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Showing posts from February, 2017

You Are An Ambassador

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Books I Am Reading Now

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Currently, I am reading several books on various subjects.  In my Go Deeper Hour Class, I am teaching through  Jesus Outside the Lines by Scott Sauls In preparation for Easter, I am starting a devotional during Lent published by New Growth Publishing called Journey To The Cross And then my current books for "fun" are by Lee Strobel, Sinclair Ferguson and Noel Heikkinen:

Names of God: Yahweh Sabaoth

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. The names of God are important 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 Sabaoth 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.  Sabaoth means host and is often explained as heaven's armies. Who is this King of glory?      The Lord of hosts,      he is the King of glory! Selah (Psalm 24:10) What it reminds me?  We are never alone.  God has angels watching over us.  These angels offer protection and do battle on our behalf.  It also an encouragement when I am afraid or...

What does it mean to be "in Christ"?

For 2017, the phrase I am focusing on is "in Christ."  Each week, I will post 1 verse that includes the phrase "in Christ". I look forward to growing in understanding of what it means to be "in Christ." 30  And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31  so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)

Posting at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting Today

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Today, I am posting over at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.  I am talking about technology and how to use it to "build up" your kids.  Check the post out here

New Book Friday

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Tweets and more tweets

Here are some of my favorite tweets from the last few weeks.  This is one of the blessings of social media where we can hear the gospel from people all over the world. If you like the tweet, go and follow the person on Twitter.  Jesus doesn’t just save us at conversion and then say “good luck” to our sanctification. @JustinHolcomb the reason grace is powerful for godliness is bc there is a chemistry of the heart that is greater than the math of the mind. @BryanChapell From both pulpits & dinner tables, we can rest in, enjoy & explore how the gospel comes to bear on every area of our lives. God's grace saves, teaches and sustains. @pauldunk "Many confess justification by righteousness of Christ but seem to think they are sanctified by a holiness they acquire themselves" Bavinck via @Byronyawn Instead of sanctification being man-centered, remember you never get over needing Christ for your sanctification. @theocast_org There are not just two ways to resp...

Quotes from Prodigal Church

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I recently finished reading Prodigal Church by Jared C. Wilson. It was a book that resonated with me because of how we do church.  Wilson does a great job of explaining just because it works and is growing does not mean it is healthy.  Many will disagree with Wilson, but I agree with much in this book.  Below you find several of the quotes that connected with me. What we see happening most often is that a Christian bored or unsatisfied with the goods and services at his church goes to the more attractive church...but five to six years later they become dissatisfied with that experience and are ready to go find another. The ends don't justify the means. What drives the way we do church.  Often they are built on these functional ideologies: pragmatism and consumerism...Pragmatism is anti-gospel...Pragmatism is legalistic...it functions in law mode. We must have a stronger faith, to trust that a sermon mainly about Jesus will "help people grow" more than ou...

Playing on the Radio

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Today's song playing on the radio is by Colton Dixon called All That Matters. Be reminded of God's love for you and that you matter to Him.

You Are Alive

“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11)

Names of God: Yahweh Ori

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. The names of God are important 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 Ori 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. Ori means light. The Lord is my light and my salvation;      whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life;      of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1) What it reminds me?  Even when life is dark and it seems like evil is all around, God is light.  It encourages me to know that despite circumstances around me, I can trus...

What does it mean to be "in Christ"?

For 2017, the phrase I am focusing on is "in Christ."  Each week, I will post 1 verse that includes the phrase "in Christ". I look forward to growing in understanding of what it means to be "in Christ." 4  I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, (1 Corinthians 1:4)

New Book Friday

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Tweets and more tweets

Here are some of my favorite tweets from the last few weeks.  This is one of the blessings of social media where we can hear the gospel from people all over the world. If you like the tweet, go and follow the person on Twitter.  What draws people to Christ aren't your multitudinous rules & straitlaced life but one-way love of Jesus who saves sinners. @DrSteveWBrown The horror of the same old thing is one of the most valuable passions we have produced in the human heart. --Screwtape @birdchadlouis Church size is not as important as gospel size. Mega- or mini-church, do you preach a mega-gospel? @jaredcwilson Real "life-changing sermons" don't send you away with a "to-do list" but with a greater understanding of what Jesus has already done. @JeremyG220 The most radical often looks very ordinary, like dads praying with their kids and moms singing "Jesus loves me," kneeling by their beds. @BuckParsons  

Playing on the Radio

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This is another repeat, but it is my last post about some of my favorite songs from Hawk Nelson.  These guys really "get" grace, gospel and what Jesus has DONE for us.  Today, be reminded how God is for you, about God's great love and His forgiveness FOR YOU.

