Jonathan Leeman at 9Marks writes a helpful article about the power of conversion, not only in relation to eternity, but for the rest of our lives here on earth. The only thing I would add a footnote to is that the truths he writes about from Scripture are not just underestimated power for pastors, but for all Christians in loving and caring for other Christians in the church. =)
Archive for February, 2012
The Power of Conversion
Posted in Church, Gospel, Prayer, Sanctification on February 29, 2012| Leave a Comment »
February 29 – Genesis 41:37-57, 1 Samuel 26-27, Psalm 66-67, Mark 12:18-44
Posted in Devotions on February 29, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Bible Reading Commitment, Encouragement, and Challenge
February 29 – Genesis 41:37-57, 1 Samuel 26-27, Psalm 66-67, Mark 12:18-44
Observe with some (Interpretation in Parentheses)
- Focusing on Genesis 41
- Finally, we begin to see the reason why God allowed Joseph to be cruelly treated by his brothers, to be sold as a slave to Egypt
- At 30 years old, Joseph rises to 2nd in power in all of Egypt
- From chapter 37, we see that Joseph was around 17 years old when he was first sold into slavery
- That means it was 13 years of being enslaved before God revealed His sovereign purpose and made Joseph forget all his hardship, making him fruitful in the land of affliction (v. 50-52)
- Yet, in the midst of those 13 years of hardship and affliction, Joseph remained faithful to God and kept trusting God
- (God has a good, sovereign purpose for everything, especially for His children)
- (God was preparing to use Joseph to physically save the world during time of famine and physical death)
How Points to Christ
- Jesus suffered the greatest injustice of being condemned as an innocent person and being crucified on the cross
- Jesus’ hardships and afflictions brought about the greatest spiritual good in all of history, salvation from spiritual, eternal death
Apply
- Please pray for steadfast faith and trust in God during times of trials and afflictions
- Please pray for joy and faithfulness to keep loving God and serving others during times of trials and afflictions
- It is so easy to want to retreat to my own self-centered bubble when things are not going the way I desired or expected
- So please pray that I would believe in God’s sovereignty and goodness and keep being faithful to Him
February 29 – Prayer for the World and Unreached
Posted in Evangelism, Prayer on February 29, 2012| Leave a Comment »
May God increase our desire for His glory to spread to all nations and peoples – Operation World. and Joshua Project!
Population: 35,000
Language: Tamahaq, Tahaggart
Religion: Islam
Evangelical: 0.00%
Living in an Assumptions-Oriented World
Posted in Church, Culture, Gospel, Sanctification on February 28, 2012| Leave a Comment »
We all live in an assumptions-oriented world. Others assume things of us. And we assume things of others. Pastor Kevin DeYoung wrote a helpful blog post on not assuming. Seeing how far short I fall short, how often I sinfully assume things of others, I am so thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Take the list and apply it to Jesus, and you will be amazed. Jesus Christ was the only man in this world in all of history who never assumed. That is why Jesus had to die to give us His perfections! Only in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ can we have hope to grow in becoming people who don’t sinfully assume about other people.
February 28 – Genesis 41:1-36, 1 Samuel 25, Psalm 65, Mark 12:1-17
Posted in Devotions on February 28, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Bible Reading Commitment, Encouragement, and Challenge
February 28 – Genesis 41:1-36, 1 Samuel 25, Psalm 65, Mark 12:1-17
Observe with some (Interpretation in Parentheses)
- Focusing on Psalm 65
- God is due all praise
- God graciously atones for transgressions of sinners
- God graciously brings undeserving sinners into His presence to dwell with Him
- God makes us holy to dwell in the holiness of His temple
- God is the only hope of all the earth
- God is all-powerful
- He established the mountains
- He stills the roaring seas
- He sends rain to water the earth
- He provides food to eat from the earth
- Everything in creation points to the power, provision, and glory of the Lord
How Points to Christ
- Jesus’ death is the means God provides to atone for transgressions
- Jesus is the holy temple of God through whom we dwell in God’s holy presence
Apply
- Please pray that I would regularly praise God for who He is and what He does
- Please pray that a trust and joy in God as my only hope
- Please pray that I would use everything in this earth to point people to God the Creator
- And please pray that I would be clear in pointing to Jesus as the One who brings atonement for sins
February 28 – Prayer for the World and Unreached
Posted in Evangelism, Prayer on February 28, 2012| Leave a Comment »
May God increase our desire for His glory to spread to all nations and peoples – Operation World. and Joshua Project!
