Sunday, January 31, 2010

Philippians....The Whole Book of Philippians...

John Piper quotes whole book of Philippians from memorization. This is a great motivator for those who desire to memorize scripture. Enjoy. (If you cant see the original pose, you can view it at AdjustMyThoughts )

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Delight in God

Delight in God - Audio










I preached this message today from Psalms 1. I really believe the grounding statement for this whole passage is found in verse 2. A delight in the law of the Lord is the determinant for everything that goes on in this passage and it will be the determinant for every Christian's life. If God is our treasure and our delight is in His word, then we will be like a tree rooted and grounded by the waters. Likewise the man whose delight is in God will not be found in the company of sinners or heeding the advice of the ungodly.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

It's Been a While

Yes sir,
It has been a while since I have posted. I really have some things that I would like to post in the near future...if only time permitted...I'm actually typing this from my phone. Work has brought new responsibilities, I've been preaching every Sunday in the new year so far,I have been consumed in my daily Bible reading, working out 4 days a week, reading list books,and I have a rather intense history course online this semester...the list goes on...So, in spite of my juggling act, I would like to say that I will be posting some more stuff soon...most of it will be automated posts, but I am looking forward to writing more...even if it is through the keyboard of my phone, and not the keyboard of my desk..Stay tuned...
May the Lamb that was slain recieve the reward of His suffering...
www.adjustmythoughts.com
repentresource.blogspot.com

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Colossians, Character & Christianity

Colossians, Christianity & Character - Audio









Colossians 1:3-8
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

Paul's beginning words to the Colossian church are ones of commendation, praise and thankfulness to God. He begins his letter to the Colossians by pointing out that their faith in Christ, love for the saints, and their motivation and hope in heaven has not gone un-noticed. God is to be thanked for these attributes displayed in the life of the Colossians and He is to be thanked when these attributes are displayed in our lives. Faith, Hope and Love are synonymous with Christianity; they are not 'deeds' that one must do to try to be saved, rather they are 'fruit' that one possesses because he is saved - and from this fruit, good works come. Character cannot be overlooked in the Christian life - it is the Christian life. The Christian's life is like the branch that is connected to the vine. Because of his connection to the Father, the Christian bears much fruit and because of the Father's chastening, humbling, and reproving love and His overwhelming grace , the Christian bears more fruit and glorifies God.
The gospel is the means by which fruit is produced. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Because the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, it will ALWAYS be growing and bearing fruit as mentioned in Colossians 1:6. Anyone can profess Christianity, but how many can compare their lives to scripture and see the fruit that the Gospel has produced?
In addition to the power of the gospel in producing character and faith in the Christian, the method by which the gospel goes forth is through its preachers. The faithful minister presents the gospel clearly, in depth, unadulterated and filled with truth. Although all are not called to the pulpit ministry, all believers are called to be salt and light, and to preach the gospel to all the nations. Through the light of character and the preaching of the gospel, God is glorified and will draw as many as are called unto Himself. Furthermore, the faithful preacher labors day and night, praying fervently for his people. This was the testimony of Epaphras and it is the example by which we should follow as Christians. Praying not only for ourselves, but for the people whom God in His providence has placed into our lives is what the Christian is called to do. We should pray for the salvation of those who are lost and we are to labor in prayer for the growing of grace and maturity of those who are saved.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

"The Atonement"- Leon Morris



I just finished reading 'The Atonement: Its Meaning & Its Significance' by Leon Morris. This book was excellent and very thorough from the cover to the end. Morris does a great job in taking the many words found in the Bible that describe what Jesus did on the cross and breaking them down to explain what happened at the cross.
Words such as covenant, sacrifice, blood, propitiation, and justification are explained from a Biblical perspective and the context in which they are used is also drawn out to strengthen their meanings. Below is a quote from the book's epilogue that I believe summarizes the entire book and gives a hint at its great insight on explaining the atonement. I highly recommend this book for those who truly want to see the glorious truth and power that is found in the cross of Christ.

" The great thing about the cross is that God saves us by His grace. We do not merit our salvation, but receive it as a free gift. But every one of the categories at which we look reminds us that this has implications for the way we Christians are to live. The cross is the making of a new covenant, but this means that we are to live as the people of God. It is the perfect sacrifice, but we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices. If Christ died for us, we are to live for Him. He has carried our sins away, as the Day of Atonement reminds us, and won for us access into the presence of God. And this means we have a great privilege. We must neither neglect it nor use it carelessly. Christ our Passover has been offered for us so that we, the church, constitute the people of God, and so that we should cleanse out every evil thing. Passover warns us against complacency. The Lamb of God brings us back to the thought of the perfect sacrifice with all that that means."


And for my next book...."The Cross" by Martyn Lloyd Jones

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Lemuel Haynes on Regeneration


We are told in the chapter of which the text is a part (John 3) that that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit; which teaches us that there is nothing truly spiritual or holy in the first birth, but that this comes by the second, or by the renewings of the Holy Ghost. Christ tells the Jews that they hated Him without a cause. And the inspired apostle says that "the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God." (Rom 8:7-8) Therefore, seeing this is the state that mankind are antecedent to the new birth, it is not fit or reasonable that God should bring them into favor with Himself, or be at peace with them, without regeneration. Nay, He cannot, consistent with His perfection, for this would be for Him to connive at wickedness when He tells us that He can by no means clear the guilty. And to suppose that sinners can see the kingdom of God or be happy in the divine favor without regeneration or the new birth, is a perfect inconsistency, or contrary to the nature of the thing. The very essence of religion consists in love to God, and a man is no further happy in the favor of God than he loves God. Therefore, to say we enjoy happiness in God, and at the same time hate God, is a plain contradiction. "

- "May We Meet in the Heavenly World: The Piety of Lemuel Haynes" Thabiti Anyabwile
"The Necessity of Regeneration"by Lemuel Haynes

Friday, January 1, 2010

New Year Prayer - Valley of Vision

O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me
except the days are passed in Thy presence,
in Thy service, to Thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides,
sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from Thee,
but may rely on Thy Spirit
to supply every thought,
speak in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire
to show forth Thy praise;
testify Thy love,
advance Thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with Thee, O Father as my harbour,
Thee, O Son, at my helm,
Thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to Thy calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.

Give me They grace to sanctify me,
Thy comforts to cheer,
Thy wisdom to teach,
Thy right hand to guide,
Thy counsel to instruct,
Thy law to judge,
Thy presence to stabilize.
May Thy fear by my awe,
Thy triumphs my joy.