Programs And Podcasts

One of the most amazing scientific advances in my lifetime has been those great space shuttle flights. Especially back when they were first getting started. We got to hear space news on a pretty regular basis and watch those dramatic launches. We’d hear conversations from space. We still do, from the Space Station. It looks like we’re getting back into the moon business too! You know, you could hear the familiar sound of the conversation between the NASA Mission Control Center and those astronauts up there. The space day would begin with a wake up song from Houston. They’d play something that would say, “Good morning!” Then they would communicate back and forth all day long. Of course, they were in constant communication. See, when you’re living in an environment where so much could go wrong; it’s really important to do that.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Not Just When There’s Trouble.”

Our word for today from the Word of God – Isaiah 30. I’ll begin at verse 1: “’Woe to the obstinate children,’ declares the Lord.” Who are those? “Those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge. But Pharaoh’s protection will be to your shame. Everyone will be put to shame because of a people useless to them, who bring neither help nor advantage, but only shame and disgrace.”

This is a description of God’s people off course; they’re off on their own. They’ve made some plans, they’ve made some alliances, they’ve asked for some help. But it’s only going to lead to shame and disgrace. Why are they off course? Well, he said they planned but “not by my Spirit.” They’ve gone ahead “without consulting me.”

Imagine if our astronauts had only communicated with Mission Control at launch time, and then as soon as they were safely up, they went off and did what they pleased; no input all day from the data that they have at Mission Control? Well, that would be dumb if not disaster!

And then the only other time they would contact Mission Control was when a crisis developed. I can just imagine Houston coming back and saying, “If you’d been in touch with us all along, there might not have been a crisis.” Or, “We could have helped you correct it when it was small.”

I’ve done that so many times in my relationship with my Mission Control - I mean my Heavenly Father. Have you? We have a good time talking when we’re launching something. As the day begins, I spend my time with the Lord, and we talk through the issues of that day. And then, of course, I run to Him when trouble develops. But I neglect the points in between sometimes. I tend to neglect that regular communication throughout the non-crisis details of the day and that’s a big mistake. You know, just stop for a moment and say, “Lord, what do You want done here? Which way should I go on this? Who’s the right person? What’s the best way to answer this? What’s the best way to solve this?”

Listen to those words; they’re haunting words. God says, “You’ve proceeded without consulting me. You’re carrying out plans that are not mine.” We don’t mean to. It just happens because we do not stay in close, all day communication when those little choices are being made that make the big choices. Many crises are the result of everyday decisions we make without consulting our Commander.

We need to consciously practice what Jesus calls “abiding in Him.” Not just visiting. Abiding in Him! Like those astronauts, we need to stay in constant contact with Mission Control.

This hour we celebrate liberty and life. Joshua Enck, President & Chief Story Officer of Sight and Sound joins us to speak about the new film, "A Great Awakening" which tells the story of the friendship between George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin. Charles Billingsly joins us to discuss The Freedom Gathering at the Kennedy Center where he will be singing as part of the celebration. Then, Dr. Michael New joins us to break down some figures that reveal where Americans stand on protecting life and why the fight for life is so crucial.

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Prayer is not a religious routine—it is a holy weapon. In this final message, Dr. Michael Youssef confronts the modern Church’s weak and powerless prayers and calls believers back to the kind of intercession that moves hearts, strengthens faith, and releases God’s power.

From James 5, Dr. Youssef shows that true prayer flows from a life of repentance, righteousness, and spiritual maturity. It is not empty words or emotional effort. It is faith-filled dependence on the living God.

Using Biblical examples and stories of historic awakenings, this message calls believers to:

The evidence of true faith is not talk—it is a life on its knees. Christ is coming. Are you praying?

Scripture Focus: James 5:13–20

 If today’s teaching stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone. 

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1 Corinthians 4:2 says, “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”

Faithful stewardship does not happen by accident. The choices we make with money can either create unnecessary pressure or help us manage God’s resources with wisdom, margin, and faithfulness.

Here are six financial choices that can help us steward well what God has entrusted to us.

Proverbs 27:23 says, “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.”

For us, that means knowing what is coming in, what is going out, and whether our spending reflects our values. Without a plan, money tends to drift. A budget helps us practice faithfulness with what God has provided.

A spending plan is not about restriction for its own sake. It is about clarity. It helps us make decisions with purpose instead of simply reacting to whatever feels urgent in the moment.

Most of us need reliable transportation. We need to get from point A to point B safely. But it is easy to confuse reliable transportation with a vehicle that strains the budget.

According to Kelley Blue Book, the average new vehicle transaction price was more than $49,000. Experian reports that the average monthly payment for a new vehicle reached $770. And that is before insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, and depreciation.

At FaithFi, we generally prefer being free and clear of car debt when possible. That may mean buying used, driving a car longer, or choosing function over status.

The point is not to impress others with what we drive. The goal is to get where we need to go safely and wisely.

Proverbs 22:7 says, “The borrower is the slave of the lender.”

That does not mean all borrowing is sinful. But borrowing should never be treated casually. If we go into debt, we should make sure the economic benefit outweighs the cost.

The question is not simply, “Can I afford the payment?” A better question is, “Will this strengthen my financial position, or will it create more pressure later?”

Debt often makes today feel easier while making tomorrow more difficult. Wise stewardship requires us to look beyond the monthly payment and consider the long-term cost.

Cars break down. Medical bills come. Jobs change. Homes need repairs.

Proverbs 21:20 says, “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”

Saving is not hoarding when it is done with humility and wisdom. An emergency fund can help us avoid high-interest debt and make decisions prayerfully rather than desperately.

Preparedness does not mean we are trusting in money instead of God. It means we are stewarding what He has provided so we can respond wisely when needs arise.

Homeownership can be a worthy goal, but owning a home is not the definition of financial faithfulness. Renting is not a waste when it provides affordable shelter and flexibility.

The danger comes when we feel pressured to buy simply to say we have “made it.” If the payment is too large, we may become house poor—owning a home but lacking margin for giving, saving, repairs, utilities, food, transportation, and other necessities.

We typically recommend keeping housing costs at 25-30% of take-home pay. We also generally recommend a 20% down payment when possible. But the goal is not simply to get into a house. The goal is

“What’s it look like to love my community?” Don Everts helps you get intentional about your relationship to your neighborhood, caring in ways that matter.

Show Notes and Resources

• Host a high-impact church event without starting from scratch by using code STRONGFAMILIES between June 16–30 to get a FREE video-based study and planning support when you buy 10+ workbooks go to shop.familylife.com
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When you have to walk a ways in the snow, sometimes it’s easiest to use the same footprints on your way back. They’re easy enough to see. What footprints do we leave in our lives, that allow our adversary the easiest access to our thoughts and actions? Today on A NEW BEGINNING, as Pastor Greg Laurie continues his series in Genesis, we’ll see the enemy is always on the prowl, looking for his next target. But we’ll learn practical principles for locking the Devil out . . . leaving him out in the cold.

Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.

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Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years.

Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.

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