Plymouth Haven Baptist Church

Core Truth: Because as God’s “Scattered Elect” we have been providentially sown into the cultural soil of an alien and hostile world, it is an absolute certainty that we will be “temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations.” In light of that we are called to do certain things which will help to make us strong in our faith, conform us more fully to the likeness of Christ, and prepare us to stand unashamed before the Lord whenever He may choose to call us home.

Core Truth: Over the course of biblical history, God has often used “scattering” as His method of choice for kingdom growth, and what may seem like a setback (going to Egypt, being exiled, persecution, or even a pandemic!) may be His catalysts for paradigm shifts and future kingdom growth that will have a lasting impact on the Church’s effectiveness, as well as the individual believer’s personal growth and ultimate triumph.

Core Truths:
1. Christ's call to discipleship is a call to leave the world behind and follow Him and Him alone. And though it will manifest itself in different ways, it will cut across the grain of everything in our lives so as the rich young ruler, we too are called to forsake all to follow Him, for it is then and only then will we be able to realize the freedom, power, and fruitfulness of a fully surrendered life.
2. Every person who would ever decide to fully follow Christ must at some point determine whether he or she is really ready to surrender that “one thing” which has the ultimate hold on their will and their willingness to surrender all to Him.

Core Truth: The certainty of Christ’s resurrection from the dead is THE pivotal point in human history and implication of its not occurring are profound beyond all we can imagine.

Three reasons why this “darkest day in human history” deserves to be called Good Friday.

Core Truth: While as the apostle Paul declared, by one man’s actions sin and all its destructive consequences were released into what had been a perfect world, God the Father chose to offer a way of escape and complete restoration of all who will believe in and receive His perfect Gift, the Perfect Christ.

Jesus is the Son of God, fully God and fully man. He was born and lived a sinless life. He died, was buried, and He rose again from the dead. He will come again, in glory, one day to judge the living and the dead. Who do you say that Jesus is?

Where are you spiritually? You are precious to God. Come out of hiding and let God cover you with His grace.

Core Truth: There are at least 114 times (depending on the Bible translation being used) when the well-known phrase or idiom “in that day” is used in Scripture to mark or pinpoint major changes in the forward flow of human history, some of which will be profoundly cataclysmic and destructive, and some of which will be glorious beyond believing. The danger is not only that the unbelieving world will opt to treat such information as a joke and live their lives accordingly, but that careless believers will be caught in the same trap.

Core Truth: Prayer is the primary means by which we communicate with God, and it is not meant to simply be a way of getting what we may want or need. Rather, the reality is that God wants to be our friend and wants us to get to know Him better. And as we do this through effective prayer – prayer that actually works – we will get to know Him better, and every need will be met and every prayer will be answered, but in the way that glorifies Him and brings about our ultimate good.

Core Truth: It’s been said that a person with a theory is always at the mercy of a person with an experience, and it is fair to say that there are some things in life that we as Christians should know what we’re talking about! It is the Christian who can answer such important questions as: “Why are we here? Where are we going when we die? And, is there really any hope or meaning in this present world?” It is the Christian who can “speak what we do know;” all else is mere theory and conjecture.

Core Truth: Throughout the ages God’s people have often had to live out their faith in times of great adversity and affliction. However, their examples of doing so with such amazing peace and tranquility remains a challenge to anyone today who would also live for Christ the way they did.

Core Truth: The troubles and adversities we may experience in this life – regardless of their source or nature – are always intended by a wise and loving God to not only be beneficial to us in this present life, but also profoundly consequential in the life to come – making them in the end – far more to be treasured than the greatest of earthly pleasures.

Core Truth: Our Lord said “I came so that they may have life and have it to the fullest, until it overflows.” If we really understood how much God wants us to be truly happy – both in this life and in the life to come – everything could be different, including the ways in which we experience and process some of the difficult and painful things that may happen in our lives.

Core Truth: Perhaps the most sacred and inviolate place in all the world to our Creator is the sanctity of a mother’s womb, and nowhere has fallen man manifested a more arrogant rebellion against his Maker than in the relentless destruction of our unborn children – a rebellion for which we shall surely one day give account!

