As for Me and My House

The Gathering 2015 is officially underway!  Even with some unique weather conditions, we had an incredible morning!  Flash floods couldn’t stop God from speaking to us today. Here is how the service went down: Love Come Down – North Point Music From the Day – I Am They Announcements and Prayer Time 10,000 Reasons – Rend Collective Message – As …

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God, Cain, and Abel

I have learned so much from our study in Genesis 4 this week. This biblical story has been a major part of my life this week: My wife and I studied it together. My discipleship group studied it. My children learned about it. Our college group studied it. Our Bible reading plan went around it. I have had numerous discussions …

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Follow My Lead

Family discipleship is often caught more than taught. Here are some tips to unite together and grow as a family.

I Don’t Pray for Politicians and Persecutors (And I Need to Change That)

The more you pray for different types of people, the more prayer becomes a habit in your life. While we all have prayed for family, friends, co-workers, and gospel workers, did you realize that we aren’t actually commanded to pray for those people?  Obviously, we should pray for anyone and everyone, but these groups are never singled out for our …

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In Tenderness

We introduced a hymn today from 1894 entitled, “In Tenderness.”  Working at Fuge this summer, I heard Yeshua’s Brand cover the Citizens version of it but they had a lady sing lead.  It just soared.  Such great truths to such a driving arrangement. Richenda did a great job singing it for us today.  Here is some information on the hymn, …

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Final Words in 1 Thessalonians

Great day of worship today as we finished up 1 Thessalonians.  Our services were designed around this passage: 1 Thess. 5:23 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. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all …

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The Cross Disarms the Cherubim

I was excited about others learning a lot in the Gospel Project.  I was thrilled when I saw how much my children were learning.  Have I mentioned how much this material is pushing and teaching me? Here are some of what I have been learning this last week as we studied “Human Rebellion” in Genesis 3: Satan’s strategy hasn’t changed …

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Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God

On Sunday, we introduced this fantastic modern hymn to our church by Keith and Kristyn Getty.  “Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God” is deep lyrically and astounding musically. Pray it causes you to adore the Holy Spirit who dwells within the heart of every believer Lyrics Holy Spirit, living Breath of God, Breathe new life into my willing soul. Bring …

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The Common Denominator

Do you remember lessons on the common denominator?  There are two uses of this phrase: a number that is a multiple of all the denominators of a set of fractions a common trait or characteristic shared in differing situations While I am sure you checked out this blog in order to sharpen your math skills, I actually wanted to talk with …

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Your Wife’s Needs

Your wife has unique needs. According to the book, His Needs, Her Needs, here are her top 5: Affection Intimate Conversation Honesty & Openness Financial Support Family Commitment

For Such a Time as This (Maybe)

I got the privilege to preach in the North Greenville Chapel service today.  It is always great to be back at my alma mater, but I consider it a huge responsibility to preach to that student body and faculty. Today, I preached a message entitled, “For Such a Time as This (Maybe)” from Esther 4.  I have always interpreted the story …

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Hallowed Be Thy Name

  You never know what is going to happen when you work with kids in the church.  Years ago, I was teaching a group of children and heard one of the most bizarre statements. I asked if any of the children wanted to pray and one boy raised his hand.  I didn’t hear anything he said after the second word: “Dear …

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Holy Spirit

As we focused on 1 Thess. 5:19 today, we had a portion of the time worshiping the Holy Spirit.  One of the songs we led today is “Holy Spirit” with the arrangement by Francesca Battistelli. Enjoy the lyrics and the song.  Make it your prayer! LYRICS VERSE There’s nothing worth more That could ever come close No thing can compare …

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Practical Do’s and Don’ts

Great day focusing on some of the final exhortations in 1 Thessalonians! Here’s how the services came together: Victory in Jesus – North Side Worship O Happy Day – Bebe Winans Ministry Highlight – International Bible Study Prayer Time Holy Spirit Living Breath of God – Keith and Kristyn Getty Holy Spirit – Francesca Battistelli Sermon – Practical Do’s and …

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How Was Eve Supposed to Help Adam?

Our church has been enjoying the Gospel Project curriculum.  I have heard so many great comments from all ages! This week, it was great how time with our college group studying Genesis 2 led to discussions about dating and marriage. After God created all things by using his words (or the Word), he created one thing with his hands – …

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The Image of God [Scripture Memory Songs]

As our church goes through the 3-year chronological study of the Bible using the Gospel Project, we have a memory verse for each unit.  To help you and your family memorize Scripture, our worship team is composing and recording Scripture memory songs to help you hide God’s Word in your heart (Ps. 119:11). You can download the music, listen to …

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Your Husband’s Needs

If you haven’t realized it, your husband is a needy person.  According to research, here is a list of your husband’s top 5 needs in marriage. His Needs, Her Needs In the classic bestseller His Needs, Her Needs, Willard F. Harley, Jr., identifies the ten most vital needs of men and women and shows husbands and wives how to satisfy those …

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Pray for Gospel Workers

Pastors and ministry leaders pray for many people, but how many people actually pray for them?  We should be thankful for these effective prayers that are prayed by these righteous gospel workers on our behalf (James 5:16), but we must also not neglect to pray for them. The enemy is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour …

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Love Come Down

We introduced “Love Come Down” from North Point Worship today.  It is a great Southern song that shares the gospel well. Enjoy the video and the great lyrics.  I am sure we will be singing this one again! Lyrics to Love Come Down CHORUS I will sing forever of Your love come down With my hands to heaven, shout Your …

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Loving Your Leadership

Today was a great day in the life of our church!  It was a great time of worship, giving, biblical community, and engaging with the Word as our services focused on: 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their …

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In the Beginning, God…

While I was excited about utilizing the Gospel Project to unite all ages with one curriculum, I never imagined I was personally going to get so much out of it as I have.  I have loved the group interaction time, the discussion time with our family, and utilizing the family Bible reading plan. I taught the first lesson with my …

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Creation & Legos

Studying the Scripture together as a family is important.  Studying the Scripture as a church is important.  If you can combine those two things, you can make some significant progress!

