InPerspective

Joel 2 Imagine you are daydreaming or sleepily nodding off … suddenly someone blows a trumpet in your ear! That would certainly wake you from your stupor and immediately focus your attention on the trumpeter. Joel chapter 2 shows us how the trumpet call of the Lord wakes us up, focuses our attention back on Him, and calls us to respond with repentance and passionate worship.

Joel 2 In the army, when the trumpet sounds at dawn, soldiers must wake up and give full attention to their duties. God's covenant people had become so secure and complacent in their military and financial prowess, they had fallen asleep spiritually and forgotten the Lord. Joel chapter 2 sounds a trumpet call to wake up and turn their full attention to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15 & Romans 5 God created heaven and earth and the human race in perfection – but sin and death intruded with tragic consequences. Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he examines three types of death resulting from original sin – physical death, spiritual death, and eternal death.  

Joel 1 Sudden personal tragedy, the difficulties of everyday life, and the steady stream of bad news can make it seem like our world is spinning out of control. We must remember that all adversity and trials are in the hand of the sovereign God, to remind us of the coming Day of the Lord, and to call us to return to the Lord in repentance and faithfulness before it is too late.

Joel 1 In the 8th century BC, Israel was at the highest point of their popularity and influence, militarily and economically, since the days of Solomon – when suddenly, catastrophe struck. In this historical context Joel came declaring that this calamity pointed to the ultimate day of calamity – the coming Day of the Lord, bringing God's judgment on all peoples and nations that ultimately rejected Him.

Five times in the book of Joel we read the phrase, "the day of the Lord" – but what does this mean? The Day of the Lord is a fixed day that is certainly coming, an inflexible day of righteous judgment upon the world, and God's people are to warn the world of this coming Day of the Lord, as we seek to live each day in light of it.

The book of Joel is found in the portion of the Scriptures known as the Minor Prophets – but there is nothing minor about his powerful prophetic message. It is a message that is just as relevant to our time as when he delivered it. Join us today as we begin our new series on Joel: A Minor Prophet With a Major Message.

Financial bondage and money problems...destructive and harmful communication...sexual immorality... These three traps have ensnared, damaged, and destroyed countless families in our nation –  and in the church. But the divine wisdom of God's Word can help Christian families avoid these traps and even experience victory over them. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder brings us today's teaching … PART 2 of his message entitled: Three Traps Transformed Into Three Triumphs.

Genesis 2:15-17 People sometimes say, “Dying is just a part of life” – but the Bible teaches something quite different. Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as begins a new series to help us understand Eternity in Biblical Perspective.

We live in a consumer-oriented society. When we want something, we pull out our credit cards and worry about how to pay for it later. The resulting financial bondage of crushing debt has ensnared countless families and torn them apart. How can Christian families escape the trap of financial bondage and experience victory in this important area of life? Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder brings us today's teaching … PART 1 of his message entitled: Three Traps Transformed Into Three Triumphs.

Ephesians 6:1-4 & Deuteronomy 6:4-9 The book of Deuteronomy issues instructions and commandments to God's ancient covenant people and declares: “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” This call to diligent godly parenting applies just as much to Christian parents in our day. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: Ephesians 6:1-4 & Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and brings us today's teaching … PART 2 of his message entitled: Ten Practices For Parents.

Ephesians 6:1-4 & Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Peer pressure, television, siblings, music, school, advertising – these are just a few things in our culture that can strongly influence our children. But nothing shapes and impacts our children, for good or for bad, more than their parents. The influence of godly fathers and mothers can make all the difference in the spiritual condition and eternal destiny of our children. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to Ephesians 6:1-4 & Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and brings us today's teaching … PART 1 of his message entitled: Ten Practices For Parents.

1 Corinthians 7 The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk.” Singleness is not a lesser state in God's eyes; rather, every follower of Jesus Christ, whether single, married, engaged, or widowed, has been called to grow in our relationship with Him, serve Him obediently, and live as His faithful disciple. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to 1 Corinthians 7 and brings us today's teaching … PART 2 of his message entitled: What About Singleness?: A Christian Perspective.

1 Corinthians 7 God has called many believers to glorify Him in marriage by raising godly families, reflecting the love of Christ in the marriage relationship, and modeling Christlike character to a watching world. But He has also called others to singleness, and to glorify Him in this unmarried state through the unique opportunities it gives for spiritual growth and undistracted devotion to Christ. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to 1 Corinthians 7 and brings us today's teaching … PART 1 of his message entitled: What About Singleness?: A Christian Perspective.

Matthew 6 We will experience deeper levels of communion with God as we learn to implement the Lord's Prayer in our lives. Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he examines the profound intimacy with the heavenly Father that Jesus manifested in His prayer life, and modeled for us in the Lord's Prayer.

