Christ Jesus Came To Demons Rule!

Reconciling Relationships And Making Peace When You Thought It Was Impossible

Do you think your marriage (or any other relationship) is over and has no hope of being put back together? Are you ready to give up and walk away? God is the God of the impossible!

Luke 1:37: For nothing will be impossible with God.

I love Ken Sande's book, The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide To Resolving Personal Conflict. One of the reasons I love this book is for all the amazing stories of how God raises relationships up from the dead and does what people thought was impossible by causing reconciliation and peace to happen in relationships where it seemed impossible. This is one of my favorite "impossible reconciliation" stories from his book:

Dear Friend,

If you are in counseling, maybe you are feeling as I did. You're saying you want to improve your marriage, but what you really want deep inside is to get out. You can't take the way you are living anymore, and you wish your husband would just disappear, leaving behind lots of cash.

The day I first called about Christian conciliation [counseling], I was ready to take thirty painkillers if I'd had them. I was full of anger, resentment, and hatred for what my life had become. I had reached the point where I couldn't even talk to my husband. I'm not talking about serious conversations - I couldn't even answer a simple question with a yes or no. When he entered the room, I left. When he touched me, I cringed. I felt trapped, and I would drive by apartment complexes with the idea of finding a place where the kids and I could run away and live.

This had gone on for so long that I didn't see how it could ever change. Talking to Ken was going to be my last effort to change things, but I really felt that the marriage was hopeless, and I told my husband that I wanted out.

After talking with Ken, I prayed and prayed about the biblical principles he had explained to me. I was deeply concerned about my future. I began to see that God is sovereign, and I realized my marriage was not an "accident." I also saw that I had no right to leave my husband. On a retreat God showed me through Scripture (Deut. 30:11-20; please read it) that really committing myself to my marriage was God's way. He set before me a choice - his way or my way. If I chose my own way, I was on my own.

I decided to trust God and go his way. I agreed to go with my husband to a Christian counselor. It was very hard at times. Sometimes I couldn't even talk, but we went for a few months, and things started to get better.

We were "getting along," yet I was deeply bothered by the fact that I felt no love for my husband. I no longer felt anger or hatred toward him, but there was no warmth either. Although our relationship had improved, I knew marriage had to be much more than just "getting along."

I didn't believe God had brought us through so much to leave us in a relationship that was so empty. I wanted to continue to trust the Lord and to depend on him for hope. When I looked up "hope" in my Bible concordance, I found this verse: "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (Rom. 5:5). To me this verse meant that by hoping in God for my future I would not be disappointed. He would give me love for my husband. I could depend on him. I was following his way, and therefore I could trust in him to meet my needs.

And do you know what? Something absolutely amazing happened. I'm in love with my husband. I enjoy being with him. I appreciate his sense of humor. I depend on him as a friend. He's my favorite lunch date, and I find myself wanting to give him a hug and a kiss while he's watching television.

The Lord has turned around my feelings. I thank him almost every day that he didn't let me go my own way. I would have thrown away so much and never realized how God can work . . . The change in our family is truly a miracle! (Pages 70-71)

To know more about how you can have peace with God, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone.

You can see the full documentary here with a free trial.

The Seven Names Of My Seven Future Daughters

 

Names are important to God. He renames several significant people in the Bible (Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, and Peter). Each time God changed a name, He did it with intentionality and purpose.

I also plan to be very intentional and purposeful if God ever grants me the opportunity to name someone. If God wills and opens the womb and my wife (if I ever find one) agrees, these will be the seven names of my future daughters:

1. Jael: What a bold, blessed, battle-ready woman of God! 

Judges 5:24-27: Most blessed of women be Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, of tent-dwelling women most blessed. He asked water and she gave him milk; she brought him curds in a noble's bowl. She sent her hand to the tent peg and her right hand to the workmen's mallet; she struck Sisera; she crushed his head; she shattered and pierced his temple. Between her feet he sank, he fell, he lay still; between her feet he sank, he fell; where he sank, there he fell - dead. 

In the best article I've ever read on both Deborah and Jael (pages 19-36 in this journal article), Barbara Mouser writes about Jael:

The phrase most blessed of women brings to mind Mary, the mother of Christ, though it seems hard to imagine two women more different than Jael and Mary. There is a difference of magnitude. Jael is the most blessed of tent-dwelling women. She is here honored as the greatest bedouin woman to ever live. Mary, on the other hand, is the greatest woman of all generations. However, Jael and Mary share a similarity that is the foundation of their greatness. Both are on the Lord’s side, utterly committed to him. Both love him first with heart, mind, and soul. Both are willing to do whatever he needs or wants done — be it slaying a wicked general or bringing the Son of God into the world, they are both the "handmaids of the Lord." (Page 30)

2. Phoenicia: My favorite woman in the whole Bible is probably this woman who is the Syrophoenician woman who kept pursuing help from Jesus, even though He gave her every reason to turn away from Him. But she kept coming and coming and coming! She was so humble! And God loves the humble! I want to be like her!

