Grace or Grit

In Exodus 21:22–25 (in the Bible) we read, “ When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine.  But if there is harm, then you must pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, b...

We really don’t want to base our counsel on our personal experiences, whatever merit those experiences might offer.   And, we are not medical professionals.  Maybe you've seen the sign that says, “Please don’t confuse your Google search with my medical degree?” Of course, you can find medical professionals on both sides of the vaccine issue, so I’m not too sure that’s always as helpful a...

Of course we kn o w what happens to our bodies when we die. God made us from dirt, so one way or another our bodies return to that same state. Whether by cremation, burial, mummification, eaten by fish, donated to science… eventually all dead bodies become dust again.  Of course we know that eventually our bodies are reconstituted and resurrected… both the the bodies of the saved and of the l...

Would you be willing to take a few minutes and pray with me for God's blessings upon this podcasting season.  We want to bless others, and to do that we must be blessed.  Listen and pray along.

This is a very unique episode.  First of all, it's the first time we have attempted a "PART 2" episode.  And now, it looks like we will need a "PART 3" too.  Because, as a result of a conciliation, it's the first (wait, maybe the second) time we have had an unplanned guest.  Tonya was on the call just to listen, and when Tracy couldn't show due to her having COVID-19, Tonya (Da...

This month I’m preaching a sermon series entitled “The WOMEN of the Bible.” It is a direct attempt to answer some questions that were asked of me concerning femininity.  From a broad perspective, the sermon series will be an attempt to explain some of the teachings in the Bible concerning women.  Why do this? Well, because some of the Bible’s teachings do indeed seem quite strange and ob...

Does God always want you and me to always be healthy, wealthy, comfortable, successful, and happy? The modern "prosperity gospel preachers" would lead us to believe that He does.  When Jesus saved you from sin, He also saved you from poverty, illness, and oppression.  Do you agree with that? Asceticism makes the opposite claim.  This philosophy would have us believe that the sicker...

Humans are made in the image and likeness of God.  As such, we are more than just matter in motion.  As beings, we are both material and immaterial.  But what exactly is the immaterial part of humanity?  We use words like mind, soul, spirit, heart, will, emotion, nature, etc.  But are these parts of one thing, like the liver and stomach are both parts of the body?  Or...

I'm sure you've noticed that preachers are always happy, always bold and courageous, and always full of energy... ...except when we're not. Today is confession day.  Patrick is under the weather, so Dave is joined by his wife Tonya for a discussion about the struggles of life in ministry.   Listen if you dare...

In Ephesians 4:1-3 the apostle Paul wrote, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." "The VOCATION wherewith you were CALLED."  What is that?  What is the call of God?  Who d...

It's been over a month since we've talked at length with co-host Patrick Reed. This episode is dedicated solely to catching up with him and learning about what's going on right now with his family and with the work there in The Gambia. Listen now...

Mandy Nash is one of God's precious daughters.  She is an elect lady, like the recipient of John's 2nd epistle.  And, she has been through much.  Some of it was by her own choices, but much of her suffering was a result of oppression that Satan and his children placed on her.  Yet, she is victorious.  Her love for Christ and for her family is evident.  She is one of t...

The Bible tells us plainly that we will suffer.  “ These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world .” (John 16:33) On this episode David is joined by one of the members of grace Baptist Church, Russ Nash.  Russ has dealt with chronic pain for years.  Listen to him share his...

One of our biggest podcast fans has become a podcast guest.  In fact, he is really a guest host on this episode.   God has called Danny Smith to be an Evangelist.  I would say he has a burden to be a "Revivalist," but that's just my opinion.  We'll have to wait and see what God does. On this episode we focus Danny's testimony and calling.  But, we do get a little bit into the nature of revival too...

The original title that I wanted to use for this episode was: "What’ll ya have… What’ll ya have?” Kelly D'Armi told me about that mantra.  It is the serving call of the Varsity hot dog stand down in Atlanta, GA (where Kelly heard it). King Solomon received an offer from God that sounded a little like that saying.  God proposed to give him anything he wanted.  But what if you or I we...

The the gate that leads to eternal life is straight, right?  Or, is it strait.  Read that again. I (Dave) have been reading it as "straight" and using Jesus' words as if he said "straight" - when in actuality, He didn't. How many other obvious errors have I made?  How many have we made?  How many are we still making? You may not know this, but there are some churches who practi...

I (Dave) have been called a southern baptist because I am a baptist and I’m from the south. Well, in that sense, I guess I am.  But I am not part of the Southern Baptist Convention. Southern Baptists are not necessarily from the south. Keith Myer is from New Jersey, but he heads up our local group of Southern Baptist Churches. So what better person to ask than Keith?  "Keith, what is a Southern Ba...

In 1st Timothy 4:6-11 Paul wrote, “ Refuse profane ( non-sacred ) and old wives' fables ( also translated “silly myths") , and exercise yourself rather unto godliness.” Then in Acts 17:22-23 we find it written, “Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, 'You men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious ( uninformed and erroneously religious - devoted, but with...

In Genesis 8:21-22 we read that after Noah's flood, "The LORD smelled a sweet savor (that of Noah's sacrifice); and said in His heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth ; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.  While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, an...

Doubtless every person's lot in life has its advantages and disadvantages.  It's neither wise nor noble to play the martyr when one is certainly no martyr.  On the other hand, children who grow up in the home of Christian minister do indeed have some unique challenges.  They should always experience some significant esoteric blessings as well, but their temptations are real and ther...

God has called you and has given you what you need to serve Him in some specific way?  But how are you to know what your calling is?  Specifically, how does one discover and then demonstrate that God has called them into preaching ministry?  In Acts 13:2 we read this testimony, "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, 'Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the w...

Perhaps you know the song that goes like this, "How deep the Father's love for us; how vast, beyond of measure; that He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure."  There is no doubt about it, God's love is deep.  But what else falls into the category of deep truth, or deep theology, or deep spiritual things? On this episode Dave and Patrick take a stab at identifying what the deep th...

What is the difference really between praying and worrying?  In some ways they are more similar than you might think.  But this is not the only relevant question concerning prayer.  Why does God tell us to pray?  What does prayer accomplish anyway?  And how should we be praying? Listen as Dave and Patrick bare their heart on this vital spiritual topic.

We all know that we are now under grace, not under the law.  But how about the laws concerning resting on Saturday and paying our tithes?  Are we exempt from those?  And if we are exempt, what do our actions in freedom say about our spirituality? On this episode Dave and Patrick try to unpack the reality of God's plan for New Testament saints on these 2 issues specifically.  Yo...

Jude wrote, "Of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”  But is there a third category?  The answer is a resounding, "Yes!"  Even in his little letter, Jude spoke of apostates who were/are beyond hope.  It isn't compassion or confrontation that is appropriate in such cases...