Hope Today 025 - What are you going to do with life?

A weekly program of word and music featuring an eclectic mix of Christian music and teaching by Pastor Tom Cullen and Brian Evans.  Mac Wigfield starts the program with southern gospel classics.

Produced at Straight Path Studio in Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada.

Christian Artists featured are:

Gold City

Paid In Full

Beyond the Ashes

Paul Wilbur

Jon Guerra

The Sensational Nightingales

Rachael Lampa

Andrea Vestby

Rend Collective

Shari McRae

Marie Barnett

Thank you for listening to HOPE TODAY. This is a program developed at Light & Life Programming, a registered charity. We are listener supported. If you would like to help with this ministry, donations can be made through our website at www.lightnlife.ca.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:13

Thank you for tuning in to Hope Today, a program inspiring joy in life through faith in God. May you be encouraged as you listen to music and teaching for the next hour. Have you ever wondered what purpose you have? Pastor Tom Cullen will be looking into the Bible today to find answers to the question, what are you going to do with life? The answer to leading a life of fulfillment is ahead in our program. First of all, let's enjoy wonderful gospel music. Mac Wigfield will get things started for us.

SPEAKER_08 0:51

Welcome to Gospel Music on Hope Today. How about to start the morning? A good old gospel song. Here's Gold City.

SPEAKER_15 1:30

As through life, you travel along. There's something about a good old gospel song.

SPEAKER_09 1:42

Driving down the road of my automobile. I was thinking down in the blues. Feeling sorry for myself with all the trouble I'd had. I didn't know quite what to do. Somehow I reached over there to turn my radio home. A gospel song then filled the air. I said goodbye to my sorrow. I'll see you tomorrow. Today I'm praising the Lord.

SPEAKER_15 2:12

There's something about a good old gospel song. That brings joy to your heart. Things are going wrong. It brings a smile to your face. The tears can be raised. There's something about a good old gospel song. There's something about a good old gospel song.

SPEAKER_08 3:46

So what are your plans for the day? Will you be in God's house with God's people? I hope if you can, you will be. The prophet Isaiah says, Lord, you are our father. We are the clay. You are our potter. All of us are the work of your hand. You know, if you know the Lord, you really need no one else to keep you on the right road.

SPEAKER_06 4:44

You can walk alone, you are need to see his life his wonderful life. Take time to pray. And when you are he'll show you the way you can walk along, you are indeed the law to speak with the law is wonderful. Take time to pray every day, and when you are headed on, he'll show you the way you can walk alone, you are freedom.

SPEAKER_05 7:18

Been through some mighty strong winds, but nothing like this storm I see there's no escaping So while I'm hoping and praying I'll just keep walking with my eyes on Jesus Taking one way at a time Walking with my eyes on Jesus I'm gonna make it to the other side So many sinking around me still I'm not going down It's by no strength of my own I'm not gonna drown No Every stone is allowing You'll give me three summer if I just keep walking with my eyes on Jesus Taking one without Walking with my eyes on Jesus I'm gonna make it to the other side Make it to the other side When are you I'm a one Cause the law being you can You step town your win beat Your face like your hand disaster It's long as you keep your eyes on the mess Keep walking with your eyes on Jesus Take in one way bad Keep walking with your eyes on Jesus You're gonna make it to the other side Keep walking with your eyes on Jesus Taking one way backing with your eyes on Jesus You're gonna make it make it to the other side with your eyes on Jesus Just keep walking with your eyes on Jesus Make it to the other side Thank you for being with us on Hope Today I trust you were blessed by Max Ministry and you're walking with your eyes on Jesus.

SPEAKER_00 10:12

I'm Pastor Tom Cullen and I have a question for you. What are you going to do with your life? It's a vital question, it's a biblical question, it's a question we'll explore together today as Paul Wilbur reminds us of our Lord's great name.

SPEAKER_13 10:37

Of your great name, all condemned feel no shame at the sound of your great name. Every feet has no place at the sound of your great name. The enemy has to leave at the sound of your great name, Jesus. Worthy is the name that was named for us, Son of God and man, you are high and lifted up, and all the world will praise your breath.

SPEAKER_12 11:43

Your great name All the week they find the next drink at the show of your great name hungry souls receive grace at the show of your great name We find the rest at the show The Old Green The Dominican Yeshua Worthi is the land that was made for us.

SPEAKER_00 14:19

What are you going to do with life? There it lies in your hand. It's yours to use as you like. What are you going to do with it? Our Lord is always watching, always waiting to see what you will do with the life that has been placed in you. And right now, he looks at you and he sees how some of you have given that life back to him and seek to live for him with all your heart and soul and strength, and you give him great joy. But he sees others of you who keep straining off the course, and he's alarmed, fearing that you're going to throw away your life on some foolish nothing. He's heard many times when he walked this earth. I don't know about you, but I have a driving ambition in my life for it to help for something. That I will not have passed through this life without deserving Christ well. That I will have affected someone positively for Christ so that at my funeral and people gather around and eat those sandwiches with a crust cut off and all those from the pickle tray, they'll be able to say, This was a life well spent. Even more importantly, my Lord will be able to say to me, Well done.

