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…
DAILY WARFARE (LUKE 4)
Temptation. As long as you’re on this side of heaven, it is something that we all face. The Apostle Paul talked of this reality in Romans 7. How do we handle it though? What can we do to prepare for it? How overcome it? Luke 4 offers some valuable insites as we look at Jeus life and ministry coupled with some additional passages of Scripture. Luke 4 NET
CHRISTMAS IN JULY (LUKE 2)
I remember having “Christmas” parties in the middle of July as a youth activity. As I was reading Luke today, I was thinking on those times. While those were fun, Luke tells us something more beneficial. He tells us in chapter 2 about HOPE. Hope has a name. It’s Jesus. And as believers, we not only do we possess hope in Him, but we’re called to profess the hope found in Him to the world. Proclaim Christ! Luke 2 NET
NEW SEGMENT (ASK PD) & “GOSPEL IS FOR TODAY”
Two birds with one stone. That’s a phrase I’ve heard and used numerous times and categorizes today’s vlog. I’m introducing a new Wednesday segement set to start next week called “Ask PD”. In this segement, I’ll be answering any Bible questions you might have. Our purpose is to equip and encourage people and pray that this segement will be one more tool in doing that. Additionally, I’m sharing a devotion that I read today that I pray will encourage you…
PHILEMON WHO?
Philemon? Who’s that? It’s not a book that we normally turn to in the New Testament. In fact there is a lot we don’t know about the situation and the people who are a part of it. Yet there are timeless principles and applications to glean from this short 25 verse letter to Paul’s friend and brother in Christ. It only takes a couple of minutes to read. Then watch this video for nine quick points on the book. Philemon…
WORKING HARD OR HARDLY WORKING? (PRAYER – COLOSSIANS 4)
I don’t know where the phrase originated from but we often joked about it as we popped into friend’s rooms at college. The Apostle Paul calls us to be devoted to prayer on behalf of one another and then shows us the example of his dear ministry partner and friend, Epaphras. Epaphras struggled in prayer. Do we? Do we take prayer seriously. We serve the Creator God who is our Savior and Friend who listens to us and intervenes. Let’s…
A SIX LETTER WORD (COLOSSIANS 3)
There’s a word that very few of actually like – CHANGE. We’ve experienced a lot of it though in the past few months. And the reality is that the Christian life is all about change. We are changing into the image of Christ day by day as we are yielded to the Spirit and purposeful in pursuing after Christ and imitating him in every possible way. Colossians 3 NET
THE ANSWER – GOSPEL
The United States has had several months of turmoil whether from the virus or now the protests and various response to the issues of race and equality. As these days, weeks, and months have gone by, one word keeps occupying my mind – GOSPEL. Where to we find hope in times of fear? Where do we find security in moments of instability? Where do we find real change? The GOSPEL! This is the message we must preach that has changed…
FATHERS & FATHERHOOD
Father’s Day is just around the corner. A day when dad jokes have free reign and a good steak is usually on the grill. I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to dads for their investment in their little ones and encourage as well as challenge the body of Christ with a short clip I saw from Paul David Tripp today.
CITIZENSHIP – PHILIPPIANS 3
There has been much discussion over recent years about citizenship. The Apostle Paul talks about a greater citizenship that believers possess than being citizens of any country here on earth. Believers are heavenly citizens. That citizenship reminds of two things. Take a moment to watch and find out.
THE PURPOSE OF PD’S REFLECTIONS
Why do a vlog? Why go to all that extra work each day? Where did that music come from? All those questions and more answered this week as I explain the vlogs purpose and my goal in putting this together each day. “Words” Offical Lyric Video – Hawk Nelson “Words” Offical Music Video – Hawk Nelson CCLI Streaming License #20229783
MORE TO BEING HOLY
We all worship some kind of god. It is either one in our own likeness that follows our desires and lusts or the Sovereign Creator of the Universe who is also our Savior. The word holy kept running around in my mind today in correlation with Isaiah 40. We serve a holy, a DISTINCT God who calls us as well to be DISTINCT. Holiness is more than just following a list of “do nots” but also clothing ourselves with the…
COMFORT FROM ISAIAH 40
I have talked much recently on the sovereignty and glory of God in this time of what seems to use as mass chaos. I have found those things to bring me immense comfort and help me to filter the events and situations around me. Yesterday, Pastor Paul spoke on Isaiah 40 and God being a god of comfort. Take a moment to listen to this video by Paul David Tripp where he brings both of these concepts together.
SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS (EPHESIANS 5)
Ephesians 5 is all about relationships. Paul gives important instructions for marriage relationships and that discussion continues into chapter 6 on family and work relationships as well. As we purpose to implement these instructions in our lives through the power of the Spirit and letting him do his work in us, we set up our relationships to be successful. Take some time today to read the passage and reflect on your own relationship. How might you further implement these instructions.…