Core Truth: If I try to live the Christian life under the old covenant, I am guaranteeing my continued failure. However, if I choose to live under the new covenant, Christ will be able to live His life through me, resulting in every-increasing victory over sin and fruitfulness in this life that will remain forever.

Core Truth: “Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” Max Lucado

Core Truth: At various points throughout human history God has provided early warning signs of impending doom and judgment mixed with promises of hope and redemption – signs and promises that are meant to warn the wicked, encourage the righteous, and inspire the believer to keep on keeping on.

Core Truth: A “takeaway” from a meeting or an event is the key fact or idea that is to be remembered for future reference or action. Since through our Lord’s grace and mercy we have just been given the gift of another Christmas, what are the “takeaways” that we should carry into the New Year?

Why Shepherds? Because of their lowly status, their strategic place in the redemptive story, and their instant obedience and sheer delight in being privileged like this.

Core Truth: No celebration of Christmas would be complete without at least some reference to the Magi, usually as the “three kings.” However, there is no scriptural evidence that they were kings nor that there was just three of them. The larger question is – why they were included in Matthew’s account of Christ’s birth to begin with, and does their being part of the Christmas story have any significance for us today?

Core Truth: The life and ministry of John the Baptist is nothing short of a watershed moment in human history and speaks at once of the faithfulness of God as well as of His absolute sovereignty in all matters pertaining to mankind in general and to God’s people in particular.

Core Truth: Trusting God and continuing to serve Him patiently in the face of prolonged delays is certainly a virtue to be desired all its own. However, continuing that same level of faith and obedience when all the evidence says that all hope is now gone is an even greater measure of our trust in the One who “does all things well” and whose “ways are always perfect.” (Mark 7:37; Psalm 18:30)

God has made Himself known to us, as Trinity, and that has been done in the person of Christ, and none can take that away from us!

Core Truth: “Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic. This is a most searching and true diagnosis. Gratitude can be a vaccine that can prevent the invasion of a disgruntled attitude. As antitoxins prevent the disastrous effects of certain poisons and diseases, thanksgiving destroys the poison of faultfinding and grumbling. When trouble has smitten us, a spirit of thanksgiving is a soothing antiseptic.” (John Henry Jowett; Clinton C. Cox. The Upper Room Pulpit)

Core Truth: A life well-lived is a life being lived in harmony with the will of God, which means waiting when He says “wait” and moving when He say “move.” A Spirit-led Christian and a Spirit-led church know the difference and act accordingly.

Ways to live as leaders who stand with the persecuted: 1. Pray 2. Be informed 3. Advocate for Myanmar Today 4. Give and Partner

Core Truth: “It is fashionable in some academic circles to exercise scholarly criticism of the Bible. In so doing, scholars place themselves above the Bible and seek to correct it. If indeed the Bible is the Word of God, nothing could be more arrogant. It is God who corrects us; we don’t correct Him. We do not stand over God but under Him.” (R.C. Sproul, Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow)

Core Truth: Worship is our response to God, both personal and corporate, for Who He is, whereas praise and thanksgiving are expressions of gratitude for what He has done – all coming from hearts filled with genuine love, childlike submission, and unquestioning obedience to His will.

Core Truth: The wisest man in the world, once said “There is a time to keep silent and a time to speak.” (Ecc. 3:7b). It is a much-needed lesson our beloved Peter had to learn and one that we do well to learn as well.

Core Truth: If the church is to ever have the kind of impact intended by its Founder it must of necessity structure its leadership in accordance with the clear teachings of Scripture. Otherwise, it is simply a humanly produced organization that may make a name for itself in terms of religious activities but will never be able to overcome the gates of hell and fulfill its God-intended mission in the world.

Core Truth: A church’s ability to influence its culture for Christ will always be in direct proportion to its understanding and acceptance of the authority and leadership of its Founder and Great Shepherd Who has also vested that leadership in His under-shepherds, variously described as pastors, elders, overseers and bishops. Today and over the next few weeks we will be examining this important Scriptural doctrine more fully.

Core Truth: Being a Christian is not just a title, it’s a position – a position of responsibility through stewardship, and our stewardship is to be directed not by what we prefer, but by the desires of the Owner Whose instructions are clearly spelled out in the Bible.

