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Pearls of Biblical Wisdom for Believers and Fathers

Pearls of Biblical Wisdom for Believers and Fathers

By Randy Cook

There are four goals to this podcast ministry.

# 1 Provide podcasts to assist fathers in their spiritual leadership in the home.

# 2 Provide podcasts to enable the Body of Christ to become more like Christ and to make Christ known to others.

# 3 Provide podcasts that explain the Gospel of Salvation through Christ that others may be saved from the penalty and power of sin and one day at the Lord Jesus Christ's coming be delivered from the presence of sin.

# 4 Provide podcasts that enable believers to have practical wisdom from the Bible they can apply daily.
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I Believe Therefore Have I Spoken

Pearls of Biblical Wisdom for Believers and FathersMar 21, 2024

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28:39
I Believe Therefore Have I Spoken

I Believe Therefore Have I Spoken

Someone reminded me today of this sermon I preached on Sunday February 5th, 2012. I do not remember the circumstances that brought this sermon about, but as I listened to it today March 21, 2024, I recognized there are critical answers to life situations that we all need to remember over and over again in our life's journey. It is one of the shorter sermons I ever preached but may be one of the most impactful sermons I ever preached. As I listened to myself preach it today I knew it was coming from the innermost part of my being. As you listen to it may God bless you and give you the spiritual wisdom and spiritual understanding you need to understand the greatness of God through His Son Jesus Christ to meet every need in your life and provide the answers to every situation of life you face. 2Co_4:13  We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Mar 21, 202428:39
Insights into Responding to the Trials of Life

Insights into Responding to the Trials of Life

Ben Cook and Austin Nigh join in this podcast based on James 1:2-7 as we cover the following points:

Jas 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Jas 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Jas 1:4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Jas 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Jas 1:6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Jas 1:7  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 

1. We must understand believers can only respond to trials by faith properly through Jesus Christ indwelling life within. He is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2) 2. The Certainty of Trials 3. Distinguishing Trials and Temptation 4. Joy and Trials 5. The Essence of the Matter and Trials 6. Patience and Trials 7. Faith and Trials (Prov. 3:5,6) 8. The Sovereignty of God and Trials 9. God's Ways and Trials 10. Jesus and Trials.

Numerous personal testimonies are share by Ben and Austin so we can all understand the practical application of the Biblical Principles.

Feb 12, 202457:51
Essential Biblical Principles of Family Generational Discipleship (Deuteronomy 6)

Essential Biblical Principles of Family Generational Discipleship (Deuteronomy 6)

This teaching was given by our associate Pastor Ben Solensky December 31st, 2023. I have listened to his teaching twice taking multiple pages of notes because I know in this message are critical, vital, essential principles for every father and mother to understand in their discipleship of their children in the home and family so that God's generational blessing can be upon each of your families and can impact the darkness of this corrupt world and others to come to salvation in Christ and your sons and daughters be filled with the fruits of righteousness by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  I would encourage you to hit the pause button as Ben covers the following points and prayerfully digest each one and relisten prayerfully again to each point:       

May God give to each of you the understanding you need concerning:

1. God's Roadmap to Generational Godliness  2.  Fear of God and Love of God 3. World Views  4.  How Sons and Daughters can be Equipped to Serve and Minister to Others  5.  The Essential Attitude of Parents 6. What does it mean to love God? 7. Why Humility is so Critical?  8.  Parent's Inconsistencies   9. How Children can honor their parents properly 10. The Perils of Prosperity 11.  God's Jealousy 12. Idolatry 13.  The Critical Importance of God's Presence 14.  How the Family Can do the Will of God from the Heart.  15 The Purpose of the Family 16. How Critical it is to Properly Respond to Children's Questions. 17 Understand Clearly that Parenting Successfully is not Merit Based 18 What is the Key to Keeping God's Commandments? 19 Parent's Inconsistencies

There are many practical helps throughout this whole message. May God give you moms and dads the wisdom you need in bringing up your sons and daughters in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ's life.


Jan 12, 202453:28
The Birth of Christ and Salvation

The Birth of Christ and Salvation

This podcast is based on the truth revealed in Luke chapters one and two.

Phil Zore joins me as we behold the wonder of the birth of Christ and salvation.

 In understanding salvation through Christ we begin the podcast seeking to understand the mercy of God.

Tit 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 

We also discuss the difference mercy and grace and God’s salvation through Christ. Eph. 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

It is clear in these two verse that man cannot save himself by his own works of righteousness or his own human effort. Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Man cannot save himself from sin; only Christ can save a man from the power and penalty of sin.

 Luk 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

We further explain the Peace of God and salvation through Christ,  and the Sovereignty of God and salvation through Christ. In the second half  of our podcast (about 20 minutes)  Phil Zore shares his personal testimony of how he was saved.

Dec 18, 202356:52
Casting All Your Care Upon Him

Casting All Your Care Upon Him

1Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.

Charlie Crawford and Billy Riner join me in this podcast. I have known both of these men for many years --twenty plus years. May God give each of you the direction you personally need to be constantly aware of His Presence in the moments and minutes your lives.

We build our points around the first part of the Lord's Prayer: Matthew 6:9,10 Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Mat 6:10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 

We are told in Proverbs 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

Nov 11, 202354:57
Message From a Young Man's Heart

Message From a Young Man's Heart

Owen Nigh (age 18) joins me in this podcast. Owen and I begin the podcast with his testimony of how he received salvation by understanding and believing  the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He explains how the injuries he sustained in a mountain bike accident brought him to a place of brokenness before God.  I explain the gospel using the words of the hymn Owen and His dad recorded for this podcast.  I mention the following Bible verses that those that are not saved could look up to understand salvation – Romans, 3:23,  Hebrews 2:19,  2 Cor. 5:21, 1 John 4:10, 1 Peter 3:18 and Acts 16:31.  

We then interacted on the following points:

# 1  The subject of how God measures greatness in His kingdom compared to how the world measures greatness.

# 2  Owen talks about his blacksmith skills and we discussed the importance of skills in God's kingdom.

# 3  We then go into a long extended interaction on the Father / Son relationship. I was so encouraged by the enabling God gave by His Spirit to Owen and myself. With great joy I heard Owen testify  in practical tangible ways what He has learned about life and God through His relationship with his dad. We had prayerfully been preparing for six weeks as to what God wanted us to share. Before we started the podcast we had a time of prayer together and specifically asked God to enable us to share anything that He knows is critically important in the father/son relationship that was not in our notes. There were multiple moments in this recording when God answered that prayer.   This section is indeed the heart of this podcast.

Oct 02, 202301:03:38
God's Greatness and Our Weariness

God's Greatness and Our Weariness

David Gillette (my son-in-law) joins me in this podcast,   A little over two months ago David was sharing with me about his pastor's preaching series on Isaiah 40. The more we talked the more we both got excited about the powerful impact this chapter of God's Word can have to encourage and strengthen believers especially in the light of the times in which we live. At that point we prayerfully began preparation to do a podcast together on this chapter. The first part of July I asked David to share his thoughts from this chapter at our family vacation during our time family worship. We were all encouraged as a family and had a number of testimonies afterwards concerning the greatness of our God in the midst of life's challenges. The more David and I interacted in preparation for this podcast it became clear that the greatest burden we both had was to somehow through this chapter see families, marriages, fathers and mothers strengthen spiritually. Before listening to this podcast we encourage you to prayerfully read the whole chapter and ask God to speak to you in a very personal way through His word as to what you need from Him at this particular time in your life. It may be something in the podcast or it may be something God gives you directly that we don't cover in the podcast.

