Episodes

We are “frail children of dust” – and sometimes that physical frailty is manifested in our mental health. Depression is a real struggle for many Christians. Guest contributor Stephen Vance joins us for a wide-ranging, two-part discussion, from a Biblical as well as a professional clinical perspective, on the importance of our emotional health and how grief, stress, and anxiety can contribute to depression. Scriptures Referenced: 1Kin 19; Mk 12:30-31; 1Thess 5:23 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com f...

As Christians, God’s providence is at work in our lives to save us and preserve us. Far from scaring us, divine providence is meant to comfort us. Join us as we work through Romans 8:28-39 and learn how God’s providence gives us a strong sense of security in the unbreakable love of God in Christ. Along the way, you’ll also learn how to receive compliments, wait on God, and begin imitating his love for his Church. Scriptures Referenced: Rom 8:28-39; Rev 12:1; 1Joh 3:20; Rom 4:25; Heb 7:2; 1Pet 4...

In this episode, Thomas Seale gives us an excellent introduction to the doctrine of divine providence. Providence is God’s purposeful sovereignty over everything including nature, the spirit world, nations, life and death, and even the human will. It’s a doctrine that doesn’t just change our perspective; it changes our lives. Scriptures Referenced: Ps 50:12; Dan 4:34-35; Eph 1:4-10; Prov 16:33; Col 1:17; Job 38-41; Amos 4:7-13; Mark 5:6-7; Deu 32:39; 1Sam 2:6; Job 14:5; Acts 17:26; Dan 4:17; Pr...

Bible prophecy can be an intimidating subject at times, but it does make up a significant chunk of the Scriptures, so it must be a worthwhile study. Without delving into the details of prophetic interpretation, guest host Nathan Pratt provides us with six good reasons that we should study Bible prophecy. At the very end, Matthew & Nathan discuss a few book ideas for people interested in literature to help them understand Bible prophecy. Scriptures Referenced: Rom 13:11-14; 2Cor 4:13-18; 1Thess ...

We’re all looking to get a sense of self and a sense of worth. In our culture, the typical way to do this is by looking inside of ourselves. But this is a road riddled with potholes. It can be confusing, overwhelming, and downright crushing. The gospel offers a different way of knowing who we are and what we’re worth. Join us to hear how you can have a rock solid identity that isn’t crushing! Scriptures Referenced: Gen 1; Gal 2:20 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes. Follow the Pra...

How should a Christian approach dating? Obviously differently from what is common in the culture – the emotions of our brothers and sisters in Christ are too valuable to toy with. But what are you trying to gain from the dating process? What should you be trying to discern from your initial times spent with a prospective life partner? Distilling insight from Sam Andreades’ book, Dating with Discernment, Justin Pratt joins Matthew for a helpful discussion around assessing compatability for marria...

It’s back-to-school time here in Canada, and in this episode we want to encourage students everywhere to love God with their minds. Jesus Christ commandeers even our intellectual life for lofty service to him. Tune in to hear four practical ways you can love God with your mind this school year. Scriptures Referenced: Mark 12:29-30; Deu 6:4; Luk 16:13-14; Job 22:12; Col 3:17 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes. Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Facebook

“There are no safe paths in this part of the world,” said Gandalf to Bilbo… and he was right. Life is often hard. So how is God’s will operating in my life when I am in a hard place, a place of affliction and distress like David? And what if that hard place I find myself in is partly my own making? Find out in this final instalment of Mike & Matthew taking us through Psalm 25. Scriptures Referenced: Psa 25; Rom 8:28-29; Col 1:9-28; 1Pet 3:17 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes. Fol...

In this third episode on Psalm 25, Mike opens up a can of worms, contrasting what he calls the blindfold view of the will of God with the guidebook view. Which view do you think is more biblical? Scriptures Referenced: Psa 25; Rom 3:7, 6:1; Isa 26:7-8; 1Th 4:3, 5:18; 1Pet 2:15 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes. Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MandMsPodcast

What happens if we have failed to follow God’s will in the past? Are we condemned to wander the spiritual wastelands for the rest of our days? No, not when our God is the God of faithful love, who “shows sinners the way.” Psalm 25 teaches us that failure is not final with God, that it is the character of God to lead his people, and that a humble heart will once again experience the guidance of God. Scriptures Referenced:Psa 25; Isa 50:4-5; Isa 66:2 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episod...