We unite our church’s curriculum so that all ages are all learning the same thing at the same time.  It’s so helpful for church and family discipleship to take place more naturally.  As I learn in my group, I know what my kids are learning and we can stay on the same page throughout the week.

One night, I was asking my children what they knew about Creation, Eli (7) told me what God created on each day, Obadiah (7) told me that all things created were meant to give God glory, and Gloria (3) told me that everything God created was good.  I think they were getting it!

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Preparing for Marriage

Don’t wait until you have become married or have children to start thinking about how God wants you to live as a family.  Before you get married (or even start dating someone), ask yourself: is this person a help or a hindrance to my desire of following Jesus?

Children of Light

Great day!  Labor Day weekend saw us have two great crowds of eager worshipers and many first-time guests. Our time together focused on 1 Thess. 5:4-11: 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let …

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Thanks for Buying a T-Shirt [A Note From My Son]

The following note is written from my 7-year-old son, Obadiah who decided we would use his lemonade stand and some t-shirt sales to raise money for a Bible translation for the Mushere people.  Your support has made my son’s heart rejoice and his faith increase. Hello, I am the main one getting this bible project ready and we have 30 …

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Praying God’s Word

One of the best ways to pray is to pray using God’s Word. Follow me on this journey through Scripture for a moment. When Moses encountered the burning bush in the wilderness, he turned aside to behold this spectacle.  When the bush called his name and began talking to him is when things really got interesting (Ex. 3:4).  As God …

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The Day of the Lord

Powerful day of worship as we anticipated the Day of the Lord! Today, we focused on this passage: 5:1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” …

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The Battle Plan for Prayer Bible Study

Develop a deeper walk with God as you seek the Lord for your battles first. The Battle Plan for Prayer Bible Study equips believers to create their own prayer strategy and be specific and strategic in prayer. This study features teaching by Alex and Stephen Kendrick on the topics of: what prayer is and is not, why God wants us to pray, …

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God Doesn’t Respect the Prayers of a Bully

God takes seriously how we interact with those in our family. Children are called to honor parents (Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-2; Col. 3:20). Fathers are instructed not to provoke their children (Col. 3:21) but to bring up their children in the instruction of the Lord in a gentle way (Eph. 6:4). Husbands are called to love their wives and wives …

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Finding Contentment

“Daddy, I need some sweet tea!” As Gloria began to beg for some of that Southern goodness, her older brother, Obadiah, stated, “Gloria, you want some sweet tea.  You don’t need sweet tea.” What a simple lesson that I need to learn. There is a difference between what I want and what I need. In prayer, we must constantly perform a …

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Good Grief

I had the privilege of worship with North Side at 9:30 and preaching at First Mount Moriah at 11:00!  Great to be able to celebrate what God is doing in both congregations. At Mt. Moriah, they had a Family Day and I got the honor to preach from Joshua 24.  Love Pastor Bryant Sims and Youth Pastor Zack Little and …

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Implications of the Ashley Madison Hack

Our family was in Charleston when I first read the news about the Ashley Madison hack.  When our clan was stuffed together in a hotel room and I was reading news on my phone as they young ones fell asleep, I came across this story and was blown away. If you haven’t heard the story, here’s the rundown: Ashley Madison …

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Empty Pursuits

Too many families are exhausted from empty pursuits.  What does God say is important for your family?

Prayers for the First Day of School

In our community, many families are starting the school year today.  It is an exciting and yet anxious time for many. If your heart is concerned with anxiety or worry today for your family, I want to help give you some focus for your prayers. King Solomon was described as being wiser than any other man (1 Kings. 4:31).  He …

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A Picture of Simple Faith

Today was a day we had prayed and planned about for countless hours.  I got to the church campus at 6:30 this morning to tweak a few things and pray over every area in the church.  It was such a great reminder to think of how God had been uniting so many things together. With a new schedule and some …

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War Room: A Movie Practiced Before It Was Produced

On August 28, War Room hits theaters.  It’s a powerful movie about prayer that has the potential to change your life for the better. Since I got the privilege to help develop curriculum with the Kendrick Brothers, I got to watch different edits of the movie months ago.  Watching the film and working on The Battle Plan for Prayer was pivotal in my …

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The Double Standard Concerning Women and Lust

Sunday’s message on “A Call to Holiness” was very eye-opening for many people.  We live in a sex-saturated culture, and hopefully the sermon served as a wakeup call to many concerning thoughts and actions that are unbiblical and damaging. Per conversations I’ve had since then concerning lust, pornography, and sexual immorality, I am always intrigued by a certain line of …

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How to Change Your Home

You normally think of “Family Altar” as the time when the family gathers together for a devotional.  We believe in the importance of that exercise, but we also believe in a “Family Alter” in which you can make small alterations for home transformation.  We know that many of you simply do not have the time needed to attend every conference, read …

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