I would like to get people’s comments on this. What do ya think? Should Obama speak to the kids/schools? My opinion, sure he should. He is our president. Now, let’s pray for Obama that he will have the wisdom to say what he needs to say and put politics aside. I’m actually excited about him speaking to the kids.

If we had a conservative in office and he wanted to speak to the kids, they would be like “yeah, go for it” but just because we have a liberal in office, all the conservatives are protesting about it. So, stop protesting and pray Obama will have the right words to say to the kids. Come on, conservatives! Support your president. I would’ve supported McCain if he would’ve been elected. Obama is our leader for a reason. God allowed him to be put as the president on the United States for a reason. Protesting against Obama is basically protesting that God is NOT in control. Didn’t think of it like that, did you?

Sooo, I would like everyone’s thoughts, please?
Andrew

So, my birthday is tomorrow (August 6th) and my girlfriend just brought me my birthday present. One of which is a daily inspiration book from “The Purpose Driven Life”. I read the book a long time ago, probably when it came out, and when Dayspring Baptist Church did a series on it. So, it was definitely a long time ago. So, it’s nice to go through it again, learn stuff, and just reflect and meditate on Scripture.

The first day is asking the question, “What on Earth am I here for?”. I used to ask myself this question a lot. I just never saw my purpose, my reason for living. A year or so ago, and maybe even a few months ago, I was depressed. I probably wasn’t in a “medical” depression, but I just didn’t care anymore. But, after reading Scripture, and being reaffirmed day after day, I know my purpose. Of course, there are specific things God put us on Earth to do. But, the general purpose for all Christ-following ELECT-EXILES (1 Peter 1:1) is to glorify God.

First off, everything began with God. Before the Earth was created, there was God. Colossians 1:16 says, “For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank of angels–everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.”

1 Corinthians 2:7, “God’s wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don’t find it lying around on the surface. It’s not the latest message, but more like the oldest–what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene.”

Ephesians 1:11, “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the PURPOSE of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.”

Father God is all-knowing and truly sovereign. His wisdom surpasses us completely. The answer to the “What on Earth am I here for?” question is simple: To glorify God on this Earth. That is what we’re here for and made to do.

Grace unto Him,
Andrew

We all yearn for some kind of “hope” in this world. When the elections were going on, the big thing one candidate was using as his “motto” was “Hope and Change”. He, and his campaign, knew that the biggest thing that was needed in our world (particularly America) was hope. And, of course, people bought into it. People said, “Oh, he can provide us the HOPE we need.” But, he’s a politician. Can he REALLY provide us with a HOPE that we need?

Well, quick answer to that question. NO. He might be able to help provide America with some form of “hope”, but not the true, LIVING hope that is found only in Christ.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5

So, this week, just keep thinking about the hope we have in Jesus Christ! And, NOT, in our government. But, respect our government, for God has put authority over us for a time and for a reason.

Grace unto Him,
Andrew

So, I have made an “agreement” with the Living Hope guy leaders that I will be growing a beard, because I can. So, this isn’t going to be long, but expect pictures starting in a week or so. I’m starting tonight to make an album. I’ll probably just put it on MobileMe.

Peace,
Andrew

Proverbs: Mars Hill Church

The Heart Mark Driscoll

Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart.”

Jesus cares a lot about the heart. We are to LOVE God with all of our heart. If we want to see God, we must have a pure heart.

Proverbs 20:9

Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?

Ultimately, we have a sin nature. It stems all the way back to Adam. We inherit this sin nature from one man.

The Heart is the essence of who we are. The Truth. The bottom line. Not just talking about the physical organ.

Proverbs 4:23

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Matthew 5:28 – lusting in your heart, you commit adultery

Matthew 6:21 – where your treasure is, there your heart is

Luke 6:45 – watch your tongue, by controlling your heart’s passions

Mark 7:20-21 – what comes out from a person defiles them

Evil comes from within, not just from the world. They defile a person.

What can we possibly do with this “sin problem”?

1) Behavior modification. Think “better thoughts”. Have self-control. The Bible wants more than this “behavior modification”.

Problems with it:

1) Just rearranges the flesh.

2) Leads to pride and despair.

3) Conditions in us from parenting.

2) Heart issue. Selfishness.

Doctrine of Regeneration.

Ezekiel 36:26-27

New heart and new spirit is a gift that God gives us. God will remove the heart of stone. It is a gift aka through grace.

New heart = New Lord, New Power, New Purpose, New Community, New Desires.

New heart does not mean perfect heart.

New heart allows you to be a New Creation.

New heart:

1. Has Faith

2. Desires Obedience

3. Is Corrective

4. Teachable

5. Has contentment

6. Loves wisdom

7. Cheerful

8. Helpful

9. Discerning

10. Persuasive

11. Humble

12. Intelligent

13. Beautiful

14. Repentant

Prov. 20:5

The purpose of a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

When your heart changes, you get new desires.

It’s not about what you don’t get to do, but what you get to do.

There will be “conflicted” desires, but those are sinful desires. You will have “deep” desires though, that are God’s desires for you.

A few questions to think about:

1) Do you have a new heart? How do you know?

2) What is God showing you about your heart lately?

3) What can you do to nourish your new heart?

4) What desires are even deeper than your desires for sin?

Trial Mars Hill Church

Humble Christians Mark Driscoll

1 Peter 5:5

Humble Christians Respect Their Elders (leaders in the church);

1 Timothy 3, Titus 1

Whoever is younger, be subject to the elders.

“Younger” means chronologically and/or spiritually. If you are older physically, but a young Christ-follower, try listening to the elders.

