Living By The Word Podcast

Living By The Word

Living by the Word is a broadcast ministry of Cornerstone Church in Hemet, California. In each episode, Pastor Glen Shamlaffel brings you a measure of wisdom, insight, and inspiration while he shines a light on spiritual truths.

  1. 5d ago

    Living by the Word: Foundations for the Family(Habakkuk 3:16–19)

    In this opening message of a seven-week series on the family, Pastor Glenn of Cornerstone Church addresses what he identifies as one of the greatest cultural assaults on the family in human history. Grounding the discussion in scripture, Pastor Glenn outlines seven foundational biblical pillars. He reveals that human relationships originate in the relational nature of the Triune God, established before the Fall as a sacred creation ordinance. At the epicenter of the home is marriage, a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman that physically reflects the profound mystery of Christ's sacrificial love for His church. Contrasting biblical truth with contemporary culture, Pastor Glenn confronts pressing battlegrounds threatening homes today, including marital breakdown, fatherlessness, narcissistic parenting, gender redefinition, and ideological attempts to devalue children. He reminds believers that children are not economic inconveniences or lifestyle obstacles, but gifts from God and "arrows in the hand of a warrior" designed to be discipled and launched into the world. Emphasizing Deuteronomy’s Shema, he charges parents not to outsource their children’s spiritual formation to churches or schools, but to diligently weave faith into daily life. Ultimately, while sin deeply fractures families, Jesus Christ redeems them, gathering believers into an eternal household of faith. Scripture: Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 119:25, 107; 1 John 4:8; Ephesians 3:14–15; Genesis 1:27–28; Genesis 2:18–25; Matthew 19:4–6; Psalm 127:3–5; Psalm 128:1–4; Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Ephesians 5:21–33; Matthew 12:48–50; Genesis 3:1–19; Genesis 4:1–8

  2. Aug 27

    Living by the Word: The Not Fair Argument (Habakkuk 1:12–2:1)

    In this installment of the Habakkuk series, Pastor Glenn explores the "cognitive dissonance" believers feel when the world’s injustice appears to contradict God’s character. Following God’s shocking revelation that He would use the ruthless Chaldeans to punish Judah, Habakkuk enters a spiritual "courtroom" to wrestle with the Almighty. Pastor Glenn breaks down the prophet’s three-part argument based on the holiness of God, the helplessness of His people, and the haughty pride of the enemy. The sermon tackles the difficult reality that God often orchestrates events rather than merely reacting to them. Using the moving story of missionary Dr. Helen Roseveare and the ultimate example of the Cross, Pastor Glenn illustrates an essential but painful truth: God allowed what He hated (the suffering of His servants) to accomplish what He loved (the redemption of many). This message encourages listeners that bringing honest questions and laments to the Lord is a healthy expression of faith, provided it leads to a posture of active waiting. Ultimately, believers are called to follow Habakkuk’s example in Chapter 2, verse 1—stationing themselves on the "rampart" of God's Word and waiting with eager receptivity for His answer, even when life feels like a terrifying roller coaster. Scriptures: Habakkuk 1:12–2:1; Hebrews 4; Psalm 119; 2 Peter 3:8; Isaiah 54:16; Habakkuk 2:4–5; Philippians 3:10; Psalm 143:1

  3. Aug 26

    Living by the Word: The Answer You Didn’t Expect (Habakkuk 1:5–11)

    In this compelling message, Pastor Glenn dives into Habakkuk 1:5–11 to explore how God responds when His people cry out for justice. Habakkuk’s lament over the wickedness in Judah receives an answer that is as shocking today as it was then: God is raising up the Chaldeans—a fierce, violent, and godless nation—to execute His discipline. This sermon challenges the listener to move beyond a "comfortable" faith and confront the "astonishing" and often "terrifying" reality of God’s methods. Pastor Glenn highlights that God’s sovereignty means He has the authority to act according to His eternal purposes, even when those actions seem contradictory to our human expectations. By tracing the historical rise of Babylon and the fall of Jerusalem, the message illustrates that God is the ultimate architect of history, raising and lowering kingdoms to achieve His glory. The sermon concludes with a powerful call to reorient our lives around God’s character. Whether we receive a "Go," "No," "Slow," or a shocking "Whoa" in response to our prayers, we are called to bow the knee and trust that the God who allowed the cross for our redemption is the same God who sovereignly orchestrates our trials for our ultimate good.   Scripture: Habakkuk 1:5–11; Romans 15:4; Psalm 75:7; Daniel 2:21; Nahum 1:3; Isaiah 25; Daniel 5; Jeremiah 9:23–24; Genesis 50:20; Matthew 16:21; Acts 4:10; Genesis 22:2; Daniel 3:17–18; Job 1:21; Matthew 26:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14

About

Living by the Word is a broadcast ministry of Cornerstone Church in Hemet, California. In each episode, Pastor Glen Shamlaffel brings you a measure of wisdom, insight, and inspiration while he shines a light on spiritual truths.