Category: The New You

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Monday, October 6, 2014
“The Sin of Selfishness”

 

 

 

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Episode Transcript:

Today is October 6, 2014, and you’re listening to The New You, the daily broadcast for people who have been made new by the blood of Christ. Here is today’s Scripture:

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others (Phil. 2:3-4).

We’re talking this month about problem domestic violence in our culture. This is all in an effort to raise awareness about domestic violence and domestic abuse. For all of The Light Network’s content on this issue, go to our website at thelightnetwork.tv/stopviolence.

One of the main characteristics of an abuser is selfishness. They manipulate, deceive, and seek to control all out of selfishness. It’s all about what they want rather than the wants or needs of others.

But this selfishness is not consistent with the Christian values set before us in the New Testament. In today’s text, the Holy Spirit offers us the negative and the positive of this command. First, we have a warning of what we are to avoid, then we have the way that we are to act.

First, the warning. Paul says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit” (Phil. 2:3). We’ve all seen the commercials that politicians run during campaign season. You know the ones – where they bash their opponents using mostly phony information. That’s exactly the idea behind those words “selfish ambition.” I will do whatever it takes to get to the top. I will climb the ladder even if it means stepping on you to get there.

Unfortunately, some people treat their spouses like this. For whatever reason, they have convinced themselves that they have the right to do this. They lift themselves up, while putting everyone else down. Listen to what the Holy Spirit says about this in Proverbs: “to seek one’s own glory is not glory” (Prov. 25:27). The word “conceit” used in Philippians 2:3 refers to empty and excessive pride in oneself.

In Galatians 5:26, we read: “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” This kind of selfishness and conceit is certainly not what Jesus would do. Look at Philippians 2:5-11 to see Jesus’ example.

Second, look at the way. After warning them concerning what they should not do, Paul tells them the way that they should act: “In lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4).

Be humble. Think of others first. Put other people above yourself. As a husband and wife team, your responsibility is to care for each other. You are putting the other before yourself as you exercise love for one another. In a more general, Christian context, we understand that we are to live humble lives of service – both to God and to our neighbors. We are to especially do good to those who are Christians (Gal. 6:10).

Romans chapter twelve makes these thoughts crystal clear. In Romans 12:10, Paul writes: “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.” When Paul says that we are to “give preference to one another” we have to go back to that little prepositional phrase which precedes this command. In what way do we give preference to one another? “In honor” the text says. I am to seek to give honor to others; I will initiate that activity before seeking honor for myself.

Let’s wrap it up: If this is the way that we are to act as Christians – and we are – then why do we sometimes act as though these rules don’t apply in a Christian home? Selfishness is a sin. The new you will surrender all of self to Jesus, employing all of self to His service, including our responsibilities in our homes.

Memory Verse: God is in control, and His way is always best. That’s why Romans 8:28 is so comforting. This is the verse which states that all things will work together for good. This is true. If not in this life, then in eternal life with the Lord, all things will work together for good. Here’s Romans 8:28:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).

The New You 10 Week Challenge for a Better Internet! Let’s work together to make the Internet a better place. Each week, I’ll give you a challenge, and I want to encourage you to take to social media with that challenge, followed by the hashtag #NewYouChallenge.

This week I want us to answer this question: What has changed the most about you after you became a Christian? So head over to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the like and compose a post which says, “Now that I’m a Christian, _____. #NewYouChallenge” This is week 2 of the 10 week challenge for a better Internet!

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. New episodes of this broadcast are released each weekday, Monday through Friday, from The Light Network. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts are available there, too, at thelightnetwork.tv.

I welcome your questions, comments, or suggestions for the show! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-26-LIGHT, that’s 903-265-4448. I’d love to hear from you!

This is The New You, I’m Robert Hatfield, and I hope you have a great day!

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Friday, October 3, 2014
“Weep With Those Who Weep”

 

 

 

 

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Episode Transcript:

Today is October 3, 2014, and you’re listening to The New You, the daily broadcast for people who have been made new by the blood of Christ. Here is today’s Scripture:

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Rom. 12:15).

Perhaps some people would wonder why we need to bring out into the open a topic like domestic violence. Wouldn’t we rather focus on positive things rather than negative things? Personally, I prefer to focus on positive things. I’m sure you do, too. However, I believe Romans 12:15 emphasizes a concept that should be at the heart of what we are doing this month by discussing and learning about domestic violence and domestic abuse. That concept is compassion.

My favorite definition of compassion that I’ve ever heard is this one: “your pain in my heart.” I think that’s incredible. What type of pain is felt by victims of domestic abuse? What about those whom I call “second-hand” victims? That is, those who are not the direct object of the abuse, but are undoubtedly affected by it, like children. What do they feel? It’s hard for people who have never been in that situation to begin to imagine it. However, research indicates that far too many people know exactly what that pain is like.

One out of three women will be a victim of violence by a husband or boyfriend at some point in her lifetime. Twenty eight percent of homes have experienced abuse or domestic violence. And yet, studies show that the majority of instances go unreported. Attacks by male partners are the number one cause of injury to women between the ages of fifteen and forty four, according to the United States Surgeon General.

