Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Reaching the Unreached-- Garre

 According to www.joshuaproject.net the Garre is one of the top 10 unreached in the world. What's even more crazy is that they're not only an unreached people group, they are an unengaged people group. This means they currently have no access to the Gospel; no literature, no surrounding christians trying to reach the with the Gospel.....nothing. You can check out more about them here: http://www.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?rog3=SO&peo3=19613

Please pray that the Lord would stir the hearts of His saints to go and labor among the Garre, and that the Gospel invade and consume the hearts of the Garre!

When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples,"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." ~ Matthew 9:36-37

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Reaching the Unreached -- Somali

 For those who don't know I aim to be a missionary to the unreached; first and foremost to the Somali people. Yes that means the people of Somalia (duh right?). Why the Somali people? Well that for another blogpost; or you can hit me up and ask me why :)
 With courtesy of www.joshuaproject.net, here's a list of countires where Somali people can be found.

Somalia- 7,991,000

Djibouti- 358,000 (Somali, Issa)

Eritrea- 4,900

Ethiopia- 5,504,000

Kenya- 2,443,000 (Somali)
          - 186,000 (Somali, Ajuran)

United Kingdom- 94,000

Yemen- 1,014,000

Italy- 54,000

Canada- 37,000

United States- 79,000

 So with the field being ripe for harvest, pray to the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers to go labor with the Gospel to the Somalis. Pray as well that the Lord would open the door and led me to where He want me to go to reach the Somalis! Thank you!

~Joshua A. Taylor

Friday, October 19, 2012

Chi-Town Preach!

Well, this may be early to share, but I'd like to share anyways.

 Earlier this year for springbreak, me and 2 dear friends of mine went down to Florida (Pensacola and Panama City Beach) to go around on the beach (and other places as well) sharing the Gospel with a plethora of college students, who were of course down there to party it up. Beach Preach is what we called it. To sum up how it went- God did work in us and through us! He blessed us with great fellowship with one another, and oh so many awesome gospel conversations. It was, hands down, one of the best weeks of my life for sure!
 My friends, Austin and Andrew, and I knew that we wanted to repeat the trip for springbreak next year, but sadly it won't happen, since Andrew being a RA this year at Purdue won't be available for half of the week. Booo. Nonetheless me and Austin have come up with a different route, a different idea that has me just as excited!
 Chicago Preach! Yes! Me, Austin, and some other possibly will spend about 4 days or so during spring break next year in Chicago, hitting the streets preaching the Gospel! The rest of the week we plan on camping. I love this, and am even stoked just thinking about it!

 So why do I share this with ya'll? Well a couple reasons:

Join us.

 We'll if you're on spring break that week, or will be free that week, and would love to join us in invading downtown Chi-town with the Gospel, then let me know. Hit me up on facebook, twitter, or email and I'll be in touch with details as the dates of the trip get closer.

Pray!

 About.....2 months or so before we left for Beach Preach we shared with tons of people about it, and asked them to partner with us in prayer, and I know the Lord answered those prayers! So I don't think it's to early to ask to start praying for this trip! We expecting the Lord to bless this trip; every nook and cranny of it. So yes, if you don't mind, please begin to pray today. How can you be praying? Here's how:

- Pray that the Lord would bless us with great fellowship throughout the whole trip, drawing and knitting our hearts together in love.\

- Pray that the Lord would bless and anoint the preaching

- Pray that we would have our confidence in the power of the Gospel, and the working of the Spirit

- Pray that the Lord would work, even now, on the hearts of those He will lead us to share with. That their hearts would be open by the power of Spirit to receive and obey the Gospel, like He did in Lydia's heart (Acts 16:14).

- And pray that the Lord would draw us closer to Himself, causing us to grow in the fear & knowledge of Him, and our affections for Him!

 Thanks brothers and sisters! Keep fighting the good fight, and seeking first the kingdom!
 ~Joshua Aaron Taylor

Monday, September 10, 2012

Salvation is of the Lord!

 "I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him."- Ecclesiastes 3:14

 Oh my goodness! What a verse! This verse has been rockin' me for the past couple days! So mind blowing for sure! Although this verse says "WHATEVER God does....", I can't but help to let this verse personally gravitate me to meditate on it in regards to the redemption and salvation of sinners. Especially my salvation and redemption through the blood of Christ! So here's what come to mind when I meditate on this passage.


