Contrite Heart

In this episode Diondra shares her testimony of how Christ gathered her to Himself. It also answers the questions of how she became reformed and what happened to CHEN podcast. Contrite Heart is all about the faithfulness of God is the midst of weakness, join Diondra on this journey. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9 Book Recommendation: Extravagant Grace by Barbara Duguid

The Bible never attempts to prove God’s existence, it assumes it from the very beginning. The chief end of the Christian is to glorify and enjoy God forever. Jesus says we must love God with our heart, mind and strength. The question is, how can we love, glorify and enjoy God forever? The answer is to study what He has revealed about Himself. In this episode, Diondra discusses the nature of God. Sources: https://www.gotquestions.org/who-is-God.html https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/who-god

Anxiety sometimes causes us to forget the promises of God and sink into despair. While the Christian is not promised a life free from trials, hoping and trusting in God calms and quiets our anxious souls. In this episode, Diondra discusses anxiety and the sovereignty of God.

God has graced His children with a desire for Him, His word and His laws. We take delight in looking to Christ and knowing more of Him through prayer and the Scriptures. At times, it feels that we look upon Christ alone. In the world and even in some Christian circles, Christ is not the main thing. For those who delight in and love Christ, it can be discouraging. However, it is a great encouragement to know that we are not alone. We are not alone in looking to Christ and delighting in Him. In this episode, Diondra shares a sermon from Charles Spurgeon called “The Death of Christ’, “so that saints not discouraged that so few consider Christ.” The Death of Christ by Charles Spurgeon: https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/the-death-of-christ/#flipbook/ You Do Not Look Alone by Paul Washer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaFc5SZOTE8&t=8s

As time nears the return of Christ, the world becomes more evil. One thing Christ warns us of in these times are false teachers. The majority of the New Testament writers included pastoral concern in their letters, warning the readers of false teachers and doctrines. Today we have an obligation to test every spirit and call out falsehood. However, how we do so matters. We should never fail to reflect the character of Christ and we should keep the main thing, the main thing. It is a major concern that many professing Christians build ministries on calling out false teachers and tearing down these people. What if this is not what Christ has called us to do? In this episode, Diondra talks about how our main focus should be promoting the beauty, glory, person and work of Christ over creating lists of false teachers. “I’d much rather teach people sound doctrine and how to study the Scriptures themselves, as opposed to giving them a list of false teachers to avoid. This way they are able to discern truth from error on their own.” - Diondra Stubbs

“Take periodic retreats and take them often”. In this episode, Diondra talks about “periodic retreats”. What are they and why should they be a consistent practice in the Christian life? It is important that Christians practice the discipline of shutting out the world to dive into prayer and the Holy Scriptures. We do this not to check off a box, but to know more of Christ. We do this to know God and His revealed will. We study Him because we delight in Him and we love Him. We study His works because we delight in them. Taking these periodic retreats renews our reliance and dependence on the Lord. It creates room for more prayer in our lives. May this be the practice of every believer.  Luke 21:34 - “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.  Sermon from John Piper: https://open.spotify.com/episode/35QuZWv1PxiFeptcZwh8WM?si=mlQ5MChxTpCK38X42rXn7g  The Tender Heart by Richard Sibbes: https://www.monergism.com/tender-heart-2-chronicles-3426

“Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.” - Psalm‬ ‭111:2-4‬ ‭

The word Puritan first appeared in the 1560s as a derisive term for those who advocated more purity in worship and doctrine. The Puritans were often mischaracterized as joyless, severe and fanatical. "Haunted by the fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy." That is the Puritan reputation. In this episode, Diondra discusses who the Puritans were, why every Christian should read their works and why she particularly delights in them and their writings. Books: Following God Fully: An Introduction to the Puritans by Joel Beeke and Michael Reeves Book Suggestions from the Puritans: Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ by John Bunyan The Intercession of Christ by John Bunyan The Tender Heart by Richard Sibbes The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes The Heart of Christ by Thomas Goodwin A Lifting Up for the Downcast by William Bridge The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs Any books from John Owen, Johnathan Edwards, Richard Sibbes and Thomas Watson Diary of A Reformed Bookworm: https://diaryofreformedbookworm.blogspot.com/

“And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.” - Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:6‬ ‭

‘Reflections’ are raw, unscripted episodes where Diondra shares exhortations, thoughts and God’s graces in her life. The manifestation of God’s grace in us is something to delight in, worshiping and praising Him for radically redeeming and changing wretches like us. In this reflection, Diondra shares about her dating life and how the Lord is working in Christ conformity and shaping her views to match the Scriptures.