Isa 40:1-11 is the first half of the chapter. 40:1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.  Isa 40:2  Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.  Isa 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isa 40:4  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:  Isa 40:5  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.  Isa 40:6  The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:  Isa 40:7  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.  Isa 40:8  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever Isa 40:9  O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!  Isa 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.  Isa 40:11  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. 

Aug 19, 202301:01:38
Better Than I Deserve

Better Than I Deserve

Bob Clayton joins me in this podcast. We interact together on a number of subjects related to home, family, marriage and particularly matters relating to fathers. We also interact some concerning God's Comfort and God's Peace God gives to believers in spite of trials, adversities, afflictions etc. Bob shares about the goodness and mercy of God imparted to him in recent days as he has been going through his chemo treatments. He shares about the verse God used in His life when He was first saved. He also reviews how his father impacted his life. We talk together about Good News Club Ministries, Missions, and how our lives as believers should should be about serving and giving to others. I am so thankful to the Lord for making it possible he and I to record this podcast . He has gained so much spiritual wisdom and spiritual understanding over the years in his relationship to God that I know will be a blessing to you as it has been to me. He and Beverly (his wife) have truly been heirs to together of the grace of Christ's life. I have entitled this podcast "Better than I Deserve" because when Bob has been greeting by anyone over the years of his life in recent days and they ask how He is doing his answer has consistently been "Better Than I Deserve. "

Jul 22, 202359:50
The Compassion of the Good Samaritan

The Compassion of the Good Samaritan

This podcast is a follow up to the podcast Stephen Fessler and myself did May 13, 2023. You may want to listen to that one first and then listen to this podcast that Charlie Crawford and myself recorded June 2nd, 2023. Both of these podcasts are taken from Luke 10:26-36 listed below.

We cover the following points:

1. What we learn from Jesus example about answering a question with a question.

2. What was the occasion of Jesus giving us the Good Samaritan account?

3. Clarifying precisely the answer to the question: Who Is My Neighbor? This is the critical point of understanding the application in our daily lives.

4. The Lord purposely chose the Samaritan to be the hero of the account given. Why?

5. We explain how common it is for us to come up with human excuses that seemingly justify not being a Good Samaritan to others.

6. We give a modern day application example of being a Good Samaritan that strikes to the heart of the matter.

7. We explain how the law of love overrides simply adhering to the letter of the law when it comes to loving others.

Understanding and applying the type of love revealed in being a Good Samaritan to others opens up powerful opportunities to share the gospel of Christ with others. May God grant it to be so in our daily lives.

Luke 10:25  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  Luk 10:26  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?  Luk 10:27  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  Luk 10:28  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.  Luk 10:29  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?  Luk 10:30  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  Luk 10:31  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Luk 10:32  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.  Luk 10:33  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,  Luk 10:34  And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  Luk 10:35  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.  Luk 10:36  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?  Luk 10:37  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. 

Jun 02, 202356:09
Eternal Life

Eternal Life

In this podcast Stephen Fessler joins me as we interact on Luke 10:25-29

Luk 10:25  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  Luk 10:26  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?  Luk 10:27  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  Luk 10:28  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.  Luk 10:29  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

We cover four main points:

1. The Law of God and Understanding Eternal Life

2. Heart Issues and Eternal Life

3. Eternal Life and the Scriptures

4. Eternal Life and Pride

One of the most important words we talk about in this podcast is the word "Behold" in Luke 10:25 It is mentioned 122 times in the New Testament and 1104 times in the Old Testament. Have much time have you, (have I) taken to consider eternity?    Most of the time our questions in life are taken up with what we will eat, drink, be clothed with, make money, enjoy ourselves, our schedule, our vacation, our entertainment, our house, our car, our jobs etc.  --  temporal things rather than eternal things. We should hit the pause button of our lives when we see this word BEHOLD in the Bible. We should have the prayerful mindset: "God I don't want to approach this section of your Word casually or flippantly. I acknowledge to you there are essential, vital, critical treasures in this section of your Word that I will not see or apply without the supernatural powerful working of your Holy Spirit. I acknowledge to you there are vital answers to Ultimate Life Questions in this passage of Scripture.

I want to prayerfully assimilate all the wisdom you know is necessary for me to understand your purposes for my life.

I want to make be sure my mind is set on things above: (Col 3:2  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.) I want to be sure my mind is set on eternal things not temporal things: 2Co 4:17  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 2Co 4:18  as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal (ESV)

We should have the same desire expressed in the Hymn "Open My Eyes Lord That I Might" : Open my eyes that I may see Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key That shall unclasp and set me free. Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready, my God, Thy will to see; Open my eyes, illumine me,     Spirit Divine!

J. C. Ryle -- This ought to remind us of the necessity of simplicity and unworldliness in our daily lives. We much beware of thinking too much about our meals, and our furniture, and our houses, all those many things which concern the life of the body. We must live like men whose first thoughts are about the immortal soul. We must endeavor to pass through the world like men who are not yet at home, and are not overmuch troubled about the fare they meet with on the road and at the inn. Blessed are they who feel like pilgrims and strangers in this life, and whose best things are all to come!

1Pe 2:11  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 

1Pe 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

 



May 13, 202301:00:21
God's Sufficiency

God's Sufficiency

2Co_3:5  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; In this podcast Stephen Cope and myself emphasize four points: 1) The Sufficiency of God and The Simplicity of Christ. 2) The Sufficiency of God and The Word of God 3) The Sufficiency of God and The Supernatural Works of God. Much of what we share is taken from 1 Corinthians 2.

The hymn that plays at the beginning of the podcast is entitled: SATISFIED Stanza One: All my life long I had panted for a draught from some cool spring that I hope would quench the burning of the thirst within Stanza Two: Feeding on the husks around me, Til my strength was almost gone. Longed my soul for something better, Only still to hunger on. Chorus: Hallelujah !!!!!!! I have found Him (Jesus Christ) Whom my soul so long has craved! Jesus satisfies my longings; Through His life I now am saved. Stanza Three: Well of water, ever springing, Bread of life, so rich and free, Untold wealth that never faileth, My Redeemer (Jesus Christ) is to me.

Isa 55:1  Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Isa 55:2  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 

Other Bible Verses emphasized in this podcast: 1Co 2:2  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.  1Co 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.  2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  Dan 12:4  But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.    Col 2:3  In whom (Jesus Christ) are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  Php_1:12  But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; Php_1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Php 2:20  For I have no man (Timothy) likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.  Php 2:21  For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.  Luk_23:34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Gen_3:1  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths 2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 


Apr 21, 202301:03:45
The Family and Salvation / Discipleship

The Family and Salvation / Discipleship

Jay Lufkin and his son Joshua Lufkin join me in this podcast.  They both explain their testimony of how they came to understand salvation through Christ and how God led them to Greenville Christian Fellowship. 

The text for this podcast is:  1 Corinthians 2:1-5.                                            1Co 2:1  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.   1Co 2:2  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1Co 2:3  And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.    1Co 2:4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:   1Co 2:5  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 

We discuss the following points:

1.  We begin by discussing the critical importance of humility and dependence on God as to parents teaching their sons and daughters the Word of God.  

2. We explain the certainty of  absolute inerrant truth found in the Word of God and how critical it is for parents to constantly  teach their sons and daughters from the Word of God and to teach them  that God's truth endures to all generations. (Ps. 100:5)  What was right and wrong fifty years ago or 500 years ago is still right or wrong in this present generation.  

