Greg Laurie: A New Beginning

How to Deal with Trials and Temptations | Sunday Message Greg Laurie gives us guidance on overcoming trials that come our way from James 1. Pastor Greg Laurie begins a new series in the book of James called Walk this Way with a message titled “How to Deal With Trials and Temptations.”  We all go through unique trials and temptations. In fact, it is a good sign that you are walking in the right direction. It is through the toughest trials and temptations that we learn the most and can become healthier, better followers of Jesus Christ.  Listen in for good encouragement! Notes God allows trials to strengthen us because He wants to use us! What Jesus is saying is, “Satan will not be able to stop you!” The Epistle of James is for suffering people. James and the family did not believe in Jesus until His resurrection. 1. Living a perfect Christian life will not convince some people. The resurrection of Jesus turned James around.  2. Make a choice to rejoice when you go through trials. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” —James 1:2 The more we rejoice in our testings, the more we realize they are not liabilities but privileges. They are ultimately helpful, not harmful; no matter how severe they may appear. Job gave thanks. It is very easy to only want to give thanks when we feel like it, but according to Scripture, it is something the believer is to do regardless of circumstances. “Gratitude reduces toxic emotions ranging from envy and frustration and reduces depression, and actually increases happiness.” —Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D. Thankful people are happy people! 3. Trials happen to make us stronger in every way.  In Greek, “The testing of your faith produces ‘patience’” actually translates to, “toughness,” or “fortitude.” Trials are like God’s gym, where we are broken down to be built up. God has a purpose for every trial. Spiritual strength will come through trials. Jesus would come in His time and in His way because of His love! Jesus delayed His arrival so He could bring greater glory to His name. Jesus loves us and wants to be glorified through our lives. Two words stand out against Paul’s travesty of tragedy: “Nevertheless God!” 4. It is through trials that we learn great wisdom.  Through knowledge, we have learned how to travel faster than sound, but we show our lack of wisdom by going faster in the wrong direction! 5. God will enable us to endure and get through times of temptation.  Where does temptation come from? Answer: We play a key role in our own temptation by giving Satan our cooperation. Where there is no desire on our part, then there is no temptation. The temptation itself. You are now under its power and are enjoying the experience. You are now almost hooked. “Drawn away by his own desires and is enticed.” —James 1:14 The lethal effects of sin kick in. “And sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” —James 1:15  Temptation often comes after great times of blessing! We will go through times of trial. We need to make the choice to rejoice in times of trial.  God will guide you and give you the wisdom you need. Temptations will come, but there is always a way out! Jesus suffered and died for your sin, so you can be forgiven! Scripture Referenced John 7:5 1 Corinthians 15:4, 7 Job 1:21 Hebrews 12:11 Romans 5:3  John 11:4–7 2 Corinthians 7:5–6 --- 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.

We're only one week away from SoCal Harvest 2022, taking place November 5–6 at Angel Stadium! Learn more at https://events.harvest.org/socal-harvest-2022  --- In this podcast, we’re taking you back in time over three decades to the very first Harvest Crusade with Pastor Greg Laurie. At the time called, “Summer Harvest” and held at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, California, this event features a powerful gospel presentation from Pastor Greg.  Many things have changed over the years, but one thing never changes: the life-changing gospel message. Listen in as Pastor Greg speaks on the excuses that keep us from following Jesus Christ.  Since 1990, more than 9.8 million people have participated in Harvest Crusades events in person or online around the United States. --- 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.

