Episodes

Top Ten Reasons we pray for our Spiritual Leaders. 10. Our leaders fall into “all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18 9. We forget. The best of men are men at best. (J.C. Ryle) 8. Protected by God. (Hedge about them) 7. Protected from other pastors. Galatians 2:11 ff (Even in the battle for the truth leaders have conflicts.) 6. Protection from Evil opposition 5. Sincere friendships. Like Timothy, Epaphroditus, and Titus 4. Power in their ministries. Ephesians 6:19-20 3. Peace in the Church. Hebr...

No matter what motivates us at the beginning of our prayer discipline, our prayers will glorify God, conform us to His will, and open up to us eternal life during our earthly sojourn. Maturing in the faith will not only see a convergence of the reasons we pray and the results of our prayer, but they will one day meld together, becoming the goal of our supplication every time we commune with Holy God. The Ultimate reason/result of our prayer? God glory alone. Our Chief reasons/results of our p...

New to prayer, beginning again after a multitude of fits and starts? We review the most fundamental principle of prayer, start talking to God. Set aside everything you know about prayer and talk. Children learn to talk by talking, and we know to pray by praying. Listen as I take my “how do children learn to talk” to ridicules levels, and hear how babies as they learn to talk, tell stories and events which to steal from Shakespeare, “This learned baby is too cunning to be understood.” Yet, t...

We review the podcast's purpose: the desire for every Christian to have a growing, Biblical, dynamic, sincere, soul-satisfying prayer life. It truly does break my heart that any Christian should not know the sweetness of comfort and rebuke from the lover of our souls. Father Son and Holy Spirit our creator and Savior. He does sustain our souls. We review Job 3:20-26, Lamentations 3:1-6 & 17 to remember the pouring out of our souls is never disdained by Holy God. Indeed He answers us with comp...

In our first episode of "A Layman's Look at the Whole Bible," we say the Bible is the boss of us, and we are not the boss of it. Today we will discover the Bible is a genuine love letter from our Creator to all mankind. The case is made by: The Bible's witness. The Devil's witness. Jesus' Witness. In the Sermon on the mount. In His responses to His critics. In His attestation of the Book of Jonah. So we read the Bible as literature, but the fundamental rule is that we read the Bible in ...

Look, if you can agree with Charles Spurgeon on any level when he said, “My spirits were sunken so low that I could weep by the hour like a child, and yet I knew not what I wept for.” This episode may just give you comfort. A powerful true story of the critical importance of not giving up but giving your life, in the providence of Christ, one more day. This is the new publishing of an episode we did in 2019. It is mainly to be noted this was before the stressful pandemic season and all the e...

Look, if you can agree with Charles Spurgeon on any level when he said, “My spirits were sunken so low that I could weep by the hour like a child, and yet I knew not what I wept for.” This episode may just give you comfort. This is the new publishing of an episode we did in 2019. It is mainly to be noted this was before the stressful pandemic season and all the emotional circumstances it has brought. Along with the next, this episode drew many comments and testimonies of encouragement. We a...

Reading David ( a few years back) say, Thy gentleness makes me great, from Psalm 18:35, threw me for a minor loop, for gentleness was not in the top ten attributes of God in my mind. It is reasonable, therefore, we have the witness of Jesus: 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. John 1:17-18 We look today at two of those ten...

This Psalm is the pebble drop in water, and its ripple is found in Romans 7… 129 Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul observes them… 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man (Romans 7:22) Then… 136 My eyes shed streams of water, Because they do not keep Thy law… 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body (Romans 7:23) The import of God’s word is timeless. Pe Psalm 119:129-136 129 Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul observes them....

Psalm 18:35 35 Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation, And Thy right hand upholds me, And Thy gentleness makes me great. When this verse first jumped out at me, I was more than a little startled. I had never really thought of the gentleness of God, especially as He reveals Himself in the Old Testament. Yet, David knew the gentleness of God made him great. In our effort to examine how David learned of the gentleness of God, we find a merciful chance to meditate on how God teaches...

God in teaching us His word, is equated with lovingkindness. I love that concept. Ayin Psalm 119:121-128 121 I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Be surety for Thy servant for good; Do not let the arrogant oppress me. 123 My eyes fail with longing for Thy salvation, And for Thy righteous word. 124 Deal with Thy servant according to Thy lovingkindness, And teach me Thy statutes. 125 I am Thy servant; give me understanding, That I may know Thy testimo...

