Chris Burge Ministries' Podcast

We should never wait on the Lord passively. From a biblical perspective "to wait on the Lord" means to "look for, and eagerly" wait for His help. The bible promises that when we wait on the Lord the following will occur; we will gain new strength, have a different perspective, and increase our endurance. Join me in this perspective-changing prayer and learn what it means to wait on the Lord. Isaiah 40.31: But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

The word depress means to sink beneath the level of what something should be. So if your job, finances, or health are beneath the level you think they should be, depression can creep into your life. Depression can occur when your emotions come to the conclusion that they don’t have what it takes to deal with a situation you're confronted with. Depression usually has 5 phases: it usually starts with disappointment; then it grows into discouragement; then it matures into depression; and if you're not careful, it will grow into despondency; and ultimately, despair. The enemy’s goal is to have disappointment mushroom into despair, so be sure to catch disappointment early and take authority over it. And remember God's goal is for you to know that you are loved beyond measure. 2 Corinthians 7.6: Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus

When you're in a season of transition it can be one of the toughest periods in your life. We see this in the life of Jesus. After He was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, the next major event in His life was an attack by satan in the wilderness, and satan came against Jesus three times. If you're in a season of transition, don’t be overwhelmed if you're experiencing attacks from the enemy--it's simply satan’s attempt to prevent you from making progress. James 4.7: Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

The 91st Psalm is one of the most powerful chapters in the Bible and its primary themes of safety and protection are common to us all. God is a kind and loving Father and He desires to protect us, and He uses the Holy Spirit to warn us of danger. God also provides angelic protection, and He uses our fellow believers to speak a Word to us in season. God always has our back! Psalm 91.1-2: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

All of us have experienced seasons of loneliness. We were created by God to be connect-ed to other people; it's unhealthy to be disconnected from community. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to loneliness--sometimes it's self-imposed, other times we're simply in environments where people do not share our value system. In either case, being in community is absolutely essential to a healthy Christian walk. James 5.16: Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

One of the greatest benefits in the life of a Christian is that self-control is a Fruit of the Spirit. Every addiction is an attempt to make bad feelings go away, and overeating is just the same. But God does not want us indulging in vices or bad habits to feel better, He wants us to come to Him and allow His Spirit to minister and heal us. 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.

One of the greatest attributes of the Holy Spirit is His ability to transform our desires, once we submit them to him. The bible is crystal clear that there is the Fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh and both are in constant tension trying to manifest themselves. As our minds are renewed God literally transforms our desires so that they are pleasing to him. Romans 12.1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Man is made in the image of God, so when people are hurt by domestic violence, God hurts, too. Domestic violence can be physical, emotional, or verbal, but regardless of the type--all domestic abuse is unacceptable, and breaks the heart of our Heavenly Father. Genesis 1.27: So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Self-image and self-esteem are buzz words that get tossed about all the time in our day and age. But in truth we should not seek to have self-esteem, but God-esteem. God wants us to be God-conscious, not self-conscious. God wants us to draw our identity from Him, not the world and social norms and customs. Human appraisal is very fickle and can change on a dime. God-esteem is un-changing. His esteem is fixed in stone and will serve you well as you go through life! 2 Corinthians 5:16: Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.

Seasons of confusion can be especially frustrating. Your mind can be torn apart by questions, and doubts can rob you of your peace. But God wants you to know that He is not the author of confusion and if you keep your mind on Him, He will keep you in perfect peace. Isaiah 26.3: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

Being in an unequally yoked marriage can be incredibly challenging. Many find themselves growing in relationship with God and love the things of God but are unable to share with their spouse. This can lead to tremendous frustration. God wants you to know that your life in Him can be a tremendous witness to your spouse! 1 Corinthians 7.16: For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

Your workplace can be a place where you spend eight to twelve hours a day and if this is not where you want to be, the frustration level can be unbearable. Particularly when you feel trapped as your natural gifting is not utilized. You can turn this frustration into an opportunity to be a witness, work on your character, or be faithful in that which is another man's. Rest assured when the time is right God will provide you with a way of escape. Philippians 1.12: But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel...

God has provided families as a place where people can experience love and learn important life lessons. Unfortunately Satan wants to create division and confusion. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God can bind the family together despite the most difficult of circumstances. Ephesians 4.1-3: I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

One of the most challenging things is watching your elder parents age. In the beginning of your life you counted on them and now they are counting on you. Seeing them in this vulnerable position can be difficult and humiliating to them. You can trust and believe that Our Father God has empowered you to serve them and help them maintain their dignity and honor. Proverbs 3.27: Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.

Have the cares and problems of life burdened you with stress and anxiety and therefore robbing you of peace? Remember that peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit! Jesus wants you to walk in the peace that only He can give. The peace that surpasses all understanding. 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; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The emotional aftermath for women who have had abortions can be devastating as their hearts are torn apart and the mental agony can be overwhelming. God wants you to know that He is close to those with a broken heart, and he can restore your joy and peace if you will give Him a chance. Psalm 34.18: The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Worrying can have a negative effect on your health, making you tired, stressed, speed up the aging process and sometimes more prone to depression. When you worry, your body responds to your anxiety the same way it would react to physical arm. Philippians 4.6: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Low self-esteem is something that plagues far too many people in our society. God does not want us to have self-esteem, rather he wants us to have Christ esteem and draw our worth from our relationship with Him. Colossians 2.10: and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Have you ever been burned in a relationship? Most of us have. The challenge is to not completely withdraw from people as a whole. In order to move forward after you have been hurt, you must know the difference between forgiveness, reconciliation, and trust. The Holy Spirit wants to help you make that distinction! 2 Corinthians 5.18: Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

There is a huge difference between "going" through adversity and "advancing" through adversity. The enemy wants you to think that facing adversity is synonymous with loss, defeat and failure. And since adversity is a fact of life; there is no hope. DO NOT BELIEVE THIS LIE! You can indeed live life as more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. Proverbs 24.10: If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.