Jesus taught that we should Treasure Heavenly Treasures. They are indestructible and eternally secure. And, most importantly, He knows the location of our heart and treasure are linked. He longs that our hearts be centered on the place and things of Heaven.

Core Truth: God does not give us a thing called wisdom, a thing called righteousness, or a thing called sanctification. He gives us a PERSON called Jesus, Who is all of these in Himself. Our faith is not in a creed but in Christ. Therefore, anyone who is truly IN Christ actually lacks nothing, whether they have ever come to understand and enter into that reality or not.

Core Truth: God does not give us a thing called wisdom, a thing called righteousness, or a thing called sanctification. He gives us a PERSON called Jesus, Who is all of these in Himself. Our faith is not in a creed but in Christ. Therefore, anyone who is truly IN Christ actually lacks nothing, whether they have ever come to understand and enter into that reality or not.

Core Truth: God does not give us a thing called wisdom, a thing called righteousness, or a thing called sanctification. He gives us a PERSON called Jesus, Who is all of these in Himself. Our faith is not in a creed but in Christ. Therefore, anyone who is truly IN Christ actually lacks nothing, whether they have ever come to understand and enter into that reality or not.

Core Truth: God does not give us a thing called wisdom, a thing called righteousness, or a thing called sanctification. He gives us a PERSON called Jesus, Who is all of these in Himself. Our faith is not in a creed but in Christ. Therefore, anyone who is truly IN Christ actually lacks nothing, whether they have ever come to understand and enter into that reality or not.

Core Truth: Our ability to rest in the refreshing offered us by the Lord will always be in direct proportion to our willingness to trust Him and to obey whatever He commands.

Core Truth: God wants us to know His will – not for His benefit, but for ours, in order that we may maximize the joys and fruitfulness of our lives both here and for all eternity!

Core Truth: While great and often unexpected storms are a part of life even and perhaps especially for Christians, there are certain verities – certain eternal truths – that if we will remember them, can carry us through any storm and see us safely through to the other side.

Core Truth: “For the believer in Jesus, every trial of suffering is an opportunity to grow in the faith, to grow in our relationship with the Lord, and to see Him work in our lives in a uniquely personal way that demonstrates His compassion, His comfort, His tender mercies, His loving kindnesses, His grace, and His endless love. Only God knows what each of us needs to experience and learn in order to be conformed to the image of His son.” (T.A. McMahon)

Core Truth: In a world filled with seemingly endless pain and sorrow, grief and loss, shattered hopes and expectations, whether we come to see life as meaningful and worth living will be determined by the extent to which we understand that God’s plan for us is that our journey here is at best, very brief, and that the trials and afflictions we face are – far from being purposeless and wasted – actually preparing for us eternal joys, satisfactions, and delights beyond our wildest dreams!

Core Truth: Whether it be a church, charitable organization, business, college or university, a nation, or even an individual life, the temptation will always be to give up – to abort the mission as it were. But an even greater hazard may be the deadly danger of “mission drift.”

Core Truth: No person or nation can ever be truly free apart from the freedom, which was secured by the sufferings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago – all other freedoms ultimately flow from that divine fountainhead. And it can further be argued that apart from that freedom, no other freedoms can exist nor long endure.

Core Truth: “Praise is the rehearsal of our eternal song. By grace we learn to sing, and in glory we continue to sing. What will some of you do when you get to heaven, if you go on grumbling all the way? Do not hope to get to heaven in that style. But now begin to bless the name of the Lord.” (Spurgeon)

Core Truth: While it is true that a father’s words can either heal or hurt, encourage or discourage, it is the daily life he lives before ever-watching eyes and ever-listening ears that is the most potent force of all.

Core Truth: We find ourselves living in an increasingly disturbing and unpredictable world. As a result, these are times to remind ourselves of some verities that are “sure and certain” – some things that will never ever change and by which, therefore, we can live our lives with true faith, great hope, and genuine love – and do it before a watching world.

Core Truth: Christ set the example for all who would follow Him. It was an example of resolute obedience to the Father’s will, and a refusal to compromise or seek an easier way out, no matter what that cup contained.