Mark 7:26-30: Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, "Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." But she answered him, "Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." And he said to her, "For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter." And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone. 

3. Anastasia: This name comes from the Greek word that means "Resurrection." You can't be reminded of this enough! What a blessing it would be to have a little girl named "Resurrection" running around all over the place, reminding you and everyone else of our past, present, and future hope, all because of Jesus, Who is the Resurrection and the Life!

John 11:25-26: Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 

4. Alethea: This name comes from the Greek word that means "Truth." We all desperately need the truth - God's truth, and His name is Jesus!

John 14:6: Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

5. Talitha (pronounced with a long e sound - like Taleetha): This name comes from the Aramaic word that means "Girl" or "Little Girl." Jesus used this word when He raised a little girl from the dead. Oh what power Jesus has! There is no one like Jesus!

Mark 5:38-43: They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, "Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, "Talitha cumi," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. 

6. Arielle: This name comes from the Hebrew words that mean "Lion of God." I love lions and what they stand for and represent in the Bible! Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! ("Lion" would actually be a great boy's name!) Jesus is King of kings and LORD of lords!

Revelation 5:5: And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."

Proverbs 28:1: The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

7. Mercy: Though last in order, this is my favorite name by far! I (and we all) so desperately need the mercy of God, Who has the greatest Mercy-Heart! Thankfully, we have His mercy through the Person and work of the LORD Jesus Christ Who is the God-Man Who died on that cross for sinners (The Mercy Tree!), bearing the anger, wrath, and curse of God, and then rose up from the dead, conquering sin, death, and hell so that all who repent and believe in Him might be saved! Now He rules and reigns from heaven for our good! I need this mercy most of all. If I could only choose one name, it would be Mercy. May God remind us always and often of our great need for His mercy.

Psalm 147:11: The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.

Jonah 4:2: I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 

John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. 

I really love those names and what they represent! May we choose names that remind us, in different ways, of the Man Who has the Name above all names: the LORD Jesus Christ!

To learn more about the great King Jesus and His glorious Gospel message and mercy, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.

Christ Jesus Is The Man Of Prayer!

 

Christ Jesus Is The Greatest Sign!

On Jesus Calming The Storm

My Prayer For The Supreme Court Justices

Oh Father, as the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States meet to deliberate over whether or not to overturn Roe vs. Wade, we pray that You would grant every one of them repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray that they all would be born again. We pray that they would truly fear You and know that they will give an account to You as the Supreme Court of all supreme courts and as the Judge of of all the judges of the earth. We pray that You would convince them of Your truth and Word that teaches that every child in the womb is a child and human being made in Your image, and that they would vote to protect the rights of every child in the womb. We pray that You would show them that abortion is murder - and should be outlawed. We pray that they would repent of the past wicked decisions of the court that have caused so much murder and death by abortion. We pray that the Justices who already stand for the lives of the unborn would have wisdom as they speak to persuade others on the court to stand for life. And we pray for a unanimous and miraculous 9-0 decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade that would send shock waves around the world and lead to world wide repentance in this area. May it lead to the abolishing of abortion around the world and the revival of the fear of You and Your Word! You are God in heaven! Nothing shall be impossible for You! You can do this! Please do this! And may what is unthinkable to You become unthinkable to everyone! For Jesus' sake! And for Your glory! Amen!

Christ Jesus Reigns And Calms The Storm!

My Testimony: Jesus Is The Only Way To God

In the small town of Conover, North Carolina, I was brought up part of my life in a Methodist Church and partly in a Lutheran Church. My family took me to church regularly, and we prayed and had evening devotions. I also went to a Lutheran school from Kindergarten until the 5th grade. At home, in church, and at school, I learned all about the Gospel of Jesus Christ: 

The Triune God created everything from nothing, and it was all good: 

Genesis 1:1: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 

God made human beings in His image to know, trust, love, and obey Him - all for our good and for His glory: 

Genesis 1:27: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 

Matthew 22:36-39: "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

1 Corinthians 10:31: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  

But I and all people have disobeyed God. We are all sinners who deserve God's righteous condemnation in hell forever because of our sin: 

Romans 3:23: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Hebrews 9:27: And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment 

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10: when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

But God loves sinners, so He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, the God-Man, into the world to save sinners by living a perfect life, dying on the cross for sinners where He bore the wrath and curse of God, and then He rose up from the dead:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish put have everlasting life. John 3:16

Romans 5:8: God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  

Galatians 3:13: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us - for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"

Matthew 28:6: He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. 

