May 17, 2026 • 51 mins
A program of word and music featuring an eclectic mix of Christian music and teaching by Pastor Tom Cullen and Brian Evans. Mac Wigfield starts the program with southern gospel classics.
Produced in Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada.
Christian Artists featured are:
Signature Sound
Crist Family
Whisnants
Chris Rice
Reflections Trio
Brian Doerksen
Norton Hall Band
Hallal Music
Charles Offor
Matt Boswell and Matt Papa
Thank you for listening to HOPE TODAY. This is a program developed at Light & Life Programming, a registered charity. We are listener supported. If you would like to help with this ministry, donations can be made through our website at www.lightnlife.ca.
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Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_01 (00:02):
Welcome to this program of Hope Today.
During this next hour, you willfind encouragement as you listen
to a wonderful mix of music andbiblical teaching.
Pastor Tom Cullen will continuelooking into the life of Joseph,
as found today in Genesischapter 39.
Today we learn about dealingwith temptation in the life of a
(00:24):
young Bible character who is anamazing, godly example.
Listen for Pastor Tom in themoments ahead.
As we prepare our hearts andminds for today's program, won't
you sit back and listen to a fewmoments of great gospel
musicians as Matt Wigfield?
Mac (00:45):
And it's time for gospel music on Hope Today.
We have quite a variety, I'msure, of people who listen to
the program.
Glad that you're there.
But if this day you are abeliever in Jesus Christ, you
can use the word savior withreal meaning.
Because Jesus is a savior.
He is a savior who cares.
(01:07):
Here's a song from SignatureSound.
song (01:10):
When I can't trace the master's head, can I go on when
I can't see his plan?
Can I walk through the cold darknight?
(01:37):
My faith I can, and here's thereason why I know I know my
token if we could my brokenheart dead.
(02:03):
I don't mind.
SPEAKER_06 (02:30):
I can't forget, and there's the scarce of all that I
regret.
song (02:44):
My life was ruled in my own head.
SPEAKER_05 (02:54):
But fruit is love.
I can begin again.
song (03:02):
I know, I don't like to talk to me.
I don't think to give me mytroubles.
(03:52):
I know I know my stay okay.
Mac (04:26):
Well, life has its share of tempestuous seas, as the Chris
family will tell us.
Listen.
SPEAKER_12 (05:35):
Thou canst the ocean aw, boisterous waves oh they thy
win when thou steest to theleast deal.
(06:02):
What dress thus did Jesus Davidme?
song (06:20):
When I still reached the show, and not to break it off
me.
(07:12):
Jesus parent me.
Mac (07:28):
But you know, if you're not a believer, you don't have a
prayer.
(07:50):
These are the wisdoms.
song (07:52):
The savior is waiting to enter your heart.
Why don't you let him come in?
Where's that to keep you up?
(08:23):
Why is your answer to time?
Before you take one step towardthe same for my friend, you'll
(09:30):
find his arms open and white.
Tom (11:30):
It's been said that temptations swirl around us
every day, just looking for aplace to land.
And isn't it true?
It seems we're always facingthings, attitudes, and
situations that call us toabandon what we believe to be
good and holy and pure, and givein to an urge that will bring us
fortune, power, or glory.
(11:52):
In our study of the life ofJoseph today, we will discover
this very thing and see that heis able to overcome.
Here is Chris Rice with It isWell with My Soul.
SPEAKER_10 (12:04):
When peace life sendeth my way.
Tom (17:59):
So for you.
In the midst of temptation, Godwill provide a way out.
The reflections trio sing, Whata Friend We Have in Jesus.
unknown (18:11):
What a friend we have in Jesus.
song (18:19):
All our sins have preached to come in.
Tom (21:48):
The Israeli Secret Service say that they can entrap any man
or woman with one or somecombination of three things
money, power, or sexuality.
But Joseph was able to.
And firm in the face of thewrong temptation.
