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As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 4  In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4)   18  With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. (2 Corinthians 8:18)

Yesterday, I preached from Nehemiah 9:5-15.  I was amazed at how clearly this prayer by Nehemiah described who God is.  However, we have confused and mixed up images of God.  These come from how we were raised, what we were taught, from our culture and a multitude of other places.  Reading Nehemiah's prayer, I was challenged to evaluate how I view God.  Do I (and the answer is yes) have views of God that are not sound biblically? You can see the full sermon notes posted yesterday and the video will post to HMBC Media on YouTube soon. Here are some views of God that people shared with me via email or social media: Opening: How many of you remember game shows that included prizes behind numbered doors?   Here is a brief clip from “Let’s Make A Deal”. As we begin today, I will share different views of God that we might find behind numbered doors representing many viewpoints. How do you view God? 1.       “Sinners in the Hand ...

Here are my notes from today's message at Hesston MB Church.  I have removed my introduction on our views of God.  Those will post tomorrow.  Nehemiah 9:5b-15 Introduction: A.W. Tozer writes, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. And the second is what we think God thinks of us.” Our view of God needs to be Biblical not based on our favorite author, teacher, speaker or even what we were taught.   We should ask ourselves, is our view of God based on the Bible or someone else’s opinion? Last week: Pastor Jared shared from Nehemiah 8 about Ezra reading the Law. After the “joy of the Lord is our strength & celebrating the feast of booths, the Law leads them to fast & confess because of their unfaithfulness (vs. 1-4) but leads them to praise God in Nehemiah 9:5b-15 which is the longest recorded prayer in the Bible. (Gospel Transformation Bible) ·          This...

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)

This is a new feature on the blog.  Usually on Mondays, I get caught up on my favorite podcasts.  This usually results in a lot of tweeting on that day.  However, if you are at work and not checking Twitter during that time, you might miss some of the great truth being shared by others.  So, I am sharing some of best tweets from the previous week which include great wisdom and truth. God provided manna for His people’s physical hunger, and later He provided His Son, Jesus, for our spiritual hunger. #thegospelprojectkids What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. And the second is what we think God thinks of us. (A.W. Tozer) covenant of works (law) says, Do this and you will live, the covenant of grace (gospel) says, Christ did it for you. (Keele & Brown)

Today, I am posting over at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting on the topic of gospel parenting.  Parenting is hard and many of us feel guilt or shame for how well we are doing as parents.  Check out my thoughts here

We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. This is a new feature on the blog on the names of God.  Why?  Because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. Yahweh Uzzi Yahweh is the Hebrew Name for God. It is "I AM". It is used over 6000 times in the Old Testament.  It was such a holy name that the Jews would not even say it.  Yahweh means I am. Uzzi means strength. The Lord is my strength and my shield;      in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults,      and with my song I give thanks to him. (Psalm 28:7) What it reminds me?  When I am weak, God is strong for me.  It is great to know that when life is hard and I feel help...

Again, this song is not playing on the radio, but should be.  It was part of our worship a few weeks ago and I loved the words so I wanted to share it with you today.  Because all we have is Christ, we truly have everything. Verse 1 I once was lost in darkest night Yet thought I knew the way The sin that promised joy and life Had led me to the grave I had no hope that You would own A rebel to Your will And if You had not loved me first I would refuse You still Verse 2 But as I ran my hell-bound race Indifferent to the cost You looked upon my helpless state And led me to the cross And I beheld God’s love displayed You suffered in my place You bore the wrath reserved for me Now all I know is grace Chorus Hallelujah! All I have is Christ Hallelujah! Jesus is my life Verse 3 Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone And live so all might see The strength to follow Your commands Could never come from me O Father, use my ransomed life In any way...

