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Echola, Alabama
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Pastor Steve Milazzo, Lead Pastor
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Underdog Leadership - Leadership Principles, Leadership Success, Resilience
Dr. Charles Olmeda - Senior Pastor, Adjunct Professor, Leadership Consultant
Welcome to Underdog Leadership Podcast with your host Dr. Charles Olmeda. Has life been less than perfect for you? Are you one of those that was not born with the quintessential silver spoon in your mouth? Were you not born on the proverbial right side of the tracks? Have you often felt like you did not derive from the right pedigree or did not have the perfect socio-economic journey? Have you experienced bumps and setbacks along your personal, spiritual, and academic journey. Guess what? Jo ...
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Have you see Jesus lately? Although he is not here on the earth in bodily form, we can still see Him on a regular basis. From His ingenious creativity in nature, to the picture of His supernatural Humanness painted in the scripture, we can see visions of Him if we only look. In this message, I look at the subject of seeing Him daily. http://www.bet…
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One of the many amazing qualities of our Lord, is the way He can overcome and overrule tragedy and sorrow. Without using sin or directing sinful occurrences, the sovereign power of our Lord enables Him to step in and turn sorrow into joy, when all seems lost, and it appears hopeless. In this message, Brother Luke preaches about this amazing truth. …
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In the Biblical parenting series, I take a look at an amazing father. His name was Noah. He planned for his family even before his children were born, and in the fact of insurmountable opposition, he stood strong. Although it was not planned this way, this message actually fell on Father’s Day. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06…
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It is unwise to compare ourselves to one another. We are all broken measures, and the word of God expressly condemns comparing with each other. But the Lord gives us ways to compare, and it is never with each other. In this message, Brother Luke preaches about how we can make right comparisons that will only help us grow in our spiritual walk. http…
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The Inspired word of God specializes in contrasts. Romans 12 is no exception. In verse 2 we find a stark contrast in the words conform and transform. To conform means to look like everyone else. But transform is the word we know today as “metamorphosis”. Think about how a butterfly transforms. After the Holy Spirit borns us again, we should be tran…
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In this message, I continue looking at the time when the Lord ended the world with a flood. It was not the failure of government. It was the failure of the family. This should be a warning to us today as we see the continued decline of God’s initial form of government – the family. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/06.09.24.Fai…
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Have you ever wondered why the Lord sent the flood in the days of Noah? What was the root problem? Was the government passing ungodly and overreaching laws? Did the Lord just arbitrarily decide to wipe everything out and start over? In this message, I take a look at this question. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/06.02.24.Why_…
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When we consider how God does not change in his commitment to eternally save us, it should inspire us to be faithful to Him. Sadly, if we are honest with ourselves, our faithfulness is very lacking. We are drawn away so easily from serving Him. In this message, Brother Luke relates how God’s faithfulness should inspire us to faithfulness. http://ww…
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In this message, I continue a series on Bible-based parenting. There are some horrible examples in the Bible of parents who did not teach their children. One of those examples is found in I Samuel. In this message I look at the preacher’s, or to be accurate, the priest’s kids. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/05.26.24.The_.Pre…
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Our eternal life is a non-refundable gift from God. It cannot be taken away and praise God we cannot do something to lose it. And Paul directs the young preacher Timothy to lay hold on the eternal life God has given him. If we can lay hold on it, then it is possible to not lay hold on it. This does not mean we lose it, but it means we do not feel t…
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In the book of Joshua, we find a father of a family who disobeyed the Lord and brought an “accursed thing” into his home. It had the effect of destroying his family completely. The phrase “accursed thing” means a doomed object. I wonder how many doomed objects we may have in our own homes. I call this message The Accursed Thing. http://www.bethlehe…
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In this message, Brother Luke takes up another difficult subject, that is so relevant to us today. Our society is saturated with sinful sexuality. God’s children need to hear what God’s word says about this topic. The Bible refers to this sin as fornication. From the TV to the internet, from billboards to books, this temptation is everywhere. http:…
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There is an old saying that is given as a warning to small children – do not take candy from strangers. In this message, I add to that phrase a bit. Do not take ANYTHING from strangers. Using the word of God, this message explores how dangerous it is to take advice, counsel, friendship, or anything at all, from those who do not have our best intere…
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Recently while preaching a series on teaching our children, it occurred to me how often the perfect Son of God continued to surface in my studies. This led me to preach this message on the perfect Son. There is no better child to observe than the most perfect One who ever lived. In this message, I look at the Perfect Son, Jesus Christ. http://www.b…
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The more we are trained in Godly conduct and responses, the more we are likely to have an automatic response of Godliness, when situations arise. In this message, Brother Luke uses detailed examples to show how we can be trained to respond to our circumstances in ways that honor the Lord. The title of this message is Automatic Godliness. http://www…