1. God infuses His sojourners with a living hope. 1 Peter 1:3-5 2. God infuses His sojourners with a preserving faith. 1 Peter 1:6-9 3. God reveals the Author of our hope and faith. 1 Peter 1:10-12

Core Truth: “Not all of us are called to die a martyr’s death, but all of us are called to have the same spirit of self-sacrifice and love to the very end as these martyrs had.” (Richard Wurmbrand - The Midnight Bride)

remember that those who know and serve the Lord are being cared for moment by moment by an “immutable” God – a God who does not change!

Core Truth: The mother of our Lord is rightly honored as perhaps the consummate example of what it means to be a good and godly mother as even now, over 2000 years later, we celebrate her life and example as a model for all those whom God has called to serve in one of life’s most holy endeavors.

Core Truth: “As we noted in last Sunday’s message, Christ’s call to discipleship is an all-consuming call, leaving absolutely no relationship in our lives unchallenged by Him. However, His call is also a call to learn from Him personally how to live a life of peace, rest, and tranquility, even in the midst of an increasingly troubled world.” (Eugene H. Peterson)

Core Truth: “Christian discipleship is a decision to walk in His ways, steadily and firmly, and then finding that the way integrates all our interests, passions, and gifts, our human needs and eternal aspirations. It is the way of life we were created for.” (Eugene H. Peterson)

Core Truth: “The Bible is God’s chart for you to steer by, to keep you from the bottom of the sea, and to show you where the harbor is, and how to reach it without running on rocks or bars…sink the Bible to the bottom of the ocean, and still man’s obligations to God would be unchanged. He would have the same path to tread, only his lamp and guide would be gone; the same voyage to make, but his chart and compass would be overboard!” (Henry Ward Beecher)

Core Truth: The resurrection of Jesus Christ has profound implications here and now, also for the eternity that lies ahead – a future perhaps much nearer than we can imagine. Therefore, as true followers of Christ we are called to live our lives accordingly.

Core Truth: Though the witch knew the Deep Magic, there is a magic deeper still which she did not know. But if she could have looked a little further back… she would have known that when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor’s stead, the Table would crack and Death itself would start working backward. (C.S. Lewis – The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe)

Core Truth: While from a human perspective the world is rapidly becoming a much darker place, the reality is that the long night of darkness is about to end and give way to the blinding radiance of our Lord’s return in power and great glory! Therefore, we as Christians are wise to remember that everything we think, do, and say will be tested against that ultimate and soon-coming reality!

Core Truth: While from a human perspective the world is rapidly becoming a much darker place, the reality is that the long night of darkness is about to end and give way to the blinding radiance of our Lord’s return in power and great glory! Therefore, we as Christians are wise to remember that everything we think, do, and say will tested against that ultimate and soon-coming reality!

Core Truth: Living in an increasingly disturbed world naturally mitigates against having any real peace of mind and heart as we are actually witnessing our Lord’s own prediction that in the last days people’s hearts will actually fail them for fear of the things that are happening on the earth as the very powers of the heavens themselves will be shaken and “caused to totter.” (Luke 2136) But it is in just such a time that we as God’s people are called to live our lives with great courage and confidence, as with Abraham of old, we continue to “look for a city that has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10)

The fear of the Lord delivers us from extremism (Ecclesiastes 7:15-18). The wisdom of God strengthens us to face our sinfulness (Ecclesiastes 7:19-22). The faith which God supplies, provides insight about our self, others, and God (Ecclesiastes 7:23-29). Look to Jesus Christ who enables us to trust God and benefits us when we do (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Jesus’ cure for our troubled hearts is faith in his promises. 1. You have an eternal home with me. John 14:1-4 2. You come to, know, and see the Father through me. John 14:5-11 3. You have great works to do through me. John 14:12 4. You have confidence I will answer your prayers. John 14:13-15 5. You have the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with you. John 14:16-26 6. You have My peace. John 14:27

Core Truth: In its truest sense, Biblical faith – the quality of faith that pleases God and brings His power to bear upon all matters in our lives – is the absolute assurance that what He has spoken to us from His Word, quickened and made alive by the Holy Spirit, will indeed come to pass, even if not exactly when or in the way we would prefer.

Core Truth: Since it is quite true that as the Apostle Paul once wrote (Rom. 10:12) that “the same Lord over all is rich unto all who call upon Him,” it also means that it is we who set the limits of how much or how little of Him we really want involved in our lives, and that each ultimately chooses for one’s self how we will finally slake our thirsts.

