Key Radio - Mike and Heather in the Morning

Putting It All Together

It’s been a comprehensive journey into the elements of spiritual discipline. We’ve learned the purpose for spiritual disciplines and identified the disciplines that get us there. Still, we are prone to approach this crucial area in our lives as a checkbox exercise void of any joy if we’re not careful. Since the goal is sustainability, how can we implement these into our lives?

Good Practices: Digging Deep

Some folks make a good argument that we should follow Jesus’s example in practicing spiritual disciplines for greater growth in the Lord. Jesus knew the word. Jesus often broke away from the crowds to pray. Other people maintain that there are more ways to enjoy a closer walk with God, and two of those are journaling and learning.

Good Practices: Die to Self

We’re nearing the end of our journey through disciplines that help us grow spiritually. Today we’re focusing on another good practice – not a discipline per se. What we will find, however, is that as we grow in our understanding and love for the Lord, our attitudes in serving him change in remarkable ways.

Good Practices: Tell the World

We’ve spoken a lot about growing spiritually through practicing various disciplines, which included reading, studying and meditating on the Bible, prayer, silence and solitude, and worship. Today, we discuss evangelism. The big question is - is it a spiritual discipline or an activity?

Come Let Us Worship the King

We’ve been going through spiritual disciplines, not as an effort to add more items to your religion-induced checklist, but to encourage and empower you to pursue God humbly and lovingly. We’ve discussed things like reading the bible and prayer, and now we’ll discuss worship. Yes. Worship. We’ve spoken about music, but worship isn’t confined to a three-chord progression. It’s actually deeper than that.

Have a Little Talk with Jesus

Pastor Timothy Keller once defined prayer in this way: “What is prayer, then, in the fullest sense? Prayer is continuing a conversation that God has started through his Word and his grace, which eventually becomes a full encounter with him”. Today, we’ll introduce this concept of prayer to make the concept not only a reality, but a normal practice

Legacy Living

Diana Whitworth's faith has now become sight. Mike and Heather discuss the privilege of living a legacy of eternal significance.

Bible Intimacy Pt. 2

Our discussion was so good we wanted to continue on.

Bible Intimacy Pt. 1

There are different approaches to Bible reading. Yesterday we discussed Bible familiarity – knowing what it’s about, the structure, the stories, and so on. In fact, in an article posted on the Desiring God website, Jon Bloom stated, “Biblical knowledge is far better than gold when it fuels our trust in God. Otherwise, it only fuels our pride.” Let’s learn how we can study the Bible to fuel our own trust in God.

Know Your Bible

It’s time to roll up our sleeves and explore the different elements of spiritual discipline. We’re taking our cues from Jesus and God’s Word itself. One thing that maybe doesn’t come up specifically, but is evident as you read the Gospel accounts, is that Jesus studied the Bible. That, itself, is a very interesting thought.

What are spiritual disciplines?

Yesterday, we briefly discussed the importance of disciplining yourself spiritually, and even discussed what spiritual disciplines are. Today, we dig a smidge deeper.

Make It Happen

It’s pretty discouraging to start out every year, with great intentions to read the Bible through in a year, or do “devos” every morning, or whatever is on our spiritual to-do list, only to fail miserably before we ever get started. This begs the question, why do this at all? Today we will discuss spiritual growth and why it’s so important in the Christian walk.

Prayer

What is it? How does it impact our lives? Let's answer some questions to bring to light maybe things about prayer we did not know or maybe need reminding.

The Holy Spirit

The third Person of the Trinity, we take a look at what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit, answering questions that will help us understand more clearly this Person of the Godhead.

Grace

Grace is often misunderstood - it's confused and even abused. Today we explore what it does mean and how that impacts our salvation.

Justification and Sanctification

What is justification and sanctification? We explore both of these things today as it relates to salvation that is found in Jesus Christ.

The Narrow Escape

Today is all about salvation! The road is wide, but the way to safety is narrow.

The Redemptive Act of Christ

Yesterday, we focused on the qualifications of mankind’s redeemer. Today, we contemplate the scope of that redemptive act.

Redemption

Redemption. We love hearing stories about redemption. We love watching movies where the hero redeems himself. In real life, however, we don’t care that our enemies are redeemed. In fact, we long to make them suffer for their wrongs. If only we understood the eternal price that is required of us, and the goodness of Christ’s cross. Q: Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favor? A: Yes, to satisfy his justice, God himself, out of mere mercy, reconciles us to...

The Law's Purpose

We’ve already determined that no one can keep the law perfectly – Romans 3:10-12 states that truth in eight pointed ways! But that leads to only more questions, doesn’t it? Q: Did God create us unable to keep His law? A: No, but because of the disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, all of creation is fallen; we are all born in sin and guilt, corrupt in our nature and unable to keep God’s law. Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death thr...

Legal-Ease

The law – you may have thought that a Christian’s life was free from any law. Well, yes and no. Today we dig into the law and learn why it is beautiful and perfect, much like the Lawgiver! Q: What does the law of God require? A: Personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience; that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength; and love our neighbor as ourselves. What God forbids should never be done and what God commands should always be done Matthew 22:37-40 And he said to him, “Y...

Knowing God

Think you’re the only person to have deep questions about the meaning of life? Hardly! Today in our Back to Basic series, we will discover more deep spiritual truths that will allow us to live meaningful practical lives. Q: How and why did God create us? A: God created us male and female in his own image to know him, love him, live with him, and glorify him. And it is right that we who were created by God should live to his glory. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in th...

Existential Questions Answered

We are embarking on a journey that will most likely answer many of the burning existential questions you have – deep subjects about God, the universe, your meaning and purpose in life, and others. Today we kick things off with three questions about God. Questions that people throughout all of history have sought the answers to. Good news is that we know the answers! Q: What is our only hope in life and death? A: That we are not our won but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, t...

