daddy4ms

Currently, I have several books I am reading.  Here are a few quotes from recent chapters: Miracles are associated in the Bible with the prophetic office far more frequently than they are with priests or with kings. The miracles that God worked through prophets were not merely acts of raw power to compel awe. The form of the miracle reinforced the message delivered in the words that the Lord gave his prophets. The message that the Lord conveyed through prophets can be summed up in the contrasting terms prosecution and promise. Contentment trusts God to be God. We don't find our strength in the stuff of the world; we find it in the work of the Spirit. But to be filled with the Spirit and learn this supernatural contentment, we must often be emptied by the Spirit of all else that might satisfy. Fasting from anything is a sign that we are denying "more" and saying "enough." Prayer and fasting are expressions (and embracings) of our weakness and,...

Here are some quotes from books I have been reading over the last few weeks: "The natural realm and the spiritual realm exist side by side, and we interact with both every day." "More than the gifts the Holy Spirit brings, I want you to know the amazing person of the Holy Spirit! Fellowship, communion, and intimacy--in other words, the friendship--with the Holy Spirit is the greatest blessing of all." "The Holy Spirit causes the process that Jesus referred to as "being born again," and the Holy Spirit seals those who are born again to ensure they stand blameless before God at the end of the their days, and the Holy Spirit sustains those who are born again every millisecond between those two moments." "If we want to participate in the truly supernatural life in this earthly world, we have to stop looking for earthly solutions to our problems." "What are the signs that a genuine move of God is taking place? What, in ...

Christmas has come and gone.  So, every year after Christmas I share new books that I received as gifts.  I love to read and appreciate the gift of books.  So, here is today's New Book Friday:

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. To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 139  O Lord , you have searched me and known me! 2  You know when I sit down and when I rise up;      you discern my thoughts from afar. 3  You search out my path and my lying down      and are acquainted with all my ways. 4  Even before a word is on my tongue,      behold, O Lord , you know it altogether. 5  You hem me in, behind and before,      and lay your hand upon me. 6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;      it is high; I cannot attain it. 7  Where shall I go from your Spirit?      Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8  If I ascend to heaven, you are ...

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." 16  that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18  may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19  and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20  Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:16-21)

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." 6  This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7  Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8  To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9  and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10  so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11  This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in C...

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." 20  But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21  For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

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." In Christ Jesus, then, I have  reason to be proud of  my work for God.  (Romans 15:17)

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." For  as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,   5  so we,  though many,  are one body in Christ, and individually  members one of another. (Romans 12:4-5)

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." I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— (Romans 9:1)

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. Logos   Logos means word. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) What it reminds me?  Jesus was present at creation.  Jesus is God.  Jesus has unity with the Father and Holy Spirit.  The Bible teaches us about who God is.  We need to be careful to not let our belief in the Bible replace the Trinity.  As J.D. Greear has said, many "believe (functionally speaking) in "Father, Son, and Holy Bible." We do not worship the Bible, but instead God the Fath...

I loved Jared C. Wilson's chapter "The Pastor and the Bible."  I highlighted a lot!  Often we can let good things become too important in the church and in life.  This chapter is a reminder that our absolute authority is God's Word and how important the Bible is in our preaching.  most gospel-centered preachers have an aversion to "how-to" sermons to begin with...Do these things and thereby reap these rewards is in essence legalistic..."How-to" sermons are specifically designed to help people become better Christians. The long and short of it appears to be that an entire ministerial enterprise dedicated to meeting felt needs, supplying biblical advice, and providing top-notch production values has quietly become a huge success at drawing crowds but a huge failure at what the Bible actually calls the church to do. Our words ought to stand under Scripture, not vice versa. When we come to the biblical text, it is meant to shape us: we are not to...

God's Word is full of promises of what Christ has DONE. Here are some selected promises of God from Colossians compiled by Kenneth Boa: The Father has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light (1:12) God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (1:13). We have been reconciled to God through Christ’s death so that we can be presented as holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (1:22). The riches of God’s mystery are Christ in us, the hope of glory (1:27). In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and we have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority (2:10). When we were dead in our sins, God made us alive with Christ and forgave us all our sins (2:13). We have been raised with Christ; we died, and our life is now hidden with Christ i...