3.  We explain the critical importance of the Holy Spirit as to sons and daughters being taught properly and that God has sufficiently equipped moms and dads who know the Lord Jesus Christ and have the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord's life  (Eph. 6:4)

4.  We explain that it is not enough to give mental assent to facts about the Lord Jesus Christ. For sons and daughters to be saved they must receive Christ.  (John 1:12) It is not being in a church building and having religion that saves It must be CHRIST LIVING IN YOU AND THROUGH YOU !  - Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

I briefly share my own personal testimony of how I was saved towards the end of the podcast.   After I was saved Tom Tarvin spent about two years discipling me  so that I could understanding my relationship to Christ and how to grow stronger in knowing Him and helping others come to know Him. We explain how necessary discipleship is after conversion in fulfilling the great commission - Matt. 28:18-20

Feb 24, 202346:49
God's Building Program -- THIS IS THE FOUNDATIONAL MESSAGE FOR THIS PODCAST MINISTRY

God's Building Program -- THIS IS THE FOUNDATIONAL MESSAGE FOR THIS PODCAST MINISTRY

Psa 127:1  Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.   Psa 127:2  It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.   Psa 127:3  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.   Psa 127:4  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Psa 127:5  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 

This podcast goes into great detail explaining how God builds the family, the home, the marriage, the church, the community, your own personal life etc.  Faith is visualizing what God intends to do and cooperating with Him as He accomplishes it.  There is a special focus on fathers fulfilling their God-given responsibilities:

Luk 1:17  And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.   Mal 4:5  Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:  Mal 4:6  And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. 

                                                                       Here are some of the Scriptures included in this podcast:

  1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.   1Co 3:12  Now if any man BUILD upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;   1Co 3:13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.   

Luk 14:28  For which of you, intending toBUILD a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Luk 14:29  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,  Luk 14:30  Saying, This man began to BUILD, and was not able to finish.   

  Mat 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which BUILT his house upon a rock: Mat 7:25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  Mat 7:26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which BUILT his house upon the sand:  Mat 7:27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.   

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared (BUILT) an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 


Feb 10, 202334:15
Eternal Realities After Death

Eternal Realities After Death

The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16-19-31      Stephen Cope joins me in this podcast.   

 Luk 16:19  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: Luk 16:20  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, Luk 16:21  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. Luk 16:22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; Luk 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Luk 16:24  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Luk 16:25  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Luk 16:26  And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Luk 16:27  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: Luk 16:28  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Luk 16:29  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. Luk 16:30  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. Luk 16:31  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Jan 28, 202301:05:39
Faith and the Shepherds

Faith and the Shepherds

In this podcast my son Joel Cook and my son-in-law Jeremiah Paden join with me as we look at Luke's Account of Jesus Birth and the Shepherds. The following is a list of some of the points we covered in the podcast  -Luke 2:8-20

1. We begin the podcast with a focus on the Angels and the critical importance of understanding the supernatural works of God and how it relates to faith and the Bible and the wonder of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

2.  How fear is overcome-- When the angel appeared to Joseph, Mary and the Shepherds all three times the words:  "Fear Not" was in the message from God.

3. We discuss the decree of Caesar Augustus and the critical importance of understanding how God works through those in authority to fulfill His plans and His purposes and how strong faith and God's will are connected with understanding authority.

4. The shepherds response and Mark 12:37 "…And the common people heard him gladly…" -- responded with faith

5. How the humble shepherds responded in faith and the dangers of pride, self-exaltation and faith.

6. Understanding what faith is by the example of the Shepherds

Understanding child-like faith and why it is required for true conversion.

The difference between doing something for God and cooperating by faith in what God is doing.

The critical importance of "Looking unto Jesus" the "author and finisher of our faith" Heb. 12:2

Dec 20, 202201:01:28
Watch and Pray

Watch and Pray

This podcast is based on Matthew 26:41:   Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 

Elliot Earle joins me in this podcast. We had some technical difficulties in recording this particular podcast and had to record dividing the podcast into separate segments.  The first segment begins with the music and the last segment ends with the music. Each segment in between has a moment of silence before the next segment begins.  Elliot and I spent time in prayer before we began the recording and we had some prayer before beginning each segment of the recording and I finished the podcast with prayer. We are so thankful to God that regardless of the challenges we were able to record this podcast in its entirety as one unit. May there be something special God grants to each of you that are led to listen.   Here are some more verses in the Gospels concerning Watching.  

Mar 13:32  But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.   Mar 13:33  Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.  

Mat 24:32  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: Mat 24:33  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Mat 24:34  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. No One Knows That Day and Hour Mat 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Mat 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 

Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Mat 24:40  Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Mat 24:41  Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Mat 24:42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Mat 24:43  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.  Mat 24:44  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 

Dec 07, 202244:39
Victory Over Temptation

Victory Over Temptation

This recording is a Sermon I preached in our church October 30th, 2022.

Nov 02, 202247:44
Understanding the Depths of God's Peace In The Midst of Dire Circumstances

Understanding the Depths of God's Peace In The Midst of Dire Circumstances

This podcast is taken from Mark 5:25-34

Mar 5:25  And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,   Mar 5:26  And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,  Mar 5:27  When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.  Mar 5:28  For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.  Mar 5:29  And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.  Mar 5:30  And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?  Mar 5:31  And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?  Mar 5:32  And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.  Mar 5:33  But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. Mar 5:34  And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. 

There are two types of peace every person in the world needs:   peace with God --Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:   and the peace of God    Php 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

As I recorded this podcast prayerfully before God I had an intense burden from the depths of my heart to somehow communicate through this woman's coming to Christ by faith in Mark 5  the constant peace (regardless of circumstances) God can give to every person in the world who truly believes on Christ to the saving of their soul from sin. 

Oct 14, 202255:27
The Woman at the Well --Answers to Vital Ultimate Life Questions # 2

The Woman at the Well --Answers to Vital Ultimate Life Questions # 2

This podcast is the second in a series that comes from John 4 when the Lord Jesus Christ ministered to the woman at the well. Mark Marbry and I interact on the following points

1. How God's Will is made known to us thru opposition -- those opposed to the truth. God promises to prepare a table of blessings for us in the presence or our enemies (Psalm 23:5) One of the ways The Lord Jesus confirmed the Father's leading in His life was by the opposition that came His way.

2. How critical it is to understand the danger of being a respect of persons in social interactions? Jesus illustrated it in his interaction with the woman at the well -- him being a Jew and her being a Samaritan. James goes into great detail (James 2:1-10) explaining that if we operate with a respect of person's attitude we have become judges with evil thoughts (James 2:4) -- speaking to believers.

3. How God has illustrated in His creation truth that reveals our desperate need of Christ and salvation. With the woman at the well the analogy is WATER. Just as water is a vital need for man's body -- the living water of Christ and salvation through Him is vital for the health of every person's soul. The Lord told the woman at the well if you drink only of the temporal water you will continue to be parched in the emptiness of your soul. But he says in John 4:14: "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. We give further analogies in the gospels of how the needs of the body reveal the needs of our soul.

4. How God commands every man everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). This is a balancing point to some of the points we made in the first podcast. All men will be without excuse in the eternal day of judgment before God as to accountability to truth as it is found in Jesus Christ.

