Greg Laurie: A New Beginning

God has given us mere humans the opportunity to participate in giving life. A mom and dad bring life into this world with their newborn baby. And as believers, we have the privilege of bringing the message of new life to people as we share Christ. But some folks are not easily persuaded. They’re stuck in their sin and don’t want to move. Today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how we can reach the unreachable. It’s part of his series called Refresh. View and subscribe to Pastor Greg’s weekly notes. --- 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Thanksgiving, we must be thankful for the things that we have but also for the things that God has in store for us! In this Sunday message, Pastor Greg Laurie shares a powerful example of praising God in all circumstances. Listen in to a special message from Acts 16. Notes Thanksgiving is not about eating, but rather giving thanks! “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” It’s easy to want to give thanks when we feel like it, but according to Scripture, it is something the believer is to do regardless of circumstances. Having an attitude of gratitude will affect you emotionally and physically. Thankful people are happy people! The two most important moments in a person’s life is when they are born and when they realize what they are born for. Far too often, we fail to give God the glory that is due to His name! Only one of the nine lepers thanked Jesus for what He did.  1. To give thanks, I must first realize as a Christian, God is in control of my life. “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” —Proverbs 16:9 God is sovereign and able to do what He pleases with whomever He chooses whenever He wishes. “For everything serves Your plans.” —Psalm 119:91 2. I must realize God loves me and is always looking out for my eternal benefit. When God takes the events of our lives, the good things and the bad things and puts them in the oven of adversity, we will say “that is good.” 3. To give thanks, I must realize God is far wiser than I am. What is immediately good is not always eternally good. What is eternally good is not always immediately good but painful.  “Through each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs praying to God who gives me life.” —Psalm 42:8 Worship can be a powerful evangelistic tool. When we worship on Earth, we are in tune with what is happening in Heaven. Scripture commands us to rejoice! Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Our joy and contentment in life does not come from what we have, but from who we know!  If you feel like it or not, rejoice in the Lord! “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Jesus Christ is ready to save you! Scripture Referenced Psalm 106:1 Job 1:21 Hebrews 13:15 Psalm 29:2 Luke 17:15–16 Romans 8:28 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 Revelation 5:12 Psalm 73:16 Philippians 4:4 Romans 8:38–39 Hebrews 13:5 --- 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode, you can hear Pastor Greg’s Laurie’s daily devotional from November 20, 2021. Learn how you can get this daily encouragement delivered to you in both text and audio form by going to https://harvest.org/resources/devotions/. Read the full devotion below! --- “Then Peter called to him, ‘Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.’ ‘Yes, come,’ Jesus said.” —Matthew 14:28–29  Courage or Fear? Let’s give credit where credit is due. No one else volunteered to walk on water—not James, not John, and not any of the other disciples. But Peter did. So Jesus told him, “Yes, come” (Matthew 14:29 NLT). What happened next? Matthew tells us that “Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted” (verses 29–30 NLT). Peter sank because he was afraid and because he took his eyes off Jesus. When fear reigns, faith is driven away. Fear and faith don’t hang out together. Either faith will be there, or fear will be there. But when one walks in, the other walks out. Sometimes we’re doing well, and then we look at the wind and waves in our lives, and we begin to sink. We check our email or social media, or we turn on the news, and it causes our hearts to panic. Peter began to sink because he took his eyes off Jesus. And when take our eyes off Jesus, we’re going to sink as well. When we forget God’s promises to us, we’ll start to sink. But then Peter called out to Jesus, and He “immediately reached out and grabbed [Peter]. ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?’” (verse 31 NLT). In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, I heard a doctor on the news say something that I’d never heard before: Courage uses the same pathways as fear. When you’re facing the storms of life, you have a choice: either you can be afraid, which is easy, or you can be courageous while you keep your eyes on Jesus. --- 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? God reaches people through people. God may want to reach someone you know . . . through you! And today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us be ready for that assignment. There’s nothing like helping someone meet Jesus and find eternal life! You’ll never forget it. The reward is worth the risk. View and subscribe to Pastor Greg’s weekly notes. --- 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wood that’s been split and sawn, and sanded and shaped can make some fine furniture. But if our compassion should get the best of us and we didn’t want to see that wood face that stress, most of us would just have some chunks of tree sitting in our living rooms. Today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how the sanding and shaping in our lives helps us mature into the kind of people God wants us to be. Good encouragement coming today. View and subscribe to Pastor Greg’s weekly notes. --- 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been said that, when we get to the end of our rope, we get to the beginning of God. A lot of truth in that statement. When we’re out of answers, and short on hope, God opens His supply of reassurance and direction. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie has good insight for those challenging times. We’re glad you’ve joined us for his new series called “Refresh: What Every Christian Needs to Know.” Valuable information for believers who face the challenges of life. View and subscribe to Pastor Greg’s weekly notes. --- 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes, a child needs a little help from his mom or dad. Whether it’s trying to tie his shoe, or trying to climb a tree, sometimes he just can quite make it on his own. Well, whether we admit or not, we often need help from our Heavenly Father. When we try to live a righteous life, but still have a sin nature, that’s when we need to rely on our God. And today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us see how to call on God and accept His help in our daily walk. View and subscribe to Pastor Greg’s weekly notes. --- 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A car can’t go anywhere without an engine. A car better not go anywhere without a steering wheel! A car needs propulsion and direction. You know, so do believers. And today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how it’s the Spirit of God who provides both. He leads us in the path we should go. And He gives us the spiritual strength to make the journey. You’ve joined us for an encouraging series called “Refresh: What Every Christian Needs to Know.” View and subscribe to Pastor Greg’s weekly notes. --- 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does one go from being an enemy of the Christian faith to one of its key evangelists? In this episode, Pastor Greg Laurie surveys the most stunning conversion in the book of Acts—when Saul came to faith. Notes God gives us absolutes for our own protection. Religion can turn you from God. God promises that His Word will not return void. “Saul was uttering threats with every breath.” —Acts 9:1 Jesus is the only Way to God because the Bible says so! Only Jesus was qualified to bridge the gap between a Holy God and sinful man. We are not people of “a way” or even “a better way,” but “the only way.” Saul not only heard Jesus; Saul also saw Jesus! What were the goads Saul was kicking against? The arguments, life, and death of Stephen. The spread of the gospel and the response of the believers. The gospel is: “The power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.” “May your money be destroyed with you.” —Acts 8:20 Be thankful for what God has given you! True repentance will result in a changed course in life. Two men placed side by side in Scripture: Simon and Saul. Simon wanted power and fame. Saul had power, fame, and influence and fought with Jesus, but ultimately Saul believed. Paul said two things to Jesus: “Who are You, and what do You want me to do?" Scripture Referenced Ephesians 4:31–32 Isaiah 55:11 Acts 26:11 James 2:19–20 John 2:23–24 2 Corinthians 7:10 --- 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we're revisiting Pastor Greg Laurie’s substantial interview with bestselling author and speaker, Randy Alcorn. They discuss the celebration of Thanksgiving for every Christian, tackle questions about Heaven and eternity, and look at the topic of happiness in relation to the Christian life. You’ll hear answers to questions such as: What do we actually have to be thankful for? What can Christians expect when they go to Heaven? Will we wear clothes in Heaven? Does belief in an afterlife change how we live today? Randy reminds us, “If your hope is in yourself, or your hope is in the economy, or stock market and your retirement plan, and your hope is always being healthy or wealthy or whatever, those things are not a solid or firm foundation for hope. Jesus Christ is the source of hope.” Randy Alcorn is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 books, including Heaven. He is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching biblical truth and drawing attention to the needy and how to help them. --- 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.