SPEAKER_03 16:09

You can take the train, you can take the car, you can travel the world but not get too far. You are always just where you are.

SPEAKER_04 16:28

I can see you sad, I can see you down. You think you lost and cannot be found You are always just where you are Love will find you just where you are Wherever you go, he is there. No matter the sleep it'll stay. He doesn't leave you alone with your friends He is just close to your friends It's your own heartbeat abreath Believe you are loved And that he is in love for wherever you spin wherever you are Howdy spinning in your life already You try so hard but you get that split Sometimes you are just where you are Love doesn't leave you where you are Wherever you go to Steve He doesn't leave you alone with your friends close to your friend It's your own heartbeat of breath Believe you I love And that he is to love whatever you do That it's been whatever you are there is no distance That is every problem He knows exactly where you've been And he loves you Child he loves you So come out come out Come wherever you are Wherever you go he is The matter that's deep he'll stay He doesn't leave you alone with your friends He is just close to your friend It's your own happy friend Believe you alone And that he is in love Whatever you do Wherever you go head it's deep you're staying He doesn't leave you alone with me a friend your old heart made a friend Leave you alone that he's in love Whatever you do that he's been wherever you are He loves you so you never alone wherever you are And he left the crow to bring you home from wherever you are What are you going to do with your life?

SPEAKER_00 19:54

We want it to count for something, don't we? The Word of God says if you really want your life to count for something, then get your priorities straight. Recognize the thirst of your soul. In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, chapter 55, it begins with the word All you who are thirsty. It's a magnificent invitation offered by the God of the universe. If you're not thirsty, then this invitation isn't for you. Of course we need to recognize it. Why are you hungry in the first thing? We get a priority.

SPEAKER_14 22:00

Added to you. That's what Jesus said. First step. The kingdom of God added his righteousness. All things will be added to you. That's what Jesus said. Don't worry about the clothes you wear. Look at the lily of the field. They don't labor tall up sin. And he will truly close you my friend. I see what Solomon's hold indeed. Was as beautiful as one of these. How much more will he supply me? We got the time to see first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. All things will be added to you. That's what Jesus said. Don't worry about what to eat. What the dream I declared. Defeat the birds that fly in the air. Here and there, everywhere. Our prophet was young and he grew old. And this is what to say. I never seen the righteous forsaken by God. I see them rain. First, the kingdom of God and his righteousness. All things will be added to you as Jesus said. And he will give you eternal life. He will help you to grow his grace. Just wait and keep the faith. Within you build the kingdom of God. Open your heart and don't delay. Keep his word a day. Trust him, you'll do what you say. First, the kingdom of God.

SPEAKER_06 25:06

Yes, that's what Jesus.

SPEAKER_01 26:00

Soon she developed a reputation as a brilliant singer and traveled widely throughout the Midwest, giving concerts in many churches. After four years of voice training in Germany, she taught voice at Moody Bible Institute and later at the Bible Institute in Los Angeles. Widely recognized as a woman of remarkable literary ability, Helen wrote more than 500 hymns and poems. She authored a very successful book for children entitled Story of the Bible, also composing musical pieces for children. In 1918, a missionary friend gave her a tract entitled Focused. The words in this pamphlet had a significant impact upon Helen. In her soul, she began singing the chorus. Within a week, she had composed the rest of the hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. How easy it is, even for people of faith, to get caught up in the things of the earth so that we miss the blessing of a personal fellowship with Christ in our daily lives. Helen's hymn encourages us to focus. Here is Rachel Lampa with Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.

SPEAKER_00 29:08

Gordon MacDonald tells of a man who became addicted to profit. McDonald was driving with the man, and they came to a crossroad where they could see the buildings the man had built, which housed his most recent flourishing business. Everything on that property was a monument to achievements that people who think success is everything could want. As they drove past the property, McDonald, realizing the effort and the work that the development demanded, said to the man, You must be very proud of all this. To which the man replied, I hate every square foot of it. It cost me my marriage, my family, my health, and my relationship with God. I wish I'd never seen any part of it. His priorities were out of work. What about you? What do you live for? What are your priorities? Do you seek first of the kingdom of God? Or the things of this world? Do you hunger for a relationship with Jesus Christ? Or to win the next lottery? God says to us in Isaiah 55, keep your priorities straight. Come to Him, and He'll feed your soul, not just with water, but with wine that delights and milk that nurtures. As we draw near to God and follow in our Lord's way, he promises that our soul will delight in the richest of fare. Andrea Vestby expresses a wonderful prayer in Run to You.

SPEAKER_10 30:38

I've been in a wild sea, where scratch the show with shame and grief when life has gotten the better of me.

SPEAKER_06 30:55

I've been like a cloud in the sky, blown by the winds, strong and high, I want to find sense of peace.

SPEAKER_10 32:09

So many fruit is lost all the days.

