How to be Permanently Joyful Despite the Pain and Problems of Life (Gospel Light Minute X #400)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #400 titled, “How to be Permanently Joyful Despite the Pain and Problems of Life.” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

Pharrell’s famous song “Happy” may give you a feeling of momentary happiness while you are listening to it, but it will not keep you happy. For most people happiness depends on the happenings.

Are you a happy person? Fear and the guilt of sin can take away your happiness. You may wonder, “How can I be permanently happy? or, how can I be permanently cheerful and joyful?” The Holy Bible has a lot to say about having permanent joyfulness and cheerfulness even in the midst of pain and problems.

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If This Wicked Man Can Go To Heaven, So Can You (Gospel Light Minute X #399)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #399 titled, “If This Wicked Man Can Go To Heaven, So Can You.” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

Amazing. It’s the only way to describe the incredible transformation that took place in the life of John Newton. Newton was born in London in 1725. His mother died when he was seven. His father sent him to sea at age eleven. Working first as a cabin boy and then a deckhand, John was exposed to a life of drunkenness, profanity and immorality — and he embraced it. Soon, John surpassed his peers in outrageous behavior. Sharp-witted and sarcastic, he wrote offensive songs mocking the ship’s officers and expressing his contempt for their authority. He amused himself by inventing new swear words and leading his peers on reckless and dangerous escapades. He frequently deserted his post. Still in his teens, John was briefly enslaved on an African plantation and nearly died. But instead of sobering him, the experience only served to strengthen his rebellious spirit.

After Newton regained his freedom, he served time in the British Navy and eventually became captain of his own slave ship. As a slave trader, Newton’s heart grew even harder. He earned a reputation for being a foul-mouthed, ill-tempered man, despised by his subordinates and superiors alike. He cared for no one but himself and sought nothing but his own pleasure.

The Only Path to Peace and Paradise (Gospel Light Minute X #398)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #398 titled, “The Only Path to Peace and Paradise.” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16

John 3:16 is often called “The Gospel Text,” for here we have the whole Gospel briefly stated. We see the source of salvation—the love of God; the channel through which salvation comes—His only begotten Son; and the way by which we receive it—faith in His Son.

Perhaps you will say, “Oh, I have read that verse a thousand times.” Even if you have, have you ever really believed it—that is, by faith made yourself one of the “whosoevers” by trusting in Christ, and thereby received everlasting life?

A Christian friend told me how he was converted through this verse. He took it, read it word by word, believing as he read, applied it to himself, trusted the Son, and received everlasting life. Multitudes of other searching souls have done the same. Have you? If not, may the Lord help you to do so now.

Just let us look at this wonderful verse, a word or two at a time, always remembering that this is God’s Word, and God means what He says.

How to Get Your Greatest Need in Life Met Today (Gospel Light Minute X #397)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #397 titled, “How to Get Your Greatest Need in Life Met Today.” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

MAN’S GREATEST NEED

Sin has separated man from God. To be separated from God at death means to spend eternity in Hell, because God will not excuse sin, and sin must be punished. Man is sinful, but God is holy. The Blood of Jesus Christ is God’s way of meeting man’s greatest need.

GOD’S GREATEST SACRIFICE

God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross as the payment for your sins: Romans 3:25 says, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood…” Notice that it was God’s plan, not man’s: “Whom God hath sent forth…” Secondly, notice that Christ died to pay for our sins: “…to be a propitiation…” Finally, this verse states that forgiveness is obtained simply by trusting what Jesus has done: “…through faith in his blood…” Because of the Blood, God can show mercy to sinners, yet still remain holy and just. “…that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

The Story of Big Tom Taking the Whipping for His Classmate Little Jim (Gospel Light Minute X #396)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #396 titled, “The Story of Big Tom Taking the School Whipping for His Classmate Little Jim.” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

Rev. A. C. Dixon, the Baptist preacher who was born in the mountains of Virginia, relates the following incident:

Years ago, there was a certain school in this section of the mountains which no teacher could handle, and none lasted very long. The boys were so rough that every teacher resigned.