In order to by justified (saved) and reconciled to God, everyone, everywhere must repent of their sins (turn away from their sins) and trust (believe) in the LORD Jesus Christ by grace alone through faith alone:

Acts 3:19: Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out

Romans 4:5: And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness

Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Acts 16:31: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved 

I was taught these glorious truths! I believed I was a Christian for the first 18 years of my life, but Jesus Christ was neither my greatest treasure nor Savior. I had no real, vital, living relationship with Him. I worshiped Him, sometimes, with my lips, but my heart was far from Him. I was a very good, self-righteous Pharisee type. During my high school years (14-18 years old) I didn't party, drink, do drugs, mess around with women or anything like that. I studied hard, made good grades, worked hard playing sports (football and wrestling), and strove for excellence in everything I did. I even thought it was very important to be in church every Sunday. But alas, I did not know God, and He did not know me . . . yet. In all of this striving for excellence, I attained a great measure of success, but I began to realize all that success was finally empty and could not satisfy the longings of my heart. I was also a slave to the sins of lust, envy, jealousy, pride, and selfishness.

During my senior year (last year) of high school, I took a class about world cultures that God used to change my life. In the class we studied world religions. We watched movies like The Seventh Sign, Malcolm X, and Ghandi. These movies challenged my belief in the Gospel because I saw people who believed in other religions just as strongly as I thought I believed in what my parents had taught me about the Christian faith. I began to wonder if what I was taught growing up really was the truth. How did I know Islam was a false religion? How did I know Hinduism was the wrong way to God? Furthermore, I thought that if what I had learned in the Bible was true, all these billions and billions of people all over the world who don’t believe in Christ are going to hell for eternity. I wondered if this was fair?

One day in this world cultures class, a guest teacher was teaching that all the different world religions were simply different roads to the same God. From my upbringing, I knew this was not what the Bible taught. The Bible taught Jesus is the only way to God. At that point, I had no answer for this teacher because I began to wonder if the Bible actually was the truth for all people. God blessed me with a friend, Sam Cho, who actually spoke up during that class and said that all religions don’t lead to the same God, but that Jesus is the only way to God. I knew I could not say this with all my heart and with conviction like my friend Sam.

For the next three or four months I went through an intense period of great fear, struggle, and turmoil. Even though I was questioning the truth of the Bible itself, its judgments put fear into my heart. I knew what John 3:16 said - if I believed in Jesus I would have everlasting life. If I didn’t believe in Jesus, I knew I would go to hell forever when I died because of my sin against a holy God. I thought for sure I was going to hell because I was questioning what I had been taught my whole life from the Bible. How could I know if the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the only true way to God and all other religions were false? I didn’t have much confidence that I believed what I had grown up learning. I began to read a little bit about other religions. I talked with my friends - God had put another Christian brother, Stephen Boyd, in my life as well as Sam, who spoke up in my world cultures class. I read a book that answered critical questions about the Christian faith and explained the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and Christianity in comparison to other religions. 

I remember walking down the halls of my high school (Newton-Conover High School) repeating over and over again, “I believe Jesus died for my sins. I believe Jesus died for my sins.” I was desperately trying to convince myself that I truly believed! After months of struggle like this, at some point, God came to me and gave me a new heart and granted me faith and repentance. I don’t know the exact time, but I began to realize that Jesus Christ is the only Savior from sin. I became assured that He is the only way to be reconciled to a holy God for all people all over the world. John 14:6 was crucial for me: 

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” 

I felt like Peter after Jesus asked the disciples if they would turn away from following Him like others. He said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. . .” (John 6:68). God had impressed upon me that Jesus Christ was my only hope, and He gave me a trust in and a love for Jesus I had never had before. I realized I was a sinner who had broken God's commandments and that Jesus Christ, the God-Man, was the only One Who could take away my sins by His death on that cross where He bore the wrath of God and then rose up from the dead. This is the Gospel - the good news of Jesus Christ! Other books helped me see more clearly the absolute uniqueness of Jesus Christ, and I, by His grace, began to follow Him as a true Christian and disciple.

From high school, God led me to the United States Naval Academy where I encountered more of His lavish grace. I am so thankful for God's great work in my life in various ways. He continues to chase me down with mercy all the days of my life!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.

Help For Writing Out Your Christian Testimony

1. Describe what your life was like before Christ.

2. Tell the story of how you realized you were a sinner and offended a holy God and came under the conviction of sin.

3. Tell the story of how you heard of Jesus and His life, death, and resurrection for sinners - how did you hear and come to believe the Gospel?

4. How has your life changed since you've trusted in Jesus?

5. I encourage people to actually cover the basic points of the Gospel in their testimony and use Scripture for each point: For example: God is the creator and holy; all have sinned and deserve death and hell; Jesus lived a perfect life and died for sinners and rose up from the dead; I repented of my sins and trusted in Him, etc. Use Scripture too! Actually include the Gospel!

6. I think including other Bible verses that were central to your conversion is also helpful. John 14:6 was crucial for me.

Below are two articles that give more helpful instructions on how to write out your Christian testimony:

How To Write A Testimony (From Grace Baptist Church)

Here are some leading questions to help you write out your testimony. This is a generic overview, so there's no need to copy this exactly or answer all of these questions. Rather, they're intended to target your thinking. A testimony may be just a paragraph or two, or it may be a couple of pages long. There is no magic formula. The most important thing is to be yourself and speak clearly to the work God has done in your life.