That salvation is of the Lord.
That He who began a good work in me will complete it at the coming of Christ.
That I've been saved by grace through faith; with nothing I could've done to contrubute, and in turn boast about it.
That it's impossible to undo the work that the Lord has already done.
That nothing separate me from Him and the love that He has for me .
That I may make my boast in Him alone.
That I walk in a manner that worthy of and pleasing to Him.
That I may stand in awe and worship Him.


 These are just some of things that come to mind as I meditate on this dandy and stellar passage. I pray that these truths and this passage encourage and bless you as well.Yes! Praise God for what a GREAT salvation He has given us!




 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Say Whaaaat!?

We all hear things that friends and family say to us or just say in general that we don't expect them to say. I like to call them, "Say Whaaaat?!" quotes. Just thought I'd share with ya quotes from friends and family. Things  said that made me do double takes, left me rolling on the floor cracking up, or just left shocked and speechless. Enjoy.

1) "Josh, next time eat more calm and civilized." - Joseph (8 yr old bro)- while having lunch at Arby's after church

2) "Wait. Are you adopted?!"- Michelle (a best friend)

3) "Aren't you adopted Josh?"- Jess (a friend)

4) "Hey Joe! Hey Joe!"- Jasmine (5 yrs old sis)
    
    "What Jazz?"- Joseph- Joseph

    "You know that you're a sinner, but Jesus died for you."- Jasmine

5) "You know Austin. I just feel like that Lord is calling me to wait until I get married to move down to Louisville." -Me (I said this jokingly).

 "Then you'll never move down to Louisville then!" - Austin R. ( a best friend)

6) "Josh? Do you ever get blacker in the summer?"- Lauren H. (a friend)

7) "So Josh, are you going to Somalia soon?"- Josiah K. (a friend)

8) "Man Josh. Your voice sounds like deep rich chocolate!"- Josiah k (after hearing my voice for the 1st time after vocal chord surgery)

9) "Josh! Your black!?"- Matt H.(a friend) (after realizing, after the longest time of knowing me, that I'm half black)

10) "Hey brother! Oh wait. You're not my brother!" Joel M. (a best friend) -after I answered his brother's phone.



Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Gonna Write a Book Ya'll

 So a good friend of mine has sold me. After telling me, or to put it more correctly, persuading me to write a book; I've decided I will. A book about what? Hmmm. Not sure yet. That has yet to be determined, but I sure do have some ideas floating around in my head. Like:

1.) a book on the grace of God

2.) a book on evangelism

3.) a book on the gospel (there's a lot of those tha have been written though)

4.) a book about learning and talking biblical doctrine and theology and living it out

 These are just a couple ideas floating around in my head. So pleas pray that Lord will show me what he wants me to write about.

Why write a book?

 Why write a book? That is a good question. Maybe a better question would be what is the motivation behind wanting to write a book? Well this is  my motivation: "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing" 1 Thessalonians 5:11. I want whatever I write about to be a blessing to the body of Christ. To encourage and buildup the body all to praise and glory of God!

 So I'll keep you guys posted and updated on this. I'm excited to see what the Lord will have me to write and share with the body of Christ, with you all!

grace & peace,
Teazey

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

We Are Friends

We are friends
Brothers in Christ
Brother and sister in Christ
We have this partnership in the Gospel

We have the same faith
The Faither
The same Savior & Lord
The same goal
And same end 

 What happened though?
How did it come to this?
Was it something I said?
Something I did?


Come now
Let's figure this out
Let's clear the air
Let us reason together


Let us put away
Any envy, jealousy, and bitterness
Let us cast aside
Any pride, selfishness, or self-boasting


And instead let us
Clothe ourselves with
Humilty, meekness, and patience
Also with
Kindness, gentleness, and love


Not to mention
Let us forgive each other
Where forgiveness is needed
Having in mind
That our Lord
Has forgiven us in Christ


After all this
Let us continue to run 
This race together
Fighting the good fight
Striving side by side
For the faith of the Gospel

Let there be encouragement 
And mutual upbuilding
Sharpening & rebuking
Reminding one another
Of the promises & truths
In God's Word 


All this for building up
The body of Christ
For sake of 
Christ & the Gospel
And the glory of God


Yes! 
By the grace of God
We are friends! 



