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Around the Web (5/15)

May 15, 2013 — Leave a comment

CHEAP eBook Deal of the Day: Holman Illustrated Guide to Biblical History (Kendell Easley) – $4.99 (80% off).
Also, five books by Dr. Larry Crabb have been temporarily marked down to $3.99 (73% off) – The Marriage Builder: Creating True Oneness to Transform Your Marriage, Men and Women: Enjoying the Difference, Understanding People: Why We Long for Relationship, Encouragement: The Unexpected Power of Building Others Up, Men of Courage: God’s Call to Move Beyond the Silence of Adam.
Matthew J. Franck suggests, “Kermit Gosnell has a right to be the most surprised man in America right now. We, on the other hand, who have not wanted to notice the slave-dealers in our midst, have no such excuse.” Similarly, Albert Mohler reflects on what the Kermit Gosnell trial really reveals about America.
“There are many reasons to abstain from sin,” writes Gary Henry, “but the most important is simply the thought that sin is an offense against the goodness of God Himself.”
Craig Bradley asks, “Why did God make me?”
Andy Sochor mines the Proverbs to discover what character traits we can gain from a pursuit of wisdom.

In Around the Web Adam, Albert Mohler, Amazon, America, Andy Sochor, Biblical, builder, character, cheap, courage, Craig Bradley, creation, culture, eBook, encouragement, evangelism, Gary Henry, God, goodness, guide, history, Holman, Illustrated, Kendell Easley, Kermit Gosnell, Kindle, Larry Crabb, Marriage, Matthew J. Franck, Men, people, Proverbs, purpose, pursuit, Reaching, refuse, sin, slave, trade, trait, understanding, Upward, why, Wisdom, Women, world

Around the Web (5/6)

May 6, 2013 — Leave a comment

CHEAP eBook Deals of the Day: And Then I Had Kids: Encouragement for Mothers of Young Children (Susan Alexander Yates) – $1.99 (88% off); What Women Fear: Walking in Faith that Transforms (Angie Smith) – $3.79 (75% off); Feathers From My Nest: A Mother’s Reflections (Beth Moore) – $4.99 (67% off).
Doy Moyer reflects on the relationship of obedience and grace. “Obedience does not mean that one is trying to earn salvation. To say that obedience is necessary is not a contradiction of grace, but a complement to grace.”
Jennifer Gerhardt has a confession: “I’m a preacher’s wife, and to be honest, I don’t always love Sundays.”
“Well, since we’re all Christians, let me tell you this joke.” Rhodes Davis reminds us, “We should shine as lights into the dark world and demonstrate the holiness of Christ in our lives so that all will know we are Christians. Especially among fellow Christians.”
Gary Henry’s Daily Family Bible Study for the week emphasizes that apart from God, life is empty.

Around the Web (4/17)

April 17, 2013 — Leave a comment

FREE eBook Deal of the Day: An Expose on Teen Sex and Dating: What’s Really Going On and How to Talk About It (Andy Braner) – FREE (regularly $9.99).
Who knew wind was such a beautiful thing? Take a look, then read Psalm 135:5-7.
Roger Shouse has some encouraging words for parents — “God’s way works. It always does. Hang in there young parents. Don’t lose heart. The world is dark, indeed. But don’t forget that God is great.”
Kyle Pope takes us to the Hinnom Valley and reminds us of Jesus’ teaching on final punishment.
“One of the highest reasons for doing what is right is that we desire to be exactly what our Father wants us to be.” Gary Henry goes on to challenge us to learn to love our Father’s desires.

For those of us who find it easy to be our own biggest physical critics…

In Around the Web Amazon, Andy Braner, choice, Christ, dating, desire, discipleship, eBook, encouragement, end, expose, father, free, God, great, Hinnom, Jesus, judgment, Kindle, Kyle Pope, love, map, parents, Psalm 135, Roger Shouse, sex, Talk, Teaching, teen, valley, Video, wind, world

The Most Meaningful Gifts a Husband Can Give His Wife

February 14, 2012 — Leave a comment

It’s Valentine’s Day, guys. Whether you and your wife exchange gifts or not, could I encourage you to think about three of the most meaningful gifts you could possibly give your wife?

