Right Start Radio With Pastor Jim Custer

You can remain a caterpillar... if you want to! The metamorphosis that we talked about yesterday - the transformation from an earthbound creature to a spiritual one - is what God has been after all along. But many of us don't know that we can be a butterfly. We may feel a yearning to fly, but we're stuck in our old, wormy ways. Or so we think. Here's Jim with the conclusion of his sermon, Living Among the Extreme Makeovers. We're in Romans, chapter 7. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02212025_0.mp3Scripture References: Romans 12:1-2, 7:14-24, 8

Are you a Christian - or do you just "identify" as one? In our strange, "Twilight Zone" world where people believe they are something they clearly are not, we want to be the real deal. A pollster surveying the religious landscape will have to take my word for it: If I say I'm a Christian, then that's how my responses will be recorded and labeled. But what is the reality? Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02202025_0.mp3Scripture References: Romans 12:1-2, 7:14-24, 8:6-17

People demand autonomy in the "privacy of their own bedroom." God says, "What privacy?" Nothing is hidden from the One who created us, and who designed us as sexual beings. Since that is true we'll find that His rules are firm, His plan is best, and it just won't do to pretend that we are mere animals. Or gods. In 1 Thessalonians 4 Paul isn't addressing the pagan culture of Greece - he's writing to Christians. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02192025_0.mp3Scripture References: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

"The heart wants what it wants," said Woody Allen. At least the famous director had enough shame to pretend that it was his heart, and not another body part, that was leading him. The question before Christians today is, Will we join our society in obeying our instincts, like animals; or will we stand apart? Will we obey a higher calling? Will we model for the world the proper use of God's gift of sexuality? Here's Jim to open the sermon, Living Among the Peculiar. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02182025_0.mp3Scripture References: 1 Thessal

How can we think about the "fulness" of a limitless God? The desire of the Spirit - and the Son and the Father, too - is to fill. To fill us, to fill the church, to fill creation. And this theme of filling keeps coming up in Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Today we'll look at all 8 of the references that are exactly on point, and we think you'll see something new and surprising. It's not a work God is saving for later; this is happening now. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02172025_0.mp3Scripture References: Ephesians 2 & 4

What does being filled with the Spirit look like? In Psychology class my instructors tried to teach me about "self-actualization." Supposedly it's the state of having reached one's full potential. To "make oneself real" would be a literal definition. That's nonsense, of course, and a pale imitation of what God offers us. We're back in Ephesians 5. We'll drop in around verse 19, as Jim will tell us about four results of being filled with the Spirit. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02142025_1.mp3Scripture References: Ephesians 2 & 4

Christians are in danger of becoming "comfortably numb." The very freedom and assurance we have in Christ can be misused to build a nice hideaway, insulated from the voice of God. When Paul warned the Ephesians about the hazards of living for pleasure, listening to worldly philosophers, and gradually closing their ears to God's instructions, he could hardly have imagined the scene today. Is our "comfortable" life what the Spirit calls, "futile?" Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02132025_1.mp3Scripture References: Ephesians 2 & 4

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you...." Whether it's the King James version or a more recent translation, Jesus' meaning is clear: when the Holy Spirit shows up, He brings power! Power to do what? That's the question we'll answer on today's program. We'll find 4 great goals of the Spirit as we study the latter part of Ephesians 5, and into chapter 6. Here's Jim to finish out his sermon, Living Among the Intoxicated, Part 1. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02122025_1.mp3Scripture References: Ephesians 5-6

Dumb, drunk, or discerning - which kind of Christian are you? We talk about someone being "under the influence," but maybe everyone is under some kind of influence. It could be alcohol in one case, and the Holy Spirit in another. Some seem to live in a spiritual stupor, never really aware of what's going on. By the numbers, most American Christians are under the wrong influence. Paul warned the Ephesians not to be dumb, and not to be drunk! Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02112025_0.mp3Scripture References: Ephesians 5-6

The Ten Commandments, or the ninefold fruit? Too many professing Christians are trying to live by the Rules. And the Rules are good! But they can't regenerate us, and grow the life of God in us. We need to stop thinking about rocks (those stone tablets of Sinai), and start seeing ourselves as trees. Last time Jim gave us 4 "steps" into this new orchard. He'll remind us of those today, then he'll show us what this Tree metaphor looks like in practice. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02102025_0.mp3Scripture References: Psalm 1; Galatians 5