Christian women are no exception. Statistically speaking, there is no significant difference in the numbers of women who are in organized religion versus those who are out of it. In fact, conservative Christian groups are the leading group where this is a problem.

So how do we respond to this news? I want to suggest two quick points.

First, recognize that domestic abuse is a real problem. These numbers aren’t made up, and neither is the pain that victims feel. There is pain associated with any type of abuse: be it physical, emotional, verbal, financial, etcetera. Take, for example, Proverbs 18:21, which says that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” This is a real problem. We better begin to act like it.

Second, educate yourself so that you can help others. You may be thinking, “I’m not a trained counsellor. What can I do?” I’m not a trained counsellor, either. But Romans 12:15 indicates that there is still something that I can do. If nothing else, I can be there for someone, weeping with them as they weep. I can have compassion on them and feel their pain in my heart. I can pray for them. I can show them the love that characterizes God’s people (John 13:35).

1 Corinthians 12:26 says that “if one member [of Christ’s body] suffers, all the members suffer with it.” Those words “suffer with” are from a very interesting original word that means “to experience pain jointly.” We’ve all experienced the feeling of pain that sweeps our entire body when we’ve injured one part of the overall body. Stub that big toe and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. So it is with Christ’s body; when one member suffers, all of the others suffer, too.

Let’s wrap it up: Are we living these principles relative to domestic violence? Sometimes we treat this as though it isn’t a real problem. Perhaps we discount what some women say, thinking that they are blowing things out of proportion. You know, that’s one of the tactics that abusive people use. Maybe you think that it’s impossible for a woman to abuse a man. But I’m telling you that it happens. Domestic abuse is a real issue. Our jobs as Christians is to be aware of it, pray for those who suffer as a result of it, and rally around them as the family of God.

Memory Verse: Do you have Micah 6:8 memorized yet for this week? Say it with me:

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Over the weekend: Be sure to worship God on Sunday, the Lord’s day. Assemble with God’s people in your area and worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Need help locating a place to worship? Check out the interactive map (available from our friends at In Search of the Lord’s Way) that will help you find a congregation of God’s people in your area! Just go to thelightnetwork.tv/worship.

The New You 10 Week Challenge for a Better Internet: Yesterday, I told you that we’d look at some of the verses that you have chosen as your favorites. I wish we had more time to look at them in depth. Your favorite verses include Psalm 34:18; 1 John 4:4; Romans 8:38-39; 1 Peter 5:6-7, and Isaiah 53:5. What amazing choices! I love how positive and hope-filled they are. Thanks for being a part of this little ten week challenge. Be listening for challenge number two next week, the Lord willing.

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. New episodes of this broadcast are released each weekday, Monday through Friday, from The Light Network. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts are available there, too, at thelightnetwork.tv.

I welcome your questions, comments, or suggestions for the show! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-26-LIGHT, that’s 903-265-4448. I’d love to hear from you!

I’m Robert Hatfield, and I’ll meet you right here on Monday for another edition of The New You. Have a great weekend!

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Thursday, October 2, 2014
“The Heart’s Treasure”

 

 

 

 

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Episode Transcript:

Today is October 2, 2014, and you’re listening to The New You, the daily broadcast for people who have been made new by the blood of Christ. Here is today’s Scripture:

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).

Albert Barnes said: “Words are the indication of the true principles of the heart; by words the heart shall be known, as the tree by its fruit” (Notes on Matthew, p 133). If it’s true that words are simply the manifestation of one’s heart – and it is – then what does that indicate about people who are verbally abusive?

Verbal abuse is the mistreatment of someone using speech; it is using words to tear down. It could be said that verbal abuse is the most common kind of abuse because verbal abuse most often precedes other kinds of abuse.

In her book The Verbally Abusive Relationship, Patricia Evans writes:

“Verbal abuse is a kind of battering that doesn’t leave evidence comparable to the bruises of physical battering. It can be just as painful, and recovery can take much longer. The victim of abuse lives in a gradually more confusing realm. In public she is with one man, in private he may become another” (page 15).

Words can be used as tools for good or as weapons for evil. They can build up and they can tear down. Let’s notice three observations regarding using our words to abuse someone else.

1. Verbal abuse is inconsistent with Christianity. In today’s verse, Luke 6:45, Jesus describes two men: one good and one evil. The Lord says that the good man speaks good things while the evil man speaks evil things. It is truly impossible to be a faithful Christian and to use your tongue for evil. James writes, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless” (James 1:26).

2. Verbal abuse is a heart problem. Back to Luke 6:45, the Lord states that the good man and the evil man draw their words from their hearts. It is from the treasure of his heart that the good man speaks, and it is from the treasure of his heart that the evil man speaks. All of our words come from the heart. One who is verbally abusive is drawing out of an evil well. He must change his heart (this is called repentance in the New Testament) if he wishes to be godly again.