1. What I was like:

My family, friends, and interests were...

I found my hope and security in...

My religious background & attitude about Christ was... 

2. What God used to begin to open my eyes:

I was awakened to my need for Christ by (people, books, meeting, circumstances, etc)...

What I understood and noticed (about myself, God, others) at this point was...

3. What it was I saw and understood:

Those aspects of the gospel that touched me were...

I came to understand that Christ...

A particular Scripture that the Lord used to draw me to Him was...

I saw my need was....

4. How Christ is affecting my life:

My relationships with...

My attitude toward...

My desires now are...

A difficult area of obedience is...

5. Why I want to be a member of Grace Baptist Church:

I obeyed the Lord and was baptized on...

I hope to serve in this church by...

What I value about this church is...

What I value about church membership is...

Guidelines for Writing a Testimony (From Trinity Reformed Baptist Church)

First, confess your faith in Jesus Christ.

1. What do you believe about Jesus Christ? Whom do you say that Jesus Christ is?

2. What has Jesus Christ done? What do you receive through him or in him?

3. How did you come to know the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ?

​Second, describe the change that you have experienced.

1. Speak about conviction of sin, i.e., the realization that you are a sinner in the sight of a holy God and are in need of a Savior. (It is not necessary to identify a precise moment or day in which you were converted. Not everyone’s experience is like that.)

2. Briefly, describe what “things are passed away.” What thoughts and behaviors had ruled over you? How was your life marked by wickedness, before?

3. Also, briefly describe what “things are become new.” What changes show that you are being led by a new Master and a new life? What has changed in your thoughts, behaviors, and relationships?

Advice:

1. Write in your own words. This is Christ’s work, but Christ’s work in you. Use your words and your understanding to tell others what has happened to you and why you want to join the church.

2. Write specifically, but be prudent about the details of what you share (regarding your sin) so as not to cause unnecessary temptation.

3. Be brief. Write a plain and simple testimony of your faith in Christ and conversion to him, not a condensed biography.

Forgiving Your Mother's Murderers By The Power Of Jesus Christ!

A powerful, true story of love and forgiveness told by Tom Doyle in his book, Killing Christians:

Azzam was a Muslim living in Somalia, and his dad was a Muslim warlord. So when Azzam became a Christian, his life was in great danger because those who convert from Islam to Christianity are put to death. Azzam's mother, because she loved him, told him to run away from home so her husband (Azzam's father) would not be able to kill him. Azzam ran away from home and began risking his life by smuggling Bibles into Somalia from Kenya. He would do this smuggling by hiding with the Bibles under decaying corpses in caskets, since dead bodies are unclean to Muslim men, they would not open the caskets.

Sadly, one day Azzam received a package from his dad: the package contained the cut up body parts of his mother. Azzam assumed that his father had her killed because she urged him to escape. 

As if to emphasize the unfeeling execution, a photograph had been laid atop the bag of human remains. It showed his mother kneeling in front of two men Azzam recognized, their knives raised over the tearful woman. So, Mahdi and Yasin had been the designated killers. They had done their jobs well. Across the bottom of the photo in his father's handwriting was a message for Azzam: "If you try to bury your mother in Somalia, we will dig her up and feed her to dogs." The next day, Azzam carted his mother's body to the coast and buried her at sea.

One day Azzam met the men who killed his mother on the streets of Somalia: 

"I know what you did to my mother. I haven’t come to harm you. I’ve come to forgive you. You need to know that I love you and have prayed for both of you ever since I saw your picture with my mother. Jesus filled my heart with compassion for you. You need Him – just like I did. He can forgive murderers. His love is greater than anything you’ve done." It was the first meeting between the three men. They met again – at night – several more times. Impelled by Azzam's testimony, Mahdi and Yasin offered their lives of piracy to a forgiving Savior. Mahdi later said, "In my religion, there was no certainty of forgiveness – either from God or each other. When Yasin and I saw Azzam on the road last week, I reached for my knife, assuming I would need to defend myself. There would be no reason for him to confront us other than to avenge his mother's death and kill us both to honor her. But when Azzam spoke, his words paralyzed both of us. We could not believe what we were hearing. His words of forgiveness . . . I had never heard anything like it . . . I have longed for words like this often during my life. For Azzam to forgive murderers like us and to tell us that he loves us . . . is . . . unbelievable." Yasin picked up the story. "For the last week, all three of us have been meeting at night. Azzam has shown us that Jesus can forgive the worst of sinners. Moses killed a man, and Paul ordered people to their deaths. But they, too, were forgiven and redirected . . . Jesus has even forgiven us for being pirates. Stealing and killing was our way of life. Only Jesus could forgive us, and only Jesus could give Azzam the heart to forgive us."

