Well, here we are almost at the end of the of another year. Reflecting on this past year, one of the greatest blessings for me has been my daily "read the Bible through" program. I have attempted many times before to stick with a plan, but...are you ready for this??? this is the first year that I will be completing the program.
Don't misunderstand...it has not come without falling behind, interruptions, etc., but it has been worth it. I highly recommend using the "You Version" application that is a free download from either Android or iTunes. This year I have used the Discipleship Journal in English. Next year, by God's grace, I want to try to read through the same plan in Spanish.
Why am I saying this to you? Well, I do believe that this same "read the Bible through" plan can benefit you too!!
Here are some other ideas for reading plans for free!
http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/
Let's pray together for a 2013 dedicated to the reading, studying, meditating, and application of the Words of Christ!
In all things...Christ preeminent!
Aaron
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Saturday, October 27, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Some thoughts on prayer
Jerram Barrs, Professor at Covenant Theological Seminary, offers some great thoughts regarding the matter of where to begin with prayer. Here is a quote from his work "The Heart of Evangelism."
Recognizing our dependence on The Lord to bring people to faith in Christ, what should be the focus of our prayers? God has placed each of us in a "family" of those we love and those who love us--both actual family members and also the "family" of our close friends, the people whose lives have become closely intertwined with ours. Our first and perfectly appropriate desire will be to pray for these people whom we already love.
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Recognizing our dependence on The Lord to bring people to faith in Christ, what should be the focus of our prayers? God has placed each of us in a "family" of those we love and those who love us--both actual family members and also the "family" of our close friends, the people whose lives have become closely intertwined with ours. Our first and perfectly appropriate desire will be to pray for these people whom we already love.
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Sunday, September 16, 2012
In the beginning, God...
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 ESV)
When I was young (I love it that I can say this now) and was growing up in a small country church, we had a Wednesday night Bible Study for "young people." Our Pastor's Wife, Ms. Fisher, lead the study faithfully each week. I look back and think about the main lesson that I remember above everything else. "In the beginning, God." This lesson started what would be a regular Bible study working through the book of Genesis.
It would be nice to tell you that at the time I saw the importance of such lessons. It seemed odd at the time. Why would she initiate a Bible study here? After all, there were more relevant topics to address. She should be talking about drugs, sex, and "worldly" music. We should be talking about things that "teenagers" need to hear. (Don't miss the point...I am not saying that there is never a place for addressing specific topics).
What I didn't realize is this is the exact lesson that teenagers needed to hear. You see, the Gospel begins with "In the beginning, God." Without starting there it is possible to rightly understand this world, yourself, problems, etc. By looking at the creation we are able to begin to understand some basic questions that everyone must answer. Questions like: "How did we get here?", "Is there a God?", "If there is a God, did He say anything?", "If God has spoken, what did He say?", "If he has spoken, does it really matter." All of those questions cannot be understood apart from the reality of the God who spoke in Genesis 1:1.
What I didn't know at the time and what Ms. Fisher did not know is her lesson some 20+ years ago would become one of my favorite lessons in all my life. Yes, because God has spoken, we can know the truth about Him, which gives light (knowledge and understanding) to how we got here, why we exist, what He has said, and why that matters! As I prepare to teach this very thing next weekend (In Spanish) I hope to relay this foundational instruction with the passion and zeal that was demonstrated to me and many others by this faithful teacher of the Word. Thank you Ms. Fisher for your faithfulness to our Lord over all these years!
In all things...Christ preeminent!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
When I was young (I love it that I can say this now) and was growing up in a small country church, we had a Wednesday night Bible Study for "young people." Our Pastor's Wife, Ms. Fisher, lead the study faithfully each week. I look back and think about the main lesson that I remember above everything else. "In the beginning, God." This lesson started what would be a regular Bible study working through the book of Genesis.
It would be nice to tell you that at the time I saw the importance of such lessons. It seemed odd at the time. Why would she initiate a Bible study here? After all, there were more relevant topics to address. She should be talking about drugs, sex, and "worldly" music. We should be talking about things that "teenagers" need to hear. (Don't miss the point...I am not saying that there is never a place for addressing specific topics).
What I didn't realize is this is the exact lesson that teenagers needed to hear. You see, the Gospel begins with "In the beginning, God." Without starting there it is possible to rightly understand this world, yourself, problems, etc. By looking at the creation we are able to begin to understand some basic questions that everyone must answer. Questions like: "How did we get here?", "Is there a God?", "If there is a God, did He say anything?", "If God has spoken, what did He say?", "If he has spoken, does it really matter." All of those questions cannot be understood apart from the reality of the God who spoke in Genesis 1:1.
What I didn't know at the time and what Ms. Fisher did not know is her lesson some 20+ years ago would become one of my favorite lessons in all my life. Yes, because God has spoken, we can know the truth about Him, which gives light (knowledge and understanding) to how we got here, why we exist, what He has said, and why that matters! As I prepare to teach this very thing next weekend (In Spanish) I hope to relay this foundational instruction with the passion and zeal that was demonstrated to me and many others by this faithful teacher of the Word. Thank you Ms. Fisher for your faithfulness to our Lord over all these years!
In all things...Christ preeminent!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, August 4, 2012
US/Mexico Border update
As the group assigned to the US/Mexico border closes for this month, we would like to give you a quick, preliminary report.
First, our team was assigned to a congregation in San Juan (near Donna), Texas to conduct a Vacation Bible School (for all ages, including adults). We are very thankful to this congregation and their warm reception, hospitality, and hard work during the event. This congregation recently lost their building due to the lack of funds being able to provide necessary maintenance. They have been meeting in a member's home and have being going strong ever since.
Our first night of VBS there were 76 people present. Over 15 of them were adults many of which were not regular attendees of any church. On the second night three adults in the class made public professions of repentance of sin and faith in Christ Jesus. We are thankful for Iglesia Cristo El Rey for them to allow us to use their van this week to help with the transportation.
We have been blessed by the opportunity to share books and Bibles with different individuals. Through giving received others were provided with the Scriptures in the modern Spanish language. We also provided a soon to be married couple with a copy of Pipers "This Momentary Marriage." There are others who received various copies of other books by Sproul and Piper.
We will begin our return to the St. Louis area tomorrow afternoon following celebrating with our friends at Iglesia Cristo El Rey. We will share more information on the trip in the days to come.
Once again, we are thankful to each and every one of you that pray for us on a regular basis and for those who are able to "hold the rope."
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
First, our team was assigned to a congregation in San Juan (near Donna), Texas to conduct a Vacation Bible School (for all ages, including adults). We are very thankful to this congregation and their warm reception, hospitality, and hard work during the event. This congregation recently lost their building due to the lack of funds being able to provide necessary maintenance. They have been meeting in a member's home and have being going strong ever since.
Our first night of VBS there were 76 people present. Over 15 of them were adults many of which were not regular attendees of any church. On the second night three adults in the class made public professions of repentance of sin and faith in Christ Jesus. We are thankful for Iglesia Cristo El Rey for them to allow us to use their van this week to help with the transportation.
We have been blessed by the opportunity to share books and Bibles with different individuals. Through giving received others were provided with the Scriptures in the modern Spanish language. We also provided a soon to be married couple with a copy of Pipers "This Momentary Marriage." There are others who received various copies of other books by Sproul and Piper.
We will begin our return to the St. Louis area tomorrow afternoon following celebrating with our friends at Iglesia Cristo El Rey. We will share more information on the trip in the days to come.
Once again, we are thankful to each and every one of you that pray for us on a regular basis and for those who are able to "hold the rope."
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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