3. Verbal abuse is selfish. One who is abusive is characterized as being intensely selfish. He has a lust for power, control, notoriety. He is narcissistic. From that basis comes his secret manipulations against his spouse (in a domestic abuse context). He hides, minimizes, blames others, and does everything he can to avoid the responsibility for his actions.

By contrast, pure speech is selfless. I don’t have time to flesh out all of these points, but let me state them and give you some scriptures to support them. Pure speech is selfless in that it puts God first (Psa. 119:172). It places others above self (instruction, counsel, comfort [1 Thes. 4:18], listening and learning from others). It will not seek personal gain in an unholy manner (cf. James 3:13-18).

Let’s wrap it up: Men and women alike are suffering from verbal abuse all over the world. Many within the church are victims of the pain of other people’s words. Pray for these men and women. Ask God to give them strength to get through each day and for wisdom to know the appropriate responses.

If you are in a verbally abusive relationship, I want to encourage you to seek help. Talk to a Christian counsellor. If you’re not familiar with a Christian counsellor, then talk to your preacher or one of your elders about where you might find one.

If you are verbally abusive, I want you to recognize your need to change. You are not only ruining your family, you are jeopardizing your soul. You can’t go to heaven and use your words in an evil way. Based on Jesus’ words, your evil words reflect an evil heart. Repent. Ask God to forgive you and ask your family – and whoever else has been affected by this sin – to forgive you. That’s the “new you” response.

Memory Verse: That good treasure will not only bring forth good words, but also good deeds! Micah 6:8 points out that this is exactly what God wants from us.

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

The New You 10 Week Challenge for a Better Internet! Thanks for helping us make the Internet a better place! This week, our challenge is this: post your favorite Bible verse onto social media. Head over to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and such like and compose a post which says, “My favorite Bible verse is _____. #NewYouChallenge” This is week 1 of the 10 week challenge for a better Internet!

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. New episodes of this broadcast are released each weekday, Monday through Friday, from The Light Network. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts are available there, too, at thelightnetwork.tv.

I welcome your questions, comments, or suggestions for the show! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-26-LIGHT, that’s 903-265-4448. I’d love to hear from you!

This is The New You, I’m Robert Hatfield, and I hope you have a great day!

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Wednesday, October 1, 2014
“Love is Learned Behavior”

 

 

 

 

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Episode Transcript:

Today is October 1, 2014, and you’re listening to The New You, the daily broadcast for people who have been made new by the blood of Christ. Here is today’s Scripture:

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness (1 Tim. 6:11).

Today begins The Light Network’s campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence and abuse. Domestic abuse is a pattern of behavior which involves violence or other abuse by one person against another in a domestic context, such as in marriage.

Throughout this month, we will learn a lot about domestic abuse. I want to encourage you to listen to the podcasts all across the network that have to do with domestic abuse. I know that Biblical Manliness, Culture Shock, The Book Club, Preachers in Training, Under the Juniper Tree, and Wifey Wednesdays will all be participating this month.

There’s one thing that I want us to focus on today: abuse is learned behavior for which there is absolutely no excuse. Love is also learned behavior. Here’s what I’m getting at: one can either choose love or not.

The New Testament gives us everything we need to learn how to properly love. Here are five love lessons right from the pages of Scripture:

1. True love does not necessarily come naturally. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 teaches that our hearts need direction into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. Further, consider Titus 2:4, in which older women are instructed to teach the younger women “to love their husbands, [and] to love their children.” Love must be learned.

2. We learn true love from God and His Word. Otherwise, why are there passage in the Bible like 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, which teaches us what love chooses to do and what love refuses to do. Or what about 1 John 4:8-10, where we learn that “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” We cannot trust our culture for the proper definition of love. We have to go to love’s source: God.

3. True love is a result of much practice and maturation. 1 John 2:5 says, “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” That word “perfected” refers to maturity. Love takes practice. Like anything that comes with much practice, love can be a difficult choice to make at times, but you must make that choice.

4. True love points us to sound teaching. Many people want to divorce doctrine and love, but it can’t be done. You can’t separate learning how to express love from practicing love. Look at the bond that John ascribes between God’s commands (doctrine) and love: “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:2-3).

5. Scripture often places doctrine and love together. Sometimes it seems that many religious people – and even members of the church – think that doctrine and love are polar opposites. The truth is, the Bible often places them together. In fact, you can’t have true doctrine without love, and you can’t have true love without doctrine. That’s why John says, “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments” (2 John 6).

Let’s wrap it up: What do these five love lessons have to do with our awareness of domestic violence? Well, one who abuses his or her spouse must know that this is a decision that he or she makes. They choose to act this way. This is based off of their values and belief system. It’s totally flawed and entirely unacceptable. It’s every bit against the new you, and it’s a sign of spiritual unfaithfulness to God. You can’t be a faithful Christian and abuse your spouse – whether verbally, physically, or any other way. Choose love. Learn how to love, mature in that love, and apply it to your marriage and to your other relationships.

We’ll have more on our campaign too raise awareness about domestic violence in the coming days. Check out all of our content on the network by going to thelightnetwork.tv/stopviolence.

