Church Blog

July 2 2009 at 12:24 pm

Why God Made Bookends

Dawn Lockwood just sent me this encouraging note I wanted to pass on. She’s been reading a great book (our recommended book for June) co-authored by Jerry Bridges. I highly recommend it:

Dear Josh,

I really appreciated your message last Sunday on Naaman ... It directly corresponds with the recommended book for last month, The Bookends of the Christian Life, by Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington. According to the book, every activity in our Christian life must be informed and directed by a spiritual dimension. The book’s authors call these “bookends.” The first is the righteousness of Christ, and the second is the power of the Holy Spirit.

The first time I read Bookends I was struck with the realization that most of my areas of sin and struggle with temptation were because I did not understand how to apply grace to my life. [The book] was helpful and eye opening. As I did the study questions I saw where the breakdown of lies I believed began, how it started in my heart, mostly due to pride, and God is enabling me to experience much more freedom from sin’s power … I find myself less anxious and trusting God more in everyday issues …

As I am reading and re-reading this book, I can see God forming new habits in my life to depend on His grace and to rest in the finished work of the cross. Since we are all prone to drifting into self-righteousness and striving in our own strength, I venture to say that this book will be at my bedside for a LONG time. I am becoming a “bookend” junky!
My family is also doing the study separately. We follow up with our kids and review their answers to the study questions to help them in their understanding and application of grace. I do not want my kids to believe the lie that Christianity is just following a bunch of rules and to run away from the great news of the gospel. I think many people are like me in the sense that they struggle with remembering the unchanging standing we have in Christ’s righteousness and feel left to themselves to work it out on their own …

It is my hope that others will take time to read this book …We all need to encounter God’s grace more deeply, and this study is transforming!

In Christ,

Dawn

The Bookends of the Christian Life is available in the church bookstore. Read more about it here.

June 30 2009 at 12:36 pm

Thanks from “Mr. B”

Mike Bradshaw sent this follow-up note about last week’s Summer Celebration:

Parents of Covenant Life Church, thank you for sending your kids to spend the week with Mrs. B, Douglas Doogleberry and me. We had a blast (and learned so much about the fruit of the Spirit)! We had 150 kids attend whose parents are not members of Covenant Life, and we’re so grateful for that. We also had 250 volunteers (200 of them were youth camp counselors). Already looking forward to SC2010!

Kids, you can continue to work on the the lessons at home by using the the review cards handed out at the camp, and be sure to check out the latest Sovereign Grace kids’ CD, “To Be Like Jesus.”

In case you missed them, take a moment to enjoy the photos posted earlier on the church blog.

—Mr. B

June 29 2009 at 12:11 am

Application for Yesterday’s Message

Yesterday, I preached a message titled “Change Happens When We Believe the Gospel.” The text was 2 Kings 5:1-15, in which Naaman, a powerful military leader from Syria, seeks healing for his leprosy. God provides the healing, but the means he uses are not what Naaman had anticipated.

You can listen online or download an mp3 here.

Use the following questions prepared by pastor Don DeVries to help you apply the message:

1. As Christians our lives can reflect the wrong belief that we are saved by grace but changed by our own will power. How can that lie lead to self-righteous legalism and/or discouragement?

2. How does the truth that “change is God’s agenda and God’s purpose” fill you with hope and faith that God can change you?

3. Josh shared that change happens when we believe the gospel. What alternative means are you tempted to choose for cleansing and transformation? Therapy? Medicine? Self-help techniques? Religious rituals?

4. If you are not a Christian, do you realize that God has spoken to you in the gospel? Are you willing to respond to the good news of Jesus Christ, repent of your sins and believe on Jesus for salvation?

5. What is one area of your life in which God is calling you to grow and change? What is one passage of Scripture that you can apply to that area of your life that needs transformation (see Phil. 2:12-13)?

June 27 2009 at 12:01 am

Summer Celebration Photos

Summer Celebration Kids Camp wrapped up yesterday. Enjoy the photos!

June 25 2009 at 7:11 am

When God Interrupts Your Plans

Here’s an encouraging letter that Carolyn McCulley sent in a couple weeks ago in response to my message, Who Is My Neighbor? Let’s all be spurred on by her example of responding when God provides an opportunity to care for someone in need:

Josh,

It’s not every week that I have a direct opportunity to apply the Sunday sermon, but I clearly had one today.