February 27 – Psalm 18, 1 Samuel 23-24, Psalm 63-64, Mark 11
Posted in Devotions on February 27, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Bible Reading Commitment, Encouragement, and Challenge
February 27 – Psalm 18, 1 Samuel 23-24, Psalm 63-64, Mark 11
Observe with some (Interpretation in Parentheses)
- Focusing on Mark 11
- Everything in the book of Mark suddenly slows down beginning with this chapter
- The pace had been so fast up to this point, until Jesus enters Jerusalem for His last week of life before His crucifixion
- In the beginning of chapter 11, Jesus makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem
- Jesus is the King
- People worship Him as King
How Points to Christ
- But, Jesus is the King contrary to any and all expectations
- Jesus is the Davidic King who is blessed
- But Jesus is the King who first gives up His own life so that His people can enter His Kingdom
- Jesus is the King who died for His enemies, so that they can be reconciled to God as friends
- Jesus is the King who first rides into Jerusalem on a peaceful donkey to die, not on a fierce warhorse to conquer
- But, when Jesus returns the second time, He will come with the sword to conquer all His enemies
Apply
- Please pray that I would be amazed by Jesus’ humility and His undeserved mercy
- Please pray that until Jesus comes again, that I would be passionate and bold to call people to worship the sacrificial King before they will face Him as their just judge
- Please pray that many sinners would repent and believe and receive God’s mercy in Jesus
- And please pray that God’s people would live under God’s good rule in Christ, seeking to obey all that Jesus commanded
- May we be a holy and gracious people who long for others to experience God’s salvation and good rule
February 27 – Prayer for the World and Unreached
Posted in Evangelism, Prayer on February 27, 2012| Leave a Comment »
May God increase our desire for His glory to spread to all nations and peoples – Operation World. and Joshua Project!
Population: 4,500
Language: Bukharic
Religion: Ethnic Religions
Evangelical: 0.00%
February 25 – Psalm 17, 1 Samuel 21-22, Psalm 62, Mark 10:32-52
Posted in Devotions on February 25, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Bible Reading Commitment, Encouragement, and Challenge
February 25 – Psalm 17, 1 Samuel 21-22, Psalm 62, Mark 10:32-52
Observe with some (Interpretation in Parentheses)
- Focusing on Psalm 62
- God alone gives salvation
- Therefore, there is no one our soul ought to wait for except for God
- God only is our rock and our salvation
- God only is our fortress
- Only in God will we not be shaken by all the uncertainties and difficulties of this world
- Therefore, we ought to trust in God at all times
- We ought to pour out our hearts before Him, whatever burdens are on our heart
- God is a refuge to His people
- We ought to work hard to be responsible and faithful, but we are not to put our trust and hope on our own efforts, but on God who is steadfast in His love toward His people
How Points to Christ
- Jesus is the Rock
- Jesus is our salvation
- In Jesus as our refuge, we will not be shaken
Apply
- Please pray that I would be faithful in all areas of life
- Please pray that I would not trust in my faithfulness or my work in this world
- Please pray that I would trust only in God, and not be anxious regarding unplanned events in life (like needing to remodeling part of the house where the estimate is much higher than expected)
- And please pray that I would be a compassionate friend to those struggling, praying for them, and pointing them to the only Rock of our salvation
February 25 – Prayer for the World and Unreached
Posted in Evangelism, Prayer on February 25, 2012| Leave a Comment »
May God increase our desire for His glory to spread to all nations and peoples – Operation World. and Joshua Project!
Population: 288,000
Language: Fulfulde, Western Niger
Religion: Islam
Evangelical: 0.07%
My Family and Me
I am a Sinner made a New Creation by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, committed to Scripture alone, for the Glory of God alone.I am also the Pastor of Urban Grace, a group of New Creations committed to love and serve one another and the world around us.
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