Podcast appearances and mentions of donald whitney

LEARN MORE at http://teach4theheart.com/347  Does teaching leave you overwhelmed and burnt out? Are you tired of self-care being the answer everyone gives you? Listen as Linda shares why self-care only helps at a surface level, and points toward what will really bring healing and hope. 00:00 The Limitations of Self-Care 06:02 The Importance of Soul Care 14:48 Changing Habits for Better Outcomes Resources/Links Mentioned: Join Dordt University this summer for an online graduate course called “Emerging Technology”: http://dordt.edu/emerging-technology  Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney: https://teach4theheart.com/whitneyprayingthebible  Free Training: 5 Time-Saving Practices to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed: teach4theheart.com/savetime  Hope Renewed: http://teach4theheart.com/hoperenewed  If you liked this episode, check out episode 87 The Simple (But Uncommon) Solution to Your Teacher Stress & Anxiety at https://teach4theheart.com/the-simple-but-uncommon-solution-to-your-teacher-stress-anxiety/ 

Spiritual disciplines as a concept can often feel intimidating. Are they legalism in disguise? Or are they essential to a vibrant walk with God? In this episode, Jonathan and Laurie are joined by professor and author Donald Whitney to discuss his book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life and what it means to “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.”Together, they explore the heart behind spiritual discipline, and why prayer and Scripture intake are foundational for every believer. Don offers practical encouragement for those who feel stuck in dry devotional routines, and reminds us that even five minutes with God can bear fruit for eternity.If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review on wherever you listen!  Also remember to share with friends and family; both of those actions will help us spread the word about the show.To learn more about Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, click here.

Donald Whitney les cuenta a los creyentes cómo avivar la chispa en su vida de oración. Cuando usamos las Escrituras para expresarlas a Dios, nos damos cuenta de que empezamos a orar con fervor. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/692/29

Donald Whitney les cuenta a los creyentes cómo avivar la chispa en su vida de oración. Cuando usamos las Escrituras para expresarlas a Dios, nos damos cuenta de que empezamos a orar con fervor. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/692/29

Donald Whitney instruye a los cristianos para que no se olviden de orar las palabras de la Escritura, mientras buscan al Señor, y luego nos muestra cómo utilizar Efesios 5:21: “Sométanse unos a otros por reverencia a Cristo”. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/692/29

Donald Whitney instruye a los cristianos para que no se olviden de orar las palabras de la Escritura, mientras buscan al Señor, y luego nos muestra cómo utilizar Efesios 5:21: “Sométanse unos a otros por reverencia a Cristo”. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/692/29

Why don't I feel like praying? Because when I pray, I say the same old things about the same old things. There is nothing wrong with praying ABOUT the same things. The issue is SAYING the same things about the same things.One remedy to our frustrated praying is to pray the Bible. Using Dr. Donald Whitney's method outlined in his book, "Praying the Bible," Pastor Paul presents this method in this sermon on prayer.

In this episode of "Rhythms That Restore," Cherisse welcomes listeners to the New Year with her friend and Strengths Coach Kat Van Dusen from Knoxville, Tn.  Focusing on themes of identity and strengths and gifts we have all been given. Guest Kat Van Dusen, a Gallop Trained Strengths Coach, shares her journey of discovering her God-given strengths and how she has come to embrace her full Identity in Christ.  Kat shares her personal story and many challenges that she has had to walk through, when she found Jesus, and the importance of realizing what her personal strengths are and how to walk in them. One of the quotes Kat shares "He never lets you go to far off the rails before He creates the path back, and it is usually through pain, suffering, loss and uncovering sin that gets us back on track."  The conversation emphasizes understanding one's unique strengths, the transformative power of Christ, and the significance of spiritual disciplines. We talk about placing stones of rememberance on last year and why we do that. Kat shares about 40 years of lessons, losses, learnings and leaning and loving the disciplines that strengthen her resolve and faith musles. She teaches us how to Spy God in everything we do.  Kat challenges all of us to embrace our identities in Christ and step into the new year with confidence and hope. "May we all thrive in 2025 for His Glory and our good - with grace, peace and confidence that He who began a great work in us will bring us to completion!" Contact Kat Van Dusen for Strengths Coaching for yourself, your business or your team: Email CoachKatVanDusen@gmail.com Follow on Instagram: @Katvandu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tools and Resources Gallup CliftonStrengths: "00:04:16" CliftonStrengths: "00:25:36" Gallup Strengths / CliftonStrengths: "00:47:37" Five Love Languages:  Quotes "He never lets you go off the rails before he creates the path back.": "00:19:32" Books Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney: "00:26:45" Bible Verses John 15: "00:32:27" Romans 12: "00:35:10" Psalm 139: "00:39:14" Psalm 139: "00:53:03" Concepts and Themes Stones of Remembrance: "00:24:18" Word for the Year for 2025  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Join our "Rhythms that Restore" Community: Click below and pull up a chair with us and walk through life IN COMMUNITY and beside others who are learning and putting these new Rhythms in place. Click: https://www.facebook.com/groups/339272845793051/ -------------------------------------- Follow "Rhythms that Restore Podcast" on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhythmsthatrestorepodcast?igsh=Z3lmY2UzcXZzMTlq&utm_source=qr -------------------------------------------- Tune In- Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If you found value in this episode, be be sure to subscribe, rate, and share with "Rhythms that Restore" Podcast with a friend who can be encouraged through the message. Help us share this incredible transformative message of Gods word through the beautiful act of "ceasing to strive" and learning to "simply BE". ------------------------------------ Connect more with me on Instagram, Facebook and Email: Lets Chat: cherissehixson@hotmail.com  Facebook: Cherisse Mathias Hixson  DM on Instagram: @cherissehixson01  https://www.instagram.com/cherissehixson01?igsh=dDY4ZWNrcWowb2Vx&utm_source=qr

Do you want to grow in godliness? How well do you do your spiritual disciplines? This week, look at Donald Whitney's classic on spiritual disciplines. For more resources, visit emetministry.org Shop: ⁠https://emetministry.myshopify.com/collections/all⁠ Follow us on Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/emetministries/⁠ Listen on Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3xqsSY1AJZQe0IeYdibocD?si=auEwbDziTcmib5Qzy3lTDA⁠ Listen on Apple Podcast: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-four-fold-disciple/id1505547928⁠ Follow my reading list: ⁠https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/74696644-christian-barrett⁠

Tasha welcomes Knowing Faith's, Kyle Worley, to talk about what it means to be “home with God."Show NotesVisit https://prestonwoodwomen.orgfor our Advent Series: Heaven and Nature Sing Get to know today's guest, @ KyleWorley.netPre-order Home with God: homewithgodbook.comPre-order Formed For Fellowship. **Watch select episodes of Digging In on YouTube @Prestonwood Women's MinistrySuggested Resource: Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney

Today we have the privilege of hearing from Dr. Donald Whitney as we conclude our EQUIPPING THE FAMILY CONFERENCE. Don is originally from Osceola, Arkansas where he came to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He holds multiple seminary degrees including a Doctor in Ministry degree and Ph.D. in theology.Don served in pastoral ministry for a total of twenty-four years, with fifteen years as the pastor of Glenfield Baptist Church in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.He currently serves as Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Pastoral Ministry at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He previously served for 19 years as a professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is the founder and president of The Center for Biblical Spirituality. Don lives with his wife Caffy in Kansas City, MO. They have one adult daughter and five grandchildren. Don has authored many books including:"Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life""How Can I be Sure I'm a Christian?""Spiritual Disciplines within the Church""Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health""Simplify Your Spiritual Life""Praying the Bible""Family Worship"

Dive into persevering faith with Dr. Dustin Bruce on the Faith First podcast.From Boyce College, this episode delves into persevering faith, the challenges believers face, and the means of grace that sustain us. Join host Ana Lee as she explores with Dr. Bruce the action steps for nurturing a faith that stands firm against the trials and temptations of our time.References:Boyce Collegehttps://www.boycecollege.com/Southern Seminaryhttps://www.sbts.edu/Dr. Dustin Brucehttps://www.boycecollege.com/faculty/dustin-bruce/Dr. Jonathan Pennington, "Come and See: The Journey of Knowing God through Scripture"https://www.amazon.com/Come-See-Journey-Knowing-Scripture/dp/1433571285/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3G6XYZRKT32BQ&keywords=come%20and%20see&qid=1681851667&s=books&sprefix=come%20and%20see%2Cstripbooks%2C94&sr=1-2Dr. Donald Whitney, "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life"https://www.sbts.edu/faculty/donald-s-whitney/Perpetua and Felicitashttps://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/perpetua-and-felicitasMartin Lutherhttps://www.luther.de/en/The Faith First Podcast Music was created and produced by Samuel Silhavy, B.S. Worship and Pastoral Studies, Boyce College class of 2019.