Elders need to be subject to elders. Pastors need to be subject to elders. The Bible is always right. If you think the elder is wrong, talk to another elder or pastor.

Examine your life:

1) Are you teachable? Do you act like you know everything? If you are proud, you’re not teachable. Be humble.

2) How do you respond to correction and rebuke? Do you take it well or not? If you are arguing and defending, your not humble. Say, “I know you love me, I want to consider this and look at this and be like Jesus.”

3) Do your repent quickly and thoroughly? Proud people don’t. Proud people hold on.

4) Are you considerate of other people? We live in an inconsiderate age.

5) Do you serve and receive service well? Those who are proud only like to be served, they do not want to serve. But, those who do not want receive service is in the wrong also. That’s pride. Humble people can serve others and be served. If someone wants to serve you, accept it and be thankful.

6) Are you consistently aware of God’s grace in your life? We all deserve Hell. Everything else is Grace.

7) Do you disagree agreeably? Meaning, do you consider other’s points of view? Search the Scriptures. Love them still. Talk to them about it.

How much attention do you require? Proud people want to be seen. When they serve, they want people to take note and they get mad if you don’t. Can you serve quietly and invisibly?

Pride is very evil. It is no good for you. It will make you like Satan.

1 Peter 5:6

Humble Christians make good leaders.

Be a good follower before you become a leader. Be under authority before you assume it. God’s calling and God’s timing are different. Wait for His timing. Don’t let your zeal takeover. Humble yourself and God will raise yourself when time is right.

If you are not humble, plan B will occur. You lift yourself up, God will knock you down. Plan A is recommended. Be humble.

1 Peter 5:7

Humble Christians Understand Their Life

Humble people know they need community. That they know they need counsel and outside instruction. They need teaching to guide them.

Internally: Humility is great for anxieties.

Externally: There is a war for your soul. Pride will make you fall prey to your enemy.

You are aspiring to predict the future. That is anxiety. Your trying to be all-knowing. You don’t know the future. You’re not sovereign. Your not God.

Pride is not being proud. Worrying is also a form of pride. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you”. Worrying is pride because it involves taking concerns upon oneself instead of entrusting them to God. Believers can and should trust God because, as their Father, he cares for them.

1 Peter 5:12-17

Humble Christians Bless Their Church

Are you “in Christ”? Not religious, not in church.

1 Peter Series Living Hope Church

2:11-12 John Blythe

Colossians 3:5

1) Kill your sin. Abstain from fleshly passions.

“Gentiles” is referring to non-believers, not the non-Jew ethic group.

2) Continually stay in Gospel.

- Every other topic goes back to the Gospel.

- Gospel = the core

- Our minds are continually being renewed.

- Gospel is for everyone, not just heathens.

3) Living your life as the Gospel acts as a megaphone.

- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; 6:1-10

- Matthew 5:10-16

1 Peter Series Living Hope Church

2:9-10 John Blythe

1. God is the Gospel.

2. Depth = Growing in the Gospel.

3. Community in the Gospel.

- “Gospel Communities” – 5 to 10 people; authentic, life change

4. Missional Outreach

- in our jobs, school, etc.

- who we come in contact with

- visible in the community

5. Continued Discipleship

- a mix of the above

1 Peter Series Living Hope Church

2:4-8 John Blythe

1st observation:

About the cornerstone; #1 important thing; Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone.

2nd observation:

#2 We’re secondary matters. All about Christ, because God is glorious & loving we can “enter”.

3rd observation:

v. 8; Those stumble because they get the first two observations mixed up.

We are free. God is free-ER. There is mystery in between. (Phil. 2:13)

4th observation:

Everyone is, or has been, in this group. The stumbling stone, the rock of offense.

5th observation:

Both groups deserve FAR worse than we receive.

6th observation:

Nobody deserves the group of verse 7. The group that receives grace.

7th observation:

We can be part of the new birth. God saves. We “catch” them. We are like “midwives” in the gospel process, the saving process.

We go through persecution so God can, and will, sanctify us.

In closing,

1. God is God. We are not.

2. We are rebels who disobey the word of God.

3. We are enemies.

4. He saves us and makes us new creatures.

5. Those who continue rebellion will not thwart it.

6. We, in turn, show mercy and are representatives.

7. In the meantime, when we run into hard passages, join Job and cover our mouths and hands and say we don’t know the mysteries of God.

This is my sermon notes from 1 Peter 2:1-3. Message is preached by John Blythe. Podcast can be listened to at: http://www.blogspot.com/livinghopemobile. Enjoy!

1 Peter Series Living Hope Church

2:1-3 John Blythe

1. Commandment – Negative (ver. 1)

2. Commandment – Positive (ver. 2)

3. Condition / Contingency

- ver. 1:

Malice – desire to make harm on another

Deceit – distortion of truth

Hypocrisy – matching up to a cultural standard

Envy – discontent / covetous of someone’s possessions; materialism

Slander – false report; aka gossip; James 2

Ephesians 4:17-24

- ver. 22: put off old self

- ver. 23: renewed in spirit of your minds

- ver. 24: put on the new self

Colossians 3:1-11

- ver. 5: put away death

Big Point:

- Put away death and old self! Rooted on pride and sin.

- ver. 2:

Long for pure, spiritual milk. Like a baby, long for milk every 2 hours.

Sanctification: day in, day out of renewing our mind and heart.

Glorification: when we see Jesus, we will become LIKE him. Not over him (heretical) but close.

- ver. 3:

Good News = word of God; only by the word we can be saved.