Greg Laurie: A New Beginning

We throw the word idol around pretty freely in our culture. “So-and-so is a teen idol” . . . “did you watch American Idol?” . . . “Humphrey Bogart was a matinee idol.” But, biblically speaking, an idol is a representation or symbol of an object of worship. It’s a clear transgression of the First Commandment. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie warns about idol worship based on an epic confrontation in 1 Kings 18. Elijah goes toe-to-toe with the prophets of Baal. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org. A 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://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Sunday message, Pastor Jonathan Laurie uses what the Bible says about our purpose on Earth to provide perspective on what to do when single or dating. He’s answering the question, “What are we to do in these seasons?” And you’re invited to hear the answer! Notes “What do you do when we come to a verse in the Bible you disagree with? Change your opinion.” —Greg Laurie  1. The Glorification of God  “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” —Augustine To honor God means to put His desires ahead of your desires, His will for your life ahead of your own will. 2. Edification 3. Evangelization Upward: Glorification – Matthew 6:33 Inward: Edification – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Outward: Evangelization – Mark 16:15 Scripture Referenced 1 Corinthians 10:31 Revelation 4:11 Isaiah 55:8–9 Ephesians 4:11–15 Matthew 28:19–20 1 Corinthians 7:1, 9 2 Corinthians 6:14 --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we’re featuring the audio version of Pastor Greg’s daily devotion. You can get daily emails of this devotion delivered directly to your inbox when you sign up at https://harvest.org/resources/devotions/ or through the Harvest App, available for Android and iOS.  --- Where Our Focus Should Be So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, ‘Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?’ (Acts 1:6) After His resurrection, Jesus said to His disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NLT). This statement was prompted by the following question from the disciples: “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” (verse 6 NLT). The disciples thought that the Messiah, Jesus, had come to establish the Kingdom of God on Earth. This was why it seemed like a mistake when He was crucified. But as the Scriptures foretold, the Messiah would come first to suffer and die for the sins of the world. Then He would return to Earth and establish His Kingdom therein. Jesus told them, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know” (verse 7 NLT). In other words, “Guys, will you get over this already? I’m not going to establish My earthly kingdom right now. That will come later. Stop focusing on when I’ll return and instead focus on what you are to do until I return.” Today, there are still people asking when Jesus is coming back. And an occasional misguided person will say they know the date of Christ’s return. But Jesus said, “No one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows” (Matthew 24:36 NLT). Our focus, therefore, should be on what we’re supposed to do while we await Christ’s return. The early Church had a job to do, and so do we. Jesus’s words in Acts 1 were not only for the first-century believers. He is still calling us to tell people everywhere about Him.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

None of us likes to wait. Like when we’re on hold hearing that annoying music repeat over and over again. Or when we’re in line at the grocery store or the airport. Or in the waiting room at the doctor’s office, and our name is finally called and we go to the exam room to . . . wait some more. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out that when we wait on GOD, it can renew us. We’ll see some great miracles took place through the prophet Elijah AFTER a time of waiting on the Lord. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org. A 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://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The only part where your car touches the ground is where the wheels contact the pavement, right? You may have hundreds of horsepower under the hood, but if that power doesn’t reach the ground, nobody’s going anywhere. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out the power of God is ready to do great things, but He wants our help to bring it to ground level. We’ll follow the example of Elijah in 1 Kings 17, and see how we can be part of God’s plan. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org. A 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://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting everything we want—success, money, respect—would be an amazing way to live, right? Well, look at celebrities, who have success, money, and respect. Look at how often they suffer from depression and addictions, and sometimes die quite young. Maybe many people want the wrong things. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us learn from Elijah. We’ll see HE learned from some of the toughest challenges life threw at him . . . and we can too. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org. A 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://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If we preach a watered-down gospel, and people respond that half-of-a-gospel message, are they really responding to the truth? The whole truth? The truth presented clearly in Scripture? That’s an important question, and Pastor Greg Laurie tackles that today on A NEW BEGINNING. We’re studying the life of the prophet Elijah—a man who stepped out in courageous boldness and made a difference in his time. Let’s find out today how we can do the same in our time! Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org. A 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://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Believers have the privilege of sharing a life-saving message within their circle of influence. But many times, we let those opportunities pass by. Maybe we don’t feel equal to the assignment . . . we’re just “regular folks” and the stakes are so high. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie introduces us to another “regular guy” who stepped out with uncommon courage and did great things for the Kingdom. Let’s learn how we can find the courage to follow in his footsteps. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org. A 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://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to our relationships, we should each ask, “Am I doing this right?” And we should turn to God for the answer. Kicking off a relevant series on relationships, Pastor Greg Laurie explores what the Bible says about godly friendships. Notes In a culture that is redefining everything, we need to go to God’s original plan. A friendship is made up of two people committing themselves to one another. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We need Godly friendships. You become like the people you spend the most time with. Show me your friends, and I will show you your future. Some people bring joy wherever they go. Some people bring joy whenever they go. Which person are you? “There are friends that destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” —Proverbs 18:24 Look for godly people to be your closest friends. If your friend has no relationship with God, and they are dragging you down, then it could be time to part company. Give serious consideration about who you want to be your friends. Friends matter because you will influence them as they will influence you. As friends, we need to encourage one another, not discourage others. True friends support each other through thick and thin. A friend can help you through the hard times. True friends share their burdens with each other. True friends tell each other the truth. A true friend will tell you when you’re doing the wrong thing, too. “A true friend always stabs you in the front.” —Oscar Wilde True friends resolve their conflicts. “Envy grows naturally in a relationship between equals.” —Aristotle Envy has been described as a small town sin that breeds on proximity. “The wicked envy and hate; it is their way of admiring.” —Victor Hugo Once you have had your disagreement, try to find a resolution. Fight to resolve, not to win. If you go into to win, you lose, even if you win. Try out these eight words that you should be willing to say everyday: “I’m sorry,” “Please forgive me,” and “I love you.” Jesus is the perfect friend.  True friends of Jesus obey Him continually. True friends of Jesus obey God in even the smallest matters. Do you have a relationship with God? Jesus is much more than a friend; He is also a Savior. Scripture Referenced 1 Corinthians 15:33 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Galatians 6:2 Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 Proverbs 27:6 Ephesians 4:26 --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are we desperate enough for another spiritual awakening in America? In this exciting conversation, Pastor Greg Laurie sits down with Jon Erwin, the director of Jesus Revolution to talk about the making of this landmark film, coming to theaters in February of 2023.  Learn more about the film at https://jesusrevolution.movie/ --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.