Keep fighting to give Him the "firsts" of your life
I am constantly fighting to love my Savior, Jesus. I am constantly fighting to give my wife my best, by being a responsible husband who is led by Christ. I am constantly fighting to win my friends and family back to the "good news" of the Gospel. I am constantly fighting myself and my ways, which are often in opposition to Gods ways. I am constantly fighting to live and preach the gospel clearly. This is The Fight.
October 25, 2010
Passover Reminder
Really great song by Joe Day an artist at Mars Hill...the song is called "Passover", check it out
October 24, 2010
The Sun and The Iron
“And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped…” Joshua 10:13
“…when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float”
2 Kings 6:6
God made the sun stop and the iron float; and why couldn’t he?…he created all three. He sustains every heart on the planet and knows every sparrow that falls from the sky. He has never been surprised or taken off guard. He cannot be tricked or made to look foolish. He is eternal.
Psalm 43 tells us that when all seems to be falling apart and when our soul is “cast down”, that we are to “hope in God.”
Maybe you haven’t been hoping in God…if you are like me and see the glass half empty and full of poison, you know how hard it is to hope in God. But he made the son stop and the iron float…if there was ever anything to hope in, it would be Him.
Fight On
“…when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float”
2 Kings 6:6
God made the sun stop and the iron float; and why couldn’t he?…he created all three. He sustains every heart on the planet and knows every sparrow that falls from the sky. He has never been surprised or taken off guard. He cannot be tricked or made to look foolish. He is eternal.
Psalm 43 tells us that when all seems to be falling apart and when our soul is “cast down”, that we are to “hope in God.”
Maybe you haven’t been hoping in God…if you are like me and see the glass half empty and full of poison, you know how hard it is to hope in God. But he made the son stop and the iron float…if there was ever anything to hope in, it would be Him.
Fight On
October 22, 2010
Quotes on Evangelism
•“A Christian is a guide to Heaven”
C. Spurgeon
•“Make me a fork (in the road in peoples lives)”
Jim Elliott
•“Our one aim is to win souls; and this we are not to talk about doing, but to do in the power of God”
C. Spurgeon
•“I would think it a greater happiness to gain one soul to Christ than mountains of silver and gold”
Matthew Henry
•“You must go into the fire if you are going to pull others out of it; nor can you man a lifeboat without being covered in the waves”
C. Spurgeon
•“We should never stop at having won a soul for Christ. By this, we have done half the work. Every soul won for Christ must be made to be a soul winner”
Richard Wurmbrand
•“Work as if everything depended on you. Pray as if everything depended on God”
St. Augustine
Fight On
C. Spurgeon
•“Make me a fork (in the road in peoples lives)”
Jim Elliott
•“Our one aim is to win souls; and this we are not to talk about doing, but to do in the power of God”
C. Spurgeon
•“I would think it a greater happiness to gain one soul to Christ than mountains of silver and gold”
Matthew Henry
•“You must go into the fire if you are going to pull others out of it; nor can you man a lifeboat without being covered in the waves”
C. Spurgeon
•“We should never stop at having won a soul for Christ. By this, we have done half the work. Every soul won for Christ must be made to be a soul winner”
Richard Wurmbrand
•“Work as if everything depended on you. Pray as if everything depended on God”
St. Augustine
Fight On
October 20, 2010
Theology 101: What is Creation?
Where did the universe come from?
Why was I made?
What is my purpose?
Where did the universe come from?
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”
John 1:3 “All things were made through him”
Colossians 1:16 “By him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible”
God spoke ALL of creation into existence-the land, water, plants and animals but not man
(Gen 1:3-25)
Why was I made?
You and I were not spoken into existence; we were created by God’s very hands and received life from God’s very breath.
Genesis 2:7 “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature”
Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them”
Humans are the only aspect of creation made in God’s image. To be in God’s image means to be like God and to represent God. As Gods image, man is the pinnacle of all creation, more like God than any other creature.
Scientific theories that do not see God as the Creator fail to give us the dignity that is given us in the biblical account.
Evolution: man evolved from monkeys
Big Bang: material collided and now we have earth
God did not need to make us. He is completely fulfilled within the trinity. The amazing part of creation is that HE CHOSE to make us.
What is my purpose?
Before creation nothing existed but God.