We know the desires of the flesh very well. What are the "desires of the spirit?" Flesh and spirit are at war with one another, according to Galatians 5:17. Yesterday Jim got us to thinking about 4 "steps" to a fruitful life. And they start with the idea of knowing that the Holy Spirit within us has an agenda! He's up to something! When we learn what it is, we can cooperate, and allow Him to do His work. Here's Jim to wrap up, Living in the Orchard, Part 1. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02072025_0.mp3Scripture References: Galatians 5:13-6

God does not want you to live the Christian life! For those of you doubting you ears or your radio reception right now, I'll repeat: God doesn't want -you- to live the Christian life! In fact, people trying to "be holy" and produce the fruit of the Spirit from their own resources are a huge problem. To extend the metaphor of trees that we just picked up from Psalm 1, the Father is growing an orchard. Some of the trees in that grove are struggling. And some are fake. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02062025_0.mp3Scripture References: Galatians

We can be a tree, or we can be trash. We all love trees, maybe except in Autumn. They're nice to look at, they give us shade and fruit, and finally, lumber or firewood. Life without trees would be a lot less pleasant. But chaff doesn't do any of that for us. It's like discarded packaging. Those are the life choices outlined for us in Psalm 1. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02052025_0.mp3Scripture References: Psalm 1

We all choose that which we desire. But could we choose to desire something else? And welcome to a new study that Jim calls, Be Rich. We know that there are "riches," and then there are riches. But many of us continue to struggle for the ephemeral kind, instead of the eternal kind. The world tells us that we can change our tactics for achieving what we want, but we can't change what we want. That's a lie. Here's Jim to open his sermon Success, or Blessing. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02042025_0.mp3Scripture References: Psalm 1

While waiting for mercy... show mercy! For those who are doubting, those who have been tricked by false teachers - for those who have just plain fallen back into sin, what do we do? Christianity is all about redemption, but there is a danger. The lifeguard knows that when he swims out to rescue a drowning man, he's putting his own life at risk. Overconfidence can be fatal. Here's Jim with Part 2 of the talk we began on Friday: Contending for the Faith, from the book of Jude. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02032025_0.mp3Scripture References: 

Apostles against apostasy! As we wrap up our study of 2 Timothy, we'll see that it wasn't just Paul who was worked up about liars infiltrating the church. Peter wrote about it, and Jude, as well. Jesus had warned us of wolves in sheep's clothing - well, they had arrived. And it would only get worse. The "eyewitness generation" was passing away just as a tsunami of falsehood was rushing in. Here's Jim to talk about, Contending for the Faith. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS01312025_0.mp3Scripture References: 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Jude

Time really is running out. When Paul exhorted Timothy to "preach the word," he told him there was a time limit! And it may not be the one you're thinking of. Before the Lord returns for His church, the window of opportunity for explaining the truth may close. "The time will come when they will not tolerate sound teaching," Paul wrote. If you're not selling pretty lies, they're not buying. Here's Part 2 of Jim's sermon, Preach the Message. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS01302025_0.mp3Scripture References: 2 Timothy 3 & 4

Heard any good fairy tales lately? I know you've heard some bad fairy tales lately. When divine truth is discarded, it isn't reason and logic that rush in to fill the void; it's superstition and nonsense. Our postmodern era is defined by its hostility to truth. This condition can't continue forever, of course. But while it does, what do we do? The Apostle Paul had some thoughts on that, in his second letter to Timothy. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS01292025_0.mp3Scripture References: 2 Timothy 3 & 4

Christians go off the rails when we forget. Paul was going home, but he wanted Timothy to stay on track. So he gave Tim, and us, four things to remember. Scripture will be one of those, of course; but there are also human examples who've walked this path before us. And there are a couple more that we'll think about in the next few minutes. Let's join Pastor Jim as he's musing on 2 Timothy 3:12, and the persecution we should expect, as followers of Jesus. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS01282025_0.mp3Scripture References: 2 Timothy 3:1 - 4:2

Would you leave the Shepherd, to follow the Wolf? Jesus has brought all kinds of sheep into His flock, rescuing them from all sorts of lies and addictions and sins. But the Wolf promises them freedom from the sheep pen - plus hidden knowledge, and prestige in the world. And some of them jump. That's not an explanation of apostasy, but it is a little parable to illustrate Paul's concern. We're studying his 2nd letter to Timothy. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS01272025_0.mp3Scripture References: 2 Timothy 3:1 - 4:2