Azzam also found out from his mother's killers that as they killed her, her last words were: "Jesus, Jesus, I love You." She had become a Christian too. That's why his father had her put to death, not because she allowed him to escape, but because she too had converted from Islam to Christ. Azzam continues his work to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the underground church in Somalia. He writes: 

I have been a believer now for fifteen years. When I married, my wife knew we would not have a normal life. She told me, "Azzam, we will live in danger until the day we die as martyrs for Christ, but I will walk this journey with you joyfully." Die as martyrs for Christ! What a fearless woman of God! . . . Remember us here in Somalia in your prayers. We send our love in Christ.

Tom Doyle, Killing Christians: Living The Faith Where It's Not Safe To Believe 

Jesus Christ Is The Center Of All Thanksgiving!

Christ Jesus Is The Sure Foundation!

 

H. A. N. D. S. - Jesus Is God!

The acronym is from a book called Putting Jesus In His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ by Robert Bowman Jr. and Ed Komoszewski.

Christ Jesus Loves All And Shows No Partiality!

 

Christ Jesus Brought Life From The Womb!

 

Pastor Mark Dever's Overview Sermons On Every Book Of The Bible

Pastor Mark Dever of the Capitol Hill Baptist Church and 9 Marks ministries has been a tremendous blessing to the Church of Christ around the world. One of the many ways (maybe the primary way!) he blesses others is through his teaching ministry of the Word of God. 

I have been helped particularly by his sermon overviews on every book of the Bible. These sermons on both the Old Testament and New Testament have been published as books. But you can also listen to the sermons online for free. I have challenged my own congregation to listen to each one of them during the rest of 2021, 2022, and 2023 in order to gain a deeper grasp of the Word of God. Below I've listed each sermon and the link to where you can listen or download it.

The Old Testament (Promises Made)

1. Genesis: “..WHICH IN THEIR SEEDS AND WEAK BEGINNINGS LIE ENTREASURED.” - THE MESSAGE OF GENESIS

2. Exodus: “ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE..” - THE MESSAGE OF EXODUS

3. Leviticus: “THE WORLD IS NOT THY FRIEND, NOR THE WORLD’S LAW.” - THE MESSAGE OF LEVITICUS

4. Numbers: “PAST AND TO COME SEEM BEST, THINGS PRESENT, WORST.” - THE MESSAGE OF NUMBERS

5. Deuteronomy: “WHAT’S PAST IS PROLOGUE.” - THE MESSAGE OF DEUTERONOMY

6. Joshua: THE CONQUEST - THE MESSAGE OF JOSHUA

7. Judges: STALEMATE - THE MESSAGE OF JUDGES

8. Ruth: THE SURPRISE - THE MESSAGE OF RUTH

9. 1 Samuel: FAITH IN FAITHLESS TIMES - THE MESSAGE OF 1 SAMUEL

10. 2 Samuel: REPENTANCE - THE MESSAGE OF 2 SAMUEL

11. 1 Kings: DECLINE - THE MESSAGE OF 1 KINGS

12. 2 Kings: FALL - THE MESSAGE OF 2 KINGS

13. 1 Chronicles: HEIGHTS - THE MESSAGE OF 1 CHRONICLES

14: 2 Chronicles: DEPTHS - THE MESSAGE OF 2 CHRONICLES

15. Ezra: RENEWAL - THE MESSAGE OF EZRA

16. Nehemiah: REBUILDING - THE MESSAGE OF NEHEMIAH

17. Esther: SURPRISE - THE MESSAGE OF ESTHER

18. Job: THE MESSAGE OF JOB: WISDOM FOR LOSERS

19. Psalms: THE MESSAGE OF THE PSALMS: WISDOM FOR SPIRITUAL PEOPLE

20. Proverbs: WISDOM FOR THE AMBITIOUS - THE MESSAGE OF PROVERBS

21. Ecclesiastes: WISDOM FOR THE SUCCESSFUL - THE MESSAGE OF ECCLESIASTES

22. Song of Solomon: THE MESSAGE OF SONG OF SONGS: WISDOM FOR THE MARRIED

23. Isaiah: MESSIAH - THE MESSAGE OF ISAIAH

24. Jeremiah: JUSTICE - THE MESSAGE OF JEREMIAH

25. Lamentations: JUSTICE UP CLOSE — THE MESSAGE OF LAMENTATIONS

26. Ezekiel: PARADISE - THE MESSAGE OF EZEKIEL

27. Daniel: SURVIVAL - THE MESSAGE OF DANIEL

28. Hosea: WHAT IS LOVE? THE MESSAGE OF HOSEA

29. Joel: WHO WILL GOD SAVE? THE MESSAGE OF JOEL

30. Amos: DOES GOD CARE? THE MESSAGE OF AMOS

31. Obadiah: DOES GOD HAVE ENEMIES? THE MESSAGE OF OBADIAH

32. Jonah: CAN YOU RUN FROM GOD? THE MESSAGE OF JONAH

33. Micah: WHAT DOES GOD WANT? THE MESSAGE OF MICAH

34. Nahum: WHO’S IN CHARGE? THE MESSAGE OF NAHUM

35. Habakkuk: HOW CAN I BE HAPPY? THE MESSAGE OF HABAKKUK

36. Zephaniah: WHAT’S THERE TO BE THANKFUL FOR? THE MESSAGE OF ZEPHANIAH

37. Haggai: ARE YOUR INVESTMENTS SOUND? THE MESSAGE OF HAGGAI

38. Zechariah: DOES GOD GIVE SECOND CHANCES? THE MESSAGE OF ZECHARIAH

39. Malachi: DOES IT MATTER HOW I WORSHIP GOD? THE MESSAGE OF MALACHI

The New Testament (Promises Kept)

