you think about the Messiah’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey without the usual pomp and circumstance that accompanied a Roman General coming back home after victory in battle, why do you suppose we call it a “Triumphal Entry?” After all, Jesus Christ:
Jesus wasn’t a military general or commander of any rank;
Jesus wasn’t even entering the journey victorious, not by the world’s standards, anyway. I mean, he hadn’t defeated any human army that we know of, certainly no army that was the enemy of Rome;
Jesus was not even a Roman citizen, or an ally of Rome, or someone the Roman government would have wanted to celebrate…since we know what the Roman government did to Jesus later in the week.
Find these answers on today’s sermon entitled “Journey to the Cross; The Triumphal Entry”
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
The Church of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
The last of the seven churches. Philadelphia. The church of brotherly love. Today's message here at our podcast!
Sunday Mar 14, 2021
Sunday Mar 14, 2021
Sunday Mar 14, 2021
Sunday Mar 14, 2021