Your eyes. Remember Job’s resolution in Job 31:1?

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?”

A dozen roses on Valentine’s Day is nice. But do you know what means more to your wife than roses? Trust. Trust that you won’t use your God-given eyes to embezzle what doesn’t belong to you. Blessed is the wife who trusts that her husband’s gaze is captivated first by God, then by her.

Your body. Remember Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 7:3-4?

The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

Chocolate-covered strawberries on Valentine’s Day are sweet. But do you know what means more to your wife than chocolate? Confidence. Confidence that you will use your body in a way that glorifies God and honors her. Blessed is the wife who confidently knows that her husband’s body belongs first to God, then to her.

Your heart. Remember Jesus’ warning in Matthew 5:28?

“I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Diamonds on Valentine’s Day are breathtaking. But do you know what means more to your wife than diamonds? Faith in you. Faith that your heart has been fortified and is being guarded every day, everywhere against sexual temptation. Blessed is the wife who believes because she has been shown that her husband’s heart belongs first to the Lord, then to her.

By all means, let’s make our wives feel special today. But let’s remember that marriage is about so much more than roses, chocolates and diamonds. It’s about trust, confidence and faith in each other. Wound her heart on those fronts, and there aren’t enough roses or chocolates or diamonds in the world to remove the scars that are left.

If you want your wife to exclaim, “My beloved is mine, and I am his” (Song of Solomon 2:16), make it clear by your daily conduct that your eyes, your body and your heart belong first to God, then to her and her alone among the women of this world.

In Marriage, Men adultery, body, covenant, day, encouragement, eyes, faith, gift, heart, husband, Jesus, Job, lust, Marriage, Paul, relationship, spouse, temptation, Valentine, warning, wife

When He Isn't The Rock You Need Him To Be

November 22, 2011 — Leave a comment

There has never been a woman blessed with a perfect marriage to a perfect man. So what’s a woman to do when her husband is caught in sin, reveals an area of vulnerability or is just plain weak for a time? Where can she go when her husband isn’t the rock she needs him to be?

This sermon encourages struggling wives to:

ASK: “Who (or what) is my rock?” (Mat 7:24-27)
REMEMBER: “Even before I am a wife, I am a daughter.” (Col 3:1-3)
SEEK: “In the day of trouble, I will seek the Lord.” (Psa 77)
RESOLVE: “I will be a woman of respectful and pure conduct.” (1 Pet 3:1-2)

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psa 20:7).

For more sermons, visit the Sermons archive.

In Bible, Discipleship, Marriage, Women Audio, Christian, disappointment, disciple, divorce, encouragement, fight, God, help, hope, husband, Jason Hardin, Jesus, Marriage, mp3, outline, pdf, rock, separation, sermon, struggle, wife, wives

"By Many or By Few"

September 28, 2011 — Leave a comment

“I’m just one person. What impact can I possibly have?”

The next time you’re thinking like that, remember Jonathan, the son of Saul, in 1 Samuel 14.

Jonathan was a young man of great faith.
Jonathan was the type of man who actively searched for opportunities.
Jonathan was an encourager who responded to encouragement.
Jonathan was concerned with harmonizing his will with God’s will.
Jonathan was anxious and willing to do his own part.
Jonathan, by his actions, inspired and motivated others.

Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” (1 Sam 14:6)

For more sermons, visit the Sermons archive.

In Bible, Discipleship 1 Samuel 14, armor, Audio, bearer, church, encouragement, Jason Hardin, Jonathan, mp3, optimism, outline, pdf, pessimism, Philistine, sermon

Whose Armor Can You Carry This Week?

August 8, 2011 — Leave a comment

I love the short account of Jonathan and his armor-bearer making a significant dent in the Philistine army.

THE SETTING

One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah in the pomegranate cave at Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men, including Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the Lord in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone. Within the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side. The name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. The one crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba. (1 Sam 14:1-5)

JONATHAN’S CHALLENGE

Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” (1 Sam 14:6)

THE ARMOR-BEARER’S RESPONSE

And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.” (1 Sam 14:7)

Could I encourage you to be a dependable, faithful, optimistic armor-bearer for someone this week?

