Supporting the mission of "the Way" (Acts 9:2) and the Christian call to maturity (Eph. 4:12-13).
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Thursday, July 27, 2017
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Consider A Few Attributes Of God
Getting To Know God
In Light Of Scripture
(Written by
Kevin a. Hall 01.19.2017)
How can an
understanding of God’s attributes help us to know God better?
I think of this one in relation to my marriage – I had
better make every effort to know my wife or there’s a price to pay. Thankfully
we are at a place where we often say the same things (together). I often mimic
her words and she does mine. So it is with my relationship with God – I must
seek to understand Him more and more to fully experience Him and His blessings.
And he encourages us to imitate Him. Thankfully, we can learn about His nature
through Scripture. We know that He is personal, indestructible,
self-sufficient, immortal and because of this I am so happy “Those who trust in
him do not trust in vain” (69).
It is essential that we know Him so we can
love, worship and confidently serve Him. Again, it is essential that we
understand our God so that we can be in alignment with His will
Just imagine serving a real God who is creator of everything
–
- Infinite
(unrestricted, unbounded with His attributes the same – unlimited love,
unlimited mercy, unlimited grace)
- Righteous
(Consistent and true to Himself – always faithful, so we can trust that He
will respond)
- Immutable
(unchanging in His essence and character – He acts, is acted upon and
reacts [79])
Many other attributes but you get the point… He is a living,
breathing, holy, sovereign and good God. This is the only God I wish to serve.
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
How Is The Christian To Live In This World?
KINGDOM CHARACTER
(Written by Kevin A. Hall
07.2017)
In
search of instructions for my walk with Christ, I came across these powerful
texts during Bible study. I had a few questions going into this search of
scripture: How should I live in a world gone absolutely crazy? What will happen
to me if I live like the world? Is the Christian walk supposed to be easy? What
of the trend these days to deny what Scripture says about sin by placing more
tolerant labels on our actions? Does God even care about my lifestyle?
In light
of all these questions…How should I walk?
The
lure of sin is ever so close since globalization (the world at our fingertips and voice commands) and
we can expect the pressure to live a compromised life to increase. Take courage
my friend, God has a rhema word for us:
Monday, July 17, 2017
Believing God For A Change - The Account Of A Blind Man And His Friend
KINGDOM CULTURE: The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus And His Friend
(Written by
Kevin A. Hall 08.2016)
CAN GOD GIVE YOU
SIGHT? CAN GOD PROVIDE AN ANSWER FOR MY NEED?
The story of blind Bartimaeus is a moving account of
personal faith. What do you do when all the odds are against you? What do you
do when no one else can believe with you for your breakthrough? What do you do
when no one else embraces your vision or your dream? If you are a leader, this
can be very frustrating. Ever wondered “These people just can’t seem to get
it”. Well my friend, Bartimaeus has walked in your shoe.
Some background on this story. The setting is the city of
Jericho. Jericho is located fifteen miles north east of Jerusalem. It is one of
the major stops on the trade route to Arabia. It was nearing the time of the
Passover Feast. Countless of people would pass this way toward the city of
Jerusalem. Imagine the hustle and bustle. Imagine Bartimaeus ramping up his efforts
to ask for money.
This was his way of earning a living. In fact, he was not by himself. There was another blind man with him, so this was one of their spots along the trade route. Matthew mentions the other man in chapter 20. Bartimaeus was no doubt the more vocal of the two. Let’s look at their story from all the gospel accounts:
This was his way of earning a living. In fact, he was not by himself. There was another blind man with him, so this was one of their spots along the trade route. Matthew mentions the other man in chapter 20. Bartimaeus was no doubt the more vocal of the two. Let’s look at their story from all the gospel accounts:
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Is There A Need Need For Organization In The Church?
Considerations for getting organized
(Written by
Kevin A. Hall 04.2017)
There are some things that we take for granted when it comes
to the operation of ministry. According to Getz there are 6 focus areas that
church leadership can place an intentional effort in order to achieve their
desired purpose and objectives - Evangelism, Edification, Leadership,
Communication, Administration and Organization. In all these areas a few key
questions should be asked to assess effectiveness: (1) How can biblical
principles be translated into purpose? (2)
How can the goals, objectives and standards be formulated for the local
church? As we make these assessments in all areas of the ministry, we cannot
afford to allow ourselves to be in bondage to the culture and we definitely
should not be separated from it. Every consideration we make should be done in
light of scripture with the intent to build bridges.
As we consider the impact of culture, the church needs to
look at her place within that culture. How does culture impact the worldview of
its members? How does the church impact society? We need to provide outlets for
the church to be incarnated into the society; adapting yet not compromising.
This means ensuring our reach extends beyond the four walls to influence
activities within the government, businesses, schools, the arts, our church
programs and especially our homes.
Regarding Evangelism, we need to consider our role in
contributing toward the Great Commission. Does the mission of the church extend
into the local community and beyond? Is there an effort to encourage corporate
witnessing? Is the church just a “Saving Station” or is it a “Place of
Empowerment – A Bridge to the World”? How are we doing in reaching families, households
and single individuals? Are we actively seeking to identify, develop and to
deploy our members’ gifts? How about our New Convert Care – what happens after
we have made converts? Is there a strategy in place to “disciple” our brothers
and sisters?