How did he do it?
He was ready.
(22:11):
Joseph didn't need to stop andthink about what he stood for,
or who he supreme served, or howGod called him to live.
He was ready to call us in.
He says in Genesis chapter 39,verse 9, how could I do such a
wicked thing and sin againstGod?
Joseph called us in.
(22:32):
James Boy says that in ourbattle against temptation, is an
important starting point.
Because one of the devil'stricks in his campaign to
promote sin and limit godlinessis to call sin something other
than what it is.
And make it less objectionableand perhaps even more desirable.
Pride, for example, isreinterpreted as a self-esteem.
(22:56):
Gluttony is called the goodlife.
Coveting is trying to improveyourself or get ahead.
Perversions, which are condemnedso directly and fiercely in the
Bible, are called an alternativelifestyle.
Fornication is experimentation,and adultery is an attempt to
cure a lackluster marriage.
Listen, no matter what you callit, no matter how hard you try
(23:18):
to cover it up and excuse it,sin is still a sin.
Joseph was ready to facetemptation for what it was
rebellion against God, andcontrary to everything he wants
for us.
Brian Dorkson sings of theholiness of God.
SPEAKER_01 (30:03):
Kate was working with young women in West London,
and it seems was activelyinvolved in the Keswick Deeper
Life Convention movement.
In the late 19th and early 20thcenturies, Keswick was the site
of a series of meetings designedto promote more devotion to
Christ.
The desire of the believer isthat as they mature in faith,
(30:26):
their personality and characterwill take on more Christ-like
qualities.
Their devotion to Christ willstrengthen their resolve to
resist sin from gaining afoothold in their lives.
The hymn must have been writtenprior to 1913 when it was first
published in print form as apoem.
The tune was later composed byArthur Cyril Garden Bull.
(30:50):
The text and tune were firstincluded in the Golden Bell's
hymnal in 1925.
Kate Wilkinson died just threeyears later.
Yet her hymn remains as apersonal encouragement to
prepare for our daily living byseeking the mind of Christ in
our heart.
As one of the six verses says,May I run the race before me
(31:15):
strong and brave to face thefoe.
Looking only unto Jesus as Ionward go.
Won't you make this your prayertoo?
As Norton Hall Band sings, Maythe mind of Christ my Savior.
SPEAKER_11 (31:29):
May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from
day to day by his love and powercontrolling all I do and say.
(32:08):
So that I try only through hishouse.
Tom (34:43):
He didn't try to cover it up or excuse it.
But he was also ready to see sinas an offense against God.
He would agree with the words ofPsalm 51, which reads, Against
you, Lord, only you have Isinned and done what is evil in
your sight.
Joseph recognized that howevergreat an offense his sin might
(35:05):
be to other people, it was farmore offensive to God.
In a parable that Jesus tells,we see that this is the
realization that the prodigalson comes to when he is in a
distant land, and one day afterfeeding swine, he comes to his
senses and says, I have not onlysinned against my earthly
father, but I have sinnedagainst my heavenly father.
(35:28):
Walt Whitman once said thatthere were times when he would
like to go and live with thecattle.
They were so placid and content,he said.
Not one of them, he noticed withapproval, lies awake at night
and weep over its sin.
That's the ideal.
I'd say that our generation hasdone well, for there are few
(35:48):
people who weep over their sin.
Oh, how we need to recover thefact that when we sin, we slap
God in Christ in the face.
We push the crown of thorns downa little harder upon his head,
we nail the nails into his handswith a little more force, and we
raise our voices.
Crucify, crucify.
(36:10):
Our sins are against God.
And because of those sins, hedied.
Joseph, when tempted, was readyto see that sin was against God,
and as a result, he walked awayfrom the temptation rather than
bring shame upon the Lord whomhe loved and who loved him.
The result of the soundtestified, I need thee every
(36:34):
hour.
(38:52):
There's another way to resisttemptation.
