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The Deliberate Church

I just started reading a really good book entitled "The Deliberate Church".  I'm reading it prayerfully for insight into how to be a better and more faithful pastor and church leader.  It's not a another book about a program or gimmick to grow your church. It's just getting down to the basics on how to make sure your church is living up to what God says it should be as put forth in His Word, the Bible.

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Text for Sunday, May 23

Exodus 4:10-17 (ESV)

10 But Moses said to the LORD, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue."

11 Then the LORD said to him, "Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?

12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."

13 But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else."

14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, "Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.

15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do.

16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him.

17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs."

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Reading "Faith and Feelings" by Borgman

faith and feelings book cover picture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just started reading the book "Faith and Feelings" by Brian Borgman.  The subtitle gives a synopsis of what the book is about -- cultivating Godly emotions in the Christian life.  It's important to discern biblically, how emotions fit in with our walk with God.  Click on the book cover picture here and you can go to Amazon.com to find out more about the author and book.

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Faith and Feelings

I regard it as a great part of my calling in the ministry to emphasize the priority of the mind and the intellect in connection with the faith; but though I maintain that, I am equally ready to assert that the feelings, the emotions, the sensibilities obviously are very vital importance. We have been made in such a way that they play a dominant part of our makeup. Indeed, I suppose that one of the greatest problems in our life in this world, not only for Christians, but for all people is the right handling of our feelings and emotions. Oh, the havoc that is wrought in the tragedy, the misery and the wretchedness that are to be found in the world simply because people do not know how to handle their own feelings!  Man is so constituted that the feelings are in this very prominent position, and indeed there is a very good case for saying that perhaps the final thing which regeneration and the new birth do for us is just to put the mind and the emotions and the will and their right positions.-- Martin Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression, pg 109

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Exodus Chapter 1 ...Here We Go!

We're just about ready to embark on a journey through the book of Exodus this coming Sunday.  Please pray for this to be an impactful series.  Also, if you are interested in "reading ahead", then you can read Exodus chapter 1 since that's what we'll be talking about on Sunday.

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The Importance of Starting Your Day Off With God

Here is a great quote from George Mueller about the importance of spending time with God and fighting for Joy in Jesus at the start of every day:

It has recently pleased the Lord to teach me a truth, irrespective of human instrumentality, as far as I know, the benefit of which I have not lost, though now, while preparing the fifth edition for the press, more than fourteen years have since passed away. The point is this: I saw more clearly than ever that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord.

Source: http://www.foundationsforfreedom.net/Topics/Devotions/Devotions020.html

May the Lord lead us into this happiness (joy) in Him every day!

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Free Audio Book by Mark Driscoll - "Religion Saves"

Check out the free audio book this month on ChristianAudio.com!  It's a book by Pastor Mark Driscoll entitlted "Religion Saves".

In this book, Pastor Mark Driscoll addresses the nine most pressing questions posed by visitors to the Mars Hill Church website.

Book Cover for Religion Saves

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God Measures Success Using a Different Scale

Picture of D.A. Carson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are weary and worn from planting seeds for the gospel and building into people's lives because you are not seeing much fruit, then please take 3 minutes and 30 seconds and listen to this clip from D.A. Carson.

Encouragement to Press On - MP3

 

 

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Good Teaching on "Watching Your Bible Reading"

Picture of David PowlisonI recently listened to a teaching by David Powlison.  It was given at a leadership conference, but has relevance to every believer.  It's entitled "Watch Your Bible Reading: Making Person Application".  I find that some people don't have a good understanding about how to apply the Bible to their life or if they do, they do so in a "nutty" way.  I encourage you do download the MP3 file referenced below and listen to the Powlison's teaching and compare it to how you are applying the Bible to your life.  Look for things you may need to adjust in how you might be applying your daily devotional reading of the Bible.

Watch Your Bible Reading - MP3

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To Be Named Among the Mighty Men

These things did Benaiah the son of Jehooiada, and won a name beside the the three mighty men.

2 Samuel 23:22

A group of fierce fighters where in King David's army and where known as the "Mighty Men".  Three in particular are pointed out in 2 Samuel 23: Josheb-basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah.  There are some 37 men in all mentioned in that chapter as being among these courageous warriors.  Josheb-basshebeth had the courage to stand against 800 men and fight ... and win!

I have to think our King Jesus is looking for courageous men and women today.  Christians who will be courageous for Christ.  There are many ways to be courageous:

  • Take the gospel to your sphere of influence and giving a verbal witness for Christ
  • Stay comitted to your marriage and working on the stuff you can change about yourself
  • Participate in your local church rather than remain a spectator
  • Speak out against unrighteousness and injustice

Lord, help your people to be courageous men and women who would have won a name beside the three mighty men.

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