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Since tomorrow is Easter, I am jumping ahead in our verse of the week to a passage about the resurrection.  Jesus lived, died, rose again and ascended into heaven for us.  Jesus is alive! 28  Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2  And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4  And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5  But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6  He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he [ a ] lay. 7  Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8  So they departed quickly

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:  You Are Good by Lincoln Brewster

Today is my oldest daughter's 16th birthday!  Happy Birthday, Mackenzie.  She is a beautiful young lady who loves to serve and help others.  I am so proud of the young woman she is becoming.  If you see her today, wish her a happy birthday.  Read posts from previous years that tell the story of Mackenzie's start in the NICU.  Here are a few pictures over the years:

“ Now you are the body of Christ and in dividually members of it.   (1 Corinthians 12:27)

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. He wants you to walk in love, but he wants you to see that love is found in his Son. Faith looks away from self to the cross and to Christ and what the Father has done. When you look to Jesus, a holy love spreads through your life. (Jack Miller)  I am chosen, not forsaken. I am who You say I am. You are for me, not against me. I am who You say I am. @EvanHeadrick Faith is not interested in faith. How big it is, how little it is. How strong it is, how weak. Faith is not about itself. It's about Christ. @birdchadlouis When Jesus said “it is finished” from the cross, it means that He was the perfect sacrifice for our sins AND He perfectly fulfilled and obeyed the law in our place. @Ryan_Haskins Nothing matters more than justification by Christ alone

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. We will also see these in the Old Testament as well. Each week I will share a verse (or two) to help us better understand abiding. 11  Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in booths, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house, to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing.”   (2 Samuel 11:11) 19  Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you also go with us? Go back and stay with

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. Helper   Jesus tells his disciples that He will ask the Father to send a "paraclete" which can be translated as a helper, counselor, comforter, or advocate.  Here is one of the definitions from Blue Letter Bible:   one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate   16  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, (John 14:16) What it reminds me?  This name for the Holy Spirit reminds us that He is our helper or counselor or advocate.  When we are afraid and don't know what to do,

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. 6  “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7  From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8  Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9  You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10  Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11  I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it

I love this time of year.  It is when we remember Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.  We in the church celebrate his entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday (this year, March 25) and Easter (day Christ raised from the dead) the following Sunday. Our tradition at Hesston MB for our kids is to have a live donkey during Children's Church and to process into the worship service with palm branches on Palm Sunday. On Easter, we have an Easter Egg hunt for the kids during Children's Church and then share what Easter is all about.  Below are a few pictures. If you live in the Hesston area, join us on March 25 and April 1 (no joke) at 10:10 a.m. for these special activities for children.

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:  Yes and Amen by Housefires

“ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

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. In the story of the Good Samaritan, we are the ones stripped, beaten, and robbed. We are the one passed by the Law believed to be beyond saving. It is Christ who is the Good Samaritan. @GospelEconomist  As sinful humans, we are adept at taking what God gives as gift and making it into a work. Nowhere is this made more evident than in the universally misunderstood doctrine of sanctification. @RyanCouch If you remove the weight of the law, then there is no way to run after grace because you feel you can achieve law. @jonmoffitt Implicit in the claim of Christ’s centrality to scripture is that Christ is for you. Yes, you. He’s not for some imaginary, perfect person. Christ is for you. @GospelEconomist If we walk away from a sermon thinking “It’s up to me”

I recently finished Sola! by Leann Luchinger and Heather Choate Davis. Here are some quotes: sola is Latin for alone, and that the three solas are considered foundational principles of Protestantism...sola gratia (grace alone), sola fide (faith alone), and sola scriptura (Scripture alone). Not grace plus works or worthiness or effort or intention or money or remorse. Grace alone!...It is an all or nothing proposition, with God doing all, and us doing nothing. Because the Cross of Christ is where sin and grace kiss. Not just once but daily. His Law (God's wisdom for living) reveals our sin (all the ways we reject that wisdom). His Gospel then assures us that we are not to sit around beating ourselves up about it but rather to keep following Him, trusting that "for freedom Christ has set us free"...This balanced tension between Law and Gospel serves us in every season, keeping us humble through the highs, hopeful through the lows, and trusting that it's all on H

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 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. We will also see these in the Old Testament as well. Each week I will share a verse (or two) to help us better understand abiding. 5  Then the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not remain in the stronghold; depart, and go into the land of Judah.” So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth. (1 Samuel 22:5)   23  Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall be in safekeeping.” (1 Samuel 22:23) 21  Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow

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. Friend of Sinners   Jesus was accused of being a friend of sinners.  It was intended as an insult.    The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ (Luke 7:34) What it reminds me?  Jesus came to seek and save the lost.  This includes you and me.  Jesus being a friend of sinners is not just good news for the unsaved but also for the saved.  I'm thankful Jesus who was fully God and fully man has chosen to be in relationship with us even though we sin.  Our sins have been forgiven through Jesus' death on the cros

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. 4  And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep. 2  And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. 3  And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” 4  And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5  Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 6  Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit , says the Lord of hosts. 7  Who are you, O great mountain? Be

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:  Whom Shall I Fear by Chris Tomlin

Currently, I am reading several books on the Reformation in preparation for a sermon series I am doing this summer.  Here are the books I am currently reading:

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24  The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

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:

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 prophet Isaiah wrote about God’s plan to send Jesus to bring good news and redeem broken and hurting people. #thegospelprojectkids  Evangelism is the natural overflow of a heart richly indwelled by the Gospel. @gospeldriven  Jesus was delivered into the hands of sin, death, & the power of the Devil for us. Our deliverer died the death & experienced the hell our evil deeds have merited. On the third day he rose, breaking the jaws of our captors & delivering us into his gracious hands. @GospelEconomist Grace alone! Grace is an all or nothing proposition, with God doing all, and us doing nothing. #sola @faithinwords We are fickle & faithless. Our relationship with Christ is not initiated by or contingent on our faithfulness. The center

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. We will also see these in the Old Testament as well. Each week I will share a verse (or two) to help us better understand abiding. 22  But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.” (1 Samuel 1:22)   7  And when the men of Ashdod saw how things were, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for his hand is hard against us and against Dagon our god.” (1 Samuel 5:7)

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. Lord   Lord means master or is a title of respect and reverence.   28  Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)   23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) What it reminds me?  God is God and I am not.  He is my master and He knows best.  Jesus came as one who served others and we have the privilege of being servants for and with Christ.  When we understand Christ as Lord, we realize He is in control even when life is spinning out of control. 

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. 6  For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7  And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. 8  The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. 9  The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’” (Haggai 2:6-9)

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:  We Will Remember by Tommy Walker

Last week, I finished A Scandalous Freedom by Steve Brown and Befriend by Scott Sauls.  Here are some quotes from the final chapters of the books: the difference between Christians and pagans when both fail is that pagans blame luck and Christians blame God. the law of God provides a schematic for the way the world works...God explains how certain things will hurt you and certain things will help you...The law of God, as revealed in the Bible, is the best way to live...The law is the tutor that brings you to Christ. one major reason Christians don't obey is they obsess over their obedience...When you obsess over anything but him--and that includes being free--you can lose it. You take the first step, God will take the second step, and by the time you get to the third step, you will know that it was God who took the first step. Every human bears the image of God. This is what the scribes and Pharisees were know for doing. They demanded that people keep God's law--do

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:

“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)