Core Truth: One of the most difficult things even the most devout Christian often faces is what to do when, no matter how hard we pray and try to have faith, God seems either unconcerned, disinterested, or deafeningly silent about what we are going through that is, perplexing us, weighing us down, and greatly testing our faith.

Core Truth: Because God has so much more planned for us than we could ever imagine, He wants to protect us from the danger of becoming too comfortable with the things of this present life and thereby losing sight of the glorious future which He already has prepared for us, and that requires that we “prepare our minds for action and to set our hope fully” on Christ’s return.

Core Truth: Against the backdrop of impending divine judgment for its persistent sins and arrogant rebellion against its Maker, the promise to Judah and Jerusalem of its restoration, healing and exaltation above all the nations of the world is a divine word that was intended not only to give ultimate hope to the righteous ones of Isaiah’s day, but also to all of God’s people who even now are called to live righteously for Him in this present evil world.

Core Truth: “And this is the condemnation (judgment), that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the Light and does not come to the Light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But anybody who is living by the truth will come to the Light to make it plain that all he has done has been done through God.” (John 3:18-20)

Core Truth: As we live in an increasingly unsettled world, we do well to remember that our heavenly Father never intended for us to be comfortable here. Rather, He desires that we hold the things of this life loosely, while preparing our hearts to receive “a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” (Heb.12:28)

Core Truth: There is a quality of newness coming that is literally out of this world, and because Christ came to suffer, die and be resurrected from the dead on our behalf, it is already underway here and now! As Dr. John Piper has said, “The invincible purpose of God for creation and for his people will not be complete until all things are made new and the glory of the Lord fills them all.”

Core Truth:The greatest gift we could give to ourselves, families and our world is to seek to know and do the will of God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength and thus fulfill His purposes for us "for such a time as this."

Core Truth:Throughout history it seems that whenever our God is going to do a great thing, He has a delightful penchant for starting small! It is a principle He seems to love to follow - whether among the nations of the earth, in the growth of His church, or in the affairs of our own individual lives!

Core Truth: While current events can tempt the righteous to despair of ever seeing an end to the terrible injustice, corruption and evil being perpetrated against the innocent and helpless, today’s scripture is God’s own assurance that the time will come – perhaps very soon – when “...the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea, and the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever!” (Hab.2:14; Rev.11:15)

Core Truth: C.S. Lewis rightly said that “Joy is the serious business of heaven.” However, our Lord made it clear we don’t have to wait until we get there to enjoy it; we can have it even in life's darkest hour. “I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.” (John 15:11)

Core Truth: As with Israel of old, which was being punished for its continual rejection of Jehovah and its pursuit of other gods, so our modern world and especially our own nation are experiencing God’s hand of judgment with perhaps even worse days to come. However, such judgment is always intended to be remedial rather than punitive, and especially at the coming of another Advent Season God reminds us that hope will ultimately conquer despair and that Great Light is about to come to “those who live in a land of deep darkness!

Be on your guard; stand firm, be men and women of good courage, be strong. Do everything in love.

Core Truth:How often must our Lord still be surprised and saddened by the ingratitude of those for whom He has done so much, while those who understand how desperate their need was and how graciously He has met that need can never thank Him enough.

Core Truth: When life’s challenges come to us - as they do at some point to every Christian - the tendency is to view our circumstances through the prism of our own desires, expectations, or preconceptions – all of which can tempt us to, as C.S. Lewis once wrote, “put God in the dock” - causing even the most devout believer to question God’s fairness, His faithfulness and yes - even His love.

Core Truth: Life has a way of presenting us with situations which greatly challenge our faith and tempt us to resort to remedies of our own making, which seldom work.  Such was the case in the life of David. But through it all he became a much wiser man and went on to become Israel’s greatest king, while giving the world a rich storehouse of truths in the Scriptures that feed and nourish our souls even in these difficult days.

Core Truth: God has put a desire for success and significance in the heart of every person. However, because sin has entered the world, we – much like the disciples of old - are driven by pride to achieve it and fail to understand that the only way to attain the glory He would bestow upon us is to drink of His cup.