As I recall, you wrapped up your sermon about the Good Samaritan by saying we don’t usually find people lying on the street but we should be willing to respond when we do. Or something similar—it was definitely a challenge about loving people even when we are inconvenienced.

So today I was in hyper-speed, running around the metro area preparing for the Sovereign Grace Ministries Mission Presentation shoot. We’re leaving in a few hours for the Bahamas and there is much left to do. But as I left downtown Silver Spring this afternoon with film gear in tow, I saw a girl lying on the sidewalk, crying. I had precious few hours to get about two days’ worth of work done, but I had no question that I was to be interrupted. I knew this was a divine appointment from my Father in heaven. So I pulled over and Drew (the cameraman) and I jumped out to see what was wrong with her. She was an 18-year-old girl with multiple face piercings and some kind of bloody, devilish shirt on (I never did get to read what that was about). She was lying on the sidewalk in a rundown section of town, crying, seemingly unaware of the filth she was lying in.

So I got out and sat down with her and started talking to her. She was very upset, but assured us she was not hurt. She had gotten into a conflict with a friend . . . and was considering killing herself. I immediately told her that this thought was a lie from the pit of hell and that God had created her and given her life because He loved her. And He obviously wanted her to know that because He had drawn my attention to her. I then offered to pray for her and told her to breathe deeply as I did, so as to calm herself down. We talked to her a bit more and then as she calmed down, we offered to give her a ride home. I’m always amazed when people willingly get into my car when I’m a total stranger, but 90 percent do.

She said she had a 4 p.m. meeting with her therapist, so we drove her to that place and continued to reach out to her in the car. I gave her an invitation card to Covenant Life, wrote my name and number on it, and told her I wanted to hear from her because I was concerned for her. Then I asked if she had a Bible and if she wanted mine. She seemed hesitant at first, but I told her there was no expectation. Then she took mine and I put the bookmark in the gospel of John and told her it was a series of intimate portraits of Jesus ministering to people, and that she needed to read this when she felt oppressed or tempted to suicide—at the very least—because Jesus came to redeem all that is wrong with the world. Then I told her about the Sunday message and how this was all no coincidence. She was much more cheerful when we dropped her off, and I’m very glad for it.

I will be short on sleep tonight, but it was exceedingly worth it to have this small Jericho road experience.

Blessings,

Carolyn

June 23 2009 at 3:52 pm

Back From Vacation

We just returned from vacation last weekend, and I’m diving into working on a new sermon series which I’ll tell you about on Sunday. My kids are living in their Summer Celebration t-shirts this week. We missed you guys.

June 22 2009 at 3:59 am

Love Your Neighbor, Part 3: Application

Yesterday Isaac Hydoski preached from Matthew 9:9-13, in which Jesus calls Matthew the tax collector and addresses the Pharisees over dinner. Isaac said, “We must remember our own need for God’s mercy and then recognize God’s call to show mercy.”

You can listen online or download the message here.

And here are some application questions prepared by pastor Brian Chesemore:

1. Is there anyone is your life that you have moved into the unbiblical category of “unreachable” and, in effect, “written-off” as beyond the saving power of the Gospel?

2. Reflect on the mercy of God in saving you: Who shared the Gospel with you? Where might you be today if it were not for God’s saving grace in your life?

3. Isaac considered how we have the potential to reflect the portrait of the Pharisee in two ways: self-righteousness and complacency. How do you see either of these tendencies at work in your thinking and hindering your concern for the lost?

4. Because we need God’s heart for the lost, Isaac encouraged us to begin our application of this message with prayer. In what ways do you need more of God’s mercy for the lost? With which specific people have you been complacent in sharing the Gospel? Pray.

5. To whom can you go tomorrow or sometime soon and show the love of Christ? Pray that God would give you the Savior’s heart of mercy and urgency about their need for Him.

June 20 2009 at 12:44 pm

Sunday Preview: Father’s Day

Here’s what you can expect in tomorrow’s Sunday meeting:

• Ken Boer will lead our singing, and the band will be in “acoustic mode” (accent on guitars and strings).
• We’ll share in the Lord’s Supper.
• We’ll honor dads (don’t want to ruin the surprise with too many details!).
• We’ll pray for the nation of Saudi Arabia.
• Isaac Hydoski will teach from Matthew 9:9-13, illustrating that our devotion to God must be demonstrated by mercy towards sinners.

