tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-175516742024-03-07T13:02:38.425-05:00CROSS-eyedMeditations on God, His Word, and His World (under the grace found only because of Christ Crucified)pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.comBlogger1782125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-90119370866797730002014-10-07T10:17:00.000-04:002014-10-07T10:17:45.058-04:00Help Us Give an Orphan a Home<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">We are adopting a son!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">We are just about done with all the updated paperwork and are sending it all to Ethiopia in the next few days. Which means that we will officially be in line to get a court date to be able to bring our son home.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Pray that our paperwork will move quickly through this process. And pray for our son. The more we learn about the situation he is coming from (poverty, brokenness, abandonment, death, etc.), the more our heart yearns to be the family God has called us to be for him.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">We still have a huge chunk of fees, travel expenses, and medical costs ahead of us. We anticipate that will we need around $15,000 just to get our son home.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">If you want to help, we would greatly appreciate it. Any help you can offer, no matter how big or small, will be used to give an orphan a forever family. You can learn more about supporting our adoption here: </span><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><a href="http://childersadoption.blogspot.com/p/how-you-can-help.html">http://childersadoption.blogspot.com/p/how-you-can-help.html</a></span></span><br />
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<i>"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction..."</i> James 1:27</div>
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pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-60413002363340803492014-01-04T13:18:00.004-05:002014-01-04T13:18:40.404-05:00JoyA prayer from <i>The Valley of Vision</i><br />
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O CHRIST,<o:p></o:p></div>
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All thy ways of mercy tend to and end in my delight.<br />
Thou didst weep, sorrow, suffer that I might rejoice.<br />
For my joy thou hast sent the Comforter,<br />
multiplied thy promises,<br />
shown me my future happiness,<br />
given me a living fountain.<br />
Thou art preparing joy for me and me for joy;<br />
I pray for joy, wait for joy, long for joy;<br />
give me more than I
can hold, desire, or think of.<br />
Measure out to me my times and degrees of joy,<br />
at my work, business,
duties.<br />
If I weep at night, give me joy in the morning.<br />
Let me rest in the thought of thy love,<br />
pardon for
sin, my title to heaven,<br />
my future
unspotted state.<br />
I am an unworthy recipient of thy grace.<br />
I often disesteem thy blood and slight thy love,<br />
but can in repentance
draw water<br />
from the wells of thy
joyous forgiveness.<br />
Let my heart leap towards the eternal sabbath,<br />
where the work of
redemption, sanctification,<br />
preservation,
glorification is finished and perfected for ever,<br />
where thou wilt
rejoice over me with joy.<br />
There is no joy like the joy of heaven,<br />
for in that state are
no sad divisions,<br />
unchristian
quarrels,<br />
contentions, evil
designs,<br />
weariness, hunger,
cold,<br />
sadness, sin,
suffering,<br />
persecutions, toils of
duty.<br />
O healthful place where none are sick!<br />
O happy land where all are kings!<br />
O holy assembly where all are priests!<br />
How free a state where none are servants except to thee!<br />
Bring me speedily to the land of joy.<o:p></o:p></div>
pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-76218160838121410982013-12-22T20:00:00.000-05:002013-12-22T20:00:04.618-05:0010 Reasons Jesus Came<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At Christmas we remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus
Christ. The fact that He was born is amazing. However, why He came is the most
amazing thing about Christmas. Here are 10 specific reasons Jesus came from the
Bible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><b>Jesus came to do the will of the Father
(John 6:38).<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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In John 6:38, Jesus says, “For I have come down from heaven,
not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Jesus came to seek and to save the lost
(Luke 19:10).<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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In Luke 19:10, Jesus says, “For the Son of Man came to seek
and to save the lost.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Jesus came to save sinners (1 Timothy
1:15).<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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In 1 Timothy 1:15 Paul says, “The saying is trustworthy and
deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Jesus came not to call the righteous, but
sinners (Luke 5:31-32).<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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In Luke 5:31-32, Jesus says, “Those who are well have no
need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous
but sinners to repentance.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Jesus came to destroy the works of the
devil (1 John 3:8).<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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1 John 3:8 says, “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of
the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the
Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Jesus came to kill death (Hebrews 2:14-15).<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Hebrews 2:14-15 says, “Since therefore the children share in
flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through
death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong
slavery.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Jesus came to bring light to a dark world
(John 12:46).<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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In John 12:46, Jesus says, “I
have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not
remain in darkness.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Jesus came to bear witness to the truth
(John 18:37).<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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In John 18:37, Pilate asked Jesus, “So you are a king?”