Memory Verse: When we follow God’s Will for our lives, taking self out of the driver’s seat, then we will be set up for a great, godly marriage. Micah 6:8 certainly applies to the marriage relationship just as it is key for a godly life in general.

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

The New You 10 Week Challenge for a Better Internet! Let’s work together to make the Internet a better place. Each week, we have a different challenge, and I’m encouraging you to take to social media with that challenge, using the hashtag #NewYouChallenge.

This week I want us to answer this question: What is your favorite Bible verse? So head over to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the like and compose a post which says, “My favorite Bible verse is _____. #NewYouChallenge” This is week 1 of the 10 week challenge for a better Internet!

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. New episodes of this broadcast are released each weekday, Monday through Friday, from The Light Network. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts are available there, too, at thelightnetwork.tv.

I welcome your questions, comments, or suggestions for the show! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-26-LIGHT, that’s 903-265-4448. I’d love to hear from you!

This is The New You, I’m Robert Hatfield, and I hope you have a great day!

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Tuesday, September 30, 2014
“Pride is Destructive”

 

 

 

 

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Episode Transcript:

You’re listening to The New You, the daily broadcast for people who have been made new by the blood of Christ. I’m Robert Hatfield, and here is today’s Scripture:

Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18).

There is a good kind of pride and a bad kind of pride. The good kind is that which is derived from a feeling of deep satisfaction from one’s achievements, represented through taking pride in your work, for example. However, there is also the sin of pride, which involves an excessively high opinion of self. Someone has said, “An egg and an ego are both useless until they have been broken.” I think that’s true.

I’m telling you today that pride is destructive. But you didn’t need me to tell you that. The Bible has said it all along in passages like Proverbs 16:18. Today, let’s look at six types of pride that are destructive.

1. Pride is personally destructive. Hear these two inspired proverbs. First, Proverbs 18:12: “Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.” Second, listen to Proverbs 15:25: “The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.”

2. Spiritual pride is destructive. God’s Word defines true purity, yet the Proverbs writer tell us of a generation of people that defined purity for themselves: “There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness. There is a generation— oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up” (Prov. 30:12-13).

3. Intellectual pride is destructive. Some people become highly advanced academically and begin to think that they are better than other people. Others advance so highly that they begin to think that they know more than God Himself, or at least they think they know more than God’s Word does. This is pride with a whole lot of self-deception. Here’s what Proverbs says about it: “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Prov. 26:12).

4. Positional pride is destructive. Some people begin to think that they are better than others because of their position in society. We refer to upper class, middle class, lower class socially, economically, and every other way, and the temptation becomes great to resent those “above” us (so to speak) and disdain those who are “below” us. It’s interesting that the New Testament refers to Christians as God’s children (1 John 3:1). We are identified as such only by God’s grace (Eph. 2). Consequently, Paul and James referred to themselves as slaves (Rom. 1:1; James 1:1). It occurs to me that a slave is not concerned with having a position of prominence. May we learn the lesson.

5. Material pride is destructive. Sometimes we can be filled with pride because of the things we possess. Proverbs warns us of this mindset, too: “Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud” (Prov. 16:19). Add these thoughts to those written by Paul in 1 Timothy 6:7-10, where the Holy Spirit says that we ought to be content with food and clothing because we brought nothing into this world and we certainly will carry nothing out of it.

6. Pride is destructive to relationships. Proverbs 13:10 says, “By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.” Do you want to help your relationships with others? Then get rid of the pride and humbly become like Jesus.

Let’s wrap it up: Pride is destructive. It destroys the life of the one it plagues, but it also destroys that person’s relationships and blessings. It turns everything on its head and distorts even the good parts of life. It’s so easy to fall into pride’s trap. Remember James’s words: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10).

Memory Verse: This week’s verse mentions that humility with which we should serve God. Here’s Micah 6:8:

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

The New You 10 Week Challenge for a Better Internet! Let’s work together to make the Internet a better place. Each week, I’ll give you a challenge, and I want to encourage you to take to social media with that challenge, followed by the hashtag #NewYouChallenge.

This week I want us to answer this question: What is your favorite Bible verse? So head over to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the like and compose a post which says, “My favorite Bible verse is _____. #NewYouChallenge” This is week 1 of the 10 week challenge for a better Internet!

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. New episodes of this broadcast are released each weekday, Monday through Friday, from The Light Network. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts are available there, too, at thelightnetwork.tv.

I welcome your questions, comments, or suggestions for the show! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-26-LIGHT, that’s 903-265-4448. I’d love to hear from you!

This is The New You, I’m Robert Hatfield, and I hope you have a great day!

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Monday, September 29, 2014
“Be Still and Know”

 

 

 

 

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Episode Transcript:

You’re listening to The New You, the daily broadcast for people who have been made new by the blood of Christ. I’m Robert Hatfield, and here is today’s Scripture:

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10)

I preached from the great forty sixth psalm last evening at North Charleston. What an amazingly power-packed eleven verses! The thought crescendos there at verse 10: “Be still and know that I am God…”

Chances are, you’ve had your fair share of struggles in life. Perhaps you’ve had more than your fair share. Life has its valleys when we realize that we are not in control. How we respond in those moments truly says something about our faith in God.

