Foundational Podcast

What our culture needs right now is men and women of God who are going to make up the kind of woke church that God talked about in Isaiah 51:9. Are you bold enough and strong enough to take on this challenge? In today's podcast I talk about what a biblically woke Christian and church looks like. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider leaving us a review. This helps the Foundational podcast reach more listeners. Be sure to tell a friend about the Foundational blog and podcast. More about Pastor Dean Subscribe to receive my blog posts and podcasts Here is where you can find me online My Books Discovering True Identity Agape Charis Made By Design My Bible Studies Discovering Jesus The Joy of Becoming Like Jesus Becoming Ambassadors for Christ Father's Promise Join the Leadership Development Institute Join me at 10 AM PST every Sunday morning at my online Worship service About Dean Dr. F. Dean Hackett has served in full-time Christian ministry since October 1971. He ha

  The significance of immanence and imminence to the child of God is not just a play on words. The revelation of God and His redemptive work is carried in the meaning of these two words immanence and imminence, and their companion eminence. I am appalled and grieved by the level of distortion of God’s nature and character and the resulting syncretism that has crept into Christian theology. Pantheism, Spiritism and Gnosticism have found their way into much of the preaching and teaching in Evangelical and Pentecostal circles. I was saddened recently at a Christian event when they played a song about the “circle of life;” a doctrine that comes directly out of the Buddhist religion. What is the meaning of imminence, immanence and eminence and their significant importance to your faith? Immanence is the declaration of God’s omniscience and omnipresence. He is the creator and sustainer of all that exists. “He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

  God is inviting you to join with Him on a journey. It is a journey you probably have never taken. Because of that, there will be times it seems strange – and you may even have thoughts like, “I don’t want to do this.” But, this is how God described the outcome of the journey to His prophet Isaiah. “For ye shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace: The mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: And it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off” (Isaiah 55:12-13). Almighty God is saying your daily life will be filled with joy and you will live daily with a peaceful mind and emotions, regardless of the circumstances surrounding you. Instead of your days being filled with regret, drama, condemnation, anxiety, fear or worry there will be singing and clapping; celeb

  He had been carried everywhere from the time he was a baby. The only career he had was being a street beggar. He was forty years old and most of his adult life had been spent sitting on one of the main highways into the city. All of that changed in a moment. Two believers in Jesus came by his panhandling location one afternoon. He spoke to them earnestly hoping they would put some money in his cup. “I don’t have any cash today,” one of them said, “But what I do have I will gladly give to you. In the name of Jesus rise up and walk.” The believer took the man’s right hand and pulled him to his feet. For the first time in his life the man walked. It was amazing! The man walked around. Then he ran. He walked some more and then he began to jump. All the time he was doing this, he was praising God for healing him. A large crowd gathered around them, as the man continued to walk, run and jump praising God. The people were excited and began praising the two Jesus-believers who were obvious

  We don’t have to convince God to send revival. He is already convinced of the desperate need and greatly desires to send a spiritual awakening. We cannot earn His visitation through hours of prayer or self-sacrifice. The whole point of waiting on God is not to move the hand of God but proper alignment of our heart with the heart of God. The reason it is often overlooked or resisted is the intense battle it brings with self. I battle with thoughts plaguing my mind and with the inner drive to go do something in gaining the ground to “wait” on God. What will my secretary and deacons think if they see me neglecting work that needs to be done in order to spend more time in prayer? There are people who need to be called. Tasks are just sitting. E-mails need to be sent. Will this really make a difference? Here is one thing every church leader must know I have searched the Scriptures time and again only to discover and to reaffirm waiting on the Lord is an important component of leadershi

"[First century] Church leaders unhitched the church from the worldview, value system, and regulations of the Jewish scriptures...Peter, James, Paul elected to unhitch the Christian faith from their Jewish scriptures, and my friends, we must as well." This is a quote from Andy Stanley's third message in his Aftermath series. But is it true? Do we need our faith unhitched from the Old Testament? After the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, He met two of the disciples that were traveling from Jerusalem to the community of Emmaus. The two men were talking among themselves about the events of the last three days, when Jesus joined them on the road. He inquired about their conversation and asked what events they were discussing. They tried explaining, at the same time marveling that He seemed to be unaware of these things that had so greatly impacted the city. Jesus responded to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered

  Pray without ceasing." ~1 Thessalonians 5:17~ People used to pray. I mean seriously and fervently pray for revival when special meetings were scheduled at church. Recently I read an amazing chapter in “To China and Back” by Anthony Bollback, titled “God Moves In.” In this chapter a new church had recently been established in 1943 by Anthony, in Coudersport, Pennsylvania and revival meetings were being held. The meetings lasted two weeks and after the first week, nothing special had happened. Today, we might be too busy to attend revival meetings, let alone pray! We neglect to pray for special meetings because we are a generation too busy to pray for revival. Are you too busy to pray because of: TV Movies Social media Texting Games Other empty pursuits that pull on our soul to the point that we cannot give them up? None of these things are wrong, in and of themselves, as we are able to keep up with the goings on of relatives, friends, and use these avenues for ministry. But

