daddy4ms

This is a regular feature now that replaced "Playing on the Radio." I will be sharing songs from my "Gospel Playlist" on my phone. The gospel is good news.  It reminds us what Christ has DONE for us.  As I share, I hope it will be an encouragement to you today.  Song today is: How Great Thou Art by Carrie Underwood with Vince Gill

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. Daily you have to see the glory of Christ. Daily you have to let the cross grip you right where you are as a sinner. When you go to Christ daily you are liberated, then you will know where others need liberation and the river of living water will flow from you to others. (Jack Miller) No sin, no matter how powerful and dark, lurks beyond the defeating, delivering, forgiving and enabling power of God’s grace. @PaulTripp Jesus doesn’t say you can be or may be or will be free. He says you are free. Therefore, we must declare—we must confess—truths like the following: Romans 8:17; Romans 8:38-39; Galatians 5:1 @rebekahlyons   We would argue that life for the believer is fueled by a constant flow of good news. “God is good with you child” is our ultimate conf

For the rest of 2018, I will be sharing books I recommend because they are some of my favorites.  New Book Friday will resume in January. Enjoy!

My word for 2018 is abide.  I have this great picture over my fireplace made by a good friend that reminds me to abide each day.  My understanding of abide is to "be with Jesus." What does it mean to abide?  Here are some definitions to help us better understand the word.  The Greek word "meno" which is a verb means "to stay". It can also be translated as abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry for. I have shared various verses over the last few months. Today, I want to share some thoughts I have had regarding abiding over the last year. My previous understand of abiding was that we do things to help us abide.  For example, I read my Bible, pray, go to church to help me abide. These "good things" were at the top which led me to abiding.  However, now I see abiding as where I start and it might include things such as reading my

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 weak that it is not my strength that is important, bu

My Aunt Kay Jean suggested I start sharing a verse of the day.  I liked her suggestion but decided instead of a verse of the day, I would share a verse of the week.  Be reminded of who God is from His Word. 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” 16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. 21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbat

Today, Hesston MB (the church where I am a pastor) celebrates 40 years of God's faithfulness to her.  Yesterday, we had a celebration during our worship time including recognition of charter members that started the church, pictures and stories over the years, and a potluck meal together.  I am thankful to be serving at Hesston MB and look forward to what God will continue to do in and through Hesston MB over the next 40 years. Happy Anniversary, Hesston MB!

I am a little behind on my reading, but here are some quotes from books I have read recently: "Without coming out and saying it, we consider the gospel powerless to help with such sophisticated struggles...The gospel lifts the burden of self-help off of the victims we have unwittingly placed it on...The grace of god will help him repent of the root and not just the symptom...The cross is the remedy." Byron Yawn in What Every Man Wishes His Father Had Told Him "People share their struggles and, with every good intention, others give good advice or try to step in to be the solution themselves. People do need answers. They are in need of help. But we fail to truly help them if we don't give them Jesus. He is the best answer and the most powerful help they can receive." Jeff Vanderstelt in Gospel Fluency "In other words, what was Christ doing "B.C."? He was experiencing what it means--tasting what it would mean--to be Savior, King, Prophet, Pri

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

For the rest of 2018, I will be sharing books I recommend because they are some of my favorites.  New Book Friday will resume in January. Enjoy!

This is a regular feature now that replaced "Playing on the Radio." I will be sharing songs from my "Gospel Playlist" on my phone. The gospel is good news.  It reminds us what Christ has DONE for us.  As I share, I hope it will be an encouragement to you today.  Song today is: Grace So Marvelous by Prestonwood Worship

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. It is not that Grace justifies and the law sanctifies; it is all of Grace. (Jack Miller) In Christ, there is nowhere you can go to get away from being known...and loved...and defended...and sought by the Spirit of God. @shawnbreker We should not obey to gain our assurance, but because of it. We are called to emphasize what has been DONE for us to so we can find our motivation for what we must DO.  @jonmoffitt   The more you look for your faith, the harder it will be to find. This is because faith is based on knowledge and trust. That’s why, whatever the circumstance, it is so important to remind yourself over and over again who God is and to trust him to carry you through. (Jack Miller)   Whenever I start focusing too much on what I have done for God i

My word for 2018 is abide.  I have this great picture over my fireplace made by a good friend that reminds me to abide each day.  My understanding of abide is to "be with Jesus." What does it mean to abide?  Here are some definitions to help us better understand the word.  The Greek word "meno" which is a verb means "to stay". It can also be translated as abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry for.  Each week I will share a verse (or two) to help us better understand abiding. 27  But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. (1 John 2:27) 28  And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shr

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 trust in the Light to guide me in this journey.

My Aunt Kay Jean suggested I start sharing a verse of the day.  I liked her suggestion but decided instead of a verse of the day, I would share a verse of the week.  Be reminded of who God is from His Word. 1  The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2  As it is written in Isaiah the prophet ] “Behold, I send my messenger before your face,      who will prepare your way, 3  the voice of one crying in the wilderness:      ‘Prepare [ c ] the way of the Lord,      make his paths straight,’” 4  John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5  And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6  Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7  And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose