Good News Pickleball
258 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingGood News Pickleball combines the fastest-growing sport in America with The Gospel of Christ. Each week John Wilkerson shares how Christians can demonstrate the love of Christ while playing pickleball.
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Blessed Are the Merciful
January 29, 2024 09:00 - 4 minutes - 3.15 MBToday I'm covering the fifth Beatitude which reads, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." Matthew 5:7 (NRSVUE) Mercy is intertwined with sin, judgment, and forgiveness. Without sin, there would be no need for mercy. Being merciful is showing forgiveness and compassion towards someone who has wronged us. We're all recipients of God's mercy and that means we should show mercy to those who rightfully deserve punishment. Mercy doesn't mean we deny that a wrong or sin has...
Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
January 22, 2024 09:00 - 5 minutes - 3.79 MBToday I'm covering the fourth Beatitude which reads, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6 (NRSVUE) As Christians, we've been made righteous in the eyes of God because of Jesus' death and resurrection. If we're already righteous, why should we hunger and thirst for it? We all get hungry and thirsty. God designed our bodies so that we need to seek food and water to live. This biological process is a reminder that we cannot sustai...
Blessed Are the Meek
January 15, 2024 09:00 - 5 minutes - 4.47 MBToday I'm covering the third Beatitude which reads, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." -Matthew 5:5 (NRSVUE) Meekness is often misunderstood. Modern definitions don't convey what the Biblical authors were trying to convey. I once heard someone describe it as "power under control" but that's not quite right. Mark E. Caner describes meekness as "an attitude or quality of heart whereby a person is willing to accept and submit without resistance to the will and desire ...
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
January 08, 2024 09:00 - 4 minutes - 5.15 MBToday I'm covering the second Beatitude in Matthew 5:4 which reads, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (NRSVUE) Mourning is something many of us don't do well. There's a misconception among Christians that we should always be happy. Think about this, though: If you don't mourn you'll miss out on the blessing of being comforted. You also rob others of being a blessing when they comfort you. How Can We Apply This to Pickleball? You're going to lose some games. I...
Blessed Are the Poor In Spirit
December 26, 2023 19:24 - 4 minutes - 4.22 MBThis week I’m talking about Matthew 5:3 which reads, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (NRSV) Poor in spirit can refer to humility or knowing that you’re in need of God’s grace. It can also refer to physical poverty but most people see this phrase as more of an attitude rather than a state of poverty. The “kingdom of Heaven” isn’t a physical kingdom but a spiritual one. Yes, one day Jesus will physically establish His kingdom on earth but that’s not ...
Good News Pickleball
December 21, 2023 12:01 - 54 seconds - 1.67 MBPickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States. If you haven't started playing yet, you probably know someone who does. As a Christian, I try to be like Jesus in every area of my life. When I'm on a pickleball court that can be a challenge sometimes. In this eight-episode series, I'll share how The Beatitudes in Jesus' sermon on the mount help us stay out of the kitchen and play pickleball in a way that honors Christ without being "that person" who tries turning every poin...
Romans 3:1-2
July 01, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 3:1-2 "What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? "Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 1. What question is raised here? What advantage is there to being a Jew and circumcised? 2. What is the answer to the previous question? The oracles of God were committed to ...
Romans 2:28-29
June 30, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:28-29 "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 28. Is outward appearance the determination of character? No. 29. I...
Romans 2:27
June 29, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:27 "And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 27. What must uncircumcision fulfill in order to judge righteousness? The Law. This has been Three Minute Bible Study: Three minutes, two verses, no trick questions. All verses are taken from...
Romans 2:25-26
June 28, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:25-26 "For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. "Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 25. Under what circumstance is circumcision useful (profitable)? If you ...
Romans 2:23-24
June 27, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:23-24 "Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? "For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 23. What are those who boast in the law then doing? Dishonoring God. 24. What behavior does this cause among the Gentiles? Blaspheming God. This has been Thr...
Romans 2:21-22
June 24, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:21-22 "Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? "Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 21. What principle is to be used when teaching? We should teach ourselve...
Romans 2:19-20
June 23, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:19-20 "And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, "An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 19. What imagery is used to contrast education in the law with lack of education in the law? A guide of the blind. 2...
Romans 2:17-18
June 22, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:17-18 "Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, "And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 17. In what knowledge did the Jews rest? The Law. 18. Out of what were the Jews instructed? The Law. This has been Three Minute Bible Study...
Romans 2:15-16
June 21, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:15-16 "Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 15. What bears witness against and accuses or excuses those who do not h...
Romans 2:13-14
June 20, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:13-14 "(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 13. Who shall be justified? Doers of the law. 14. What may those who do not have educ...
Romans 2:11-12
June 17, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:11-12 "For there is no respect of persons with God. "For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 11. Does God consider (respect) a person’s social status? No. 12. How does the law relate to those who sin? They will be judged by the law. This ha...
Romans 2:9-10
June 16, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:9-10 "Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; "But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 9. What will the souls of men that do evil experience? Tribulation and anguish. 10. What will the souls of men that wo...
Romans 2:7-8
June 15, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:7-8 "To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: "But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath," Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 7. What judgment does God render to those with patient continuance? Eternal life. 8. What judgment does God render...
Romans 2:5-6
June 14, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:5-6 "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; "Who will render to every man according to his deeds:" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 5. What does the hard and impenitent heart earn from God? Wrath. 6. How will God render judgment? According to his deeds. This...
Romans 2:3-4
June 13, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:3-4 "And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 3. What cannot the man escape who judges others’ spiri...
Romans 2:1-2
June 10, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 2:1-2 "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. "But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 1. In what way (for thou that) do we condemn ourselves w...
Romans 1:31-32
June 09, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 1:31-32 "Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 31. What do those people lack who also lack God in their knowledge? Natural affection... ...
Romans 1:29-30
June 08, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 1:25-26 Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: This has been Three Minute Bible Study: Three minutes, two verses, no trick questions. Today's reading was by Annie Purdue-Olson of the Leading Better Together podcast. All verses are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Three Minute Bible Study is a production of My Life Ministries. Learn more at mylifeministries...
Romans 1:27-28
June 07, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 1:25-26 "And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to t...
Romans 1:25-26
June 06, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 1:25-26 "Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 25. What do men do as a result of changing the truth of God int...
Romans 1:23-24
June 03, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Roman 1:23-24 "And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 23. Into what do foolish men change the glory of Go...
Romans 1:21-22
June 02, 2022 20:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Roman 1:21-22 "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 21. What causes the heart to darkened in the foolish? Not glorifying God. 22. In what way do they become fools? Prof...
Romans 1:19-20
June 01, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Roman 1:19-20 "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 19. Why is that which may be known of God ma...
Romans 1:17-18
May 31, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Roman 1:17-18 "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 17. What is revealed in the gospel and in faith? The righteousness of God. 18...
Romans 1:15-16
May 30, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Roman 1:15-16 "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 15. For what is Paul prepared? To preach the gospel. 16. Why is Paul not ashamed of the ...
Romans 1:13-14
May 27, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Roman 1:13-14 "Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 13. What does Paul not what the brethren to be? Igno...
Romans 1:11-12
May 26, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Roman 1:11-12 "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; "That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 11. Why does Paul desire to impart spiritual gifts to the Roman church? So they may be established. 12. What does he expect to come of ...
Romans 1:9-10
May 25, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Roman 1:9-10 "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; "Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 9. In what way does Paul express his concern for the Roman church? By prayi...
Romans 1:7-8
May 24, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Roman 1:7-8 "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 7. To whom is this letter addressed? All in Rome. 8. For what does Paul thank God? That ...
Romans 1:5-6
May 23, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.49 MBToday’s reading is from Roman 1:5-6 "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: "Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 5. For what purpose have we received grace and apostleship? For obedience to the faith. 6. Whom does Paul include in his address? All called of Jesus Christ. This has been ...
Romans 1:3-4
May 19, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MBToday’s reading is from Romans 1:3-4 "Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; "And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 3. What is the human lineage of Jesus? Of the sed of David. 4. What is the spiritual declaration about Jesus? The S...
Romans 1:1-2
May 18, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.6 MBToday's reading is from Romans 1:1-2 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions. Who is writing this letter? How was the gospel of God previously delivered? This has been Three Minute Bible Study: Three minutes, two verses, no trick questions. All verses are taken from the King James Version of the Bibl...
Jude 24-25
May 17, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MBToday’s reading is from Jude 24-25 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, "To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 24. How is God described? He keeps us from falling and presents us as faultless. 25. What is ascri...
Jude 21-23
May 16, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MBToday’s reading is from Jude 21-23 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. "And of some have compassion, making a difference: "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 21. To what are we to look for eternal life? The mercy of Jesus. 22-23. In ...
Jude 19-20
May 13, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MBToday’s reading is from Jude 19-20 “These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 19. What do the ungodly not have? The Spirit. 20. In what are we to build ourselves up? Most holy faith. This has been Three Minute Bible Study: Three minutes, two verse...
Jude 17-18
May 12, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MBToday’s reading is from Jude 17-18 “But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; "How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 17. What are we to remember? The words of Jesus. 18. What were we told by the apostles? There would be mockers in the ...
Jude 15-16
May 11, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MBToday’s reading is from Jude 15-16 “To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. "These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take som...
Jude 13-14
May 10, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MBToday’s reading is from Jude 13-14 “Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 13. To what are the ungodly compared? Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their ow...
Jude 11-12
May 09, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MBToday’s reading is from Jude 11-12 “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. "These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;" Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take som...
Jude 9-10
May 06, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MBToday’s reading is from Jude 9-10 “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. "But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 9. How did Mi...
Jude 7-8
May 05, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MBToday’s reading is from Jude 7-8 “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. "Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 7. What is given as an ex...
Jude 5-6
May 04, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MBToday’s reading is from Jude 5-6 “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these...
Jude 3-4
May 03, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MBToday’s reading is from Jude 3-4 “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." Take a few...
Jude 1-2
May 02, 2022 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MBToday’s reading is from Jude 1-2 "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: "Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied." Take a few moments to meditate on these verses. Now, take some time to think about and answer these questions: 1. Who is the author of this letter? Jude. 2. How does he greet the recipient? Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Thi...