Chris Burge Ministries' Podcast

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.

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.

There is a common belief in many Christian circles that the only growth that matters is spiritual growth. So you wind up with Christians who know bible facts, but don't know how to balance a checkbook. (The old folks would say such people were "so spiritually minded that they're of no earthly good.") In this teaching we will look at the life of Jesus from Luke 2:52. It is clear from this passage that the Holy Spirit had a broader and more comprehensive definition of growth, and we will examine the four components He outlined. Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

One of satan’s fundamental lies is that it's too late, or too much time has passed for your to accomplish your purpose. This sentiment can be incredibly demoralizing if we accept it as fact; as the final conclusion of our lives. It's critical that we live with an awareness that God can use grace and favor to eradicate any mistake that we have ever made. If we will just trust Him, God will turn beauty into ashes, restore what the locusts have stolen, and give us a new beginning--at any stage of our lives. Come join us as we look at both bible characters and contemporary people who accomplished great things in the second half of their lives. Listen, and glean the insights they have to share.

We live in a culture that is sexually obese. Sex comes at us from every angle and many have fallen prey to the world defining their sexual experience rather than God who created sex in the first place. The world has deceived people into thinking that sex can only be appreciated when adrenalized meaning when there is a risky, taboo or vile component associated with it. This is devastating for marriages as they can only be sustained through connected sex which is about valuing the other person rather than objectifying them. Proverbs 5:15-19 Drink water from your own cistern And fresh water from your own well. Should your springs be dispersed abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be yours alone and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth. As a loving hind and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times;Be exhilarated always with her love.

You can have a God concept where God is all powerful and then go through something like a divorce and develop a God image where is cruel and uncaring. satan is constantly trying to do things to change our God image. The enemy can't dethrone God in heaven but he endeavors to dethrone Him in our mind. We want to be very wise about this. Our God image needs to be consistent with our God concept. James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

There are three statements that if stated in love can dramatically improve the course of your life: "I was wrong", "I made a mistake" and "I've changed my mind". The Bible has much to say about pride and its dangers. But Its amazing how we can easily lock ourselves in our positions without considering the consequences they can cause. Let's remember that pride comes before destruction. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

All of us know what it is like to trust God for things such as needs and wants being met. However, true character is developed when one knows how to trust God regardless of the situation and regardless of the outcome. Our trust in God should not be a means to an end. We should just trust Him because He is trustworthy. He is God. He is our Father. Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter.If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

How are you doing in these 4 areas? Your connection with God, your connection with people, your connection with reality and your connection with the present. The more connected you are with God, the more you will connect well you connect with the other areas of your life… John 15:1-4 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

There is a very dangerous phenomenon and that is the feminization of men. When I say feminization I mean that we are living in a generation where an alarming number boys are growing up in a single-parent household and are being raised by single women. There is a number of unintended consequences for this phenomenon. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NASB) say "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Stand firm act like men." This verse is powerful because in this day and age if you tell a young man to act like a man very few of them have a biblical template they can follow. Consequently, if they do not have a role model to follow most men will create their own. This is where things can get very dangerous because, in most cases, these individuals are taking their cues from pop culture and not the Bible. One of the godliest men in the Bible is Boaz out of the book of Ruth. We will glean lessons from his life that all men should follow.

It is critical for singles to use their time wisely. If you are single, I'd encourage you to run as hard as you can after the things of God and if you see someone of the opposite sex keeping up with you, give them a second look! It is important for singles to get rid of any baggage they may have as marriage is a mirror that will only amplify their current state that they're in. Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

It is critical for singles to use their time wisely. If you are single, I'd encourage you to run as hard as you can after the things of God and if you see someone of the opposite sex keeping up with you, give them a second look! It is important for singles to get rid of any baggage they may have as marriage is a mirror that will only amplify their current state that they're in. Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

The enemy wants us to believe that God's word does not work and we are stupid to keep living by it. He wants us to believe that God is not good and does not care about us; that God does not support our dreams and desires and so we must rebel to make them come true. However, we are called to be BELIEVERS not debaters. And the enemy is called the father of lies. He will use our feelings & circumstances to have us question God's character. John 8:44 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.

The enemy wants us to believe that God's word does not work and we are stupid to keep living by it. He wants us to believe that God is not good and does not care about us; that God does not support our dreams and desires and so we must rebel to make them come true. However, we are called to be BELIEVERS, not debaters. And the enemy is called the father of lies. He will use our feelings & circumstances to have us question God's character. John 8:44 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.

3 John 2 says: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” In my judgment, this is one of the most impactful, yet most misunderstood passages in the Bible. This verse makes it clear that there is a direct relationship between how you prosper as a person and how your soul is prospering. In this teaching, we will examine the components of the soul: the mind; will; emotions; intellect; reasoning; memories; affection; and imagination, and look at how you are using each of these respective components to prosper in your life. 

3 John 2 says: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” In my judgment, this is one of the most impactful, yet most misunderstood passages in the Bible. This verse makes it clear that there is a direct relationship between how you prosper as a person and how your soul is prospering. In this teaching, we will examine the components of the soul: the mind; will; emotions; intellect; reasoning; memories; affection; and imagination, and look at how you are using each of these respective components to prosper in your life. 

3 John 2 says: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” In my judgment, this is one of the most impactful, yet most misunderstood passages in the Bible. This verse makes it clear that there is a direct relationship between how you prosper as a person and how your soul is prospering. In this teaching, we will examine the components of the soul: the mind; will; emotions; intellect; reasoning; memories; affection; and imagination, and look at how you are using each of these respective components to prosper in your life. 

3 John 2 says: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” In my judgment, this is one of the most impactful, yet most misunderstood passages in the Bible. This verse makes it clear that there is a direct relationship between how you prosper as a person and how your soul is prospering. In this teaching, we will examine the components of the soul: the mind; will; emotions; intellect; reasoning; memories; affection; and imagination, and look at how you are using each of these respective components to prosper in your life. 

Most people who know me also know that my favorite bible character is Joseph. In Genesis 39 we read that Joseph was falsely accused of sexual misconduct, and he ended up in prison. The prison test is when you do the right thing, and the wrong thing happens to you. Whether we like to admit it or not, if we are honest, there are seasons of life that do not make sense. It is during these times we need to exercise patience and perseverance. This is why Galatians 6:9 states: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Patience is waiting with contentment. Another definition for patience is “cheerful endurance.” You see, you can have patience in the short term, but the longer you wait, that patience must transition into perseverance. Perseverance is fighting the battle, while you are waiting with contentment. When we exercise patience and perseverance we make ourselves candidates for God’s best!

Most people who know me also know that my favorite bible character is Joseph. In Genesis 39 we read that Joseph was falsely accused of sexual misconduct, and he ended up in prison. The prison test is when you do the right thing, and the wrong thing happens to you. Whether we like to admit it or not, if we are honest, there are seasons of life that do not make sense. It is during these times we need to exercise patience and perseverance. This is why Galatians 6:9 states: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Patience is waiting with contentment. Another definition for patience is “cheerful endurance.” You see, you can have patience in the short term, but the longer you wait, that patience must transition into perseverance. Perseverance is fighting the battle, while you are waiting with contentment. When we exercise patience and perseverance we make ourselves candidates for God’s best!