Hardwired with Jeff Wickwire

How do you know if you’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit? Pastor Jeff teaches you today that you will recognize the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life when you begin to be convicted regarding the sin in the world around you. Unfortunately, the world is a dark place, and the corrupting influence of sin is everywhere you look. But when you are guided by the Holy Spirit, you’ll begin to see the presence of sinful activity and sinful desires in your own life, and the lives of those around you.

You probably know someone who posts on social media. If they see something they like, they want to share it with everyone they know. But something to keep in mind is that discernment isn’t built into these social media algorithms. In fact, Pastor Jeff warns you today that false teachings and occult thinking can sneak up on you if you’re not careful. In order to defend yourself against the enemy’s attacks, you need to be well-read in Scripture and not believe everything you see on your feed.

In life, a surplus isn’t always a good thing. In the business world, having something left over may mean that there was potential growth left on the table, or potential leads not followed up on. Pastor Jeff reminds you that the overflow that God gives you functions in a similar way! When you’re given more blessings than you can handle, you’re meant to share those with those around you. If you are selfish or lazy with the overflow you have received, those blessings may be completely wasted.

Do you ever feel like this life is a slog with no end in sight? Do you ever start to wonder if this will ever be worth it? Well, Pastor Jeff reminds you today that not only is the Lord a good shepherd who nourishes and sustains you, but He is leading you toward something better! When the road gets tough ahead, Pastor Jeff wants you to keep your eye on the prize. Jesus has set a table for you, a great feast of celebration for all those who call on His name to be saved. There is a seat for you at that very table!

We humans suffer from a fallen nature. We were given free will by a perfect God, and every single one of us has chosen the path of sin at some point in our lives. Someone can't live a whole life without giving in to sin at some point. So, Pastor Jeff reminds us that the miracle of the Gospel is that God saw our need and gave us a way to be redeemed. By placing our sins on the shoulders of Jesus as He went to the cross, you and I have the ability to be reconciled to the Father.

Precious metals are refined in fire. It’s in the intense heat of the furnace that the impurities in the metal rise to the top, resulting in a purer material. And just like the most precious of gold, you and I need to endure periods of intense heat, so that the impurities in our own lives can be burned away. Pastor Jeff reminds us that we are never alone when we go through these times of refinement. God is by our side, and He will hold our hands every step of the way. He is our good and loving Father.

The laws of nature state that things cannot go from disordered to ordered without an outside influence. Buildings don’t form on their own without builders, trees don’t grow without energy from the sun, and children don’t grow without food from their caregivers. Pastor Jeff reminds you today that relationships aren’t strengthened without forgiveness. You won’t be able to completely avoid conflict in your relationships, but a spirit of forgiveness can help you reverse the damage done over time.

A common phrase that people use to describe someone lashing out is anger is to say, “Well, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back”. The truth of the matter is that every human has a limit to how much they can endure before buckling under the pressure. But what Pastor Jeff teaches you today is that you should have a strong will and not allow yourself to easily give in to anger, because being quick to anger can often result in you alienating those around you, pushing them away permanently.

No matter how you live your life, no matter how much money or influence you have, there are only two destinations for your soul after death: one in the presence of God forever, or one where you are separated from His love forever. Pastor Jeff reminds you today that there’s no third option, and that many people will be deceived and fall short of spending eternity in Heaven. You reach Heaven by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and by making the choice to take the narrow and difficult road through life.

One of the important things you learn growing up is to learn how to separate your wants from your needs. Your wants may include things like a new car, the latest smartphone, or a big house in a fancy neighborhood. But how many of those things are really things you need? Pastor Jeff reminds you today that the Lord is a good shepherd and a generous provider. While His provision may not always cover all of your wants, He will help you meet your needs. God knows what you need and when you will need it.