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Because God is Peace Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace . (Judges 6:24 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace . (Isaiah 9:6)  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13) The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (Romans 16:20) For he himself is our peace , who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7) Therefore we have peace 25  the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26  the Lord lift up his cou

While I was on sabbatical, I also took a break from writing for 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.  I am back posting again today here .  I am writing about perspective and it includes an adorable picture on my daughter, Molly.  Check it out!

Jessica Thompson's chapter on "God Our Father" in Everyday Grace is so good.  She reminds us about God as Father to us as how that should affect our parenting.  There are so many good things, but I will just share a few.  Pick up a copy for yourself.  Those on whom God has set his love are no longer children of wrath, but have been brought into God's family and are now referred to as "children of God". J.I. Packer writes, "To be right with God the judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the father is greater. God is a good father who loves blessing his children...He is a good father who gives good gifts, always...He loves each of us as he loves Jesus. The biblical definition of discipline, however, has no negative connotations at all. As a matter of fact, whenever God talks about disciplining his children, it is always in the context of love and delight. We confuse God's wrath for his enemies and his discipline of his

We are continuing our series on songs on the radio that remind us of the gospel. These songs are full of grace and point us to a God who is good and loving.  Today's song is by Big Daddy Weave and is called My Story. Lyrics are below. If I told you my story You would hear Hope that wouldn't let go And if I told you my story You would hear Love that never gave up And if I told you my story You would hear Life, but it wasn't mine If I should speak then let it be Of the grace that is greater than all my sin Of when justice was served and where mercy wins Of the kindness of Jesus that draws me in Oh to tell you my story is to tell of Him If I told you my story You would hear victory over the enemy And if I told you my story You would hear freedom that was won for me And if I told you my story You would hear Life overcome the grave If I should speak then let it be Of the grace that is greater than all my sin Of when justice was served and where mercy

Below you find promises of God from the book of Titus compiled by Kenneth Boa: A faith and knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness rests on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time (1:1-2). The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men (2:11). We wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good (2:13-14). When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.   He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life (3:4-7).

“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)

I am continuing to read Walter Marshall's The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification . There are so many good quotes, but I will try and share only a handful today. The key to living a holy life is union with Christ. Now, we have to acknowledge that union with Christ is a great mystery. In order to keep the law of God, your soul must be empowered out of the fullness of Christ. The power to live a holy life is something that is produced in you by Christ, and treasured up for you in him. Union with Christ is not a privilege you earn by your sincere obedience, or by your own attempts at holiness. Your union with Christ is not a reward of your own good works. Rather, union with Christ is a privilege that God gives to every Christian when they first become a Christian! The Holy Spirit brings about your sanctification. Contrary to popular belief, this marvelous assurance of forgiveness and everlasting life will not motivate you to ungodly living. Any holy attitude you have, or any

God is our Provider 19  And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19) So Abraham called the name of that place, “ The Lord will provide ”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provide d.” (Genesis 22:14) One of God's names is Jehovah Jireh--the God who provides. Therefore, we are provided for     He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;      the Lord is gracious and merciful. 5  He provides food for those who fear him;      he remembers his covenant forever. 6  He has shown his people the power of his works,      in giving them the inheritance of the nations. (Psalm 111:4-6)  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) 17  As for the rich in this p

Yesterday, I preached a message entitled, "Have to Vs. Want To" based on Ezra 3.  The notes were posted yesterday.  Today, I am sharing a song I mentioned as well as a picture I shared. The song is by HouseFires called "Good, Good Father" The picture is from R.J. Grunewald's book Galatians: Selections from Martin Luther's Commentary.

Introduction: One of the topics people least like to hear preached about is money. Similarly, one of the topics pastors least like to preach about is money.   Why is that? There are many reasons but I think part of it is we have made it about   a“have to” instead of “want to”. Today we will look at how Ezra 3 moves us from the “have to” to “want to” First, let me share a story I heard in a sermon by Erick Sorenson. A $100 bill, a $20 bill, and a $1 bill met up with each other at the shredder at the end of their natural lives. The $100 said, “Well, I’ve had a good life. I’ve seen the whole world. I’ve been on cruises in Caribbean, safaris in Africa, and vacations in Europe.” The $20 said, “Well, I’ve not done quite as well, but I have been to Atlantic City, Disneyland, and Starbucks.” They both turned to $1 bill and asked, “How about you?” He said, “Oh, I’ve seen the whole nation from coast to coast. I’ve been from church to church to church...”   The $100 bill asked, “What’

Here are selected promises of God from 2 Timothy compiled by Kenneth Boa: God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (1:7). God has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace (1:9). The grace of God has been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (1:10). God is able to guard what we have entrusted to him for the day when we see him (1:12). All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (3:16-17). The Lord will rescue us from every evil attack and will bring us safely to his heavenly kingdom (4:18).

I am currently reading Everyday Grace by Jessica Thompson.  She is also the author of Give Them Grace and a family devotion called Exploring Grace Together. She has so many good things to say in Chapter 3 that my book is full of green highlighter.  Here are a few quotes to think about: We have too high a view of our ability to do things right if we just have the right instructions...we also have too low a view of God and his love for us. In our laser-like attention to the doing, we forget what has been done. We can get so caught up in the doing that we forget about the people we are supposed to love. Here is another reason I think most relationship books are off: They focus on the doing. As you taste (Psalm 34:8) this multifaceted relationship with God, it will transform all of your other relationships. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to relationships. The whole Bible is written in such a way that in most verses we see the done before we see the do.

