One of the secrets to the apostle Paul's amazing overcoming life was the simple yet powerful instructions he gave us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Or, "In every situation you meet – good, bad, and in between – give God thanks." Why? "'This' thanksgiving, and 'this' situation are part of His master plan for you as His child in Christ Jesus, sent to in some way do 'good' (Romans 8:28), in you, for you, or through you. Or all of the above. If you will just remain yielded, trusting, and obedient. Obey Paul's command and you will build his character, the very character of Christ, in your life. Disobey, and it's impossible to build his character. Ponder this and choose wisely.

We believe Paul's teaching on salvation, typology, the church, and the end times, as we should. But we should pay even more attention to Paul's practical theology – his plain commands for everyday Christian living that sprang from his own experience. One of the hidden gems in Paul's treasure chest of practical theology is 1 Thessalonians 5:18. When we learn to "give thanks" to God in "everything," we are on our way to spiritual maturity, Christlike humility, Davidic living, strong faith, and a vibrant, spiritually successful prayer life. This is not a message for one season but for all seasons. Listen, learn, obey, and overcome – exactly as Paul did in his amazingly victorious life – giving thanks to God, all day, every day, good days, bad days, the rest of your days!

Greg continues discussing Christianity in India with three deeply committed Indian ministers. This interview – which discusses Hindu soteriology, India's holy rivers, its caste system, and the miraculous conversion experience of a deathly ill, ultra-devout young Hindu woman – was not taped in a sound studio but in an open-air setting in India, complete with traffic noise, monkeys jumping loudly on metal roofs, and live roosters "amening" the conversation in their own distinctive way! Greg hopes this series will prompt American Christians to prayerfully consider getting involved in God's work in what is currently the most populous nation on earth. Christ is coming very soon and if we are to help our needy brothers and sisters in India, now is the time.

In the multiple part mini series, Greg discusses the current state of Christianity in India with three Indian nationals who are deeply committed Christians and ministers. His hope is that this interview will prompt American Christians, ministers, churches, and missions organizations to prayerfully consider getting involved in God's work in what is now the most populous nation on earth. Christ is coming very soon, and if we are to help our needy brothers and sisters in India, now is the time."

Self-pity – an unhealthy, obsessive sorrow for oneself arising from a narrow, selfish viewpoint of one's troubles – is one of the most universal, crippling, and deadly sins that stunt the characters and abort the destinies of Christians. And one of the most undetected ones! How many teachings have you heard on this subject? In this episode, Greg defines self-pity and uses multiple biblical texts and examples to describe its many causes, manifestations, and deadly effects. He then offers practical biblical instructions on how to take self-pity captive and become free to know Christ intimately and spend the rest of your life serving others for Christ's sake, rather than self-destructing spiritually and spending the rest of your days serving sin and Satan for self-pity's sake. Your time listening to this one will be well spent indeed! (But Satan won't think so . . .)

In John 6:44, Jesus said, "No man can come unto me, unless the Father, who has sent me, draws him." In John 12:32, He added, "I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." What was He talking about? How does the Father draw sinners to Christ? Is this really required before they can have a genuine salvation experience? Does the Father do this Himself? Or does another member of the holy Trinity participate? Do believers have any part in this divine drawing process? And what are the signs that tell us a sinner is being drawn to Christ? This episode answers these questions and offers much more useful information.

To succeed at anything in this world, we must learn to harness our attention and focus on the task at hand. The spiritual walk requires no less. If we aim to finish the race set before us, and please Christ with the way we live and the work we do, we must learn to remain spiritually focused. And when that focus is broken—and it will be at times—we must know how to quickly refocus, and then press on with what really counts: seeking Christ and His will for our life. Using the gospel account of Peter's famous walk atop stormy Lake Galilee in Matthew 14:22-33, Greg explains why Peter sank and how we may avoid repeating his error and set an example that will inspire others to rise and overcome their stormy tests of faith and endurance . . . by maintaining their spiritual focus.

The Bible repeatedly calls us to humble ourselves. Are we responding? Do we realize just how much God despises pride? Do we know why He does so? Well, this episode discloses these vital truths and many more – and gives us clear, practical instructions as to how we may deal with our pride and grow in Christlike humility. In the Q & A segment, Greg answers a very timely question posed concerning events in the Middle East and how we should see them in light of God's promises and prophecies to the Jewish people.