Brad's Blog
Day #3
Well, let me begin by appologizing for this entry being so late. Wednesday's are usually later nights anyways because of disciplesgip and visitation. However, when I got home tonight, to my surprise, I found that we had a glitch on the website and the link that allowed people to listen to and view the daily Bible reading was missing. Anyways, this is but rambling to explain my lateness in posting this entry.
The readings tonight continue the theme from yesterday of how the effects of sin have spread so far and so deep. In fact, Genesis 7 records that it had got so bad that God decided to destroy all the living creatures on the Earth. The mood is heavy and sober yet in the midst of one of the darkest hours of human history comes a wonderful glimpse of the grace of God. "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord." It was precisely because of this favor that Noah was spared. Is this not a beautiful picture of what has happened to every believer in Christ. We have been spared from the wrath of God for sin because of the favor we have found with God. However the favor we find with God is not in any way due to our own effort or goodness but based soley on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
As a closing note tongiht, let me challenge you to think about Matthew 4:11 which tells us that after His temptation, Jesus was ministered to (served by) the angels. What must it have been like to have the privilege to serve He who came "to seek and to serve?" We get that privilege everyday! Have a great night!
Day #2
The reading today introduces us to the cosmic fracture that resulted from sin entering the world. Sin created a mess in every arena of life. What was in chapter 1 described as good and very good has now been turned on its head by sin. Later we see in Psalm 2 the living out of sin by those who are planning and plotting against the Lord. The whole reading today in Genesis and then in Psalm 2 reminds us of the reality that we live in. This world is reeling from the effects of sin but there is a way of escape. The last line of Psalm 2 says "blessed are all who take refuge in Him." We could never have overcome the separation and death caused by sin but Jesus did! Psalm 2 reminds us that all those who take refuge in Jesus will be blessed and "will not perish but have everlasting life." It is sometimes discouraging to face all the world and our flesh can throw at us but it is encouraging to know that I have Jesus to take refuge in. Take refuge in Him today!
Day #1
Tonight when my wife and I sat down to listen to the first installment of our "cover to cover" committment, it was not magical but it was definitely meaningful. I am excited to walk through this year long journey with her as we examine the whole Bible together. I am excited to see what God will show us. I am excited to see what God will teach the over 350 people committed to read their whole Bible this year. I believe our church will be different because of this committment and I believe I will be different because of the continued insight into the heart of God. Be encouraged because...
"Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord." - Psalm 119:1 (NLT)
Admonition from a friend...
Hey all,
A few days ago now I ran into a friend of mine who asked me a question that simply stunned me. She asked why I so infrequently updated my blog. I must admit that I was amazed that anybody had actually read it. I mean, I know that it is meant to be read but I wrote the previous two posts almost as journal entries without much thought that they would actually be read by very many others. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe there are thousands of people that wake each morning hoping to have a new post from me. More likely it is just Teresa and a few random folks who wonder what a 28 year old that looks like he just entered middle school could possibly have to say. Anyways, let me speak briefly about a few things that I have learned from Teresa (and her husband Mark) and others like them that apply to all of us. Mark and Teresa and others just like them have taught me what love looks like in real life. It is the kind of love that says I know you don't talk like me or always understand this place I call home but you can be a part of us anyways. It is the kind of love that says you are welcome at our home anytime you want. It is the kind of love that tells you truthfully what she thinks but loves you just as much whether you agree or disagree. In short, it is a JESUS kind of love. It was Jesus who once said that His disciples would be known because of their love. The kind of love that Mark and Teresa and others like them have shown to me (and I would bet hundreds others) is the kind of love that this world just might find irresistable. I suppose one could argue that people like Mark and Teresa learned this kind of sacrificial love from their culture or upbringning (and that might partially be true) but I would bet that if you asked them, they would be the first to tell you that the kind of love that they and their family show others is best learned from having experienced the unconditional love of their Savior, Jesus. It is my goal to love others the way that Jesus does and I have learned much about what that looks like in real life from people like Mark and Teresa. Thank you!
The Purpose of Discipleship Classes
Tonight is the night that all of our Spring Discipleship classes begin. As I have thought about this throughout the day, I have been excited to know that more than 100 people will walk through our doors this evening and hear something that God might use to change them in a profound way. However, I have also been disturbed by one thought! What if it is no more than an academic exercise for some people? What if they don't understand what these classes are all about. The Bible talks much about our motives and I often wonder about my own and others' motives as we participate in "church stuff." I understand that ultimately there is nothing that I can do to ensure godly motives for people taking advantage of each of these discipleship classes but it nonetheless bothers me. Therefore, I thought it might be useful for you to hear why I have organized this group of classes. When I began my graduate studies, I simply wanted to make good grades and finish but as I got through my first year and began my second year, I made a decision that changed my outlook on school. I still wanted to get good grades but my purpose was to learn and be better equipped for what God has called me to. I wonder if some people attend a discipleship class (or a church service or Sunday School, etc) because they want to make a good grade. By that I mean they want someone or some people to look at them and grade their spiritual life as an "A". I readily admit that I have often wanted others to see me do good Christian stuff so they will give my Christian life an "A" and I would be willing to bet that most other church folks have also. I believe God desires more for us. I think He wants us transforming rather than worrying about performing. Each of these classes are being taught by godly people who desire to be an agent of godly transformation so my encouragement to you (and myself) is to be involved but to learn to be involved for the purpose of transforming into fully established followers of Christ. You might wonder why I would write about this rather than anything else. The answer is simple. I know the innermost motives of my heart and I know I constantly need to reexamine myself to make sure I am not just doing church stuff to impress others but rather because I desire to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. My prayer for myself and all of you is that as we begin another church activity or any good activity for that matter, that we examine our motives and ask God to use these activities to transform us into something that looks more like Jesus!
Not A Clue
Hey everybody. The reason it has taken over two weeks to write this first post is because I have been at odds with myself as to what I should write. There are so many things that the Lord Jesus has been working on in me this last two months now since I have come to Faith Baptist Church, and i'm just not sure what would make for the most useful topics to cover. I have decided that instead of trying to have a blog that reflects only one or two things, I will write a blog that will reflect the full bredth (if that is even possible) of what I run across that I think might be helpful to you. For this first post, I will keep it short. I ran across a quote in the Fall 2007 issue of Leadership Magazine by G.K. Chesterton. It says, "we do not want, as the newspapers say, a church that will move with the world. We want a church that will move the world." Often, pastors get asked what they dream for their church or where they see their church going. I think I can say with a fair bit of confidence that it is our desire here at Faith Baptist Church to be a church in Youngsville, NC that moves the world. This is be an impossible task unless we realize that our founder had world change in mind, one person at a time. Let's be intentional this week about being members of the church of Jesus Christ that love those who've yet to meet Jesus!