Tuesday, June 5, 2012

The Gospel Brings Humility & Joy

What should ultimately create humility and joy within me?


God, my God
You are the Creator
Of the universe
You are GREAT
Holy,Holy, Holy are You
Heaven & Earth
Are consumed with
Your Glory

I'm merely human
finite,weak, and frail
A wretch
And sinner am I
A trangressor
Of Your law
Therefore deserving
Of Your wrath

But You sent Your beloved Son
Jesus Christ
The Lamb without spot or blemish
To suffer and hang on the Cross
Bearing all my sins
And took the wrath in my place
Dying in my stead
Yet rose again the 3rd day



\
May this, the Gospel, bring me to my knees broken in humilty. May it consume my heart will with an aggresive and inexpressible joy!




Tuesday, May 29, 2012

What Does the Gospel Do?

What does the Gospel do?


The Gospel
Makes the blind see
The deaf hear
And cleanses the leper
Heals the wounded
Raises the dead to life
And sets the captive free

The Gospel
Redeems and saves
Pardons and forgives
Delivers and liberates
Reconciles and restores
Justifies the ungodly
Makes the enemy a friend

The Gospel
Renews and recreates
Giving new hearts
With new desires
Giving new motives
Also aims and goals

The Gospel
Changes everthing
Turning things
Upsidedown and insideout
Transforming lives
Hearts and minds
Communities and relationships

The Gospel
Humbles us
As children
God's children
And exalts
Our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ

The Gospel
Does all these things
And much more
All to the
Praise, glory, and honor
Of our GREAT God




Wednesday, May 23, 2012

This Freedom Song is Marching On!

 There's another line in Chris Tomlin's song "White Flag", that has got me thinking of the Cross, the Gospel, and Scripture. The line is, I believe, is the 2nd prechorus of the song; which goes like this: This Freedom song is marching on! Now, what is the freedom song, I would strongly believe that it is the Gospel itself! Here are some passages of Scripture that come to mind when I here that line in the song:

"And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jeruselem, and the were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, the apostles.....Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word."~ Acts 8:2&4

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of  of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life."~ 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

"and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation,"~ Romans 15:20

"because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing--as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,"~ Colossians 1:5-6

 Yes this word of truth, the gospel, is being advanced to this day liberating those who are bound by the chains of their sin and depravity! It is "delivering people from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of Christ." (Colossians 1:13). Yes, to this day this freedom song is marching on!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

All I Need is Jesus

Take me to a place
That is new
And unfamiliar to me
That is fine
Because all I have
Is Christ
Take away my
My sight
My hearing
Or even the ability
To use
My arms and legs
That will be alright
Because all I have
Is Jesus
When darkness surrounds me
And my enemies
Have me against the wall
With no allies
Or friends beside me
That will be okay
Because all I have is Christ
If my family
And dear friends
Were to ever be taken
From me
And I left
As it may seem
All alone
I will have no worries
Because all I have
Is Jesus
Go ahead
Take anything
And everything from me
I will not
Lose heart
Or wallow in despair
For all I know
And all I have
Is Christ Jesus
My Savior & Lord
He's all I need
He's more than enough
He is sufficient
All satisfying
My treasure I've found
Hidden in the field
My reward
For fighting
The good fight
My prize
For finishing the race
Yes!
All I have is Christ
All I need is Jesus

Saturday, April 28, 2012

We Lift High the Cross

Now I'm not too big on Chris Tomlin to be honest. I mean yes, there are songs of his that I enjoy like "Our God" and "Jesus Messiah", but he's not among the artist and bands that I love listening to. He's not among those who's next album I look forward to listening; though his recent song "White Flag" has got me putting it on repeat as I drive to work or church.
 White Flag was performed live at the 2012 Passion Conference down in Alanta, GA, but I didn't hear it until it first came on the radio. Oh my my1 Let me tell you! I'm definitely hooked on the song! It's not a deep theological song really, and that's one thing that really gets me hooked on a song. Yet, there are some songs that I like simply because of one line. Now with Chris Tomlin's White Flag, the whole song, to me, is sweet goodness, but there is one line that gets me. It's the bridge or.....refrain....whatever you wanna call it. It goes like this- "We lift the cross, lift it high, lift it high! ". What truth!
 I don't know if this is out of sync of the whole message of the song, but what I think about as that part of the song come up is the whole idea of what the body of Christ, the church, is all about. The Gospel.
 Yes, when you boil it down to its essence, we, the body of Christ, is all about Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

