Chris Burge Ministries' Podcast

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 rage-aholic 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 there 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…

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

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The word "father" should be a term of endearment. Unfortunately for far too many people the word "father" brings up images of an angry distant man who never expressed their love for them. All of us yearn to have a male figure looking over our shoulder letting us know that he's proud of us. When this doesn't happen it can leave a big void in your life. Be encouraged. God wants you to know that He wants to be your loving Father and He does not want you to have an orphan spirit. If you'll give God a chance, He'll give you everything your biological father failed to give you! Matthew 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

The aftermath of a divorce or separation can really be a shock. A person finds himself or herself suddenly single again and in a new season. For many folks the dissolution of their marriage was not their choice--perhaps they were betrayed by their spouse and are dealing with shame and embarrassment. But just because your marriage was a casualty, doesn't mean your life has to be!

One of the things that men often confide in me is that they are finding their hearts disconnected from their wives. This is very dangerous, because emotional affairs usually precede physical affairs. As husbands, we must never allow ourselves to be in a situation where we find ourselves energized by a women who is not our wife. If we do fall into such circumstances, we must immediately enlist the help of the Holy Spirit as well the assistance of our spiritual brothers. It's critical that we do not allow these feelings of disconnectedness to our wives degenerate into an action we will regret for the rest of our lives. 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Molestation is one of the saddest phenomena in our society. As the father to two young girls, I have come to the realization that one of my primary jobs is to protect my daughters from sexual predators. Statistics tell us that 1 out of 3 girls and 1 out of 6 boys are violated sexually. This is beyond sad. Matthew 18:6 says "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” God wants to manifest Himself in your life as Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals you stitch by stitch. Regardless of what you've been through God can give you beauty for ashes! Give Him an opportunity today!