Therefore, nothing but God is eternal.
Nothing but God can ultimately rule over that which he made.
Therefore, nothing but God is worthy of our worship.
We are special products of God’s creation and this should give us a sense of awe!
Creation was a totally free act of God. He created the universe to show his greatness, to demonstrate his excellence and to delight in his work.
You are his work, his most prized work, so the question begs, is he finding delight in you? Is your life bringing him glory? Is your life being lived in the awe of his creation?
Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created”
Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork”
As we take spontaneous delight in God’s creative activities, our creative activities, and the creative activities of others, we are giving glory to God by imitating the delight he takes in his creation. We should joyfully use the abundant earth God has given us and seek to develop it in a way that brings glory and honor to God’s name.
Why was I made?
What is my purpose?
Where did the universe come from?
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”
John 1:3 “All things were made through him”
Colossians 1:16 “By him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible”
God spoke ALL of creation into existence-the land, water, plants and animals but not man
(Gen 1:3-25)
Why was I made?
You and I were not spoken into existence; we were created by God’s very hands and received life from God’s very breath.
Genesis 2:7 “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature”
Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them”
Humans are the only aspect of creation made in God’s image. To be in God’s image means to be like God and to represent God. As Gods image, man is the pinnacle of all creation, more like God than any other creature.
Scientific theories that do not see God as the Creator fail to give us the dignity that is given us in the biblical account.
Evolution: man evolved from monkeys
Big Bang: material collided and now we have earth
God did not need to make us. He is completely fulfilled within the trinity. The amazing part of creation is that HE CHOSE to make us.
What is my purpose?
Before creation nothing existed but God.
Therefore, nothing but God is eternal.
Nothing but God can ultimately rule over that which he made.
Therefore, nothing but God is worthy of our worship.
We are special products of God’s creation and this should give us a sense of awe!
Creation was a totally free act of God. He created the universe to show his greatness, to demonstrate his excellence and to delight in his work.
You are his work, his most prized work, so the question begs, is he finding delight in you? Is your life bringing him glory? Is your life being lived in the awe of his creation?
Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created”
Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork”
As we take spontaneous delight in God’s creative activities, our creative activities, and the creative activities of others, we are giving glory to God by imitating the delight he takes in his creation. We should joyfully use the abundant earth God has given us and seek to develop it in a way that brings glory and honor to God’s name.
October 19, 2010
Theology 101: What is the Trinity?
Sometimes people use 3 different names when referring to God:
God the Father
God the Son
God the Spirit
These are not just 3 different names, these are 3 distinct persons. All three have existed as three distinct persons, but there is only one God. This is called the trinity.
Biblical Evidence for the trinity
God said, “Let us make them in our image, after our likeness”. These are not angels, because only humans were made “in the image of God”
(Genesis 1:26-27)
When Jesus was baptized, “the heavens opened to him, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove and coming to rest on him”…and a voice from heaven said “this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)
What were all 3 members of the trinity doing at this time?
God the Father was speaking
God the Son was being baptized
God the Spirit was resting on God the Son
When Jesus sent his disciples out, he told them “to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
The meaning of the trinity
The trinity is three distinct persons, but one God.
God the Father is God. When you read “God” in the bible, you are more than likely reading about God the Father.
God the Son is Jesus. He is fully God, but in the form of a man. He had to come as a man to do what Adam could not do, life a sinless life and die for our sins.
God the Spirit is the Holy Spirit. He is given to live inside you when you become a Christian. He is your connection to God the Father. He convicts you of sin, teaches you how to pray, read, and live out the Christian life.
The role of the trinity
In creation
God the Father spoke the world into being (Gen 1:9-10)
God the Son carried out those words (John 1:13)
God the Spirit keeps Gods presence in creation (Gen. 1:2)
In Salvation
God the Father loves the world (John 3:16)
God the Son came down from heaven (John 6:38)
God the Spirit was sent to complete and sustain Jesus’ work (John 14:6 and John 16:7)
Examples of the trinity
Church
“Many members” all with different skills but “one body” with one purpose (1 Corin. 12:12)
Marriage
Two distinct persons come together and become “one flesh.” (Eph. 5:31)
The unity and diversity that exist in this world are simply a reflection of the unity and diversity that exists within the Trinity
Fight On
God the Father
God the Son
God the Spirit
These are not just 3 different names, these are 3 distinct persons. All three have existed as three distinct persons, but there is only one God. This is called the trinity.