Pastor Tim Fraiser 2 Timothy 3:16-17Romans 16:1-16 Ordinary People 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 “In a culture that craves the big, the entertaining, the dramatic, and the shocking, cultivating a life with space for ordinary and repetition is necessary for sustaining a life of faith.” Jon Warren Faithful People Luke 16:10a Godly People “I will maintain that the only road to Christian maturity and godliness passes through the practice of the spiritual disciplines.” Donald Whitney

Episode Summary:In an era where our attention is fragmented by the relentless influx of information, Pastor Jeff Long illuminates a path back to focus through faith. In this thought-provoking episode, he speaks to those who feel overwhelmed by the modern world's distractions and offers guidance on how to redirect attention to the things that truly matter—spiritual development and connection with the divine.Diving into Colossians 3:1-4, Pastor Long brings forth a compelling narrative on the importance of setting one's mind on higher, more divine purposes. He underscores the distinction between those who genuinely experience attention disorders and the societal tendency to claim overstimulation as a universal condition. The pastor carefully outlines a dual approach, consisting of both congregational and individual practices, to help believers seek and attune their minds to the spiritual realm. These insights are SEO-optimized by integrating keywords such as "attention deficit disorder," "overload," "mindfulness," "Christian worship," and "personal devotion" to resonate with those seeking solace in spirituality.Key Takeaways:Attention disorders contrast with the common societal experience of information overload and distraction.Engaging in God-centered worship and Bible-saturated teaching within a congregation can help orient one's life towards spiritual pursuits.Personal time set aside for devotion is crucial for focusing on divine matters, suggesting morning or evening routines based on individual preference.Structured, systematic approaches to reading the Bible and prayer are recommended, with personal journaling as a beneficial practice.Pastor Long advocates for disciplined patterns in spiritual activities to resist the pull of worldly distractions and maintain godliness.Notable Quotes:"To seek the things that are above means to find your waypoint, to find that place, the destination, the goal, the orientation of your life.""The songs and the prayers should set our hearts affection and our minds attention on God.""You're never going to seek and set your mind on things above in a hurry.""Thoughts must be disciplined. Otherwise, like water, they tend to flow downhill or stand stagnant.""If we do not discipline our use of time for the purpose of godliness in these evil days, these evil days will keep us from becoming godly."Resources:Spiritual Disciplines of a Godly Life by Donald Whitney.Be Thou My Vision, a 31-day liturgy guide by Jonathon Gibson.The church website for growth group guides and additional resources: Parkwood Reading ListJoin us in this journey to realign our lives with the divine and learn to navigate the chaos of the modern world through focused devotion. By setting our minds on the things above, we can find peace and purpose amidst the noise. Tune in to the full episode for a deeper exploration of this spiritual practice and stay tuned for more enlightening content that delves into the heart of faith and worship.

Join Tara Hayes as she sits down with Susan, Elaine and Matthew to discuss the Training Program led by Jake Bishop. They will share ways they've grown spiritually and how all people in the church can benefit from this program. You can apply for the fall program through May 26, 2024, that will begin on September 10, 2024. Resources Apply Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

In this episode we'll talk to Zach, Antioch Minister to Students, and Romello, our Timothy Track intern from Midwestern Seminary. We'll hear about their different experiences at Seminary and resources that could benefit our church members, too!Mentioned in this podcast, Spiritual Disciplines by Donald Whitney https://a.co/d/67UzgeFFor The Church Institutehttps://ftcinstitute.com/Biblical Trainingwww.Biblicaltraining.org

Introduction: Fasting for a blood test Intermittent fasting Fasting for prayer Donald Whitney wrote this in his book Spiritual Disciples for the Christian Life : Quick. What do people who fast look like? What kinds of people come to your mind? Do they appear a bit strange? Are they John the Baptist types?…

In this podcast, we discuss the healthy habits of a Christian life. We talk about practical ways through spiritual disciplines and regular daily life to live inside of God's design.//Speakers: Brent Cummings and Madison Offenbacker - Young Adult Pastors at Fellowship // Books: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney, Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin, Atomic Habits by James Clear, A Common Rule by Justin Earley, Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennet, Habits of Grace by David Mathis //Fellowship D-Groups Finder - https://www.fellowshipar.com/group-finder/ //