Core Truth: It is possible that the future that is about to unfold before us may turn out to be one of the most exhilarating but also costly times we have yet experienced as followers of Christ. However, if that be true, it is also true that the Gospel’s power to change lives, reshape cultures and even alter the course of nations will be, as it always has been, in direct proportion to willingness of God’s people to actually begin to obey Christ’s radical demands.

Core Truth: The late Dietrick Bonhoeffer once wrote that when Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die; but much like the disciples of old, our naivety and pre-occupation with the things of this life often cause us to misunderstand and miss completly what it really means to answer that call.

Core Truth: While the world seeks to find someone to “fix our problems” once and for all and may soon be will willing to accept anyone who promises to do that, Christ, the Living Stone will appear a second time, not to deal again with sin, but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for Him and to establish His kingdom forever.

Core Truth: Human history is moving along a timeline that is irreversible in its direction, terrifyingly awesome in its elements, and glorious beyond imagining in its final outcome. In light of those realities, the truly wise will seek to maximize their effectiveness while here on earth so as to receive Christ's strongest possible "well done" and most abundant rewards when He returns.

Core Truth: In the swirling confusion of events occurring in the world right now, people’s daily lives have been greatly disturbed and many are experiencing whole new levels of uncertainty, fear and confusion. However, we as God’s people have been given “sure words of such unsure times” so that none of these things need to move us away from our faith in God nor from the tasks to which He has called us for such a time as this.

Core Truth: It can be reasonably argued that the Church suffers from a seriously inadequate, even impoverished understanding of itself and its divine purposes, and that the Adversary is relentlessly at work to keep it that way, lest it arise into the power and glory intended by its Head, the Lord Christ!

Core Truth – The kind of hope the Bible speaks about is never mere wishful thinking, pleasant aspirations, or aching longings. Rather, it is the unwavering realization that whatever God has promised He is able to perform and that such hope will never disappoint or delude or shame us, because of God’s love which has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

Core Truth: Contrary to all rational thinking, it is possible to pass through some of life’s most frightening storms but still experience genuine and lasting peace. The keys are the right Source, a Fixed Mind, and a Believing Heart.

Core Truth: In the course of human history there have been numerous times when God has in effect said – "It is enough!” and the irreversible die of His divine judgment has been cast. Current events would seem to suggest that we are on the very threshold of the most important such event of all.

Core Truth: God’s eternal and inexorable plan has ever been that all things (everything and everyone!) shall be brought under the Lordship of His Son; the only question that remains is whether it will be achieved willingly or by the might of His authority and power.

Core Truth: As with an earthly large house, so in God’s Great House, there are vessels of honor that are set apart for God’s own special purpose and there are vessels of dishonor that are of little use to Him. The difference lies in the choices made by the vessel itself.

Core Truth: As we live our lives in an imperfect and troubled world, God’s eternal call to His people – His chosen ones – is to put our trust and confidence in Him and Him alone – the God Who does all things well!

Core Truth: Where we choose to live our lives will determine the level of peace, tranquility, and effectiveness for Christ as we adjust to the ever-changing world that is sure to come.

Core Truth: Whether we realize it or not, our reason for being here as Christians at this moment in history is most important to God and highly relevant to His purposes on the earth. Therefore, He expects us to live our lives accordingly.

Core Truth: Life has a way of constantly reminding us that none of us is able to control the situations or events that come our way; however, Scripture is quite insistent that we “leave it to the Eternal” and that we learn to rest in His unfailing faithfulness!

Core Truth: The Hebrew word baca is related to bakah, which means “to weep.” Sooner or later every Christian will find himself passing through this valley, filling it with his tears. But for those who “make it a place of springs,” the end result will be well worth the pain, as he learns to “go from strength to strength” until he “appears before God in Zion.

Core Truth: Regardless of mankind’s claims otherwise, only those who have been set free by the Lord Jesus Christ actually know what it means to be free.

Core Truth: As with Esther of old, God has providentially placed us as His people at this precise moment in history so that we may be part of the solution to the problems facing our world at this time.

Core Truth: Throughout history, God has intended fathers to be His primary means of shaping their families and cultures, and history is filled with examples of those who have done it well and some who haven’t. At some point every father must decide whether, like Joshua, he will also make the irrevocable decision that he and his house will also serve the Lord, regardless of the counter-culture in which he and those he loves have been called to live.