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Showing posts from June, 2012

My Favorite Song I've Never Lead...

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This is an odd topic to write about but I was thinking about this a lot tonight.  As a worship pastor we are constantly singing songs of all kinds.  But the thing that I was thinking about was what was my favorite worship song that I have never lead before.  For me it was hands down "In Christ Alone" by Stuart Townend.  Thinking back I'm not sure why I haven't lead this one... but that is going to have to change at some point. So I wanted to post the video of Stuart leading this song as use it as a song of reflection for the day.  So take some time and listen to this song a few times and really focus on the words of the song.  These words and truths that are being sung are life changing truths that have radically changed my life forever and I am forever grateful. In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; this Cornerstone, this solid Ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths o...

Third John...

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In 3rd John, John directs this letter to Gaius who is a beloved disciple who John has obviously pureed into.  I love this letter because it shows us how to be an encourager and lover of our Brothers in Christ. John's letter is very encouraging and helpful to Gaius and the church he leads.  John also acknowledges them and helps us understand how to love and encourage and equip followers who visit our churches.  He says to "send them off in a manner worthy of God".  So after reading these three letters from John I feel really challenged in how I love and encourage others.  I also feel challenged in the area of sin in my life.  John is very concerned at the leinency of sin in the early church.  I never want to be easy or smooth over the sin in my life.  May we be people who place Jesus above all, love others deeply and hate sin our lives!

Second John...

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One reminder that I tend to think about when I read these letters is how much Jesus loves the Church.  The Bible was written to the Church not to individuals.  So as we read these letters like this one to the elect lady a.k.a. The Bride of Christ a.k.a. the Church we see Jesus' intent to correct and encourage the Sheep of the Church.  John wanted to help the Church by reminding us that false prophets are constantly  roaming the earth trying to lead us astray.  These deceivers and working along with the antichrist to lead us away and confuse us of the truth. This reminder is for us to not treat this lightly... we have to be on guard and not receive any teachings from false prophets.  So as we go throughout our day we have to be on guard and daily sharpening our doctrine.

Love... Remember Jesus... Don't Sin... (1 John 5)

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John had a few specific things in mind as He was writing all of 1 John.  He knew that he was writing to the church who was young and immature in their faith.  He wants to remind us of a few things where we often lack and struggle.  It is often hard to love people... He starts of by reminding us that we are a family.  Everyone who believes in Jesus should love those who have believed as well.  The church should be a loving community and often we are not.  He also wants to remind us that those who believe in Jesus have already overcome the world through the blood of Jesus.  Whoever has accepted the Son has life and not death. John wants us to remember that we should always have confidence in what Jesus has promised us. God promises us that He hears us when ask anything ACCORDING TO HIS WILL.  That is a huge statement. how many of us ask and talk to God about things outside of His will and except them to happen or come to fulfillment?