“Our desire, delight, and dependence on the words of Scripture do not grow inversely to our desire, delight, and dependence on Jesus Christ.”As believers, we should be constantly in awe of the reality that the Living God has given us his Living Word. The scripture is meant for our upbuilding and encouragement, correction and reproof and through it we can know the heart of God himself. Please join us as we embark on a 5-week study of the great doctrine of Scripture entitled “The Word of God.” ————————  This week, Pastor Scott will preach from Matthew 4:4. The first message in this series is entitled "Necessity of Scripture."  ————————  Connect with Us: Website: parkwoodonline.org Facebook: facebook.com/parkwoodonline Instagram: instagram.com/parkwoodonline.org  Check out more resources and sermons online at: parkwoodresources.org *quote from Kevin DeYoung's book Taking God At His Word (p. 21). Crossway. Kindle Edition. ———————— FULL TRANSCRIPTGood morning. I invite you to grab your bibles and open them and turn to Matthew, chapter four, verse four. In just a few minutes, we'll be reading Matthew four, verse four. If you don't have a Bible, as always, we invite you to grab one underneath a chair near you. We'll be on page 809 in the chair bibles. While you're turning there, I want to briefly mention that Pastor Jeff was on vacation last week. He and Celeste enjoyed a wonderful week of fun and rest, and then upon returning home, he came down with a fever and is sick today.He fully intended to be here worshiping with us and preaching the word of God to you this morning, but unfortunately, he was unable to make it. So I'm filling in for Pastor Jeff this morning. If you're new here, I'm Scott hand. I'm a local disciple making pastor. So I ask you to pray for me and with me this morning while I preach the word of God. We must be reminded this did not catch the Lord by surprise.This was his plan, and so we trust him completely. But I get the privilege of preaching to you on the doctrine of the necessity of scripture. It is a wonderful and a glorious doctrine, and I'm excited to be here with you to study that together. So with that said, would you please stand now as we read the word of God, Matthew four, verse four. And he answered, it is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we ask now that you will open our hearts and our minds to hear what you have to say from the scriptures. About the scriptures, God, I don't care in a sense what I say. We should not care what I have to say. I pray that you will speak in me and through me and help us to understand the important doctrine of the necessity of scripture this morning. I pray this in Christ's name. Amen.You may be seated. So the idea of something being a necessity or of something being a need has kind of gotten lost in our modern world. I think we use the word need or necessity. Pretty flippantly or casually. In our world, we talk about things as needs. Right? My kids say, dad, I need the new iPhone. Right? We talk about food as needs. I need to go try the new restaurant that opened up downtown. Or we talk about hobbies as needs.I have to play golf this Friday. Right. But the word need or necessity literally means this. It means the fact of being required or indispensable. In other words, you cannot live without it. So when we say the necessity of scripture, we are saying from the outset that you cannot live without the Bible. Spiritually speaking, you cannot live without the Bible. Now, how can I say that? Or how can we say that? What do we mean by that?We have three main points this morning that are summed up in the main idea. Here's the main idea. The word of God is necessary for knowledge of the gospel, spiritual growth, and knowing God's will. So the word of God is necessary for knowledge of the gospel, spiritual growth, and knowing God's will. First point, the word of God is necessary for knowledge of the gospel. Now, what do we mean by the gospel? We never assume that you understand or believe the gospel. So what do we mean by gospel? We mean good news of salvation.This is the news that there is a God who is holy and righteous and just and loving and good, and he created everything, including you and me and the rest of mankind. But you and me and the rest of mankind are sinners, which means we've broken God's law. And the punishment for that sin is death, an eternal separation from God in hell, which is a place of utter anguish and darkness and eternal torment.But God in his love, did not leave us in this predicament or with this future. He sent his only son, Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect life of no sin. He sent him to die on the cross. His death on the cross paid the price for our sin. And then three days later, he rose from the dead, ultimately conquering sin and death. If we believe in this Jesus and place our faith and hope and trust in him alone, we receive the forgiveness of sins, and we receive eternal life in heaven with God. This is the gospel, brothers and sisters.Now, the question is, if you believe this, how did you come to know it? How did you come to know the gospel? Well, for some of you, I think your parents taught you the gospel right from the time you were little. Your parents spent time teaching you the Bible, teaching you the gospel, preaching to you, if you will, as you grew up. And if that's the case, praise God that you had parents like that. Some of you perhaps heard the gospel from a pastor, a Sunday school teacher, a growth group leader, someone else at your church.If that's the case, praise God. Some of you may have heard it from a friend or a coworker or a neighbor, maybe even a stranger. Praise God. Right? It doesn't matter how or where or when you heard the gospel. Someone was faithful to proclaim it to you, and we should praise God for that. But we go back, ask a deeper question. Where did they learn the gospel from? Or if they heard it from someone else, where did that person learn the gospel from? The question is, what is the ultimate source of the knowledge of the gospel?The answer is the Bible. The answer is the word of God. Because your mom and your dad, your pastor, your Sunday school teacher, your friend, your coworker, your neighbor, whoever it was that shared the gospel with you, the knowledge of the gospel that they know can ultimately traced back, as far back as you go, to the word of God. It is impossible to be saved apart from the knowledge of the gospel which is found in the word of God.Turn with me to Romans, chapter ten. Romans, chapter ten, verses 13 through 17. This is one of the clearest teachings, the clearest passages on the necessity of the Bible for salvation. Romans 1013 through 17. Paul writes this for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent as it is written? How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news. But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, lord, who has believed what he has heard from us. So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ. So there's a logical line of reasoning regarding salvation that we must follow here.First, it assumes that we must call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. Verse 13. Second, people will call on the name of the Lord if they believe in him. First part of verse 14. Third, people cannot believe in Christ unless they first hear about him. Middle part of 14. Fourth, people cannot hear about Christ unless someone tells them. Last part of 14. And then we use this missionally to say, how can someone tell them unless they are sent?Then you have the summary statement in verse 17. Faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ. So saving faith to believe in and to call out to Christ for salvation is only possible when someone hears the gospel. And that gospel message that they hear comes from the Bible. The Bible, therefore, is necessary for salvation. Now, before we move on, I must address a couple errors or false teachings that abound in some circles regarding this issue.First error is called inclusivism. It's a fancy word, inclusivism. It means to include. Inclusivism says that anyone can be saved through Christ's atoning work. But anyone can be saved through Christ even if they don't actually believe the gospel, or even if they don't actually have ever heard the gospel. They don't have to trust in Christ. Christ's work on the cross saved them anyway. This is commonly talked about as there are many roads to God.You have to get to God, but there's many ways to get there, and this is often used. The buzzword for inclusivism is sincerity. If you've ever heard someone say, as long as you are sincere in what you believe, you'll be saved. It doesn't matter what that is. You just have to believe it with your whole heart. If you're sincere in your belief, you'll get there. I remember talking to a young man many years ago who, although he didn't know the word inclusivism, he was an inclusivist. He believed that he was going to be saved, and others were going to be saved, even if they'd never heard the gospel, even if they didn't believe in Christ.They were going to be saved because they were sincere. And I remember telling him that I had a stomach ache, a really bad stomach ache. And I went to the medicine cabinet, and I reached for the pepto-bismal, but instead I accidentally grabbed the poison, and I went home, and I said to him, what if I believed with my whole heart? I mean, I sincerely believe that what I'm about to drink is pepto-bismol, but it's actually poison. What's going to happen to me?He said, you're going to die. I said, you're right, because it's not enough to sincerely believe in something, you must sincerely believe in the right thing. Second, error or false teaching regarding salvation is similar, but it's different. This is called universalism. Now, we've talked about universalism in here before, so I won't belabor the point, but universalism says it doesn't have to be God. It doesn't matter. Everybody's going to get in. In the end, God is a God of love.Grace wins. It doesn't matter. Believe whatever you want, because in the end, God, in his love, is just going to save everybody. Now, this doctrine is not outright taught much anymore. I don't hear it. But the influences are still very prevalent, and sometimes they are also very subtle, that they influence you without you even knowing that they're influencing you. There's lots of books that flirt with this.A lot of our christian songs on the radio flirt with universalism. You have to be careful when you hear language about winning. Love, winning grace, winning, anything like that. Yes, it's true that christians win in the end. Ultimately, that's good news. But we have to remember it's the ones who have heard the gospel, believe in Christ, have placed their hope and faith and trust in him alone for salvation that win.Those are the ones that win because of Christ's atoning work on the cross. It's not simply everybody, and that message is not always clear in our society. That message is not always easy to see. Our world wants the benefit of being a Christian without the commitment to be a Christian. They want to be able to live their lives however they want without putting in the work that is required to follow Christ.They want heaven without the cross. That's impossible. You can't have that. Faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ. Second point this morning. The word of God is necessary for spiritual growth. The word of God is necessary for spiritual growth. In Matthew four four, going back to the passage we read at the beginning, Jesus is responding to Satan's efforts to tempt Jesus to sin.Jesus answers, Satan responds to Satan. It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. So we have talked about this at length. Also, back in August of last year, I preached a sermon on Matthew 44. And here's what we talked about. Here's what we discussed. Jesus equates physical food with the words of God, and in doing that, he elevates the Bible to a matter of life and death.Just as we need food to stay alive physically, we need the word of God to stay alive spiritually. To put it negatively, if we don't eat food, we will die. If we don't intake the Bible, we will die spiritually. Most of us are familiar with Donald Whitney's book on the spiritual disciplines. He says this quote, no spiritual discipline is more important than the intake of God's word. Nothing can substitute for it.There simply is no healthy christian life apart from a diet of the milk and meat of scripture. That's true. That is absolutely, 100% true. But I want us to go a little bit deeper I want us to think about something just a little deeper here for a second. What does food do for us physically? Food. What does food do for us? I think two main things. Number one, it keeps us alive, right? It sustains us. If you don't eat, you'll die. We've already talked about this, so eating food sustains us. It keeps us alive, but it does more than that, right?It helps us to grow. We grow because we eat as soon as we are conceived. Really. We begin to take in nourishment, right? And that nourishment, it certainly sustains us. It keeps us alive, but it helps us to grow. It causes us to grow. When I was born, I was seven pounds 8oz and 21 inches long. Guess what? I'm no longer seven pounds 8oz and 21 inches long. But why? Because I ate, right? Because I ate.When I was a baby, I was fed milk, formula, baby food. And that caused me to grow. And as I grew up, I continued to eat. Brothers and sisters, it's not rocket science. It's the exact same thing. Spiritually. We feast on the word of God, and we grow spiritually. We're no longer babies in the faith, child. We're no longer children tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. Why? Because we grow. We grow because we study the word of God. It is to our shame.If we have been a Christian, 510 15 2030, 40, 50 years, and we're still a baby in the faith, that is to our shame. That means we're not eating the word of God, and we're not growing because of that. There's lots of good books out there. There's lots of good books that we can read to help us grow. But nothing substitutes for the word of God. Nothing. It ought to be the first thing we read in the morning for our quiet time.It ought not to be the thing that we. If we have time, we read it is the word of God. We must have it to grow spiritually. Third point. The word of God is necessary for knowing God's will. The word of God is necessary for knowing God's will. Excuse me. When I was in seminary, I took an elective class called decision making in the will of God. It was a fascinating class. I loved it. It may have been my favorite one.In four years of seminary, I learned a tremendous amount from the class. I remember driving Christine crazy, my wife, because I would come home from class and I would just talk