Chris Burge Ministries' Podcast

One of the worst things a woman can experience is a miscarriage. And because the woman had already started to bond with the child, a miscarriage can make her mind and emotions reel. Often I'll hear a woman say, "There must have been something that I could have done to prevent it." Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world but God wants you to know that if you give Him a chance, He will help you get past the pain, and there will be brighter days ahead.

In this era of social media when people are constantly on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, it's very easy to get in contact with old flames. But re-connecting in this way is a very dangerous practice. I read a statistic that says that the word "Facebook" now appears in one-third of all divorce proceedings. Initially it may seem harmless to re-connect with someone from our past, but we have to be very careful because an emotional connection always precedes a physical connection. And, an emotional affair is just as much of a sin as a physical affair. God wants to protect you and help you guard you heart and mind. If you will submit to Him, He will give you a check in your spirit to stop you from falling prey to dangerous temptations. 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.

One of the most sobering realities that we have to deal with is the fact that friendships don’t always last forever. It stings when someone you thought would be your friend forever hurts and betrays you. You wake up one day and realize the relationship has been severed, and as you reflect on how much you invested in the person you're hurt and puzzled that they could just turn their back and walk away from the friendship. In the aftermath of a severed relationship, one of the biggest temptations is to try to protect yourself from getting hurt again, so you make yourself unavailable to people, and you start to isolate yourself. The problem is that the same prison bars that lock others out, keep you locked in. But God has a better plan, He wants to help you heal, and bring new relationships across your path. Isaiah 43:18-19 Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wi

Being a single mother is one of the most challenging jobs in our society today. Single Moms have the tedious job of being both mother and breadwinner and many feel as if they aren't doing either job well. Most are in desperate need of support and encouragement; they simply need a break to have some time for themselves. If you're a single Mom, God understands your situation, and desires to provide you the relief you so desperately need. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Today we live in a society that has actually institutionalized blame, and as a result, very few people take responsibility for their actions. Instead they blame others for the situation that they find themselves in, and for Christians this mindset is unbiblical. The bible in-structs us to take up our cross and follow Him. Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Maturity starts when we stop making excuses and start making changes. Whoever you blame, you empower.

These days, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by world events; currently we are seeing groups like ISIS killing Christians. But the fact of the matter is that throughout the bible God has dealt with wicked world leaders. Just as Judas had his role to play, in an odd and strange way these wicked world leaders all ultimately fit into God's plan. Now let's be clear. God did not send them here to be evil, but their actions are ultimately working together to bring the second coming of our Lord. I will be the first to admit that this is a difficult idea to wrap our minds around, but our challenge is to pray for world events and the individuals, families and communities who have experienced great pain as well as the perpetrators. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptabl

One of the hardest concepts for us to get our minds around is the fact that life has not been perfect since Genesis 2. We live in a world where we have an enemy called satan who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. On top of that, man has free will--which he has used to make some terrible decisions. If we aren't careful, we could allow these issues to overwhelm us, but God does not want us in a state of panic. Instead he wants us to do whatever we can to make this world a better place in spite of what's going on around us. Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor

In my judgment the greatest decision one can make is to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. For those of us who have loved ones that have not yet made this decision; it's one of our greatest desires that they would join us in our faith. The bible instructs us that we should pray for people to come across their path and witness to them. In addition we can pray that the conviction of the Holy Spirit would overwhelm them and cause them to become exhausted from trying to life on their own terms. Luke 10:2 He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest

Are you aware that one of the most valuable commodities you have in life is time? Think about it: everything you have in life you traded time for. You traded time for your education. You traded time for your relationships. If you're in good physical shape it's because you traded time for that, too! Consequently, the enemy wants to get you involved in procrastination so that you literally waste away your life. Join me in this prayer to stop procrastinating and let's get to work! Ephesians 5:16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. AMP

One of the most honest statements I've ever heard is: “Everybody wants to get to heaven , but nobody wants to die.” Even though most folks don't like to admit it, fear of dying is a common theme for many people...even some Christians. 2 Corinthians 4:16 says "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." From the time we come out of our mother's womb we are in a continuous state of aging until we reach full maturity. Once this occurs the reality is that we're in a state of physical decline. This verse promises us that despite what is going on in our bodies our spirit man can become stronger--even as we move closer to the end of our lives here on earth.

