Who Is Feeding Your Soul?

The human being is made up of a body and a soul. We know how to feed our bodies, but where do we find food for our souls? In this week’s sermon, we will look at how we can find answers in the Scriptures during our times of uncertainty.

Scripture: John 6:35

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

Renewing Reflections

It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon God Is The Encourager delivered on Christian Crusaders January 6, 2008:

Jesus has given us an encouraging word. He says, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). He does not say where the Church will be standing when he returns, but it will exist. That promise is not given to any single denomination, but to those who trust him. He will be with them. God is the encourager! (When) we start a new year, it can be exciting. It can be frightening. Just remember – God is the encourager!


Christian Crusaders Speakers
Would you like to know more about our speakers – Rev. Homer Larsen, who has been Christian Crusaders’ speaker since 1961, and our associate speaker, Rev. Steve Kramer? On our Web site, www.christiancrusaders.org, you will find information about them when you click on About in the top navigational bar. You can also find information about our mission, our rich history, and other staff persons.


On the Light Side
One day after church, little Colton went to the kitchen to get some bread. He went to his mother and, with a concerned look on his face, asked, “Mom, will I die if I eat bread and nobody’s here?” Colton’s mother didn't understand what he meant so she asked him what he was talking about. He repeated the question and added, “The preacher said we couldn’t live if we ate bread alone.” It was then that she realized what he meant. The sermon topic of the day was “Man cannot live by bread alone.”


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Christian Crusaders is a radio and Internet ministry designed to serve the needs of those who are unable to attend church services. This program is available online in audio and printed forms at www.ChristianCrusaders.org.

First Things First

As human beings, we often look for concrete answers to questions in life. Even in matters of faith, people ask God to first give them a sign of his existence before they will believe in him. Is this wrong?  In this week’s sermon we will talk about what it takes to build faith in the heart of an unbeliever.

Scripture: John 6:24-35

Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

So they asked him, “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ “

Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “from now on give us this bread.”

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

Renewing Reflections

It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon God, You Owe Me One delivered on Christian Crusaders October 7, 2001:

Is it not true that the human attitude shows a lack of understanding of what Jesus is teaching in the parable? Do we not sometimes feel like saying, “God, I think you owe me a favor”? You could present your case. “Lord, I believe that Jesus is my Savior. I try to do Your will. I am a faithful member of the Church. I run my affairs in a Christ-like manner. Isn’t this worth a favor? My wife is terminally ill. She is such a good person. How about making her well? My son has made a mess out of his life, but don’t you owe him another chance to make up for all of his mistakes?” . . . However, not out of obligation, or even out of fairness, but out of love, God says in His Word, “I want to give you everything that will make your life abundant . . .

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On the Light Side

A newly converted Christian was sitting on a bench one day waiting on a bus and reading his Bible while he was waiting. Every now and then he would exclaim, “Alleluia! Praise the Lord!” A skeptic overheard his comments and came over to ask him what he was reading. He answered, “I’m reading how God parted the Red Sea and led the Israelites through. What a miracle!”

The skeptic explained, “Don’t believe everything the Bible tells you, son; for example, that sea is only six inches deep, so it really wasn’t a miracle.” The Christian nodded his head in disappointment and kept on reading as the skeptic walked away feeling kind of proud of himself for setting the Christian straight.

All of a sudden the skeptic heard the Christian let out a huge “ALLELUIA! PRAISE THE LORD!” At this the skeptic walked back to him and asked, “What is it this time?” The Christian said excitedly in one breath, “This time it IS a miracle! God just drowned the entire Egyptian army in six inches of water!”

Come Home!

Have you been working diligently for the Kingdom of God for a long time now, or have you left Jesus Christ and gone your own way? In this week’s sermon, we will explore a message the Heavenly Father has for you, no matter where you’ve lived your spiritual life.


Scripture: Luke 15:1-2, 11-32

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them.

“A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything.

“But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ So he set off and went to his father.

“But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.

“Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’

“Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’

“Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”


Renewing Reflections

It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon What to Do With the Rest of Your life delivered on Christian Crusaders December 30, 2007:

God loves you and has promised healing for sin-sick souls. Come and dip yourself in the river of healing grace. He doesn’t want you to spend another minute without him in your life. . . . do you have any idols in your back yard that you fear, love, and trust? Are there any things to which you look for security other than the one who has saved you through his Son, Jesus Christ? Remember the first commandment. According to Scripture, there is a promise that delights God. It is from the book of Joshua and goes like this: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).


Share the Word

People are more likely to tune into a Christian radio program if it is suggested by a friend or relative. Perhaps you have an aunt in Phoenix, a granddaughter in Minneapolis, or a cousin in Portland who might enjoy listening to Christian Crusaders on their local radio station. A complete list of where Christian Crusaders broadcasts its program is found on our Radio Station Listing page of ChristianCrusaders.org. Follow the link to find a station near you or someone you know, and suggest they listen.


On the Light Side

Though highly successful in law and investments, Charles Vance Millar is known primarily for his love of jokes and pranks that play on people’s greed and hypocrisy. Millar’s greatest and final prank was his will, which said in part: “This Will is necessarily uncommon and capricious because I have no dependents or near relations, no duty rests upon me to leave any property at my death, and what I do leave is proof of my folly in gathering and retaining more than I required in my lifetime.”

The will was full of playful bequests. But the final bequest of his will was the largest and strangest. In the will’s ninth clause, Millar’s estate’s balance was required to be converted to cash ten years after his death and given to the woman who gave birth to the most children in that time. In the event of a tie, the bequest would be divided equally. The resulting contest became known as the Great Stork Derby.

Jesus Looks At His World

When we watch the news on television, we often see the depravity of our society – murders, thefts, and corruptions of all kinds. There is no doubt that we live in a broken world, and all too often we are anxious to just write it off. Does Jesus feel the same way? In this week’s sermon, we will examine His attitude toward the sinful people in this world.


Scripture: Mark 6:30-44

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat."

But he answered, "You give them something to eat."

They said to him, "That would take eight months of a man's wages ! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?"

"How many loaves do you have?" he asked. "Go and see."

When they found out, they said, "Five--and two fish."

Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.


Renewing Reflections

It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon The Importance of the Individual delivered on Christian Crusaders April 7, 2002:

You are created in the image of God and have not only a body, but a mind, will, and soul. You have sinned, but God has redeemed you in the person of Jesus Christ. As one of His redeemed children, your Father has called you to be one of His ambassadors in this world and makes His appeal to others through you. A person with this stature is the crowning work of God’s creation.


Giving Clubs

Christian Crusaders is a nonprofit ministry dependent upon gifts from you, our listening audience. Many people choose to contribute a $100 Broadcast Sponsor gift. ($100 is the average cost of one half-hour broadcast on one radio station.) Others provide a GEM Club Gift (Gift Every Month). All gifts are tax deductible


On the Light Side

• Noah started building several arks for various parts of animal kingdom. One was a split level job for all the fish – a multi-story carp ark.

• What do you call a fish with no eyes? Fsh

• How do fish go into business? They start on a small scale.

• Which fish go to heaven when they die? Angelfish

• What bit of fish doesn’t make sense? The piece of cod that passeth all understanding.

• What kind of money do fishermen make? Net profits

• What do you get if you cross a salmon, a bird’s leg and a hand? Birdsthigh fish fingers

• What TV game show do fish like best? Name that tuna.

• What do you call a literary fish? Salmon Rushdie.

• Who sleeps at the bottom of the sea? Jack the kipper.
• Where does seaweed look for a job? In the ‘Kelp-wanted’ ads.

Who Is This?

For more than two thousand years, people have been asking who is Jesus. Was he a great, but misunderstood, teacher? Was he the King of Kings, a prophet, or just a fool who believed himself to be God’s Son? Even Jesus’ disciples pondered Jesus’ identity at times, and we will learn what they discovered about him in this week’s sermon.


Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”


Renewing Reflections

It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon The Hand That Holds Me delivered on Christian Crusaders April 29, 2007:


We hear Jesus say, “No one will snatch them out of my hand.” No matter what happens to me in this life, Jesus holds on. When I am sick, he is holding onto me. When I am facing adversity, Jesus holds on. As I face death, Jesus still holds on. The grave may come my way, and you can be certain that it will, but for those of us who trust in Jesus Christ, it is simply a graduation time. A place is prepared for us in our Father’s heaven, and nothing can snatch us away from the loving hand of Jesus Christ, not even death.


