daddy4ms

Cross Vision What is your mental conception of God? Not what is your theology, but what goes on in your head when you think about God How beautiful is your conception of God?  If your conception of God doesn’t seem too good to be true, your view might be too low. Love is not just a verb God does, but also a noun about who God is. Hebrews 1:1-3-The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and exact representation (character) of his being (essence) All Scripture points to Jesus-John 5:39 1 Corinthians 15-everything in Scripture points to Jesus’ cross centered ministry The Bible is divinely inspired. How does the cross reveal the definitive revelation of Jesus? On the surface, the cross is ugly but the cross is beautiful in its depth as we see it by faith God loves us as we are so we can become who He wants us to be.

I am about halfway through the book, Why the Reformation Still Matters   by Michael Reeves and Tim Chester.  I am reading it in preparation for preaching this summer.  Here are some quotes from the first 5 chapters: Nothing matters more than justification by Christ alone through faith alone...This is why Luther described justification as "the summary of Christian doctrine" and "the article by which the church stands or falls." So Christ is central to the Bible. And Christ is central to the interpretation of the Bible. All true interpretations of the Bible lead us to Jesus. Corrupted all the way down, we cannot fix ourselves. Our hearts must be renewed, and that can happen only through the gospel being preached and the glory of God being unveiled. For them, grace was not a "thing" at all; it is the personal kindness of God by which he does not merely enable us but actually rescues and freely gives us himself...In other words, the grace and righte...

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:  The Power of the Cross by Keith and Kristyn Getty

I finished Counsel From the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick last week. I highly recommend this to everyone and especially to pastors, counselors, and teachers. Here are some quotes from 2 of the last chapters (more quotes from final chapter in a later post): we learn not only that our thoughts should linger on the gospel, but also that doing so will change our attitude and mood. For every one look that they take at their sin, they need to take ten looks at God's love for them in Christ. From the gospel we learn who we are and how God sees us. His love for us is to have a powerful effect on our love for others, and it is the only thing that will motivate us to love as we have been called to. The problem with a large majority of these books (Christian parenting or marriage books), however is that they have pointed out the obligations of the gospel without first rehearsing the declarations of the gospel. but gospel-oriented parents give the law to show children their need...

As I have continued to read Gospel Powered Parenting by William Farley, I have struggled.  Chapter 3 was difficult.  I would probably not recommend this book to parents because of this chapter.  Chapters 4-5 seemed to help a little, but something is missing.  I am going to finish the book, but won't recommend it to others.  His understanding of fear, holiness, and grace are much different from mine and more importantly my understanding of the Bible.  With that said, I believe fear, holiness, and grace are biblical.  However, I would see a different definition in Scripture than Farley. These chapters heap condemnation on parents if they don't measure up.  But then he says something that makes me question my strong feelings.  This book has confused me more than any other book I have read because of how it mixes law and gospel.  Most books I disagree with are heavy on law and moralism only.  This one blends law and gospel which makes...

I am continuing Counsel from the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick. I enjoyed several chapters on the topic of God's love for us and how it impacts us.  She asks, do you believe God loves you?  Do you?  And then challenges others who think they make "Varsity Christian Squad."  You know those who have no doubt that God loves them because they are so good.  Is that you?  Either extreme misses out on the good news of the gospel for us. Here are some quotes on God's love and our response: Love is the key to every sin problem in our lives both vertically, between ourselves and the Lord, and horizontally, between ourselves and others. What will ignite a white-hot passion in our hearts? Only trusting in God's love for us. Only the gospel annihilates self-condemnation. Only love stimulates love...our love for God and our others is responsive in nature. God places all our transgressions upon his Son, he pours out our punishment upon him, he transfers his pe...

This past week, I started a new book by Elyse Fitzpatrick titled, Counsel from the Cross which she has written with Dennis Johnson.  I loved Elyse's book, Found in Him and have already enjoyed the first few chapters.  Here are a few quotes from the opening chapters: Our need of Christ does not cease with our believing...It is always on His "blood and righteousness" alone that we can rest.(Warfield) When we lose the centrality of the cross, Christianity morphs into a religion of self-improvement and becomes about us, about our accomplishments, and about getting our act together. We become become who ask WWJD (What would Jesus do?) without ever considering the gospel or WDJD (What did Jesus do?). We need to hear the gospel again because if we have forgotten his work on our behalf, it will skew the way we think of God, the way we think of ourselves, and the way we think of others. God's disposition toward us is entirely different because we are beloved. As...

Here is another song that is playing on the radio that is full of the gospel.  It was the theme for Daughters of the King 2014.  It has become one of my favorites because of its focus on our identity in Christ. Lyrics below. There's got to be more Than going back and forth From doing right to doing wrong 'Cause we were taught that's who we are Come on get in line right behind me You along with everybody Thinking there's worth in what you do Then like a hero who takes the stage when We're on the edge of our seats saying it's too late Well let me introduce you to amazing grace   No matter the bumps No matter the bruises No matter the scars Still the truth is The cross has made The cross has made you flawless No matter the hurt Or how deep the wound is No matter the pain Still the truth is The cross has made The cross has made you flawless   Could it possibly be That we simply can't believe That this unconditional Kind of l...