I have made a few changes to my identity in Christ verses.  We memorize these verses as part of fuzion (our mid-week program for 5th/6th graders).  Today's might seem silly, but it is great news. We don't just need to be made better by Jesus, we need to be made alive.  “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and   alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11)

I am continuing to read The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall. It was recommended to me by my friend, Russell from Dallas.  It is heavy book, but it has a lot of gospel gold in it.  Here are quotes from Chapter 2: If you want to keep God's law, he must equip you to do it. Sheer willpower is neither holy nor unholy in and of itself. You can use your willpower to serve either God or Satan. You cannot truly live a holy life unless you are totally assured of your justification and reconciliation with God, totally apart from the works of the law. You will not be able to do any good works that please God unless God, in his great love and mercy, does them through you. You cannot love God if you are under the continual secret suspicion that he is really your enemy! You cannot love God if you secretly think he condemns and hates you. Forgiveness is the horse that pulls the cart of good works. Therefore, God wants you to know that you have the power from h

Because God is Healer for I am the Lord , your healer . (Exodus 15:26). This is actually a name of God--Jehovah Rapha-God our Healer. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed . (Isaiah 53:5)  I Am Healed O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. (Psalm 30:2) And great crowds came to Jesus, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, (Matthew 15:30) The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed . (Acts 5:16) Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed . The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.  (James 5:16) He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we mig

Here's another song playing on the radio reminding us of who God is and how we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. What good news! I can see Waters raging at my feet I can feel The breath of those surrounding me I can hear The sound of nations rising up We will not be overtaken We will not be overcome I can walk Down this dark and painful road I can face Every fear of the unknown I can hear All God’s children singing out We will not be overtaken We will not be overcome The same power that rose Jesus from the grave The same power that commands the dead to wake Lives in us, lives in us The same power that moves mountains when He speaks The same power that can calm a raging sea Lives in us, lives in us He lives in us, lives in us We have hope That His promises are true In His strength There is nothing we can’t do Yes, we know There are greater things in store We will not be overtaken We will not be overcome Greater is He that is living in me He’s

Here are selected promises of God from 1 Timothy compiled by Kenneth Boa: The grace of our Lord was poured out on us abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus (1:14). Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, so that those who believe on him will receive eternal life (1:15-16). The Lord is the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, who deserves honor and glory for ever and ever (1:17). God our Savior wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (2:4). There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men (2:5). Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come (4:8). We are not to put our hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put our hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (6:17).

Today's new book is a curriculum we are using for fuzion (our mid-week ministry for 5th/6th graders).

I am continuing to read Everyday Grace by Jessica Thompson.  It is a good book on how grace affects all of our relationships.  Here are some quotes from Chapter 2: God's grace comes crashing into the darkness of deception and blame-shifting. Instead of only giving judgment for their sin, he gives hope of redemption. This hope of redemption is the only hope we have in relationships. Either way, when we are doing well or doing badly, we are focused on ourselves. This inward focus will be the very thing that keeps us from the end goal of having a healthy, thriving, God-glorifying relationship. Owning our own mess will make us gracious toward everybody else who is a mess also...We won't withhold forgiveness, because we will see how much we have been forgiven. God does not wink at sin. He takes our sin very seriously, to the point of demanding that blood be shed to pay for our sin...God demands complete perfection, a complete fulfilling of the Law. He doesn't ask to lov

To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus. . .    (Ephesians 1:1)

I have enjoyed reading a small book published by Mockingbird Publications called Law and Gospel. It is helpful in understanding how both words shape and influence the Christian life.  I finished the book last week so here are some quotes to think about: the Law must continue to convict us of our utter unrighteousness, and the Gospel must continue to save us...So where the Law is a closed fist, the Gospel is an open hand. Gratitude is a natural response to salvation. It does not require coercion or encouragement; to the extent that individual understands what has happened, gratitude will flow organically and abundantly from their heart. The precise form it takes will be different every time, but such is the nature of fruit. Belovedness can actually beget love itself. God's presence and promise are objective comfort, not to be conjured or obtained but only recognized. Thus the wild, absurd, unconditional truth of God's love in Emmanuel--"God with us," just as

God Forgives 2  Bless the Lord , O my soul,      and forget not all his benefits, 3  who forgives all your iniquity,      who heals all your diseases, (Psalm 103:2-3) For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:34) Therefore, we are forgiven   9  And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2  And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven .” 3  And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4  But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5  For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven ,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” —he then said to the paralytic— “Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7  And he rose and went home. 8  When th

Today, I preached at Hesston MB from Ezra 2 and my title was "The List".  Below are notes from the message: Introduction: What lists have you been on during your lifetime?   There are good lists. School-Honor Roll/Music or Drama Program/Team Roster   Work-Most Successful/Membership in organizations (professional or civic) Personal-Most Popular/ Best Looking/Most intelligent/ Republican/Democrat/Independent/Other?   Family-Good Parent, Spouse, Child Church- Good Christian There are also bad lists that we don’t want to be on.   Hypocrite? Unpaid taxes? Felon? Addict? Gossip? Judgmental? Ashley Madison? Today’s passage from Ezra 2 is about being on a list.   I told Brad that it was convenient to be gone this week since this is a difficult passage to preach.   Isn’t it just a bunch of names?   Why does it matter?   We will see people included and excluded from the list. If every Scripture points to Jesus, what about Ezra 2? Read Ezra 2:1-2; 59,62 ·          Mad