About Christian Crusaders.org

People are more likely to tune into a Christian radio program if it is suggested by a friend or relative. Perhaps you have an aunt in Phoenix, a granddaughter in Minneapolis, or a cousin in Portland who might enjoy listening to Christian Crusaders on their local radio station. A complete list where Christian Crusaders broadcasts its program is found on the Radio Station Listing page of our Web site. Simply click the Where to Listen link on the home page to find a station near you or someone you know, and suggest they listen.


On the Light Side

Harry was showing off again. He said to George, “I’ve just bought the best hearing aid money can buy. It cost me $3,000, but it is state of the art, so it’s worth every penny.”

“What kind is it?” asks George.


“A quarter to twelve,” replied Harry.

To Whom Am I Speaking?

The truths of God’s Word, when planted in our hearts early in life, have the ability to grow into a mighty faith as we mature. In today’s sermon, we will talk about how the power of God’s Word changed one man’s broken life in a dramatic fashion.

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”


Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.



 
Renewing Reflections:

It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon Planting the Seed delivered on Christian Crusaders June 14, 2009:


What are we doing in the Church today? It is a question that needs to be asked by the Christian on a daily basis. Here we have Christ’s answer: the Church’s God-given task is to plant the seed of God’s Word in the lives of people. Then the Holy Spirit does His work of producing the fruit, which is to bring forth a person who is committed to Christ. At this particular time we are sowing the seed, which is the Word of God. Then we watch as the Holy Spirit works through the Word, producing fruit in our lives.




About ChristianCrusaders.com


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By going to the bottom of our homepage and clicking Crusader Headlines, you will be able to view our Twitter updates.






On the Light Side


After a pretty hectic day with her four-year-old, Dee finally put down the law at bedtime. “We're putting on your pajamas, brushing your teeth, and reading ONE book. Then it's lights out!”


Little Sarah’s arms went around her neck in a gentle embrace, and she said, "We learned in Sunday school about little boys and girls who don't have mommies and daddies."


“Even after I'd been such a grouch,” Dee thought, “she was still grateful to have me.” And tears began to well up in her eyes. Then she heard little Sarah whisper, “Maybe you could go be THEIR mom?”

The Family of God

In the past, churches were built around large families and cultural similarities. Today, however, families are not so tight. When Jesus left his childhood home, he described a new family, and in this week’s sermon we will talk about what it means to be a part of the family of God.

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take care of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables; “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house. I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.

He said this because they were saying, “He has an evil spirit.”

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”

“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”


Renewing Reflections:
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon In Your Hour of Trial, What Will You Do? delivered on Christian Crusaders March 21, 2010:

If you are experiencing some difficult times right now, have you shared them with your Heavenly Father? If the future is frightening as you realize no one can escape these tough hours, remember that Jesus is always there to walk with you. Open your Bible and read of your Savior’s love for you. Then call a Christian friend who can be your comforter. We need a few close friends who are committed to the Lord Jesus and will be there when we need them the most. Probably you will come to a time when twelve are too many and you get down to three and then to one – you, the Lord Jesus and your friend.


An Easy Way to Help Spread the Gospel
Christian Crusaders would like to thank all those who help carry out the mission of this ministry through their gifts and prayers. One way you can help Christian Crusaders reach out is to add a link to www.ChristianCrusaders.org on your church or organization’s Web site. This is a simple way you can introduce others to a source of biblical truth over the radio and Internet.


On the Light Side
• “Families are like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.” - Unknown

• “A family is a unit composed not only of children but also of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold.” - Ogden Nash

• “The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together.” - Erma Bombeck

• “Family: A social unit where the father is concerned with parking space, the children with outer space, and the mother with closet space.” - Evan Esar

• “Blood’s thicker than water, and when one’s in trouble, it’s best to seek out a relative’s open arms.” - Unknown

• “When our relatives are at home, we have to think of all their good points or it would be impossible to endure them.” - George Bernard Shaw

• “I don’t have to look up my family tree, because I know that I’m the sap.” - Fred Allen