Hardwired with Jeff Wickwire

When you buy a piece of furniture or equipment that requires assembly, it usually comes with an instruction manual that gives you the steps needed to complete the project. If someone else tried to look at the finished product and write their own manual, the instructions would be incomplete and unreliable. Pastor Jeff wants you to ask a big question today: Why do people look at the instruction manuals that men write for themselves when you have access to God’s Word, given to you by the Creator himself?

How long would you be able to hold on if you had no hope for a better future? The world is full of broken people living broken lives: people who are looking for any reason to keep holding on. Pastor Jeff lays out the structure of the book of Ecclesiastes in today’s message, and shows you how true faith in Jesus can give you the hope you need to hold on through this life. No matter how difficult life’s challenges may get, you have a God who cares for you, and has prepared a better place for you.

One of the ways that God proves his might to mankind is by using unusual people to fulfill His plans and purposes. He doesn’t pick the strongest or smartest people from the population; he goes after those whom society has passed over. The humble shepherd boy, youngest and smallest among all of his brothers, became the warrior that none of them could be on their own, and Pastor Jeff shows you today that it’s all because of his faith in God. That faith gave him the strength of a whole army.

When you’re reading an epic story of good versus evil, it can be hard to resist the urge to skip to the final chapter and see how it ends. There’s that small part of you that wants to know if good will prevail or if evil will win the day. Well, when it comes to the spiritual battle that the church is facing, the ending has already been written in Scripture! But Pastor Jeff has to temper your expectations today because there are some facets of the modern church that act like the end of the story is unknown.

The first step in forgiving someone is letting go of your grudge against them. You’re allowed to recognize the hurt that their actions may have caused you, but follow that acknowledgment with another one: that you can’t seek vengeance on your own. Today, Pastor Jeff uses the example of Jesus to illustrate this point: He could have brought down literal fire and brimstone on Peter in retaliation for his betrayal, but instead, Jesus surrendered Peter’s treachery and responded in love and compassion for His friend.

Have you ever let God's light shine through you? Picture yourself as a beacon, radiating His love for the world to see. Today, Pastor Jeff explores the magnificence of allowing God's radiant light to illuminate your life. Just as a lighthouse guides ships through the darkness, your life can guide others toward the boundless love of Jesus. Embrace the opportunity to be a vessel of His light, dispelling the shadows of doubt and despair. As you let His love shine through, become a living testament to God's grace.

What if I told you that maintaining your moral excellence and fearing God is a job worth pursuing? In today's message from Pastor Jeff, he dives into the idea of making it your duty to uphold moral standards and cultivate a deep reverence for God. It’s not just a task; it's a dire mission vital for the flourishing of His kingdom. As you navigate the complexities of life, let the fear of God be your guide, and let the pursuit of moral excellence be on your daily agenda. Your commitment to purity will save lives from eternal suffering. 

A lot of healing can take place over a meal. Sitting down to eat with someone is a very human experience, where all involved are taking care of their physical need for food. In the case of Jesus and the disciples, they had an opportunity to eat together, after Peter returned to his life of fishing. Pastor Jeff shows you today how the breaking of bread between Jesus and Peter mended the relationship that had been previously strained. Peter’s denial of Jesus was forgiven, and the bond between man and God was restored.

In baseball, pitchers dream of throwing the “perfect game”: a game where not a single opposing player gets on base across all nine innings. It’s an extremely rare occurrence and requires great skill from the pitcher and his teammates to accomplish. If you think a perfect game is hard to pull off, wait till you see how hard it is to live a life without sin! Pastor Jeff wants you to realize today that everyone has sinned in their lifetime, and the only way to avoid the punishment for that sin is to surrender your life to Jesus.

Not one person on Earth is guaranteed tomorrow. You never know when your number will be called, and you’ll find yourself standing face to face with God, to give an account for your life. The rich man in Luke 12 did not understand this, and instead, he was worried about building his personal wealth. Pastor Jeff implores you today to not get your priorities twisted. Rely on God to provide for your material needs, and ask Him to draw you closer to His presence. That is something money can’t buy.