Grace to all, and see you tomorrow!

June 18 2009 at 5:44 pm

Extreme Room Makeover (Plus)

John and Kathy Spiro sent in this testimony about the way some friends in the church blessed their family recently:

When Liana Glass, a good friend of our daughter, Amanda, found out that Amanda would be in Wisconsin on her birthday attending the funeral of her beloved grandpa, she came up with a plan to surprise and bless her. She contacted many of their friends about the idea of spending a day painting and decorating her room. They pooled their money together to buy a new bedspread and other items for an “extreme makeover” for her.

What began as a one room project soon turned into so much more. With many of the moms and a dad also involved, they decided to organize and clean out the garage and laundry room, as well as buy and plant flowers for our deck. Moms prepared meals for our return, did laundry, cleaned the carpets, and even bought new dishes for our kitchen. The joy they experienced as they served us so well was nothing compared to our surprise and joy as we returned from a difficult week to find our burden lifted and Amanda’s beautiful new room waiting.

We would like to thank everyone who gave of their time and money to bless us!

Pictured above (Top Row): Joey Switzer, Caleb Hill, Zack Newquist, Josh Hill, Jared Ray, Brandon Quinones
(Second row): Catherine Hoover, Lizzie Poelma, Brielle Layman, Ben Keeler, Liana Glass
(Third row): Alicia Nelson, Christene Hoffman, Janelle Mays
(Bottom Row): Hannah Nelson, Katie Ambrose, Alexis Ambrose, Kelsey Fortier
(Far Left): Eric Hoover
Not pictured: Emily Patton, Rachel Keeler, Marc Fortier, Dawn Newquist, Linda Glass, Karin Layman, Susan Nelson, Terri Fortier, Michele Scanlon, Rita Hoover

June 15 2009 at 12:28 am

Youth Sunday: Application

Dave Brewer gave a topical message on the 10:31 Youth Ministry yesterday, explaining that its mission is “to build teens into the gospel, the Bible and their parents.” His text was 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

Listen online, or download the mp3 of Dave’s message here.

Below are questions by Brian Chesemore to help you apply what Dave taught:

1. In 2 Timothy 3, Paul tells Timothy that the Scriptures will make him wise for salvation, and that salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ. What place do the Scriptures hold in your family life? How are they informing your conversations and decisions? Is there any way in which God’s word functions on the periphery of your thoughts and times together as a family?

2. How are you specifically building the gospel into your teens or younger children? How would they answer this question: What must I do to be saved from my sins? Do they understand that their hope for salvation from sin and acceptance before God is found entirely outside of themselves?

3. Dave shared how there are, “two institutions that God set in place to disciple a young person: 1) the family and 2) the church. We don’t highlight one at the cost of the other. As a local church we are about both.” How have you experienced grace as you’ve prioritized each of these two? How do your children view these two God-ordained means of grace and gospel-instruction? How can you build yourself and your children more deeply into family and your church?

4. What teens and parents of teens has God placed in your life? Take time today and in the days ahead to pray for these teens’ salvation, their confidence in the gospel, and their ongoing growth in Christ-likeness. Take time to pray for the youth of our church—that they would present a compelling witness to our community and godly influence in our church family. Pray that God would continue to have mercy on the children and youth of our church and that we would faithfully pass the gospel onto the next generation (Psalm 78:4-7).

June 13 2009 at 12:55 pm

Preview: Youth Sunday

Tomorrow is a special Sunday where we’ll highlight the 10:31 Youth Ministry in both morning meetings. Brett Jansen will be leading the band, and Dave Brewer will bring the message.

As described is this week’s Quick Read, six youth will be baptized.

Let’s all be praying that God will be glorified in our time together.

June 9 2009 at 4:08 pm

Free MP3s for Scripture Memory

Several years back, our Music and Worship Ministry created two Scripture song recordings to encourage and aid in memorizing key verses of Galatians and Philippians. Members of the church contributed original melodies and participated in the recording process. CDs of each project were then made available to the church at low cost.

Now, you can download free mp3s of all the songs from both recordings. Check them out, and enjoy!

These recordings are simple but very effective for storing up God’s Word in your heart. If you haven’t tried using Scripture songs as a memory aid, you’ll be amazed at how it works. Attaching the words to a melody makes a big difference!