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for
this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone
who is of the truth listens to my voice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Jesus came to fulfill the law and the
prophets (Matt 5:17).<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come
to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to
fulfill them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Jesus came to give us abundant life (John
10:10).<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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In John 10:10, Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal
and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 particular responses to these truths:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Thank God for the coming of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Utilize this season to think about and thank God
for all that Jesus accomplished in His coming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Spread this good news to others.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Tell others why Jesus came. Everyone in our
culture knows <u>that</u> Jesus came, but not many are thinking about <u>why</u>
He came. Talk to people about why Jesus came.<o:p></o:p></div>
pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-56733603133023340322013-10-17T17:06:00.000-04:002013-10-17T17:07:33.670-04:00Ways to PRAY for your church...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0kczjzi6aMsWwiacyY4aFlHYWZAmkoSobHH8zeeZPbJob1SptpvKvEFgtd08usAIzSaWbnQWaZBAgzEEIlgfwsEnz08Jh_h1EJ3YRqgzJO024ous15OyZaUGitDzXgLghure-A/s1600/bw_praying_teen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0kczjzi6aMsWwiacyY4aFlHYWZAmkoSobHH8zeeZPbJob1SptpvKvEFgtd08usAIzSaWbnQWaZBAgzEEIlgfwsEnz08Jh_h1EJ3YRqgzJO024ous15OyZaUGitDzXgLghure-A/s320/bw_praying_teen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">THAT YOUR UNITY AND LOVE WILL
ALWAYS BE GENUINE.</span><br />
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THAT EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL BRING GLORY TO GOD.<br />
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<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">THAT YOU WILL REACH
THE LOST AND MAKE DISCIPLES FOR CHRIST.</span><br />
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THAT YOU WILL GROW IN SPIRITUAL MATURITY.<br />
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<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">THAT YOUR FAMILIES AND
MARRIAGES WILL BE STRENGTHENED.</span><span style="font-size: 30.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span><br />
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THAT YOU WILL TREASURE JESUS MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.<br />
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<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">THAT THE LORD WILL USE YOUR
JOYFUL WORSHIP AS A MEANS TO DRAW OTHERS TO HIMSELF.</span><br />
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THAT THE LORD WILL PROTECT YOU FROM SATAN AND SIN.<br />
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<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">THAT GOD WILL ENCOURAGE YOUR STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-82472189474512573842013-08-19T15:26:00.000-04:002013-08-19T15:26:19.079-04:00I Am A Church MemberAfter I finish preaching through Philippians, I am going to do a short series from the Bible on our responsibilities as members of Christ's church. This series is inspired by Thom Rainer's book<a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/i-am-a-church-member-discovering-the-attitude-that-makes-the-difference-thom-s-rainer-9781433679735?utm_source=jchilders&utm_medium=jchilders" target="_blank"> <i>I Am A Church Member</i></a>. This is an excellent book on the attitudes that should characterize us as we pursue unity in the local church. Just glance through the table of contents to see that this book is a challenge to apply God's Word to our relationships and commitment to the church.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAxPfSCT9_xcmZS8_qUpI8XbJaNmJMp2P5LpdVQ7EWzIZ6QZMMxxayv8DqyQ1fu0ykevjW_MrDmCPaoBXgUfCzyU2U7LAjxXC_m7HYyDYsl4FgIeKyiR6JDySQ9yjd63oThrgEA/s1600/I+am+a+church+member+-+Sept+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAxPfSCT9_xcmZS8_qUpI8XbJaNmJMp2P5LpdVQ7EWzIZ6QZMMxxayv8DqyQ1fu0ykevjW_MrDmCPaoBXgUfCzyU2U7LAjxXC_m7HYyDYsl4FgIeKyiR6JDySQ9yjd63oThrgEA/s320/I+am+a+church+member+-+Sept+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-11919736569868829582013-07-01T16:54:00.000-04:002013-07-01T16:55:01.103-04:00Happy 66th Anniversary Miller Heights Baptist Church<i>The church I pastor celebrates 66 years of God's faithfulness this Sunday. I've made it my goal to "retire" at our 100th anniversary celebration (God willing...). I'll be almost 70 :)</i><br />
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<i>Here is the bulletin insert for Sunday:</i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Celebrating 66 Years of God’s
Faithfulness to<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPP-cPWysZ_KW_wapPFIYw6hqDGGw_qlNoN_P0QmCvvNeL0TNPph-qSwRodY165I1YevZhaiqx1DDoxWJslMZD4AAEFMEovUNo4ZLf8VLhiRe4czHF1TNY_4wWmOFOrJjYFWbrUQ/s1158/MH+logo+jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPP-cPWysZ_KW_wapPFIYw6hqDGGw_qlNoN_P0QmCvvNeL0TNPph-qSwRodY165I1YevZhaiqx1DDoxWJslMZD4AAEFMEovUNo4ZLf8VLhiRe4czHF1TNY_4wWmOFOrJjYFWbrUQ/s320/MH+logo+jpeg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Thanking God for the
past…<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Miller Heights Baptist Church has experienced God’s
