love Posts

What’s the Gospel?

At the core of our Message, our ministries, our lives, our hope, and life is the Gospel.  The longer I preach the more convinced I am that I (we) have but one message: the Gospel of Grace found only in Christ. Surely all of Scripture is inspired by God and all of the Bible is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness- but it is the Gospel that is central. I’ve heard Christians through the years express a desire to go “deeper” in the Word. Sometimes this is a true desire to get beyond the surface preaching that seems to come from many of our pulpits. But most of the time this is a desire for more knowledge (and not a desire nor evidence of obedience to what is already known- i.e. kindness, compassion, care for the poor, the marginalized, a lack of grace and purity, etc..).

I ask, “What’s deeper than the Gospel?” How can we ever tire of studying, scrutinizing, exploring, and- indeed- applying the Gospel to every aspect of life. The Gospel is the well that never runs dry. Jesus is eternal and the exploration of His majesty is never-ending. Let’s preach, teach, and apply the Gospel. It is (HE is) the Only hope of salvation for those who believe.

Here Tim Keller (who is always Gospel-centered) answers the question: “What is the Gospel?”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0g-s4Qhtyk&feature=youtu.be]

Thy Kingdom Come.

A Thousand Questions

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiNBmNl88Pk]

What Every Mother Needs

“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”       2 Timothy 1:2

Paul’s blessing to young Timothy is my blessing for all moms this Mothers Day.

Every mother needs:

1. Grace

Mothers, may God’s unmerited, pardoning and transforming favor and power be upon you.  May His grace cover you, define you, and guide you as guide others.  May your marriage be grace-centered.  May you parent with grace.  We are all in need of grace.  So let’s go ahead and destroy the myth of the “super mom”.  There are no perfect moms.  The super mom is simply the mom who sticks with it day in and day out and does not give up.  Real moms need the grace of God.  God’s grace picks up where we are done.  Paul said,

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect.  No, I worked harder than all of them- yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”  1 Corinthians 15:10 

Mom, God’s grace finishes the task when you can’t go on.  Aren’t you glad, when you feel you can’t go on, God’s grace gives you strength?  When you fail, His grace covers you.  When you lose your temper, His grace covers you.  When you find yourself feeling all alone, unappreciated, or unworthy His grace covers you.  You can turn to Him.  To be a mom is to rely daily on God’s grace.

2. Mercy

God’s warm and tender affection for those who are in need and who are afflicted comes in unlimited ways to moms.  It is His compassion and understanding love that can keep you going.  Moms, God knows your deepest hurts.  He understands those private moments when you grow weary and become discouraged.  To be a mom is to rely daily on God’s mercy.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  Hebrews 4:16

3. Peace

Peace is the fullness of God’s blessings upon His people- because we have been reconciled to Him through the death of Jesus Christ.  Because we have peace with God, we can experience peace in our hearts daily.  Mom, what do you need more than peace today?  You find it as you run to God.  To be a mom is to rely on His peace in your life daily.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Mom, you are a valued treasure to God to everyone around you.  But your ultimate worth in life is not found in being the perfect mom, it’s not found in your husband or your children.  Your worth is found in Christ.  In Him you find peace.  In Him you find mercy.  In Him you find grace.

Happy Mothers Day Mom!

The Silence of God

When our worship gatherings and our lives don’t match up…

Isaiah 1:13-17 (The Message)

“Quit your worship charades.
I can’t stand your trivial religious games:
Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings-
meetings, meetings, meetings- I can’t stand one more!
Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!
You’ve worn me out!
I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion,
while you go right on sinning.
When you put on your next prayer-performance,
I’ll be looking the other way.
No matter how long or loud or often you pray,
I’ll not be listening.
And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing
people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.
Go home and wash up.
Clean up your act.
Sweep your lives clean of your evil-doings
so I don’t have to look at them any longer.
Say no to wrong.
Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
Go to bat for the defenseless.”