Just outright refuse.
F.
B.
Meyer offers this advice.
When temptation comes, refusethe first tiny thrill of it,
lest it widen a breach bigenough to admit the ocean.
Remember that no temptation canmaster you unless you welcome it
(39:12):
within.
Perhaps that's why we read inProverbs 4, Do not set your foot
on the path of the wicked orwalk in the way of evil men.
Avoid it.
Do not travel on it.
Turn from it and go on your way.
We read in verse 10 of Genesis39 that Joseph not only refused
to go to bed with Oliver's wife,but he even refused to be with
(39:36):
her.
So many of us fall into sinbecause we allow ourselves to be
where we know we will betempted.
Believe it or not, sometimesovercoming temptation is as easy
as not allowing yourself to bein those places or situations
where you know you will betempted, or with those people
whom you know will only lead youfurther from God rather than
(39:58):
closer to him.
In the words of the Lord JesusChrist, what good will it be for
someone to gain the whole worldyet forfeit their soul?
Here's halal music with awonderful prayer.
song (40:12):
May the words of my mouths of my mouth and the meditation
of my heart.
Be pleasing in your side, OLord, my rock and my redeemer.
May the words of my mouth andthe meditation of my heart.
Be pleasing in your side, OLord.
(40:34):
My rock and heart be demon.
(40:55):
No one's at all seven.
And make the bugs in.
Tom (42:20):
Thanks so much for joining us on Hope Today.
It is a truth that God calls usto turn away from temptation and
to live a life of holiness, torevere Him, shun evil, seek
peace, and call for justice.
This is the way of God's people,empowered by the presence and
life of Christ.
So Charles Offer sings Thoughtsto Live By.
SPEAKER_14 (42:45):
Revere God's glory from the rising sun.
Shun evil of the evil one.
Call for justice, call forjustice, call for justice,
(43:05):
right?
Justice Call for justice, callfor justice, call for justice,
(43:59):
and the city.
SPEAKER_13 (44:01):
Filled with the spirit filled with the spirit
Filled with the Spirit Give faceto God Fill with the Spirit Fill
with the Spirit Fill with theSpirit Give face to God Love
(44:23):
love love love the Lord lovelove love with all your strength
Love love with your heart andyour soul do this you shall make
(44:53):
Clothe yourself with compassionClothe yourself in humility Cold
yourself in kindness Clothyourself in Cold yourself with
compassion Cloth yourself inhumility Cloth yourself in
(45:16):
kindness Cloth yourself inChrist Lock love love the door
Lock love with all your strengthLock love with your heart and
soul Do it And you shall lovelove love the Lord Love love
(45:44):
with all your strength Lock lovewith your heart and soul Do this
And you shall live and you shalllive and you shall live We've
(46:10):
been talking about overcomingtemptation But I want to talk to
those of you who have falleninto temptation You need to know
that God is gracious low toanger and abounding in love He
is so gracious that He hasprovided a way for you to be
forgiven Jesus to live on earthand be tempted in every way of
(46:35):
temptation and all forgivenesswe have thrown into the sea with
(47:10):
a bottom for your art and theyare many His mercy is more
here's Matt Boswell and MattPapa His mercy is more stronger
(47:33):
than darkness knew every morningOur sins there are many His
mercy is more wrongs we havedone Omnished all known He
(48:02):
counts not their stones throwninto a sea with a bottom more
show Our sins they are many Hismercy is more His mercy is more
(48:33):
yes Mercy for me as weconstantly But all the weakness
(49:06):
The Volley's the Honey is MercyHis Merci Stronger Asim His
(49:38):
Mercies More Sometimes we thinkthat God will not forgive us for
what we have done Be assured theBible is clear if we will
confess our sin God is faithfulto forgive everyone and
everything You ask him and youwill see You may want to hear
(50:04):
this program or a previous oneagain Or you may want to share a
program with a friend You can doall that by visiting
www.lifeanlife.ca Through thewebsite you can also send Pastor
Tom and our team a note.