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How Important is the love of God? Brother Paul Blair looks at this question in the Sunday morning message at Bethlehem. In this message entitled “The Love of God”, the annual meeting was concluded. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/05.05.24.The_.Love_.of_.God_.Paul_.Blair_.mp3 05.05.24.The.Love.of.God.Paul.Blair…
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In the final message of the day, Brother Josh looks again at the example of Abraham. Here we learn that Abraham found all of the answers he was looking for in the Lord. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/05.04.24.msg_.4.Our_.Promise.Josh_.Winslett.mp3 05.04.24.msg.4.Our.Promise.Josh.Winslett…
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During the afternoon service, Brother Paul Blair asked another question: Why did you join the church? I now share with you that message. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/05.04.24.msg3_.Why_.Did_.You_.Join_.the_.Church.Paul_.Blair_.mp3 05.04.24.msg3.Why.Did.You.Join.the.Church.Paul.Blair…
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Here is the 2nd message preached at the recent annual meeting by Elder Paul Blair, pastor of New Antioch PBC in Lexington, TN. In this message Brother Paul addresses the age-old question of how do you know when you are in love. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/05.04.24.msg_.2.May_.Meeting.How_.Do_.You_.Know_.Paul_.Blair_.mp3 0…
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There were riddles my parents imposed on me when I was child. Why could I not watch TV all day? Why could I not eat jelly at every meal? Why could I not watch the soap opera with my grandmother? I did not learn the answer to these riddles until many years later, after I was grown. These were reproofs that my parents taught me. Like riddles, they of…
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I share with you the first message from our recent May meeting at Bethlehem. In this message, Elder Josh Winslett, pastor of Beulah Primitive Baptist Church in Leeds, AL, preaches from Genesis 15. The title of the message is “Our Reward.” http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/05.04.24.Msg_.1.May_.Meeting.Our_.Reward.Josh_.Winslett.…
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In this message, Brother Luke begins a series about pitfalls and snares that can ruin our lives. Some of those snares may not start out as an outright sin. But just because something is not in and of itself sinful, does not mean it is beneficial to us. Brother Luke takes up an important and timely subject that falls into this category. http://www.b…
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As parents, we are very sensitive when someone tells us there is something wrong with our children. But the truth is, there is something wrong with all children. The major problem is they come from us, their parents. And they take on our sinful nature. In this message, I look at this subject and how God’s word gives specific instruction for parents…
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In this sermon, Brother Luke preaches about the importance of saving our houses. By looking at examples of houses that were doomed by the actions of the father, and comparing that to fathers’ whose actions saved their houses in might way, we can see just how important it is to focus on saving our houses. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploa…
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This message was preached on a Wednesday night by Elder John Morgan Owens, member of Zion PBC. In this message, Brother John Morgan points out how we are living in a time when there is no time for half measures. The culture is dark and growing darker, and our stand for truth must be firm and kind, not shaky and wavering. http://www.bethlehempbc.org…
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In this message, I begin a series on Bible Based Parenting. Parents are inundated with different “How To” books regarding parenting. But the best parenting book ever written was written by God Himself. There is great and detailed instruction in God’s Word about how parents should love and teach their children. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content…
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God-called ministers are referred to in various ways in the Bible. From the unique “under-oarsman” of I Cor.4 to the “ox” of I Cor. 9, the descriptions are unique and wide-ranging. But each description carries with it a clear message of how the ministry was created by God for serving God’s people, not lording over them. In this message, I look at t…
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Today on the podcast, I share a message preached on a Wednesday night by Brother Luke. Jesus told us to “Remember Lot’s wife.” We should perk up and pay attention to this because Jesus tells us to remember her. If we look at her life, as well as the situation she was in with her family, we can learn valuable life lessons. This is what Jesus intende…
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The Bible teaches more than one type of resurrection. From the resurrection of Christ to resurrections we can experience in a timely sense, we find various resurrections taught. On this past Easter Sunday, Brother Luke presents a timely message on Four Resurrections. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/03.31.24.Four_.Resurrection…
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Preaching in parables was a teaching method that Jesus used. In some ways, parables were like a code designed to hide truth from some and reveal truth to others. It takes a spiritual mind to understand the truth of a parable. In this message, Brother Luke preaches about the purpose of parables. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03…
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Good decision making is something we should all be interested in. For the child of God, there is a clear path to making decisions that honor God, especially in difficult times. In this message, Brother McNeil Honea preaches about what the Bible teaches on this subject. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/03.24.24.Good_.Decision.M…
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Born again children of God have the privilege of learning about Christ. From the moment of being quickened by the Spirit, we have an opportunity to learn more and more about our Savior. In this message, I look at how this works. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/03.17.24.Learning.in_.the_.School.of_.Christ.Tim_.McCool.mp3 03.17…
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The Book of Ephesians offers a perfect balance of doctrine and practice. The 1st 3 chapters are focused primarily on doctrine, and the last 3 on practical living. In this message, I look at the doctrine presented in the second chapter – how we are quickened, or born again. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/03.13.24.Quickened.by…