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 12  When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, (2 Corinthians 2:12)   3  And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 4:3)

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

I am preparing to preach on May 29th on Nehemiah 9.  In this prayer, Nehemiah reminds us of who God is.  This reminded me that as humans we have many views of who God is.  Some of these views are shaped by what we were taught as children, others shaped by life and circumstances, and some by our favorite preacher, speaker, author. A.W. Tozier writes, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. And the second is what we think God thinks of us.” I plan to share various views of God in my introduction on May 29th.  I am asking my readers to share views of God they had or have heard described.  For example, the Genie God is the God you just ask for things and He gives them to you.  Please share in the comments views of God you have heard.  Thanks!

This is a new feature on the blog.  Usually on Mondays, I get caught up on my favorite podcasts.  This usually results in a lot of tweeting on that day.  However, if you are at work and not checking Twitter during that time, you might miss some of the great truth being shared by others.  So, I am sharing some of best tweets from the previous week which include great wisdom and truth. God has not called you to be awesome. He has called you to be humble, faithful, and free. Leave the awesome to him. @scottsauls  As a husband, I don’t need a list of how to be better. I need Christ. @JL_Martin  Are you looking at God as a boss or a Father? @simplegospelpod  Faith in Christ means we are not draped in our own rags but in the righteous robe of Christ. @JustinHolcomb Fully and eternally justified in Christ; adopted and cherished by the Father; sealed and indwelt by the Spirit. Rest well friends. @ScottyWardSmith 

We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. This is a new feature on the blog on the names of God.  Why?  Because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. El Nehkumah El means God and Nehkumah means comfort. He is the God who comforts! 3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (2 Corinthians 1:3) What it reminds me?  Have you faced recent loss?  Is life not going the way you planned? It is good to know we have a God who understands and comforts us in our difficulties. In this world, we will face trouble, but God never leaves us alone. He walks with us through it all.

Well, actually this song is not playing on the radio, but it should be.  This is one of my favorites on my playlist.  It reminds me of Christ's words on the cross, "It is finished."  Be reminded today that Christ has done it all. Now rest. 1. I am weary, worn out Who will deliver me? I am heavy, burdened Who will deliver me?    Though I sink in guilt and shame: grace flows deeper Though I run against your will: grace runs faster Though I hide away from You: grace comes nearer Spirit help me know:    It is finished, It is finished No more running, no more hiding Now my weary soul can rest It is finished, It is finished No more striving, no more taking All in Christ I now possess It is finished     2. I am failing, unable, Who will deliver me? I am fearful, faithless Who will deliver me?    Bridge: No condemnation No guilty shame No past to haunt me None in Christ, None in Christ    Gone is my reco...

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 23  I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.            (1 Corinthians 9:23)   15  Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2  and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain. 3  For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4  that he was buried, th...

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12:6)

Today's New Book Friday has been shared previously.  However, I am using the book in a class I am teaching beginning this Sunday.  This is a great book on relationships because it is not like any other relationship book you have read.  Thompson does a great job of focusing on the "DONE" prior to the "DO".

The following quotes are from the book, Sacred Bond by Brown and Keele.  They come from a chapter on the covenant of grace.  Be reminded that we have a God who is in relationship with us. In other words, in both the Old Testament and New Testament the way in which God saves sinners is always the same: by his grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone. God's promise is not on the basis of our obedience, but on the basis of Christ's obedience. It was works for Christ so that it is grace for us. The covenant of grace, on the other hand, is based on God's promise to save sinners. Reconciliation between God and humans would be made through a new covenant, since the original covenant of works was violated and broken. Genesis 3:15 is not only a prophecy of the coming Christ but the Mother Promise of the whole covenant of grace from which the rest of the Scriptures unfold. The essence of the covenant of grace is summarized in ...

This is a new feature on the blog.  Usually on Mondays, I get caught up on my favorite podcasts.  This usually results in a lot of tweeting on that day.  However, if you are at work and not checking Twitter during that time, you might miss some of the great truth being shared by others.  So, I am sharing some of best tweets from the previous week which include great wisdom and truth. " We will know them by their fruit.." looks less like your fruit of your moralistic effort..and more like the fruit of the Spirit...@ShaunShahan  When we read the Bible, observe the faithfulness of God toward sinners instead of finding tips to help our feeble attempts at faithfulness. @jonmoffitt  We can go to God in prayer because it's a throne of grace not a throne of good works, because His character is good not because ours is. @Thejesslou Grace "alone" is good news. You didn't contribute to God's 1st act of creating you or His 2nd act of recreating you. He has...

