Media and Publications

Dad, are we there yet?

August 1, 2012 by standing

We have to do a lot of waiting in this life. We wait for loved ones to come to the Lord. We wait for reconciliation. We wait for God to improve us. This waiting is is part of God’s way to mature us:

“When you are going to play with me?” “Not yet. Not until I finish this report.” Fifteen seconds later the child asks the same question, this time with a tone of voice that can drive you mad. But the child is in us all. We too look forward to the day when we have learned perseverance before the Lord. It is the older wise man or woman who can take the many hassles of life in stride, without grumbling and complaining, with contentment rather than resignation. God has chosen to inject his character of perseverance and patient waiting into everyday, earthly life. We are patiently waiting for the Lord’s coming. Creation itself is patiently waiting for the time when it will be liberated from bondage (Rom. 8:22).

Welch, Edward T. (2006-11-01). Depression: A Stubborn Darkness (p. 94). New Growth Press. Kindle Edition.

Filed Under: Books, Edward T. Welch, Waiting

This Momentary Marriage

May 10, 2012 by standing

Desiring God produced this short documentary about the love story between Ian and Larissa Murphy.

Marriage is not mainly about prospering economically; it is mainly about displaying the covenant-keeping love between Christ and his church. Knowing Christ is more important than making a living. Treasuring Christ is more important than bearing children. Being united to Christ by faith is a greater source of marital success than perfect sex and double-income prosperity.

If we make secondary things primary, they cease to be secondary and become idolatrous. They have their place. But they are not first, and they are not guaranteed. Life is precarious, and even if it is long by human standards, it is short. “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Prov. 27:1).

So it is with marriage. It is a momentary gift. It may last a lifetime, or it may be snatched away on the honeymoon. Either way, it is short. It may have many bright days, or it may be covered with clouds. If we make secondary things primary, we will be embittered at the sorrows we must face. But if we set our face to make of marriage mainly what God designed it to be, no sorrows and no calamities can stand in our way. Every one of them will be, not an obstacle to success, but a way to succeed. The beauty of the covenant-keeping love between Christ and his church shines brightest when nothing but Christ can sustain it.

—John Piper, This Momentary Marriage (Crossway, 2009), p. 178.

Visit Ian and Larissa’s blog here.

Filed Under: Marriage, Media and Publications, Video

The Lord spoke a strong word tonight via a sermon he directed me to. David Wilkerson’s “Standing Steadfast in Christ” spoke about not seeking the easy way out. As the Lord shows us in scripture through nature, those who choose to avoid conflict, people and the inevitable fires of life will suffer spiritual apathy. It’s clear my trials at work and at home most be met head on with the grace of Christ. So “Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world” combined with the fact Christ will see me through my storms outside and my emotional pains within is absolutely necessary for me to grow.

And growing means not focusing on my own self but on how I can serve Christ and others. Wilkerson reminds us of Peter, who after he returned to the Lord and the risen Christ told him “Do you love me? Feed my sheep?”

Lord, help all who read this know that we must face life with your grace to grow and bear fruit for you. Let us not shrink from the spiritual battles at home and at work, but let us focus on helping the least and the lost of this world, in Jesus name.

Listen to Standing Steadfast in Christ>>

Filed Under: David Wilkerson, Pain and Hurt, Sermons, Trusting God, Work pressures

End of Your Loneliness

February 7, 2012 by standing

Loneliness is pervasive and deeply painful for many, no matter if they are divorced or married. Ironically, the lonely are a great company. John T. Cacioppo of the University of Chicago found that almost 25% of Americans feel chronically lonely. Above this authority, God Himself so identified the pain of loneliness it was the first thing in His creation He saw as flawed. In Genesis 2:18 He says, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Gary Wilkerson of the Springs Church in Colorado says there can be an end to your loneliness. Listen or watch.

Filed Under: Audio, Gary Wilkerson, Loneliness, Sermons, Video

Mourning the Loss of Eden – Looking Forward to Something Better

June 12, 2011 by standing

Songwriter Brandon Heath’s 2011 album Leaving Eden describes a very real thing all of us go through who have suffered the loss of our hopes and dreams at the hand of our own sin and that of others.

We tend to look upon our own losses, such as divorce and separation, as “our own thing” a private pain unique to us. However, what we need to see is that our loss is a part of the overall human loss suffered at the “ground zero” of sin, when Adam and Eve rebelled against God and had to leave Eden.

Christ, in addressing divorce in Matthew 19 reminds of that broken relationships and divorce was not part of God’s hope for us. Christ says “But it was not this way from the beginning.”

We need to mourn our losses and move on into forgiveness. The only way to move on from all this world of pain, brokeness, and heartache is to have a place to go that has the forgiveness we need. This place is Christ, and as David says in Psalm 9:9 “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” Christ has a plan for you and for all this world to make things right and to restore that which was taken by sin from our lives. He promises in Isaiah 61:3 to “to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Ultimately in Christ says “Behold, I am making all things new” Rev 21:5.