What’s the most important thing in finding out God’s will for your life: mastering the right technique, or learning your personality profile? OK, so you’re right. It’s neither of them. But then what is the most important thing? Tune in to find out. Scriptures Referenced: Psa 25; Psa 23; Eph 4:32-5:2 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes. Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MandMsPodcast

Is it too late to secure another book for your Summer reading list? Of course not! There is no book like the Bible but we all learn from the ministry of others, including ministry that comes to us in written form. In this third installment of Cloak, Books, and Parchments (2Tim 4:13), Mike & Matthew share brief reviews of six book titles for your reading pleasure. Six books in less than 17 minutes. Scriptures Referenced: 2Tim 4:13 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes. Follow the Prac...

This year’s August summer challenge heads back into the Psalms! Psalm 25 is a beautiful prayer that teaches us to bank on God’s willingness to lead sinful people into his paths. Want help in figuring out God’s will for your life? Then join us in memorizing this amazing psalm. For more info about when to start and what prizes there will be for completing, tune in to this brief episode, and watch the website for a schedule. Scriptures Referenced: Psalm 25 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more e...

[This episode touches on some sensitive subjects and may not be appropriate for younger listeners.] Secular culture feeds us so many lies, and one of its biggest areas of deception and confusion today is that of sex. On the one hand, the culture seems obsessed with the human body. Yet at the same time, they talk as if what we do with our bodies doesn’t really matter. As a result, the culture cheapens sex. The gospel gives us a deeper and more meaningful view of the body – and consequentially, a ...

The imagination gets a bad rap sometimes in the church. As if it’s something to be treated with suspicion. But the truth is that the imagination is a God-given faculty that is crucial in the realms of daily life, science, and faithful Bible reading. In this episode we hear a biblical defense of using our imagination, and Mike and Matthew demonstrate how it enriches our time in God’s Word when we use it to that end. Watching The Chosen is not the only way for the Bible to come alive! Scriptures ...

We all love to be insiders – to have special access and privileges. That’s exactly what God does for every believer in the Lord Jesus. Of all the gospel blessings God gives us in Christ, the highest one is likely this – he adopts us as his sons. Are you enjoying your VIP status in God’s family? Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes. Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MandMsPodcast

Even though sin and temptation often get the better of us, we don’t need to succumb to a defeatist attitude and give up. In this episode, the Apostle John teaches us to adopt a humble, optimistic, can-do attitude in the battle against sin. By faith, you can do this! This is the final episode in a mini-series on overcoming sin in our lives. See also episodes 116 and 118. Scriptures Referenced: 1 John 5:1-5 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes. Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitt...

C.S. Lewis said, “Joy is the serious business of Heaven.” And when Jesus Christ turns water into wine at a wedding banquet, he is showing us he isn’t a killjoy – he is the one that satisfies our innate thirst for joy. Scriptures Referenced: John 2:1-11 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes. Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MandMsPodcast

Contemporary culture thinks that obeying God is oppressive. But the truth is that obeying God’s commands is liberating. The way we become our true selves is by denying the sinful desires inside us and by obeying God’s Word instead. This is the second episode in a mini-series on overcoming sin in our lives. Scriptures Referenced: 1 John 5:1-15 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes. Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MandMsPodcast

All of God’s people need a dairy diet. So… got milk? Sometimes the Scriptures speak of moving on from milk to solid foods, but in Peter’s teaching, there is no spiritual growth for any of us apart from milk. Catch the practical appetite aids at the end to help increase your dairy consumption too! Scriptures Referenced: 1Peter 2:2 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes. Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MandMsPodcast

[This episode touches on some sensitive subjects and may not be appropriate for younger listeners.] We like to think that some of our sins are private, not harming anyone but ourselves. But the Apostle John exposes such thinking as delusional. When we indulge in “private” sins like pornography, we’re not only participating in the sexual exploitation of others; we’re also robbing the people closest to us. There is no such thing as private sin, and understanding that can go a long way to overcomin...

In Judo one learns not to resist when attacked, but to yield. In a very real way, the gospel teaches Christians to do the same. Whether it’s Satan, or your own guilty conscience accusing you of sin, learn to agree with the charges. When you do, the enemy’s attack to harm you can actually strengthen your enjoyment of Christ. Scriptures Referenced: Rom 5:6-8; 8:32 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes. Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MandMsPodcast

How do you respond when someone tries to correct you? Your reaction is one of the telltale signs of whether you are truly a wise person or not. From the wisdom literature of Proverbs, this episode provides four reasons to listen well to words of rebuke. Scriptures Referenced: Prov 9:8-9; 12:1; 13:18; 15:31; 17:10; 25:12; 27:6; Jam 3:17; 5:19-20 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes. Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MandMsPodcast

At first the empty grave made Mary Magdalene’s day worse. But then it started making things better and better. The resurrection of Christ is not just a fact of history, and a hope for the future, but a reality that transforms the present. The empty grave is bigger than your bad day! Scriptures Referenced: John 20 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes. Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MandMsPodcast