5. Towards the end of the podcast Mark shares his personal testimony of how he came to realize one day in church that he really wasn't saved as God one onone spoke to him. The timing of the Lord coming to the well at the "sixth hour" gave him the one on one opportunity to talk with the woman at the well. That was the day she was saved. Ultimately in life each of us needs to come to that one on one encounter with God and hear HIS VOICE SPEAKING TO US CONCERNING OUR NEED OF SALVATION THROUGH HIM. More than any man's voice each person must come to the place in life when he hears the Lord Jesus Christ's voice. Joh_10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Aug 23, 202259:07
The Woman at the Well -- Answers to Vital Ultimate Life Questions # 1

The Woman at the Well -- Answers to Vital Ultimate Life Questions # 1

This podcast is the beginning of other podcasts to follow based on John 4. I encourage you to read prayerfully John 4:1-15 before listening to the podcast to prepare your heart to receive from God's Spirit the application and wisdom you need for your life. Multiple vital life principles emerge as we read of the Lord Jesus Christ's ministry to the woman at the well. Our goal in these podcasts is to explain these essential spiritual life principles by asking two questions:

# 1 By asking the Question -- Are you AWAREof the principles that are essential to life in Christ revealed in John 4

# 2 By explaining other vital principles of life in John 4 of which we need to BEWARE of that which will hinder relationship to Christ.

This podcast only covers one life principle based on John 4:4 "...he must needs go through Samaria"

In other podcasts to follow there will be multiple principles explained in one podcast.

A few weeks ago I shared a fifteen-minute devotional of these principles at a luncheon outreach ministry of our church. In the weeks that have followed I have spent lots of time prayerfully digesting and seeking the Lord to understand more fully His wisdom made known in this chapter. May God grant us together to have the mind of Christ as revealed in Jesus’ ministry to the woman at the well.




Aug 16, 202235:16
Agape Love

Agape Love

In this podcast we begin with these verses from God's word:    1Pe 4:7  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1Pe 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.    Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:   Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  The theme of this podcast is: THE PRIORITY OF THE BODY OF CHRIST MANIFESTING AGAPE LOVE IN THE LIGHT OF OUR LORD'S RETURN. 

The following verses are used in explaining this priority: 1 John 3:14,  John 13:35,  1 Cor. 13:13,   Gal. 5:22,23,  1 John 4:7,8   Rom. 13:8,  1 Tim. 1:5,  Matt. 22:34-40

Consider the days God speaks of when "... evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." (2 Tim. 3:13) How is the body of Christ to respond in the triumph of Christ's life in such days The priority given in the verses listed above is that the body of Christ would have fervent love one for another.  Sincere, authentic, genuine agape love being manifest through the members of the body of Christ is a powerful spiritual weapon to overcome the evil of the world right up until Christ returns 

(2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 

Another spiritual weapon is prayer in the manner of Philippians 1:9,10  Php 1:9  And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;  Php 1:10  That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;  We explain this further in the podcast. 

We emphasize also in this podcast the critical importance of the one-another ministries of the body of Christ given in the New Testament as to the spiritual health and vitality of God's Church.   

Eph 4:10  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

Jul 20, 202250:04
 Walking in the Steps of the Saviour and the Family

Walking in the Steps of the Saviour and the Family

This podcast begins with the hymn "Trying to Walk in the Steps of the Saviour". The second stanza says: Walking in footsteps of gentle forbearance, Footsteps of faithfulness, mercy and love, Looking to Him for the grace freely promised, Happy, how happy, our journey above. In this podcast Norman West and I discuss some of the practical ways God's grace, mercy, faithfulness and love is manifest through the family. 

Walking in the steps of the Saviour is not us doing something for God. Waling in the steps of the Saviour is God doing something through us by the enabling He gives supernaturally by His Holy Spirit. 

Zec_4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Psalm 127:1   Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 

1Co_15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

2Co_3:5  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

May 13, 202251:25
The Living Hope

The Living Hope

Season 3   Episode 49    This podcast is based from

 1 Peter 1:3 -- ESV  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,    

 KJV   1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 

I cover five points: 1)  The Living Hope and Peter's Doxology   2)   The Living Hope and Our Savior's Identity   3) The Living Hope and the Greatness of God's Mercy   4)   The Living Hope and Family (New Birth)   5)   The Living Hope and Vitality (living hope).  The context of this passage is critically important to understanding the practical moment by moment living hope we have through the resurrected life of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Peter is writing to believers who are experiencing great intense trials in the every day moments of their lives and he is assuring them of the practical blessed living hope there is in Christ in every sphere of living. He is assuring them of living hope personally, living hope in the family (marriage and parenting), living hope in the community, living hope in the church family,  living hope in the light of Christ's coming in the days when "...evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived (2 Tim 3:13). 

Here are the verses that give the extended context:   1Pe 1:1  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 1Pe 1:2  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.  1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Pe 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 1Pe 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1Pe 1:6  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  1Pe 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 

We just celebrated Resurrection Sunday this past Sunday as we gathered for Worship. This podcast came about as a result of my reflecting and prayerfully meditating on the practical application of the LIVING HOPE WE HAVE THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.  I begin the podcast with prayer based on Ephesians 1 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 

Apr 19, 202253:22
How to pray for God's Supernatural Workings in Other's Lives

How to pray for God's Supernatural Workings in Other's Lives

Season 3     Episode 48 This podcast is a recording of a sermon I preached a week ago at Greenville Christian Fellowship. More recorded sermons are available at sermonaudio.com (search under the speaker's tab for Randy Cook). Multiple times in the gospels we find individuals bringing someone they love to the Lord Jesus Christ who has a desperate need (John 4 The Nobleman's son, Matthew 15 The Canaanite Woman's daughter, In Luke 5 four friends bring their paralyzed friend to Christ etc.). In Luke 7:1-10 we have A Centurion appeals to Jesus to heal his servant. In the Lord's interaction with the Centurion He declared these words: "When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" (Luke 7:9). Constantly we find in the Gospels people would marvel at the wonder of the miracles the Lord Jesus was working, but only two times in the gospels did Jesus marvel. One is recorded in Luke 7 (he marveled at great faith) and the other is recorded in Mark 6:6 in his hometown of Nazareth  "And he marveled because of their unbelief..." As I prepared this sermon I approached it with the burden of how can we through prayer bring others to the Lord Jesus and see Him work supernaturally in their lives. As you listen to the four points please relate each point to the disposition and attitudes in prayer that enable us to have the faith to trust God for His working in other's lives.

The four points are:

# 1 His Love for His Servant and the Jewish People # 2 His Own Unworthiness (concerning himself) # 3 His Unwavering Faith # 4 His Understanding of Being "under authority"

Also there is a section in the sermon where I emphasize the necessity of not only praying for the temporal needs of others but also the spiritual needs. This point is taken from Matthew 8 (parallel passage about the Centurion's faith) Mat 8:10  When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Mat 8:11  And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. Mat 8:12  But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Just as the Centurion's servant was grievously tormented with his physical illness temporally, those who do not know Christ as Lord and Savior face an eternal grievous torment described as "outer darkness" -- "where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth"

Mat 8:6  And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

May the Lord grant us spiritual understanding in praying for the unsaved as we consider the eternal ramifications. May God give parents understanding in praying for sons and daughters, May God grant all of us understanding in praying for neighbors, co-workers, friends, relatives, missionaries, the local church, etc.