We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. This is a new feature on the blog on the names of God.  Why?  Because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. El Moshaah El means God &  Moshaah means saves. He is the God who saves! Our God is a God of salvation,      and to God , the Lord, belong deliverances from death. (Psalm 68:20) What it reminds me?  In this passage, it was a reminder how he would save the people from their enemies.  God rescues His people from trouble throughout the Bible.  The ultimate salvation occurred through Jesus saving us from sin through His death on the cross as well as defeating sin, death, Satan, and sickness.  I am ...

Here's a song to remind us that it's all about Jesus.  At The Cross is a great song by Chris Tomlin.  My daughter, Molly, plays this song on constant repeat.  I love the line "where sin and shame are powerless." There's a place where mercy reigns and never dies There's a place where streams of grace flow deep and wide Where all the love I've ever found Comes like a flood Comes flowing down [Chorus:] At the cross At the cross I surrender my life I'm in awe of You I'm in awe of You Where Your love ran red and my sin washed white I owe all to You I owe all to You Jesus There's a place where sin and shame are powerless Where my heart has peace with God and forgiveness Where all the love I've ever found Comes like a flood Comes flowing down [Chorus] Here my hope is found Here on holy ground Here I bow down Here I bow down Here arms open wide Here You save my life Here I bow down Here I bow down [Chorus]

Today is the day we honor our moms for all they do and have done for us.  Moms are amazing and deserve much more than one day a year.  So, remember to tell your mom how you appreciate her today as well as throughout the year.  I have posted a picture of my mom as well as the mother of my children.  Happy Mother's Day!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 16  For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16) 18  What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:18)  

“ For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)

This is a new feature on the blog.  Usually on Mondays, I get caught up on my favorite podcasts.  This usually results in a lot of tweeting on that day.  However, if you are at work and not checking Twitter during that time, you might miss some of the great truth being shared by others.  So, I am sharing some of best tweets from the previous week which include great wisdom and truth. The grace of God is not a what, the grace of God is a who. @RelevantChris Paul always moves from the indicative to the imperative. It is the flow of the Christian life flat out. @Byronyawn  We are not automatically set to gospel mode, so we all need help in constantly resetting to grace. @jaredcwilson  I am all too familiar with the parents who bring a child in for counseling to be “fixed - @keganreece  once we've been saved, once we've understood & accepted the message of the gospel, the person & work of Redeemer becomes secondary to what we're focu...

We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. This is a new feature on the blog on the names of God.  Why?  Because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. Yahweh Yahweh Yahweh is the Hebrew Name for God. It is "I AM". It is used over 6000 times in the Old Testament.  It was such a holy name that the Jews would not even say it.  Yahweh means I am. 14  God said to Moses, “ I am who I am .” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘ I am has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14) What it reminds me?  God has no beginning or an end.  There is no other god but Yahweh.  He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  And He is our God!

Here is a song playing on the radio by 7eventh Time Down called God is On the Move.   I like how the focus on the song is how God is working in the hearts of people causing transformation.  What a reminder that all our good works are from God and not about us working harder or trying more.  God is on the move. Hallelujah! Any time a heart turns from darkness to light Any time temptation comes and someone stands to fight Any time somebody lives to serve and not be served I know, I know, I know, I know God is on the move, on the move Hallelujah God is on the move In many mighty ways God is on the move, on the move Hallelujah God is on the move On the move today Any time in weakness someone falls upon their knees Or dares to speak the truth that sets men free Any time the choice is made to stand upon the Word I know, I know, I know, I know God is on the move, on the move Hallelujah God is on the move In many mighty ways God is on the move, on the move Hallelujah God ...

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 12  If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. (1 Corinthians 9:12) 14  In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:14)