I am continuing to share great hymns of the faith which focus on the cross and Jesus.  Be reminded what Christ accomplished for you and me on the cross. We are redeemed, purchased by His blood, our debt has been paid and we are free.

The following is a quote from Lutheran Theology by Steven Paulson on the law and our hearts. The real issue in the law is the first table that concerns the sinner's relation to God, not her neighbor. That relation comes down to the first commandment that demands a good, clean heart. One is either good in heart or not; there is no cherry picking by Jews or Gentiles for which law accuses and which one excuses. Judges point the finger rightly at the wicked, but miss the point about their righteous selves. The real matter concerning the law is the heart, and the heart cannot be made good by the law. The law is not spiritual, meaning that it cannot create anything, especially not a new heart. The law reveals your heart as good or bad as light reveals what hides in darkness, but Paul now claims that the law has already made its universal judgment and come to its fatal conclusion: there is no good heart anywhere...The reason is that the wrath of God has been revealed, the end of self-j...

As I mentioned in a previous post, last week I started reading Show Them Jesus by Jack Klumpenhower. You can visit his website here  Below, I have included a section from Chapter 3 on growth for kids.  It was so helpful to me and will impact how I teach in the future. Church kids come in one of two types--unsaved and saved. Both types desperately need to see Jesus. . .We make a mistake if we think kids are saved by hearing the good news and trusting Jesus, but then grow as Christians some other way. . .We grow in the same way we became Christians--rooted in Jesus, with our hope in the good news. As kids learn about God's goodness and holiness, they ought to increase in aw of him. That's growth. And as they examine themselves and see the ugliness inside, they ought to increase in conviction of sin. That's growth too. But the combination of these will drive them to despair--unless their understanding of the forgiveness and righteousness they have in Jesus also grows. ...

Today we celebrate Good Friday which is the day we remember that Jesus died on the cross for us.  Think about it.  God in the flesh died for you and me.  Why is it good? Because Jesus defeated sin, death, Satan, and sickness on the cross.  And there is so much more.  I would encourage you to look into God's Word and be reminded what Jesus' death on the cross accomplished for you. "It Is Finished!" Today, at Hesston MB, we are fasting and this gives us time to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for us.  We do this not out of obligation or duty or to earn God's love or make Him do what we want, but instead it flows from a response of love.

Tonight as part of our Hide N Seek (mid-week Children's Ministry) we were talking about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Our focus the last two weeks included a memory game with what Jesus accomplished on the cross (forgive sin, defeat Satan, defeat death, reconcile us to God, justify us, etc.) This week, we read story of the resurrection and celebrated these things by giving each other high fives or doing a touchdown dance.  It was a fun way to reinforce for our first graders how to understand the good news of the gospel and what Jesus accomplished on the cross because He loves them.

Here is another great song that I learned at Liberate last year.  Lyrics are below. Be reminded of what Jesus has done for you.  The bridge includes only three words: it is finished. Listen here 1. Free from the law, O happy condition, Jesus has bled and there is remission, Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall, Grace has redeemed us once for all. Chorus: Once for all, O sinner, receive it, Once for all, O doubter, believe it; Cling to the cross, the burden will fall, Christ has redeemed us once for all. 2. Now we are free, there’s no condemnation, Jesus provides a perfect salvation. “Come unto Me,” O hear His sweet call, Come, and He saves us once for all. 3. Children of God, O glorious calling, Surely His grace will keep us from falling; Passing from death to life at His call; Blessed salvation once for all. Bridge: It is finished credits from His Be the Victor's Name , ...

The song below are from a new song by Zac Hicks and Julie Vargas.  I look forward to singing this song in February at Liberate.  I love the lyrics.  Be reminded as you read what Jesus finished work on the cross means for you. 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 record Gone my regrets Gone is my failure Gone in Christ, Gone in C...

Here is another song by the title, "It Is Finished" by Matt Papa.  Enjoy what Christ accomplished on your behalf.

This is a excerpt from Everyday Prayers by Scotty Smith. Indeed, more clearly than we see the enemies of beauty, let us see the wonders of your cross. More than we desire to see burning coals heaped on their heads, let us see you, Jesus. The only way we can even imagine overcoming evil with good is by remembering you’ve already secured the utter annihilation of all evil and darkness.  But we confess, Jesus, we’re clueless about feeding hungry, thirsty enemies. Take our hand and show us the way. No one does this better than you.  And Jesus, where we’re just too sensitive, too easily offended, too quick to keep a record of wrongs done to us, too slow to overlook what can and what should be overlooked, have mercy on us, but also be at work within us. Free us to do the right thing, the gospel thing. As far as we are able, as far as it depends on us, show us how to make peace, guard peace, nurture peace with everyone. All of this is simply impossible apart from you, Jesus. ...

I came across this song last week as I was looking for songs to post about our great God. I had never heard it, but I love the message.  May we grow in our understanding of what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross!

Below is a painting that I recently purchased from The Passion Painter who was at our church.  Be reminded of what Jesus accomplished on your behalf on the cross.