  The nation of Israel was at a critical point. The economy was in a down turn suffering from years of drought. National leadership was corrupt. The moral compass was distorted by a cloudy spiritual climate of syncretic worship of the true God with the worship of Astarte and Baal. Into this backslidden nation God sent one of His greatest prophets. Seemingly out of nowhere, came Elijah the Tishbite, thundering the call of God, “Choose you this day whom you will serve.” Israel had come to the decision point. Is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob the true God, then serve Him. If Baal is God, serve him. Duplicity can no longer be tolerated. The challenge took place on Mount Carmel. Elijah called all the people of Israel and the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal to meet him. The challenge was quite simple, actually. The prophets of Baal were to build an altar and offer a sacrifice to their god and Elijah would build and altar and offer a sacrifice to Jehovah. No fire was to be pla

  What is it that makes America great and unique among the nations of the earth? “They cherished a great hope and inward zeal of laying good foundations, or at least of making some way towards it, for the propagation and advance of the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in the remotes part of the world, even though they should be but stepping stones to others in the performance of so great a work."  (William Bradford, The Plymouth Settlement, Mantle Ministries, San Antonio, 1988, 21). The Founding Fathers of the United States firmly believed God had called them to establish a colony in the Americas to be a light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; a new Israel, as it were. Upon preparing to disembark from the Mayflower onto the shores at Plymouth Rock these hearty souls entered into a covenant with Almighty God. “In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign lord, Kingdom James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King De

  What are the ways the church influences a city? What are some practical steps she can take to affect a city for Jesus Christ and defend her from the assault of the enemy? These are the questions every church should be asking, because God designed the church to be an influence in her community as the salt and light of the world. Jesus was making the journey from the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane. He made this a teaching opportunity. “… I am the way the truth and the life… Most assuredly, I say unto you, he who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to my Father.” Did you catch that? “The works that I do, he will do also.” And… “and greater works than these he will do…” Are you kidding me? Who is Jesus talking about? “He who believes in Me…” The Church Can Influence a City Jesus is talking about the redeemed sons and daughters of God.Those who have been born again will do the same works Jesus did. How is that po

  People today spend so much money to add value to their life, never knowing that the real way we add value to our life doesn't require money...but character. Do you remember the old bumper sticker, “He who dies with the most toys wins?” The real truth is that he who dies with the most toys, just dies. “It matters so little how much you may own; the places you been or the people you known. It all comes to nothing, when placed at His feet; they’re nothin’ to Jesus, just memories to keep” (lyrics by Lanny Wolfe). Value added living does not consist of Mercedes, Monarch motorhomes, private airplanes and large bank accounts. I realize you know that and I maybe preaching to the choir. However, before you move on, there is a significant principle that is often overlooked or missed entirely. It is a teaching Jesus gave in Luke 16:10-12. Jesus said, “He that is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much… The one who is trustworthy in handling worldly wealth will be trusted with

  The northern ten tribes of Israel had become apostate. Worship of the two golden calves set up by Jeroboam had degraded the nation and opened the gateway for the worship of Baal and Ashtaroth. They turned away from the living God to worship images of wood covered with gold and silver; to soothsayers and necromancy; and to witches and warlocks. Their moral depravity became so disgusting it even included female and male temple prostitution. The southern nation of Judah was embracing similar moral depravity and spiritual idolatry, so God called the prophet Isaiah to warn them. “Alas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evil doers, children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked to anger the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away backward” (Isaiah 1:4 NKJV). They were becoming so corrupt the prophet equated Judah and the City of Jerusalem with Sodom and Gomorrah (1:10). He wrote: “For Jerusalem stumbled, and Judah is fallen, because t

Discouragement and despair are horrible taskmasters. They wear at your soul. The Psalmist David wrote: “For the enemy has persecuted my soul. He has crushed my life to the ground. He has made me dwell in darkness like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me and my heart within me is distressed” (Psalm 143:3-4 NKJV). That must be how the prophet Elijah was feeling as he fled from Jezebel. The events on the days before had been an amazing display of God’s presence and power. Yet, they had also been exhausting. In his weariness and with the threats from the queen to take his life ringing in ears the man of God felt totally alone and ready to give up. What had led to such discouragement and despair in this servant of the Lord, this great man of God? His nation was totally backslidden and under the leadership of a weak and immoral man. Israel had turned their back on the Living God and was worshiping the idols, Baal and Asherah, the Canaanite female

