God’s Word – Page 7

To the People in the Pews

January 26, 2015January 25, 2015 by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Evangelism, God's Word, Prayer, The Gospel

As a follow up to yesterday’s messages from Philippians 2:3-4, consider and answer the following:

Quick Review

SS: Unless we live in Christ-centered unity, our gospel testimony is of no effect.

The gospel is effective when we are not selfish (2:3a)
The gospel is effective when we are not conceited (2:3b)
The gospel is effective when we are humble (2:3c)
The gospel is effective when we are focused on others (2:3d-4)

Questions for Application:

List 25 ways you are selfish. How do these areas you listed hinder your gospel witness? How do they hinder the gospel witness at BCBC? At work? At school? In recreation?

As you prepare for your day, what is uppermost in your mind as you choose your clothes, your activities, your goals, your plans—what people think of you or what they learn of Christ from you?

How have your pursued Christ this morning? What did He say to you through His Word? Remember, we do not pursue humility. We pursue Christ is the definition of humility in bodily form and character. As we pursue knowing Him, meditating on Him, and learning His Word, humility becomes a part of our life.

What individuals will be the focus for prayer and witness today? Will you be ready for a complete stranger that God may send your way? Remember the word, “look.”

What did God say to you at the end of the sermon? What did you put into sentence form? How will that truth be fleshed out in your life today?

Let’s keeping growing and changing! Be intentional for the gospel today! And remember, Love Works!!

Friday’s Findings

January 16, 2015January 15, 2015 by Dale, posted in Christian Living, God's Word, Prayer, The Bible

What can you find today? What will you find today?

The Lord God — But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deut. 4:29) And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

Rich Treasure — I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure (Psalm 119:162).

Knowledge of God — If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:4-6).

Wisdom — I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me (Proverbs 8:17).

Good — He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he (Proverbs 16:20).

Answered Prayer —“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened (Matthew 7:7-8).

Rest — Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 28:28-30).

Life — For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it (Matthew 16:25).

An Empty Tomb — But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly[a] perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments (Luke 24:2-4).

Weakness of my Flesh — For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find (Romans 7:18).

Sufficient Grace — Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

So, as you go throughout your Friday, what will you find? What are you looking for? That depends on where you look, the surrender of your heart, and the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. God is pursuing you today.

Here’s something else you will find to be helpful. Looking so forward to Evangelist Aaron Coffey and the team being with us March 15-20, 2015. This powerful message was delivered last night at Bob Jones University. Listen here: January 15, Aaron Coffey.

The Making of a Man

January 13, 2015January 12, 2015 by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Evangelism, Family, God's Word, Marriage, Men, Parenting, Prayer

Last Tuesday’s blog was the first entry in the weekly series entitled, “The Making of a Man.” As I said in that blog post, January 6, my heart’s desire is to see us be genuine, Spirit-filled, Christlike, servant leaders . . . men of God. Obviously, to do so, we MUST be in the Word of God on a daily basis reading the Word and letting it read us. Also, I mentioned that oft-repeated statement, “Leaders are readers.” So, in today’s post, I want to share some book titles that have impacted me in my relationship with Christ, my wife, my children, my ministry and life in general. Many of these books can still be purchased in book form, or as many of us do today, you can get the Kindle edition. Men, let’s read the Bible first, and then let’s read other good books so we can be made a man of God!

Disciplines of a Godly Man, R. Kent Hughes

“The Christian leader’s vision of God makes all the difference in his life” (p.163). I have read this book several times and have even used it with deacons and men’s meetings.

Disciplines – Kindle Edition

The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make, Hans Finzel

“Top-flight leaders really aren’t born, they learn by trial and error.” (p.18)

“My greatest fear is that our best days were our past days. I loathe the thought that we should fade into irrelevance” (p.71).

