worldliness.

"Worldliness is the set of practices in a society, its values and ways of looking at life, that make sin look normal and righteousness look strange. It is the view of the world that puts the sinner at its center and God to the periphery" (David Wells, God in the Wasteland, 86). In my humble estimation, Wells couldn't be more spot o...

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here’s why you should praise the LORD!

Psalm 147 provides a host of reasons why believers must praise the LORD. The psalm begins and ends with the same phrase which ties the psalm together as a unit: Praise the LORD (הַ֥לְלוּ יָ֙הּ). This phrase also occurs in v.12 as well which divides the psalm into halves. I. Your Duty Is To Praise the...

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please pray for my PhD exams this week.

Please remember to pray for me as I take my seven written comprehensive exams this week for my PhD program. Pray that God gives me great recollection of the books I read & the things I studied. Here is my schedule: EXAMS: 1. Theology 2. OT & Hebrew 3. Bible Ex 4. NT #1 - NTI, hermeneutics, crit methods & backgrounds (LXX, Fathers, intertestamental) 5. NT #2 - Greek Grammar, syntax, and...

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what does it mean to be CHOSEN by GOD?

Here is a link to free video lectures by R.C. Sproul. He apparently gave these lectures 'back in the day' (just watch them and see his hair and you'll know what I mean!). At any rate, these are superb lectures worthy of your careful consideration. I think he is right on with God's election & God's sovereignty. Topics include: — God's sovereignty — What is free will? — Man's radical fallenness —...

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what is it to be a MAN?

Biblical masculinity does not demand to be served but itself serves and sacrifices for the good of others. And, the call to lead is a call to repentance, humility, and risk taking. So, men, be me...

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you can understand the BIBLE!

Here are some good quotes I've come across in my PhD exam preparation: "There is throughout the Bible a historical plot line and the teaching of basic truths that can be understood apart from detailed genre analysis and knowledge of literary structure [not to diminish these *important* disciplines,...

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study science to study GOD.

From Richard Baxter as he comments on Ps 111:2 — Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them: "To see God in his creatures, and to love him and converse with him, was the employment of man in his upright state. This is so far from ceasing to be our duty, that it is...

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come to the school of God.

Psalm 111 — Study Hard! 1. Begin your study with worship (1) The psalm begins with Hallelujah—an exclamation of praise—which commands the community to sing and praise the Lord (1a). The assembly and the congregation of upright people are beckoned to worship God (1b). Thus, all study of God must begin...

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men—date your wives.

Something I was reminded of again yesterday in my church planting class was the absolute necessity of making sure my wife is #1 in my life and that she knows that she is #1 in my life. Listen, I'm not perfect at this (not even sure if I'd be in the 'good' category) but we as men must continually work...

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marriage is a picture of the GOSPEL.

"In the home when a husband leads like Christ and a wife responds like the bride of Christ, there is a harmony and mutuality that is more beautiful and more satisfying than any pattern of marriage created by man. Biblical headship for the husband is the divine calling to take primary responsibility for Christlike, servant leadership, protection and provision in the home. Biblical submission for the...

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how God encouraged me in ISRAEL.

How God encouraged me on Israel this trip (Of the many things I could write, I will limit it to only a few for the sake of time!) 1. In the Wilderness of Paran, where the Israelites wandered (Num 12:16), I meditated on Deuteronomy 8 and God reminded me of the simple but profound phrase in verse 2...

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fix your eyes on JESUS.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and ...

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don't forget GOD.

Last night I preached Deut 8 at the rehab center and gave four pillars to stand on so you don't forget the LORD your God. You can listen here. Deuteronomy 8:1-2 "All the commandments that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the...

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does God draw you or drive you to prayer?

It has just occurred to me, that the reason why the Lord has of late allowed me to be so severely tried--is that I have been very little at His throne of grace. Nor have His promises appeared so precious, pleadable, and suited to my case. Jesus is determined to have me often at His throne, and if the...

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ponder this.

Luke 2:52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Καὶ Ἰησοῦς προέκοπτεν ἐν τῇ σοφίᾳ καὶ ἡλικίᾳ καὶ χάριτι παρὰ θεῷ καὶ ἀνθρώποις.) What an amazing thought to consider that Jesus—in the fullness of His humanness—grew in both wisdom & stature and in favor with both God & men. The word "grew" (προέκοπτεν) is in a Greek verbal form that brings the action...

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some things I learned guiding this trip to Israel

[photo: Iron Age gate at Tel Dan; courtesy of BiblePlaces] Here are a few things I learned in leading this, my fourth, trip to Israel. 1. Be passionate & excited and that will contagiously affect the tourists. Not that I have to confess that I am not passionate about going to Israel; I am! But...

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prayer for preaching this week.

Pray for me as I prepare & preach this week: Sat, Aug 13th — Street preaching @ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica Tues, Aug 16th — Preaching Deut 8 at the Bible Tabernacle Fri, Aug 19th — Street preaching @ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica Thanks for your prayer...

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a word of wisdom from my wife.

I returned from Israel yesterday and my wife asked me: "Honey, how was the trip?" I responded: "Great. It was very restful and a needed time of refreshment." Then she replied: "Interesting that you just finished leading an eleven day tour through the land of Israel and you found that restful. Interesting that your pace of life here is so busy that you found leading a trip to Israel restful." Point...

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home from Israel

God richly blessed our trip to Israel. We had 11 fabulous days in Israel cramming dozens of sites in and then some (and some new ones for me!). I hope to post in the next few days some reflections on what God taught me on this trip. Thanks for your prayer...

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