faithfulness for the past 66 years. God established this church on July 6, 1947
in a small one room building with about 10 members. And God has provided all
our needs by His grace through these 66 years. All praise, honor, and glory go
to God alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Treasuring Jesus in
the present…<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Miller Heights Baptist Church is a fantastic church full of
loving people who treasure Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. God has uniquely
knit us together as a multi-generational, multi-cultural people who seek to
make much of Jesus Christ in all we do. God’s kindness is evident all around
us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Trusting God for the
future… <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Miller Heights Baptist Church has a bright future. God created this
church and He will sustain us for His glory. Jesus is building His church and
we are glad to be part of His eternal plan to fill the universe with His
beauty. People change, buildings change, and communities change. But, our God
will not change. He will continue to be our Rock, our Refuge, and our very
strong Fortress. So, let us move confidently into the future with massive
confidence in the One who was and is and is to come.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVTymQJn33iBEGuEgTVo8qW8b92UhWKepCCV60jyCtHPR39E76e6e64XeUqfKEfNer-vPyPouK4ASevM-EUOP3OJah6oBsUctKUoUJiA83hx5xQV8mcN9XJ5D9UL_p89yuqs4ng/s800/Ground+Breaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVTymQJn33iBEGuEgTVo8qW8b92UhWKepCCV60jyCtHPR39E76e6e64XeUqfKEfNer-vPyPouK4ASevM-EUOP3OJah6oBsUctKUoUJiA83hx5xQV8mcN9XJ5D9UL_p89yuqs4ng/s320/Ground+Breaking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-28668313095540777052013-06-13T12:53:00.001-04:002013-06-13T12:53:51.278-04:00Saving EutychusThis is a good book on preaching: <a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/saving-eutychus-how-to-preach-gods-word-and-keep-people-awake-phil-campbell-9781922206251?utm_source=jchilders&utm_medium=jchilders" target="_blank"><i>Saving Eutychus</i> by Millar and Campbell</a>. When DA Carson and Alister Begg say a book is a "must read," I'm reading it. It is full of very practical tips and very weighty ideas. I highly recommend it for all those who preach God's Word.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFgpZ4yFBxFrc-Vg6YV2Yz_uNILsbzZXCglvDbV4IeOVSejhyphenhyphenum3DN_jCvXguo8Crf7LbN3bV9AVmi5W-3iB8guz5A_AyY6J4dL5AzmH4AHtCTGL0IDumHMrZED2PPto_3PTEig/s1600/9781922206251m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFgpZ4yFBxFrc-Vg6YV2Yz_uNILsbzZXCglvDbV4IeOVSejhyphenhyphenum3DN_jCvXguo8Crf7LbN3bV9AVmi5W-3iB8guz5A_AyY6J4dL5AzmH4AHtCTGL0IDumHMrZED2PPto_3PTEig/s1600/9781922206251m.jpg" /></a></div>
pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-73710654104537643082013-05-24T17:22:00.001-04:002013-05-24T17:23:05.922-04:00What does it mean to pray in Jesus' name?Did you know that the Bible never commands us to say, "in Jesus' name" at the end of our prayers? So, why do we do it? Well, because Jesus commanded and encouraged us to pray in His name (John 14:13-14). But, He wasn't commanding us to say, "in Jesus' name." He was commanding us to pray in His name. So, what does that mean? Well, it means a whole lot more than simply saying 3 words at the end of our prayers. It is an attitude and recognition. Here is my attempt to get at what it means:<br />
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Praying in
Jesus’ name means recognizing that it is only through Jesus that we can ask
anything of God.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We must come to
the Father acknowledging that, without the atonement of Jesus, He would not
even hear us.</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Praying in
Jesus’ name means praying for what will bring Him most glory.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">“In Jesus’ name”
is another way to say, “for Jesus’ glory.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Praying in
Jesus’ name means praying in submission to His revealed will.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">“In Jesus’ name”
is another way to say, “if it be according to Your will.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Paul Miller, <i>A Praying Life</i>, p. 134.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Imagine that your prayer is
a poorly dressed beggar reeking of alcohol and body odor, stumbling toward the
palace of the great king. You have become your prayer. As you shuffle toward
the barred gate, the guards stiffen. Your smell has preceded you. You stammer out
a message for the great king: ‘I want to see the king.’<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Your words are barely
intelligible, but you whisper one final word, ‘Jesus, I come in the name of
Jesus.’ At the name of Jesus, all of a sudden, the palace comes alive. The
guards snap to attention, bowing low in front of you. Lights come on, and the
door flies open. You are ushered into the palace and down a long hallway into
the throne room of the great king, who comes running to you and wraps you in
his arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The name of Jesus gives my
prayers royal access. They get through. Jesus isn’t just the Savior of my soul.
He’s also the Savior of my prayers. My prayers come before the throne of God as
the prayers of Jesus. ‘Asking in Jesus’ name’ isn’t another thing I have to get
right so my prayers are perfect. It is one more gift of God because my prayers
