Chris Burge Ministries' Podcast

We’re tempted to worry about lots of things in life. Some fall into the category of “Circle of Control,” and these are things that we really shouldn’t worry about because they’re things that we can immediately act on and control or influence the outcome. On the other hand, there are issues in our lives that belong in the “Circle of Concern.” These are the things we can’t control; nothing we do in the natural can change the outcome, and all we can do is pray. Here’s the tricky part: satan wants us to pray over the “Circle of Control” issues and wants us to take action over the “Circle of Concern” issues. Failing to discern the difference between situations in our lives that fall into these two Circles can lead to fatigue, stress, and anxiety. Joshua 7.10-11 So the Lord said to Joshua: “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they

With the internet, everything is so instant. We've trained ourselves to expect a response from our text message or email message the second we hit the "send" button. This has had a devastating impact on our children. Many of the qualities God wants develop in us such as character, patience, abiding in His presence are totally opposite from the impatient and disconnected mindset many children are developing. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

If you have any type of interaction with people, there will be moments of crossed signals and disagreements. One of the key abilities to possess, especially in marriage, is the ability to humble yourself and repair incidents in relationships. An apology is supposed to be motivated by love for the other person. 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Many of us know what it means to invest. Disinvesting it to withdraw from something that does not have a future. Mathew 10.14 says "And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet." In other words, Jesus was saying "disinvest"! Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?

Proverbs 15.15 in the Amplified version says: "All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances]." Catastrophizing is when you project in advance a negative spin on a situation. It is an overall negative attitude that will wear us down if not addressed.

Masturbation is something that many people have experimented with. And many don't believe there is anything wrong with it. A question that is often asked is "Is masturbation mentioned in the Bible?" The answer to that question is "no". Just because the word masturbation is not mentioned in the Bible as a sin does not mean that the behavior itself cannot be sinful… Matthew 5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Often times when you confront someone and you speak the truth in love they may experience pain. Just because their response is pain or hurt, it does not mean that you have done something wrong. A rageaholic is going to get angry when you confront them, and alcoholic is going to get angry when you talk about their drinking, a shopaholic is going to get angry when you talk about their spending. We all have to deal with people who are highly reactive, but we cannot allow them to discourage us from speaking the truth in love. Galatians 4:16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

For many of us, when we think of addiction, we often think of drugs, alcohol or sex. But did you know that in recent years with the advent of the internet, online shopping addiction has become a very pervasive problem? Some have used online shopping as a medication for loneliness insignificance, boredom, disappointments… Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

There are some vows that many people make early in life as a result of getting hurt or abused. If you have been hurt in a relationship, you can glean healing from a relationship. We understand that Jesus is the Healer and He oftentimes ministers through people… Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Very often women ask me "how can I make my husband the spiritual leader of our home?" Granted, there are far too many men who are not holding their own leaving the spiritual development of their household up their wives. However, wives need to guard against associating spiritual leadership with their husband being the best imitation of their pastor…

We've all have made choices that we wish we could change... Particularly when we find ourselves in a situation that seems like a dead-end. In this exciting podcast we look at the life of Levi and how he changed a curse on his life into a blessing simply by making a particular choice. If there's an area in your life where you need to make an 180 degree change, this teaching is a must-hear.

"Learned Helplessness" is a term that comes from an experiment in which mice were put in maze but there was no way out. After wandering around and trying to get out, but finding no escape route--no matter which way they went, the mice eventually gave up and stopped trying. But the deep thing is that when the mice were placed in a new maze with an exit, they remained hopeless and helpless and believed that there was no way out, even when the exit was right in front of them! Their belief system (based on past experience) told them that they didn't have any favorable options, so they simply gave up and quit trying. Unfortunately, "learned helplessness" affects humans, too. One of the most dangerous aspects of this syndrome is that people begin to see themselves as powerless and with out options or fruitful choices. I believe that satan wages spiritual warfare against folks and deceives us into a mindset of learned helplessness. But brothers and sisters, don't give up; don't g

We live in a society in which promises of how to "Increase or Maximize Your Motivation!" is big business. I'm not opposed to motivation as long as it has its roots in the bible. Far too many Christians are going through life with incorrect assumptions concerning what they can accomplish in life. Join me in an enlightening study as I debunk 5 assumptions about motivation that I believe have severely hampered Christians. The 5 assumptions are:"You can do anything you put your mind to.""If at first you don’t succeed try, try again.""Practice makes perfect.""If you can conceive it, you can achieve it.""If you can do it, I can do it, too."

I may be stepping on some toes but there is a serious addiction to PDAs and the internet. Can you imagine how much money we'd make if we earned a dollar for the number of times we look at our cellphones, check our messages, watch youtube videos, scroll through Facebook walls, and google everyday? The problem is the detrimental impulsiveness that's being developed in us. It is a direct attack on the love of God that is first and foremost patient. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails

John 8:44 says "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." This verse makes it very clear that when satan tells you something, it's the exact opposite of the truth. That's why it's imperative to be able to discern his voice from the voice of the Holy Spirit. In an attempt to derail us satan uses 5 foundational lies as the basis for every lie he tells us. Join us as we unpack these lies so that you no longer have to be a casualty of them.

One of the most common questions asked by Christians is: "How do I fulfill my purpose?" The answer to this question is one of the greatest yearnings in the hearts of saints. Far too often we are told to engage in spiritual activities like praying and fasting--which are important, but here are additional steps that you can use to become all God called you to be: Become excellent in your area of gifting. Find a venue where you can express that gift with regularity; Find role models whose style you feel is compatible with yours so you do not have to reinvent the wheel; Do something daily that makes you feel like you are getting closer to your dream; Invest in your gift: purchase books, CDs and DVDs ; take classes, attend seminars; Learn how to delay gratification; Understand the nature of the spiritual warfare associated with coming into your purpose.Proverbs 22:29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.

Many of you, our listening audience, know that I have a different role in the Body of Christ. I am a teacher, not a pastor. So I travel and speak in churches across the country, and have the unique opportunity to meet all kinds of people. And I'm amazed by the number of Christians I encounter who continue to engage in the same practices over and over that do not produce fruit. In this enlightening teaching I will share my observations and biblical wisdom so you don't have to make the same mistakes as your family, friends and colleagues. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified.

Many of you, our listening audience, know that I have a different role in the Body of Christ. I am a teacher, not a pastor. So I travel and speak in churches across the country, and have the unique opportunity to meet all kinds of people. And I'm amazed by the number of Christians I encounter who continue to engage in the same practices over and over that do not produce fruit. In this enlightening teaching I will share my observations and biblical wisdom so you don't have to make the same mistakes as your family, friends and colleagues.2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified.

Criticism is never fun, whether it's coming from a well-meaning saint or from someone satan is trying to use to demoralize you. The challenge is to use well-meaning criticism to grow and mature in our faith, while not allowing destructive criticism to derail us. This teaching will give you the tools to distinguish between the two. Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

We are living in a society that has institutionalized blame and these days, few people take responsibility for their actions. More and more, the younger generation is being taught by example that they don't have to own the consequences of their decisions. This is an extremely unfortunate and dangerous trend. Jesus taught us to take up our cross and follow Him. He wants us to live without excuses. The bible repeatedly brings up the topic of sowing and reaping; and the fact that we reap what we sow, so it's critical that we as a society embrace the causality of our actions. If not, we will all pay a very stiff price...Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.