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A lot of different things may attract us to the church. It might be the friendliness of a congregation, congregational singing, or even the sharing of a meal at church. But many are drawn by a revelatory and often new understanding of salvation by grace alone. Whatever brings a child of God to the truth, it is the truth of God’s grace that keeps th…
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God’s creation is amazing for many reasons. One reason is because the very design of certain created creatures, teaches us great lessons. In this message, Brother Luke presents how 4 of God’s creations teach us important and valuable lessons. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/03.10.24.Creation.Teaches.Luke_.Hagler.mp3 03.10.24.…
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It is easy to fall into the trap of constantly asking, “What’s wrong with people?” Although there may be times to ask that question, the real question is what Paul asked in Romans 7: What’s wrong with me? The way he looked at the conflict within – between the old human nature and the new spiritual nature – caused him to ask this question. In this m…
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Self-Examination can be difficult. But it is very easy to examine others, while overlooking our own shortcomings. That is human nature. In this message, Brother Luke points out that when we fail to self-examine, and yet still criticize others, it is like swallowing a camel while straining at a gnat. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/20…
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We often face such troubled times and darkness, until it is difficult to see that the Lord is there. But the Lord made a promise to His children in the book of Hebrews. In this message, I look at that promise. It reveals to us that even when we cannot see Him or feel Him, He is there. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/02.25.24.…
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What does it mean to have a “good life?” The post-modern Christian culture would propose a very different definition of a good life, versus the word of God. In this message, Brother McNeil Honea looks at what it means for a child of God to experience a good life. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/02.25.24.A.Good_.Life_.McNeil.H…
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When is the last time you heard about a sovereign God, who answers to no one, does as He please, and never has to ask our permission to save us? This is what I refer to as “Big God Theology.” In this message, I look at what God says about Himself in His word. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/02.18.24.Big_.God_.Theology.Tim_.Mc…
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In part 2 of the message on Romans 10, Brother Luke continues to look at the true context of this famous chapter. Was Paul making an offer of eternal salvation? Or was he showing how born-again children of God can exit the slavish prison of thinking their confession or work is what takes them to heaven? http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/upload…
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It is very easy to feed our human nature. Sometimes we even create situations that set us up for temptation. Recognizing how easy this occurs is the first step to resisting. In this message, Brother Luke examines how we can resist feeding lust or temptation. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/02.14.24.Lust_.Luke_.Hagler.mp3 02.1…
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Darkness is everywhere today. The forces of Satan are coming at us in all areas of our lives. But darkness is not a new thing, it has been vexing God’s people for ages. In this message, I look at how darkness has come to the kingdom of God at different times, just as it is today. I hope it will encourage us to push back against the darkness we are …
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Romans chapter 10 is often called the “Roman Road of Salvation”. When saying this, most are thinking about the way we get to heaven, or eternal salvation. In this message, Brother Luke looks at the true meaning of Romans 10, within the context of the Apostle’s Paul foundation laid in the previous 9 chapters. When viewed in this light, it becomes ve…
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If required to buy a lifetime’s worth of gas when I turned 16, it would have broken me financially. Thankfully, we don’t have to do that. We get the gas we need as we go along. The Lord does this with us. When we think we are forsaken or forgotten, the Lord provides what we need as we go along. Whether it was manna in the desert or even the covenan…
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John 3:16 is probably the most well known verse in the Bible. It is also possibly the most misunderstood. In this message, Brother Luke takes up this popular verse, and presents an accurate view of what it means. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/02.04.24.John_.3.16.Luke_.Hagler.mp3 02.04.24.John.3.16.Luke.Hagler…
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As believers in salvation by grace alone, we often hear the question – Why do you preach if you believe God does all the saving? This question presumes that the gospel is a part of saving us eternally. But that is not the purpose of the gospel. In this message, Brother Luke answers the question about why we preach. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-co…
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In this message, Brother McNeil Honea looks at modern day sorcery, or trickery. Even though it may not look exactly like it once did, deception and trickery are the tools of Satan even today. We must be aware of the ways in which we can be tricked into believing things that aren’t true. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/01.28.2…
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In this message, I look at how we can cultivate our faith. God is the giver of faith, and sadly, it often takes some amazing providence from God to cause us to grow in our faith towards Him. But whether we see some great miracle, or if we just look at Who He is, it should cause us to strengthen and increase our trust in Him. http://www.bethlehempbc…
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In this message, I continue to look at what it means to nurture and encourage the body of Christ. Previously I examined what it does not look like, in the examples of Lot and Job’s miserable comforters. Now I begin to look at how we nurture and encourage what Christ refers to as His wife. http://www.bethlehempbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/01.21…
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