are so imperfect.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-70887502716136207012013-05-11T16:56:00.005-04:002013-05-11T16:56:57.847-04:00Why Study Theology?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoI5bCmO9oUVuMSjAIqhoqEeliIBockF0o902XqkLAXpkTHPeGd4DJeOi3Ja2EL9bgIyXWpjXztwfe8bKSMcmE0RNVGWhowC8xzruNxfSJ-LZ5ofdBHGNDiCwcXkWCoBISUWhcw/s1600/MHcolor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoI5bCmO9oUVuMSjAIqhoqEeliIBockF0o902XqkLAXpkTHPeGd4DJeOi3Ja2EL9bgIyXWpjXztwfe8bKSMcmE0RNVGWhowC8xzruNxfSJ-LZ5ofdBHGNDiCwcXkWCoBISUWhcw/s320/MHcolor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i>I started a Sunday evening series on the main doctrines of our faith last week. We are calling it, "Firm Foundations." I want to begin my pastorate at Miller Heights by laying a solid foundation of truth that will serve us for many years and decades to come. I started with an introductory message addressing the question of why we should even study theology at all. Here was my brief outline:</i><br />
<br />
<br />
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The Greatest Commandment: Love the Lord your God with all
your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:28-31).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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One of the ways we can love God with all our minds is to
study God (theology = the study of God).</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
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<b>Why should we study theology?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We want to know God better.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We want to glorify and worship God to the best
of our ability.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We want to be a faithful witness of God and His
ways.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We want to promote unity and purity in the
church.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We want to correct our wrong and erroneous
beliefs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We want to be mature and stable Christians who
remain steadfast to the end.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>So, with what attitude should we study God?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We should study God sticking closely to the
Bible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We should study God with prayer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We should study God with humility.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We should study God in community with one
another.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We should study God with faith and confidence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We should study God with worship and praise.<o:p></o:p></div>
pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-89313595105764252582013-04-23T09:23:00.002-04:002013-04-23T09:23:39.148-04:00God's Passion for His Glory<b>10 things God has done (or will do) that He specifically says He did for His own glory:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">God created us for His glory</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Isaiah 43:6-7</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: God says, “bring my sons from afar and my daughters
from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created
for my glory, whom I formed and made.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Isaiah 43:21</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: God describes His people as: “the people whom I
formed for myself, that they might declare my praise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">God forgives sins for His glory</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"> .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Isaiah 43:25</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: God
says, “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will
not remember your sins.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Psalm 25:11</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: “For
your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">God hardened Pharaoh’s heart for His glory</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Exodus 14:4,
14:17-18</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: God says, “And I will
harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over
Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD…And I
will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them,
and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his
horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten
glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Romans 9:17</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very
purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my
name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">God will not abandon His people for His glory</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">1 Samuel 12:22</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: “For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his
great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for
himself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">God rescued His people from Egypt for His glory</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Psalm 106:7-8</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: “Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not
consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your
steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. Yet he saved them for
his name's sake, that he might make known his mighty power.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Jesus came for the glory of God</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">John 12:27-28</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: Jesus said, “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall
I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to
this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have
glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">John 17:1, 4-5</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his
eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the
Son may glorify you…I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that
you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the
glory that I had with you before the world existed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">c.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Romans 15:8-9</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: Paul says, “For I tell you that Christ became a
servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the
promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify
God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the
Gentiles, and sing to your name.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">God chose us, adopted us, saved us, and sealed us for
His glory</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Ephesians
1:3-14</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: “Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every
spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before
the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according
to the purpose of his will, <i>to the praise
of his glorious grace</i>, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him
we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom
and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his
purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to
unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have
obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him
who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were
the first to hope in Christ might be <i>to
the praise of his glory</i>. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the
promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire
possession of it, <i>to the praise of his
glory</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Jesus answers prayers for His glory</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">John 14:13</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I
will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">God gave the Holy Spirit to us for His glory</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">John 16:13-14</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will
guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but
whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are
to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to
you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">10.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Jesus is coming again for His glory</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">2 Thessalonians
1:9-10</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: “They will suffer the
punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from
the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his
saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our
testimony to you was believed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Philippians
2:9-11</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">: “Therefore God has highly
exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at
the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the
earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-25874064680132108712013-04-10T10:48:00.002-04:002013-04-10T10:48:20.253-04:00All That is Gold Does Not Glitter<i>I was reminded today of this post from <a href="http://justinchilders.blogspot.com/2008/02/monday-musings-on-faithfulness.html" target="_blank">5 years ago</a> and was encouraged by it:</i><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I've been pondering this line for a few days now: All That is Gold Does Not Glitter.</span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">It is so true isn't it? The really sweet things in life, ministry, and faithfulness are not glamorous. Often, those things that please the heart of God do not get published in the newspaper or commemorated by a plaque. How many faithful, gospel-loving missionaries are out there right now doing what God has called them to do, without one ounce of "glitter."</span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Hospital visits do not glitter.</span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">An hour on your knees in private does not glitter.</span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Sharing the gospel over a cup of coffee does not glitter.</span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Memorizing a chapter of Scripture does not glitter.</span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Building a church for a poor village does not glitter.</span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Holding a sick orphan does not glitter.</span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Ending this blog post to feed my son does not glitter...</span>pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-75432846179545262562013-03-26T11:28:00.004-04:002013-03-26T11:28:57.106-04:00$5 off at the new WTS Book websiteUse code "wtsbooks" to get $5 off your order. <a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/?utm_source=jchilders&utm_medium=jchilders" target="_blank">Slick new site.</a>pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-39944990139005060112013-03-10T08:27:00.005-04:002013-03-10T08:27:59.131-04:00Bless God for Lack of Worldly Prosperity<br />
