Hardwired with Jeff Wickwire

The Bible always warns against false prophets for good reason; nothing will pull you away from God more swiftly than false doctrine. Today, Pastor Jeff encourages you to remain vigilant for deceitful doctrines and ensure your foundation remains rooted in God's Word. Guard your heart and mind against the allure of deceptive teachings because they will lead you astray. Stay steadfast in discerning truth from falsehood, relying on the wisdom and guidance found within God’s Word. 

It is vitally important for a believer in Jesus to not just listen to teaching, but to take the time to dive into God’s Word, and to see what wisdom is revealed by the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Jeff encourages you to follow along in this new series on the book of Ephesians by taking the time to read along with his teachings. When you understand the text on your own, that wisdom can take an even deeper root in your soul. And the Lord wants nothing more than for His Word to be imprinted on your heart.

Most of the divisive issues we deal with in life aren’t true binaries, but they are a spectrum where our opinions land somewhere in the middle. You may like one brand of soda slightly more than the other, but that doesn’t mean that you hate the other one! But Pastor Jeff teaches you today that when it comes to following Jesus, your answer is either “yes” or “no”. You can’t say “yes” to Jesus and also say “yes” to the culture. You have to sacrifice your role in human culture to be a true believer.

Did you realize that you and I are very fortunate to live in the time we live in? We have access to information, literature, and entertainment at the touch of a button. Prior generations had limited access to the things that we take for granted now. But one of the biggest things that you and I have access to now is the presence of the Holy Spirit, and that is something that people did not have before Jesus died on the Cross. Pastor Jeff reminds you to use that power to your advantage, to help you overcome your flesh.

The Holy Spirit has been given to you as a tool to help you resist the enemy’s temptation in this world. Just like you rely on manmade tools to overcome simple obstacles in your life, you can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. Put your trust in Him to help you overcome temptation and the desires of your flesh, and you will find it easier and easier to make those decisions over time. Pastor Jeff teaches you that trusting in the Spirit is like exercising a muscle: you need to do it over and over again to see results.

How many ancient Roman buildings are still standing today? Unfortunately, many of those buildings have crumbled away and had new construction done on top of the old sites. Buildings and cities rise and fall, and Pastor Jeff teaches you today that the desires of your flesh are just as fragile. Nothing that your flesh desires will last forever, and you can’t take anything with you when you go into the next life. But the things of God, those things that produce good spiritual fruit, will last forever.

Are you feeling stuck in your circumstances? Are you getting more and more frustrated by life's problems? Today, instead of dwelling on complaints about life and its challenges, Pastor Jeff urges you to redirect your focus toward surrendering your heart to the Lord. Complaining perpetuates negativity, but entrusting your concerns to God brings relief and peace. Laying your troubles before the Lord will lighten your spirit and comfort you. Embrace a mindset of gratitude and trust in God's mercy. 

When was the last time you experienced spiritual growth? When was the last time you felt like you were experiencing the presence of the Lord? If you desire to cultivate growth in your faith and break free from the dullness that may have settled into your relationship with Jesus, Pastor Jeff shares that consistency in your prayer life is vital. Never cease lifting your cares, worries, and aspirations to Him. Just as a plant needs regular watering to flourish, you'll thrive when you stay in communion with Jesus. 

If you listen to modern-day health gurus, they place a lot of focus on your morning routine, and how the things that you put first in your day will have a cascading effect on the rest of your day. And Pastor Jeff recognizes that there is some truth in that advice, but what he tells you to do is to start your day off by getting into God’s Word! When you develop spiritual discipline and start your day off in the Lord’s presence, you can build a spiritual strength that will help you get through the world’s challenges.

Crucifying your flesh doesn’t mean literally nailing yourself to a cross, but it does mean that you need to put the desires and cravings of your flesh aside. Your primary role as a follower of Jesus is to draw others closer to Him by the light of your testimony. Pastor Jeff encourages you to take a look at the sinful behaviors in your life that hold you back, and to remember that the Great Commission is more important than gratifying your own flesh. He will give you the strength to nail those desires to the Cross.