Biblical Evidence for the trinity
God said, “Let us make them in our image, after our likeness”. These are not angels, because only humans were made “in the image of God”
(Genesis 1:26-27)
When Jesus was baptized, “the heavens opened to him, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove and coming to rest on him”…and a voice from heaven said “this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)
What were all 3 members of the trinity doing at this time?
God the Father was speaking
God the Son was being baptized
God the Spirit was resting on God the Son
When Jesus sent his disciples out, he told them “to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
The meaning of the trinity
The trinity is three distinct persons, but one God.
God the Father is God. When you read “God” in the bible, you are more than likely reading about God the Father.
God the Son is Jesus. He is fully God, but in the form of a man. He had to come as a man to do what Adam could not do, life a sinless life and die for our sins.
God the Spirit is the Holy Spirit. He is given to live inside you when you become a Christian. He is your connection to God the Father. He convicts you of sin, teaches you how to pray, read, and live out the Christian life.
The role of the trinity
In creation
God the Father spoke the world into being (Gen 1:9-10)
God the Son carried out those words (John 1:13)
God the Spirit keeps Gods presence in creation (Gen. 1:2)
In Salvation
God the Father loves the world (John 3:16)
God the Son came down from heaven (John 6:38)
God the Spirit was sent to complete and sustain Jesus’ work (John 14:6 and John 16:7)
Examples of the trinity
Church
“Many members” all with different skills but “one body” with one purpose (1 Corin. 12:12)
Marriage
Two distinct persons come together and become “one flesh.” (Eph. 5:31)
The unity and diversity that exist in this world are simply a reflection of the unity and diversity that exists within the Trinity
Fight On
October 14, 2010
A secular world view:
Secular is from the Latin “Seculum” which means “NOW". We live in a now society
There has never been a culture like ours set up for disappointment, depression and despair.
Peggy Newnan
“Our ancestors believed in two worlds and understood this one to be the solitary, poor nasty one. We are among the first to believe that we can find our happiness here completely on earth”
Our search for it has actually produced unhappiness. If you do not believe in a second world, you believe this to be the only place to find happiness and when it lets us down it produces utter despair.
Fight On
Secular is from the Latin “Seculum” which means “NOW". We live in a now society
There has never been a culture like ours set up for disappointment, depression and despair.
Peggy Newnan
“Our ancestors believed in two worlds and understood this one to be the solitary, poor nasty one. We are among the first to believe that we can find our happiness here completely on earth”
Our search for it has actually produced unhappiness. If you do not believe in a second world, you believe this to be the only place to find happiness and when it lets us down it produces utter despair.
Fight On
November 10, 2008
Take Up Your Cross
And he said to them all, "If anyone would come after me, let him DENY himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life FOR MY SAKE will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God."
Luke 9:23-27
So much hangs on this passage of scripture.
Self examination is not just something you do to help prevent breast cancer. It is spiritual. With the pace of life right now it is likely you have not slooooowed down much lately. This passage calls us to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses daily. This may make the definition of a Christian, a "little christ" mean a little more to you. What have you denied yourself from lately? The most likely answer is sleep, which was your fault. I will ask the question in another way, what have you denied yourself from for God? I'm not talking about whipping yourself for sining or seeing that you have gained a few pds and not drinking Dr. Pepper for Jesus. Im talking about idols, sin- in your life that for some reason you think is ok to be there. So today do some self-examinating and slow down and GAIN God today-not more of the world.
Luke 9:23-27
So much hangs on this passage of scripture.
Self examination is not just something you do to help prevent breast cancer. It is spiritual. With the pace of life right now it is likely you have not slooooowed down much lately. This passage calls us to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses daily. This may make the definition of a Christian, a "little christ" mean a little more to you. What have you denied yourself from lately? The most likely answer is sleep, which was your fault. I will ask the question in another way, what have you denied yourself from for God? I'm not talking about whipping yourself for sining or seeing that you have gained a few pds and not drinking Dr. Pepper for Jesus. Im talking about idols, sin- in your life that for some reason you think is ok to be there. So today do some self-examinating and slow down and GAIN God today-not more of the world.
