Monday, February 08, 2010

Sam Storms: Killing Sin With Christian Hedonism

Saturday, February 06, 2010

Desiring God Conference 2010: Panel Discussion

John Piper On C. S. Lewis

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Sam Storms: For Your Joy



This is the first message Sam gave at the 2010 Desiring God conference.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Sam Storms: The Foundations of Christian Hedonism



This message was given at the 2010 Desiring God conference on Tuesday. I'll post more messages as soon as I can. I've been hit with a computer virus. That's what happens when you do a blog post on spiritual warfare! - Bobby

Sunday, January 31, 2010

My Thoughts On Spiritual Warfare: Part I


"Therefore, having laid aside falsehood, each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on the cause of your anger. Do not give the devil an opportunity." - Ephesians 4:25-27 (ESV)

"The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20 (ESV)


"Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV)


I have been concerned over the years about some of the strange teachings on spiritual warfare, that have been taught to the body of Christ. It seems some want to cast demons out of everything and everybody! Some have fallen into the error of trying to cast down principalities; through prayer, (Prayer is important) and commanding them to leave a region. But the truth is: darkness only leaves a person or region through the proclamation of the Gospel, and when the truth of the Gospel is received, it produces repentance and revival. I recently heard one of my favorite teachers say, that Jesus didn't give believers authority today to cast out demons today....WRONG!

It's regretful that this man of God is overreacting to the abuses he's seen and heard regarding "spiritual warfare" techniques, that some have used. And as far as a Christian having a demon: Scripture teaches that any believer can give place to the devil through habitual sin and in some way, demons can have access in a believers' life. Praying over the person that is under demonic oppression is important, but there must be a genuine commitment to repentance and walking in the truth. A Christian can be oppressed by a demon but not possessed.

I will close by saying this: If I'm in a situation where I see a demon manifest in front of me, on the mission field or in someone in my hometown, I'll use the name of Jesus and the authority he's given me to cast that thing out! If in Gods' sovereignty he wants to leave it in that person; so be it. But what if it's Gods' sovereign plan to place me in that situation to cast it out? Don't go around looking for demons, but always be ready to use the authority God has given us in the name of Jesus Christ. I'll share more in part two in this series. - Bobby

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Dr. J. I. Packer Speaks About The Early Years




Dr. J.I. Packer is one of my favorite Bible teachers. I think every Christian should read his book, "Knowing God." I felt drawn to his teaching this year, so I'm currently reading his book, "Rediscovering Holiness." - Bobby

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Prayer Tips: George Muller


1. Open Bible Before Him, and His Finger Upon That Promise, He would Plead That Promise, and So He Received What He Asked

2. Müller's Discovery Was That After Meditating On Scripture He Was More Able to Experience a Meaningful Prayertime

1. Open Bible Before Him, and His Finger Upon That Promise, He would Plead That Promise, and So He Received What He Asked

One of the mightiest men of prayer of the last generation was George Mueller of Bristol, England, who in the last sixty years of his life (he lived to be ninety-two or ninety-three) obtained the English equivalent of $7,200,000.00 by prayer. But George Mueller never prayed for a thing just because he wanted it, or even just because he felt it was greatly needed for God's work. When it was laid upon George Mueller's heart to pray for anything, he would search the Scriptures to find if there was some promise that covered the case. Sometimes he would search the scriptures for days before he presented his petition to God. And then when he found the promise, with his open Bible before him, and his finger upon that promise, he would plead that promise, and so he received what he asked. He always prayed with an open Bible before him.

-R. A. Torrey on George Müller; "The Power of Prayer," 1924 (P. 81)

Note: R. A. Torrey was selected by Dwight L. Moody be in charge of his Chicago Bible Institute (now known as The Moody Bible Institute). When Dwight Moody died during an evangelistic campaign, R. A. Torrey was chosen to be his replacement, and thereafter had a ministry of Evangelism.


Note: In German, when you cannot write an "umlaut" letter "ü" (for instance, on many of the old-style typewriters), you write "ue" instead. So you may see the name spelled either "Müller," "Mueller," or "Muller" (the latter is an incorrect spelling from the German standpoint, but often English writers use it)." 2. Müller's Discovery Was That After Meditating On Scripture He Was More Able to Experience a Meaningful Prayertime

"Reading without meditation is unfruitful; meditation without reading is hurtful; to meditate and to read without prayer upon both is without blessing."

-William Bridge, Puritan Writer

Christian meditation (thinking deeply on Scripture) is "the missing link between Bible intake and prayer." If there was a "secret" to George Müller's prayer life, it was his discovery of the connection between meditation and prayer. Müller's discovery was that after meditating on Scripture he was more able to experience a meaningful prayertime.