Apr 02, 202243:05
Understanding Purpose in Life and How it Relates To the Character of Christ

Understanding Purpose in Life and How it Relates To the Character of Christ

Season 3     Episode 47  The theme of this podcast is understanding purpose in life through the life of the Lord Jesus Christ and how we can grow in developing the character of Christ in our lives. Joining me in this podcast are four teenagers: Tim Lauriault, Evan Smith, Sean Arterburn and Luke Arterburn. My son Ben and I did a podcast in December 2021 entitled: "The Importance of Character."  This podcast is a follow up to that recording. Since the teens joining us today have been studying in Sunday School and Youth Meeting for several years how to be like Christ through understanding specific character qualities, we thought it would be helpful for you to hear their testimonies of how this is going in their lives. Some of the character qualities we discuss are: thankfulness, orderliness, humility, compassion, authenticity, meekness, flexibility, alertness, patience.  We are so thankful to the Lord for all that He is doing in these teens lives personally and in their godly families collectively. The enemy is indeed coming in iike a flood in our day but God is raising up His soldiers to overcome the darkness of this world through these teens and other teens who understand God's purpose for their lives and are seeking each day to know Christ, to become like Christ and to make Christ known to those who still do not know the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives. The gospel of peace through Christ the Lord is the only answer to peace in the disorder of the world that continues to bring wars and rumors of wars.

Isa_59:19  So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Rom_10:15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Eph_6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Joh_14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Luk 10:2  Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Luk 10:3  Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.   Luk 10:4  Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.    Luk 10:5  And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.    Luk 10:6  And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. 


Mar 14, 202201:01:00
Every Joy or Trial Falleth From Above

Every Joy or Trial Falleth From Above

Season 3     Episode 46    This podcast begins with the words of the Hymn -- "Stayed Upon Jehovah": Every joy or trial falleth from above, traced upon our dial by by the Sun of Love. We may trust Him fully all for us to do, They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.

 In this podcast Heinz Wurzburg and myself interact concerning the subject: "The Greatness of God's Working in All the Circumstances of Our Lives".  We begin by seeking to understand the greatness of God's Word and its application to our lives. We talk about the difference between the two greek words --             logos (John 1:1, Luke 8:11, Phillipians 2:16, 2 Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 4:12)             

                                          and rhema (Romans 10:17, Ephesians 6:17, 5:25,26, John 15:7) --   

Both are translated "word" in the KJV Bible. When God gives us a rhema from His Word we see the personal application it has for particular situations in our lives. In the podcast we go into detail concerning one rhema illustration found in Luke 5 that the Lord Jesus gave to Peter.  

 Here are some of the other points:   

# 2   The Greatness of God in Little Decisions in Our Lives  

 # 3  The Greatness of God's Provision as Found in 2 Peter 1   

# 4   The Greatness of God in Every Tribulation of Our Lives as Found in Romans 5    

 # 5  The Greatness of God in the Restoration of the Soul as Found in Psalm 23  

 # 6  The Greatness of God in Prayer for Others as Found in Psalm 142:4    

# 7   The Greatness of God in Working Through Every Believer as Found in Ephesians 4

Feb 18, 202201:07:20
The Forgiveness of Sin

The Forgiveness of Sin

Season 3     Episode 45    In this podcast Novie Brandeberry and myself discuss    Matthew 9:1-9  

 9:1  And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.   Mat 9:2  And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.  Mat 9:3  And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.  Mat 9:4  And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?  Mat 9:5  For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?  Mat 9:6  But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.  Mat 9:7  And he arose, and departed to his house.  Mat 9:8  But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. The words of the Hymn "Calvary Covers It All" captures the theme and burden of this podcast:        


Feb 05, 202256:31
Faith and The Stormy Seas of Life

Faith and The Stormy Seas of Life

Season 3     Episode  44    In this podcast Charlie Crawford and myself share our thoughts on Matthew 14.

Jesus Walks on the Water

Mat 14:22  And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. Mat 14:23  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  Mat 14:24  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.  Mat 14:25  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. Mat 14:26  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  Mat 14:27  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Mat 14:28  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. Mat 14:29  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. Mat 14:30  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Mat 14:31  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Mat 14:32  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Mat 14:33  Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

We explain the utter necessity of walking by faith in the victorious life of the Lord Jesus Christ so that through the circumstantial storms of our lives we can become like Him and love Him more and worship Him.

Our main points in the podcast are: # 1   Faith and the Necessity of Prayer    # 2  Faith and Decisiveness in Decisions   # 3   Faith and Temporal Values   # 4  Faith and God's Supernatural Provision   # 5  Faith and the Timing of God's Supernatural Provision   # 6  Faith and Fear

Charlie Crawford shares testimonies out of his own faith journey as these points are made.   We emphasize that the critical element of faith is the object of our faith -- Jesus Christ Himself.   When I was saved when I was eighteen years of age Tom Tarvin discipled me and from the start he explained to me how critically important it is to understand the humanity of Jesus Christ and the deity of Jesus Christ. Charlie and I spend quite a bit of time in this podcast explaining His humanity and His deity and our faith.

My prayerful desire is to do two other podcasts in the future that relate to the miracle of Jesus walking on the Water as found in Matthew and Mark. I would like to do podcast on all that we can learn from Peter's walking on the water to Jesus. Also I would like to do a podcast on the feeding of the 5000 and Mark 6:51,52  -- Mar 6:51  And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. Mar 6:52  For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

Jan 28, 202201:12:28
Overcoming Fear

Overcoming Fear

Season 3   Episode 44  If I were to ask all of you:  "Do you ever have challenges with fear?" I believe every person in the world would respond with a hearty: "Yes indeed I do."  If I were to ask You: "What are some of the most well know verses in the Bible?"   I think that many if not most of you would include in that list Isaiah 41:10:  "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." The word fear occurs 385 times in the Bible. 

Here are some of verse when the Lord Jesus spoke about fear:  Mat 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  Mat 10:29  Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  Mat 10:30  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Mat 10:31  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.    Mat 14:26  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. Mat 14:27  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.    Luk 5:8  When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.  Luk 5:9  For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:  Luk 5:10  And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.   Luk 12:30  For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. Luk 12:31  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Luk 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.    

In the Lord Jesus parting words to His disciples the night before His crucifixon He spoke these words: Joh 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.    Joh 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  In the podcast we talk about how fear increasingly becomes an issue in the last days leading up to Christ's return.  Luk 21:26  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.  Luk 21:27  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

Is it possible to be delivered from fear?    Consider Psalm 34:4  I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Fear characterizes the life of the unbeliever:  Pro_10:24  The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. It is God's will that believers by the grace of God turn their fears into godly desires. If we delight ourself in the Lord He will give us the desires of our heart. Psa_37:4  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. May God use this podcast to help every father, every mother, every parent, and every saint to be delivered from fear -- especially the fear of death --  Heb.2:15

Jan 18, 202244:18
Running the Race to Win in the New Year

Running the Race to Win in the New Year

Season 3    Episode 42   In this podcast my son-in-law Jeremiah Paden and myself interact concerning the factors of running the Christian-life race to win not only in 2022 but running to win in all the years of our Life.  The Christian life is described as a race three times in the New Testament -- Philippians 3:12-14,  Hebrews 12:1,2  and in 1 Corinthians 9:24. The major factors in running to win are:  # 1  The Life-time Venture Factor   # 2  The Cross-Country Factor   # 3  The Sowing and Reaping Factor   # 4  The Past Factor   #    5    The Responsibility Factor.   We are to run this race "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:2)  We recommend a booklet entitled "Looking Unto Jesus" that I have handed out over many years that helps us understand the centerpoint of our spiritual journey through the life. 

