Hardwired with Jeff Wickwire

There are thousands of foreign missionaries serving around the world, doing work God has called them to do to bring the Good News to people who might not hear it otherwise. But let me tell you from experience, it takes a great amount of sacrifice to fully uproot your life and follow after God’s calling. Pastor Jeff wants to teach you today that Abraham didn’t just have to say “yes” to follow God. He had to depart from the only home he had ever known and leave his friends and relationships behind!

As a Christian, it is all too easy to look at the state of this world and be worried about the future of the faith. But Pastor Jeff encourages you to be hopeful today! There is a revival coming, where men and women, young and old, will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel into communities all around the world! While right now it seems like the soil of humanity is hardened to the Good News, there are people whose hearts are ready to receive the message of hope that Jesus provides.

In C.S. Lewis’ book, The Screwtape Letters, the demon Screwtape says that the easiest road to hell is a gradual one, without signposts or warnings along the way. In today’s message, Pastor Jeff warns you how easy it is to harden your heart against God. Most people who reject the Lord don’t do it in some big emotional moment; it’s usually the result of many small decisions over a long period of time. But you can make small everyday decisions to open your heart towards God as well!

The book of Hebrews shows us that there is a throughline connecting the stories of Abel, Enoch, and Noah. We’ve learned that the safest place for us to be is walking right alongside God, obeying Him and following in His footsteps everywhere we go. This world around us has been plunged into chaos, but Pastor Jeff wants us to remember that we have a loving Father who knows exactly what to do. If we are faithful to obey His instructions, He will grant us His blessings and peace.

Atoning for your sins is an area of your life where you don’t want to take shortcuts. After all, in God’s eyes, you are either guilty of sin or you’re not. There are no half-measures. In today’s message, Pastor Jeff teaches you about Cain and Abel, and about how Abel’s offering recognized God’s requirement of blood to atone for sins. However, Cain wanted to take a shortcut by sacrificing the fruit of his fields, but in doing so, he rebelled against God. The Lord doesn’t accept insincere offerings. 

The valley of the shadow of death may be the darkest valley that you ever cross in your life. It’s a place where the fear of loss can cause as much damage to your soul as the loss itself. But God doesn’t leave you to face that valley alone! In today’s message, Pastor Jeff wants you to recognize that the Lord is your good shepherd, and He is always looking out for you! It’s not hard to find His hand reaching out to guide you. Knowing that His hand is there in the first place is the hardest part of the battle.

We all need a GPS at some point in our lives. Maybe we’re traveling to someplace new and need directions, or our usual route isn’t available because of a road closure. Well, Pastor Jeff is here today to remind us that God wants to be our guide, helping us through life, and leading us into peaceful pastures. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be difficult times to go along with the calm moments, but we can be equally assured that there is no safer place than walking right by His side.

Did you have an irrational fear of quicksand growing up? Most of us have seen at least one movie where our brave heroes find themselves sinking into a dangerous trap. But the way you sink in quicksand is by standing still. If you walk quickly and don’t freeze, you can avoid the worst danger. In today’s message, Pastor Jeff reminds you that you must keep moving when you’re in a dark valley. You can trust in the Lord to make a way for you. All that He asks is for you to keep walking, one step after another.

Allowing offenses and grudges to become implanted in your mind will only lead to more negative thoughts. It becomes a great big feedback loop, as your mind spirals further and further into depression and despair. Well, Pastor Jeff reminds you today that God offers you a different way to live! In order to break free from the spiral, you must focus your thoughts on God! His grace gives you the ability to let go of the things that used to offend you, so that you can live in the freedom that Christ offers you.

One of the most important jobs of a farmer is to prepare the soil for the seeding of plants. Soil must be tilled, fertilizer must be added, and seeds must be carefully placed in the ground in a way that they can grow and flourish. Well, Pastor Jeff reminds you in today’s message that the process of being born again starts with the seed of the Kingdom of God being planted in your heart. That seed doesn’t take root at the same time for everyone, but the fruit it bears is always based on God’s perfect timing!