her head off about everything I was learning and the things that I was wrestling with. I didn't understand. She often jokes that she has a seminary education because I would come home and talk her head off about the books and the lectures and the things that I was learning.But one of the assigned reading texts for this particular class was a very popular book by a very popular author at the time. And the professor had us read it as a practice, as a way to dissect and analyze books because it was not a good book. It had false theology, bad teaching. It was not a good book. But he assigned it as a way to help us be able to read something critically. Because here's what the book taught. The book taught a method of discerning God's will by looking for signs in the world.And this could literally be anything. It could be anything in the world. It could be real or fabricated. It could be anything that you deemed was God speaking to you and therefore revealing his will to you. I remember one particular chapter in the book. There was a discussion about a young man in his late twenty s who had been dating this girl for quite some time. And he was perplexed. He was trying to decide if he was supposed to marry this woman or not. So he was uncertain if she was the girl that God had chosen for him.He really wanted to know God's will in this situation. So he prayed for God to speak to him, and this is what he did. He decided that he was going to call the girl on the phone, and he prayed that God would cause her to answer the phone after the third ring. And if in fact she answered the phone after the third ring, that was God saying, this is the woman you're supposed to marry. So he calls her, and lo and behold, she answers after the second ring.So he proceeds to break up with her, concluding that this was not God's will for him to be with her. Folks, we can so easily get sucked in and wrapped up to this elusive, mysterious search for God's will, as if it's hidden, as if we have to search for it, like God's trying to keep it from us when his will has been so clearly revealed to us. In scripture. Quoting from Wayne Grudem's Bible doctrine book, he says this in the Bible. We have clear and definitive statements about God's will.God has not revealed all things to us, but he has revealed enough for us to know his will. Now, by God's will, what we mean in this situation is simply what God wants us to do. How do we live a life that pleases God? So I want you to listen to these simple verses. There's a lot more than this. I've pulled a few simple verses that show us how to follow God's will. First, romans twelve two, do not be conformed.One and two. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. So do not be conformed to this world. Renew your mind, and then you will know how to live a life that pleases God. How about this one? Matthew 22, beginning in verse 35. One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law? And he said to them, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the law and the prophets. So you want to know God's will? Love him with all your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. That's how you please God. Husbands, you want to know what the will of God is for you? For us.Ephesians 5:25. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes it and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church. Husbands, you want to know how to please God? Love your wives sacrificially. Cherish her, nourish her, provide for her and protect her.It's not hidden. You don't have to go find that. It's clear right here. Children. No, sorry. Parents. Let me do parents first. Parents, you want to know the will of God? Deuteronomy six, four through nine. Here, o Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.You shall teach them diligently to your children. You shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down. And when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand. They shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorpost of your house and your gates. This is a way of explaining that the word of God ought to be everywhere in your home. Parents, you ought to be teaching your kids the truths of scripture all the time, everywhere.That's the will of God for you as parents, children. Now we get to you. Ephesians six, verse one. Simple children, obey your parents in the Lord. What's the rest of it for? This is right. It does not get any clearer than that. This is right. Right? You want to honor God? Obey your parents. You want to please God, obey your parents. You want to know the will of God for your life as a kid? Obey your parents. It's not rocket science.The Bible even goes so far as the simple things of life, like the way we talk. Ephesians 4:29, let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth. But only such is good for building up as fits the occasion that it may give grace to those who hear. Brothers and sisters, the Bible's clear on what is the will of God. We got to stop acting like it's hidden. We got to obey what we already know, obey what's in the Bible, what's clearly revealed to us. I'm going to end this point by quoting deuteronomy 29:29. Now, many of us have known this verse and use it in various situations, but I want us to pay attention to the end of the verse. I'm going to read the whole thing.The secret things belong to the Lord our God. So there are some things the Bible recognizes that we don't know and we shouldn't know because we're not God. So the secret things belong to the Lord our God. But the things that are revealed. So there are things that are revealed. Everything I just mentioned, and there's hundreds more. The things that are revealed belong to us and our children forever.That we may do all the words of the law. That we may do all the words of the law. So the Bible is clear. Instruction to us on how to live, how to live a life that pleases God, how to know the will of God for our lives. Why? So that we may do it. So that we may obey. Which leads me to the so what? So what. This morning I have four simple statements. First, I must be exposed by the word of God. I must be exposed by the word of God.Hebrews four, verse twelve is a common popular verse. Many of you know it. But as I read it, I want you to listen to how intimate this is, how. How personal this is, how confronting, confrontational this is. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.I'm convinced that one of the main reasons that believers, people who trust in Christ, one of the main reasons that we don't study the Bible as much or as seriously as we should is because it hurts. It hurts. It hurts to have the Bible pierce the division of soul and spirit and discern the true thoughts and intentions of my heart. The last time I checked my heart, Jeremiah 17 nine is deceitful above all things and desperately sick. Who can understand it?So here's the deal. We don't want to be confronted with our sin. We don't want to be confronted with our pride, our selfishness, our laziness, our self centeredness, our anger, our self pity. So what we do is we pretend it doesn't exist. You see, we're not dumb. We understand that if we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit is going to convict us of our sin. He's going to prune us, right? So we're not dumb.We go, okay, I don't like that. Pruning is not fun. Sanctification in that sense is not fun. So we just say, I just won't read the Bible, or I'll read it. Very element, very surface level. I won't go deep because that hurts. We must be exposed by the word of God. We must let the word of God prune us, cleanse us, dig deep to the root of our sin and kill it. And that hurts. I admit it. I'm the first to admit it. It hurts, but I promise you, it's worth it.Second statement, I must hear the word of God. I must hear the word of God. Remember where we began with Romans, chapter ten. Hearing the word of God is necessary for salvation. Kevin de Young, in his book on the Bible, taking God at his word, said this, all truth may be God's truth, but all saving truth is revealed truth. What that means is it's revealed where it's revealed to you. You don't naturally know it. It's revealed to you where in God's word.So what this means, if you're here today and you're not a believer, which I'm glad, I hope you are here. I hope you're listening. Here's what this means. It means you're not going to get saved by walking out in some meadow and being like, man, these flowers are pretty. You're not going to get saved by doing that. You're not going to get saved by walking up the top of some mountain and looking at God's creation. Yes, that will reveal to you there is a God, but you get saved by hearing the gospel.The gospel is salvation. Romans 116. And the gospel is found in God's word. So we must hear the word of God to be saved. Third statement, I must study the word of God. If you want to grow as a Christian, we've talked about this. I'm just reiterating it. If you want to grow as a Christian, you must, and I repeat, must study the word of God. There is no substitute for the word of God. There are lots of good books.We've talked about this, too. There's lots of good books. And you can learn a lot about God from reading good books. Commentaries have been very helpful for us as we prepare sermons, as we write, the growth group material, as you prepare to lead your growth group. These things are all great, and it's great to know about God. But the Bible, by reading the Bible, you know God. You see the difference?The Bible, you know God himself. Number four, fourth point in the so what? I must obey the word of God. I must obey the word of God. Jesus said in John 1415, if you love me, you will what? Keep my commandments. You will obey my commandments. If you love me, obedience equals love. Psalm 119, one through eight. I'm not going to read it. It's a great reference for you to go back and look at later. But it speaks to the importance of obeying and keeping God's law.I want to enclose this morning by turning to Romans, chapter one. So flip with me to Romans chapter one. This is the very beginning of Romans, and I want us to see how Paul begins his letter to the Romans. We're going to read verses one through five. Romans, chapter one, verses one through five. Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures concerning his son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the son of God in power according to the spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead. Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations.That's a lot. I want you to track with me here. The reason, first thing, we need to understand the reason for all of this. The reason for Paul's apostleship, for the promises of the holy scriptures from beforehand, for Jesus being declared the son of God, for the resurrection of Christ. The reason for all of this is in the middle of verse five for the sake of the name. That's the reason all of this happens.The ultimate goal of God's dealings with you, in your life, in your family, the ultimate goal is that Christ would be exalted, God would be glorified. That is the ultimate goal. That God would be glorified in your life, in your family, among your friendships, and that God's glory would be extended all the way to the nations, to all languages, all tribes, all peoples and all tongues in the world. That's why you and I exist, for the glory of God.But how does this come about? How does this happen? It's there in verse five. Through the obedience of faith. Through the obedience of faith. So obedience of faith in the gospel is what brings about salvation. If you're not a believer and you hear the gospel and you respond in faith, your heart is regenerated, you call out to God for salvation, you are obeying the gospel. Call on your life and you're saved.But obedience of faith in the gospel is also what brings about a transformed life. You are not the same person today that you were before you were saved because you believed in the gospel and you have obeyed the teachings of the gospel. And your life is being transformed day by day by day. And that transformed life is how you continue to grow as a christian. And then that is how the gospel gets to the ends of the earth, through obedience.Because you could sit here this morning and listen to this, you could listen to this teaching, listen to the word of God being taught, and you could choose to walk away unchanged. You could ignore it. You could reject it and walk away unchanged. And if you choose to do that, two things will happen. Well, two things won't happen. Number one, your life will not be transformed. You will not be saved, and you will not be transformed from the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of life and light.And secondly, you will not be someone God uses to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. You won't. It can't happen because you're not obeying the gospel. You're not obeying the word of God. You don't have the obedience of faith. But I recognize there are many, many in this room and in this church who have been walking with Jesus for years and years. You are transformed. You know the word of God intimately, and you are being used by God to take the gospel to the nations.Praise God. Praise God. I'm going to end with this. J. C. Ryle, who we quote a lot in his book Holiness, said this, happy is the man who possesses a Bible. Happier still is he who reads it. Happiest of all is he who not only reads it, but obeys it and makes it the rule of his faith and practice. That is my prayer. That all of us. This can be said of every single one of us. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we are grateful for your grace in our lives. We're grateful for the opportunity to gather this morning together with our brothers and sisters to sing songs of the gospel, to sing songs of worship and praise for who you are and what you have done. And we pray that the songs that we sing, that our voices are sweet to you, that they are worshipping you in spirit and in truth. And we thank you for the opportunity to open your word and to study it. God, I pray that we learned something this morning. I pray that we were convicted this morning. I pray that we have a newfound respect, not just from today, but over the last five weeks as we've dived deep into the doctrine of scripture.God. May the authority of scripture, the inerrancy, the clarity, the sufficiency, and now the necessity. God. May that truth transform our lives. May we live according to your word. May it be our standard, our authority for all things pertaining to life and godliness. We're so grateful for parkwood, that the stand we take on the scripture. May you be honored and glorified in that. I pray now as we sing this last song that will proclaim the truth that you hold us fast. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