Dec 29, 202101:01:24
Understanding the Importance of Character

Understanding the Importance of Character

Season 3   Episode 41    My son Ben Cook joins me in this podcast. We begin by talking about how the Pearls of Biblical Wisdom Podcast Ministry began. The theme of this podcast concerns the subject of character. We quote from a book written by John and Susan Yates. The title of the book is What Really Matters at Home -- Eight Crucial Elements for Building Character in Your Family. The points we cover in the podcast are as follows: # 1 We begin the podcast by explaining the definition of character especially as given to us in the Bible. # 2  The Foundational Character Quality  # 3  The Lord Jesus Christ and Character  # 4  Three Vital Principles of life and the Character of Christ  # 5  Scripture and Character  # 6  Ben's  Experience in His Teens and Character and how it impacted his future life   # 7  Character Development is a Lifetime Venture  # 7  Sunday School,  Character and Young Men Using their time wisely in their teen years  # 8 David and Timothy examples of men who were mature in their youth because of godly character developed in their youth 

Dec 18, 202101:02:30
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Provoking Children to Wrath

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Provoking Children to Wrath

Season 3   Episode 40  -- Pastor Barrett Marshall joins me in this podcast today. He is the senior pastor of Greenville Christian Fellowship in Greenville S.C. We begin by discussing the reality of how imperfect we human fathers are apart from abiding in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Without having a healthy relationship with our Heavenly Father through Christ our Lord ourselves, we will never be able to disciple and shepherd our sons and daughters as earthly fathers. 

 We continue by discussing how one generation of fathers can pass on God's truth to the next generation of fathers in an ever increasing spiritually fruitful way. We explain how critically important it is to understand that truth out of balance leads to heresy. Some of the practical points we discuss concerning fathers avoiding provoking children to wrath are:  # 1 -- Time With Your Children   # 2   Refusing to listen carefully to your children   # 3  Permitting or Tolerating Bad Behavior                 # 4   Demanding Too Much From The Children.    

A book written by John R. Rice is recommended entitled  "The Home" --Courtship, Marriage and Children.  In this book there is substantial information as to how Susannah Wesley approached parenting and some of the essential Biblical Principles required if fathers and mothers are to see spiritual fruitfulness in the lives of their children. 

We also explain that many times it is out of failure we fathers discover the truth of how to properly bring up the children God has entrusted to us. 

Pastor Barrett spends some time explaining exactly what does it mean to "provoke them to wrath." We seek to give illustrations out of our own lives as fathers and also illustrations out of the lives of other fathers to help us all gain the proper understanding of how to be a godly father. 

At the end Pastor Barrett shares how our heart goes out to every father because we all know the challenges we encounter in seeking to properly train, disciple, discipline and shepherd the hearts of sons and daughters.  May God fill each of you fathers with the wisdom and understanding you  need from Him so that you can effectively lead your children to come to know salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ and they also can come to know the only perfect Father there is -- God our Heavenly Father !!


Nov 03, 202101:03:12
The Great Commission and Fathers

The Great Commission and Fathers

Season 3  Episode  39    This podcast begins with a hymn that has the following words: "Far, far away, in heathen darkness dwelling, Millions of souls forever may be lost;   Who, who will go, salvation's story telling,   Looking to Jesus, heeding not the cost?      Refrain     "All power is given unto Me,    All power is given unto Me,    Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel And lo, I am with you always." The theme of this podcast comes from Matthew 28:18-20:   (18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:(20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Abraham Weihua Liu joins me as we seek together to understand how fathers and families and individuals can be led by God to fulfill by His Holy Spirit's enabling the sharing of the gospel with the unsaved. At the beginning of the podcast Abraham and I talk about how God brought us together in gospel outreach ministry. Abraham then shares his testimony of how he himself was saved by someone else sharing the gospel with him. How God saved he and his wife in China and how God protected he and his wife when persecution came their way is an amazing testimony of God's grace. Since coming to the United States Abraham and his wife Grace have been been involved in full time faith based ministry in ministry trips to China and also gospel outreach to their local community. Even though this podcast is longer it will be well worth your time to listen to it in its entirety even if it requires listening at different times. There is much practical application and illustration of how any person or family can witness the gospel of Christ to those around you.     

2 Peter 3:3  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,  2Pe 3:4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.   2Peter_3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward,. not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance

1 Timothy  2:1  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  1Ti 2:2  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  1Ti 2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Matthew     _4:19        And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Acts_1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:   and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Oct 26, 202101:17:54
How To Be A Great Dad

How To Be A Great Dad

Season 3 Episode 38    This podcast has three major points to it.  # 1  Why being a great dad is so important   # 2  Why being a great dad is so hard   # 3  What are some of the ways you can be a great dad. 

 My son Aaron and I interact together on these three points.  I am so glad we were able to do this podcast together because he is a dad with three children (one of them a newborn baby) who understands something of the reality of these three points. For instance point number two: being a dad is not easy -- there are many challenges involved that many times come at the most awkward times. Aaron shared with his mom and I when he arrived this morning to do the recording that he and his wife Laura were up in the middle of the night with the newborn baby and they were seeking to resolve some challenges with their son also. I am so thankful to the Lord that he is speaking from his heart to other father's hearts in this podcast about these three points that require a lot of grace from God to understand and apply.   At the beginning of the podcast we play the hymn: Take My Life and Let It Be.  I chose this hymn because in my mind's eye I picture fathers in prayer singing and saying to God: "take my life, my hands, my voice, my will, my intellect, my heart" so that I can bring up the children you entrusted to me in the nurture and admonition of your Son's life. Every father must exchange his life for the Lord Jesus Christ's life if the responsibilities of fatherhood are to be accomplished. Apart from Jesus Christ life through us we do not have the ability to be a great dad.

2Co_3:5  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.  The Lord Jesus said: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."  John 15:5

Eph 6:4  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. From the start of this podcast ministry this has been the theme verse.   Whenever I think of it or quote it I think of it in this way:  bring up children in the nurture and admonition of the the LORD'S LIFE !!!!! 

To be successful as a dad you must constantly live in the reality of Galatians 2:20     "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  As a father  you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.  (Philippians  4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.)

May God bless you dads with wisdom and understanding because you understanding the greatness of God and through the greatness of His Son Jesus Christ it is possible for you to be a great dad.    Psalm 115:1  "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake."


Oct 21, 202101:10:30
God's Supernatural Workings in Our Daily Lives

God's Supernatural Workings in Our Daily Lives

Season 3  Episode 37     Many of you are probably familiar with the following verses in Joshua 10:13,14     "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel." 

This was surely a unique sign and wonder miracle in the days of Israel that demonstrates God's omnipotent ability to intervene into the normal operations of natural laws that were set in motion when God first created the world. Pastor Barrett Marshall preached a sermon on this chapter last Sunday at our church (Greenville Christian Fellowship -- Greenville S.C.). It is posted on Sermon Audio already along with other sermons he has preached. He gave me permission to share it with you through the podcast ministry.   It was such a power-impacting message that helps a person understand the power of the cross and salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ -- he brings this out in his conclusion. He entitled the message: "A Day Unlike Any Other."  My take away from the message was: How any believer can have a blessed day and the supernatural works of God be accomplished -- in the life of a person,  in a home, in a marriage, on a job, at the store, in the hospital -- regardless of the trying circumstances. Each of his points were practical Biblical steps we as believers can take and live in the reality of  -- so that the supernatural life of the Lord Jesus Christ is manifest. I would encourage you to have pen and paper ready so you can jot the points down as you listen to this message. Pray before you start listening and ask God to open your eyes so that in every day of your life you can have spiritual discernment of how El Shaddai -- Almighty God is working in your life personally so that every day you can be aware of His supernatural workings -- walking by faith and not by physical sight.