June 8 2009 at 6:45 am

‘Love Your Neighbor,’ Part 2: Application

Mark Mitchell preached yesterday from Luke 14:12-14, where Jesus teaches about the generosity his disciples are to show toward those who are needy. Mark clearly illustrated from the passage how hospitality that honors God reflects His kingdom.

Listen online, or download the mp3 of Mark’s message here.

Don DeVries was gracious enough to write up the following questions to help us apply Mark’s sermon and put it into practice:

1. Which would characterize your life? Do you reach out and show hospitality to only friends and those with whom you are comfortable? Or do you reach out to “the excluded,” the needy and those who cannot repay?

2. Who are “the excluded” you are tempted to not invite? The person who has nothing to offer but their need? The one you are tempted to self-righteously judge or find unattractive or think is “uncool”?

3. Tim Keller writes, “A heart poured out in deeds of mercy and deeds of justice to the poor inevitably goes with people who know they are sinners saved by grace.” How can reflection on the amazing grace we have received in salvation inform and influence your hospitality?

4. In what one practical way can you apply Mark’s message this summer? How can you extend gracious and selfless hospitality by including the “excluded”?

5. How can an eternal perspective of receiving rewards on that Last Day motivate God-honoring hospitality?

June 6 2009 at 12:35 am

The Next Few Sundays

A word about what’s coming up the next few Sundays:

This Sunday Mark Mitchell continues our “Love Your Neighbor” series, teaching from Luke 14:12-14 about the kind of hospitality that God honors. Mike Bradshaw will lead our singing. We’ll also start memorizing a new hymn and send off the Pastors College Class of 2009.

We’ll take a break from the “Love Your Neighbor” series on June 14, Youth Sunday. That day the 10:31 youth ministry will “take over” both meetings, and Dave Brewer will give the message.

Isaac Hydoski’s text on June 21 will be Matthew 9:9-13. He plans to emphasize that our devotion to God must be demonstrated by mercy towards sinners. Why? Because it’s in keeping with the very definition of the gospel message: a message for sinners!

Finally, on June 28 Joshua Harris will teach from the Parable of the Prodigal Son, looking at what it means to love people who are struggling spiritually.

Much to look forward to and anticipate with faith! See you on Sunday.

June 3 2009 at 3:40 pm

On Vacation

I’m headed off for vacation with Shannon and the kids. Posting will be a little lighter, but I’ve asked Grant Layman to cover for me and post a few things while I’m gone. I’ll be praying for you, and will miss worshiping with you.

Joshua

June 1 2009 at 1:15 pm

Love Your Neighbor, Part 1: Application

Yesterday I preached from the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10: 25-37. You can listen online or download the mp3 here.

Use these questions to help you apply the sermon:

1. Who are the Samaritans in your life? Who are the ones you wish you didn’t have to relate to and would like to “un-neighbor”? Ask the Lord to give you a heart of love for them.

2. In what ways have you self-righteously looked down on those who have a different faith, a different ethnicity, a different sexual preference, etc? While still embracing truth, how can you put on mercy, compassion and love toward those who are “different”?

3. In what practical ways can you serve your neighbor? How can you serve with friends, as a family or as a care group?

4. Are you aware of anyone with financial needs? How can you be generous with your money and give to those experiencing financial trials?

5. What can you do to build and cultivate a relational bridge to your “neighbor”?

May 30 2009 at 11:41 am

New Series: ‘Love Your Neighbor’

Tomorrow we’re starting a new series titled, “Love Your Neighbor.” I will be preaching from Jesus’ story of the good Samaritan.

Bob Kauflin will be leading us in singing to the Lord. Also—as we mentioned a few days ago—seven youth are being baptized tomorrow. Praise God!

May 28 2009 at 5:50 pm

Reflecting on Next 2009

here I drove home from Baltimore on Tuesday with a happy/exhausted feeling. Next 2009 exceeded all of my expectations. For all of you who attended—thanks for coming. For those who remembered us in prayer—God answered your prayers in amazing ways. Let me share a few random highlights for me personally…

• I’ll start with superficial: My hotel room was on the 20th floor and overlooked Camden Yards. What a view (photo at right)! I also got to share a room with my brother Brett which was fun.

• Grant Layman, who directs Next, and Paul Medler who serves as administrator, did an incredible job. I got to show up and be amazed by all that they and their team had worked on and planned. When you see these men at church, please thank them for the role they played.