Filed Under: Music, Pain and Hurt, Waiting

When the Ship Sinks by David Wilkerson

February 11, 2011 by standing

In “When the Boat Sinks” David Wilkerson talks about when Paul’s ship to Rome sinks. The Lord will sometimes allow the thing we fear to happen – the divorce, the health crises, the death of a loved one. Yet like Paul’s ship, the very breakup is a vehicle the Lord uses to spread His salvation. From Paul’s ship sinking came a series of miracles: no people on the ship died, they all made it safely to shore, and they and many on the island where the ship sank saw miracles of healing in their midst through Paul.

So in our crises, the breakup between with our spouse can result in many testimonies for Jesus as we stand for restoration – no matter how long it takes.

When the Boat Sinks-David Wilkerson (mp3)

Filed Under: Audio, David Wilkerson, Fear, Sermons, Trusting God

God Will Restore All Your Wasted Years by David Wilkerson

December 8, 2010 by standing

You have wasted years. These may be years spent with the pain and regrets of broken relationships, years wasted in drugs or alcohol, or years wasted where you were far from God and not the husband or wife you should have been. Within these wasted years your life was eaten up by worms of sin, addiction, sadness, and brokenness.

Joel 1:4 What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten; what the great locusts have left the young locusts have eaten; what the young locusts have left other locusts have eaten.

When you come to Christ and repent, and let Him fill you up with His life, He will more than make up for these wasted years by an ever increasing Love from and for him. This will fill you up and will flow over to others, including prodigal spouses and broken family relationships. God can and will restore you and heal your broken relationships!

Joel 2:25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten– the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm — my great army that I sent among you.

Listen – David Wilkerson-God Will Restore All Your Wasted Years

For more information on David Wilkerson and his ministry please visit World Challenge >>

Filed Under: Audio, David Wilkerson, Pain and Hurt, Sermons, Waiting

Faith in the Waiting Room by Alistair Begg

December 7, 2010 by standing

Waiting for God to reconcile a relationship, to change another’s heart, to save a lost loved one, or to heal a sickness can be the most trying experience of your life. It is compounded by the voices of “reason” which are all around you among family, in the church. They say “Why wait? Get on with your life. Move on. Did God really tell you that he will restore?”

God wants more than anything to have your faith and trust. The age-old pattern is for God to have us wait upon him. In his wonderful Scottish brogue, Alistair Begg reviews the truth of faith that is shown in the lives of Abraham and Sarah. You may be pressured to take matters into your own hands, but the lesson is we will make a mess of things. Wait upon God, He will always be faithful and His outcome will always be best. Years may pass, but God’s word always comes true.

Listen- Alistair Begg-Faith-in-the-Waiting-Room

For more on Alistair Begg’s teachings, check out TruthforLife.org

Filed Under: Alistair Begg, Audio, Sermons, Trusting God, Waiting

Is Your God Big Enough? Stand Firm by Charlyne Steinkamp

December 2, 2010 by standing

If you have accepted Christ as your salvation, you are trusting Him to save you from death. But are you trusting Him with your life? You may say “There is no hope for my marriage – my spouse just keeps on rejecting. It is impossible. If you could only see how messed up things are” This is a lie. The word of God clearly teaches that God loves marriage, hates divorce, and can do the impossible, but we need to stand in faith.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mar 10:27

Please listen to the Charlyne Steinkamp’s message “Stand Firm.” Charlyne and her husband lived through separation, divorce, and so many marriage problems even the pastors in their church gave up! But God brought Charlyne back from hopelessness and she stood for her marriage and believed in the word the Lord gave her. God restored their marriage beautifully. God can heal broken marriages – just believe in what the word says and have faith:

Listen- Stand Firm – Charlyne Steinkamp

Please visit the Steinkamps ministry site Rejoice Marriage Ministries for so much more . . .

Filed Under: Audio, Charlyne Steinkamp, Forgiveness, Marriage, Revenge, Sermons, Trusting God, Waiting

Man’s Hour of Darkness is God’s Hour of Power by David Wilkerson

November 7, 2010 by standing

Man’s Hour of Darkness is God’s Hour of Power by David Wilkerson

Description:
The hour of God’s power manifests at the end of man’s resources. God is pleased to wait until all striving and human effort cease and your situation calls for nothing less than a miracle. God knows the day and the exact hour that He will intervene. In the midst of these dark seasons while we are waiting for Him to act trust that the Holy Spirit is standing by ready to take action. God is calling His people to abandon themselves to prayer and praise, believing that He is still on the Throne and He is in control! In the day of darkness Jesus Christ is still the light of the world!

Filed Under: Audio, David Wilkerson, Fear, Sermons, Trusting God, Waiting