-Donald S. Whitney, "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" (partial quote and partial paraphrase).

You can go to my prayer blog to read more about George Muller. This article was taken from the Prayer Foundation - Bobby

Monday, January 25, 2010

Born Blind To The Glory of God - John Piper

Dudley Hall's Weekly Message

Successful Christian Living Ministries Weekly Message

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Stand Up For The Truth


We should never, ever surrender the truth of the Gospel for the sake of political correctness. The Bible contains God's truth and The Trinity is essential in our compression of God's truth.

Before the death and resurrection of Jesus, we were alienated from God the Father, He sent his son to reconcile us back to himself and this was accomplished by Jesus' death on the cross. After Jesus ascended back to the Father he sent the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts.

We are filled with the Holy Spirit to be witnesses to this truth. We're filled to live a life empowered by the Spirit of holiness which produces holiness in our lives.

At the point of new birth we were justified by faith in Christ alone. Our justification is not progressive, it's instantaneous. Sanctification is the progressive part that the Holy Spirit does along with our cooperation that changes us into His image.

We must not lose the truth of our Justification by faith alone, or we will go back to a works-based religion. If the devil can keep you doubting, your right standing with God you will live in fear all your life. We cannot afford to lose what Martin Luther and the reformers rediscovered. Without the rediscovery of justification by faith alone there would not have been a reformation in the church and millions would still be in spiritual darkness. God justifies sinners like myself and I will never have to work for his approval, Jesus took care of that on the cross....awesome. - Bobby

"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law." - Romans 3:21-31

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

David Platt on Helping The Thirsty

David Platt - Pastor of The Church at Brook Hills from Neverthirst on Vimeo.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Dr. J.I. Packer on The Holy Spirit and The Gospel





"It is not for us to imagine that we can prove the truth of Christianity by our own
arguments; nobody can prove the truth of Christianity except the Holy Spirit, by his own almighty work of renewing the blinded heart. It is the sovereign prerogative of Christ's Spirit to convince men's consciences of the truth of Christ's gospel; and Christ's human witnesses must learn to ground their hopes of success not on clever presentation of the truth by man, but on powerful demonstration of the truth by the Spirit." - Dr. J.I.Packer, Knowing God, page 71

Friday, January 15, 2010

Global Suffering


To have a better understanding of global suffering, it would be a good idea to read Genesis chapters 1-3, Romans 8 and the last two chapters of the Book of Revelation. When Adam and Eve fell into sin, all of creation fell with them. The results have been catastrophic, natural disasters, wars, disease and death. This will not change until Jesus returns to set up his kingdom on the Earth. As Christians we must pray, give, and help fulfill the great commission while doing everything we can do to alleviate pain and suffering in the world. Consider reading this article by Randy Alcorn - Bobby

God's and Humanity's Roles in Natural Disasters - Read

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Does God Hate Haiti? - AlbertMohler.com

Does God Hate Haiti? - AlbertMohler.com

Holding Fast the Word of Life in 2010 :: John Piper



Holding Fast the Word of Life in 2010 :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library - Read

This is a powerful message on prayer and Scripture by John Piper.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

My Plan For 2010


It's really not my nature to plan very far in advance for my spiritual growth, but so far this year has been different. A. W. Tozer once said that, "Christians should read the classics" and I agree with that. I no longer go into Christian bookstores and buy the latest "hot" selling Christian books. Many of these books have very little substance and are just about the latest "christian" fads. A few years ago I chose the ESV version of the Bible, as my main study Bible. Dr. J.I. Packer is one of the editors of the ESV Study Bible and while listening to Packer on my ipod, he suggested reading, "The Pilgrims Progress" every year. So I started that powerful book at the end of December and finished it, the first week of January. Dr. Packer also suggested using the One Year Bible in the NLT as a way to read through the whole Bible in a year; saying, "it's a very good paraphrase." So on January 1st, I began my Bible reading plan in the NLT. I've committed myself to read and to re-read some of the classic Christian books that have stood the test of time over the centuries.

I need the wisdom of men, of God that have not followed after every Christian fad or movement that comes along in the Church. Having our lives governed by the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit is critical to our spiritual formation. I cannot put my faith in the visions of the latest "charismatic superstar" and his end time "revelations." If you know me, you know I believe in the supernatural power of God, but I've been warning people I care about, to be discerning and not to follow after these charismatic prophets. Follow Jesus and stay plugged into your local Church. We all have spiritual mentors - choose them carefully. I'll end with this question: How would your walk with Jesus, be affected if for some reason you could no longer be involved in the movement, you're presently in? - Bobby

Dudley Hall's Weekly Message

Successful Christian Living Ministries Weekly Message

Saturday, January 09, 2010

Words of Wisdom From R.T. Kendall




Thursday, January 07, 2010

Dudley Hall's Weekly Message

Successful Christian Living Ministries Weekly Message

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

The Wisdom of John Stott: Christlikeness



The Wisdom of J. I. Packer: Questions On Eternity



Saturday, January 02, 2010

Move Forward In 2010

"The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." - Romans 13:12

It's time to move forward spiritually in 2010.