As I  was writing these thoughts I received a very unexpected phone call with someone describing to me a horrible situation taking place in their life. The more we talked the more I understood the strongholds the powers of darkness had in the situation. In such a situation looking at it humanly there was no reason to think of a blessed day or to perceive God's working. But knowing the truth presented in this sermon I turned the conversation to looking at the same situation from God's frame of reference and understand the power of prayer through omnipotent God to break the powers of darkness' strongholds. The Key to God's frame of reference and God's supernatural working is understanding Calvary's Cross. As you listen to this sermon ask God to give you a greater understanding of the victory Christ won through His death, burial and resurrection. 

Col 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Col 2:15  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 


Oct 20, 202145:19
God's Building Program

God's Building Program

Season 3 Episode 36

Oct 13, 202134:22
Provoke Not Your Children to Wrath (Part 3)

Provoke Not Your Children to Wrath (Part 3)

Season 3     Episode    35   This sermon is a the THIRD in a three part series. All three sermons have as the goal to give father's wisdom as to not provoking their children to wrath.

Ephesians  6:4  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

One major aspect of this sermon is the critical importance of being spirit filled in parenting.  Ephesians 5:18-21 is the foundation of wives relationship to their husbands (5:22-24), husbands relationship to their wives (5:25-29), children's relationship to their parents (6:1-3), father's relationship with their sons and daughters (6:4), and servants relationship with their masters (6:6-9)

  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Other Scriptures referred to in the sermon: Daniel 6:3  Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Luke_1:80 (John the Baptist)   And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.   1st Peter 3:4  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.     When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 explaining the blessedness of life he began with: Matthew 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Aug 03, 202140:39
Provoke Not Your Children to Wrath (Part 2)

Provoke Not Your Children to Wrath (Part 2)

Season 3     Episode    34   This sermon is a the SECOND in a three part series. All three sermons have as the goal to give father's wisdom as to not provoking their children to wrath.

Ephesians  6:4  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Aug 02, 202148:44
Provoke Not Your Children to Wrath (Part 1)

Provoke Not Your Children to Wrath (Part 1)

Season 3     Episode    33   This sermon is a the FIRST in a three part series. All three sermons have as the goal to give father's wisdom as to not provoking their children to wrath. 

Ephesians  6:4  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 

Aug 02, 202136:19
The Dynamics of Men's Discipleship (louder audio)

The Dynamics of Men's Discipleship (louder audio)

Season 1     Episode     14       In this podcast I have four men interacting with me about the dynamics of our Thursday Night Men's Discipleship Meeting over the course of ten years.   Those participating are: Jay Lufkin and his son Jason, Jack Johnston and Stephen Fessler.  The Lord Jesus Christ gave us the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 to go into all the world (nations of the world) and make disciples. Yes believers are to preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15) so that those who respond in faith are able to receive salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. But when a person receives Jesus Christ to be saved (John 1:12) and is born again (John 3:3,7  1 Peter 1:23) there is a need for discipleship. The Great Commission is not to make converts only but to disciple believers to spiritual maturity so they too can disciple others to spiritual maturity. 2 Timothy 2:2 says (Paul speaking to Timothy about discipleship) And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. The potential impact of true discipleship as to eternal fruit is astounding to consider. If one man disciples one man for one year, and at the end of that year the two men disciple two other men now you have four men. If the four disciple four you have eight, if the eight disciple eight you have 16, if the 16 disciple 16 you have 32, if the 32 disciple 32 you have 64, if the 64 disciple 64 you have 128. After seven years of this type of discipleship you would have a good size church family not including wives and children. The Lord Jesus ministered to the multitudes but the heart of his ministry to establish the foundation of the Church was in the discipleship of the men God gave Him (He speaks in detail about it in his High Priestly Prayer in John 17).  In John 17:20 he said that he was praying for those who would believe on him through the discipleship of the men He discipled.  It is worth listening to this podcast to understand some of the real life dynamics of how this works out practically in one men's discipleship ministry that continued for ten years. Fathers need to know how to disciple their sons and daughters in the home situation. As fathers gather with other fathers in men's discipleship meetings there can be much spiritual gain in the discipleship that takes place in the home context through the multitude of counsel of the men's discipleship meetings.

Jul 29, 202101:00:30
The Dynamics of Godly Companionships

The Dynamics of Godly Companionships

Season One     Episode 15      In this podcast my son Joel and my son-in-law Jeremiah Paden join me. We interact with each other concerning the practical way God has worked in recent years in the godly companionships Joel and Jeremiah have established.  Notice the pinpointed certainty God declares in His word concerning positive blessings or negative consequences that come from companionships/friendships. "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."   Proverbs 13:20    "Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”   1 Corinthians 15:33  In this podcast we build our thoughts around the theme "Daniel's Band" (a band of godly men who have joined together in seeking to know the Lord Jesus Christ and make Him known to others so that the powers of darkness are overcome in this world and God's kingdom is established). The Lord Jesus spoke of a man's priority to Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:23).  In 2 Timothy 2:22 God gives 5 qualities to look for in seeking to establish godly companionships:  "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."  We discuss the need for honesty, transparency and authenticity men being accountable to each other about their struggles. We talk about John Wesley's resolution concerning godly companions, the importance of small decisions and God's will, the importance of outreach  in godly companionship and how God uses the outreach to confirm different aspects of His will in our lives. Jeremiah shares how God used the dynamics of godly companionship to understand his calling to be a pastor. We discuss the critical importance of the priority of  prayer when godly companions are together. We explain that the godly Daniel's band is not limited to men but includes all believers. Jeremiah shares about his godly companionship that started with David when they were twelve years old. We emphasize how important it is for those in their teen years to have godly aspirations and godly companions. At the age of 12 the Lord Jesus said he must be about His Heavenly Father's business   "How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" Luke 2:49  We discuss the critical important principle of keeping yourself from giving ground to the powers of darkness (in your youth and all through your life)  by giving the proper honor to those in authority.  Jesus illustrated in his life the importance of honoring his father and mother: "And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them:" Luke 2:51.  We discuss how you can walk with wise men not only by the people you spend time with but also by the books you read. Joel and Jeremiah both share concerning some of the books that have spiritually impacted their lives.           1Co_2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Men who love the Lord and come together in the pursuit of knowing Christ and making Him known cannot begin to comprehend the supernatural works God will accomplish beyond anything they are humanly capable of producing. 

