Pure Life Ministries Podcast

#394 (REPLAY) - Breaking Free from the Trap of Self-Pity

If you've been in sexual sin for a long time, it’s easy to feel like, “This is hopeless. I’ll never be free.” But believe it or not, this is self-pity—just another one of Satan’s schemes to keep people away from true repentance, faith and salvation. In this episode, we look at how to know if you’re in self-pity and how to get out of it.

Bonus (from #532 - A Firm Foundation: Getting Radical About Sin)

In this bonus segment, Nate sits down with biblical counselor Austin Kropf to discuss the different methods he uses to study the Bible. -- Methods we discussed: Paraphrasing scripture (04:47) The Inductive Study Method (06:50) Finding Key Words (12:53) Reading Commentaries (19:23) --- Resources we mentioned:  eSword (Download eSword here) Blue Letter Bible Bible Hub Precept Upon Precept

#532 - A Firm Foundation: Getting Radical About Sin

When it comes to things that lead us into sin, Jesus' stance is strong, uncompromising, even seemingly extreme. But He has promised that if we will listen to Him, our lives will be built on an unshakable foundation. 

#531 - A Firm Foundation: Seeking the Lord While He is Near

Have you ever felt like sin drug you into a spiritual desert or a land of captivity? If so, the prophetic words in Isaiah 55 will resonate deeply with you. This timeless passage calls out to every lost soul: "Return to God!" so that we might find in Him a place of spiritual peace, security and prosperity.  --- Resource we mentioned: The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 40-66 by John N. Oswalt

#530 - A Firm Foundation: Praying with Absolute Confidence

In Psalm 107, this refrain is repeated four times: “Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distress.” Why the repetition? Because when we realize that we have sinned, and we know we are in deep trouble, we need to know without a doubt that God will answer us if we cry out to Him. 

#529 - A Firm Foundation: Turning to God in Radical Humility

For those who are being broken over their sin, and are turning to God in repentance, Psalm 51 is a treasure trove of spiritual knowledge. It is touching, brilliant, and artistic. But it’s not included in the Bible for us merely to appreciate it. It’s there like a blazing lighthouse, showing us how to return safely into the harbor of God’s redemption. 

#528 - Why You Should Read About Amy Carmichael

If you aren’t in the habit of reading Christian biographies, we hope that this episode will inspire you to start. Aside from the Bible, Christian biographies can be some of the most helpful reading you’ll ever do. In this show, we’ll look at the remarkable life of Amy Carmichael, an Irish woman who gave herself entirely for the will of God in India.   Biographies we mentioned: A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur by Frank Houghton Bruchko by Bruce Olson Chasing the Dragon: One Woman's Struggle Against the Darkness of Hong Kong's Drug Dens by Jackie Pullinger    

Bonus (from #527 - A Firm Foundation: When Judgment Opens the Door for Hope)

In this bonus segment, Nate sits down with biblical counselor Michael Wheaton to discuss some methods he uses to study the Bible.  -- Methods we discussed: Familiarizing yourself with the text: (00:56) Finding key words: (04:23) Studying verse by verse: (06:08) Identifying themes and overall purpose: (09:28) Reading commentaries: (12:25) Putting these methods into practice: (14:50)                        --- Resources we mentioned: e-Sword - Download eSword here

#527 - A Firm Foundation: When Judgment Opens the Door for Hope

When God visits a person’s sin in judgment, their lives begin to unravel. Frustration builds to misery, then gives way to despair, and often, finally collapses into ruin. But in Hosea 2, an astonishing picture emerges. God's deepest desire is not to destroy sinners, but to use the pain of judgment to open a doorway into total restoration. 

#526 - A Firm Foundation: Scandalous Love and Lavish Mercy

When you know that you've sinned terribly against God, where do you find the confidence to go back to Him? How can you know that He will be willing to receive you? Today we'll look at two passages that shed light on one of the most precious truths about God: He is full of mercy toward anyone who will repent.