Elders are at war as they watch over the souls of others. Let an elder know this week that you appreciate his work.
Widows are at war as they pass through the difficult valley of loneliness. Let a widow know this week that she isn’t forgotten.
Evangelists are at war as they spread the good news. Let an evangelist know this week that you are encouraged by his efforts.
Bible class teachers are at war as they work to plant gospel seeds in little hearts. Let a teacher know this week that her work isn’t taken for granted.
Deacons are at war to balance many responsibilities. Let a deacon know this week that his labor isn’t going unnoticed.
Teenagers are at war as they go back to school. Let a teen know this week that she is in your prayers.

The world (and even the church) has plenty of pessimists and doubters. Be a dependable, faithful, optimistic armor-bearer for someone this week. “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.”

THE AFTERMATH

Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them after him. And that first strike, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, killed about twenty men within as it were half a furrow’s length in an acre of land. And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and even the raiders trembled, the earth quaked, and it became a very great panic. (1 Sam 14:13-15)

In Discipleship 1 Samuel 14, armor, bearer, Bible, church, class, deacon, elder, encouragement, evangelist, Jonathan, optimism, pessimism, Philistine, teacher, widow

Engaging at Home

January 13, 2011 — 1 Comment

This week has been all about engaging the world around us as living representations of the will of Christ, for the glory of God. We’ve looked at some practical ways we can engage:

As experienced disciples of Jesus.
As new disciples of Jesus.
With the “good news” of Jesus.

Today we focus on engaging at home.

As a spouse, what can you do to cultivate a daily atmosphere of progressive transformation for the good of your marriage and the glory of God?

Resolve to spend at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted, untelevised, unplugged, quality time with your spouse each day (Eph 6:33).
Humbly evaluate your God-given role, seek his wisdom and strength, then dedicate yourself to serving as the spouse God would have you to be (Eph 5:22-33; Tit 2:1-8).
Pray with your spouse every day (1 Thes 5:16-18).
Pray for your spouse every day (1 Pet 3:7).
Periodically ask if your spouse’s needs and expectations are being met and what you can do to love them in more God-glorifying ways (1 Cor 7:1-5). You might consider these 15 questions to help you evaluate the state of your marriage.

As a parent, what can you do to cultivate a daily atmosphere of progressive transformation for the good of your children and the glory of God?

Recognize and joyfully accept the challenging responsibility that comes with being the parent of a God-given child (Eph 6:1-4).
Pray with your children every day (Rom 12:12).
Pray for your children every day (James 5:16). You might consider these 31 ways to pray for your children.
Take advantage of daily opportunities to point the minds of your children in God’s direction (Deut 6:4-9).
Correct your children, with the ultimate goal of saving their souls (Prov 19:18; 29:15).
Help them prepare and hold them accountable for their Sunday and Wednesday Bible class opportunities (Prov 22:6).

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Pet 4:8-9)

In an effort to serve others through hospitality, why not plan now to invite someone each month of this year into your home or out for a meal?

January: ______________________________________________

February: _____________________________________________

March: _______________________________________________

April: ________________________________________________

May: _________________________________________________

June: _________________________________________________

July: _________________________________________________

August: _______________________________________________

September: ___________________________________________

October: ______________________________________________

November: ____________________________________________

December: ____________________________________________

Engage the world around you this week for the glory of God! ”Present your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom 12:1).

In Discipleship, Marriage, Parenting 2011, action, adoption, Bible, change, Christ, church, congregational, contribution, convert, DARE, discernment, disciple, discipleship, encouragement, engagement, evangelism, example, good news, Gospel, growth, help, Home, hospitality, infant, Marriage, new, parent, personal, pray, prayer, renewal, resolution, Romans 12, spouse, transform, transformation

Engaging with the Good News

January 12, 2011 — 2 Comments

In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Cor. 5:19-20)

There is a process to gospel transformation. Each person must…

Discern God’s will for his or her life (Eph 5:15-17).
Adopt God’s way of thinking as their own (Col 3:1-3).
Be renewed in the spirit of their minds, experiencing the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit (Tit 3:4-7).
Engage themselves, as living sacrifices, for Christ and his glory (Rom 12:1-2).

