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We apologize for the lengthy inactivity on this blog in recent months. We took an unscheduled blogging break, but hope to be back with semi-regular posts starting this week.
The look and feel of the blog has also changed while we were on break. I would love to hear your feedback.
Thanks for checking in!
-Josh
This last week I had the privilege of attending the Desiring God Conference for Pastors. Eric Mason of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia preached a penetrating message on the role of suffering in sanctification & the experience of joy.
God is concerned about one thing and one thing only: that we would look like Jesus. He is spit-shining us to make us practically into the image of his Son. He doesn’t send trials to take away our joy but to increase our joy. When I sense that a trial is coming, I pray that God would receive maximum glory out of it.
You can listen to the talk here.
~ Mike
Tuesday morning through Friday afternoon I will be away on a study & prayer retreat. My goals are to:
1. Prepare for our upcoming study in Colossians.
2. Do preliminary work for the following study in Jonah.
3. Read “How to Read the Bible for all it’s Worth” & “The Shaping of things to Come”. Maybe read “Deep Church” & reread “The Prodigal God”.
4. Prepare for an upcoming bible study in Mark or John.
5. Discern where I need growth in my life & how I can apply the Gospel.
6. Seek the Lord’s face on specific issues.
7. Pray, pray, pray.
Please pray that this would be a very fruitful retreat. Also, pray for Josh as he prepares to bring the word this coming Sunday.
~ Mike
How did Paul make Jesus look so great?
How can you make Jesus look great?
Check out this powerful 3 minute video from Desiring God on treasuring God above all else.
Yesterday I listened to Mike Bullmore preach on “Distinguishing Marks of a Genuine Gospel Passion” from Philippians 1. It was worth the listen just to hear him read the passage. Mike begins by asking what is the dominating & defining passion in your life. He then uses Philippians, a book that mentions the term “gospel” more than any other in scripture, as a mirror in which we can see whether we are marked by real gospel passion. Are you willing to do an assessment? If you don’t like conviction you won’t want to listen to this message –but though challenging, this sermon is most definitely not guilt-driven, it is grace based–it is about the gospel after all!
His five points are as follows:
1. A particular affection for partners in the gospel.
For whom do I have the greatest affections?
2. A purposed disregard for your circumstances because of a consuming interest in the gospel.
3. The submission of your personal reputation to Christ’s.
Paul’s passion for the gospel was not a front for his passion for his reputation or his ministry.
4. A deep desire to spend one’s life laboring for the gospel.
Do you see your contribution to the advance of the gospel as the dominating factor in your life?
5. A confidence that calls others to costly commitment.
Do you believe in the gospel enough to call others to costly & radical commitment.
You can find the talk here.
~Mike