October 21, 2008
Question of Faith
Has Jesus become a reality in your life, not just a religious idea, but a real person you interact with? When people move from their parents' faith to their own, they have a new energy. Faith to them is not about having all the answers-because they don't-but faith is about connecting with the resurrected Jesus.
Should Christians be perfect?
We should try to be, but will we? Uh, no. Does that destroy our testimony? It shouldn't, because it was never about us to begin with. Christians are not morally better than non-christians. We shouldn't claim to be. We are people who have entered into a realtionship with Jesus Christ and found forgiveness for our sins. We keep finding forgiveness as we continue to make mistakes. And maybe that's the most powerful testimony we can offer, not living a perfect life, which others will try to shoot down, but being honest about our failures, claiming forgiveness from God, and asking it from others, and moving on from there.
It is very important to live "in alignment" with "who we say we are."
It's a matter of consistency, making sure our live's don't contradict our beliefs. It's about honest confession, not proud posturing.
Should Christians be perfect?
We should try to be, but will we? Uh, no. Does that destroy our testimony? It shouldn't, because it was never about us to begin with. Christians are not morally better than non-christians. We shouldn't claim to be. We are people who have entered into a realtionship with Jesus Christ and found forgiveness for our sins. We keep finding forgiveness as we continue to make mistakes. And maybe that's the most powerful testimony we can offer, not living a perfect life, which others will try to shoot down, but being honest about our failures, claiming forgiveness from God, and asking it from others, and moving on from there.
It is very important to live "in alignment" with "who we say we are."
It's a matter of consistency, making sure our live's don't contradict our beliefs. It's about honest confession, not proud posturing.
October 8, 2008
God is alive and i'll tell you why...
Every Sunday night I teach 48 kids ranging from ages 3-18, plus adults. Talk about a nightmare. I have to make the bible appeal to kids who are learning to tie their shoes, High School students who only can only think about sex, and parents who have heard every sermon under the sun. I hope this gives you a glimpse into my perspective.
Every week I talk about a Simple Truth. Such as- Who is God? Who is Jesus? and this week-What kind of Life do you Want? Nothing complex, just some basics for the shoe tiers, and some meat for everyone else. I am beginning to understand the verse that says "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy" (Philippians 1:4). So after the service this Sunday a little girl named Bailey Tompkins who is 10 came up to me and said "I want to become a Christian and get baptized". WOW! There is really nothing in life better than that. To see someone, even a young girl, realize that they have a void and that nothing can fill it but the love of Jesus is SO awesome to see. God is alive!
Then on the following tuesday a boy named Grayson had the same realization as Bailey and decided to make Jesus his boss. God is alive!
Every kid at the Texas Baptist Children's Home (TBCH) is here because their parent/guardian is not fit to take care of them. EVERY kid here has issues and has been through some CRAZY stuff. And if you do not believe me try to imagine being 10 years old and realizing that your parents are nuts and there is no chance you will ever get to live with them again, but knowing that they live only 15 miles away. There are so many hardships here, but God is alive!
Keep these kids in your prayers and know that prayer and faith change lives.
Fight On
Every week I talk about a Simple Truth. Such as- Who is God? Who is Jesus? and this week-What kind of Life do you Want? Nothing complex, just some basics for the shoe tiers, and some meat for everyone else. I am beginning to understand the verse that says "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy" (Philippians 1:4). So after the service this Sunday a little girl named Bailey Tompkins who is 10 came up to me and said "I want to become a Christian and get baptized". WOW! There is really nothing in life better than that. To see someone, even a young girl, realize that they have a void and that nothing can fill it but the love of Jesus is SO awesome to see. God is alive!
Then on the following tuesday a boy named Grayson had the same realization as Bailey and decided to make Jesus his boss. God is alive!
Every kid at the Texas Baptist Children's Home (TBCH) is here because their parent/guardian is not fit to take care of them. EVERY kid here has issues and has been through some CRAZY stuff. And if you do not believe me try to imagine being 10 years old and realizing that your parents are nuts and there is no chance you will ever get to live with them again, but knowing that they live only 15 miles away. There are so many hardships here, but God is alive!
Keep these kids in your prayers and know that prayer and faith change lives.
Fight On
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