Deus Misereatur

{The Audio File is here . There's more in the audio file than is in the manuscript below} Revival and Reformation Pt 15 2 Chronicles 14 The Reforming Heart Lord God, as Paul reminded us, these things we read are examples written down for our instruction on whom the end of the ages has come (1 Corinthians 10.11). And so help us to attend to your word with diligence, preparation and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives (Westminster Shorter Catechism 90); that Christ our Lord may be honored. Amen. What standards do you live by? What is it that says to your mind: “I have arrived?” ... Now let me ask you – has it been really worth it? Has that standard set you free? Or has it been nothing more than a cultural or financial ball-and-chain? And when you’re overwhelmed with insurmountable odds, I ask you, do your “Standards” carry you thru; or do they let you down? And those who set the “standard” for you – where are ...

O LORD you are gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. You are good to all, and your mercy is over all that you have made (Ps. 145.8-9). Mighty God our Father, we implore You to protect, guide and comfort your Church worldwide – especially in Iraq and other hot and hostile places. O Lord, hear our prayer. We beseech you on behalf of this congregation; as well as Central Baptist Church; Central Hillcrest Baptist; Cherokee Hills Baptist; Christ Deliverance Missionary Baptist : along with our denomination’s chaplains; Mike Curtis; Paul Hur; John Kenyon; Matt Oliver; James Cochell; Wylly Collins; Bill Johnson; Brent Easton; Mark Won; and Jason Strong ; that our hearts may be encouraged – especially where they have been cast down; your people would be knit together in love, that we all together would reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of your mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom ...

Recovering Redemption: A Gospel Saturated Perspective on How to Change by Matt    Chandler My rating: 5 of 5 stars It is a difficult thing to attempt to bring deep-rooted truth to worn believers and contemporary disciples. The one is so used to hearing the “old, old message of Jesus and his love” that the flame has been nearly snuffed out. The other seems to have become so enamored with the immediacy of “how can this help me here and now” that it all sounds dull and distant. A new book has pulled up in the parking lot that may be a help in spanning these two cavernous gorges, “Recovering Redemption: A Gospel-Saturated Perspective on How to Change.” Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor of Teaching at the Village Church in the Ft. Worth/Dallas area, and Michael Snetzer, Groups Pastor at the Village Church, have pulled together this 224 page paperback with the goal of conveying the Biblical message of redemption, both justification and sanctification, to those who know it well, and tho...

A Minister’s Glory and Joy Since the day when I retired from the enlisted ranks of Air Force, I have been serving as a pastor (everything from being a licensed stated supply, to becoming fully ordained). I have ministered in three congregations that would claim to be strongly evangelical (in all the right senses of that word), biblical, and conservative. In those three congregations, to greater and lesser degrees, I have ridden an emotional rollercoaster. I have been plunged into the deepest depths of distress and lifted up to the heart-pounding heights of happiness. I have been cursed at, accused of heresy and hatred, sneered at, ridiculed and laughed at; and I have been thanked, hugged, loved, prayed for and prayed with. I have seen people walk away from the Faith under my preaching; and I have baptized, or been part of reclaiming, many who have since walked in increasing integrity in faith in Christ. It has been an experience where my heart has bled and my eyes flowed with tear...

[ A copy can be obtained here ] I am always looking for a way to incorporate the Scriptures into the various times of daily prayer. Therefore, I was delighted when I recently noticed that Crossway has bound the Biblical Psalter in a single book called, “The Psalms, ESV”. This hardback-covered-in-trutone volume covers 384 printed pages, the size and thickness of a compact Bible, and has a total of 14 blank leaves for notes and references along with a presentation page. The format of each Psalm is a lyrical-poetic form centered on the page. Each Psalm has its own space so that when a Psalm ends on a page there is a blank space, with the following Psalm beginning on a new leaf. The print is an easy to read size on a cream colored background and thicker paper that doesn't bleed when marked. The aesthetic presentation comes across well, and facilitates devotional use. If one likes to chant the Psalter, the arrangement is set-up in such a way as to make it possible. Though it’...

[Audio File is here ] Revival and Reformation Pt 14 2 Chronicles 12 Holy Father, it’s true – our hearts are often sluggish, our minds often dull, our perception often cloudy. We urgently need you to open our eyes, clear our heads, and remove the clutter in our hearts, so that we can rightly recognize what you are saying to us this day. Help us, Father, for Christ’s sake and in the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen. Sin! Big, fat, ugly, greasy, slimy sin! Sin can destroy our families, our businesses, our health, our nation and our churches. So, when we have sinned, or when sin has overtaken a congregation, imprisoned a denomination, or captured a nation, what happens? Are there consequences? And then what happens when we turn from our wicked ways and turn to God? Does it set us Scott-free from all of the aftereffects? Let’s look into the Holy Scriptures and see what God says to all this. Background up to this point: Chapters 10-11. The Decline : 1-4; {a} v. 1. For a...

Great is the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever! Lord God, we have prayed for rain – and you have plentifully poured your answer on us; great is the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever! We have lifted our voices and hearts to you on behalf of Bxxxx Dxxxxx – and now she no longer needs further treatment for the cancer; great is the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever! We have cried out to you on behalf of little baby Kxxxx Dxxxxxx – and she is gaining strength and growing healthy; great is the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever! And we have sought your protection for the teens who went to RYM and they have returned safe – great is the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever! Thank you, O our God! As Isaiah your spokesman once said, “The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God” (Isaiah 52.10). Show forth your strength on behalf of your people, and in de...