All the Difference

The furthering of filth is possibly the most epidemic aspect of our current western malaise. Our cultures and churches are especially overrun with inappropriate sexuality & sins of the tongue. The problem begins inside our dirty hearts. Again, we must recognize how we are missing the mark (harmartia); reaffirm God's reasonable & healthy standards; and rely on the redeemed community, scripture, and...

The furthering of filth is possibly the most epidemic aspect of our current western malaise. Our cultures and churches are especially overrun with inappropriate sexuality & sins of the tongue. The problem begins inside our dirty hearts. Again, we must recognize how we are missing the mark (harmartia); reaffirm God's reasonable & healthy standards; and rely on the redeemed community, scripture, and...

We tend to be selfish in our interests (thanks, Jerry B.), money, time, and interactions. Other sins also flow from this base of self-centeredness: jealousy, competitiveness, and controlling others. Not only is this tendency inherent in our flesh, our world often praises such behavior. Further, Christian communities exalt some of this, especially competitiveness & control, and our parenting is rif...

We tend to be selfish in our interests (thanks, Jerry B.), money, time, and interactions. Other sins also flow from this base of self-centeredness: jealousy, competitiveness, and controlling others. Not only is this tendency inherent in our flesh, our world often praises such behavior. Further, Christian communities exalt some of this, especially competitiveness & control, and our parenting is rif...

One of the main causes of our joyless, immature living in modern Christianity is our lack of mortification and vivification. We have lowered the bar of "conduct becoming a Christian" and must learn to raise the bar and partner with the Spirit in regularly vaulting over it. We will discuss the three-fold process inherent in each of these sermon studies: recognize the lowering standard of sin; raise...

One of the main causes of our joyless, immature living in modern Christianity is our lack of mortification and vivification. We have lowered the bar of "conduct becoming a Christian" and must learn to raise the bar and partner with the Spirit in regularly vaulting over it. We will discuss the three-fold process inherent in each of these sermon studies: recognize the lowering standard of sin; raise...

If we do not take time to celebrate the tiny wins, then all we have left to remember are the losses. A long-term High School coach once told me: "it takes a ton more good things to get us over one bad thing (thing being words, events, whatever). When we do not celebrate the good, we let the bad win."

If we do not take time to celebrate the tiny wins, then all we have left to remember are the losses. A long-term High School coach once told me: "it takes a ton more good things to get us over one bad thing (thing being words, events, whatever). When we do not celebrate the good, we let the bad win."

The Ebenezer effect is incredibly significant throughout scripture, and understandably highlighted in the psalms. Almost all of the songs contain some form of testimonial, and some are completely devoted to praising God publicly. When we tell truth about God's goodness we are reminded of grace and others we may never know are edified as well.

The Ebenezer effect is incredibly significant throughout scripture, and understandably highlighted in the psalms. Almost all of the songs contain some form of testimonial, and some are completely devoted to praising God publicly. When we tell truth about God's goodness we are reminded of grace and others we may never know are edified as well.

The penitential psalms are heartbreaking, evoking the ache felt in every soul that begins to see the enormous evil of our sin accurately. Yet these psalms are important. Besides revealing truth about sin, they guide God's worshiper to a knowledge of grace.

The penitential psalms are heartbreaking, evoking the ache felt in every soul that begins to see the enormous evil of our sin accurately. Yet these psalms are important. Besides revealing truth about sin, they guide God's worshiper to a knowledge of grace.

The trust psalms reveal an important truth that carries from the Abrahamic covenant through the Old Testament, to the New Covenant, and beyond – righteousness comes by faith.

The trust psalms reveal an important truth that carries from the Abrahamic covenant through the Old Testament, to the New Covenant, and beyond – righteousness comes by faith.

When evil is called righteous or vice-versa, YHWH leads His people to sing the imprecatory psalms. They are not intended as petty grumpiness; rather they are an important part of living according to truth. Imprecation makes us think correctly, exposes our own sin, comes from a place of care for the oppressed and the oppressor, and leads to God's praise.

When evil is called righteous or vice-versa, YHWH leads His people to sing the imprecatory psalms. They are not intended as petty grumpiness; rather they are an important part of living according to truth. Imprecation makes us think correctly, exposes our own sin, comes from a place of care for the oppressed and the oppressor, and leads to God's praise.

The psalms are wisdom literature. That means while they were obviously written to be remembered for worship, their contents are all about skillful living. When we consider those contents, we find some wonderful guidance for everyday life, including: rooting in scripture; fleeing wickedness; and trusting God's judgments.

The psalms are wisdom literature. That means while they were obviously written to be remembered for worship, their contents are all about skillful living. When we consider those contents, we find some wonderful guidance for everyday life, including: rooting in scripture; fleeing wickedness; and trusting God's judgments.

The lamentation psalms are critically important. They achieve a number of important things, including fostering honesty, engaging us with YHWH, and preparing us for real praise. In fact, if we don't lament first, we will usually find ourselves unable to move into the future.

The lamentation psalms are critically important. They achieve a number of important things, including fostering honesty, engaging us with YHWH, and preparing us for real praise. In fact, if we don't lament first, we will usually find ourselves unable to move into the future.

The Lord God is Creator and ruler of all. During this year of Frisco Bible reform, it is especially important to remember just who is in charge – the One True God who was and is and is to come.

The Lord God is Creator and ruler of all. During this year of Frisco Bible reform, it is especially important to remember just who is in charge – the One True God who was and is and is to come.

That we receive God's Son and His will.

That we receive God's Son and His will.

Esther and Mordecai give us a remarkable picture of courage, especially given the horrific depravity of their times and the hopelessness of their situation. Their courage is rooted in the only source that always avails – God's sovereignty.