Spurgeon: "We bless God, then, for our afflictions; we thank him for our changes; we extol his name for losses of property; for we feel that had he not chastened us thus, we might have become too secure. Continued worldly prosperity is a fiery trial."<br />
pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-66266059435589002542013-02-19T08:18:00.002-05:002013-02-19T08:18:34.127-05:00Pay Down Debt in order to Support MissionsThis is a <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2013/02/19/all-to-him-i-owe/" target="_blank">good and practical post by Kevin DeYoung on paying down debt</a>.pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-86666814758860052992013-02-07T21:14:00.000-05:002013-02-07T21:14:52.155-05:00Being Seriously ApprehensiveMeditating on 1 Cor. 2:1-5 (Paul's weakness and fear and trembling), John Calvin said this:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #231f20; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">"The servants of the Lord are not so dull as not to see threatening dangers, nor so insensitive as not to be affected by them. No! and in fact they must be seriously apprehensive for two main reasons: 1) that, humbled in their own eyes, they might learn to lean and rest completely on God alone; and 2) that they might be trained in true self-denial. Paul, therefore, was not without a sense of anxiety, but he controlled it, so that he nonetheless continued to be undaunted in the midst of crises."</span>pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-56574757870270027002013-01-19T20:38:00.002-05:002013-01-19T20:38:31.619-05:00Risk is RightJohn Piper has a new little book out about the importance of taking risks to make much of Christ. Its called, <i><a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/9132/nm/Risk_Is_Right_Better_to_Lose_Your_Life_Than_to_Waste_It/?utm_source=jchilders&utm_medium=jchilders" target="_blank">Risk is Right</a></i>. I love this little book because I feel the pull of the world to take life easy. Piper challenges me to not waste my life. The only way to not waste life is to take risks for the cause of Christ. Its a short book, but power-packed. <a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/9132/nm/Risk_Is_Right_Better_to_Lose_Your_Life_Than_to_Waste_It/?utm_source=jchilders&utm_medium=jchilders" target="_blank">Get it on sale at WTS books</a>.pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-35353831412304021922013-01-13T14:30:00.000-05:002013-01-13T17:17:59.122-05:00Living in the LightIn <a href="http://christbc.com/media.php?pageID=6" target="_blank">my sermon Sunday</a> from 1 John 1:5-7, I meditated on what it means to "walk in the light as he is in the light." Here are 7 truths trying to get at what it looks like to live in the light:<br />
<b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Living in the light means living in fellowship with
God.</span></b><br />
<b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Living in the light means striving for purity.</span></b><br />
<b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Living in the light means rejecting the deeds of
darkness.</span></b><br />
<b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Living in the light means practicing the truth.</span></b><br />
<b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Living in the light means loving our brothers.</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;">
<b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Living in the light means acknowledging and confessing our sin.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;">
<b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Living in the light means treasuring Jesus whose blood
cleanses from all sin.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><br /></span></div>
pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-75132143999669771342013-01-08T10:38:00.000-05:002013-01-08T10:38:07.857-05:0050% off 2012 Bestsellers at WTS<a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/?utm_source=jchilders&utm_medium=jchilders" target="_blank">WTS Books has a 50% off sale on their bestselling books</a> from last year. Good resources for children and marriage and ministry.pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-92049100297809833652012-12-30T19:18:00.000-05:002012-12-30T19:18:09.313-05:00An Encouragement to Love God's Word in 2013As I try to do each year on the Sunday closest to the New Year, I challenged my church to love God's Word more. This year, I meditated on the power of God's Word to change us. God's Word works. <a href="http://christbc.com/media.php?pageID=6" target="_blank">You can listen to the sermon here.</a>pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-19215397232414671892012-12-28T08:14:00.000-05:002012-12-28T08:14:38.549-05:00A Prayer for Our Sunday Gatherings<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Speak, O Lord, as we come to You</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">To receive the food of Your Holy Word.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">That the light of Christ might be seen today</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">All Your purposes for Your glory.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-center;" />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Teach us, Lord, full obedience,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Holy reverence, true humility;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Test our thoughts and our attitudes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">In the radiance of Your purity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Your majestic love and authority.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Words of pow'r that can never fail—</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Let their truth prevail over unbelief.