Greg Laurie: A New Beginning

Some statements can carry tremendous meaning. Some can be life-changing. Statements like “not guilty” . . . “you’re cancer-free” . . . “it’s a boy!” Imagine NOT sharing one of those statements with those who needed to hear it. Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out the privilege and responsibility of sharing a message that could affect where someone spends eternity. We’ll consider the Gospel, and how it offers us a second chance. Looking for hope or know someone who is? Join Greg Laurie at the Harvest Crusade: Hope for America on November 16! Get event information here. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ. Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupport See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even in the face of fear and uncertainty, God is by your side as you walk toward His calling. We see that through the life of Gideon, a man from the smallest clan and the least in his family, yet led by God to do great things on His behalf. Notes: Focus verse - Judges 6 It seems like our culture has been turned upside down. Isaiah 5:20–21 Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. When culture is upside down, hearts are anxious. 84% of Gen Z say they feel anxious or stressed regularly. 1 in 3 adults say they lose sleep over finances. Nearly 70% of Americans say the future makes them afraid. Top fears include failure, rejection, loneliness, global conflict, and health. We will look at a man named Gideon who was really afraid when Jesus came to him. He was hiding from his enemies, the Midianites. Jesus turns fearful into faithful, hiding into fighting, and panic into purpose. Things were really turned upside down in the days of the book of Judges. Judges 17:6 (NLT) In those days Israel had no king; so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. God raised up 13 judges to guide His people through this difficult time. The book of Joshua is the story of conquest. While Judges is a book of unbelief and disobedience. Joshua is a book about people uniting around one man to lead them, Joshua Judges is about “everyone doing what was right in their own eyes.” But whatever and wherever the time, Jesus will show up. Don’t just pray when you are in crisis. Remember also to thank God when things are going well. James 5:13 (NIV) Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. This was a time of crisis for Israel. It was the year 1256 b.c. Approximately 200 years had passed since Joshua had led the Israelites. They did not drive all the Canaanites out and they lived to regret it. The same can be true in our lives as Christians. 200 years later the Canaanites regained strength and began to dominate the Israelites. As Judges, chapter 6 opens, we see the Israelites living under the power of the Midianites. Israel was living in despair, and finally they called out to God to deliver them, and Jesus shows up. Jesus meets fearful people where they hide. As our story begins, we find Gideon hiding from his enemies. Hardly a picture of heroism and courage. Read Judges 6:11–14 Gideon wanted to know why this difficulty was happening. He had heard about the “good old days” but where was God now? Judges 6:13 “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? “ The Christian life is full of difficult questions. 1 Corinthians 13:12 “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely.” So often we are looking for an answer to the why question when it is about a Who. As in, “Who do I turn to?” The answer to that question is Jesus. This was not a mere angel (as powerful as they are) this was Jesus. Why is this a Christophany instead an angelic appearance? The speaker at first is called, “The angel of the Lord.” But then the narrative shifts and simply calls Him, “The LORD (YHWH).” The messenger says, “I am sending you.” Judges 6:14 He uses the first-person pronoun and assumes divine authority. Gideon realizes he has seen God. Judges 6:22 When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he cried out, “Oh Sovereign Lord, I’m doomed! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” Judges 6:15 (NLT) "But Lord," Gideon replied, "how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!" Another...

