Prayer in Small Groups
May 3rd, 2010
A Tree Planted by Water
October 28th, 2009
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.”
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8 (ESV)
I love the imagery in this passage. A tree full of life with its roots right down to the river; contrasted directly with a desert shrub parched with thirst in a salt land. Sometimes I think that it says all that is needed. I know that is an overstatement, but when you boil Christianity right down to its essence you find that trusting in the Lord is really the whole point. These two stark images are each the result of one’s placement of absolute trust. Place your trust in the Lord and live life abundantly, or the other, the constant thirsting with no real hope at all as the consequence for trusting in man. This illustration is a picture of the immense value of trusting in the Lord, and the total futility of trusting in oneself.
John Piper: Our Economy
March 31st, 2009
We have been struggling with the recent economic downturn. This has been a difficult time for many. In the attached video Pastor John discusses the current situation and ultimately gives the believer a reason to be excited about the current economic climate. Watch below:
And Just Why Should I Not Be Mad?
March 26th, 2009
You know, sometimes I read a passage of scripture really fast to get past it because it seems a little to convicting or close to home. One verse I just read a little too quickly addresses just that point – James 1-19 tells me: Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
I’ve read that verse casually before and just thought that it meant that when I was in casual conversation with others, I should be a good listener, not blather on, and not get upset about anything contrary to my thoughts. The Lord has brought this verse to mind recently in a different light, however, that I might actually use it in my life and relationship with others.
A Biblical Example of Evangelism: Paul
March 16th, 2009
Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
How many times have you heard this verse along with some “new” type of evangelism? Ones like “coffee” evangelism. There’s always some new fad out with how to reach the unsaved for Christ. With so many new methods coming out everyday, may I just suggest a simple one? How about the Biblical approach?
I’m not saying that these fads are wrong; I just don’t understand why the traditional evangelism is not sufficient. I think we focus on these new methods too much. I’m a Baptist, which essentially means that I go by Biblical examples; and the most predominant example of Biblical evangelism other than Christ is the apostle Paul. So let’s take a look at what Paul’s evangelism looked like, and then apply that to today.
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Let the Worship Begin
March 5th, 2009
I recently received an email forward. Generally I delete them before reading, however this one caught my eye. I have no way to determine if this is a true story, but it does not change the outcome. Read on:
Let the worship begin
by John Fischer
I think it’s a great idea. The chaplain here at this Christian university I am visiting wants to put a sign over the archway that students walk under when they exit the chapel after a time of worship, and he wants it to read: “Let the worship begin.”
Yes, you read that right. On their way out of the building they read: “Let the worship begin.” After the worship service. After leaving the house of worship. After being led in worship by someone else, the real worship begins. It begins with me and with you, and it begins in earnest. It begins all by myself, because I am beginning it; and if it stops, it stops because I stopped it. No one else is responsible for this.
The Morning I Heard The Voice Of God
February 26th, 2009
Few times in my life do I read articles that really speak to me concerning my walk with the Lord. This is one of them. John Piper hit this one out of the ball park. I hope it speaks to you as it did to me.
Pastor Mike Holtzinger
The Morning I Heard The Voice of God
By: John Piper March 21, 2007
Let me tell you about a most wonderful experience I had early Monday morning, March 19, 2007, a little after six o’clock. God actually spoke to me. There is no doubt that it was God. I heard the words in my head just as clearly as when a memory of a conversation passes across your consciousness. The words were in English, but they had about them an absolutely self-authenticating ring of truth. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that God still speaks today.
I couldn’t sleep for some reason. I was at Shalom House in northern Minnesota on a staff couples’ retreat. It was about five thirty in the morning. I lay there wondering if I should get up or wait till I got sleepy again. In his mercy, God moved me out of bed. It was mostly dark, but I managed to find my clothing, got dressed, grabbed my briefcase, and slipped out of the room without waking up Noël. In the main room below, it was totally quiet. No one else seemed to be up. So I sat down on a couch in the corner to pray.
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A Healthy Accusation
February 21st, 2009
“And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?” Mat 9:11
“The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!” Luke 7:34
Early in His ministry our Lord set forth a model of Christian witness that reveals a lifestyle and His heart for souls. This lifestyle got Him into immediate trouble with the religiously respectable. For you see, He sought out a publican to be one of His disciples! His name was Levi or Matthew. Matthew, in his excitement, hosted a dinner inviting all his “friends” (Luke 5:29)! This criticism was embellished over time to include accusations of gluttony and the consumption of alcohol and therefore our Lord most certainly was “the friend of publicans and sinners”! This criticism was again reinforced later when Christ ate with Zacchaeus the tax collector (publican).
“And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.” Luke 19:7
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Quote Of The Day
February 21st, 2009
The Gospel Jesus proclaimed was a call to discipleship, a call to follow Him in submissive obedience, not just a plea to make a decision or pray a prayer. Jesus’ message liberated people from the 
bondage of their sin while it confronted and condemned hypocrisy. It was an offer of eternal life and forgiveness for repentant sinners, but at the same time it was a rebuke to outwardly religious people whose lives were devoid of true righteousness. It put sinners on notice that they must turn from sin and embrace God’s righteousness. It was in every sense good news, yet it was anything but easy-believism.” ~ John MacArthur, “The Gospel According To Jesus” pg.21
Quote of the Day
February 14th, 2009