A young gray-eyed teacher soon applied for the position. The old school director looked him up and down, and then said, “Young fellow. Do you have any idea what you are getting yourself into? An awful beatin’ from the students! Every teacher we have had for years has had to take it.”

The serious-minded teacher replied, “I’ll take the risk.”

How to Face the Inevitable — Your Death (Gospel Light Minute X #395)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #395 titled, “How to Face the Inevitable –Your Death” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

I have found that one can tell how a person values life by his estimation of death. I once talked with a man who had never given serious thought to death until it was discovered that he had cancer. “Immediately my entire world changed,” he said. “The things I valued most became worthless, and the things that I thought were of little value are now the most important things in the world to me.”

GETTING READY FOR ETERNITY

Physical life is a possession that we all cling to, and yet we know we must all sooner or later bow to death. It enters the home of the rich as boldly as it enters the apartment in the projects. It brings down the final curtain as swiftly on the famous as it does on the unknown. Before this year ends, many people listening to this podcast will keep their appointment with death.

There are many who say, “I believe in life after death, but I’m not concerned about crossing that bridge until I get to it.” How strange that people should spend years preparing for retirement and not take so much as five minutes to prepare to meet God

How to Get Clean on the Inside (Gospel Light Minute X #394)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #394 titled, “How to Get Clean on the Inside” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

Maybe it’s the Mom in me, but I really like things to be clean. I think you would probably agree that whether it’s our house, our clothes, or even our car, we feel better once things are washed and put in order.

We can spend a lot of time, effort, and money making sure the things around us are spotless. But how often do you and I evaluate our heart and conscience to see if we are clean on the inside?

Take Advantage of God’s Grace Because His Wrath is Coming (Gospel Light Minute X #393)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #393 titled, “Take Advantage of God’s Grace Because His Wrath is Coming” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

You need salvation because of your sin. The Bible says in Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” You are not only a sinner by birth through Adam, but also by your choice. Romans 3:10-12 says, “…There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

As a sinner, you are without God and without hope. Sin brings death and eternal separation from God. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death…” The Bible says in Revelation 20:14-15, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Jesus Christ told the story of a rich man who was cast into hell after he died. This rich man is still in hell this very moment, almost two thousand years after Jesus spoke of him. In ten years, this man will still be in hell. A thousand years from now, he will still be in the burning pit of unquenchable fire. He is damned for all eternity. As a sinner, you will share the same fate, unless you accept God’s gift of grace.

It Is Time for You to Meet the Greatest Friend of All Time (Gospel Light Minute X #391)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #391 titled, “It Is Time for You to Meet the Greatest Friend of All Time” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

Joseph Scriven wrote:

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.
O, what peace we often forfeit
O, what needless pain we bear—
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.

The man who wrote this nineteenth-century hymn was familiar with grief and loneliness. Scriven was engaged twice, and both times his bride-to-be died before the wedding. He fought depression all his life. It was after one bout with depression that he wrote the words to this song.

He could write those words because he had discovered the reality of friendship with Jesus Christ. Jesus understands our feelings because He lived on earth as a man. Jesus knows what it is like to be lonely. He suffered the pain of rejection and cruelty, and he felt hunger and thirst. The Bible describes Him as “a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief”.

Yet Jesus did more than just sympathize with our troubles. The Bible says that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”, and that “the wages of sin is death”. But God transferred our sin to Jesus Christ, His sinless Son, to make us right with God.

Are You Ready for a Change? (Gospel Light Minute X #390)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #390 titled, “Are You Ready for a Change?” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

Fueled by unfulfilled promises, unrealized hopes, and increasing difficulties, “It’s time for a change” has become a common theme with both politicians and the general public.

THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES IN THE PAST

Within the recent past, changes have occurred with surprising suddenness. Governments once thought to be stable have been toppled. Financial institutions have failed. Once-successful businesses have collapsed. Even more significantly, the moral fabric of society has been shattered by turning away from God and the principles of His Word, the Bible. The “do what feels good” mentality—casting off restraint and rejecting authority—has broken up families and ruined lives. This is nothing but lawlessness, the essence of sin, which has brought the disillusion, disease, death, and destruction we see all around us.