Covenant Theology
Covenant Theology
(Written by Kevin A. Hall
04.2017)
One thing is clear, the Lord made covenants with man
throughout history. We can call them reminders of God’s gracious promises. The
first time I notice the word being used is during the time of Noah where God declared
“I will establish my Covenant with you, and you shall go into the ark – you,
your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you” … We call this the Noahic
covenant. Ketcherside states that God has chosen to relate to man on the basis
of covenants.
In the case of the Nohaic covenant, we see the God – man
stipulations: God sets the conditions; He gives the terms; He signs the
covenant.
This approach is repeated throughout human history in a series of
other covenants -The Abrahamic, the Mosaic, the Davidic and the New Covenant.
The Mosaic covenant is called the First covenant. It is also
called the Covenant of Law or the Mosaic Law. Deuteronomy 4:11-13 attests to
that. There is enough evidence to support the argument that the Law is not
simply the first 39 books of the Bible. One example is reference to Jeremiah 31:31
which proves that the people had already broken the First Covenant and 31:32
which states that the first covenant was made when “God took them by the hand
to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
The Law was considered faulty (Hebrews 8:7). We could not be
justified by it (Galatians 3:10). The Law itself was not weak, but man was as
he was, was not able to keep it perfectly (Romans 8:1-3). The Law itself could
not give life, nor could it effect the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 10:4). Man was aware that he needed something more.
Even though “he went away from the worship services having met its
requirements, he was conscious that it could not fully meet the needs (Reese,
150). Therefore, the Lord sought a more excellent way. This was prophesied in
Jeremiah 31:31-34. The benefits of this New Covenant would include (1) The
Forgiveness of sins; (2) Direct and personal access to Almighty God; (3)
Reconciliation – God makes the promise that He will be our God as we become His
people; (4) The Ministry of the Indwelling Holy Spirit that will govern us from
the inside. This is the source of our Christian Liberty.
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
I Refuse To Be Like My Father! - King Hezekiah
Along The Way: King Hezekiah - A Different Path
(Written by
Kevin A. Hall 07.04.17)
To be or not to be like my father – That is the question
Hezekiah must have asked himself many times. His father was King Ahaz, one of
the most evil kings of Judah. Hezekiah must have been aware that his father
sacrificed his brother to a heathen god. His father made sacrifices and burnt
offering in high places “on the hills and under every green tree” (2 Kings
16:4). His father introduced pagan customs and made major changes to the house
of God for his personal benefit.
Under his father, “Judah’s religious system
became shambles” (Nasb). His father was also weak; so was the high priest
(Urijah) during his reign (2 Kings 16:16). The nation followed his father’s
lead.
At some point, Hezekiah chose not to follow his earthy
father’s example, but to embrace his heavenly father as his model for living.
We too, can choose our own path. Hezekiah did not have the privilege of the
indwelling Spirit, but he chose to follow God. We have God’s Spirit as guide if
we submit.
Monday, July 3, 2017
Pride Will Ruin Your Life! - King Uzziah
Along The Way: Pride
Will Ruin Your Life!
(Written By Kevin A. Hall 07.03.17)
“He was marvelously
helped until he became strong”!
Imagine this statement being written on our tombstone. We
ran well until… This story is repeated over and over in the human experience
without fail, but should not be the story of our lives as children of God. This statement was made of King Uzziah:
He did right in the sight of the Lord according to all that his father
Amaziah had done. He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had
understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God
prospered him (2 Chronicles. 26:15).
He was 16 when he
began to reign with his father King Amaziah, taking full control after his
father’s death. His great dedication to God included a deep respect for and
partnership with the prophet Zechariah. As long as he remained connected to
God and His servant, he was blessed. There's an abiding principle here regarding one's relationship to the church.
Like Uzziah, believers can hold on to God’s promise – “I am
the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him,
will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). We are
blessed if we endure. However, blessings should never be defined by things or
accomplishments. Uzziah was blessed but missed the mark – he became strong or
very proud and corrupt. He achieved prosperity, influence, power, wealth and
fame.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
God Has My Hand, But Not My Heart - King Jehu
Along The Way: God
Has My Hand, But My Heart?
(Written By Kevin A. Hall 07.01.17)
The newly appointed King Jehu was zealous for God. He assassinates King Joram (2 King 9:24); then
King Ahaziah (1 Kings 9:27). He confronts Jezebel; encouraging loyalists to
throw her from the window. He tramples her with his horse and carriage (2 Kings
9:33). He commanded the “slaughter of the 70 sons of Ahab” (2 Kings 10:7). The
fear of the new king was upon the entire nation. No one dared oppose him. Along
the way, he slaughters family members, wives, princes and princess of Ahab’s
household. Finally, he assembles all the priests of Baal and kills them in one
sitting, destroying the Baal pillars, altars and house. King Jehu “eradicated
Baal out of Israel” (2 Kings 10:28) and he was faithful to kill “all who
remained to Ahab” (2 Kings 10:17). In other words, he was faithful to do
“according to the word of the Lord which He spoke to Elijah” (2 Kings 10:17b).
Even though he carried out God’s commands, “he was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord” for himself (2 Kings 10:31). We can be faithful to works, yet be far from God. I struggled with Jehu's story for a while because he was appointed by God to fulfill this task. Let me go back for a little..What was his task?
Even though he carried out God’s commands, “he was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord” for himself (2 Kings 10:31). We can be faithful to works, yet be far from God. I struggled with Jehu's story for a while because he was appointed by God to fulfill this task. Let me go back for a little..What was his task?
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