1. Matthew: JESUS, THE SON OF DAVID - THE MESSAGE OF MATTHEW

2. Mark: JESUS, THE SON OF MAN - THE MESSAGE OF MARK

3. Luke: JESUS, THE SON OF ADAM - THE MESSAGE OF LUKE

4. John: JESUS, THE SON OF GOD - THE MESSAGE OF JOHN

5. Acts: JESUS, THE RISEN LORD - THE MESSAGE OF ACTS

6. Romans: JUSTIFICATION: THE MESSAGE OF ROMANS

7. 1 Corinthians: CHURCH: THE MESSAGE OF 1 CORINTHIANS

8. 2 Corinthians: WEAKNESS: THE MESSAGE OF 2 CORINTHIANS

9. Galatians: FAITH: THE MESSAGE OF GALATIANS

10. Ephesians: GRACE: THE MESSAGE OF EPHESIANS

11. Philippians: HUMILITY: THE MESSAGE OF PHILIPPIANS

12. Colossians: LIFE: THE MESSAGE OF COLOSSIANS

13. 1 Thessalonians: THE SECOND COMING: THE MESSAGE OF 1 THESSALONIANS

14. 2 Thessalonians: KNOWING GOD: THE MESSAGE OF 2 THESSALONIANS

15. 1 Timothy: LEADERSHIP: THE MESSAGE OF 1 TIMOTHY

16, 2 Timothy: LONELINESS: THE MESSAGE OF 2 TIMOTHY

17. Titus: BEGINNINGS: THE MESSAGE OF TITUS

18. Philemon: FAITH THAT FORGIVES: THE MESSAGE OF PHILEMON

19. Hebrews: STICKING WITH THE BEST - THE MESSAGE OF HEBREWS

20. James: FAITH THAT WORKS - THE MESSAGE OF JAMES

21. 1 Peter: WHEN THINGS GET TOUGH - THE MESSAGE OF 1 PETER

22. 2 Peter: CERTAINTY - THE MESSAGE OF 2 PETER

23. 1 John: CHRISTIANITY AND THE FLESH - THE MESSAGE OF 1 JOHN

24. 2 John: TRUTH AND LOVE - THE MESSAGE OF 2 JOHN

25. 3 John: WHY GO TO ALL THE TROUBLE? — THE MESSAGE OF 3 JOHN

26. Jude: HAVING FAITH IN FAITHLESS TIMES - THE MESSAGE OF JUDE

27. Revelation: WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? — THE MESSAGE OF REVELATION

Bonus (More Overview Sermons)

Sermon On The Whole Bible: WHAT DOES GOD WANT OF US? - THE MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE

Sermon On The Whole Old Testament: PROMISES MADE - THE MESSAGE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Sermon On The Whole New Testament: PROMISES KEPT - THE MESSAGE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Pastor Mark's book on the whole Bible.

Bonus (Bible Reading Plans)

Robert Murray M'Cheyne's Bible Reading Calendar (download PDF here for free)

Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan

Other Bible Reading Plans

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.

What Should We Think Of Large Age Gaps In Christian Marriages?

Below is a short list of some more well known Biblical examples, Christians, pastors, and missionaries who married with a large age gap.

Ruth and Boaz: "And he said, 'May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have made this last mercy greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.'" Ruth 3:10

Abraham and Sarah (10 year difference)

Reformer and Pastor Martin Luther, whom God used to start the Protestant Reformation, at 42, married his beloved 26 year old ex-nun Katherine. (16 year difference)

Reformer and Pastor John Knox at 50 married the 17 year old Margaret Stevenson. (33 year difference)

Pastor John Brown of Haddington, in his 2nd marriage, when he was 51 years old, married the 28 year old Violet Crombie. (23 year difference)

Pastor Richard Baxter was 47 when he married 23 year old Margaret. (24 year difference)

Puritan William Bates, at 36, married the 21 year old Margaret Gravenor. (15 year difference)

The Puritan Pastor Thomas Goodwin, at 49, married Mary Hammond when she was 17. (32 year difference)

Baptist Missionary Adoniram Judson, at 46, married his second wife, the 31 year old Sarah Boardman. (15 year difference)

Adoniram Judson met his 3rd wife, Emily Chubbock, when he was nearly 60, and she was not yet 30. (29 year difference)

Cameron Townsend, who founded Wycliffe Bible Translators, and his 2nd wife were 20 years apart. (20 year difference)