• It was good to see so many familiar faces. Even though nearly half of the attendees came from churches outside Sovereign Grace, it’s good to see old friends from our sister-churches in places like Orlando, Lancaster, El Paso, Dallas and Charlotte. John Loftness and Curtis Allen were there with a great contingent from Solid Rock. They even had matching t-shirts.

• Having six sessions solely focused on Jesus was incredible. One of the interesting themes that unexpectedly emerged was a focus on people who have grown up around Christianity but who haven’t personally trusted in Christ. The Holy Spirit seemed to be bringing conviction and a new sense of awe before Jesus that was very sweet.

• I’ve met three people who gave their lives to Christ over the weekend. I pray there were even more. The conference was a living example of the truth that when Jesus is clearly proclaimed from God’s word, people are drawn to him by the power of the Holy Spirit. One girl I spoke with came to the event only so a friend could come. She was extremely antagonistic toward Christians. She had brought a book and planned to tune the whole thing out. But God spoke to her, and through the care and counsel of Christian friends, she turned from her sin and trusted in Jesus. “I don’t know what I’m going to do when I get home,” she told me. “All my friends know me as the girl who hates Christians.” Praise God for his converting grace!

• A team of people came to do nothing but pray. Led by pastor Tim Kerr, the team included Covenant Life members Frank and Sue Robb and Steve and Yvonne Wyzga. It was so encouraging and so humbling to have them there praying and interceding through every main session. I truly believe there was a greater move of the Spirit in the lives of the attendees because of their intercession.

To all the Covenant Life members who attended and who served, it’s hard for me express how meaningful it was for me to have you at Next. When I passed you in the halls I would think, “I get to go home and partner with these brothers and sisters in the local church!” That truly is an honor. And it meant to so much to have you at Next supporting the conference.

Please join me in praying that the conference will having a lasting and widespread effect—that Jesus glory will spread because of what took place.

May 27 2009 at 9:44 am

Photos and Resources from Next

Well, the conference is over, and I’m enjoying a day at home with my family, but I wanted to let you know the audio of the Next 2009 main sessions is now available for free download over on the Next site. Audio from the breakout sessions and panel will be available soon.

And here’s another round of photos by the Next photography team:

May 26 2009 at 8:08 pm

Youth Baptism Sunday

May 31 is our second Youth Baptism Sunday, and the following teens are getting baptized. I’m excited for them and their families!

If you’re a friend or fellow care group member, take time to encourage and pray for these brothers and sisters at church this Sunday.

Devin Petronic
Jonathan Hyon
Alicia Nelson
Lindsey Woodrow
Sean Branchaw
Rachel Kutten
Shannon Haughey

May 26 2009 at 1:18 pm

Photos from Next 2009

Courtesy of the Next photography team, here’s batch #1 of photos from the Next 2009 conference (which just concluded today in Baltimore):

May 25 2009 at 8:00 am

Ephesians, Part 26: Application

Yesterday Robin Boisvert gave the final message in our Ephesians series, focusing on verses 17-24 of Chapter 6.

Listen to Robin’s sermon online or download it here.

Use these questions to help in applying the message:

1. Robin encouraged us to pray at all times in all situations—the big and the little. What are the little things of daily life that you try to handle in your own strength? How can praying for the little things become a consistent part of your prayer life?

2. Robin mentioned that our prayer life reveals the degree of our awareness of our dependence on God. What would it look like to take specific steps to grow in dependence on God through prayer?

3. Robin mentioned that prayer is the way we put on the armor of God. How can you specifically and intentionally put on the armor of God (Eph. 6:13-17) through prayer?

4. Robin taught us that prayer is the means by which the gospel is established in the life of believers. For what fellow saints in your relational network can you be praying, asking that the gospel would be firmly established in their lives?

5. Prayer is the means by which the gospel advances. For what unbelievers can you be intentionally and consistently praying, asking that the gospel would be heard and received in their lives?

May 23 2009 at 8:00 am

Geared Up for Next 2009

I’m headed off to the Next 2009 conference in Baltimore to spend four days considering who Jesus is and what he’s done for us. Many members of our church will be attending as well. If you’d like to follow along, keep an eye on the Next blog where we’ll be live-blogging and posting photos.

And if you’re able to come for any part of the conference, you can show up and buy a session pass at the door. (Here’s the schedule). We’d love to have you join us.

Please also pray for me as I preach the opening message tonight on “The Preeminence of Christ.”