Today, I want to remind you and me that God is more powerful than any of life’s struggles. Whether we’re talking about the personal situations that plague our lives or the international unrest that is constantly discussed in world news, God is more powerful than all of it, and He offers peace to His people.

Here are three observations from Psalm forty six that help us to remember God’s power to give us peace.

First, He is present when we feel powerless. The first three verses of this psalm remind us of God’s presence as our refuge and strength. Psalm 46:1 says that “God is [present tense] our [personal possessive] refuge [shelter] and strength [security, power, force].” I love that thought!

Have you ever felt as though the world was falling apart right under your feet? This psalm describes that exact phenomenon. The psalm discusses the earth “giving way” (ESV, Psa. 46:2), and being carried into the heart of the sea. Those sea waters are foaming and tumultuous. This is not a pretty picture. But it is in that moment that God is our strength. He is our “very present help” when we feel powerless.

Second, He helps at the right hour. God helps at the right time, that is, in His time. Psalm 46:5 describes God’s help “just at the break of dawn” (NKJV), or, “at the turning of the morning.” Verse six says that all it takes is for God to utter His voice and the earth melts. What amazing power! What incredible control! He brings aid to His people because He cares for them. He invites you and me to cast our cares upon Him (1 Pet. 5:7).

Third, His works nullify our worry. Verse eight says, “Come, behold the works of the LORD…” The psalm here invites us to look at the Lord’s past in consideration of our future. Look at what He has done to help his people in times past, then you will be convicted of the fact that God always helps His people. God never forgets the faithful. God, Himself, is always faithful (1 Cor. 10:13). We can trust Him, and we have absolutely no need to worry (Phil. 4:6-7).

Let’s wrap it up: It is in this latter portion of the psalm that we have this famous verse: “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psa. 46:10). To “be still” means to let our hands down. Are you like me in that you’re tempted to try to take care of your problems yourself? I do that all of the time! But this is a matter of faith in God. There are some things that we must do and some things that God must do. Our text says that we need to be “hands off” in these struggles. Let go, and let God handle the storms of life.

Further, the verse says, “know that I am God.” That word “know” refers to knowledge gained by observation. Look at what God has done in the past and be confident that He will care for you, His faithful child, in the darkest moments of life as well as in the brightest moments of life.

God is more powerful than any of life’s struggles.

Memory Verse: This week’s memory verse is from the Old Testament book of Micah. It gives us three important things that the Lord requires of us, and thus why it is important for our consideration and memorization. Here’s Micah 6:8:

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Sometime today: Read and meditate on Proverbs 16:18. What does pride precede? More on that tomorrow, the Lord willing.

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. New episodes of this broadcast are released each weekday, Monday through Friday, from The Light Network. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts are available there, too, at thelightnetwork.tv.

I welcome your questions, comments, or suggestions for the show! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-26-LIGHT, that’s 903-265-4448. I’d love to hear from you!

This is The New You, I’m Robert Hatfield, and I hope you have a great day!

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Friday, September 26, 2014
“Vengeance and Victory”

 

 

 

 

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Episode Transcript:

You’re listening to The New You, the daily broadcast for people who have been made new by the blood of Christ. I’m Robert Hatfield, and here is today’s Scripture:

Do not say, “I will recompense evil”;
Wait for the LORD, and He will save you (Prov. 20:22).

The verse before us today is a challenging one. I imagine that every one of us struggles with controlling our anger, especially when we or someone we love has been wronged by someone. The Holy Spirit introduces two important concepts in this short proverb. They are definitely worthy of our consideration.

First, the vengeance. The text says, “Do not say, ‘I will recompense evil.’” Here, the Holy Spirit is warning us against exercising vengeance. Have you ever been wronged by someone in a way that deeply hurt you? Have you ever held a grudge, promising to repay them for what they have done. Or, have you ever wished that something bad would happen to them to “bring them down a notch” after what they did to you? The Bible is filled with instruction regarding the sin of vengeance. We better be careful how we treat other people.

Proverbs 24:29 says, “Do not say, ‘I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.’”

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit offers some very clear instruction:

 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord (Rom. 12:17-19).

Notice that the text demands that we “have regard for good things in the sight of all men.” This falls right in line with what Jesus taught in the golden rule, doesn’t it? Jesus taught, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Mat. 7:12).

Now listen to 1 Thessalonians 5:15, which says, “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.” Seek the welfare of other people. As Christians, we are to want what is best for someone else – even if that person is our enemy. We are to “pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). That’s why Paul says, “Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:20-21).

Perhaps you’re thinking something like this: “Well, in a perfect world, that would be nice, but this is real-life! It’s a competitive world out there and only those who survive will get to the top!” Consider Jesus. Peter notes that, Jesus, “when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet. 2:23). This is the same Jesus who taught us to “turn the other cheek,” and to love our enemies and do good to those who are mean to us (Mat. 5:39, 43-47).