Abolitionist Frederick Douglass, at 66, married Helen Pitts when she was 46. (20 year difference) 

Evangelist Mordecai Ham, at 31, married 15 year old Annie Laurie in 1908. (16 year difference)

Gipsy Smith, a British Evangelist, when he was 78, married his 27 year old bride, Mary Alice, in 1938. (51 year difference)

John Murray, theology professor at Westminster Theological Seminary near Philadelphia, married Valerie Knowlton in 1967 when he was 70 and she was almost 41. (29 year difference)

Missionary and author Elisabeth Elliot was 42 when she married her second husband, Addison Leitch, who was 60 years old. (18 year difference)

Seminary professors Carl and Karen Ellis married when she was 40 and he was 60 (20 year difference): Here's the wonderful story about how they met and married. 

See also: What Does The Bible Say About Age Differences In Relationships, where the author states:

Given the Bible’s silence on the issue, we can say that, in the end, age differences in relationships are not a major concern to God. Age can be important in a marriage, of course, but it is far less important than other issues such as salvation, spiritual maturity, compatibility, etc. 

Do you know any other Christian couples with large age gaps? Please comment and let me know!

Christ is all!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.

The Holy Spirit's Use Of Examples To Command, Teach, Encourage, And Inspire Evangelical Holiness

Negative Examples

1 John 3:12: We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.

Hebrews 12:15-17: See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

Luke 17:31-33: On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.

Revelation 2:14-16: But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

2 Corinthians 11:3: But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:1-11: I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play." We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.

Positive Examples

Matthew 5:48: You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

James 5:11: Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Hebrews 13:7: Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Hebrews 6:11-12: And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (See Hebrews 11 for who we should imitate!)

1 Peter 3:3-6: Do not let your adorning be external - the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing - but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

1 Corinthians 4:14-17: I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Ephesians 5:25-27: Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Philippians 3:17: Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

1 Thessalonians 1:4-7: For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

James 2:21-25: Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"- and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?

1 Peter 2:21: For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Luke 6:2-5: But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?" And Jesus answered them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?" And he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."

John 13:14-17: If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

John 13:34-35: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Christ Jesus Is The Beginning And End!

 

Christ Jesus Brought The True Reformation!

 

King Jesus Is Our All Alone!

 

Christ Jesus Poor And Lowly Came!

 

Christ Jesus Is The Wisdom King!

 

Christ Jesus Holds Time In His Hand!

 

Christ Jesus Came To Save And Heal!

 

Christ Jesus Saves From Every Nation!

 

Todd Beamer's Final Phone Call: "Let's Roll!"

Below is a reconstruction of the final telephone call of Todd Beamer, from United flight 93, on 9/11/2001. Details from this conversation can be found in chapters 19 and 20 of the book, Let's Roll: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage. Denny Burk has posted the details from the book on his blog.

Todd: Hello… Operator…listen to me…I can’t speak very loud. – This is an emergency. I’m a passenger on a United flight to San Francisco..  We have a situation here….Our plane has been hijacked…..can you understand me?

Lisa: (exhaling a deep breath to herself) I understand… Can the hijackers see you talking on the phone?

Todd: No

Lisa: Can you tell me how many hijackers are on the plane?

Todd: There are three that we know of.

Lisa: Can you see any weapons? What kind of weapons do they have?

Todd: Yes…. they don’t have guns….they have knives – they took over the plane with knives.

Lisa: Do you mean…like steak knives?

Todd: No, these are razor knives…like box cutters.

Lisa: Can you tell what country these people are from?

Todd: No…..I don’t know. They sound like they’re from the mid-east.

Lisa: Have they said what they want?

Todd: Someone announced from the cockpit that there was a bomb on board.  He said he was the captain and to stay in our seats and stay quiet.

He said that they were meeting these men’s demands and returning to the airport… It was very broken English, and… I’m telling you…it sounded fake!

Lisa: Ok sir, please give me your name.

Todd: My name is Todd Beamer.

Lisa: Ok Todd….my name is Lisa…Do you know your flight number? If you can’t remember, it’s on your ticket.

Todd: It’s United Flight 93.

Lisa: Now Todd, can you try to tell me exactly what happened?

Todd: Two of the hijackers were sitting in first class near the cockpit.  A third one was sitting near the back of the coach section. The two up. front got into the cockpit somehow; there was shouting. The third hijacker said he had a bomb. It looks like a bomb. He’s got it tied to his waist with a red belt of some kind.

Lisa: So is the door to the cockpit open?

Todd: No, the hijackers shut it behind them.

Lisa: Has anyone been injured?

Todd: Yes, ..they…they killed one passenger sitting in first class. There’s been lots of shouting. We don’t know if the pilots are dead or alive. A flight attendant told me that the pilot and copilot had been forced from the cockpit and may have been wounded.

Lisa: Where is the 3rd hijacker now Todd?