I’ll miss worshiping with you tomorrow, as Robin Boisvert finishes out our series in the book of Ephesians.

May 21 2009 at 2:24 pm

‘More Church, Mama?’

Mike Bradshaw passed on this encouraging e-mail to me, sent by a pastor’s wife from Ohio:

Last weekend [May 3] my husband and two daughters (ages 2 ½ and 8 months) and I traveled to the D.C. area for a mini-vacation.

One of the things we were excited about was the opportunity to visit Covenant Life for the first time. Due to a very rainy day, we weren’t able to get any pictures on Sunday. So, we decided to return on Tuesday morning on our way out of town.

Our two year old, Karis, had a marvelous time on Sunday at Covenant Life‘s “Discovery Land.” In fact, she got all excited when we pulled in to the church on Tuesday. ”More church!” was her immediate response. After being told that, no, it wasn’t church day, and we weren’t going to church, her eyes spilled over with very sad tears. Through her tears she kept asking, “Please, more church, Mama?”

Just wanted you to know that a little two-year-old girl had a very wonderful time at Covenant Life Church … so much so that she cried when she had to leave.

—Hannah Tyrpak
Madison, Ohio

Pictured: Karis and Tori, on the morning the family visited Covenant Life.

May 20 2009 at 3:31 pm

How the Christian’s Armor Helps

In his message this past Sunday from Ephesians 6:13-17, Braden made several references to Peter O’Brien’s commentary, The Letter to the Ephesians. Here are the quotes Braden shared:

In reference to the shield of faith (verse 16):

“Here the burning arrows depict, in highly metaphorical language, every kind of attack launched by the devil and his hosts against the people of God. They ... include not only every kind of temptation to ungodly behavior, doubt, and despair, but also external assaults, such as persecution or false teaching. Paul’s expression conveys the sense of extreme danger. The forces of ‘the evil one’ are incredibly powerful, and left to our own devices we would certainly fail. But these flaming arrows cannot harm those whose trust and confidence are ‘in the Lord and in his mighty power’ (v. 10). They are able to resist and overcome these satanic attacks.”

In reference to the helmet of salvation (verse 17a):

“As [Christians] appropriate this salvation more fully and live in the light of their status in Christ, they have every reason to be confident of the outcome of the battle.”

In reference to vs. 15, “... and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace”:

“What is in view here is ... the faithful speaking forth of the gospel in the realm of darkness, so that men and women held by Satan might hear this liberating and live-giving word and be free from his grasp.”

May 19 2009 at 9:11 am

Reaching Out to Expecting Moms

As you know, Drew Garfield is on the lookout for ways our church can serve the community for the sake of the gospel. Here’s a current opportunity that’s come to his attention:

Shady Grove Adventist Hospital always has a number of expecting mothers who are on bedrest due to complications with their pregnancies. Often these women are bored, lonely or anxious, and would benefit from connecting with caring ladies from Covenant Life. The goal is to spend a couple hours visiting with different ladies, just sharing conversation or perhaps making a craft together. Imagine the difference this kind of care and interaction could make for these moms.

For more details, please e-mail Drew Garfield or call him at the church office.

May 18 2009 at 12:59 am

Ephesians, Part 25: Application

Yesterday Braden Greer preached from Ephesians 6:13-17, unpacking the importance of each element of what the Apostle Paul calls “the armor of God.”

You can listen online or download the message here.

Questions to help you apply Braden’s message:

1. A.W. Tozer once wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” How can you “fasten on the belt of truth” more effectively by growing in thinking and believing rightly about God?

2. In what one area of your character can you “put on the breastplate of righteousness” by growing in holiness and godliness?

3. “Unbelief looks at the difficulty. Faith regards the promise”, writes Charles Bridges. In your trials and adversities, what promises of God’s word can your faith hold on to that will “extinguish the flaming darts of the evil one”?

4. Do you ever struggle with doubts about Christ’s love for you, with doubts that ALL your sins are forgiven, or with questions that you really are His child? If so, how can you put on the “helmet of salvation” and remind yourself of your redeemed, reconciled and adopted status in Christ? How can you “preach the gospel” to yourself on a regular basis?

5. Our spiritual armor also includes offensive weapons to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth. In your home, neighborhood or workplace, who can you reach out to in the coming weeks and share the good news of Jesus Christ?