SPEAKER_01 (50:20):
We would love to hear your story Hope today is
produced at Straight CastStudio.
We look forward to being withyou and your friends next time
for another program of Hope.
Until then, keep looking ahead.
Jesus is coming again.
Welcome to this program of Hope Today.
During this next hour, you willfind encouragement as you listen
to a wonderful mix of music andbiblical teaching.
Pastor Tom Cullen will continuelooking into the life of Joseph,
as found today in Genesischapter 39.
Today we learn about dealingwith temptation in the life of a
(00:24):
young Bible character who is anamazing, godly example.
Listen for Pastor Tom in themoments ahead.
As we prepare our hearts andminds for today's program, won't
you sit back and listen to a fewmoments of great gospel
musicians as Matt Wigfield?
Mac (00:45):
And it's time for gospel music on Hope Today.
We have quite a variety, I'msure, of people who listen to
the program.
Glad that you're there.
But if this day you are abeliever in Jesus Christ, you
can use the word savior withreal meaning.
Because Jesus is a savior.
He is a savior who cares.
(01:07):
Here's a song from SignatureSound.
song (01:10):
When I can't trace the master's head, can I go on when
I can't see his plan?
Can I walk through the cold darknight?
(01:37):
My faith I can, and here's thereason why I know I know my
token if we could my brokenheart dead.
(02:03):
I don't mind.
SPEAKER_06 (02:30):
I can't forget, and there's the scarce of all that I
regret.
song (02:44):
My life was ruled in my own head.
SPEAKER_05 (02:54):
But fruit is love.
I can begin again.
song (03:02):
I know, I don't like to talk to me.
I don't think to give me mytroubles.
(03:52):
I know I know my stay okay.
Mac (04:26):
Well, life has its share of tempestuous seas, as the Chris
family will tell us.
Listen.
SPEAKER_12 (05:35):
Thou canst the ocean aw, boisterous waves oh they thy
win when thou steest to theleast deal.
(06:02):
What dress thus did Jesus Davidme?
song (06:20):
When I still reached the show, and not to break it off
me.
(07:12):
Jesus parent me.
Mac (07:28):
But you know, if you're not a believer, you don't have a
prayer.
(07:50):
These are the wisdoms.
song (07:52):
The savior is waiting to enter your heart.
Why don't you let him come in?
Where's that to keep you up?
(08:23):
Why is your answer to time?
Before you take one step towardthe same for my friend, you'll
(09:30):
find his arms open and white.
Tom (11:30):
It's been said that temptations swirl around us
every day, just looking for aplace to land.
And isn't it true?
It seems we're always facingthings, attitudes, and
situations that call us toabandon what we believe to be
good and holy and pure, and givein to an urge that will bring us
fortune, power, or glory.
(11:52):
In our study of the life ofJoseph today, we will discover
this very thing and see that heis able to overcome.
Here is Chris Rice with It isWell with My Soul.
SPEAKER_10 (12:04):
When peace life sendeth my way.
Tom (17:59):
So for you.
In the midst of temptation, Godwill provide a way out.
The reflections trio sing, Whata Friend We Have in Jesus.
unknown (18:11):
What a friend we have in Jesus.
song (18:19):
All our sins have preached to come in.
Tom (21:48):
The Israeli Secret Service say that they can entrap any man
or woman with one or somecombination of three things
money, power, or sexuality.
But Joseph was able to.
And firm in the face of thewrong temptation.
How did he do it?
He was ready.
(22:11):
Joseph didn't need to stop andthink about what he stood for,
or who he supreme served, or howGod called him to live.
He was ready to call us in.
He says in Genesis chapter 39,verse 9, how could I do such a
wicked thing and sin againstGod?
Joseph called us in.
(22:32):
James Boy says that in ourbattle against temptation, is an
important starting point.
