Wood that’s been split and sawn, and sanded and shaped can make some fine furniture. But if our compassion should get the best of us and we didn’t want to see that wood face that stress, most of us would just have some chunks of tree sitting in our living rooms. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how the sanding and shaping in our lives helps us mature into the kind of people God wants us to be. Good encouragement coming today. Harvest Crusade 2024 --- 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been said that, when we get to the end of our rope, we get to the beginning of God. A lot of truth in that statement. When we’re out of answers, and short on hope, God opens His supply of reassurance and direction. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie has good insight for those challenging times. We’re glad you’ve joined us for his new series called “Refresh: What Every Christian Needs to Know.” Valuable information for believers who face the challenges of life. Harvest Crusade 2024 --- 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes, a child needs a little help from his mom or dad. Whether it’s trying to tie his shoe, or trying to climb a tree, sometimes he just can quite make it on his own. Well, whether we admit or not, we often need help from our Heavenly Father. When we try to live a righteous life, but still have a sin nature, that’s when we need to rely on our God. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us see how to call on God and accept His help in our daily walk. Harvest Crusade 2024 --- 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A car can’t go anywhere without an engine. A car better not go anywhere without a steering wheel! A car needs propulsion and direction. You know, so do believers. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how it’s the Spirit of God who provides both. He leads us in the path we should go. And He gives us the spiritual strength to make the journey. You’ve joined us for an encouraging series today called “Refresh: What Every Christian Needs to Know.” Harvest Crusade 2024 --- 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor Greg Laurie begins our new "Psalms of David" series with a message focused on the choices we have in life, including the choice to follow God. Notes: Matt. 7:24-29/ Ps.1 Choices matter, because we make our choices, and our choices make us! We are not the only ones who make choices; God makes choices, too! There are over 59 references to David in the New Testament, yet he was far from perfect. He wasn’t only a shepherd, warrior, and king, but also, an adulterer, murderer, and abysmal failure. In battle, David was fearless. In wisdom, in ruling, he was without peer. “My heart is fixed, my heart is fixed, O Lord.”Psalm 57:7 The book of Psalms gives real insight into David’s heart; it shows his courage, his weakness, his fears, and prayers. Psalms is a collection of 150 Hebrew poems, songs, and prayers of Israel’s history. The first Psalm gives a contrast, as we see the difference between right and wrong choices. “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” ¾Robert Frost Read: Matthew 7:24–29 We make our choices, and then our choices make us. The final test of what our foundation is will come in times of testing and hardship in life. Read: Psalm 1:1–6 The happy person walks the right way.Psalm 1:1 Walking is used often to picture the Christian life.Colossians 2:6 The happy person walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.Psalm 1:1 Ungodly does not necessarily mean immoral or outwardly wicked.It just means, “Without God.” You can be ungodly and still be moral and relatively nice. We, as Christians, can vote them out and vote others in.Proverbs 29:2 “Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord.”Psalm 33:12 The happy person thinks the right way.Psalm 1:2 “Man must have some delight, some supreme pleasure.His heart was never meant to be a vacuum. If not filled with the best things,it will be filled with the unworthy and disappointing.” —C.H. Spurgeon In Eastern meditation, the goal is to empty the mind.In biblical meditation, the goal is to fill the mind. You must read, study, memorize, and meditate on God’s Word. There is an art to listening. If in conversation you look at a person, respond! God told Habakkuk to write down the vision He gave to him.Habakkuk 2 The happy person is rooted the right way.Psalm 1:3 A godly person, a happy person, stays in the Word of God every day. As we abide in Christ, we bring forth spiritual fruit.Matthew 7:17 Our change in conduct and character is described as spiritual fruit.Galatians 5:22 “By their fruit shall you know them.”Matthew 7:16 Worshipping God is spiritual fruit.Hebrews 13:15 Winning others to Christ and helping them grow spiritually is fruit. Psalm 1:4–6 The choice is yours, to be godly or ungodly. The choice is yours, be planted or be rootless. The choice is yours, the happy life or the wasted life. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father, except through Me.” --- 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do the scenes of our favorite movies come to be? Randall Wallace, screenwriter of Braveheart and the upcoming The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection, gives us a peek into the world of film making in this sit-down with Pastor Greg Laurie. They share a captivating discussion on art and faith. It’s not to be missed!  Harvest Crusade 2024 --- 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all had moments of relief when an annoying problem is finally solved. We remove that little rock from our shoe. Or we clean the bird dropping off our windshield. Or someone finally shuts off that incessant car alarm. What a relief! It’s refreshing. Well currently here on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie is highlighting a number of spiritual issues where many of us could use some refreshment. It’s foundational insight on the fundamentals of the Christian life. Glad you’re along. 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we think about sitting down, we might think that’s pretty relaxing. But if you’re sitting in traffic, not so much. If you’re sitting in the doctor’s office, you might be fearing bad news. Many are fearful sitting on an airplane. But is God feeling fear or tension as He sits on His throne? No. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us tap in to God’s state of mind through the power of prayer. He invites us to taste of the refreshing reassurance of a heavenly point of view. 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine if the richest man in the world slipped you a piece of paper and said, “Here’s my cell number. Call me if I can ever do something for you.” And then you hear a sound. Oh, it was your jaw hitting the floor. Imagine! What an invitation! Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, we see we have an invitation from God Himself to come to Him anytime in prayer. No cell phone required. Pastor Greg Laurie is offering insights to help encourage us straight from the truths in God’s Word. 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Resurrection is a pivot point for the entire Christian faith. Paul told the Corinthian church, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” Thankfully, he then said, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how the Resurrection provides the power we need to break through the barriers and live the Christian life. 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us are wired to look for a good deal. We like to exchange something of lesser value for something of greater value. Well, on a spiritual level, Jesus offers us an arrangement that’s too good to refuse. We owed a debt we couldn’t pay, but Jesus stepped in and paid a debt He didn’t owe. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us appreciate the price paid at Calvary. But even more remarkably: after Jesus died for our sins, He rose again. 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor Jonathan Laurie points out that, as followers of Jesus, we’re called to be more than refugees, we’re called to be ambassadors: "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20 NKJV). Get a closer look at what this means! Notes: Hebrews 13:14 Philippians 3:20 2 Corinthians 5:20 Matthew 6:19–21 “Ambassadors” Matthew 7 1. Judging and Condemning Matthew 7:1–5 Matthew 7:3 “We should be as severe with ourselves as we are with others.” —Warren Wiersbe 2. Holy Discernment Matthew 7:6 “There are men whom Jesus, for all His gentleness, has to estimate thus. His pitying eyes were not blind to truth. It was no breach of infinite charity in Him to see facts, and to give them their right names; and His previous precept does not bid us shut our eyes, or (urge us to) give up the use of common sense.” —Alexander MacLaren “Preach to every creature.” Mark 16:15 3. Looking to God Matthew 7:7–11 “The believer who seeks to obey the Word of God must constantly ask for strength, seek wisdom, and knock at God’s door for the supply of grace needed.” —Warren Wiersbe James 1:5 4. The Golden Rule Matthew 7:12 5. A One-Track Mind Matthew 7:13–23 --- 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the past month, we’ve studying the rich writings of the Gospel of Mark. Mark weaves together a vivid narrative of the life of Jesus . . . and certainly the most vivid is his description of the end of Jesus’ life and ministry. These events were choreographed by the Father from the beginning of time, but the events were surprising to a First Century citizen seeing it in real time. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie presents his message, What the Death of Jesus Means to You. 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are very few events of the past that we could rightfully say changed the course of human history. The invention of sliced bread? People often say it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. No. Some might say air travel . . . or telecommunications . . . or penicillin. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie takes us to the very moment when our sins were paid in full. It’s the singular event that had ETERNAL consequences. And we’ll consider what that event means for 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Golfers know the meaning of the world “mulligan.” Bad golfers know it very well. A mulligan is a do-over. “Take that swing over again, you’re good.” Well thankfully the Lord allows mulligans in the spiritual life. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins...” Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us follow the biblical account of a certain spiritual failure. We’ll see what it was that led to the sin, and how that sin was forgiven and fellowship restored. 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever looked at the social media posts of a friend and think, “Wow, they live a pretty good life.” Someone has pointed out we should never compare someone else’s highlight reel, to our blooper reel. We live out our blooper reel everyday, don’t we? We see the flubs, the fumbles, the gaffes, and the goofs up close. But today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out that God sees beyond the blooper, to the future. Today, a good example of how God can rewrite our story. 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever been that one person at your table in a restaurant that takes a pass on dessert? Everybody’s ordering salted caramel this and double chocolate that, and they look at you like you have a second nose growing out of the side of your head! “What’s wrong with you!?” But sometimes we have to pass up the attractive things for the best things. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us chart a course for a richer, more fulfilling walk with the Lord, in spite of other things that want our attention. 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If the gift someone gives you is modest, your expression of thanks can likewise be modest. When the gift is extraordinary, a modern etiquette expert says, “Keep the level of the thank you near the level of kindness you received.” Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie takes us to a memorable moment in Jesus’ ministry when gratitude was extended Him at such a generous level, it drew attention and even criticism from the disciples. But Pastor Greg explains that Jesus commended Mary. 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s nothing like driving a wide vehicle on a narrow road to make you sweat. Things get tight ... tight ... tighter still ... and you suck in your breath...! C’mon, like that’s going to make your vehicle thinner. Ever done that? But narrow roads have to be taken seriously. And the Bible describes the narrow road that leads to heaven. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out that there are few who find it . . . it’s only found through a relationship with Christ. 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all seen things we’ll never forget. Maybe we saw Old Faithful in Yellowstone. Or we stood on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Or maybe it was watching our child take their first steps. But nothing on earth could have prepared these certain onlookers for the spectacle they were about to see. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, as Pastor Greg Laurie takes us to the Transfiguration of Jesus, we’ll see it left them speechless. Well, should have left them speechless – but one of them spoke anyway. 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/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.