Embrace the process - Embrace the cross.

Resist the darkness.

As we move forward in God's grace this year, let us cast off the works of darkness and walk in the light, God has given to us. Walking in the light is abiding in His presence and living in obedience to His word.

Prayer:

Father, I ask you to give us discernment in 2010. Teach us to love the light and hate darkness. Teach us to submit to you and resist the devil. We are desperate for your guidance....desperate for Your presence. Protect us as we travel through this present evil age. May our lives bring honor and glory to Your Son. In Jesus' name, Amen. - Bobby

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Jonathan Edwards Resolutions



Search WJE Online | The Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Hanging Out In The Woods


Does God live in the woods? It sure seems like he does. I know He's omnipresent so I believe the heightened sense of His presence that I felt, had to do more with me then with him. As I was sitting on a tree stump in the north Georgia woods recently, I thought: What took me so long to get back in the woods? As I enjoyed the solitude and beauty of God's creation I saw what appeared to be a Bald Eagle in the distance. With no computer or any other distraction, I just soaked up the beauty of the morning. I looked up and saw a hawk flying by, as I was basking in the warm sun beams, as they found their way through the trees on a cold winter day. It's easy to understand why some people become radical environmentalist. Nature was meant to be preserved by man, but not worshiped, enjoyed but not idolized. While reading my Bible and meditating on that stump these thoughts came to my mind:

Our God will have no rivals. Lesser "gods" continually seek to de-throne the true God from our hearts.

Be still - Wait - Taste and see.

Will 2010 be just another boring year or will we pursue God's presence? What took me so long to get back to a place of solitude? Business. God's presence is all around us and in us, but if we don't learn to slow down, be still, wait on Him and taste and see His goodness, we won't be able to perceive Him. - Bobby

A Word For The Week From John Piper

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The Wind of His Life


“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). - Matthew 1:23


Everything you do in life will have an effect on those around you and those yet unborn, it's called the butterfly effect. My understanding is that the wind produced by a butterflies' wings can eventually turn into a hurricane somewhere on the other side of the Earth; according to the guy on the television show, I just finished watching. I'm filled with amazement when I think about the humble beginnings of Jesus, who was born in a stable, and belonged to a poor, working class family. He was raised in obscurity, just a simple carpenter. As I think about Jesus' humble beginnings and the powerful impact he had on a small group of disciples, and how that group changed the world: I'm amazed. God came to this earth as a baby boy over 2000 years ago and the wind of his life has changed my life forever. - Bobby

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Dr. Sam Storms - Offspring From A Virgin's Womb

Bridgeway Church Podcasts » Blog Archive » 12/20/09 - Offspring From a Virgin’s Womb

Dudley Hall's Weekly Message

Successful Christian Living Ministries Weekly Message

Monday, December 21, 2009

Ron Block at The SCLM Family Reunion


Ron Block is the guitar and banjo player for Alison Krauss and Union Station. He's an incredibly talented musician and a seeker of God. He has led worship with Alison the last two years at Dudley Hall's Spiritual Family Reunion. Going to the Family Reunion has become a yearly tradition for me and I can hardly wait till next year! - Bobby

Sunday, December 20, 2009

The Alabama Crimson Tide



I know this isn't a 'spiritual' post, but my Crimson Tide is 13-0 and playing for the national championship on January 7th. Roll Tide!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Resist The Darkness


"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints...." - Eph. 6:10 - 18

Do we wake up each day, prepared for the attack of our spiritual enemy, the Devil?

The body of Christ must return to a life of purity and passion for Jesus, if we expect to impact the world in the days ahead.

The call to repentance is going out. We must return to the Lord.

If we are not embracing the Kingdom of God at this present time: We must ask the Father for help to do so. How can we effectively push back darkness, if we embrace the same values of those who reject Christ?