Because one of the devil'stricks in his campaign to
promote sin and limit godlinessis to call sin something other
than what it is.
And make it less objectionableand perhaps even more desirable.
Pride, for example, isreinterpreted as a self-esteem.
(22:56):
Gluttony is called the goodlife.
Coveting is trying to improveyourself or get ahead.
Perversions, which are condemnedso directly and fiercely in the
Bible, are called an alternativelifestyle.
Fornication is experimentation,and adultery is an attempt to
cure a lackluster marriage.
Listen, no matter what you callit, no matter how hard you try
(23:18):
to cover it up and excuse it,sin is still a sin.
Joseph was ready to facetemptation for what it was
rebellion against God, andcontrary to everything he wants
for us.
Brian Dorkson sings of theholiness of God.
SPEAKER_01 (30:03):
Kate was working with young women in West London,
and it seems was activelyinvolved in the Keswick Deeper
Life Convention movement.
In the late 19th and early 20thcenturies, Keswick was the site
of a series of meetings designedto promote more devotion to
Christ.
The desire of the believer isthat as they mature in faith,
(30:26):
their personality and characterwill take on more Christ-like
qualities.
Their devotion to Christ willstrengthen their resolve to
resist sin from gaining afoothold in their lives.
The hymn must have been writtenprior to 1913 when it was first
published in print form as apoem.
The tune was later composed byArthur Cyril Garden Bull.
(30:50):
The text and tune were firstincluded in the Golden Bell's
hymnal in 1925.
Kate Wilkinson died just threeyears later.
Yet her hymn remains as apersonal encouragement to
prepare for our daily living byseeking the mind of Christ in
our heart.
As one of the six verses says,May I run the race before me
(31:15):
strong and brave to face thefoe.
Looking only unto Jesus as Ionward go.
Won't you make this your prayertoo?
As Norton Hall Band sings, Maythe mind of Christ my Savior.
SPEAKER_11 (31:29):
May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from
day to day by his love and powercontrolling all I do and say.
(32:08):
So that I try only through hishouse.
Tom (34:43):
He didn't try to cover it up or excuse it.
But he was also ready to see sinas an offense against God.
He would agree with the words ofPsalm 51, which reads, Against
you, Lord, only you have Isinned and done what is evil in
your sight.
Joseph recognized that howevergreat an offense his sin might
(35:05):
be to other people, it was farmore offensive to God.
In a parable that Jesus tells,we see that this is the
realization that the prodigalson comes to when he is in a
distant land, and one day afterfeeding swine, he comes to his
senses and says, I have not onlysinned against my earthly
father, but I have sinnedagainst my heavenly father.
(35:28):
Walt Whitman once said thatthere were times when he would
like to go and live with thecattle.
They were so placid and content,he said.
Not one of them, he noticed withapproval, lies awake at night
and weep over its sin.
That's the ideal.
I'd say that our generation hasdone well, for there are few
(35:48):
people who weep over their sin.
Oh, how we need to recover thefact that when we sin, we slap
God in Christ in the face.
We push the crown of thorns downa little harder upon his head,
we nail the nails into his handswith a little more force, and we
raise our voices.
Crucify, crucify.
(36:10):
Our sins are against God.
And because of those sins, hedied.
Joseph, when tempted, was readyto see that sin was against God,
and as a result, he walked awayfrom the temptation rather than
bring shame upon the Lord whomhe loved and who loved him.
The result of the soundtestified, I need thee every
(36:34):
hour.
(38:52):
There's another way to resisttemptation.
Just outright refuse.
F.
B.
Meyer offers this advice.
When temptation comes, refusethe first tiny thrill of it,
lest it widen a breach bigenough to admit the ocean.
Remember that no temptation canmaster you unless you welcome it
(39:12):
within.
Perhaps that's why we read inProverbs 4, Do not set your foot
on the path of the wicked orwalk in the way of evil men.