"Only let your manner be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel."- Philippians 1:27


 As the body of Christ, the church, the bride of Jesus, we are called to, not only individually, but also together to lift high the Cross, to advance the Gospel, to represent Jesus or Savior and Lord! To be sure that all we do as the body of Christ lifts high the Cross and serves as a means to advance the Gospel! All to the Glory of the Author of the Gospel!


http://youtu.be/e1jgD69WzMY


Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Powerful & Convicting: The Best Sermon on Missions Ever!

 This is the sermon that David Platt gave at T4G '12  (Together for the Gospel) in louisville, KY . Both John Piper and Ligon Duncan, who spoke at the conference as well said that it was the best and most powerful sermons on missions that they have ever heard, and I couldn't agree more. To me, it is one of the top 5 sermons I ever heard. So powerful and so convicting! For those who have a desire for mission, you "MUST" listen to this. Just take an hour out of your day to listen to it! It's that good!


Divine Sovereignty: The Fuel of Death-Defying Missions : Together for the Gospel

Monday, April 16, 2012

Nothing That My Hands Can Do

A Hymn by Horatius Bonar

VERSE 1
 There’s nothing that my hands can do
To save my guilty soul
I cannot cleanse my filthy stains
Or make my spirit whole
For nothing but the blood of Christ
Can all my sins erase
I dare not claim my righteousness
But hide within His grace
‘Tis Christ who saved me from the depths
God’s pardon I’ve received
I’m washed within His precious blood
My heart is sprinkled clean


VERSE 2
I’ll praise the God of holiness
Of justice, truth, and might
Who guides me by His mighty hand
To walk within His light
While Satan weaves his shallow lies
God speaks to me in love
Reminding me His only Son
Has bought me with His blood
And Christ dispels my every doubt
Through Him I am redeemed
I love because He loved me first
I live because He lives

VERSE 3
My life is but a fleeting sigh
A tear within the sea
But You are everlasting, Lord
And You’ve predestined me
To leave this fading world behind
Not fearing death will come
For then I’ll look on Jesus Christ
And to His arms I’ll run
And when I see Him face to face
What glory that will be
To look upon my Savior’s scars
And know they were for me

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Growing Book List

 Earlier this week, Tues through Thurs I was down in Louisville, KY for a conference called Together for the Gospel. It's a biennial conference focused on.....the Gospel. Big name pastors and such spoke, like John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, David Platt, Mark Dever, Matt Chandler, and more. You can listen to the audios or watch the videos of all 9 main sessions here: http://t4g.org/
 One of the sweet things about the conference was a lot of free books! Now there were 2 bookstores at the conference. The Zero dollar bookstore was where you would get your free books at, and at the other bookstore you of course had to buy the books. Now you would think I would be content with all the free books I recieved, but....no I did buy some. So for those who asked here are all the ones I got, the free ones and the one's I bought:

The Gospel for Muslims by Thabiti Anyabwile

Health, Wealth, & Happiness (Has the Prosperity Gospel Overshadowed the Gospel of Christ) by David W. Jones & Russel S. Woodbridge

The Cross and Christian Ministry  by D.A. Carson

The Church (The Gospel Made Visible) by Mark Dever

What is the Mission of the Church? by Kevin DeYoung & Greg Glibert

The Pleasures of God by John Piper

How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home by Derek W.H Thomas

Fellowship with God by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Hudson Taylor (Gospel Pioneer to China) by Vance Christie

Turning to God by David F. Wells

Reformation: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow by Carl Trueman

Church Membership by Jonathan Leeman

Preaching & Preachers by Martyn Llyod-Jones

The Cross of Christ by John Stott

Then there are ones that I got before the conference that I either am currently reading or have yet to read:

The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler w/ Jared Wilson

In My Place Condemned He Stood by J. I. Packer & Mark Dever

To the Golden Shore (The Life of Adoniram Judson) by Courtney Anderson

The Attributes of God by A.W. Pink

A God-Sized Vision by Collin Hansen & John Woodbridge

Reckless Adandon by  David Sitton

Think by John Piper

The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul

The Kingdom of God by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Justification and Regeneration by Charles Leiter

The Transforming Power of the Gospel by Jerry Bridges

George Whitefield by Arnold A. Dallimore

The Gospel Commission by Michael Horton


 I'm pretty sure I won't be buying anymore books this year. Yea, I'm set! Yet, I'm aiming to keep getting into the Sciptures. For all these other books are like appetizers, while God's Word is like the main course, more so, it's like a feast!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

God Did Work

If someone were to ask me what happened when me and 2 friends were in Florida this past week, I'd respond: God did work, all for His glory!

It was sometime last fall when the idea for the trip came about. I was with one of my best friends, Austin, just hanging out when I brought up the idea of going on a trip sometime with some of the other guys we knew. So from then on we brainstormed and prayed about the trip; of where we would go and what we would do. I would say that a couple months past when we finally had it all roughly planned out. Leaving Saturday morning we would arrive in Birmingham, AL, after church on Sunday (which was at the Church at Brook Hill...David Platt) we would continue on down to Pensecola, Fl to our first camping spot, then Thurs morning we would head over to Niceville, Fl to another camping spot for the remainder of our time there. Our primary focus was to do as much as witnessing as possible!
Me, Austin, and Andrew (a friend of ours) were all set to go with just a week away. We bathed the trip in prayer before, and told other saints so that they could be praying as well. Yet, we were not aware of what the Lord had in the works for us!

He Worked Through Us

The places He lead us to for witnessing were: a mall in Birmingham, a beach in Pensecola, a mall in Pensecola, Pensecola State College, an outlet mall in Alabama.....I believe, and Panama City Beach. I know before the trip, one thing we prayed for was for the Lord to open door, and he definitely did! It may be safe for me to say that we've had around 100 gospel convos (that may be an exaggeration). The crazy thing is that The Lord led us into a lot really good convos where we saw Him working on the hearts of those we shared with! With those who professed Christ we still gave them law then Gospel, reminding them that it's not our works that save us (since we're not good enough), but its by repenting and trusting in Jesus who is good enough. We would then encourage them to read the book of 1 John whenever they had a chance to examine themselves to see if they're really in the faith. Then for those who didn't profess Christ, but were still open to talk and hear what we had to share (namely the Gospel), we would give them the law and then the Gospel.
Here's the crazy thing though! Of the three of us, only me and Austin had the most experience of doing contact evangelism (Andrew was still getting a hang of it), but we saw more fruit during our witnessing on the trip then when we first started doing contact evangelism a couple years ago. There were a lot people, as it seemed to us, who after talking with them seemed genuinely concerned about their eternal state, and were legitimate about getting into reading 1 John or John. Never in our years of doing contact evagelism have we seen so much fruit! It truly amazed us! Of course only time will tell what seeds we sown in the hearts of those who've heard the gospel will bear fruit! All we knew to do is to preach and pray, and let God do the rest!
Tyler was a guys we got to talk to (both me and Andrew). He professed Christ, and was really attentive to hearing what we had to share. I honestly can't remember all that we shared, and all that he shared, but I can say this that it was one of the best gospel convos I've had with someone! The day after we got back, me and Austin got a text from Andrew letting us know to be praying for Tyler who apparently called Andrew to talk and let him know that he read 1 John. Praise be to God! Be praying for him!
Overall I thank God not only letting me a part of that weekend of labor for advancing the Gospel and His Kingdom, but for using me a redeemed sinner, a weak, frail, finite being to make Him known in a lost and dying world, to be His ambassador (2 Cor 5:20). It's such a privilege, honor, and so humbling that He calls me to be His servant, His ambassador, a herald of the Gospel!