When "Happy New Year!" doesn't feel true to reality because there's a heavy burden following you from the previous year, how do you anchor your heart to something better? Join Ruth and Eve for another season designed to help you preach truth to yourself when life feels heavy.Scripture ReferencedMatthew 11Psalm 42Psalm 103Lamentations 3Resources MentionedGentle and Lowly by Dane OrtlundTruthFilled by Ruth Chou SimonsMeditating on Scripture PDF from Donald Whitney's Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian LifePreach To Yourself Scripture DecksSponsorshipThe GraceLaced Podcast is so grateful to partner with Everyday Heirloom Co. to bring you this episode! Learn more about Everyday Heirloom Co.'s mission to adorn the beloved - creating tangible reminders of God's faithfulness for women, serving them with the inherent truth and beauty of the gospel through wearable art. Learn more about their fine art jewelry at EverdayHeirloomCo.com and use code RUTH25 for $25 off your order.Hear more from Ruth and GraceLacedFind Ruth Chou Simons: Instagram | WebsiteFind GraceLaced: Instagram | Facebook | Website

When “Happy New Year!” doesn't feel true to reality because there's a heavy burden following you from the previous year, how do you anchor your heart to something better? Join Ruth and Eve for another season designed to help you preach truth to yourself when life feels heavy.Scripture ReferencedMatthew 11Psalm 42Psalm 103Lamentations 3Resources MentionedGentle and Lowly by Dane OrtlundTruthFilled by Ruth Chou SimonsMeditating on Scripture PDF from Donald Whitney's Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian LifePreach To Yourself Scripture DecksSponsorshipThe GraceLaced Podcast is so grateful to partner with Everyday Heirloom Co. to bring you this episode! Learn more about Everyday Heirloom Co.'s mission to adorn the beloved – creating tangible reminders of God's faithfulness for women, serving them with the inherent truth and beauty of the gospel through wearable art. Learn more about their fine art jewelry at EverdayHeirloomCo.com and use code RUTH25 for $25 off your order.Shop GraceLacedHear more from GraceLacedFind Ruth Chou Simons: Instagram | WebsiteFind GraceLaced: Instagram | Facebook | Website

Many people will make resolutions in the New Year. What if you asked some questions first? Here are a few suggestions from Donald Whitney. And, what's the single biggest time-waster in your life, and how can you redeem the time? Social media? TV? Video games? Sports? Hobbies? Actively replacing it with something better helps us in “making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).

Today, you'll hear audio from the conclusion of a speaking session by CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA, this past fall at Spring Canyon's Aspentime Retreat. If you're new to OCF and you've never heard of Spring Canyon, it's OCF's western conference and retreat center located near Buena Vista, Colorado. And if you've never heard of Aspentime, it's a weekend getaway at Spring Canyon for Christian military members and families, and it features teaching and small group sessions led by a speaker like CH Snodgrass. Participants at the weekend retreat explored the profound concept of spiritual formation through the lens of renowned authors such as John Mark Comer, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, and Donald Whitney, and they uncovered principles and practices that challenge contemporary ideals, emphasizing the necessity of community in the pursuit of spiritual growth. There were also interactive discussions, activities, and real-life applications in which leaders discovered how to build and sustain a vibrant military ministry while fostering personal renewal in an increasingly secular world and military.   About CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA Chaplain Jacob Snodgrass is a native of Ames, OK, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He was commissioned from ROTC in 2002, and has served as a Chaplain since 2009, endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention. He currently serves as the 10th Special Forces Group Chaplain and as the lead pastor of Agape Carson, Fort Carson, CO. Chaplain Snodgrass has served numerous assignments as a chaplain, pastor, and church planter, including Camp Humphreys, Korea; Fort Lewis, WA; and Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was named U.S. Army Chaplain of the Year in 2019. Chaplain Snodgrass has been married for 18 years to the former Heather Dostal of Leakenheath, UK, and they have six kids: Manuel 24, Karmen 22, Gage 15, Boyce 14, Jovie 11, and Bennett 8.

Today, you'll hear audio from Part 2 of a speaking session by CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA, this past fall at Spring Canyon's Aspentime Retreat. If you're new to OCF and you've never heard of Spring Canyon, it's OCF's western conference and retreat center located near Buena Vista, Colorado. And if you've never heard of Aspentime, it's a weekend getaway at Spring Canyon for Christian military members and families, and it features teaching and small group sessions led by a speaker like CH Snodgrass. Participants at the weekend retreat explored the profound concept of spiritual formation through the lens of renowned authors such as John Mark Comer, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, and Donald Whitney, and they uncovered principles and practices that challenge contemporary ideals, emphasizing the necessity of community in the pursuit of spiritual growth. There were also interactive discussions, activities, and real-life applications in which leaders discovered how to build and sustain a vibrant military ministry while fostering personal renewal in an increasingly secular world and military.   About CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA Chaplain Jacob Snodgrass is a native of Ames, OK, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He was commissioned from ROTC in 2002, and has served as a Chaplain since 2009, endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention. He currently serves as the 10th Special Forces Group Chaplain and as the lead pastor of Agape Carson, Fort Carson, CO. Chaplain Snodgrass has served numerous assignments as a chaplain, pastor, and church planter, including Camp Humphreys, Korea; Fort Lewis, WA; and Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was named U.S. Army Chaplain of the Year in 2019. Chaplain Snodgrass has been married for 18 years to the former Heather Dostal of Leakenheath, UK, and they have six kids: Manuel 24, Karmen 22, Gage 15, Boyce 14, Jovie 11, and Bennett 8.