People can talk all day about what it takes to get to Heaven. Inevitably, the discussion touches on the golden rule, and includes phrases like “be true to yourself” and “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere.” People can be sincere and sincerely wrong at the same time. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie goes straight to Scripture for the real answer. If we want to know how to get to Heaven, it’s best to ask the God of Heaven. And that’s what we’ll do today. 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our culture has some very sophisticated warning systems. We have warning systems in our cars, on our computers, on TV. We get weather alerts, Amber alerts, medical alerts. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie issues a spiritual alert. We’ll see that those who live their lives apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ are facing the most serious kind of danger there is. They’re not only risking life in the here and now, they’re risking their life in the hereafter. 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you knew that you had the resources to handle anything—ANYTHING—that came your way, would that change your outlook on life? Sometimes, our demeanor is soured when life has been harsh and we feel there’s nothing we can do about it. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings some good news. You can have an attitude of contentment, no matter what. Because your Heavenly Father knows what you’re facing and He has a plan to bring you through. Good insight coming your way today. 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It would seem that it’s easy to be content when things are going well . . . and it’s easy to be discontented when life has brought us to our knees. But is our contentment always tied to our circumstances? Pastor Greg Laurie would remind us that some of Paul’s most encouraging words were written from a dank, dark prison cell. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg helps us see how to have a spirit of contentment no matter what life throws our way. It’s part of his series called Worldview. 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve run out of things to worry about, just turn on the news. It’s one crisis after another, 24 hours a day. The old saying in the news business is, “if it bleeds, it leads.” But the Lord calls us to set our minds on things above. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie shows us why. When we’ve made our peace with God, it’s so easy to enjoy the peace of God. Pastor Greg shows us how to enjoy a biblical worldview that’s not mired in worry and fear. 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Sunday episode, Pastor Greg Laurie concludes his current series, Am I Doing This Right? with a message titled “How to Divorce-Proof Your Marriage.” Listen in and learn how to strike the word “divorce” from your vocabulary and put your spouse first in all things. Notes “I would give my entire fortune for one happy marriage.” —J. Paul Getty If you do not work on making your marriage stronger, it will slowly but surely die. 1. Selfishness (one word to sum up what breaks most marriages apart). The problem more likely is you. Marriage is not about finding the right person but being the right person. People are so obsessed with themselves. The origins of sin, selfishness, and the focus on ourselves came from the fall. “Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” —Genesis 3:16 The term desire means to, “compel, impel, urge, or seek control over.” (Same word used when the Lord warned Cain later in Genesis.) Sin wanted to master Cain, but God commanded Cain to master sin! God is saying to Eve, as a result of sin, “you will want to control the man.” God is saying to Adam, “You will want to rule over and dominate the woman.” The curse on Eve (and woman) would be a desire to control man. The curse on Adam (and men) would be the desire to control women. 2. Communication breakdown. Learn to listen. “Only a fool answers a matter before he has heard it.” —Proverbs 18:13 Avoid raising your voice. If you feel anger building (if necessary) walk away. Once you have had your disagreement, try to find a resolution, and then forgive! Fight to resolve, not to win. 3. Adultery. Sow a thought, reap an act. Sow an act, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny. In the New Testament, there are 26 references to Pornea. Our bodies are not made for it (1 Corinthians 6:13). We should not seek it out (1 Corinthians 7:2). We should run from it (1 Corinthians 6:18). You do incredible damage to yourself. “When adultery walks in, everything worth having walks out.” You do incredible damage to your spouse; trust is broken. You do incredible damage to your children. You do damage to the church. You do great damage to your witness and the cause of Christ. You sin against the Lord Himself. Note: They said, “Command.” Jesus said, “Permitted.” 1. Divorce is allowed when sexual immorality takes place. Immorality is not only grounds for divorce; it is also grounds for forgiveness. 2. The only other reason God gives for divorce: desertion. “Am I loving my wife as Christ loves the church?” “Am I respecting my husband and submitting to his leadership?” “Am I denying myself and putting the needs of my mate above my own?” 1. Walk with God. 2. Walk with your spouse. 3. Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. 4. Count the cost. Jesus responded, “Let him that is without sin among you cast the first stone.” Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more!” Scripture Referenced James 4:1–2 2 Timothy 3:1–2 Genesis 4:7 Ephesians 5:28 Philippians 2:3–5 James 1:19 Ephesians 4:31–32 Ephesians 4:26 Matthew 5:27–28 1 Corinthians 6:16–18 1 Corinthians 7:13, 15  --- 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.

Join Pastor Greg Laurie for the 2022 SoCal Harvest this November 5–6. Learn more here: https://events.harvest.org/socal-harvest-2022  In today’s episode, we bring you a classic message, originally given on the eve of September 11, 2011 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. In this message, Pastor Greg Laurie addresses the simple question at the forefront of many people’s minds in the wake of national tragedies: Why?  Listen in as Pastor Greg gives hope and encouragement through the gospel, telling us directly, “Only those who are prepared to die are really ready to live.” This episode was originally produced for radio broadcast and features attendance numbers and some audio of what happened after over 5,934 people came onto the outfield of Dodger Stadium to accept Jesus Christ. As we remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001, find encouragement in these resources from Pastor Greg. --- 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.

Author Erma Bombeck was quoted as saying, “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you anywhere.” Matthew 6:27 is pretty frank: “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us overcome fear and worry. In a new series, we’re learning to adopt a biblical worldview . . . and we’ll learn today that worldview doesn’t include worry. We’ll see worry and faith are mutually exclusive. 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://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.