Fighter Verse 11/8-11/15

Psalm 73:25-26 (ESV)

“Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Prayer and Faith

Kevin DeYoung offers a brief article that challenges us with this fact, “Prayerlessness is Unbelief”. I was particularly challenged by this brief word. Here’s an excerpt:

“Prayerlessness is an expression of our meager confidence in God’s ability to provide and of our strong confidence in our ability to take care of ourselves without God’s help.”

You can read the rest of the article here.

Free Audio Book

Desiring God by John Piper is being offered, in audio format, for free this month. This is considered to be one of Piper’s foundational works. In it, Piper works out the reality that we ought to be happy in God, and that God’s desire to receive glory and our desire to receive joy are not at odds with one another. “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him”.

If you have never read Desiring God, then you are missing one of those books that could really change the way that you understand your Christian life. The book is loaded with Scripture and is very easy to listen to in this audio format. If you have never read it, please download this audio book. It’s free, so there is nothing to lose!

Click here to check it out. This won’t be free forever, so don’t wait too long.

Fighter Verse for 11/1-11/8

1 John 2:15-17

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (ESV)

Fighter Verse for 10/26-11/1

1 John 1:8-9 (ESV)

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Reformation Night 2009

Yesterday, I failed to remind everyone during our announcement time about our Reformation night fellowship. This event is planned for October 31st at 6:30pm at the McGinnis’ home. Please plan on bringing some chairs to use in the lawn, as well as a snack to share with everyone. Everyone is welcome! Please join us for a night of fellowship.

Fighter Verse for 10/18-10/25

Psalm 62:5-8 (ESV)

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.

He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

Prepare for Corporate Worship

One of the most important things that you can do in regard to the Sunday corporate worship service is prepare for it. We will participate in the service differently when we pursuing him prior to that service. Let me encourage you today to participate in pre-service worship. Today, listen to Christ-centered music, read the Scriptures, work on the fighter verse, pray, these are ways that we can prepare our hearts to engage with God tomorrow. Pursue a satisfaction in the Lord today and you will be more mindful of his presence tomorrow.

“Oh sing to the LORD A NEW SONG;
SING TO THE LORD, all the earth!
Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!
Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.”

-Psa. 96:1-13 (ESV)

The Life-Giver

Doctors are pretty amazing. I have had the opportunity over the last day to see doctors in action, and it is impressive to see them in action. They are using knowledge and technology to do great things with the human body, sometimes, life-saving things. When you see a doctor perform a procedure you can’t help but be impressed by their ability to use their instruments for the good of the patient. What is staggering to think of, is that God created man, not with the use of big time technology, but by the word of His mouth! Doctors may be impressive, but they all have their limitations. And beyond that, doctors can’t created life. God can. And he does it by the word of His mouth. (Gen 1-2)

So next time you see a doctor do something impressive, consider the One who doesn’t just sustain life, He creates it. Consider the one who made the doctor in His own image. Be impressed by doctors, but be more impressed by the God that creates and sustains life.

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”  -Col. 1:16-17, (ESV)

Fighter Verse 10/11-10/18

Psalm 56:3-4

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (ESV)