Posted by ajenkins on December 7, 2009 under Faith At Home, Just A Thought | Comments are off for this article
Upcoming Faith At Home Seminar
Recently I was asked how as a Sr. Pastor I could spend my time with Directors of Christian Education learning of and promoting the faith at home methodology of Christian faith transformation? Didn’t I have more pressing priorities with which to concern myself? It was their thought that this issue of discipleship was more to be in the hands of the directors of Christian education. My response was that there is not a more important issue than this. That my job, my call, my passion from the Lord is lives that are being healed, redeemed, set free and transformed by a growing and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. I don’t do church to grow the club. I shepherd peoples that they might experience the life that Jesus Christ purchased for them with His own blood. Read more of this article »
Posted by ajenkins on November 30, 2009 under Devotionals | Comments are off for this article
Advent and Christmas are seasons that remind us of God’s hope for us and in us. God’s Promise fulfilled in the Savior born and the King who will return is our source of hope. Your church staff’s prayer for you and your family is that you would experience the joy and power of Hope.
“We do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13
“I will restore to you the years thatthe swarming locust has eaten…” Joel 2:25
“…being confident of this, that he who began a goodwork in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
Posted by ajenkins on November 25, 2009 under Just A Thought | Comments are off for this article
The first time St. Paul heard the audible voice of the Lord, Jesus asked Paul why he was persecuting Him (Acts 9:4). The last time it is to ask Paul why he thinks the Lord is persecuting him (2 Cor. 10:12).
What about you? Do you hurt others? Is your life filled with hurt? Do you still you too think the Lord is causing it?
Posted by ajenkins on October 11, 2009 under Devotionals | Comments are off for this article
20091010 – Arthur’s Note: this is the first of a devotional using the Heidelberg Catechism. Learn more about the Heidelberg Catechism here.
Question 1. What is your only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, (a) am not my own, (b) but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; (c) who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, (d) and delivered me from all the power of the devil; (e) and so preserves me (f) that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; (g) yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, (h) and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, (i) and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him. (j)
(a) Rom.14:7,8; 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living..”
(b) 1 Cor. 6:19; “19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”
(c) 1 Cor.3:23; “and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. Titus 2:14; who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”
(d) 1 Pet.1:18,19; knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
(e) Heb.2:14; “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,’
1 John 3:8; “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
John 8:36; “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
(f) John 6:39; “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.”
1 Peter 1:5; who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
(g) Matt.10:29,30; “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? [1] And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
(h) Rom.8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
(i) 2 Cor.1:20-22; “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
(j) Rom.8:14; “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
1 John 3:3; “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”
For your personal reflection:
In what or whom do you find your comfort? What disturbs your comfort? What can restore it?
What does the comfort of Jesus Christ cost? You? Him?
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