Avoid it.
Do not travel on it.
Turn from it and go on your way.
We read in verse 10 of Genesis39 that Joseph not only refused
to go to bed with Oliver's wife,but he even refused to be with
(39:36):
her.
So many of us fall into sinbecause we allow ourselves to be
where we know we will betempted.
Believe it or not, sometimesovercoming temptation is as easy
as not allowing yourself to bein those places or situations
where you know you will betempted, or with those people
whom you know will only lead youfurther from God rather than
(39:58):
closer to him.
In the words of the Lord JesusChrist, what good will it be for
someone to gain the whole worldyet forfeit their soul?
Here's halal music with awonderful prayer.
song (40:12):
May the words of my mouths of my mouth and the meditation
of my heart.
Be pleasing in your side, OLord, my rock and my redeemer.
May the words of my mouth andthe meditation of my heart.
Be pleasing in your side, OLord.
(40:34):
My rock and heart be demon.
(40:55):
No one's at all seven.
And make the bugs in.
Tom (42:20):
Thanks so much for joining us on Hope Today.
It is a truth that God calls usto turn away from temptation and
to live a life of holiness, torevere Him, shun evil, seek
peace, and call for justice.
This is the way of God's people,empowered by the presence and
life of Christ.
So Charles Offer sings Thoughtsto Live By.
SPEAKER_14 (42:45):
Revere God's glory from the rising sun.
Shun evil of the evil one.
Call for justice, call forjustice, call for justice,
(43:05):
right?
Justice Call for justice, callfor justice, call for justice,
(43:59):
and the city.
SPEAKER_13 (44:01):
Filled with the spirit filled with the spirit
Filled with the Spirit Give faceto God Fill with the Spirit Fill
with the Spirit Fill with theSpirit Give face to God Love
(44:23):
love love love the Lord lovelove love with all your strength
Love love with your heart andyour soul do this you shall make
(44:53):
Clothe yourself with compassionClothe yourself in humility Cold
yourself in kindness Clothyourself in Cold yourself with
compassion Cloth yourself inhumility Cloth yourself in
(45:16):
kindness Cloth yourself inChrist Lock love love the door
Lock love with all your strengthLock love with your heart and
soul Do it And you shall lovelove love the Lord Love love
(45:44):
with all your strength Lock lovewith your heart and soul Do this
And you shall live and you shalllive and you shall live We've
(46:10):
been talking about overcomingtemptation But I want to talk to
those of you who have falleninto temptation You need to know
that God is gracious low toanger and abounding in love He
is so gracious that He hasprovided a way for you to be
forgiven Jesus to live on earthand be tempted in every way of
(46:35):
temptation and all forgivenesswe have thrown into the sea with
(47:10):
a bottom for your art and theyare many His mercy is more
here's Matt Boswell and MattPapa His mercy is more stronger
(47:33):
than darkness knew every morningOur sins there are many His
mercy is more wrongs we havedone Omnished all known He
(48:02):
counts not their stones throwninto a sea with a bottom more
show Our sins they are many Hismercy is more His mercy is more
(48:33):
yes Mercy for me as weconstantly But all the weakness
(49:06):
The Volley's the Honey is MercyHis Merci Stronger Asim His
(49:38):
Mercies More Sometimes we thinkthat God will not forgive us for
what we have done Be assured theBible is clear if we will
confess our sin God is faithfulto forgive everyone and
everything You ask him and youwill see You may want to hear
(50:04):
this program or a previous oneagain Or you may want to share a
program with a friend You can doall that by visiting
www.lifeanlife.ca Through thewebsite you can also send Pastor
Tom and our team a note.
SPEAKER_01 (50:20):
We would love to hear your story Hope today is
produced at Straight CastStudio.
We look forward to being withyou and your friends next time
for another program of Hope.
Until then, keep looking ahead.
Jesus is coming again.
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