EXALT Christ - EQUIP Christians - ENGAGE the Culture
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Please Pray for Our Troops and Missionaries Around the World.
Quotes to live by:

"In proportion as a church is holy, in that proportion will its testimony for Christ be powerful. There can be no such thing as perfect happiness till there is perfect holiness."

--Charles H. Spurgeon 
 
   Dr. Deron S. Cobb, Senior Pastor 
  
        A Prayer for 2012   
(Adapted from Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions)
 
Lord God Almighty, I understand that I am unable to do anything without Your help, so I ask you to enable me by Your grace to fulfill Your will. Give me grace to do whatever brings most glory and honor to You, pleasure and profit to me, and life and love to others. Help me to number my days, spending my time wisely, living my life with all my might while I still have breath. Humble me in the knowledge that I am chief of sinners; when I hear of the sins of others, help me to not look upon them with pride, but to look upon myself with shame, confessing my own sins to You. When I go through difficulties and trials, remind me of the pains of hell from which you have already delivered me. Place people in my path who need my help, and give me a compassionate and generous spirit. Fill my heart with such love that I would never do anything out of a spirit of revenge, nor lose my temper with those around me. Hold my tongue when I am tempted to speak evil of others. Thank you for the gospel and for the hope of glory. Help me to live in light of these truths every day of my life, so that when the time of death arrives, I will rest assuredly in You, and You will be most glorified in me.
 
In Christ's name... Amen. 
   (Newsletter article: February 8, 2012)
     
I hope you have been participating in this year’s emphasis on DISCOVERING GOD’S STORY TOGETHER, as our church reads the Bible chronologically. It has been a joy to prepare and preach these messages and to see God revealing Himself as the hero to the human problem: sin, suffering, and just being in need of a Savior. Over and over God reveals himself as the answer for every possible need we are confronted with.
 
As a people we are surrounded with tremendous needs...unemployment is high; bankruptcies are far too common; politicians sling mud and offer unrealistic promises; leaders seem to lack courage; some Christians display more of the world in their lives than a wholesome witness, and many more. The unchurched watch us and assume that we care less and less about what the Bible says or expects and the list goes on and on. The obvious conclusion is that this life is not all there is. God reveals in His story that there is hope for tomorrow...and that hope is found only in Him.
 
The good news is that there is Hope for tomorrow, and the focus of history is on Jesus, the Son of God, the Hope of the ages.
 
So...be encouraged!
  • If your New Year has gotten off to a rocky start-
  • If some of the problems from last year have resurfaced in 2012-
  • If the resolutions you made on January 1 have already been broken-
  • If you are not getting along with your spouse, your children are disobeying you, you feel rejected by your friends, your boss humiliates you, fellow Christians have wounded you, or your life itself disappoints you...   
 
There is HOPE! Do not be afraid! One day soon, Jesus will come back to receive you to Himself, so that where He is, you may be also. He will wipe away your tears, clothe you in a body like His, and enfold you in His arms!
 
For those of you who may need some additional encouraging resources, I highly recommend these books:
 
  • “Beside the Still Waters: Words of Comfort for the Soul” by Charles Spurgeon. In this devotional, each reading is indexed by topic, allowing you to locate specific passages for all the pressing needs in your life. It will offer comfort for almost any challenge you may face.
 
  • “If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil” by Randy Alcorn. In this captivating book, Randy Alcorn challenges the logic of disbelief and brings a fresh, realistic, and thoroughly biblical perspective to a variety of issues. He reveals the big picture of who God is and what God is doing in the world—now and forever. He will equip you to share your faith more clearly and genuinely in this world of pain and fear by bringing assurance and hope to all who read this book.
  
  • “Trusting God” by Jerry Bridges. When unexpected situations arise that appear unjust, irrational, or even dreadful, we feel confused and frustrated. And before long, we begin to doubt God’s concern for us or His control over our lives. Adversity is hard to endure and can even be harder to understand. If God were really in control, why would He allow the tragic auto accident or crucial job loss? How could He permit cancer in a loved one or the death of a child? Grappling with His concern for us we ask, “Why is God allowing this?” or “What have I done wrong?” In an effort to strengthen his own trust in God during a time of adversity, Jerry Bridges began a lengthy Bible study on the topic of God’s sovereignty. What he learned changed his life, and he now shares the fruit of that study with you in Trusting God.
 
A free audio download of this book is available through Feb. 29. Listen to the first 2 sections and if you would like to download this book, go to: http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/free-resources-pastors/158632-free-audiobook-trusting-god-by-jerry-bridges.html
  1. Introduction
  2. Chapter 1
 
 Look over this brief over view of some of the wonderful names of God in scripture: 
  • Yahweh Jireh (Yireh): “The Lord will provide.” Stresses God’s provision for His people.
  • Yahweh Nissi: “The Lord is my Banner.” Stresses that God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights for His people.
  • Yahweh Shalom: “The Lord is Peace.” Points to the Lord as the means of our peace and rest.
  • Yahweh Sabbaoth: “The Lord of Hosts.” A military figure portraying the Lord as the commander of the armies of heaven.
  • Yahweh Maccaddeshcem: “The Lord your Sanctifier.” Portrays the Lord as our means of sanctification or as the One who sets believers apart for His purposes.
  • Yahweh Ro’i: “The Lord my Shepherd.” Portrays the Lord as the Shepherd who cares for His people, just as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his pasture.
  • Yahweh Tsidkenu: “The Lord our Righteousness.” Portrays the Lord as the means of our righteousness.
  • Yahweh Shammah: “The Lord is there.” Portrays the Lord’s personal presence in the millennial kingdom.
  • Yahweh Elohim Israel: “The Lord, the God of Israel.” Identifies Yahweh as the God of Israel in contrast to the false gods of the nations.
 
Things of note:
 Praise the Lord for the insurance payment which will cover approximately $185,000 of the to repair to our facilities which occurred last April. I’m sure you will notice various much-needed repairs occurring within the upcoming weeks and months.
 
Also, we give the Lord praise for the 3-D Ad-Hoc Committee and their progress in making the developmental plan for the ditch and drainage problem in the front parking lot. They are presently working on a final cost, but prayerfully consider giving above and beyond the regular budget for this essential repair of our grounds.
 
 Mark on your calendar these important celebration days coming up:
1. Easter Sunday (April 8) - Come early for our Sunrise Service at 6:45 a.m. in the amphitheater.
2. MOBC’s 175th Anniversary (May 22) - Sunday School & Worship followed by dinner on the grounds.
 
See you this Sunday...and be encouraged!
Bro. Deron
 
 
 
 
A couple of years ago I went to John Piper's Pastor's Conference in Minneapolis, MN. In one of the sessions, Doug Wilson introduced the idea that APOLOGETICS are necessary within the Christian culture - not just for the lost and a theological argument with non-believers, but is primarily to convince those who DO believe that our faith is REASONABLE, RELEVENT, and needs to be vigorously studies.
 
APOLOGETICS is the mortar between the bricks that hold our faith together against the onslaught of secularism, atheism, Darwinism, etc. 
 
Last night, December 15, a noted atheist - entertainer and evangelist for atheism died. Christopher Hitchens died from cancer. Please read this post by Justin Taylor and if you have time please watch the video of the Wilson / Hitchens debate.
 
Great sorry fills my soul at such a likely person who was witty and intelligent, who is entering eternity without hope.
 
May we use this Christmas season to displace to others that JESUS CAME...