Hardwired with Jeff Wickwire

Many people in today’s world are short-sighted, focused only on what’s happening right in their immediate future. And while there can be value in paying attention to the moment we’re living in, Pastor Jeff reminds us that life is a marathon! Instead of focusing only on the things happening right now, we are to pay attention to the things that have eternal ramifications. Following  Jesus is one of those things that we must spend our whole lives doing, but we know that the reward is worth persevering for.

One way that civil engineers make roads safer for people to drive on is to put rumble strips in the roads, to alert drivers that they need to slow down before they cause an accident. Now, if the drivers get mad at the engineers for making their ride bumpy, they’re missing the point completely! Pastor Jeff teaches us today that if we are seeking to warn people about the dangerous road they’re on in this life, we’re not being irritating for the sake of being irritating. We’re trying to steer them away from death!

Believe it or not, everything happens for a reason. While the enemy may try and influence the world for evil purposes, God can use those actions for His Glory. Pastor Jeff shows you today how important it was for Joseph to be where he ended up, because his actions saved the nation of Egypt, as well as the family of Israel, from a disastrous famine. If you can’t understand why God is leading you into a difficult season, have faith that He has something better for you up ahead.

Let’s face it, we are going to face troubles in life! The consequences of living in a fallen and broken world are that we are surrounded by broken people, everyone trying to deal with their own messes. But by coming to know Christ, we have gotten a peek at a better way to live life! We still live in the broken world, but we know that there is a better life to come. Pastor Jeff reminds us today that in order to get there, we need to persevere in following God’s commandments, even when life gets difficult.

There was an old game show called Pros versus Joes, where everyday contestants would face off in physical challenges against professional athletes. And in most cases, these average “Joes” couldn’t hold a candle to the performance of an athlete who had trained for years to reach their peak performance! Pastor Jeff wants you to understand today that if you want God to use you for great things, you have to spend the time getting into His Word. You’re not going to go from Joe to Pro overnight.

Some of us are obsessed with the new thing. When we find a new music artist we like, we start with their most recent album, even if their most popular songs are from twenty years ago. Or if we start a new TV show, we only want to watch the recent seasons. But Pastor Jeff implores us today to take the Old Testament just as seriously as the New Testament. The Apostles didn’t have a distinction between Old and New. Instead, they recognized that all of Scripture is God’s inspired Word.

Have you ever caught someone following you or staring at you from a long distance away? It can make you feel uncomfortable, knowing that your actions are being watched by someone else. Pastor Jeff isn’t trying to make you nervous today, but he does want you to understand that there are people in your life who are looking at you as an example of Christian living. If you were the only reflection of Jesus that someone ever encountered, would they be left with a good or a bad impression of Him?

It’s easy to wonder why God allows false teachers to deceive people for as long as they do. Doesn’t He want believers to have an easier time going through life, not having to worry about being deceived by false teachers? But Pastor Jeff reminds you today that you can always recognize a false teacher by the fruit their work produces. It may not be immediately apparent, but a rotten vine will not be able to produce good and Godly fruit. But a teacher that follows the words of Jesus will produce good fruit.

Have you ever worked on a group project, but had one person not be of help at all, and yet still manage to take credit for completing the assignment? As annoying as that situation can be, the truth is that when it comes to our relationship with God, we are that slacking person! Pastor Jeff reminds us today that we cannot achieve anything for ourselves when it comes to life after this world. The only way we can achieve eternal life is by the grace of God; none of us are worthy of Heaven otherwise.

Nothing is more important than deciding who Jesus is to you. Was He just a good man? Another religious prophet? Or is He the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the only way into an eternity filled with God's love? Today, Pastor Jeff wants you to take a moment to reflect on the teachings, sacrifice, and love that God has for you. Allow His truth to penetrate your heart and guide your life, for in Him, you find purpose, fulfillment, and the promise of eternal life. Choose to follow Jesus and experience His grace.