PD’s Reflections (Page 14)
FOREIGNERS, ALIENS, EXILES (1 PETER 2)
Foreigner. Exile. Alien. We’re not talking about immigration policy or the next ET film. We’re actually talking about believers. Yes, Peter says that we, believers, are foreigners, exiles, and aliens. What does he mean? Take a moment to read the chapter and then watch this video. 1 Peter 2 NET
GOOD, EVIL & ABSOLUTE TRUTH
The problem of good and evil has been ongoing for centuries. People are particularly confounded about how to tackle this issue as they see the evil and the world and read about the goodness of God in the Scriptures. I was disturbed recently by a statement a fellow graduate school student made. Why? Take a moment to watch.
NO GREATER JOY (3 JOHN)
Third John is a short little book, just 15 verses, yet there are some very meaningful texts that we miss in this often over looked epistle. One in particular has meant much to me as a father and as a pastor. Which one is it and why does it mean so much? Take a moment to watch. 3 John NET
LOVE IN ACTION (1 JOHN 4)
Love. It has often been defined by Hollywood but God gives us a better definition of what love is and then calls us to love. He calls us not just to an emotion though but to action which displays our love for one another. Read 1 John 4 and then take a moment to watch. 1 John 4 NET
DOES THE END JUSTIFY THE MEANS? (#ASKPD)
The end justifies the means. It’s a phrase while not always mentioned is frequently seen in our society and culture. The famous Disney movie, Robin Hood, reflects this very concept as Robin & Little John steal from the rich to feed and provide for the poor. This questions also has deeper philosophical meaning as it hits the realms of morals and ethics. Bottom line is this: we’re really good at justifying our sin. So what is our response to this…
LOVE & CONFORMITY (1 JOHN 2)
First John 2 has a number of well-known passages. One of those is vv. 15-17 where we are told not to love this fading world. Throughout the book of 1 John, the apostle calls us to fellowship with God and notes those things that either prohibit it or who that someone doesn’t have a relationship with him. Where does our love lie? Are we cookie cutters of our culture. Take a moment to watch. 1 John 2 NET
LIVING TO EQUIP (TITUS 2)
Paul as he writes this letter to Titus whose working with those in Crete encourage him to teaching the people what behavior is befitting the gospel, their new life in Christ. Through these verse, we see not only the challenge to godly living to be examples to those around us. By doing so, we equip one another to walk more intune with the footsteps of Jesus. Take moment to read Titus 2 & then watch. Titus 2 NET
WHAT IS UNITY – EPHESIANS 4 (#ASKPD)
In a world that seems disunified more than ever, the subject of unity keeps coming up in the church and the reminder to strive for it. Could we define it though if we were asked to or tell others what it looked like? I’m grateful that God in Ephesians 4 gives us a picture of what it looks like and describes it for us. Take a moment to read the chapter and then watch. Ephesians 4 NET
WALKING AS JESUS WALKED
As I read 1 John 2:6, I often think of the word obedience. To walk as Jesus walked though isn’t just about keeping a set of rules. Read through the gospels and you’ll note how he interacted with people. He used every opportunity to point people to truth and to the life found in him. As we go through our days, let’s not get so busy as to miss these opportunities to be light and salt as we show the…
WHY DO SO MANY CHRISTIANS NOT HAVE A BIBLICALLY CONSISTENT WORLDVIEW? (#ASKPD)
In this segment of #askpd, we explore this question: Why do so many Christians not have a consistent biblical worldview? It is a hard question to explore as it implies that some do not believe what the Bible says. Today, we’ll define what a worldview is, explore what negatively affects our worldview, give some solutions to this issues, and also answer why it’s important to have a consistent biblical worldview. Thanks for watching.
YOU ARE LIKE YOUR NEIGHBOR (PAUL TRIPP)
We would normally be in 2 Corinthians 10 today, but I saw a video today that I felt was important to share. We are called to love God & love others (Matthew 22). Let’s purpose to do so with humility recognizing that we ourselves are flawed people who are dependent upon the grace of God every single day.
FOLLOW THROUGH (2 COR 9)
We’re back in 2 Corinthians again looking at chapter 9. Paul talks about follow through with the Corinthians believers on a commitment they made to some fellow brothers & sister in Christ. The content of the follow through is giving. Paul notes the benefit of giving. As we look at this passage together, we’ll also note how it has been used out of context and abused by the prosperity gospel movement. 2 Corinthians 9 NET
#ASKPD – WHAT IS FELLOWSHIP?
Fellowship. It’s a common word we use for the time when we enjoy coffee and cookies or some homemade goodies between the Sunday School hour and worship service. As we look to the New Testament though, fellowship has a much different meaning. While a meal or snacks may certainly be involved, fellowship is much deeper. Take a moment to watch this segment of #askpd as we answer the question: What is fellowship?
SPIRITUAL ADULTERY
Adultery. That’s not a very talked about or popular subject yet it plagues our society not just on a physical level but a spiritual one as well. If we’re honest, believers share in the spiritual adultery as well as we chase after the things of this world. Let’s take some honest time to reflect and consider our lives: are we living for God or for the world? Which relationship is more important to us? It’s not an area we necessarily…
AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE (PART 2)
We sometimes live with the perspective that earth is our final home. Okay maybe is more than sometimes for some of us. The Apostle Paul continues to challenge that mindset in 2 Corinthians 5 encouraing us to look at things from an eternal perspective. Paul David Tripp had some very challenge words along these lines I saw today. Take a moment to watch. 2 Corinthans 5 NET
AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE (PART 1)
None of us appreciates suffering, yet Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4 that God has a purpose even in the suffering we experience. Paul encourages us to look at our suffering from an eternal perspective to give us focus as we experience it. Take a moment to watch and see the music video “Though You Slay Me” by Shane & Shane. 2 Corinthians 4 NET
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
Open the Facebook app or a web browser and you’ll see near the top of the page: “What’s on your mind?” Social media has been both a blessing and a curse to our world. Satan in particular has tricked us with it at times. Take a few moments to consider your social media use and watch this video.
LONGING FOR THE GOOD OL’ DAYS
This year more than others has probably sparked a number of “I remember the good ol’ days” conversations. We long for some facet of the past that is either removed or changed today. This year among its unique situations has changed our world forever. I don’t believe things will ever be back to normal. And so we look forward to what God is doing now. How is he using these days to prepare his church? How is he using these…
FINAL THOUGHTS (1 cORINTHIANS 16)
Sometimes we skip over the introduction and conclusion of a book. Yet these ections of a book can be a gold mine if we take the time. 1 Corinthains 16 is one of those instances. As the Apostle Paul closes his letter, he gives some final instructions that we need to pay attention to. Take a moment to read 1 Corinthians 16 and then watch. 1 Corinthians 16 NET
WHY THE RESURRECTION IS IMPORTANT (1 COR 15)
When I was younger, I posed the question from time to time: “Is God real?” Even though 1 Corinthians 15 deals with a different subject, the subject itself answers this question, gives hope in this world, and is motivation to us. Take a moment to read 1 Corinthians 15 and then watch. Rejoice that Jesus is ALIVE! 1 Corinthians 15 NET