What is the Reformation? What does it mean to be Reformed? What are Reformed Christians? In this episode, Diondra discusses the Reformation, what it means to be Reformed and why she is a Reformed Christian.  For more information about the Protestant Reformation: https://www.gotquestions.org/Protestant-Reformation.html  For more about Reformed Theology: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/what-is-reformed-theology  For more about TULIP: https://www.ligonier.org/posts/tulip-and-doctrines-grace and R.C. Sproul’s “What is Reformed Theology” series above.  For more about the five solas: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-are-the-five-solas https://www.gotquestions.org/five-solas.html  Books:  “What is Reformed Theology?” by R.C. Sproul  “Five Points Towards a Deeper Experience of God’s Grace” by John Piper  Other Resources Mentioned:  https://www.monergism.com/  https://www.ligonier.org/  Westminster Standards: https://thewestminsterstandard.org/the-westminster-standards/  Belgic Confession: https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/confessions/belgic-confession  Heidelberg Catechism: https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/confessions/heidelberg-catechism  Canons of Dort: https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/confessions/canons-dort  The Diary of A Reformed Bookworm: https://diaryofreformedbookworm.blogspot.com/

What does it mean to "run with endurance, the race that is set before us"? Who are the “great cloud of witnesses”? Join Diondra for study of Hebrews 12:1-2. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2

Last week we talked about the abuse of spiritual authority, and ministries. This week we have some new questions brewing: Should we teach doctrine based on our experiences and the experiences of others? Do experiences come before Scripture? Have some of the gifts ceased? Are the gifts being used biblically? Are we teaching doctrine about the gifts according to Scripture or personal experiences? The reality is that Scripture is above every experience. If an experience is not biblical it should never be taught as doctrine. We should pray about these experiences and ask God what to do about them. In this episode, Diondra shares about experiences and spiritual gifts witnessed in the Charismatic movement and what Scripture actually teaches about them.

What does the Bible say about ministries, churches, and practices of Christians today? Are the things that we do and teach biblical? Are we accurately affirming the true person and ministry of the Holy Spirit? Are our churches following the teachings of Christ and the apostles? In the modern Charismatic movement and Pentecostal church, a lot of spiritual abuse and unhealthy practices take place. While this is the case for many denominations, Diondra shares specifically her experience growing up in Charismatic/Pentecostal churches. "All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17.  God's Word ought to be the authority we submit under and our lives must conform to it. Diondra's encouragement is to study the Scriptures diligently, seeing if what we have received as doctrine and tradition is in alignment with God's will according to Scripture. This is NOT an encouragement to deconstruct your faith BUT to be a Berean (Acts 17:11) and study the word of God daily for the standard of Christian practices and living.

Happy Holidays! Christmas wishes and a reminder of what Christmas is really about from Diondra! 

How exactly do we love God, according to Scripture? What must we do? It seems God has already done the work for us and in us.  Last week Diondra discussed the necessity, nature, gift and ground for loving God in Christ. This week, she touches on exactly how to go about loving God. Loving God by Paul Washer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg3jbCtIEcQ

The first and greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37-38). The question is: How do we do this? How do we love and worship God in the way that He desires and commands? How do we love God the way He deserves to be loved? The answers are in His Word. Today, Diondra discusses growing in love for God in light of the Gospel and the New Covenant and in the face of Christ. Diondra uses the Holy Scriptures and the "How to Grow in Love for God" series by John Piper to share how we can grow in love for God and how it has personally affected her life.   Check out John Piper's "How to Grow in Love for God" series: https://www.desiringgod.org/how-to-grow-in-love-for-god  Book Suggestion: Gentle & Lowly (The Heart of Christ for Sinners & Sufferers) by Dane Ortlund

“Christ is not knocking on the door of a sinner’s heart, but on the door of a wayward church.” - Paul Washer. The majority of churches today have abandoned faithfulness to the Word of God. They have locked out the very head of the church, Jesus Christ. The popular and wide scale ministries of today have drifted from the true teachings of the Bible, the true teachings of who God is and what He has done. Churches are preaching health, wealth, law of attraction, and "inspiration", causing people to be in love with a Jesus they don't even know. A Jesus that is inaccurate to the Son of God, taught about in the Scriptures. This is idolatry. The majority of the Christian population today has no idea about the person, work, ministry, character, and heart of Christ. They have no idea about the very character and nature of God. We have been bewitched to think that Christ and what He has done is not enough. Jesus' plead in Revelation 3:20 is for the Wayward Church to return to and open the door to him. Today Diondra discusses the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3, the wayward church of today, and Jesus' heart to come in and share intimate union with His sheep. May you consider answering His call of repenting from false righteousness and false assurance to gain true, genuine righteousness and true assurance.

Biblical love is selfless and unconditional, whereas self-love is characterized by selfishness. This week Diondra talks about her renunciation of self-love to follow Christ. It is one of the best decisions she's decided to make, abandoning a selfish life to gain everything in Christ.

Welcome to Chen Podcast! This week Diondra introduces herself and shares about Chen Podcast.