Jul 24, 202101:12:49
The Dynamics of Men's Discispleship

The Dynamics of Men's Discispleship

Season 1     Episode     14       In this podcast I have four men interacting with me about the dynamics of our Thursday Night Men's Discipleship Meeting over the course of ten years.   Those participating are: Jay Lufkin and his son Jason, Jack Johnston and Stephen Fessler.  The Lord Jesus Christ gave us the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 to go into all the world (nations of the world) and make disciples. Yes believers are to preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15) so that those who respond in faith are able to receive salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. But when a person receives Jesus Christ to be saved (John 1:12) and is born again (John 3:3,7  1 Peter 1:23) there is a need for discipleship. The Great Commission is not to make converts only but to disciple believers to spiritual maturity so they too can disciple others to spiritual maturity. 2 Timothy 2:2 says (Paul speaking to Timothy about discipleship) And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. The potential impact of true discipleship as to eternal fruit is astounding to consider. If one man disciples one man for one year, and at the end of that year the two men disciple two other men now you have four men. If the four disciple four you have eight, if the eight disciple eight you have 16, if the 16 disciple 16 you have 32, if the 32 disciple 32 you have 64, if the 64 disciple 64 you have 128. After seven years of this type of discipleship you would have a good size church family not including wives and children. The Lord Jesus ministered to the multitudes but the heart of his ministry to establish the foundation of the Church was in the discipleship of the men God gave Him (He speaks in detail about it in his High Priestly Prayer in John 17).  In John 17:20 he said that he was praying for those who would believe on him through the discipleship of the men He discipled.  It is worth listening to this podcast to understand some of the real life dynamics of how this works out practically in one men's discipleship ministry that continued for ten years. Fathers need to know how to disciple their sons and daughters in the home situation. As fathers gather with other fathers in men's discipleship meetings there can be much spiritual gain in the discipleship that takes place in the home context through the multitude of counsel of the men's discipleship meetings. 

Jul 17, 202101:00:30
The Faithfulness of God

The Faithfulness of God

Series 1        Episode   13       John Howard joins me in this podcast. John and I have known each other for twenty-two years. He has helped me with my insurance needs and retirement investments. Over the years we have had an iron sharpening iron ministry with each other. Proverbs 27:17  "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Whenever we have met together we have talked twenty percent business matters and eighty percent spiritual matters. I have heard John share so many testimonies of the living reality of Christ in his daily life in every aspect of his life and it is with great joy God has granted an opportunity for us to do this podcast together. A few weeks ago he was sharing with me about the faithfulness of God in his family over many years. I was so moved by his testimony I asked him to work with me in a podcast dedicated to the subject of The Faithfulness of God. Right before we began this podcast we had a season of prayer together and with tears streaming down both of our faces we cried out to God for the Lord Jesus Christ to be exalted in our time together and that God would enable us by the supernatural working of His Holy Spirit to explain the absolute hope there is in God's salvation through Christ both for time and eternity. I believe there is much in this podcast that will help any person discover the unsearchable riches of the wonder of God's faithfulness in His perfect love towards man in providing salvation. Also there is practical encouragement for Dads, moms, sons and daughters and for those seeking to strengthen their marriages. The hymn playing at the beginning is Great Is Thy Faithfulness. It is one of the all time hymn favorites that I have heard in my pastoral ministry in many different settings. The longer you live in fellowship with God in this journey through life the more fervently you can sing this hymn from the heart in worship to God. 

Jun 22, 202101:07:55
The Blessedness of Wisdom and Understanding God Gives to Us Through Reproof and Correction

The Blessedness of Wisdom and Understanding God Gives to Us Through Reproof and Correction

Series  3      Episode  32    In this message I share from Proverbs concerning God's Reproof and God's Correction (Proverbs 3:11,12) and how vital it is to experiencing the blessedness of the wisdom and understanding (Prov. 3:13,18) of God so that life can be lived the way God designed it to be in our life journey. Proverbs 4:7 declares: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."  In terms of a house -- the foundation needed to acquire wisdom and understanding is understanding how God reproves and corrects us. By being properly aware of and by properly responding to God's reproof and correction, our house (our life) can be filled with the blessedness God has promised in every minute and moment of our life journey.  Proverbs 3:11,12 is the foundation and the blessedness of the house is Proverbs 3:13-18. Anywhere you may read in the Bible the potential is there to discover God's reproof and correction if your heart is tender and broken to truly want his way/will to be done in your life. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy_3:16)   If if I insist on my own way in life and am not open to him teaching me His way, His correction will be grievous.       Pro_15:10  Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. When God reproves me, if I am insisting on my own way I will "despise" and grow "weary" and not receive the blessings a perfect loving Heavenly Father is seeking to impart to me.   Proverbs_3:11  My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: There is much teaching in Proverbs concerning parental reproof and correction of the sons and daughters God has entrusted to us. We miss the treasures of wisdom and understanding found in Christ (Colossians 2:3) if as parents we do not apply the same principles of parental discipline to our own relationship to our heavenly Father. In order for earthly parents to properly discipline in the home we must also be constantly responding to God's discipline in our lives.  

Look again at these verses in Hebrews 12 which explains God's reproof and correction in every believer's life.  The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible. Hebrews 12:3-15 is God's commentary on Proverbs 3:11,12. 

 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 

Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 

Heb 12:8  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 

Heb 12:9  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 

Jun 15, 202137:12
Prayer Insights

Prayer Insights

Series 1     Episode  12

In this podcast I am interacting with my mom (Carlean Cole) and Judith Burgess on the subject of prayer.   These ladies have been prayer warriors for many years. In the podcast we interact on major aspects of what they have applied in their own prayer life as to the dynamics of effective praying and knowing God. When I was two years old I was involved in a car accident that put me in the hospital in very serious condition. My mom prayed for me at that time. In this podcast I ask her to share some of the details. It was a great joy to have mom interact with me today (May 24) on her 87th birthday. A major part of the emphasis in this podcast was on prayer and the Word (of God).

Joh 15:7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will    [prayer], and it shall be done unto you. Joh 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.  If you would like to have Scripture posted in you home that has beautiful photos in the background you can download free files at      judith.theburgesshouse.com     This is Judith Burgess' website.

Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;      

May God grant each of us the spiritual understanding of how to put our armor of God (Ephesians 6) on so that we can effectively pray for all saints and effectively pray for all men (especially pray for the salvation need of all men).  1Ti 2:1  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  1Ti 2:2  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1Ti 2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

May 24, 202151:22
Standing on the Promises

Standing on the Promises

Series 3   Episode 31 

  1. This is a message taken from Proverbs chapter 3.   In it I seek to explain practically how to stand on the promises of God so it can be true in our lives as the hymn says     "we will never fail",     "we will never fall".   If we are to see God's promises fulfilled in our lives we need to understand  the conditions that need to be met. If we see the conditions that need to be met we need to understand how do we meet those conditions. We also mention that in the first nine chapters of Proverbs are ten fatherly talks. All of us as believers need to have fatherly talks with our Heavenly father. Also all of us as sons and daughters need to have fatherly talks with our earthly father. 
May 24, 202139:52
Wisdom and Reality

Wisdom and Reality

Season 1 Episode 11  Wisdom and Reality

This podcast is my son Josh and myself interacting on how the book of Proverbs explains to us the realities of life. We share our thoughts after reading some quotes from Raymond Ortlund Jr.'s commentary on Proverbs entitled "Wisdom that Works."  We contrast reality thinking with fantasy thinking. 

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:       4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Thoughout the podcast Josh explains his own personal testimony of the application of reality thinking (Biblically) that has helped him come to an altar of brokeness time and again in his own personal relationship with the Lord. 


May 08, 202156:42
Faithful Stewardship Part 2

Faithful Stewardship Part 2

Series   3    Episode   30

Luke 16:9-13

Apr 19, 202144:22
Faithful Stewardship

Faithful Stewardship

Series  3   Episode    29

Luke 16:1-13

Apr 19, 202139:24
The Faith That Marvelled Jesus

The Faith That Marvelled Jesus

Series  3   Episode   28

Matthew 8:5-13

Apr 19, 202135:11