WITNESSES (JOHN 5)
John 5 is a great chapter on the deity of Jesus. Remember John’s purpose in writing was to show Jesus as the Son of God and lead people to believe in him so they might have eternal life. Take a moment to read the chapter and then watch this on a crucial chapter in the Gospels to the theology of Jesus deity. John 5 NET
LET’S BE HONEST
“Hi, how are you?” The typical Sunday morning greeting or really a typical everyday American greeting. And this is usually followed by, “I’m good.” “I’m fine.” “I’m doing well.” “Thanks for asking. How are you?” And this is followed usually by the same answers. Are we really though? Are we really doing good? Are we really fine? Are we really well? The truth is that we often keep our brokenness, our hardships, our tears and fears bottled up and hidden…
#CONVENIENTcHRISTIANITY
I normally publish a video during on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with a passage or question to focus on to encourage and equip the church. Wednesdays, I focus usually an answering a question. As I was thinking on what I might cover today, I kept coming back to our subject on Sunday (#ConvenientChristianity) as we focus on this study Rooted (Grounded in the Word. Prepared for the Future.). As I was preparing last week for Sunday, I came across an…
GOD DOES CARE FOR YOU (1 PETER 5)
In 1 Peter 5, we find a number of verses that are well known to us. They remind us about the spiritual warfare that is present in our world today that is often in the background and may even by the source of our sufferings. In the midst of these trials and difficulties though, we are reminded that God does care for us. Take a moment to read the passage and then watch this video. 1 Peter 5 NET
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
MOST USEFUL TOOL (2 TIM 3-4)
I’ve read many articles over the years about the most useful tools to have in your tool box. There is one that completely trumps them all. Take a moment to watch and see what I’m talking about. 2 Timothy 3-4 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.
HONOR (1 TIM 5)
Honor – a word I often relate to those who are serving in the military or our first responders. People who have dedicated their lives to serving others. Honor is a word we find often in the Scriptures. We are to honor God. Paul speaks of honor as well in relation to one another as he gives Timothy instructions about church life. It all starts though with humility. 1 Timothy 5 NET Philippians 2 NET
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…