Today, you'll hear audio from a speaking session by CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA, this past fall at Spring Canyon's Aspentime Retreat. If you're new to OCF and you've never heard of Spring Canyon, it's OCF's western conference and retreat center located near Buena Vista, Colorado. And if you've never heard of Aspentime, it's a weekend getaway at Spring Canyon for Christian military members and families, and it features teaching and small group sessions led by a speaker like CH Snodgrass. Participants at the weekend retreat explored the profound concept of spiritual formation through the lens of renowned authors such as John Mark Comer, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, and Donald Whitney, and they uncovered principles and practices that challenge contemporary ideals, emphasizing the necessity of community in the pursuit of spiritual growth. There were also interactive discussions, activities, and real-life applications in which leaders discovered how to build and sustain a vibrant military ministry while fostering personal renewal in an increasingly secular world and military.   About CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA Chaplain Jacob Snodgrass is a native of Ames, OK, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He was commissioned from ROTC in 2002, and has served as a Chaplain since 2009, endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention. He currently serves as the 10th Special Forces Group Chaplain and as the lead pastor of Agape Carson, Fort Carson, CO. Chaplain Snodgrass has served numerous assignments as a chaplain, pastor, and church planter, including Camp Humphreys, Korea; Fort Lewis, WA; and Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was named U.S. Army Chaplain of the Year in 2019. Chaplain Snodgrass has been married for 18 years to the former Heather Dostal of Leakenheath, UK, and they have six kids: Manuel 24, Karmen 22, Gage 15, Boyce 14, Jovie 11, and Bennett 8.

This is Empires of the Future, conversations to understand culture and encourage the Church in a time of change.  Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney “Read the Bible, pray everyday, and you'll grow, grow, grow.”  This phrase common among christian teachers agrees with one of C.S. Lewis' sentiments that Christianity is a form of education in itself.  If so, what are the disciplines that come with it?  What is expected of a Christian?  Don Whitney's book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life is a simple yet comprehensive answer to this question, and in this podcast we dive into Whitney's summary of biblical teaching regarding the disciplines.   "The Empires of the future will be Empires of the Mind." - Winston Churchill

Simeon joins me in this episode to talk specifically to the husbands and dads represented by the ladies who listen to this podcast. So grab your husband and a cup of tea and join us as we chat about the role God has for dad in the home and in the education of your children.   In the previous episode, Simeon addressed the importance that the father plays in the home as the spiritual leader. Many of those responsibilities lead families to make the choice that homeschooling is the educational model that aligns best with their family values. We ask the question, "What role does dad play in home education?" Simeon shares great practical advice on how the husband & father can be a co-laborer with mom in this area. Here's a highlight of some of the points covered in this episode: -How dad can communicate, encourage, and pray for mom as the teacher -The importance of the family table creating a lifestyle of learning -The impact of dads reading aloud to their children -Ways dad can get engaged in the learning and interests of the children     Resources: NHC Podcast: Family Worship https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/family-worship/id1547126864?i=1000594670765 NHC Podcast: How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum https://ryw6ld.podbean.com/e/ep-30-how-to-choose-a-homeschool-curriculum/ Family Worship by Donald Whitney: https://amzn.to/3UyoCAX Educating the Wholehearted Child by Clay Clarkson: https://amzn.to/3MBBqVe Gather Round Homeschool: https://gatherroundhomeschool.com/ The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie: https://amzn.to/3KYtmwl   Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

In this episode, Brandon Henderson, Cade Elkins, and Josh Perry discuss fasting, and the church's mission for this year. For more information about Redemption Church or the Image Podcast, visit redemptionwv.com!Resources: A Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald WhitneyHungry for God by John Piper

Theology professor Wayne Grudem defines prayer as “personal communication with God”.  How can something so simple be so vital to the Christian walk?  On this episode Pastor Bryan Gotcher discusses the importance of prayer.  He shares the biblical theological framework for prayer as well as things he has learned about prayer from experience.  Families For Life is a podcast of Oakhill Baptist Church. You can stream all our episodes in your internet browser on our website http://www.oakhillbc.org/f4l/ or listen on your favorite podcast app! Make sure to rate and review the show. We would also welcome your feedback or future episode ideas in our email inbox at f4l@oakhillbc.org My House Shall Be Called A House Of Prayer by Jim Cymbala The Cross and The Switchblade by David Wilkerson Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney The Pattern of Prayer by Bryan R. Gotcher Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney

Join Pastor Jeff and Pastor Scott as they answer a wide range of questions from the congregation as it relates to the first sermon in the Satisfied series. The responses to a wide range of topics ranging from Super Bowl commercials to Parkwood's stance on God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility will surely challenge you to a deeper understanding of your faith and ultimate satisfaction in the Lord._____________________________Resources from the EpisodeBooks:How Can I Be Sure I am a Christian // Donald WhitneyThe Pursuit of God // A.W. Tozer_____________________________Show Notes:SUMMARY The conversation starts with discussing the affections a Christian should have towards God, such as thirsting for Him, being satisfied in Him, and clinging to Him. The conversation then moves on to answer the question of how to know if one is saved. The answer is not based on one's feelings, but on the truth of Scripture. The book of 1 John is recommended to help people understand the truth of being a Christian. This book tells us that we can know if we are a Christian if we understand our need of a savior, our sin, and our love for other believers.The conversation discussed how people can be sure that they are saved and how to know what books of the Bible talk about becoming a Christian. It was mentioned that reading the Gospel of John and the book of Romans can help with understanding what a Christian is. Donald Whitney's book, How Can I Be Sure that I'm a Christian?, was also discussed as it is a great source to understand the doctrine of assurance of salvation. The idea that assurance of salvation rests primarily on the character of God, the work of Jesus Christ, and the truth of God's promises was highlighted.Pastor Scott shared his experience of recommending a book called Assurance of Salvation by John MacArthur to a couple who were struggling with their faith. He emphasized that it's important to base our salvation on what the Scripture teaches, not on our own experiences. He then recommended another book, The Pursuit of God by AW Tozer, which has been very influential to him. Tozer argued that sound Bible exposition is an imperative in the Church of the Living God, and that it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God himself. Pastor Scott warned readers of The Pursuit of God to be careful of interpreting Chapter 6 too literally, as Tozer was not arguing for just taking a walk and hearing the voice of God, but rather immersing ourselves in the Word of God and hearing God speak through it. He encouraged readers to find someone else to read the book with and challenge each other.