Top Ten Mistakes – Kindle Edition

The Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling to Men, Richard D. Phillips

“It is virtually impossible to find a man greatly used by God who is not strongly devoted to prayer.” (p. 39)

“God intends for man to have a [wife] who bears God’s image along with man, and who with man can look upward to God and live for Him.” (p. 58)

Chapter Five, “Man as Shepherd-Lord,” is an excellent read.

Masculine Mandate – Kindle Edition

Power Through Prayer, E.M. Bounds

Here’s a little book that every man of God must read!! A classic.

Power Through Prayer – Kindle Edition

There are many, many others, but these are just a few. I’ll share more in later posts. Men, let’s take the challenge to read, to share, to grow, and to make a difference for Christ wherever we live!

New Year’s Response

January 1, 2015January 1, 2015 by Dale, posted in Christian Living, God's Word, Prayer, Trials

Happy New Year!! And even more than that, a special thank you to all of you who have faithfully read this blog. I am honored and quite frankly overwhelmed that you spend some time on this site. Nevertheless, thank you, thank you, thank you.

2015, as in previous years, and for the rest of our lives, will present us with many decisions, disappointments, delights, dangers, discouragements, and dreams. For them all, may I encourage you to respond with Hebrews 4:14-16?

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

For all the situations of life, respond with, “Well, let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of the grace.” Why? Read verses 14-15. Jesus Christ is our high priest who has passed into the heavens and understands all of life, all about life, because He is life (John 14:6)!!

So, Happy New Year, and let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace!

Blurred Vision

December 31, 2014December 30, 2014 by Dale, posted in Christian Living, God's Word, Joy, Renewal, The Bible

Yesterday morning, my wife and I had an interesting experience. As is always the case, one of the first things I do every morning is insert my contact lens in my right eye. I have an implant in my left eye which I use for up close vision and reading. Within seconds the sight in right eye was blurred. This led me to think I had dropped my contact on the table or floor in front of me. So the frantic search with a flashlight began. No contact. I then went to retrieve an old backup contact that I keep in my case. In so doing, the vision in my right eye became even more blurred. Guess what? I put the second contact on top of the one I thought I had lost. Well, part of the situation was “cleared up,” but my vision was still blurry. Thinking the contact was not positioned right on my eye, I went on about my morning thinking the situation would correct itself. I must add that since I had a detached retina in my left eye two years ago, I began to wonder if something was beginning to happen to my other eye.

Unbeknownst to me, Denise had by this time put in her contacts. After a moment she entered the dining room where I was working and declared that her vision was blurry, too! She left and then returned moments later asking, “Did you take a contact out of a case with two contacts?” Immediately the mystery of our impaired vision was solved! We both have the same color contact cases, so in my fumbling, bumbling early morning stagger, I had picked up her case and inserted her contact in my right eye. What a delight to be able to see clearly now that our vision has been corrected.

How will you see life in 2015? Through the “contact lens” of human viewpoint or divine viewpoint? Human viewpoint perceives life from a fleshly, selfish, worldly paradigm that convinces and/or assumes “I am right” (Proverbs 14:12). Divine viewpoint perceives life from a biblical, humble, Christlike paradigm that says, “God is always right” (Psalm 18:30). Human viewpoint comes when we fill our minds with worldly thinking, reading and entertainment (Romans 12:1-2). Divine viewpoint comes when we fill our minds with Truth (Philippians 4:8). Human viewpoint has “How does this make me feel, or what will make me happy” as its motivation. Divine viewpoint says, “How will this glorify God or make me grow in Christ or cause me to praise my God” as its goal (Psalm 150:6; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Peter 3:18). Human viewpoint will leave you frustrated, empty, never satisfied and bored (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18). Divine viewpoint leads you to rest, fulfillment, contentment, and joy (Philippians 4:6-11; Hebrews 3:7-19). Human viewpoint comes from “following your heart” (Jeremiah 17:9); divine viewpoint is developed by a life saturated by the Word (Psalm 119). Human viewpoint lives for now; divine viewpoint lives for eternity (Philippians 1:21).