He Worked In Us
Months before the trip, I just felt like I was lukewarm. Meaning that I was lacking in zeal, passion, and joy for Christ and the Gospel. I did pray again and again for Him to reignite that passion within me, but nothing happened for the longest time. Was He delaying? No, He never delays; He answers in His timing. I've once heard it said that the 3 hardest words in American culture are: "Wait for Him". I couldn't agree any more! I wasn't expecting the Lord to wreck me on the trip, but I'm sure thankful He did!
So how did He do it? Well I wanna say He used a number of things, including the result of the gospel convos we had, but I would say it was mainly from a sermon we listened to while on the road. It was a sermon by a godly man who is a missionary in Uganda, in which he preached from Hebrews 12:1-2. Yes, these passages are ones that we've read before and are familiar with, but I love it when I hear a sermon on a familiar passage that the speaker will give new light to. Whether they say something about the passage that I never thought about or saw before, or helps me to understand the passage clearly that I never fully understood. Shannon Hurley, the guy who gave the sermon we listened to made this strong exhortation: "Don't be content in running the race at a slow and steady pace, you must run HARD!" At least it went something along those lines. I can't just look at others to see that their not running as hard as me. No! I must focus on running HARDER, "laying aside  every weight, and sin that so easily entangles..." and "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith".  I don't want to be content in running at slow and steady pace! I want to run HARD for HIim! Taking this life seriously, knowing that we're in the middle of a war! "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Eph 6:12).What that means to me is to cast aside all the things that were hindering me from running HARD, and setting my mind on the things above (Col 3:2), seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt 6:33), knowing as a soldier, that I shouldn't be caught up in civilian pursuits, since it's my aim to please Him (2 Tim 2:4)!  I want to have my mind set on Christ, on pleasing Him! To, everyday give all I have and am for the advancement of the Gospel, the advancement of the kingdom, the building of the church, all to His glory! So you can pretty much say that it was a slap in the face, with the Lord knocking sense into me, bringing me back to where I should be! I'm so thankful that He used this trip to reignite the passion in my heart for Him, the Gospel, and His kingdom! To Him be the glory!

 So yes, the trip was AWESOME! It was such a great testimony of His grace, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, and power! Yes! God did work!



Monday, January 23, 2012

Encouraged by Scripture (1 Timothy 1:15)

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.- 1 Timothy 1:15

Oh how I've grown to love the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It's just about the most beautiful thing I've ever encountered! For it truly is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). Oh, yes I believe! For its by grace through faith that I've been saved; not of any effort on my part! That is why I not only see it as important to be preaching the Gospel to myself daily, but I love doing it! I enjoy and delight in meditating on, reading about, talking about, writing about, and even....praying the Gospel! It just fills me with joy, gratitude, and thanksgiving, that results in a passion and desire to know God more and fall deeper in love with Him! The Gospel basically defines my life!
Recently though there has been a verse that just has me marveling at the riches of God's grace in the Gospel. It has been 1 Timothy 1:15, which pretty much sums up the Gospel. Yet it's interesting what Paul adds at the end on the verse- "of whom I am the foremost." . Instead of "foremost" the NIV has "worst". The point being Paul is stating that in his own perspective he is the worst sinner that he knows., because only he knows all the wretched sins that he has committed against an infinitely holy God.
The same goes for myself. I am the most horrible wretched sinner I know. I know of the wickedness that I've committed, because according to my perspective I am the Michael Jordan of sinners.
Yet I thank God for the love & grace that I received from Him at Calvary. That I have been forgiven, redeemed, reconciled, and adopted by the blood of His Son, who was crushed and slain in my place!
So yes! Ooooh YES! I thank God for the Gospel of my salvation! I thank Him for sending His Beloved Son to save sinner of whom I am the worst!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

2012 Reading List

Here is the list of the books I'll be plowing through this year. There are some that I've already started, and then some I haven't started, of course.

Walt Whitman- selected poems

Growing Your Faith-
Jerry Bridges

Knowing God- J.I Packer

The Attributes of God- A.W. Pink

Gospel (Rediscovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary)- J.D. Greear

Fellowship of the Burning Heart- A collection of sermons by A.W. Tozer

The Cost of Discipleship-
Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Scandalous- D.A. Carson

When I don't Desire God- John Piper

Gospel Wakefulness- Jared Wilson

A Holy Ambition- John Piper

Desiring God- John Piper

In My Place Condemned He Stood- J.I Packer & Mark Dever

To the Golden Shore (The Life of Adoniram Judson)- Courtney Anderson

The Gospel Comission- Michael Horton

The Essential Works of Charles Spurgeon- Selected Books, Sermons, and other writings

So...um....yea I'm pretty loaded.