The Domino Effect
On Sunday, Pastor Paul spoke from Nehemiah 7-8 and dedicated time to walk us through the Inductive Bible Study method and the importance of a Literal Grammatical Historical hermeneutic. Today we’re going to continue in that discussion as we explore an article Paul and I talked about last week together. Its content is common talk in our day yet reveals troubling doctrinal errors that then leads to a domino effect of toppling the common and foundational elements of Christianity. Thanks…
Tools for Spiritual Fitness
As you develop your spiritual fitness plan for 2023, I wanted to share some tools with you today that may help aid you in your purpose and goal. In this video we will also be reviewing that 5-facted fitness plan for 2023 and some general encouragements to start off the year well. “A Fitness Plan for the New Year” (1 Tim 4:6-11) Navigators Bible Reading Plans (scroll down on the link to find multiple plans) YouVersion (find on Google Play…
Focus for 2023
A new year lies ahead of us. While we may have plans, we don’t know what the year may bring for us. God does though. I’d like to encourage you today with an email I received recently which addresses our focus as we enter the new year ahead, grounding is in great truths from the Scriptures and God’s character. Thanks for joining us! “A Fitness Plan for the New Year” (1 Tim 4:6-11)
Citizens Living as Citizens
Citizens living as citizens. It is a concept we see in Scripture though written a little bit differently. It is a reminder that our physical address does not determine our primary allegiance as God’s children. His Word and rule are to direct not only as we live for him but ultimatley in our physical locales here on earth as well. Thanks for joining us as we continue the discussion from Sunday. God bless! “We Still Need a Savior”
Three Tibits on Opposition from Nehemiah 6
Opposition, trials, tribulations, sufferings are not stranger in the Christian life. God tells us that they are tools used to bring out the character of Christ in us as he draws the dross of sin off our lives. In Nehemiah 6, we see the opposition he & the Jews encountered from their enemies and with that three lessons we too can hold on too as we encounter spiritual opposition in our own lives. Thanks for watching!
PD’s Reflections – Conflict – What’s Your Response? – December 7, 2022
Conflict is inevitable in a world full of broken and sinful people. Even the Apostle Paul had conflict with his coworker in the faith, Barnabas. And while we typically choose either a fight or flight response toward conflict, there is a third option. There is a gospel-related way of responding to conflict. Thanks for joining us today as we look at this and the helpful information contained in Ken Sande’s book “The Peacemaker”. “High Taxes & Fake News” – Neh…
Your Thanksgiving Meal as a Gospel Door
You are likely making preparations already for next week and time that you may spend with family and friends around a dinner table or gather around a feast. As you prepare, I challenge you to consider the thoughts in this video today and be thinking about who you might have gospel conversations with. I challenge you to think how you might use the thoughts in this video to spark spiritual conversations that lead to thanksgiving to God for what he…
Inspiring Declarations
This Sunday we have our annual thanksgiving service at our local church. In preparation for that I offer these reflections on Nehemiah 2:17-18. While an Old Testament passage, it reminds us of exhortations from the Apostle Paul of the importance of encouraging one another that we might run this race of life with endurance unto the Lord. Thanks for watching! “The Good Hand of the Lord” (Nehemiah 2)
One Sphere. Our Everyday Mission.
In our present day and age with all its technologies, it is hard to compartmentalize parts of life. Our phones connect us to every part of the world, so much so that work follows us home many times anymore. Yet for all the interconnectedness of other things in life, it seems at tims that we are unfortunately successful at compartmentalizing the spiritual from everything else. Paul challenged us with a few thoughts on vision on Sunday. I’d like to springboard…
Still Struggling? Why?
Sunday, we worked through Ezra and and focused on the litmus tests of genuine repentance. A couple of weeks prior we talked about the holiness of God. All of this targeted the sin we have in our lives and a proper response to God. Why do we struggle though? We’ve included a clip today of Paul Tripp exploring that question. Thanks for watching! “Is It the Real Deal?” (Ezra 10) “Why Can’t I Defeat This Particular Sin? Ask Paul Tripp”
Repentance and Opposition
Sunday, we worked through Ezra and and focused on the litmus tests of genuine repentance. We skipped on last point though that happens to revolve around one of the most difficult verses in Ezra. Today we explore that verse and expound on that last point as we continue looking at genuine repentance. Thanks for watching! “Is It the Real Deal?” (Ezra 10)
Hopeful Mourning – A Path Preventing Despair
Yesterday, we looked at these questions: “To what degree should we mourn over the sins of others? Are we supposed to go around depressed all the time?” As I finished up and posted yesterday’s vlog though, I realized that I forgot an important part. To prevent entering a constant state of despair, let’s look at hope and how it correlates with mourning. “Because of Our Wicked Actions…” (Ezra 9)
Mourning Over Sin – Can We Take It Too Far?
Today’s vlog stems not only from what we discussed on Sunday but from an application question I was reading this week as I was preparing for my weekly vlogs. It’s this: “To what degree should we mourn over the sins of others? Are we supposed to go around depressed all the time?” It took a bit extra time to look at this subject this week. Join us today as we begin to unpack those questions. “Because of Our Wicked Actions…”…
Make God Number One
The book of Haggai, which gives us further background to the events of Ezra, shows us that part of the issue with the temple not being completed is that people had the wrong priorities. It’s something that we can struggle with. Let’s take some time together to look at what needs to be first in our lives and how that gives orientation to everything else.
No More Excuses (Ezra-Nehemiah Vlog #4)
The book of Haggai, which gives us further background to the events of Ezra, shows us that part of the issue with the temple not being completed is that people were making excuses. It’s something that we are all pretty good at. Let’s take some time together to look at excuses vs. obedience.
Preach the Gospel…AND USE WORDS
The Gospel and evangelism has been on my mind much recently. I want to take a detour this week to focus on that with a few simple, yet necessary, encouragements. We have been given this great mission by our Lord and Savior. And before us is a world in need of this great news that we ourselves had taken ahold of and benefitted so greatly by. Thanks for watching.
Finding the Gospel Gates
The Gospel and evangelism has been on my mind much recently. I want to take a detour this week to focus on that with a few simple, yet necessary, encouragements. We have been given this great mission by our Lord and Savior. And before us is a world in need of this great news that we ourselves had taken ahold of and benefitted so greatly by. Thanks for watching.
Biblical Strategy for Spiritual Warfare (Ezra-Nehemiah Vlog #3)
At the end of Sunday’s sermon, we briefly talked about a godly response with a biblical strategy when it seems like the world is against us. We’re picking up those four points today and expanding on them for a moment. Thanks for watching. “When It Seems the World Is Against You…” (Ezra 4)
Worship God with Your Life (Ezra-Nehemiah Vlog #2)
Worship. Mention that word and it conjures pictures and emotions and thoughts within the believer’s mind. Maybe it a song that brought you through a difficult situation. Maybe it was a moment that made you feel embraced by God. We often use the word as an adjective, but Scripture uses it as a verb. Let’s dive deeper into “worship” looking at Romans 12 today. “Worship: Start Here” (Ezra 2-3)
Life & Breath & Everything (Ezra-Nehemiah Vlog #1)
As I was reading early this week, the Lord suddenly struck me with a thought related to our salvation. Whether it was brought on by the reading or Pastor Paul’s sermon, I don’t know but the thought was abundantly clear in my mind and speaks once more to the amazing grace of God. “Worship: Start Here” (Ezra 2-3) The Gospel