Do you have difficulty reading the Bible? Do you often struggle about where to start when you do read the Bible? In this episode, Nate has a round table discussion with Geoff Buck, Jeanine Staton, and Anne Jensen about methods and aids on how to read the Bible. Nate and the group discuss 12 Tips to help you read the Bible.Follow Pastor Nate:Website: nateholdridge.comInstagram: @nateholdridgeChurch: calvary.comResources Mentioned in Today's Episode:Praying the Bible - by Donald Whitney https://amzn.to/3wQdHHFPraying God's Word: Breaking Free from Spiritual Strongholds by Beth Moorehttps://amzn.to/3Jy3PKhThe Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Namehttps://amzn.to/3l78Y1JLectures in Systematic Theology by Henry Thiessenhttps://amzn.to/3l9KntiSystematic Theology, Second Edition: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudemhttps://amzn.to/3DCafnHThe Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God: Their Meaning in the Christian Life by A.W. Tozerhttps://amzn.to/3Ylvbr7Fix Your Eyes: How Our Study of God Shapes Our Worship of Him by Amy Gannetthttps://amzn.to/3jlAnN3Wayne Grudem Systemic Theology Lectureshttps://www.waynegrudem.com/category/audio/systematic-theologyBlue Letter Biblehttps://www.blueletterbible.orgCalvary Monterey Life Groupshttps://www.calvary.com/lifegroupsCalvary Monterey Growth Groupshttps://www.calvary.com/growthgroupsAudio Bible Apps:Slugs and Bugs Sing the Biblehttps://amzn.to/3l8jxkYDwell Audio Biblehttps://bit.ly/3DC2ePAYouVersion Bible Apphttps://www.youversion.com

Life Management for Busy WomenLife can be SO overwhelming, but God has answers in His Word to help us sort things out and set priorities. Life Management for Busy Women by Elizabeth George https://amzn.to/3XOK5pqGrowing in Wisdom https://characterconcepts.com/store/index.php...Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney https://amzn.to/3WuYyG1My Heart- Christ's Home by Robert Munger https://amzn.to/3H8ns8OMWM is in part sponsored by Uncle Rick Audios. For fascinating, inspiring, educational, and intriguing audio books that the whole family will enjoy, visit unclerickaudios.com and sign up to become a member of the Uncle Rick Audio Club for the low price of $10 a month. https://www.unclerickaudios.com

Life can be SO overwhelming, but God has answers in His Word to help us sort things out and set priorities. Life Management for Busy Women by Elizabeth George https://amzn.to/3XOK5pqGrowing in Wisdom https://characterconcepts.com/store/index.php?id_product=1718&controller=productPraying the Bible by Donald Whitney https://amzn.to/3WuYyG1My Heart- Christ's Home by Robert Munger https://amzn.to/3H8ns8OJoin the Uncle Rick Audio Club! The Uncle Rick Audio Club - two awesome audio books for kids each month for just a $10 membership!MWM is in part sponsored by Uncle Rick Audios. For fascinating, inspiring, educational, and intriguing audio books that the whole family will enjoy, visit unclerickaudios.com and sign up to become a member of the Uncle Rick Audio Club for the low price of $10 a month. https://www.unclerickaudios.com

Welcome back to The Women's Cast. That's short for podcast, forecast, our cast of characters, and all the casts in between. This year, we're focusing on the theme of strength.This first episode of our four-episode mini-series opens up the conversation about taking refuge in Jesus and dispelling lies, distraction, apathy, and hustle. Our host Alison Mezger (Central Women's Ministry Director) sits down with Purshia Gambles (South Equipping & Women's Director) and Amanda Brown (St. John Equipping & Women's Director) for a compelling conversation about the lies they believe about who they are, who God is, and how Jesus meets them right where they need His refuge most.Episode transcriptRecommended ResourcesBible ProjectESV Study Bible, Personal SizeWomen of the Word, by Jen WilkinSpiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, by Donald Whitney

"If we want to bring up a godly family, who shall be a seed to serve God when our heads are under the clods of the valley, let us seek to train them up in the fear of God by meeting together as a family for worship." -Charles Spurgeon  Throughout the Bible, we see the importance of family worship. This is how future generations receive the truths of God's Word and the genuine faith of their parents. In this episode, I discuss the importance of a consistent family worship time as well as practical ways to make it a daily rhythm in your home. Focusing on the essentials of reading, praying, and singing, we lay a solid foundation to build upon. The episode wraps up with answering several big questions people have when it comes to family worship: -What if my husband isn't saved or isn't a spiritual leader? -What if I am a single mother? -What if my children are little? -What if we have a wide variety of ages in our children? -What if there are no children in the home?   Scripture Referenced: Deuteronomy 6:5-7 Genesis 18:17-19 Joshua 24:15 Job 1:1-5 Psalm 78:1-8 Ephesians 5:25-26; 6:4   Resources: Family Worship by Donald Whitney: https://amzn.to/3Xd6kWx Great Hymns for Growing Hearts by Brettnay Brazzell: https://www.newmerciesmusic.com/product-page/great-hymns-for-growing-hearts  Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham: https://amzn.to/3vZNG8r  Children's Bible Society: https://childrensbiblesociety.com/  Do Great Things for God by Laura Caputo-Wickham: https://amzn.to/3QzXqQ2  Christian Heroes Then & Now- Gladys Aylward: https://amzn.to/3W9w9p1  Truth Seekers Podcast: https://www.sherilynrgrant.com/    Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

Spiritual Formation: How does it differ from discipleship & and how can we think intentionally about the habits that shape us? This concepts means something different to anyone you ask. But I guarantee it is something that is happening to all of us. In this episode I'm joined by Rev. William Mack III to explore the idea and consider how we might think about our partnership with the Holy Spirit a little differently. “Mack” is credentialed as a Spiritual Director, and serves as the Director of Pastoral Care with Rooted Ministries – a resource to help pastors know the love of God and stay mentally healthy. Some Resources on Spiritual Formation: Two books by Dallas Willard have been very helpful for me, Renovation of the Heart, and the first few chapters of The Spirit of the Disciplines.  “Renovation” was also converted to be slightly more accessible in this book. Two books recommended by Mack: Renovated: God, Dallas Willard, and the Church that Transforms, by Jim Wilder; Anatomy of the Soul, by Curt Thompson Donald Whitney has also written some very good titles: Praying the Bible, & Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. I'd love it if you'd consider subscribing to the Good Ideas for Churches YouTube Channel. It'll be all the same episodes, with occasional bonus content, as well as a place to leave comments. Good Ideas for Churches is a joint project between Matt Whitman's The Ten Minute Bible Hour and Eyes Up. Have a good idea? Something that's helped your church? Something that's made the Gospel make sense to people in your community? I'd love to hear from you! Shoot me an email at aron.eyesup@gmail.com.

Beth considers this time of refresh and renewal, and the ways we might evaluate where we stand at the cusp of this new year.  She also discusses plans for the podcast in the new year, and how YOU can be a part! Notes: Ten Questions to Diagnose Spiritual Health, Donald Whitney

Do you feel like the verse to "pray without ceasing" is unattainable? Or just sounds exhausting? Do you fear God is disappointed in the cobwebs in your prayer closet? Or maybe you feel a lack of faith when you pray? Erica Renaud is a wife, mom, author, and speaker who gives us such practical steps to cultivate an active prayer life, take the pressure off, and teaches us to not overthink it. She encourages you for moments when you're wondering: - What to do in dry seasons where your faith is struggling or you're filled with doubts - How to look back and remember God's care and faithfulness - What to do when you don't have the emotional or mental capacity to make space for prayer Resources: Pray With Me by Erica Renaud- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pray-with-me-erica-renaud/1142143633 The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence - https://www.amazon.com/Practice-Presence-God-Brother-Lawrence/dp/1614279683 Prayer by Timothy Keller - https://timothykeller.com/books/prayer The Power of a Praying Woman - https://www.stormieomartian.com/product/the-power-of-the-praying-wife-paperback/ Praying Through the Bible by Donald Whitney - https://www.christianbook.com/praying-the-bible-donald-whitney/9781433547843/pd/547843 Transforming Prayer by Daniel Henderson - https://store.strategicrenewal.com/products/transforming-prayer Find Erica Here: Website - https://www.ericarenaud.org/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erica.renaud/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Guest: Dr. Donald Whitney | Dr. Arnold interviews Dr. Whitney about how to be sure of your salvation. Topics of conversation include, 1) How one becomes a Christian, 2) How to respond to those who do not believe assurance is possible, 3) Marks of a being a true believer from 1 John, 4) Presence vs. perfection when it comes to evidence of salvation, 5) Common areas of false assurance, 6) The role of the church in assurance, and 7) Resources for further reading. Dr. Donald Whitney is professor of Biblical Spirituality and associate dean of the School of Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served for many years in pastoral ministry and founded the Center for Biblical Spirituality. Dr. Whitney has authored several books, including Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (NavPress, 1997), Praying the Bible (Crossway, 2015), and How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian?: What the Bible Says About Assurance of Salvation (NavPress, 1994).  Find full show notes here: https://ps.edu/how-can-i-be-sure-im-a-christian-donald-whitney/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The About Her Podcast, I chat with Dr. Donald Whitney about the What and the How of the Spiritual Disciplines. Dr. Whitney currently serves as Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Associate Dean of the School of Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of nine books including Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life, How Can I Be Sure That I Am A Christian, Praying the Bible, and more. Prior to serving at Southern Seminary, Dr. Whitney served as Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and has served in local churches in pastoral ministry for over 24 years. He is married to his lovely wife Caffy, and together they currently reside in Louisville, KY. Recommended Resources Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life by Donald Whitney Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney Habits of Grace by David Mathis Disciplines of A Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans The Valley of Vision Podcast Sponsors This week's podcast episode is sponsored by The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Concrete Conversations. Thank you for partnering with The About Her Podcast to help make this week's conversation possible! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theaboutherpodcast/support