The Kingdom of God and this present evil age are in conflict. We cannot afford to remain passive and ignore the spiritual battle any longer. Stand firm. - Bobby

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." - I Peter 5:6 - 11

Thursday, December 17, 2009

The Race By Jack Deere




The Race
Jack Deere - November 15, 2009


How to Memorize Scripture
Jack Deere - December 6, 2009

The Power of God's Voice In Difficult Times by Alan Wright



Download

Alan Wright preaches a Christmas message on hearing God. - Bobby

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

The Word Of The Week From Sam Storms - Christmas from a Slightly Different Point of View


12/13/09 - Christmas from a Slightly Different Point of View

Only Sam Storms can combine a spiritual warfare and Christmas message together! - Bobby

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Stand In Peace



"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." I Thess. 5:23

As we move froward on our spiritual journey, let's seek the peace and wholeness that the Father has made available to his sons and daughters, in this present evil age. Even though I'm looking forward to Heaven: I'm seeking to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit, now. God has consecrated, dedicated and is taking us through a process of purification for His purposes. Let us learn to stand in His peace,(shalom)and presence in this earthly pilgrimage, as we look forward to the new Jerusalem. - Bobby

Dudley's Weekly Word

Successful Christian Living Ministries Weekly Message
I've decided to start posting a link to Dudley Hall's weekly word on my blog. Dudley is committed to making disciples and I believe the body of Christ needs to hear his message. You can download his monthly teaching on iTunes free. - Bobby

Finishing The Assignment By Dudley Hall


"I have glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in our own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed."
John 17:4-5 (ESV)

"Nothing makes life simpler or more satisfying than knowing exactly what you are assigned to do and getting it done. Jesus lived for ONE purpose. He only wanted to glorify the Father. But he did not confuse flattery with glory. He didn't just go around saying or singing nice things about the Father. He glorified him by doing what he was assigned. He goes on in the text to explain what that looked like.

He made the Father's name known to the ones for whom he was given responsibility. That means he made the nature and character of God the Father knowable to the disciples. Jesus made sure they knew that he was sent from the Father. He was not in competition with him. There is no pantheon of gods in reality. There is one God who is three persons and it takes a Son to reveal that. When the disciples "got it" they would recognize that they had the same relationship with the Father that Jesus has.

It is very interesting that Jesus had spent his time on earth primarily with these disciples. He had preached to many others and interacted with some, but his focus was the small group who watched him every day. He was content to have done this. In contrast, we seem unwilling to have such small success. We want our résumé to reflect our influence over thousands or millions. We touch many and transform few. He trained a few who would one day transform the world. Maybe we could learn.

Too many times we complicate our lives collecting symbols of success. Orphans do that because they are trying to fill the vacuum of affirmation from the Father. We never have enough to guarantee our security or significance, so we continue to seek more. We juggle our appointments and boast of our busy schedules while medicating our stress. What if we recognized those the Father has placed around us and concentrated on making the Father known to them? What if we found a way to use our specific gifts to glorify the Father and just did that? What if we had only ONE passion instead of trying to add God to our already full agendas? What if making the Father known to our circle of influence was more important than the amount of money we hold or what others thought of us?

If Jesus is our model, maybe we should try following him. He demonstrated that life on earth can be about glorifying the Father, without withdrawing from the world. He faced the same interpersonal conflicts that we do. He had the same needs for shelter and food that we do. He was able to navigate the journey on earth by trusting the Father explicitly. Now he has transferred that relationship to the next level of sons. We are sons of God and heirs according to his promise."

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Christmas is Just The Beginning by A.W. Tozer


The following article was taken from A.W.Tozer's daily devotional. This link is available on my prayer blog.

"So completely are we carried away by the excitement of this midwinter festival that we are apt to forget that its romantic appeal is the least significant thing about it.

We must not forget that the Church is the custodian of a truth so grave and urgent that its importance can not be overemphasized, and so vast and incomprehensible that even an apostle did not try to explain it; rather it burst forth from him as an astonished exclamation:


Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory (1 Timothy 3:16).

This is what the Church is trying to say to mankind but her voice these days is thin and weak and scarcely heard amid the commercialized clangor of "Silent Night."

It does seem strange that so many persons become excited about Christmas and so few stop to inquire into its meaning; but I suppose this odd phenomenon is quite in harmony with our unfortunate human habit of magnifying trivialities and ignoring matters of greatest import. The same man who will check his tires and consult his road map with utmost care before starting on a journey may travel for a lifetime on the way that knows no return and never once pause to ask whether or not he is headed in the right direction.

Verse

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. First Timothy 3:16

Thought

What gives eternal meaning to Christmas is not just God taking on human flesh and being born as a baby. Christ died for us! He rose again! He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! In Him we have eternal life! Christmas is not the whole story. It is but the beginning!

Prayer

Praise Your name, O God. Christmas is not the end of the Good News story. It is only the beginning."

Friday, December 11, 2009

A Word For The Week From John Piper