  How will a person know if they are deceived? If the only things they hear, or read, or see agrees with their deception; if the only influence on their thinking, reasoning, or opinion supports their belief system, how will they discover the deception? If the only information permitted reinforces the misconception, how will they know that what they believing is a lie? Following the death of Joshua, the elders of Israel continued to lead the nation in serving the Lord. They remembered the teaching of Moses. They had seen the mighty hand of God bring them victory over enemies who were greater and stronger than them. They beheld the amazing miracles God performed on their behalf. The next generation after the elders had not heard the teaching of Moses. Whether their parents did not pass on the family faith or the Levites and priests failed to accurately teach and preach the Word, that generation of the children of Israel did not know the Word of the Lord. They did not see the mighty w

I have heard it said and read in several blogs and newsletters that this generation of high school and young college age students are the Joshua Generation that will lead the church into the greatest revival of history. It is a reference to them being like the man of God who assumed leadership of the Israelites following the death of Moses. With eyes of faith they see these young people courageously walking through the land with the promise from God, “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you” (Joshua 1:3 NKJV). They see them boldly standing up, proclaiming God’s Word, and no man or woman will able to stand in resistance before them. They see these young men and women strong in the power of God, walking mighty in the Spirit, with signs and wonders following them. The Word of God is in their heart, as they walk in full obedience to the precepts and principles written in it, with eye scorching holiness and purity. Such mighty men and women of God will be amazing to behold and life

Be sure to read part one of this post here: It Is Not a Political Problem - Part One The philosophies and reasoning of the Enlightenment and humanistic philosophy have battered the shores of the United States since the time of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine. Each time it began to take root a fresh spiritual awakening rose against the movement. The last eighty years have not gone well for this nation that was founded in covenant with Almighty God. The Pentecostal outpouring of 20th century began to lose strength in the 1940’s and higher criticism began to grow in the seminaries and Bible colleges of the nation questioning the infallibility of the Holy Bible. The Jesus People Movement and Charismatic Renewal brought a new wave of life and spiritual awakening in the 1960’s and ‘70’s. It too began to fade away in the mid 1980’s. There have been outbursts over the last twenty years, like the Toronto Airport, or in Brownsville, Florida, and the Billy Graham Crusade in Portland, Oregon. None of them impacted th

“How can you say to me, flee like a bird to your mountain” (Psalm 11:1 NIV). “I take refuge in the Lord,” was his reply. Yet, they continued to warn David, “But, they are preparing their bows, even now they are taking aim at your heart.” David’s reply is astounding. “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” If the righteous leaders flee when the wicked are dangerously seeking to destroy them, on what foundation can the righteous build a future for the nation and a hope for their families? A great question; it is a critical question. It is a question that has been faced generation after generation. Some leaders have stood the test well while others have failed miserably. The leaders in Judah are a sad testimony of not standing for truth and failing to provide righteous leadership at an hour of moral landslide. “The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many wid

“Dean, how did you know and how did you know so early?” That was the question several pastors asked me in the late eighties when a huge mega-church in the Kent area of Washington state was exposed for extreme moral failures. I had begun warning people of the errors and spiritual apostasy three years earlier and had come under great criticism. Three Ways to Spot Apostasy In a Church The church was a lightning rod, drawing huge crowds to its “Holy Spirit-filled meetings.” I had been accused of being judgmental and critical of a new move of God. The warning signs that I saw at that time, which others seemed to overlook, are very present in some circles of ministry today. They are very popular circles, I might add. 1. The first sign is an over-emphasis on the humanity of Jesus. Certainly, “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 KJV). We know that Jesus was “tempted in al

“If the spiritual awakening you are talking about happens would that mean everyone would have to believe in Jesus and would everyone have to follow the same beliefs?” The questions were more rhetorical than they were authentic inquiry. My affirmative answer was quickly followed by his statement, “That is communism.” My surprise at his statement was heightened by the knowledge this person claimed to be a Christian. How could they have such a stunning offense of Jesus Christ? That is rapidly becoming the line of demarcation inside the Christianity community. Evangelical and Pentecostal movements are no exception. They too are experiencing the pressure of a culture marinated in tolerance and relativism. Great offense is taken at the very idea of the exclusivity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible. This is not new. The crowds were offended at the new prophet out of Galilee claiming to be the Son of God. Although they were amazed at the miraculous healings and appreciated the food He provid

“Who are you,” they asked in a less than gracious tone. Jesus had been in the temple area since early morning teaching a large gathering of people who had come to hear His words. A group of religious leaders brought an adulterous woman into the middle of the crowd, right before him and said, “The Law of Moses says stone her. What do you say?” They were not seeking counsel but an opportunity to impugn His character and His teaching. Jesus turned the tables on his accusers. “You, who are without sin, cast the first stone.” Indignant and offended by His tone, convicted in their own heart, the men who had brought the woman slithered away one by one. The woman remained before Him; no doubt humiliated, maybe very angry at the men and at the crowd around her. Jesus looked at her with eyes of love, mercy and grace. “Where are those who accuse you? Is someone condemning you,” Jesus asked? “No one,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” He answered, “Go and sin no more.” Jesus continued t