How can you contribute, as a disciple of Jesus, to the growth of his kingdom and thereby glorify your Father in heaven?

Consistently remind yourself that every person you ever come in contact with has a soul (Eccl 12:7).
Never forget that God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34-35).
Appreciate that all will stand in judgment (Rom 14:12).
Encourage others to “Come and see” (John 1:46).
Recommend specific reasons to visit (John 4:28-30).
Continue to feed yourself with the Word of God so that you can grow in your ability to talk with others about your faith (2 Tim 2:15).
Pray for opportunities, wisdom and boldness (Acts 4:29-30).

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved… (Rom 10:1)

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Rom 12:12)

You know dozens of people in desperate need of responding to the gospel. Your heart grieves as you think of brothers and sisters who have turned away from God in unfaithfulness. But have you prayed for them? What could happen if you did? Remember, it is prayer that “plugs us in” to the awesome God of the universe. With that truth in mind, throughout 2011, pick a different person each month and pray for them every single day. Pray for receptive hearts, for opportunities, for wisdom, and boldness. Pray that God might use you to help save them.

January: ______________________________________________

February: _____________________________________________

March: _______________________________________________

April: ________________________________________________

May: _________________________________________________

June: _________________________________________________

July: _________________________________________________

August: _______________________________________________

September: ___________________________________________

October: ______________________________________________

November: ____________________________________________

December: ____________________________________________

Engage the world around you this week for the glory of God! ”Present your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom 12:1).

In Bible, Discipleship 2011, action, adoption, Bible, change, Christ, church, congregational, contribution, convert, DARE, discernment, disciple, discipleship, encouragement, engagement, evangelism, example, good news, Gospel, growth, help, hospitality, infant, new, personal, pray, prayer, renewal, resolution, Romans 12, transform, transformation

Engaging as a New Disciple

January 11, 2011 — Leave a comment

In a series of posts last week, I emphasized that real transformation is possible in 2011. You can lead a Romans 12 kind of life, for your lasting joy and for God’s eternal glory. You can be everything God created you to be, if you put D.A.R.E. into wholehearted practice:

Discernment — what is God’s will for my life?
Adoption — making my faith my own.
Renewal — out with the old, in with the new.
Engagement — living for Christ, every day, everywhere.

This week, I’d like to share with you some of the practical ways we’ve encouraged the disciples at Laurel Canyon to ENGAGE the world around them in 2011. Yesterday we focused on experienced disciples of Christ. Today, new disciples.

Engaging as a New Disciple
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

What can you add, as a relatively new follower of Jesus, to this family of believers so that we can grow together to God’s glory?

Remember the will of God, your sanctification (1 Thes 4:3-12).
Appreciate the fact that you are in a critical period of your walk with God and that the Adversary of your soul is out to devour you (1 Pet 5:8).
2 Peter 1:5-11 — Make every effort to supplement:
- your faith with virtue
- your virtue with knowledge
- your knowledge with self-control
- your self-control with steadfastness
- your steadfastness with godliness
- your godliness with brotherly affection
- your brotherly affection with love
Make an effort to learn the names of your brothers and sisters in Christ (3 John 13-15).
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, ask for help, or ask for advice from your spiritual family (1 Cor 12:12-27).
When (not if) you experience a period of discouragement or doubt, seek help from your brethren (1 Cor 10:12-13).
Appreciate the fact that you are a representative of Christ and that people will be watching and listening (2 Cor 3:2).
Joyfully contribute, as you may prosper, to the work of the church (1 Cor 16:1-2).

Are you a relatively new disciple of Jesus? Engage the world around you this week for the glory of God! ”Present your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom 12:1).

Archives For encouragement

Engaging as a New Disciple “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Engaging as a New Disciple
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”