Pastor Jay //

Are you looking for a new Bible? I would recommend the Life Application Bible from Tyndale and the New Living Translation. The reason is that:

1. Few people understand the scriptures today.
2. Few people are applying the scriptures to their lives today.
3. Of the few that are reading and applying, many are misapplying the scriptures.

I have had the privilege of briefly emailing one of the editors of the Life Application Bible - Dave Veerman. He has agreed to assist me with my doctoral project on sermon application. I am impressed with his little book called How to Apply the Bible. You might want to pick up a copy.

James 1:22-25 says, Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

I found this test pretty interesting. It only takes a few minutes and you don’t have to devulge any personal information if you choose not to do so. I missed 5 of the 12 questions!

You may know of someone, as I do, whose mother chose to bring their child into this world even though everything in their life said that they should terminate their pregancy. I celebrate life this month! I pray for the day when Roe v. Wade is overturned.

You might be interested to know that “Roe” is now a believer and supports the fight for life. (see article on cnn.com)

What makes God so incredibly dependable? His nature is unchanging. Take a look at Romans 11:29 with me as we examine the unchangeable qualities of God.

Dec. 30 - Anticipating the Irrevocable Gift (Romans 11:29)

For discussion questions that go along with this message click here.

Our Purpose – Ephesians 1:9-10

1.       When you watch a mystery movie, do you enjoy the suspense or would you rather fast-forward to the end?

2.       If your life had a soundtrack, what kind of music would it be?

3.       If you could see into the future, what 10 minutes would you want to see? Why?

4.       In eternity, Jesus will make all things right. What is wrong in your life today that God wants to make right?

We do this and don’t even realize it: read scripture and never apply it to our lives. Listen to these scriptures that tell us to take scripture and apply it.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
John 14:21a “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me…”

I was working on creating a podcast logo the other night and my son had an idea.

Instead of trying to explain it to me, he made this picture. I think it’s pretty cool. You can click on it to enlarge it.

I am trying to imagine what his son would draw. Maybe they’ll be on the satellite!

Our Redemption – Ephesians 1:7-8

1. What item of yours would you never sell?

2. If you were given $1 Million to spend in a year, how would you spend it?

3. If you had to pay your way there, how much is it worth to you to go to heaven?

4. In what ways has your relationship to God cost you so far? (example: job choice, charity, tithing, other choices, etc.)

Please allow me a moment to celebrate. I spoke with my doctoral advisor today and he gave tentative approval over my doctoral project proposal. Basically, what that means is - get to work! I can now begin the hard work of researching and writing the first three chapters.

I know -you are wondering: What is the subject of the project? So, here is a synopsis.

Title: Improving the Personal Application of Expositional Sermons Among Selected Participants at First Baptist Church of Cameron, Missouri

Process: I will gather a group of people that will agree to participate in the project for 10 weeks. Each person will be given a journal. In the journal, they will take notes from each of 10 sermons and seek to discover the personal application for his or her life. We will meet together that week and talk about what was learned and discovered. In the process, I will track the progress of each person and see what we can learn about how to apply the Bible from sermons.

Please pray! I have a great deal of work to do over the next two months.

How would you explain the great gift of salvation? Where do you begin? or end? Paul uses the word indescribable in relation to God’s gift of eternal life. Listen along as I attempt to explain the indescribable.

December 23 - Anticipating the Indescribable Gift (2 Cor. 9:15)

For discussion questions related to this message: click here

Unlocking Your Spiritual DNA

election. redemption. purpose. future.

Our Election – Ephesians 1:1-6

1.       Tell about where you were born. What significant historical events that happened that year? try one of these

2.       Name three blessing that you have received from God? Why are those three things blessings?

3.       Tell a story about being chosen. (choosing up teams, award, chosen last, chosen first…) How did that experience make you feel?

4.       How can a person know if they are chosen by God?