This week the 17Twenty crew sits down with Kent Rabalais, the founder and CEO of Kent Studio, a company powered by creatives and technologists who tell redemptive stories that reveal the wonder so often hidden in our world.Kent is often-described as Stewart's oldest friend, dating back to around 1988.  Though the story that's told on this week's podcast starts with an old basketball story, it weaves through tales of self-reflection, depression, the path to identify "Who am I? What am I called to do? What are the right next steps to get there?", loss of a parent, divorce from a spouse, and the ever-weaving redemptive story of Christ.We're so thankful we get the chance to tell these stories and provide some guidance to others through them, and this week contains fistfuls of guidance across all aspects of life.  Grab your journal and a quiet space for this one.// Show Notes //Gentle and Lowly Book by Dane OrtlundPaterson (LifePlan)Human Operating System Book by Jack Nicholson Praying The Bible Book by Donald Whitney

Across history, Christians have worshiped God in their homes as families on a daily basis. What is family worship, what does it look like, and what are some practical instructions for how we might go about implementing it in our own homes? In today's episode, we talk to Donald Whitney, a professor of Biblical spirituality, about the practice of family worship.

In this episode, we chat through how praying through the psalms will enrich your prayer life. What to expect: learning the value of the praying the psalms along with how to pray them and 4 different types of psalms.

Travis welcomes Donald Whitney to the show! Are you having a hard time praying? Do you find yourself praying with the same old words? For the same old things? For many of us, prayer is a chore. We know that we want to do it and do it well, but don't feel like we are getting through. Or we don't feel like we are praying right: in the right ways for the right things, etc. Is there a way to get out of our prayer rut? Donald Whitney says, "Yes!" Don Whitney has been teaching believers to pray the Bible (in fact he has taught it over 600 times!). Donald gives us such a practical way to pray the Bible in such a way that anyone can do it! Learn more about https://www.sbts.edu/ (Southern Seminary) where Don teaches and http://biblicalspirituality.org/ (The Center for Biblical Spirituality) that he founded. Get the book https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Bible-Donald-S-Whitney/dp/1433547848/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OHULH5XO0DFV&keywords=praying+the+bible&qid=1654363995&sprefix=praying+the+bibl%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1 (Praying the Bible). Sign up for the Apollos Watered https://linktr.ee/apolloswatered (newsletter). Help support the ministry of https://apolloswatered.org/support-us/ (Apollos Watered) and transform your world today!

S4.E7 - Persevering in PrayerPastor Daniel talks about a subject that is critical to every leader—persevering in prayer. Perseverance is doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. We know that Nehemiah's prayers to God were not answered immediately. He prayed and kept praying, through sadness and the burden for his people. God teaches us much as leaders through perseverance in prayer. In Pastor's Perspective, Pastor Joe Williams tells the stories of his own perseverance in prayer and how God has used difficulty and delay in building his own faith and shaping him into the leader God wants him to be. Quotes --- Quotes --- Quotes --- George Muller (a great man of faith and prayer) said, “The great fault of the children of God is, they do not continue in prayer; they do not go on praying; they do not persevere. If they desire anything for God's glory, they should pray until they get it.” ___“Little prayer, little power, much prayer, much power.” - Rick Warren___“God's child can conquer everything by prayer. Is it any wonder that Satan does his utmost to snatch that weapon from the Christian or to hinder his use of it.” - Andrew Murray___Hudson Taylor said, “Satan the hinderer may build a barrier about us, but He can never roof us in so that we cannot look up.”___“Sometimes a failure to persist in prayer proves that we were not serious about our request in the first place. At other times God wants us to persist in prayer in order to strengthen our faith in Him. Faith would never grow if all prayers were answered immediately.” - Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines

S4.E5 - FastingPastor Daniel talks about the spiritual discipline of fasting. When Nehemiah heard of the situation in Jerusalem, he fasted before God (Nehemiah 1:4). It is important to know what fasting is and what it isn't. We know we are called to fast. Pastor Daniel talks about the correct understanding of fasting and the great spiritual value and benefit it produces in our lives. In Pastor's Perspective, Pastor Joe Williams talks about his own experiences of fasting and how it has impacted his life. It has been a struggle for him as it has for most leaders. But the benefits are worth it. Quotes --- Quotes --- Quotes --- Jentezen Franklin, in his book Fasting, says, “Prayer and fasting were a big part of Jesus's life. Why should it be such a small part of yours? If Jesus needed to fast, how much greater is our need to fast?”___Prayer links us to heaven and fasting separates us from earth. - Charles Spurgeon___“Reading about prayer instead of praying will simply not do. But reading about prayer in addition to praying can be a valuable way to learn” - Donald Whitney, from Spiritual Disciplines___Fasting is not a requirement; it is a choice. It is a vow you choose to make to pursue God on a deeper level. The entire time that you are on a fast you are acknowledging God. When you are feeling hungry, empty, and weak, you connect with God without all the clutter. -Jentezen Franklin___The secret to tapping into the supernatural is for you to have the courage to do the natural first.” -Jentezen Franklin

In Matthew 6:16, Jesus said, "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." Notice that Jesus said "when you fast," not "ifyou fast." Fasting is expected of, for those who follow Christ. As one author put it, "Christian fasting is not self-wrought discipline that tries to deserve more from God. It is a hunger for God awakened by the taste of God freely given in the gospel." And it need not be a daunting idea. "If you've never fasted before, start with a one-, two-, or at most three-meal fast. But start somewhere," said Donald Whitney. In this episode, Pastors Zac and Brandon look to Scripture and answer common questions about fasting.  For more information, see:  On Christian Fasting by Zac Wyse  Fasting: A Neglected Practice by Zac Wyse  Why Should I Fast? by Daniel Hyde       

In Matthew 6:16, Jesus said, "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." Notice that Jesus said "when you fast," not "if you fast." Fasting is expected of, for those who follow Christ. As one author put it, "Christian fasting is not self-wrought discipline that tries to deserve more from God. It is a hunger for God awakened by the taste of God freely given in the gospel." And it need not be a daunting idea. "If you've never fasted before, start with a one-, two-, or at most three-meal fast. But start somewhere," said Donald Whitney. In this episode, Pastors Zac and Brandon look to Scripture and answer common questions about fasting.  For more information, see:  On Christian Fasting by Zac Wyse  Fasting: A Neglected Practice by Zac Wyse  Why Should I Fast? by Daniel Hyde 

Habits tend to reflect what we truly value and set the course for change in our lives, what does this mean for Christians? In this episode we discuss both Atomic Habits and Spiritual Disciplines, and how current research about how people form and keep habits is consistent with the spiritual disciplines God requires for the sanctification of his people. We talk about how our identity in Christ motivates us, the freedom of self-discipline, how community helps or hinders us, and how reflection and self-assessment keep us from becoming stagnant in our growth. Resources Mentioned Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science by Drew Dyck 10 Questions to Ask Yourself at the Start of New Year by Donald Whitney The Holy Club's 22 Questions by John Wesley Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney

This week I am delighted to welcome Dr. Donald Whitney to the podcast. Dr. Whitney serves as Professor of Biblical Spirituality and as the Associate Dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist The post “Preaching and Preachers” Episode 223: The Pastor and Discerning His Congregation's Spiritual Health appeared first on Preaching and Preachers Institute.