You Are Sealed

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22  set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

Names of God: Yahweh Uzzi

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. The names of God are important 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 helpless that I have a God who is strength.

What does it mean to be "in Christ"?

For 2017, the phrase I am focusing on is "in Christ."  Each week, I will post 1 verse that includes the phrase "in Christ". I look forward to growing in understanding of what it means to be "in Christ."   To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 3  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:2-3)

Tweets and more tweets

Here are some of my favorite tweets from the last few weeks.  This is one of the blessings of social media where we can hear the gospel from people all over the world. If you like the tweet, go and follow the person on Twitter.  The desire for righteousness is delivered by grace. @RyanHuguley The attractional church is a lot busier doing, but a simple church may be a lot busier living. @jaredcwilson When the message is about what you need to do, you miss what Jesus does for you. @rjgrune #readingromans Thank God that His gospel meets us and works for us at every point on the eternal timeline! That's the now-ism of the gospel. @PaulTripp Promises are powerful. God made a promise, a worldwide, game-changing one, and every story in the Bible finds its way back to this promise. @MichaelHorton_  

New Book Friday

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(Should Be) Playing on the Radio

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I have been amazed at the great theology of the band, Hawk Nelson.  Some of my favorite songs on my playlist are Drops in the Ocean and Live Like You're Loved.  So over the next few weeks, I will post a few more of their songs on the blog.  Only God can satisfy our deepest longings and desires. 

Gospel Party Pictures

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Here are pictures from tonight's Gospel Party:

Gospel Pary Tonight!

Check back later tonight to see pictures from our Gospel Party.  For more information, check out post from yesterday.  I hope to see you tonight!

Gospel Party Tomorrow

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We are excited about our Gospel Party tomorrow at Hesston MB Church (610 W. Randall) from 6:15-8:00 p.m. What is a Gospel Party?  It is a time to celebrate God and what He has done.  The party is open to all children 4th grade and younger and their families (parents, grandparents, siblings).  Anyone in the Hesston area is invited.  If your child attends, please send an adult with them. Schedule: 6:15-6:45 p.m.-Free meal provided by the church 6:45-7:15 p.m.-Singing, Lesson, Prayer 7:15-8:00 p.m.-Craft Projects One of the projects is pictured below.  I hope to see you tomorrow night!

You Are Saved

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9  not by works, so that no one can boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8:9)

Names of God: El Nehkumah

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. The names of God are important 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.

What does it mean to be "in Christ"?

For 2017, the phrase I am focusing on is "in Christ."  Each week, I will post 1 verse that includes the phrase "in Christ". I look forward to growing in understanding of what it means to be "in Christ." 3  Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4  who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5  Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. 6  Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7  Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 8  Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9  Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10  Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.   (Romans 16:...

New Book Friday

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Tweets and more tweets

Here are some of my favorite tweets from the last few weeks.  This is one of the blessings of social media where we can hear the gospel from people all over the world. If you like the tweet, go and follow the person on Twitter.  God is not passive aggressive with his forgiveness of our sins. He holds no grudges because his wrath was satisfied in the cross. @julianbrooks16 Religion was no substitute for the Savior, & religious devotion was no substitute for deliverance from idols. I needed Grace. @ScottyWardSmith "Beware of turning Christ into Moses, as if He had nothing more for us than precept and example, like other saints." (Luther) @TheEscoMo God's grace does not produce math in our mind, calculating how to get away with things, but chemistry in our heart to want different things. @pauldunk At creation, mankind was hardwired to live both an upward & outward life...but sin turns us in on ourselves. @PaulTripp #graceuntamed

(Should Be) Playing on the Radio

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I have been amazed at the great theology of the band, Hawk Nelson.  Some of my favorite songs on my playlist are Drops in the Ocean and Live Like You're Loved.  So over the next few weeks, I will post a few more of their songs on the blog.  Be reminded today that you can always count on God!