As you move into 2015, will your life be blurred with selfish human viewpoint or clear with Christ-exalted divine viewpoint? Which contact case will you use?

Spiritual Weight-Loss Plan

December 30, 2014December 30, 2014 by Dale, posted in Christian Living, God's Word, Sin

Due to three months of not being able to run plus all the good food of Thanksgiving and Christmas, I have put some weight back on. I’ll be the first to tell you I’m more than ready to start hitting the country roads and pushing away from the table. Before surgery, I had run a 7K and the next weekend, a full 10K. The feeling of accomplishment was so great! I never dreamed that I could run without stopping for one hour. Due to constant exercise and a right diet, weight was not a burden to my life.

How about you spiritually? Is there a weight in your life that needs to be dropped that is hindering your spiritual growth? Do you need to change your diet? Be honest. Is it anger? Is it bitterness? Is it laziness? Could it be gossip? How about pornography? Perhaps unforgiveness? Whatever sin it is, you know what it is. The Holy Spirit has revealed it to you many times. And praise the Lord, you can by His grace, overcome any sin (Romans 5:20). So, what is your plan this new year to overcome the sin that clings so close to you (Hebrews 12:1)? The Lord desires for us to live in freedom, to be able to serve without hindrances, and to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

Here are some suggestions to help your spiritual exercise/diet plan:

Get honest with the Lord and yourself about your sin (Psalm 139:23-24).
Search the Scriptures for what God says about your sin. Compare what God says to why you like your sin. What’s the verdict?
Choose a verse or passage to memorize and use every time you are tempted (Psalm 119:9-11).
Work through the Scripture passages, one-a-day, for 40 days. Record in your journal what God reveals to you about your sin and the victory that He can give.
Share your ups and downs with your spouse or an accountability partner. This is for help and edification only, not judgment. An accountability partner can be a real source of prayer support and a spiritual cheerleader.
Remember Proverbs 24:16, For a just man falls seven times but he rises up again. If you fail, don’t stay down. Rand Hummel has said so often, “There are two kinds of men. Those who fight sin and those who give up.”

So, let’s run the race that is before us, dropping off the weights, and finishing strong! (Hebrew 12:1-2)

2015 Plans and Goals: Gold or Honey?

December 29, 2014December 28, 2014 by Dale, posted in Christian Living, God's Word, The Bible

“Static Christianity” does not exist. Every day of our life we are either growing in our relationship with God or we are digressing. Every second of life we are either operating out of our flesh or walking under the control of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25). God the Father has redeemed and reconciled us back to Himself through the cross work of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23-26; 5:1-11) to enjoy fellowship with us and for us to bring Him glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). In order to do so, we must be growing in our knowledge of God and His Son, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). We are exhorted to grow in Christ, in the faith, in the Word and through the Word (1 Peter 2:1; 3:15; 5:10; 2 Peter 1:5-8; Hebrews 5:11-14).

Please note from Psalm 19:7-11, what God says about His Word; the power of the His Word that created and sustains all things:

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
⁸The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
⁹The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
¹⁰More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
¹¹Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

So, what is your plan to know God even more through His Word in this coming year of 2015? What is your written, intentional plan? What passages of Scriptures are you going to memorize this year? What is your Bible reading plan so the Word of God can read you every day and change you into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:17)? I submit without reservation that the most important plans you make for 2015 concern your growth in Christ! Read Psalm 19:10 again. What should you search for more than gold? What should you give more planning to than your work, your children’s schooling, your vacation, etc.? Where do you find guaranteed reward (Psalm 19:11)?

So with those challenging questions and Psalm 19 as our backdrop, let me zero in on some Bible reading plans.

These links offer many, many options to fit your goal for 2015:

Biblestudytools.com/bible-reading-plan

Biblegateway.com/reading-plans

Youversion.com/apps – A smartphone app with many, many options

2015 Bible Reading Plan

So, which will you gather the most this year? Honey or gold? (Psalm 19:10) Remember, you won’t be static.