Second, and quickly, look at the victory. True victory lies within this statement from our proverb: “Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.” (Prov. 20:22). Vengeance belongs to God (Rom. 12:19). Your job and mine is to wait on Him. He will save us; He will deliver us. We will be partakers of the victory that He offers IF – and only if – we maintain our faithfulness to Him. Don’t forget that next time you’re tempted to render vengeance, hold a grudge, or withhold forgiveness. Also, don’t forget this: it doesn’t matter what that other person did to you. Did God withhold forgiveness to those who murdered His Only Begotten Son? Then what should you do to someone who wronged you?

Let’s wrap it up: Peter sums up both the command to avoid vengeance, and the promised victory in 1 Peter 3:8-9:

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

Memory Verse: You and I will be judged according to how well we have lived by the Bible’s direction for our lives. This certainly applies to the subject of vengeance, and, of course, to any other subject that God’s Word says can affect the salvation of our souls.

He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day (John 12:48).

Over the weekend: Be sure to worship God on Sunday, the Lord’s day. Assemble with God’s people in your area and worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Need help locating a place to worship? Check out the interactive map (available from our friends at In Search of the Lord’s Way) that will help you find a congregation of God’s people in your area! Just go to thelightnetwork.tv/worship.

Before we go: We are just a few days away from beginning our campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence. Next month, most of our programming will be devoted to offering a Biblical response to this terrible problem. Please take a minute or two to check out what we have planned and please spread the word with a friend. You can find more info http://thelightnetwork.tv/stopviolence. Hope you’ll join me next week as we begin this campaign.

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. New episodes of this broadcast are released each weekday, Monday through Friday, from The Light Network. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts are available there, too, at thelightnetwork.tv.

I welcome your questions, comments, or suggestions for the show! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-26-LIGHT, that’s 903-265-4448. I’d love to hear from you!

I’m Robert Hatfield, and I’ll meet you right here on Monday for another edition of The New You. Have a great weekend!

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Thursday, September 25, 2014
“Salvation Changes Everything”

 

 

 

 

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Episode Transcript:

You’re listening to The New You, the daily broadcast for people who have been made new by the blood of Christ. I’m Robert Hatfield, and this is the one hundredth episode!

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 (Rom. 12:1-2).

Welcome to the one hundredth episode of The New You! This milestone is special to me for many reasons. First, I am thankful to God for blessing this daily podcast. When The New You began this past March, I wasn’t sure if I would even be able to produce daily content. If I was able to do it, I wasn’t sure anyone would want to listen. I’m thankful for you, and I hope that our getting together each day is a blessing to your life just like it is a blessing to mine.

Secondly, this one hundredth episode is special to me because I have a guest speaker who is about to come on for today’s episode. My brother, Bill, is in the seventh grade. Last night, he delivered his first devotional and extended the Lord’s invitation after Bible study at the East Hill church of Christ in Pulaski, TN. He did an incredible job! I want to play a portion of his devotional for you now because of how it relates to the new you. Here’s Bill Hatfield – my brother in the flesh and, I’m proud to say, my brother in Jesus – talking about salvation and what it does to our lives.

*** PREVIOUSLY RECORDED CONTENT … SORRY, NO TRANSCRIPT ***

Bill is exactly right. Salvation changes everything. In fact, listen to the way Paul put it over in Romans 12:1-2, which I read a moment ago.

First, there is to be a SACRIFICE. This is more than the initial act of baptism. This a life of sacrifice to the Lord. That’s why Paul says, “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Every day I make the decision all over again to be a living sacrifice to the Lord. It’s no longer about me, and it’s all about Him.

Second, there is to be a SANCTIFICATION. Paul continues by saying that we should not conform to our age, but we should be transformed. He’s talking about a renewal. I’m different now from how I used to be. I am a new me! That old man of sin is gone, and now I “have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him [Jesus] who created him” (Col. 3:10).

Notice that this renewal begins within. Paul says, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Ephesians 4:23-24 echoes this sentiment where we are commanded to “be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

Let’s wrap it up: One hundred episodes ago, I began this podcast by taking a close look at 2 Corinthians 5:17. It says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” I like that verse a lot.

Today, we’re still focused on that newness – the new you! Don’t let your Christianity become stale and stagnant. That’s not what Christianity is all about! Be renewed! Be a continual sacrifice to the Lord! Glorify Him in your body! Be the new you!

And tomorrow, the Lord willing, when you wake up from your sleep, decide all over again that you are going to be the new you just like you tried to be today.

I’m thankful for my brother, Bill, and for the reminder that he has given us today. Salvation changes everything. I’m different now from who I used to be, and I never want to go back.

Memory Verse: Let’s focus once again on this week’s memory verse, John 12:48. Can you say it with me? Let’s give it a shot:

He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day (John 12:48).