Todd: He’s near the back of the plane. They forced most of the passengers into first class. There are fourteen of us here in the back. Five are flight attendants. He hasn’t noticed that I slipped into this pantry to get the phone. The guy with the bomb ordered us to sit on the floor in the rear of the plane……….oh Jesus.. Help!

Lisa: Todd….are you ok? Tell me what’s happening!

Todd: Hello…..We’re going down….I think we’re going to crash……Wait – wait a minute. No, we’re leveling off….we’re ok. I think we may be turning around…..That’s it – we changed directions.  Do you hear me….we’re flying east again.

Lisa: Ok Todd…. What’s going on with the other passengers?

Todd: Everyone is… really scared. A few passengers with cell phones have made calls to relatives. A guy, Jeremy, was talking to his wife just before the hijacking started. She told him that hijackers had crashed two planes into the World Trade Center……Lisa is that true??

Lisa: Todd…..I have to tell you the truth…..it’s very bad. The World Trade Center is gone. Both of the towers have been destroyed.

Todd: Oh God —help us!

Lisa: A third plane was taken over by terrorists. It crashed into the Pentagon in Washington DC. Our country is under attack….and I’m afraid that your plane may be part of their plan.

Todd: Oh dear God. Dear God…….Lisa, will you do something for me?

Lisa: I’ll try….if I can….Yes.

Todd: I want you to call my wife and my kids for me and tell them what’s happened. Promise me you’ll call..

Lisa: I promise – I’ll call.

Todd: Our home number is 201-353-1073…….You have the same name as my wife…Lisa….We’ve been married for 10 years. She’s pregnant with our 3rd child. Tell her that I love her…….(choking up)..I’ll always love her..(clearing throat) We have two boys.. David, he’s 3 and Andrew, he’s 1…..Tell them……(choking) tell them that their daddy loves them and that he is so proud of them. (clearing throat again) Our baby is due January 12th…..I saw an ultra sound…..it was great….we still don’t know if it’s a girl or a boy………Lisa?

Lisa: (barely able to speak) I’ll tell them, I promise Todd.

Todd: I’m going back to the group—if I can get back I will…

Lisa: Todd, leave this line open…are you still there?……

Lisa: (dials the phone..) Hello, FBI, my name is Lisa Jefferson, I’m a telephone supervisor for GTE. I need to report a terrorist hijacking of a United Airlines Flight 93….Yes I’ll hold.

Goodwin: Hello, this is Agent Goodwin.. I understand you have a hijacking situation?

Lisa: Yes sir, I’ve been talking with a passenger, a Todd Beamer, on Flight 93 who managed to get to an air phone unnoticed.

Goodwin: Where did this flight originate, and what was its destination?

Lisa: The flight left Newark New Jersey at 8 A.M. departing for San Francisco. The hijackers took over the plane shortly after takeoff, and several minutes later the plane changed course – it is now flying east.

Goodwin: Ms. Jefferson…I need to talk to someone aboard that plane. Can you get me thru to the planes phone?

Lisa: I still have that line open sir, I can patch you through on a conference call…hold a mo…..

Todd: Hello Lisa, Lisa are you there?

Lisa: Yes, I’m here. Todd, I made a call to the FBI, Agent Goodwin is on the line and will be talking to you as well.

Todd: The others all know that this isn’t your normal hijacking. Jeremy called his wife again on his cell phone. She told him more about the World Trade Center and all.

Goodwin: Hello Todd. This is Agent Goodwin with the FBI. We have been monitoring your flight. Your plane is on a course for Washington, DC. These terrorists sent two planes into the World Trade Center and one plane into the Pentagon. Our best guess is that they plan to fly your plane into either the White House or the United States Capital Building.

Todd: I understand…hold on……I’ll…….I’ll be back..

Lisa: Mr. Goodwin, how much time do they have before they get to Washington?

Goodwin: Not long ma’am. They changed course over Cleveland; they’re approaching Pittsburgh now. Washington may be twenty minutes away.

Todd: (breathing a little heavier) The plane seems to be changing directions just a little. It’s getting pretty rough up here. The plane is flying real erratic….We’re not going to make it out of here. Listen to me….I want you to hear this….I have talked with the others….we have decided we would not be pawns in these hijackers suicidal plot.

Lisa: Todd, what are you going to do?

Todd: We’ve hatched a plan. Four of us are going to rush the hijacker with the bomb. After we take him out, we’ll break into the cockpit. A stewardess is getting some boiling water to throw on the hijackers at the controls. We’ll get them….and we’ll take them out. Lisa, …..will you do one last thing for me?

Lisa: Yes…What is it?

Todd: Would you pray with me?

They pray: Our father which art in Heaven

Hallowed be thy name,

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses

As we forgive our trespassers,

And lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory

Forever…..Amen

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…

He makes me to lie down in green pastures

He leads me beside the still waters

He restores my soul

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for His name’s sake

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil, for thou art with me…..

Todd: (softer) God help me…Jesus help me….(clears throat and louder)

Are you guys ready?……..

Let’s Roll……………………