This Year’s Favorite

December 23, 2014December 23, 2014 by Dale, posted in Christian Living, God's Word

Father’s Words

December 22, 2014December 21, 2014 by Dale, posted in Christian Living, God's Creation, God's Word, Speech

As a young boy being raised in the Cunningham home, there was one thing among many that was certain. When my earthly dad said something, he meant it. His words were powerful. They carried weight.

My Heavenly Father created words. They carry much more weight. As a matter of fact, God created all things out of nothing (ex nihilo) by His spoken word (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24). Who has the power to speak a word and create something out of nothing? Only Elohim, Creator God! And that is not all. God continually is speaking. As A.W. Tozer said in The Pursuit of God, “He is by His nature continuously articulate. He fills the world with His speaking Voice.” (Psalm 19:1-6)

The question to me and to you is, “Are we listening?” Through all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, there is so much noise, confusion, traffic, busyness, distractions, running-here-and-there, that it is so easy to miss hearing the voice of God. Tozer goes on to say, The Word of God is quick and powerful. In the beginning He spoke to nothing, and it became something. Chaos heard it and became order, darkness heard it and became light. “And God said-and it was so.” Do you need order in the midst of your chaos today? What is God saying to you through His Word? Are you listening?

Just as my dad spoke with authority, My Heavenly Father speaks with transcendent authority. His words always mean something and carry absolute weight. He is always speaking. Be sure to listen today for He is talking directly to you. (Proverbs 2:1-5; John 10:27-28; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 3:20, 22)

Friday’s Findings

December 19, 2014December 19, 2014 by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Evangelism, God's Word, Missions

Usually on Fridays, I share some links that I have found in the past days that I believe would be of some interest to you. Today, I want to share some different findings. The Lord graciously and unexpectantly provided for Denise and me to travel to Spain on December 2^nd to be the guest speakers at the Missionary Teen Retreat 11, Aierdi Farmhouse near Zegama.

While we were in the Basque country of Spain, we found . . .

Faithful servant missionaries who have given their lives to reach the Basque people for Christ. They labor for the Lord day and night at the 300 plus year old farmhouse, at Lighthouse Baptist Church, in Bible studies, so often entertaining folks in their homes, teaching English, leading intensive discipleship seminars, living in community among the Basque folk, lodging and providing for mission teams and retreats, creating ministry opportunities through the week, and all by the grace of God. Not once did I hear them grumble or gripe . . . (Philippians 1:3-5, 27; 2:13-14)
The next generation of missionary kids taking up the mantle from grandparents and parents to reach these dear Basque people, to carry on the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:1-2)
The Lord relocating one missionary family back to the States that has served in the Basque country for several years and providing another family to take their place before any of them knew this would take place. As we heard from Andy Bonikowsky, “God likes to surprise us” (Jeremiah 33:3, which you do not know).
Nearly 30 young people who want to be used for the Lord today and in the future. If their hearts were not already tender to the Lord, they all certainly became that way as the retreat ended. They are normal believers looking for answers from the Lord through His Word for life and want to finish well in preparation for the Bema (2 Corinthians 5:9-11)
Once again that the Word works! (Hebrews 4:12)
Teens who love to sing! (Psalm 98:1; Colossians 3:16)
Many villages that need a gospel witness. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 16:6-10)
That preaching through a translator (“interrupter”) has its challenges!
Coffee to be super strong stuff!! (I really liked it.)
Few stop signs and many, many roundabouts.
Narrow roads and fast drivers.
Sheep everywhere, even being herded up the road you’re travelling in, so you just wait.
Beautiful waterfalls, steep mountains, narrow canyons, and the fingerprint of God everywhere!
Quaint little villages steeped in tradition.
Thousands of people who need the Lord!
God has warmed our hearts more and more for these people and this region of the country.