May 16 2009 at 1:20 pm

Tomorrow: Braden Greer and New Members

Tomorrow we will welcome 146 new members into our church. These folks have joined in the last six months, with such a diversity of ages, ethnicities and stories. I can’t wait to welcome them and pray for them with you tomorrow.

Bob Kauflin will lead us in our time of singing to the Lord, including the hymn we’re memorizing this month, “A Mighty Fortress.”

Braden Greer will be preaching from Ephesians 6:13-17 on “Our Armor.” When I asked Braden what he’s excited about in this message, he said, “In preparing this message, I’ve been excited about the preserving power of God’s word—that when it is taught, God’s word preserves our souls, preserves the church. I’ve also been meditating on the idea that the armor of God, detailed in Eph. 6:13-17, is not dependent on our own abilities, physical or mental. It’s God’s armor for each of us, so young or old, strong or weak, the spiritual battlefield is level.”

May 15 2009 at 10:23 am

Youth Ministry Project: Build an Orphanage

Our 10:31 youth ministry has been raising money to pay for construction of a baby orphanage (envisioned in the sketch above). Between what the ministry gave through an offering at the May 10:31 meeting and other fundraising efforts, $9,000 has been raised to date!

A little background…

Covenant Life’s 10:31 youth ministry has been serving Rancho 3M Christian Orphanage in Guadalupe, Mexico, for the last five years. Each summer the ministry sends teams to Guadalupe to lead summer Bible camp and do construction projects. This summer’s project is building a baby orphanage on the grounds. Dean Adamek, the director of Rancho3M, has a vision to take in and care for abandoned babies from the area, and then to see them adopted into families from Sovereign Grace churches at very low cost.

While Dean is working with the Mexican government and tending to the paperwork required to become an official adoption agency, the youth will be hard at work building a nursery to house these babies. The plan is to break ground the second week of July!

The youth have shown tremendous initiative in their fundraising efforts. Examples include selling Krispy Kreme donuts in the church lobby on Sundays, selling and purchasing “Rancho 3M” bracelets, giving generously of their own savings, and participating in the youth drama production of “Pilgrim.” All proceeds from concessions sold at “Pilgrim” are going towards the orphanage as well.

I am so grateful to see the ways God is being honored through the youth of Covenant Life. Please keep the teens and parents who are going to serve this summer in your prayers.

May 13 2009 at 2:20 pm

Building in Uganda

Here’s word from Isaac Hydoski about a prayer request from our brothers and sisters in Kiburara, Uganda:

This past January I traveled with a team from Covenant Life to the village of Kiburara in Western Uganda. There we spent about 10 days coming alongside our sister church, Kiburara Gospel Centre, to help lead a youth crusade and other outreach efforts.

While we were there we clearly saw the church’s need for a new building and learned that the children had been making crafts to raise money. God allowed us to contribute by purchasing the crafts, and later on Covenant Life Church followed up with an additional gift of $1,000.

Kiburara Gospel Centre is currently meeting in a building that holds about 100 people, but the church has grown to over 150, mainly through conversions. Even more compelling than this space crunch is Pastor Moses’ vision for the building to function as a community center. He sees the facility being used throughout the week for education classes, weekly outreaches, and ministering to the many orphans in the area. But because funds have run out, construction has been halted while the church prays for God to provide. The church does tithe and raises funds toward the project, but the people are all farmers and will need a large crop harvest in order to raise more money.

Let’s pray with the Kiburara church that God will abundantly meet the need and provide for them to complete the building! Here’s how Moses put it: “Pray with us. This is how far we have gone, and we need God to do something. Currently we are stopping here because we do not have more money, but our trust is in the Lord.”

—Isaac

Above: Photos of the partially completed church building and work taking place.

May 13 2009 at 10:20 am

Know Your Enemy

In his message on Sunday, Eric Simmons considered the nature of our spiritual battle and how Christians can “stand against the schemes of the devil” (Eph. 6:10).

These words by John Stott from his commentary on that same passage have been helpful to me:

“A thorough knowledge of the enemy and a healthy respect for his prowess are a necessary preliminary to victory in war. Similarly, if we underestimate our spiritual enemy, we shall see no need for God’s armour, we shall go out to the battle unarmed, with no weapons but our own puny strength, and we shall be quickly and ignominiously defeated.”

—John Stott, The Message of Ephesians (The Bible Speaks Today), p.263