The Word of God sustains us through His promises and brings us solemn fear for His Holiness. Samekh. Psalm 119:1130120 113 I hate those who are double-minded, But I love Thy law. 114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Thy word. 115 Depart from me, evildoers, That I may observe the commandments of my God. 116 Sustain me according to Thy word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope. 117 Uphold me that I may be safe, That I may have regard for Thy statutes c...

We mentioned this concept before in December 2021, before the physical ills, so the introduction is delayed. In this A Layman’s Commentary on the Whole Bible initial episode, you will hear: Our first blush direction of the effort. Our intent down the road, as the Lord leads. What a layman is, as I use the term. All Christians are theologians. There are; Tight theologians Sloppy theologians (not as bad as it sounds :)) The dangers of being a sloppy theologian. How Dick Butkus illustrate...

Our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the covenant (promise-keeping God). Therefore our path is illuminated for us by that word, and our rest is in His promises. Nun Psalm 119:105-112 105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path. 106 I have sworn, and I will confirm it, That I will keep Thy righteous ordinances. 107 I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O LORD, according to Thy word. 108 O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me Thine ordinances. ...

Our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the covenant (promise-keeping God). Therefore our path is illuminated for us by that word, and our rest is in His promises. Nun Psalm 119:105-112 105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path. 106 I have sworn, and I will confirm it, That I will keep Thy righteous ordinances. 107 I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O LORD, according to Thy word. 108 O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me Thine ordinances. ...

You might hear one of my go-to verses to put our sojourn into proper perspective. Lamedh Psalm 119:89-96 89 Forever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in heaven. 90 Thy faithfulness continues throughout all generations; Thou didst establish the earth, and it stands. 91 They stand this day according to Thine ordinances, For all things are Thy servants. 92 If Thy law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget Thy precepts, For by them Thou hast re...

It may sound odd to read: 1 Timothy 2:1-2 1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. Or even odder, to read: 7 ‘And seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’ Knowing now, if you had not read it bef...

It may sound odd to read: 1 Timothy 2:1-2 1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. Or even odder, to read: 7 ‘And seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’ Knowing now, if you had not read it bef...

To expand on the privilege it is to talk about prayer with you, I prefaced our reading today with: So often do I say this. It might sound like routine spoken without true meaning. In fact, there are times when I record and think I was too excited during parts of this episode. In what we often expect to hear from others, I do not sound excited; I have to pray at all times that the Holy Spirit communicates the energy His word brings to my soul. But it occurred to me this morning, in the last 6 y...

Where do we go in the extremely acute sorrows or the turmoil of our souls? But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed… Luke 18:1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart… Praying through Holy Writ is an exercise ...

All His commandments are faithful; they refresh our souls. Kaph Psalm 119:81-88 81 My soul languishes for Thy salvation; I wait for Thy word. 82 My eyes fail with longing for Thy word, While I say, “When wilt Thou comfort me?” 83 Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget Thy statutes. 84 How many are the days of Thy servant? When wilt Thou execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85 The arrogant have dug pits for me, Men who are not in accord with Thy law. 86 ...

The One who knows us best and loves us most can be trusted to guide us to our haven of rest. Yodh Psalm 119:73-80 73 Thy hands made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments. 74 May those who fear Thee see me and be glad, Because I wait for Thy word. 75 I know, O LORD, that Thy judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me. 76 O may Thy lovingkindness comfort me, According to Thy word to Thy servant. 77 May Thy compassion come...

John 11:40 Jesus *said to her, “Did I not say to you, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” Coming amid the death of Lazarus, the great sorrow of his sisters, and the confused faces of the disciples. In this maelstrom of sickness, death, grief, fear, and the lessons in faith for them all. The disciples, Mary and Martha, and even the crowds wondered at the delay, actions, and words of Jesus. Yet, in a moment, they would see the glory of God in a way none of them could have imagined. ...

Whatever draws us closer to God is a blessing. - Charles Spurgeon Teth Psalm 119:65-72 65 Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O LORD, according to Thy word. 66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Thy commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Thy word. 68 Thou art good and doest good; Teach me Thy statutes. 69 The arrogant have forged a lie against me; With all my heart I will observe Thy precepts. 70 Their heart is covered with fat, Bu...