Matthew 19 There is significant disagreement and confusion in the church about marriage, divorce, and remarriage. Some Christians believe that divorce and remarriage are forbidden under any circumstances, while others may have too lenient and permissive a view on this issue. What does God's Word teach us about the controversial and critical issue of marriage, divorce, and remarriage? Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: Matthew 19 and brings us today's teaching … PART 2 of his message entitled: What About Divorce, Marriage and Remarriage?

Matthew 19 The prophet Malachi wrote, “For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one's garment with violence” –  and yet the divorce rate among professing Christians in America is virtually the same as that of unbelievers. How can we recover a biblical perspective on marriage, divorce, and remarriage, and restore the importance of covenantal faithfulness in marriage? Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: Matthew 19 and brings us today's teaching … PART 1 of his message entitled: What About Divorce, Marriage and Remarriage?

Ephesians 5:15-21 God's Word urges us, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” – but many Christian families squander countless hours on worldly distractions and fruitless pursuits. Strong Christian marriages require passionate love for Christ that cultivates minds and hearts saturated with the Word of God the Spirit of God. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: Ephesians 5:15-21 and brings us today's teaching … PART 2 of his message entitled: Essential # 7: A Gospel Call to a Commitment to Marriage – The Best Defense is a Gospel Offense.

Ephesians 5:15-21 A successful general or football coach might swear by the maxim, “The best defense is a good offense.” But a strong and healthy Christian family would say the same thing, for they will have learned that a powerful and consistent Gospel-driven offensive is the best defense against the adversaries that seek the downfall of Christian marriages. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to Ephesians 5:15-21 and brings us today's teaching … PART 1 of his message entitled: Essential # 7: A Gospel Call to a Commitment to Marriage – The Best Defense is a Gospel Offense.

Ephesians 6:10-20 A medieval knight could only expect defeat, if he went into battle without his armor and sword. But many Christian families go out every day unarmed and unprepared to face the spiritual warfare every believer must face. We must learn how to fully utilize every piece of spiritual armor and weaponry that the Lord has given to us, and train our children to do the same. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to Ephesians 6:10-20 and brings us today's teaching … PART 2 of his message entitled: Essential # 6: The Assault of the Adversary and His Two Allies – Lifting the Fog of War.

Matthew 6 When you commit to follow the Lord Jesus, you can expect a vicious counterassault from the spiritual forces of darkness. Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he encourages us to constantly rely upon our mighty deliverer Jesus Christ, as we face consistent attacks from our spiritual enemies.

Ephesians 6:10-20 Every Christian must be aware that the devil is a formidable adversary –  powerful, relentless, and diabolically cunning. But we must also be aware of the two allies he has enlisted in his never-ending quest to destroy the Christian family and bring about the downfall of God's people. What is this three-pronged unholy alliance against the Christian family –  and how can we defeat it? Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to Ephesians 6:10-20 and brings us today's teaching … PART 1 of his message entitled: Essential # 6: The Assault of the Adversary and His Two Allies – Lifting the Fog of War.

Ephesians 5:21-6:4 In Exodus 20, we see that the fifth of the Ten Commandments came with a divine promise: "Honor your father and mother, that it may go well with you and that you may that you may live long in the land." Following this command –  and training our children to do so –  will yield great blessing in this life and lasting spiritual treasure in heaven. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to Ephesians 5:21 – 6:4 and brings us today's teaching … his message entitled: Essential # 5: Parenting with Purpose and a Promise – Placing Arrows in the Hand of the Divine Warrior.

Ephesians 5:21-6:4 Countless men in our culture and society have bought into the lie that the most important thing in life is individual happiness and personal fulfillment. This has led to an epidemic of sexual immorality, adultery, divorce, and absentee fathers. But God's Word commands husbands to love their wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to Ephesians 5:21 – 6:4 and brings us today's teaching … PART 2 of his message entitled: Essential # 4: Servant Leaders and Sacrificial Lovers –  A Display of Christ's Love For His Bride.

Ephesians 5:21-6:4 A slave was once considered a piece of property with no rights, and was to maintain an attitude of inferiority and subservience. Sadly, this is similar to many people's idea of biblical submission in marriage. But Christian husbands are not to be tyrants ruling over their wives with an iron fist  –  instead, they are to manifest the same attitude that Jesus has toward His Bride, the church. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to Ephesians 5:21 – 6:4 and brings us today's teaching … PART 1 of his message entitled: Essential # 4: Servant Leaders and Sacrificial Lovers – A Display of Christ's Love For His Bride.

Ephesians 5:21-6:4 In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul lists several characteristics of a Spirit-filled life, concluding with the exhortation to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. A Christian family led by the Holy Spirit will demonstrate submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, by manifesting biblical submission to one another out of reverence for Christ. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to Ephesians 5:21 – 6:4 and brings us today's teaching … PART 2 of his message entitled: Essential # 3: Fear-Less Submission and Faith-Full Respect – Showing the Heart of the Bride of Christ.