Joy in Life and Death

Diana has spent her life sharing the love of Christ with family, neighbors and friends. Now with only months left to live, Diana demonstrates how to die with the hope found in Jesus Christ

Training the Brain

Today, we discuss the catechism generally, and make the case for being diligent in knowing what you believe SPRING BOARD VERSE 1 Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

The Gospel: For Believers and Unbelievers

A Glimpse at Romans 9

Christian History

Who Is Worthy of Worship?

Not Aware!

Ignorance is bliss, until it’s damning. The Bible makes it clear that no matter how one might fuss and fight, they can’t claim that they didn’t know that there was a God. In this case, ignorance isn’t bliss, it’s sinful.

Not Grandiose!

Sometimes God works through the most ordinary of means. For ordinary people, this is a relief. For important people like kings, professors, and even celebrities, this is an insult. Today we learn that God’s way is the best way with or without the frills.

Not My Wheelhouse!

It’s the age-old question – does God call the equipped or equip the called? Would God ever ask us to do something that we weren’t able to complete?

Not My Problem!

“Keep your nose out of it!” Getting involved in other people’s lives can be hairy sometimes. In one respect we are told to lead a quiet life. On the other hand, we are also told to love our neighbors, which could mean calling out harmful behaviors. The question remains, are we our brothers’ keepers?

Not Now!

The procrastinator’s mantra is, “don’t do today what you can put off tomorrow.” It’s funny, perhaps, but that attitude simply won’t fly with God. Jesus says some harsh words to a man who, at the surface, seems to have a reasonable response. Digging deeper, it’s actually a symptom of a sin-soaked heart.

Not Them!

Jonah was a prophet who faithfully completed everything God directed. But even a prophet has his limits.

Not Me!

Sometimes disobedience to God is very blatant. After Moses asked every question he could think of to get God to realize he wasn’t the right man for the job, he finally protested outright. Bad move.

When You Fall For It

Sometimes the strongest of us fall into temptation. Probably, our first response is to hide our transgression, after all, no one got hurt, right? Wrong. Questions: What do we do when we have fallen for the temptation that crouches at our door? How can we restrain ourselves from temptation? We certainly don’t want to fall for it again! The subtlety of temptation is probably more ruthless than the blitz. How does Satan slowly lead us into a trap, and how can we avoid this strategy? What ar...

An Ounce of Prevention

Benjamin Franklin got it right – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (and heart ache!) Yet so many of us, even Christians proclaiming spiritual freedom, often play with fire defying the flame to burn them. Romans 13:14 English Standard Version 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. QUESTIONS Let’s discuss the scenario with David and Bathsheba – in how David could have avoided temptation that fateful day. How can we, ou...

Be Ready

It’s not a sin to be tempted. After all, Jesus was tempted in the desert before his earthly ministry began, and he came out of it unscathed and still sinless. Is it possible for us to come out roses, too? Perhaps. But this means you must be ready for it, unlike our friend Peter. Matthew 26:30-33 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepher...

You First

You just discovered Jesus. You’ve been saved, and now you want to save the world! Be cautious, dear friend. Before you go around pointing out everyone’s sin, remember to first clean out our own cobwebs!

The Best of Intentions

It's wonderful when, through no effort of your own, favorable things happen to you. However, the Christian life is not passive nor unambitious. In fact, dear Christian, you now have a divine and eternally rewarding mission…

The Art of Charity

It’s no coincidence that the root word of charity is the latin word “carus“ which means “dear.” Yet, visit a local grocery store or even drive down I-15 and you’ll discover quickly that charity is NOT the initial response of your fellow humans! We are prone to angry, quarrelsome behavior.

False Accusations

You do everything the right way; you’ve done nothing wrong, in fact, you’ve goin out of your way to bless people according to the teachings of Christ. Why? Because that’s what you gratefully do. And you suffer for it. How can you function in a world that calls good evil and evil good?

It's Payback Time

“Revenge is a dish best served cold,” a clever but incredibly vindictive statement probably coined by a man consumed with hateful bitterness. This is NOT to the be modus operandi of the believer, and here’s why…

Flirting with Foolishness

"– 1 Cor. 14:20, 1 Tim 4:7 Darwin awards and funny home videos – the world has a delightful fixation on the foolish and silly, often at the expense of the fool himself! God really has nothing favorable to say about the unwise and committed much of this revealed word (the Bible) to promoting wisdom and reprimanding the fool. Let’s discuss this."

Passing the Exam

"1 John 4:1, 1 Thes 5:20-21. Most people will agree there is a great spiritual world that co-exists with ours. Some get excited, even feel honored when they experience a “close encounter.” Beware, friend. Things aren’t always what they seem!"

Exposed!

"Try to go an entire day without contemplating good or bad, or rather good and evil. You can’t! It’s so interwoven in our sin-cursed existence. Believers in Christ are charged to do good, yes, but specifically to take no part in what God deems is evil. It’s a passive command, sure, but roll up your sleeves, friend, because you’ve got a job to do! Ephesians 5:11 - English Standard Version3gl Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them"

Fear and Courage? No, love!

"The game of opposites is quite fun. A person offers a word and the other blurts out its opposite. In the Bible however, those conflicting words may not be what you’d expect. For example, fear. One would say courage, right? But not exactly so according to 2 Timothy. 2 Timothy 1:7 English Standard Version 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Holiness

"It’s striking that God juxtaposes our former passions – our desires we had before knowing Jesus – to holy conduct afterwards. We address the idea of being holy, set apart, and why we can’t achieve holiness no matter how righteous we act, outside of a relationship with Christ 1 Peter 1:14-15 English Standard Version 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct"

Philemon