One of the things I am doing on Sabbatical is reading. Surprised? I didn't think so.  I wanted to be reminded of God's Big Story. I want to see God as hero as I read the Bible. So I am reading The Story over the next few months.

I am continuing to share the promises of God from different books of the Bible.  Today we have promises from the book of Judges. Sin is not only destructive, but its cycles are monotonous; by contrast, God’s righteousness and saving acts are always life-giving and creative (3-16). When spiritual, moral, and sexual impurity abound, the only hope for a people is repentance and return to the ways of the Lord (3-16). False gods cannot deliver in save us when we are in trouble; it is only the Lord who can rescue us from the hands of our enemies on every side (8:34; 10:14). God’s name and ways are beyond understanding (13:18).

Here are more thoughts from Jefferson Bethke from Jesus > Religion : The biggest difference between religious people and gospel-loving people is that religious people see certain people as the enemies, when Jesus-followers see sin as the enemy. It's only when we understand that in Jesus we are cleansed, washed, and renewed that we see our sin fall by the wayside. Avoiding sin isn't about us not getting in trouble; it is about us trusting that the Creator knows his creation best and has designed the world to work in a certain way. Keep our eyes on him, and we will make it because it depends on him, not us. When Jesus and his righteousness are ultimate, then you actually see evil as the source of evil, rather than politics, money, or gender. But the truth is, God doesn't grade on a curve; he grades on a cross. It seems Jesus didn't come to lower the standard; he actually came to raise it. He took the issue from external to internal. Jesus is quite clear...

Today, I am sharing some more promises of God from the book of Exodus.  These were published by Kenneth Boa online.  The Lord is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (3:6).   The Lord took the Israelites as his own people, became their God, and brought them out from under the yoke of the Egyptians (6:7). The Lord raised up Pharaoh to show him his power and to cause his name to be proclaimed in all the earth (9:16). The Lord is faithful to his covenant promises and delivers his people through his powerful right hand (14-15). “Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?   Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” (15:11).

Communicating with Unchurched People in the Room Approach You know your BIG idea You know your Application Approach? The reason you care about approach is because you care deeply. If you don't care what people do with what you say, you don't care about people. 1 Corinthians 9:19-20-Who are you? It depends who I am talking to. Too often we are trying to make a point rather than make a difference. Bait into passage of Scripture I cannot make someone fall in love with Jesus. But I can set up dates. Challenge Avoid, "The Bible says, and instead, quote authors. The foundation of our faith is not the Bible. The foundation of our faith is an event (resurrection). The problem with "The Bible says" is what else the Bible says. You take the Bible seriously because you take Jesus seriously and Jesus took the Old Testament seriously. Our culture has written off the Bible and Old Testament, but people still want a piece of Jesus. Cite Authors James, the brother of Jesus, writ...

Last Friday, as pastors we asked our congregation to consider a corporate fast for 12 hours on Good Friday.  As pastors, we each took a four hour shift to be available in the sanctuary to pray with people.  People came in and out during my time, but I spent most of the time praying and reading the Bible on behalf of Hesston MB.  Here is a portion of what I wrote down during my time in the sanctuary: Because Christ is Redeemer, I am redeemed. Because Christ is Savior, I am saved. Because Christ is Reconciler, I am reconciled. Because Christ is Forgiver, I am forgiven. Because Christ is Healer, I am healed. Because Christ is Provider, I am provided for. Because Christ is Peace, I have peace. Because Christ is Creator, I am new. Because Christ is a Gift Giver, I am gifted. Because Christ is Rescuer, I am rescued. Because Christ is Loving, I am loved. Because Christ is Righteous, I am righteous. Because Christ is Holy, I am holy. Because Christ is King, I am ...

My word for 2014 is God's power.  This one comes from the Hebrew word, gebuwrah .  Here is a verse to remind us of His power today: Yours, O L ORD , is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O L ORD , and you are exalted as head above all. (1 Chronicles 29:11)