Matthew 6 We may see hardship and adversity as Satan's attempts to impede our spiritual growth and relationship with the Lord – and yet, God does use trials and suffering to teach us to trust Him more fully. Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he shows us how to embrace the Lord's divine testing and flee Satan's temptation.

Ephesians 5:21-6:4 There has been much confusion and controversy about the concept of godly submission in marriage. But when it is properly understood and put into practice, biblical submission in marriage and the family is an ideal to be desired and pursued. Husband, wife, parent, child –  each member of a Christian family is called to submit to the others in a biblical manner. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to Ephesians 5:21 – 6:4 and brings us today's teaching … PART 1 of his message entitled: Essential # 3: Fear-Less Submission and Faith-Full Respect – Showing the Heart of the Bride of Christ.

Ephesians 5:21-6:4 In the Genesis account of the creation of man and woman, we read, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." God Himself ordained and established the sacred, indispensable institution of marriage to perpetually fulfill an essential role in His creation. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to Ephesians 5:21 – 6:4 and brings us today's teaching … PART 2 of his message entitled: Essential # 2: Embracing God's Design and Experiencing Our Desire – One + One = One.

Ephesians 5:21-6:4 The book of Genesis teaches us that God created man in His image, male and female, and established the sacred institution of marriage. It then says, “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.”  Sadly, the institution of marriage has been increasingly de-emphasized and devalued in our culture and society. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to Ephesians 5:21 – 6:4 and brings us today's teaching … PART 1 of his message entitled:  Essential # 2: Embracing God's Design and Experiencing Our Desire – One + One = One

Ephesians 5:21-6:4 C.S. Lewis wrote, "When I have learned to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now." A Christian family that truly honors the Lord does not primarily focus on its members improving their relationships with each other –  it focuses on each family member cultivating a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: Ephesians 5:21 – 6:4 and brings us today's teaching … PART 2 of his message entitled: Essential #1: Christ as the Foundation, Fountain, and Focus – The Triumph of Truth Over Technique and Trials.

Ephesians 5:21-6:4 You know the familiar saying, "Home is where the heart is"  –  but Christian families must also recognize that "Home is where the START is."  The inter-relationships in the Christian home among parents and children constitute the first place where we must begin to manifest the characteristics and qualities of our new life in Jesus Christ. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: Ephesians 5:21 – 6:4 and brings us today's teaching … PART 1 of his message entitled:  Essential #1: Christ as the Foundation, Fountain, and Focus – The Triumph of Truth Over Technique and Trials.

Matthew 6 Evangelist D.L. Moody once said, "Perhaps the most difficult sin of all to deal with, is an unforgiving spirit." Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he teaches us how to learn to forgive others from the heart as the Lord has forgiven us.

Ephesians 5:21-6:4 Our society has gone to great lengths to deconstruct and redefine the family to accommodate so-called “alternative” lifestyles. But the biblical definition of the Christian family remains unchanged – one man united to one woman for a lifetime, with parental responsibility for their children, empowered and enabled by the Spirit of God, and committed to the Word of God. Listen as Dr. Reeder brings us Part 2 of his introduction to a new 7-part series, Seven Essentials for the Christian Family, 

Ephesians 5:21-6:4 The family is the essential building block in every society – but today this God-ordained institution is under assault by an unbelieving, godless culture that seeks to undermine its foundational importance. Today Dr. Reeder begins a new series, Seven Essentials For the Christian Family, by answering the question: Why Is This Series So Important? A Heart for the Home, Part 1. 

Hebrews 12:1-2 A marathon runner knows that starting the race strong won't do him any good if he collapses short of the finish line. He needs perseverance and endurance to run the entire race and finish strong. The Christian life is not a sprint – it is a marathon, and God's people also need perseverance and endurance if we are to finish our race, and finish strong. Tune in as Dr. Reeder teaches from Hebrews 12:1-2 and brings us today's teaching, The Essential LifeFocus of the Effective Christian Life. 

Revelation 2:1-7 The effective Christian does the right things, at the right time, in the right way, for the right reasons. We must never mistake this biblical principle with the worldly principle of mere activity. We must reject the urge to find our purpose in filling our schedule with as many things as possible, and learn to put first things first. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to Revelation 2:1-7 and brings us today's teaching ... his message entitled: Responding Faithfully: First Things First.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 The Apostle Paul wrote, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” Any master would be greatly displeased with unfaithful, untrustworthy servants and stewards – but true Christians long to hear our Lord and Master say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 and brings us today's teaching ... PART 2 of his message entitled: The Essential LifeTrust of the Effective Christian Life.

Matthew 6 If you pray for what you want, you may be disappointed if God does not give it to you. God never promises to give us everything we want, but promises something far better – He gives us what we need. Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he demonstrates how the Lord's Prayer exhorts us how, who, and what to pray for.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 A well-known hymn declares, “All for Jesus, all for Jesus! All my being's ransomed powers: All my thoughts and words and doings, All my days and all my hours.” These words reflect the mindset of the essential lifetrust of an effective Christian life – the mindset of committing to live as a faithful servant of Christ and steward of the Gospel. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 and brings us today's teaching ... PART 1 of his message entitled: The Essential LifeTrust of the Effective Christian Life.

James 1:5-8 What little we know about the formative years of Jesus are found Luke chapter 2. Luke writes, “And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him,” and also, “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” We too must seek to increase in wisdom and be filled with divine wisdom from above. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: James 1:5-8 and brings us today's teaching ... PART 2 of his message entitled: The Essential Life-Formation of the Effective Christian Life.

James 1:5-8 The epistle of James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” The fool neither perceives his need for wisdom nor asks God for it – but the truly wise realize how much they lack wisdom, and beseech the Lord for the divine wisdom necessary for the formation of an effective Christian life. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: James 1:5-8 and brings us today's teaching ... PART 1 of his message entitled: The Essential Life-Formation of the Effective Christian Life.

Ephesians 4:17-24 Psalm 107 declares, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." We should always be ready to affirm that we are the Lord's redeemed people, not only by the words of our mouths, but also by the godly and Christlike character that we manifest in our lives, as we seek to walk faithfully with the Lord as His committed disciples. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: Ephesians 4:17-24 and brings us today's teaching ... PART 2 of his message entitled: The Essential LifeStyle of the Effective Christian Life.

Ephesians 4:17-24 From 1984 to 1995, the television show "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" displayed the expensive homes and extravagant lifestyles of those who had attained worldly wealth and success. But the lifestyles of God's redeemed people should display a quality of godliness and Christlike character reflecting a dynamic relationship with the living God. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: Ephesians 4:17-24 and brings us today's teaching ... PART 1 of his message entitled: The Essential LifeStyle of the Effective Christian Life.

Matthew 6 The most common question that Christians ask just might be, “What is God's will for my life?" Every believer has wrestled with this dilemma. Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he explains how to discover the way to know and follow God's will for your life.

1 John 5:1-5 Some believers and churches elevate the Christian virtue of love at the expense of truth and sound doctrine. Others trumpet the critical importance of truth while manifesting little genuine love. But a love that cares little for God's truth is not genuine Christian love, and a truth that embraces sound doctrine but is dispassionate and unloving, is not genuine Christian truth. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: 1 John 5:1-5 and brings us today's teaching ... PART 2 of his message entitled: The Essential LifeMarks of the Effective Christian Life.

The epistle of James cautions us that "Friendship with the world is enmity with God" – but too many Christians try to remain on friendly terms with it. We have been called to OVERCOME the world, not to be friends with it, because the things of the world hinder us from pursuing effective lives of God-centered worship and faithfulness. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: 1 John 5:1-5 and brings us today's teaching ... PART 1 of his message entitled: The Essential LifeMarks of the Effective Christian Life.

Ephesians 2:1-10 A deep sea diver relies on his lifeline that connects him to his air supply – but fruitful effective Christians rely on two lifelines that keep us vitally connected to the Lord Jesus Christ. We need daily and regular profiting from the Word of God, along with utter dependence upon the Spirit of God. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: Ephesians 2:1-10 and brings us today's teaching ... PART 2 of his message entitled: The Essential LifeLines of the Effective Christian.

Ephesians 2:1-10 The opening verses of Ephesians 2 summarize the entire gamut of the Christian life. We see Our Situation – we are all born dead in our trespasses and sins; God's Solution – He made us alive together with Christ because of His love, grace, and mercy; and the Grand Summation – we are now God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works for His glory. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: Ephesians 2:1-10 and brings us today's teaching ... PART 1 of his message entitled: The Essential LifeLines of the Effective Christian.

Romans 12:1-2 Every believer wants to live an effective and fruitful Christian life – but what is the essential truth we must grasp in order to do this? The Westminster Shorter Catechism declares, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." When we understand this great purpose for which God created and redeemed us, we can begin to truly live an effective and fruitful Christian life. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to: Romans 12:1-2 and brings us today's teaching ... Pare 2 of his message entitled: The Effective Christian Life Is Purposed.

Matthew 6:9-16 Earthly kingdoms and regimes may boast great power and influence for a time, but in the end, they are all fleeting and temporary. Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he reminds us that the power and influence of this world's kingdoms will eventually pass away – but the glory and majesty of God's Kingdom will last forever.