ANNOUNCEMENT: To commemorate this one hundredth episode of The New You, I want to do something special. What do you say that you and I work together to continue putting good, Christian content on the internet? There’s way too much other junk out there on the world wide web! So here’s what I want us to do. Next Monday, Lord willing, I want us to begin The New You 10 Week Challenge! Each Monday, I’ll ask you to post something good online that follows a theme. Then, you’ll use a certain hashtag to plug your thought into an ongoing conversation. Will you help me put good content online? It’s a simple plan, and it just might open some evangelistic doors for you, too! Join me Monday, the Lord willing, as we officially begin The New You 10 Week Challenge for a better internet!

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. Want more of The New You? New episodes of this broadcast are released each weekday, Monday through Friday, from The Light Network. Also, I have one hundred episodes in the archives, with full episode transcripts at thelightnetwork.tv. There are several dozen other shows available on The Light Network, too! Go check them all out at thelightnetwork.tv.

I welcome your questions, comments, or suggestions for the show! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-26-LIGHT, that’s 903-265-4448. I’d love to hear from you!

This is The New You, I’m Robert Hatfield, and I hope you have a great day!

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For Wednesday, September 24, 2014
“A Way That Seems Right”

 

 

 

 

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Episode Transcript:

You’re listening to The New You, the daily broadcast for people who have been made new by the blood of Christ. I’m Robert Hatfield, and here is today’s Scripture:

There is a way that seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of death (Prov. 14:12).

It’s a super-simple proverb that would probably only take a few minutes to memorize, but it communicates a profound truth. It’s entirely possible for us to travel a path that seems like the right way to go, but it’s end is death.

Today, I want us to observe two points from Proverbs 14:12. First, we can’t see the other side. Then, He tells me the other side.

We can’t see the other side. In Charleston, South Carolina, where I live, there are several huge bridges that connect various land masses. These bridges cross wetlands and rivers, and often stretch over considerable distance. Because of the great distance over which they span, the bridges are often somewhat “hilly.” By that I mean as you drive over the bridge you feel as thou you’re climbing a steep incline, then reaching the top and going down a steep incline. It’s a weird feeling as you get on the bridge over the water and you can’t see the other side of the bridge because the incline is so steep.

I think life is a lot like that. We often are unable to see what’s on the other side of the decisions that we make. We may have an idea of the way certain situations will play out, but we can’t ever be for sure, can we? It’s not uncommon for life to throw us a curve. This is at the core of what the Proverbs writer is saying: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” We don’t know the end because we can’t see exactly how things will play out.

We often get caught up in the pleasure of a situation. We do something because it feels good. Make no mistake about it: sin often feels good. In fact, it occurs to me that, if sin were not pleasurable, then what would be its appeal? Hebrews 11:25 says that Moses chose to “suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.”

In addition to the pleasures of sin, it seems that pride often enters our path and leads us down the wrong way. In 1 Timothy 3:6, we are given an interesting detail about the devil. It seems that he was puffed up with pride. There are lots of interesting theories regarding this, but here’s my take away: pride is associated with Satan and sin. I don’t want any part of it.

The point is, without guidance, man pursues a host of “wrong-way” things. Just look at Ecclesiastes, where Solomon is searching for the point of life. He looks at life apart from God and searches for life’s meaning in pleasure, gain, honor, knowledge, and wealth. His conclusion is that everything is meaningless. The picture of life is clearer and the purpose of life is fulfilled only when we insert God into life’s equation. Which leads us to point number two.

He tells me the other side. No, we don’t have the ability to see into the future and to determine how our actions are going to affect us and those whom we love down the road. Without God, we wouldn’t know how to get away from the way that leads to destruction. But God has revealed His will to us. He has shown us the Way (John 14:6)!

Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.” At the heart of wisdom is the willingness to listen and to learn. Jeremiah communicated the word of the LORD to whose who were in Babylonian captivity. He wrote them a letter which said, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11).

That same God is still in control. He looks at His creation who is in under the captivity of sin and He essentially says, “I have a way for you to have peace, a future, and hope.” In Romans six, Paul pointed this out:

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 6:20-23).

Let’s wrap it up: Jesus mentioned the way that leads to death, or destruction, in Matthew 7:13-14. That’s the passage where Jesus talks about the narrow gate that leads to life and the broad gate that leads to death. Remember how the Lord said that many would go through that broad gate? Perhaps many who are walking that road think that they’re traveling down the right path.

Let’s thank God today for revealing to us His will that illuminates our path and shows us the end of our journey. Then, let’s realize the great responsibility that we have to help others to come to know Him and to be freed from the captivity of sin that leads to death.

Memory Verse: It’s important that we are ever-mindful of the coming judgment. John 12:48 reminds us that judgment day is coming:

He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day (John 12:48).

Sometime today: Look at Romans 12:1-2 and focus in on that phrase “by the renewing of your mind.” More on that tomorrow, the Lord willing.

Tomorrow is the one hundredth episode of The New You, and I want you to help me with something. When and where do you listen to The New You? Do you listen first thing in the morning as you make breakfast, or maybe on your commute each day? Do you save them up and binge-listen to the whole week’s worth of episodes on Fridays? How do you consume The New You podcast? Let me know on social media by using the hashtag #NewYou100.