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-center;" />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Truths unchanged from the dawn of time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">That will echo down through eternity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;">And the earth is filled with Your glory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;"><i><u>Speak, O Lord</u> by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-center;"><i><br /></i></span>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MGg40zKRvAg?rel=0" width="640"></iframe>pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-15655661878587604482012-12-27T09:40:00.000-05:002012-12-27T09:40:47.599-05:00Brothers, We are Still Not ProfessionalsJohn Piper's book, <i><a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/1356/nm/Brothers_We_Are_Not_Professionals_A_Plea_to_Pastors_for_Radical_Ministry/?utm_source=jchilders&utm_medium=jchilders" target="_blank">Brothers, We are Not Professionals</a></i>, has long been one of my favorite books on pastoral ministry. So, I was glad to see that Desiring God has recently put together an ebook as an extension to it: <i><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/still-not-professionals-free-ebook" target="_blank">Still Not Professionals</a>.</i> It has contributions from some of my favorite pastors. And, its free!<br />
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Here is a quote from the first chapter (by Piper) that has me abiding in Christ as I prepare today for Sunday's sermon:<br />
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<b>"Ministry is discovering how to live happily in the all-accomplishing hands of the risen Christ.This is a plea for pastors to put the presence of the Holy </b><b>Spirit, and the power of Christ-exalting truth, and the purity </b><b>of holy living, above the pragmatic considerations of organization, </b><b>and above our concerns with compelling style."</b>pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-47856650017606358982012-12-09T13:30:00.000-05:002012-12-09T13:30:00.147-05:00Habakkuk Sermon SeriesI really enjoyed preaching through Habakkuk. <a href="http://christbc.com/media.php?pageID=6" target="_blank">My Habakkuk sermons can be accessed here</a>.<br />
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<br />pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-83570898504396875772012-12-03T22:00:00.000-05:002012-12-03T21:35:27.088-05:00Give us Dependent PreachersOne of the gifts of God we should pray for is dependent preachers. I would rather sit under the preaching of a man who understands his dependence on the Spirit than 10,000 preachers who just go through the motions. You can tell the difference. God, make me desperate.<br />
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<em>"How utterly dependent we are on the Holy Spirit in the work of preaching! All genuine preaching is rooted in a feeling of desperation. You wake up on Sunday morning and you can smell the smoke of hell on one side and feel the crisp breezes of heaven on the other. You go to your study and look down at your pitiful manuscript, and you kneel down and cry, “O God, this is so weak! Who do I think I am? What audacity to think that in three hours my words will be the odor of death to death and the fragrance of life to life (2 Cor. 2:16). My God, who is sufficient for these things?”"</em><br />
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John Piper, <a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/2764/nm/Supremacy+of+God+in+Preaching+%28Paperback%29/?utm_source=jchilders&utm_medium=jchilders"><em>The Supremancy of God in Preaching</em></a>, pp. 41-42.pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-45605937008045908772012-11-28T19:00:00.000-05:002012-11-28T19:00:05.589-05:0050 Largest Unreached People Groups<a href="http://www.joshuaproject.net/assets/handouts/50-largest-unreached.pdf" target="_blank">This is sobering. Joshua Project has a list of the 50 largest unreached people groups</a>.<br />
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Let the nations be glad and sing for joy (Psalm 67:4).pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-28893972871453501642012-11-28T10:09:00.002-05:002012-11-28T10:09:46.513-05:00Why You Shouldn't Play the Lottery<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">People are scrambling today to get lottery tickets. Before you get in line here are some things to ponder by John Piper:</span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/8/2355_Why_is_gambling_wrong/" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #7d171d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: initial;">Why is gambling wrong?</a><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> (Ask Pastor John audio)</span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2003/1223_Dont_Play_the_Lottery_for_Me/" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #7d171d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: initial;">Don't Play the Lottery for me</a><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/1982/3288_Why_I_Am_Opposed_To_A_State_Lottery/" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #7d171d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: initial;">Why I'm Opposed to a State Lottery</a><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/1990/3159_Picture_Jesus_Playing_the_Lottery/" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #7d171d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: initial;">Picture Jesus Playing the Lottery</a>pastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.com0