PD’s Reflections (Page 15)
COMPASSION TOWARD DISASTER VICTIMS IN CEDAR RAPIDS
From the example of Jesus, we are encouraged to show compassion to those around us. This vlog is my journey over the last few days as God led me to act and serve those in the Cedar Rapids area with the love of Jesus, showing compassion. Take a moment to watch. For more information about Rapid Ministries, please check them out here on Facebook.
COMMUNION IN COMMUNION (1 CORINTHIANS 11)
The church at Corinth faced a variety of struggles that resulted in divisions among them. 1 Corinthians 11 hits another one of those as they were observing communion together and sharing in love feasts. Take a moment to watch & the central issue which has broader implications and applications for today. 1 Corinthians 11 NET
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR & THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
Wonder what American Ninja Warrior & 1 Corinthians 10 have in common? Take a moment to watch & find out. But before you do, take a moment to read through the chapter to understand all that is going on and put it all into context. 1 Corinthians 10 NET
OUR COMMON BOND IN CHRIST (1 CORINTHIANS 1)
Sadly the church around the world and throughout time has experienced division. Often those cases revolve around personal preferences and matters of pride. Paul calls believers in 1 Corinthians 1 to unite together in their common bond in Christ. Take a moment to watch this and the important message for us in our present days as believers and our responses to one another. 1 Corinthians 1 NET
LIFE MEANS HOPE & LIFE (LUKE 24)
Luke 24 concludes the book and ends on a great note – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection is a key aspect of the gospel message, not just as it relates to salvation, but also to our walk of faith as well. Take a moment read Luke 24 and then watch. May the Lord encourage you with the HOPE & LIFE we have in Jesus. Luke 24 NET
HOW DO I APPLY BIBLICAL TEXTS IN MODERN SOCIETY? (#ASKPD)
Thanks for joining us for this segement of #askpd. The Bible, though completed in it’s writing almost 2,000 years ago, applies just as much to our lives today as it did back then. Sometimes the changes in culture though make us question whether something is still relevant today. Take a moment to watch. You’ll find a couple of key points as well as questions that guide you to applying it in your life today. If you have Bible or life…
WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS? (LUKE 23)
In Luke 23, we find a simple phrase with a powerful message in vv. 15, 22, and 41 – “deserve this”. It points to the guiltlessness of Christ and who bore our guilt and shame and we might have life and hope in Him. Take a moment to watch, pray for someone who hasn’t yet trusted in Jesus as their Savior, perhaps commit to speak with them this week. If you would like to know more about what it means…
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS (LUKE 20)
There are common misconceptions in our day – things that people believe that are not in fact true at all. There are several misconceptions when it comes to the subject of heaven. The Sadducees spoke of some in Luke 20. And while the question revolves around resurrection, our attention should be drawn to who the “worthy” person is. Luke 20 NET
INVESTING WISELY (LUKE 19)
In Luke 19 we read a very similar sounding parable as we find in Matthew 25. While each focuses on stewardship or being wise with what God has invested in us, they both approach it from a slightly different angle. Take a moment to watch & find out. Luke 19 NET
SOMETHING BETTER (LUKE 18)
As I was trying to figure out what to say today, I ended up scrapping the #askpd segment & turning back to Luke 18. There in the story of the wealthy ruler, we gain some important principles about gaining something better in Jesus. Whether your exploring the Christian faith or been a believer for a while, take a moment to watch. Luke 18 NET
THE RIGHT MEASUREMENT (LUKE 18)
Measurements are a crucial part of our daily lives. From the size of our clothes to the ingredients used to make our food, to the gas in our car, we use measurements in some form every day. Luke 18 talks about measurements of sorts when it comes to considering how “good” we are. Take a moment to watch and think about measurement as we see it there. Luke 18 NET
OH, THERE IT IS (LUKE 15)
As I read Luke 15 today, my thoughts took a bit different route perhaps that we normally think of as we read the chapter. I began to think about the shepherd, the woman, and the father – all took action. They sought. My thoughts have been much on the gospel recently. As much as we seek fellowship with one another, do we purposefully seek those who may be lost spiritually around us? Let’s be as Jesus, seeking the Lord that…
PROJECT PREPARATIONS (LUKE 14)
As any of us prepares for a major home project, we usually count the cost and then add a little extra (especially if you own an older home). I think in many respects we have redefined discipleship in America today and not counted the cost of all that is involved. In Luk 14, Jesus challenges us on that and encourages us to remember that as his servants, all we have is his and we are here to do his will.…
WHY WOULD GOD ALLOW…? (ASK PD)
Why would God allow? That’s a question many have asked undoubtely since after the fall of man. The subject of the question varies based upon our own personal experienes. This week, I’m sharing a moving video I watched from Paul Tripp. While it addressed the specific issue of “why does God allow disability?”, the theology & principle he conveys allows us to process many other circumstances from a biblical standpoint. Remember it’s all about God’s glory & sometimes our finite…
I’VE FOUND THE SOLUTION (JAMES 4)
Regularly we hear about solutions to the world’s problems. In order to produce a solution, you must first identify the problem. James 4:6 presents both. Take a moment to watch.
COMBINES & THE GOSPEL (LUKE 10)
What does a Case IH 8210 combine & 72 men have in common? Harvesting. Luke 10 talks about harvesting souls and couples with it a comment that becomes a warning of sorts about rejecting Jesus. Fellow believers, we have an important mission given us by our Creator and Savior – sharing the message of the gospel. For those that have never placed their faith in Christ, please know that one day the opportunity will run out. Please don’t be caught…
FOLLOWING AFTER JESUS (LUKE 9)
Denying self. It is as important and as hard as that sounds. Yet that is what we are called to as disciples of Christ. In denying self, we are to follow after the will of our master. It is a daily battle (Romans 7). Yet we find our greatest purpose, satisfaction, and fulfillment in him. It is looking to what yet awaits us and seeing all here as temporary. Choose Him. Luke 9 NET
WHY DOES GOD ALLOW PAIN? (#ASKPD)
That is a hard question to answer and one that people have wrestled with since the beginning of time. Job wrestled with this which we read about in the Old Testament. While we can’t cover it entirely, I’d like to offer a few thoughts on pain from the point of Scripture and how it may in fact be useful in a sense. The knowledge doesn’t make the circumstance or process easier always, but it does give us a foundation through…
WHAT KIND OF FRUIT DO YOU LIKE (LUKE 6)
I personally like apples…and strawberry jelly, but that’s not so much fruit as it is fruit turned into something else. Jesus though tells us in Luke 6 that the fruit we produces (our actions, thoughts, & words) reveal a the nature of what’s within – the spiritual condition of our hearts. What we feed ourselves is important. My other thought was that what comes out is also important as it affects those around us for good or bad in our…
STRANGE FEET UNDER YOUR TABLE (LUKE 5)
In Luke 5 as Jesus calls Levi, we see that he has a feast with the “undesirables” of his day. The Pharisees condemned him for it. Yet they were the ones in need of the hope he spoke of and the compassion he showed. Many of us have neighbors in need of that same hope and compassion and what better place to show them that than around our own table over a meal. As Paul Tripp says, let’s put strange…