One of the cornerstones of the Christian faith is forgiveness, and the fact that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has forgiven us of our sins. Most of us understand the importance of forgiving others, but have you considered the importance of forgiving yourself? Mark 11:25-26 "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." This verse suggests that if you don't forgive yourself, you’re hindering your relationship with the Father. Our Heavenly Father does not want you bound by past mistakes, because whom the Son has set free is free indeed.

One of the more challenging things an individual can face is dealing with the dysfunction of their biological family. But God gave us our spiritual family to make up for what our nuclear family is incapable of giving us. God wants to make sure that we never use someone else's irresponsibility as an excuse for our own irresponsible behavior. He wants us to know that we don't have to accept and then pass on the negative tendencies and generational curses of our ancestors. God wants us to know that when we say yes to Jesus, when we believe in Him we are a new creation, so the negative proclivities that exist in our family don't have any control over us!. Jesus wipes the slate clean and is the catalyst for creating new behavior in us! 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

One of the principles that is crystal clear in the bible is that God wants us to trust Him and Him alone. A person who is co-dependent is seeking to find their identity in another person. In some cases the person is so dependent on another person that they don’t realized they are being manipulated or controlled...or they are doing the manipulating and controlling. God wants us to trust in Him completely and when we look to another person to find our identity we are in direct violation of His commandments. Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

For many people, one of the most challenging aspects of daily life is their work environment. Most people spend eight to ten hours a day at work, and often find themselves working for a very difficult boss. He may not share their faith, he may be overbearing--suffice to say, there are plenty of opportunities to have our character tested. But, if we will live with the mindset that we are working unto God and not man, God will empower us to get through even the most challenging work situations. Colossians 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.

I read a stunning statistic: As much as 80% of a person's unhappiness can be caused by another person. Imagine if you're married to that person? Or if you work for them? Without question, interpersonal relationships can be the most challenging thing to deal with in life, especially if a person close to you violates your trust. Trust is the cornerstone of any relationship and where there's no trust, there's no relationship. If you've experienced the hurt or pain of having someone you trusted violate your trust, allow God to heal you, and show you the path to new, right relationships. He will guide you into the most important relationship of all, your relationship with Him. Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

Let's be honest; one of the most challenging things in life is trying to heal after you've made a really stupid decision. In retrospect you look back and you ask yourself, "What was I thinking? How come I did not see the warning signs?" But we have to have mercy and compassion on ourselves and forgive ourselves and realize that everyone makes mistakes and God does not want us to define our entire life by a poor decision. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

One of the saddest things in life is when a person attempts suicide because you know that the person's level of shame is so high that they've lost all hope. But as Christians we should have faith, because we serve a God of hope. We serve a God who has the ability to turn around any situation. The only person who should be hopeless in a situation is satan because he knows his future. For the rest of us, let's give God a chance and watch Him do what He does best, and that's turn ashes into beauty! Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The news that a couple is expecting a baby is some of the most exciting news a husband and wife can receive. Unfortunately, at some point during the pregnancy the couple may receive some negative news, and this can be gut-wrenching because you feel as if you're responsible for protecting a defenseless child. But it's during such moments that you can-not give into a spirit of fear. Instead the parents and family members must completely turn their trust over to the Lord. God does not want you weighed down in anxiety, rather He wants you to enter into His rest. Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

One of the things that cuts deep is when a dream or desire is delayed. It can be very difficult to press forward when it seems as if the thing you desire most is not coming to pass. Particularly when you are looking around and it appears as if everyone around you is accomplishing their goals or having their dreams fulfilled. This can be very demoralizing, but the Message bible has something very powerful to say: Proverbs 13:12 Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around. (Message) This verse tells us that all you need is one good break, and it can turn your life around! Just one good break! So the challenge is that when the dream is not coming to pass keep pressing forward and live with the realization that you are just one good break away from having your life turned around!

One of the things that I love about the early church in the book of Acts is that they were bold about their faith! Notice I did not say arrogant, or loud, but bold. God wants us to be bold in sharing our faith, bold in what we believe God for, and He wants us to boldly love people. We live in a society in which people are very aggressive about pushing their agendas, yet we as Christians can be so passive. I heard an alarming statistic that states that the average Christian will only lead between 1.5 to 2 Christians to the Lord in their entire lifetime. This is sad, but I know we can do better than this. We must remember that God has commanded us to be bold and courageous and that He goes with us wherever we go! Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.