SPEAKER_06 32:53

I am reaching, I am calling to keep me from falling.

SPEAKER_10 33:02

I am reaching, I am calling to you trust you in all the two strength in your goodness, grace in my weakness, in the darkness and hope when it's hardness to you Trust you in all the two strength in your goodness, grace in the weakness, in the darkness and hope when it's hardness.

SPEAKER_06 33:43

I wanna run to you. Trust you in all the goals.

SPEAKER_00 34:04

Can I also suggest that we need to set godly goals? Ask yourself, what is it that I'm after in life? I cannot stress this enough. Every life ought to know what it is he or she is after. So many people never stop to plan, never stop to set goals for themselves. But the truth is, if you set no goals, then you're sure to hit the target. Set godly goals for yourself. What are godly goals? Well, there are godly goals which strengthen spiritual knowledge. These include reading your Bible regularly, taking the alpha course, and joining a small group at your local church. There are godly goals that shape your spiritual character. These include serving in the church or giving some time to a lonely senior or spending time with those in physical need. There are goals that shape your spiritual stamina. These include practicing the spiritual disciplines of fasting, prayer, solitude, and worship. Do the hard work and examine your life goals carefully. Sometimes we Christians are good at spouting off all the things we Christians ought to be doing. But when it comes right down to it, our hearts are not set on those goals at all. We have another set of goals, unnamed, undefined, but very real, which control our affections and thus our lives. So ask yourself, what is it that I hunger and thirst after? And list them and see if they match with Scripture. The Wren Collective reminds us that having godly goals are costly, but also worth it. Here is the cost.

SPEAKER_02 35:40

I'm saying yes to you and no to my desires. I'll leave myself behind and follow you. I'll walk the narrow road Cause it leads me to you. I'll fall, but grace will pick me up again. Yeah. I've conted up the cost. Oh, I've conjured up the cost. Yes, I've conted up the cost. And you are worth it. As much as I need you Your danger spot, beautiful. Can we make this me? I've counted up the cost. Oh, I've cointed up the cost. Yes, I've cointed up the cost. And you are worth it. Sing with me now. I've counted up the cost. I've coined it up the car. Yes, I've counted up the coat. Everything I've counted up the cost. Oh, I've counted up the cost. Yes, I've counted up the cost.

SPEAKER_00 39:05

We're asking on hope today, what are you going to do with your life? Jesus Christ died on the cross so that you may have life. Life to the full. Through faith in him, you're given new life. Your sins are forgiven, and he comes and takes up residence in you. The old is gone and the new has come. May you have the same desire as Sherry McCrae and the cry in my heart.

SPEAKER_11 39:31

There's a cry in my heart for your glory to fall, for your presence to fill up my senses. Could you take me beyond? Could you carry me through? If I open my heart, could I go there with you? For what do I have? If I don't have you, Jesus, what in this life could mean anymore? You are my right, you are my glory, you are the lifter of my head, the lifter of this head. For your glory to fall, for your presence to fill up my senses. A thirst for discipline, a hunger for things that are deeper. Could you take me beyond? Could you carry me through? If I opened my heart, could I go there with you? For I've been here before, but I know there's still more. Oh Lord, I need to know you. For what do I have if I don't have you, Jesus? What in this life could mean any more? You are my rock, you are my glory, you are the lifter of my head. What do I have if I don't have you, Jesus? What in this life could mean anymore? You are my right, you are my glory, you are the lifter of my hill, the lifter of this hill.

SPEAKER_00 42:33

Do you want your life to count for something? Then, my friends, get your priorities straight. Set godly goals, and then this a desire to achieve them above all else. The great writer Kipling said that if we have desires for what we would like to accomplish in life, and life has not fulfilled those desires, it only proves one thing. Either we really did not want it, or we tried to bargain about the price. Isn't it true? Many of the things we say we desire, but we really don't want. Do you really want to connect with God and worship Him? Then you have to ask yourself, what are you willing to do to make it happen? It may mean that you don't stay up so late on Saturday night. You can give your whole attention and worship on Sunday morning. Do you really want to grow in your faith? Then you have to devote yourself to the reading of his word, to prayer, and to stepping out in faith when God calls you to follow him in a certain direction. What are you going to do with your life? Whatever it is in your hands, to spend as you wish. Our prayer and hope today is that you'll spend it on God, following him, trusting him, looking to him. And as you do that, he promises in Isaiah 55 Listen, listen to me, God says, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest affair. Give ear and come to me, God says. That you may live. Marie Barnett sings breathe.

SPEAKER_06 44:17

Listen. Your heart breathe in me. This is my day libre. This is my day, Libra. You're the real one for me. This is the library. Your heart library.

SPEAKER_01 48:01

As we finish our program today, we hope that you have been encouraged and inspired to seek God while He may be found. There is nothing more important to your life. Hope Today is produced at Straight Path Studios. As always, we are pleased to bring it to you. Thank you for tuning in today, and we look forward to meeting with you again next time. In the meantime, go into each day ahead knowing that God loves you.