Pastor Greg Laurie explores the book of Revelation for answers on what we will do in Heaven. Looking for hope or know someone who is? Join Greg Laurie at the Harvest Crusade: Hope for America on November 16! Get event information here. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ. Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupport See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

God can use just about anybody to share the Gospel. He can use a former shoe salesman . . . such as D.L. Moody. He can use a young dairy farmer . . . such as Billy Graham. Or use an aimless young high school kid looking for answers . . . such as Greg Laurie. The Bible is full of people whom God used in surprising ways. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg points out the time is right for God to use you. What’s holding you back from saying yes to what the Lord has in mind? Looking for hope or know someone who is? Join Greg Laurie at the Harvest Crusade: Hope for America on November 16! Get event information here. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ. Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupport See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1860, the Pony Express could deliver a letter from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California in just 10 days. Now, we can send a document around the world in a split second. We have such capacity for delivering information, but Pastor Greg Laurie is concerned we’re not delivering the best information. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, he launches a study in Jonah. And we’ll see that we’re to deliver the Good News faithfully and dependably, no horsing around. Looking for hope or know someone who is? Join Greg Laurie at the Harvest Crusade: Hope for America on November 16! Get event information here. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and guide you to success in your walk with Christ. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes we may think that our effort, by itself, does count for much. Maybe we’re the only believer in our family . . . or the only Christian at work . . . or the only one in our group of friends at school. The odds are against us. Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie takes us to one of the most encouraging stories in the Old Testament. We’ll catch up with a military leader about to fight a battle, when God told him to send most of his army home so that God alone would get credit for the victory. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s say you want to sell your car. You think it’s worth about 10 thousand dollars. But right away, someone pays you 15 thousand dollars. Sold! So what was your car worth? Well, it was worth what the buyer was willing to pay. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings us some encouraging insights on OUR worth based on the One who purchased us with the blood of His only begotten Son. And given our real worth, we’ll see how the Lord has equipped us for real Kingdom work. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He didn’t restore sight to just one eye. He didn’t feed most of the 5,000. He didn’t calm the storm on only half the Sea of Galilee. And He didn’t give part of His life on the cross to pay for some of our sins. As someone has said, “Sin had left a crimson stain, and He didn’t wash it light pink.” Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how Jesus gave His all . . . and the only appropriate response from us is to give our all. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may be facing your own Jericho now—a wall that looks too high, too impossible. But before God tears down walls around you, He often wants to bring down walls within you. See how true victory is claimed in this message. Notes: Focus verse - Joshua 5 The Israelites didn’t believe God would provide for them. God proved He was able to provide, and He was teaching them to depend on Him. God proved Himself faithful. The nation listened to the fearful majority instead of the faithful minority. Because of unbelief, an eleven-day journey turned into forty years of wandering. Joshua encounters a Man with a drawn sword— the Commander of the Lord’s Armies. Read Joshua 5 1. They Put God First. Joshua 5:1–3 Joshua 4:13 (NLT) These armed men—about 40,000 strong—were ready for battle, and the LORD was with them as they crossed over to the plains of Jericho. Isaiah 55:8 (ESV) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:9 (ESV) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. The most important thing Joshua could do as a leader was submit to the Lord. The cutting away of the flesh is key to a relationship with God. Our flesh is what hinders intimacy with God. Romans 2:29 (NLT) True circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Joshua’s obedience and submission to God was the very secret of their success. Joshua was not preparing for battle. He was preparing for victory. 2. They Remembered The Lord’s Faithfulness. Joshua 5:10–12 The feast that marked their deliverance from Egypt now marks their arrival in the land God promised. God is victorious. Deuteronomy 20:4, 1 Corinthians 15:57, Romans 8:37, Proverbs 21:31 Remember God’s victories and remind yourself of what Christ has done for you. God’s primary goal for the Israelites was to teach them to depend upon Him. God renews His people’s hearts, reminds them of His faithfulness, and then reveals His presence. Before the Commander appears, the covenant must be renewed. 3. Joshua Meets Jesus. Joshua 5:13–15 Exodus 33:15 (NKJV) "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.” Read Joshua 6:1–3 The pathway to success is by dependence on the Lord. --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor Greg Laurie delivers a message on the power of forgiveness. -- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s the best way to chart a course for a successful Christian life over the long haul? We might ask someone who’s walked that path over the long haul. There’s no discounting the wisdom that comes with experience. Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie looks back over the past 50 years of ministry at his home church, Harvest Christian Fellowship. The Lord has blessed, but it hasn’t always been easy. So today he offers some good perspective for all of us on the path of faith. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever been caught in gridlock? Maybe you’re trying to get out of the parking lot of a large sporting event. You’re stuck. You can go forward, you can’t back up, you can’t go to the right or the left. Only thing you can do is...look up. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie takes us to a time of challenge in the history of the Israelites. They needed help. They were stuck. They looked up, and God came through. We’ll see what lessons we can learn for our own spiritual gridlock. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all gotten used to spam calls, right? We can sometimes see them coming. Maybe we don’t answer the phone. If we do, we have our way of ending the call as quickly as possible. When the Devil comes calling, some of us forget all those defensive techniques. We sit there and listen to his sales pitch. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie returns to our series in Joshua with some practical advice on saying no to our enemy no matter how tempting his offer. Join us for the Harvest Crusade: Hope for America on November 16! Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special effects companies are masters at building small models of railroads or high rises or mountain ranges. But in the movie theater, they seem huge – they fill the screen! Could it be that our problems only LOOK big? Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us see our challenges through the lens of faith. And we’ll see, whether our problems are small or big or incalculable, nothing’s too hard for the Lord. Glad you’re along for our series in Joshua. Join us for the Harvest Crusade: Hope for America on November 16! Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kids learn early on the playground that if a bully is bigger than them, it’s good to have a friend who’s bigger than the bully. A bully who’s met his match is no longer a threat. Well as Pastor Greg just said, greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Our adversary is no match for our Almighty God. We stand in victory when we stand with the Lord. A good lesson on that today on A NEW BEGINNING as Pastor Greg continues his series: Joshua: Living in the Land of Promises. Join us for the Harvest Crusade: Hope for America on November 16! Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes you pray... and nothing happens. You’re asking for something good, but God isn’t budging. What’s happening? You might be wrestling with God. Maybe He’s been leading you to do something—and you’ve resisted... You won’t let Him into that one area of your life. You won’t break off that relationship that drains you spiritually. You won’t give up that habit that drags you down. You’re afraid to take that step of faith. Remember Jonah? God said, “Go.” Jonah said, “No.” And God said, “Oh?” If that’s you—you’re not alone. Even Jacob wrestled with God. His struggle began with resisting and ended with resting. He stopped fighting and started clinging—saying, “I will not let You go until You bless me.” Pastor Greg Laurie shares more in this message. Notes: Focus verse - Genesis 32 God’s plans are better than ours. Have you ever prayed and prayed for something, and no answer came? The Bible urges us to bring our needs to God. Philippians 4:6 (NKJV) Wrestling with God is not necessarily a bad thing. “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right." —Abraham Lincoln Hosea 12:3 (NLT) Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God. Hosea 12:4 (NLT) Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. There at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him. Jesus is the Passover lamb in Exodus; in Numbers, He is the bronze serpent lifted up. A Christophany is an appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament. Jacob was wrestling with Jesus Himself. Genesis 25:23 (NKJV) And the LORD said to her: "Two nations are in your womb, … And the older shall serve the younger." Psalm 139:14,16 The meaning of Jacob’s name is heel-catcher, contender, supplanter, grabber. God does not just see you for what you are, but for what you can become. God sees things differently than we do. We see failure, God sees potential. We see the past, God sees the future. We see sin, God sees restoration. Time showed that Jacob was a righteous man and Esau was an ungodly man. It’s not about how we start this race in life but how we finish it. It was not an easy road for Jacob, and that was his own fault. Hebrews 12:16 (NLT) Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. When we get tired of praying, we start scheming, and we make a mess of things. Rebecca sent Jacob to visit her brother, Laban. On the way there, Jacob had an encounter with God. All Jacob had to do was wait on God’s timing. Jacob met his match in his uncle Laban. The trickster met the trickster extraordinaire. We reap what we sow. Christians should try to live in peace with people. Romans 12:18 God meets us at whatever level He finds us and lifts us to where He wants us to be. God will come to you in just the right way. Hebrews 4:16 Read Genesis 32:24–30 Jacob was wrestling with Jesus Christ. We need to get away from all the distractions of life and get alone with God. When you get to the end of yourself, you get to the beginning of God. Now, instead of fighting with God, Jacob is clinging to Him. In surrender to God’s plan, Jacob found what he always wanted, the very blessing he asked God for. We win by losing. Luke 17:33 Genesis 32:28 (NLT) "Your name will no longer be Jacob," the man told him. "From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won." "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." —Corrie Ten Boom Are you running from God? The good news is God is running to you. Join us for the Harvest Crusade: Hope for America on November 16! --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest...

We don’t take our young kids to the shoe store to learn to tie their shoes. We don’t take them to the dentist to learn to brush their teeth. W e don’t take them to a nutritionist to learn to eat their vegetables. No, there are certain things parents teach their kids. It’s just part of being a parent. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out those things that go along with being a Christian parent . . . namely to pass along our faith . . . to train them up in the way of the Lord . . . to disciple them. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we go to a restaurant we’ve never been to before, do we test the chair before we sit down? Do we send the main course for chemical analysis before we take a bite? When we give our credit card to pay, do we follow the server to the register to make sure it’s not charged inappropriately? We exercise a certain amount of faith everyday. And coming up on A NEW BEGINNING. Pastor Greg Laurie helps us exercise our faith in the God of the universe, the One who loves us and only has plans for good and not to harm us. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Christian life has been compared to a race. And it certainly is that. But given the opposition we often face, it could also be compared to an obstacle course. It’s a tough assignment to “run to win” when our adversary is trying to trip us up and stop us in our tracks. Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie offers biblical advice on keeping our focus and priorities where they should be. God can give us the spiritual power, but we need supply the determination to succeed. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes, we can face impossible situations. It seems there’s no way out, and no way through. Well, God can make a way where there seems to be no way. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us lean on the care of our loving God. Glad you’re along for a series called Joshua: Living in the Land of Promises. Maybe you need God’s help today. Or maybe you really don’t; you’ll need God’s help tomorrow. So stay tuned and learn how to come to God when He’s your only option. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.