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. New episodes of this broadcast are released each weekday, Monday through Friday, from The Light Network. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts are available there, too, at thelightnetwork.tv.

I welcome your questions, comments, or suggestions for the show! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-26-LIGHT, that’s 903-265-4448. I’d love to hear from you!

This is The New You, I’m Robert Hatfield, and I hope you have a great day!

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Tuesday, September 23, 2014
“The Price of Lust”

 

 

 

Submit Questions for Q & A Saturday!

• Email: robert@thelightnetwork.tv
• Voicemail: 903-26-LIGHT (903-265-4448)

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Episode Transcript:

You’re listening to The New You, the daily broadcast for people who have been made new by the blood of Christ. I’m Robert Hatfield, and here is today’s Scripture:

With her enticing speech she caused him to yield,
With her flattering lips she seduced him.
Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter,
Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,
Till an arrow struck his liver.
As a bird hastens to the snare,
He did not know it would cost his life (Prov. 7:21-23).

Lust is unquestionably one of Satan’s most powerful tools. He used it in on Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and he’s still using it today. John wrote: “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).

I don’t want to belabor you with the statistics, but you need to hear some of them. Six out of ten websites are for pornography. One in five online searches made on a mobile device is for porn. Twenty four percent of smartphone users admit to having pornographic content stored on their device. Do you think Satan is still using lust to draw men and women away from God? Of course he is, and our culture is absolutely eating it up.

Lust has a price. “When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:15).

Proverbs chapter seven is all about the price of lust. The writer begins by providing us a defense to withstand lust, then he identifies a bad decision that was made by a young man that ultimately led to his destruction.

The defense (Prov. 7:1-5). Do you want to learn how to withstand the temptation of lust? Here’s how you do it: internalize, practice, and treasure God’s commands. Proverbs is all about wisdom and understanding. We learn from Proverbs chapter one that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov. 1:7). Don’t be foolish. Instead, set up your defense by getting closer and closer to wisdom. “Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’ and call understanding your nearest kin, that they may keep you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words” (Prov. 7:4-5). Make the Word of God so much a part of your life that you know it as well as you know a member of your own family.

The only way you can really get to know anyone or anything is by spending time with them or with it. But is it worth all of that time and effort to build this defense against lust? As we further examine the price of lust, I think you will see that is most definitely is.

A bad decision (Prov. 7:6-21). The writer says that he looked out of his window and observed a young man walking down the street. That young man could have walked in any direction along the streets, but he chose “the path to her [the immoral woman’s] house” (Prov. 7:8). Here’s that bad decision.

Notice several things about this decision. First, it was made in darkness (Prov. 7:9). “He took the path to her house in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night.” Second, notice her dress (Prov. 7:10). “There a woman met him with the attire of a harlot.” This situation doesn’t look good, does it? Do you think that this young man knew that she lived down this road? Whether he did or didn’t, he could certainly tell something about her from the way that she was dressed. Third, notice the draw (Prov. 7:13-21). She begins to entice him with her words. She kisses him and tells him that she has made preparations to receive him into her home – and into her bed. She assures him that her husband is not at home, and that he is not expected to be back anytime soon. She flatters him and seduces him, and he falls for every bit of it.

Destruction (Prov. 7:22-27). “Immediately he went after her,” the writer records. But he went in to his own destruction. Proverbs 7:23 says that “an arrow struck his liver.” This is likely figurative language. In their commentary, Keil and Delitzsch note that people in ancient times considered the liver to be “the organ in which sorrowful and painful affections [made] themselves felt.” Thus, this activity was like an arrow to the liver. He chose this path to his own destruction, dishonoring his name and ruining his spirituality. So, the writer says, “He did not know it would cost his life” (Prov. 7:23). That’s what lust does to us. It destroys us.

Let’s wrap it up: Are people today carried away with lust? Statistically speaking, it could be that someone listening to my voice now is carried away with it in one form or another. So I’m here today to remind you and me of who we are. We are Christians, we have been made new by Christ’s blood. You are the new you. So let’s act like it. God has given us a defense. Let’s exercise self-discipline, sober thinking, and scriptural deeds that will bring us ever closer to wisdom’s salvation.

Memory Verse: Judgment day is coming for us all. Fortunately, we have the standard by which we will be judged: God’s Word. Jesus identifies that source in this week’s memory verse, John 12:48:

He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day (John 12:48).

Sometime today: Read Proverbs 14:12 about the way that seems right. What way is he talking about? Where does it lead? More on that tomorrow, Lord willing.

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. New episodes of this broadcast are released each weekday, Monday through Friday, from The Light Network. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts are available there, too, at thelightnetwork.tv.

I welcome your questions, comments, or suggestions for the show! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-26-LIGHT, that’s 903-265-4448. I’d love to hear from you!

This Thursday marks the one hundredth episode of The New You! I hope you’ll join me day after tomorrow for this special milestone.

Until then, thanks for listening to The New You. I’m Robert Hatfield, and I hope you have a great day!