Please pray for my ordination service on Sunday, February 11 at 3 PM. If you can come, I would love to have you there. It is going to be a joyous time with many men whom I love and respect participating in the service.
Pastor Howard
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Communion with God
I have been reflecting lately on the nature of our relationship to God. Think about the way we often refer to ourselves. We say we are "saved." I think that term may even be more popular than the term "Christian." While this terminology is not deficient, I think it does indicated a weakness in our thinking. Yes, we are saved, but what our minds ought to be focus on is not just that we have been saved, but what we have been saved unto. We have been brought into new relationship to God. We once were enemies, we are now friends. We once were strangers, and now are children. We once were children of wrath, now we are objects of mercy. When we leave it at saved we can miss the vital part of our salvation - our communion with God.
We have started to look at this idea of communion or fellowship with God on Sunday evenings. Check out these verses.
1 Cor. 1:9 (ESV)
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Cor. 13:14 (ESV)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
1 John 1:3-7 (ESV) that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Do we really see that the fundamental nature of our relationship with God has changed? We are saved to be in fellowship with God. Do we see the depth of the relationship? Closeness. Intimacy. Do we truly believe the words of the Westminster Shorter Catechism that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever?
Something to think about until next time- how would our desire for fellowship with God change our approach to things like prayer, the scriptures, worship, the sacraments? Do we approach these means of grace expecting to meet with the living God, the risen Christ, and Spirit that raised Christ from the dead?
Pastor Howard
We have started to look at this idea of communion or fellowship with God on Sunday evenings. Check out these verses.
1 Cor. 1:9 (ESV)
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Cor. 13:14 (ESV)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
1 John 1:3-7 (ESV) that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Do we really see that the fundamental nature of our relationship with God has changed? We are saved to be in fellowship with God. Do we see the depth of the relationship? Closeness. Intimacy. Do we truly believe the words of the Westminster Shorter Catechism that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever?
Something to think about until next time- how would our desire for fellowship with God change our approach to things like prayer, the scriptures, worship, the sacraments? Do we approach these means of grace expecting to meet with the living God, the risen Christ, and Spirit that raised Christ from the dead?
Pastor Howard
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Jonathan Edwards on the duty of prayer
The following is taken from Jonathan Edwards' sermon "Hypocrites Deficient in the Duty of Prayer"
Consider the great benefit of a constant, diligent, and persevering attendance on this duty. It is one of the greatest and most excellent means of nourishing the new nature, and of causing the soul to flourish and prosper. It is an excellent mean of keeping up an acquaintance with God, and of growing in the knowledge of God. It is the way to a life of communion with God. It is an excellent mean of taking off the heart from the vanities of the world and of causing the mind to be conversant in heaven. It is an excellent preservative from sin and the wiles of the devil, and a powerful antidote against the poison of the old serpent. It is a duty whereby strength is derived from God against the lusts and corruptions of the heart, and the snares of the world.
It hath a great tendency to keep the soul in a wakeful frame, and to lead us to a strict walk with God, and to a life that shall be fruitful in such good works, as tend to adorn the doctrine of Christ, and to cause our light so to shine before others, that they, seeing our good works, shall glorify our Father who is in heaven And if the duty be constantly and diligently attended, it will be a very pleasant duty. Slack and slothful attendance upon it, and unsteadiness in it, are the causes which make it so great a burden as it is to some persons. Their slothfulness in it hath naturally the effect to beget a dislike of the duty and a great indisposition to it. But if it be constantly and diligently attended, it is one of the best means of leading not only a Christian and amiable, but also a pleasant life; a life of much sweet fellowship with Christ, and of the abundant enjoyment of the light of his countenance.
Consider the great benefit of a constant, diligent, and persevering attendance on this duty. It is one of the greatest and most excellent means of nourishing the new nature, and of causing the soul to flourish and prosper. It is an excellent mean of keeping up an acquaintance with God, and of growing in the knowledge of God. It is the way to a life of communion with God. It is an excellent mean of taking off the heart from the vanities of the world and of causing the mind to be conversant in heaven. It is an excellent preservative from sin and the wiles of the devil, and a powerful antidote against the poison of the old serpent. It is a duty whereby strength is derived from God against the lusts and corruptions of the heart, and the snares of the world.
It hath a great tendency to keep the soul in a wakeful frame, and to lead us to a strict walk with God, and to a life that shall be fruitful in such good works, as tend to adorn the doctrine of Christ, and to cause our light so to shine before others, that they, seeing our good works, shall glorify our Father who is in heaven And if the duty be constantly and diligently attended, it will be a very pleasant duty. Slack and slothful attendance upon it, and unsteadiness in it, are the causes which make it so great a burden as it is to some persons. Their slothfulness in it hath naturally the effect to beget a dislike of the duty and a great indisposition to it. But if it be constantly and diligently attended, it is one of the best means of leading not only a Christian and amiable, but also a pleasant life; a life of much sweet fellowship with Christ, and of the abundant enjoyment of the light of his countenance.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
I passed
Praise God and our Lord Jesus for passing my ordination exam. I want to thank all of the men who participated in the ordination council. I also want to thank all of you who were praying for me. Your prayers results in God's grace and goodness being shown to me.
Thank you. and Praise the Lord
Thank you. and Praise the Lord
Thursday, January 18, 2007
THE WAY TO THE FATHER
This is based on John 14:1-6
Lord Jesus, You prepare a place for me in Your Father's house. An abode of which I am unworthy. A place I would not find on my own. You comfort me by telling me to believe and trust in You. I long for the day of being without face to face. I long for the unadulterated worship of heaven. I long for the restraints of sin to be lifted, to be free from disobedience. I thank you that you do not leave me to find Heaven on my own. I thank you that you not only made a way, but are the way.
Many in this world can not stand to hear that You are the Only way to the Father. That only worship offered in Your name is acceptable. That only prayer offered in Your name is acceptable. That we only come to the Father for eternity through Your blood and righteousness. Lord, proclaim Your word boldly through us, move mightily by Your spirit that many in our day would leave these false and dead ways. That they would be shown the living and true way to the Father, and that they would take it, even as Your take them there.
Move Your church out of deadness into a living hope and lively faith, that the excellency and supremacy of Christ might be proclaimed to a lost and dying world. Amen
Lord Jesus, You prepare a place for me in Your Father's house. An abode of which I am unworthy. A place I would not find on my own. You comfort me by telling me to believe and trust in You. I long for the day of being without face to face. I long for the unadulterated worship of heaven. I long for the restraints of sin to be lifted, to be free from disobedience. I thank you that you do not leave me to find Heaven on my own. I thank you that you not only made a way, but are the way.
Many in this world can not stand to hear that You are the Only way to the Father. That only worship offered in Your name is acceptable. That only prayer offered in Your name is acceptable. That we only come to the Father for eternity through Your blood and righteousness. Lord, proclaim Your word boldly through us, move mightily by Your spirit that many in our day would leave these false and dead ways. That they would be shown the living and true way to the Father, and that they would take it, even as Your take them there.
Move Your church out of deadness into a living hope and lively faith, that the excellency and supremacy of Christ might be proclaimed to a lost and dying world. Amen
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
WASH ME
John 13:1-17, Psalm 139:23-24
Lord Jesus, you have said that if you do not wash me, that I have no part in you. I thank you Lord that I have indeed been washed by the blood and righteousness of my Savior. But Lord, the dirt and dust of earth still clings as we walk through this world. Search my heart, Try me and know my thoughts, and see if there is any grievous way in me. Forgive me of my sin, for you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Work on this heart by your Word and Spirit, that no more filth be found in me. That sin would not longer reign in my mortal body. May my whole life be presented to you as an instrument of righteousness.
Lord Jesus, you have said that if you do not wash me, that I have no part in you. I thank you Lord that I have indeed been washed by the blood and righteousness of my Savior. But Lord, the dirt and dust of earth still clings as we walk through this world. Search my heart, Try me and know my thoughts, and see if there is any grievous way in me. Forgive me of my sin, for you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Work on this heart by your Word and Spirit, that no more filth be found in me. That sin would not longer reign in my mortal body. May my whole life be presented to you as an instrument of righteousness.
LET ME NOT DENY
John 13:36-38 and 2 Timothy 1:6-8
Lord, let me not deny when it is time to stand. Let me stand firm on your promises by the power of your spirit. Let me not be as Peter who denied you while you were suffering. Let me not be a Judas who betrayed you for worldly gain. Give to me the kind of faith that boldly stands up for the gospel. Let me one who will lay down his life in allegiance to the one who laid down his life for me. Let me be not ashamed of the gospel. Let me not fear, but walk in the Spirit of power, love and self-control. May my testimony always be faithful and my words be true and glorifying to you. Amen.
Lord, let me not deny when it is time to stand. Let me stand firm on your promises by the power of your spirit. Let me not be as Peter who denied you while you were suffering. Let me not be a Judas who betrayed you for worldly gain. Give to me the kind of faith that boldly stands up for the gospel. Let me one who will lay down his life in allegiance to the one who laid down his life for me. Let me be not ashamed of the gospel. Let me not fear, but walk in the Spirit of power, love and self-control. May my testimony always be faithful and my words be true and glorifying to you. Amen.
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