tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54489457930007265732024-03-28T21:29:46.993-06:00JeremyHoward.netThoughts concerning what God has said about people, the church, culture, music, and more.Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.comBlogger205125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-88527435705009772172024-02-27T09:13:00.001-06:002024-02-27T09:13:52.872-06:00Hanging on His Every Word<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40JNso1-zWmcJ1sM6-7ibUNmYMkXq5tyQj8Yi3JRLW7fTRnR-3BmCGCTKq0bOvCre5LFtp2MFYrnrw7zHvTBNDeB8nilfDw7mXtwSQ4YDXBxPhFsuGVwMCo_qpCKPH9fe-Bn0QLKe6ozE-LmouP5PBQ1XDX5bCqk8uslvSQCNehtDXyJUAmh4HzCu-gs/s1222/pexels-cottonbro-studio-7673584.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="1222" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40JNso1-zWmcJ1sM6-7ibUNmYMkXq5tyQj8Yi3JRLW7fTRnR-3BmCGCTKq0bOvCre5LFtp2MFYrnrw7zHvTBNDeB8nilfDw7mXtwSQ4YDXBxPhFsuGVwMCo_qpCKPH9fe-Bn0QLKe6ozE-LmouP5PBQ1XDX5bCqk8uslvSQCNehtDXyJUAmh4HzCu-gs/w644-h304/pexels-cottonbro-studio-7673584.jpg" width="644"></a></div><br><p></p><p><b>"We study the Bible because it is the whole counsel of God."</b></p><p>One of the biggest misconceptions people have about the Bible is that it is incomprehensible. Though it is true that Scripture is complex and profound, there could hardly be a bigger lie than claiming that it is beyond our apprehension and understanding.</p><p>Consider the proclamation of Deuteronomy 29:29: "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever..."<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2024/02/hanging-on-his-every-word.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-18376592299829051452024-02-13T09:10:00.001-06:002024-02-13T09:10:25.969-06:00Getting the Word Out<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4unIj0IwinXawKFgw_uWlV5bD8TSWMsT4V-amOlVYzrwk-G7o7FnkxD6SewuzNXt1RAWN_lGLUPUu282XV78ItT0CWChVeMondD71tcQ8RAcz_RaDkwH9ftTICIMT85nWB_9Xf9EENkOlQJHVllvdoHAE8GmsXTILEaZ88VgPD8LKKRmie5Q141ccXdI/s1036/pexels-soul-winner's-for-christ-15539059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1036" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4unIj0IwinXawKFgw_uWlV5bD8TSWMsT4V-amOlVYzrwk-G7o7FnkxD6SewuzNXt1RAWN_lGLUPUu282XV78ItT0CWChVeMondD71tcQ8RAcz_RaDkwH9ftTICIMT85nWB_9Xf9EENkOlQJHVllvdoHAE8GmsXTILEaZ88VgPD8LKKRmie5Q141ccXdI/w590-h357/pexels-soul-winner's-for-christ-15539059.jpg" width="590"></a></div><br><p></p><p><b>"We proclaim the gospel to the world so that they may be saved."</b></p><p>There have been a few times in our lives when we've missed out on something we wished to be a part of because nobody told us. Perhaps we even said, "Nobody told me!" with bitterness in our breath. Such circumstances can enrage or otherwise depress us. When the stakes are higher, the feelings are more intense.<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2024/02/getting-word-out.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-36771329176552917352024-01-30T08:24:00.001-06:002024-01-30T08:24:04.217-06:00Keeping with the Flock<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNRmYd08YYS4C_rW9c2vhF5l2rMWF7e7-rIke2405xwL9KHCu3DglQWZhGTF1ERtZcxQs19HSIjZkP6uZmwTg7msRgWFhEyfA96Y0kR94XaA79lw5cpyxklJsvCKSPv0me5T4w93gW1FBhHCFhmj0pTdRThYHmaeYV-7c3rzPxXMDUxRN7Upa2W_-eoQ/s1064/pexels-ali-hadbe-635006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1064" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNRmYd08YYS4C_rW9c2vhF5l2rMWF7e7-rIke2405xwL9KHCu3DglQWZhGTF1ERtZcxQs19HSIjZkP6uZmwTg7msRgWFhEyfA96Y0kR94XaA79lw5cpyxklJsvCKSPv0me5T4w93gW1FBhHCFhmj0pTdRThYHmaeYV-7c3rzPxXMDUxRN7Upa2W_-eoQ/w587-h382/pexels-ali-hadbe-635006.jpg" width="587"></a></div><br><p></p><p><b>"We love each other and cherish the fellowship of God's people."</b></p><p>When a young zebra is separated from the herd, he is much more susceptible to the wiles of lions. Perhaps you've seen footage from the African safari of young animals unable to defend themselves, falling prey to predators. For the tender-hearted, it can be difficult to watch; for the rest of us, it satisfies a morbid curiosity.<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2024/01/keeping-with-flock.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-25639633827853689122024-01-16T10:12:00.001-06:002024-01-16T10:12:10.250-06:00Where Sovereignty and Responsibility Touch<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6T6NsQH9pRVLvxBnefw5iB-UXIWqaL4BdoujrB1OoEPaeRCL9-5ZpUzcpaJQXNyPmwl14jU-x-LnTEqTSYmT7Vafd86ZqjdbeXlJ50WSOgRAiTydm9-I06oLT1uZjHq9INO2qnN6Js7zl4HOzh77PpwT9uqUb7vPTSR8h6_4bn7TnuaQj7IGzLevo2Uc/s1134/pexels-turuncu-sakal-19228317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1134" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6T6NsQH9pRVLvxBnefw5iB-UXIWqaL4BdoujrB1OoEPaeRCL9-5ZpUzcpaJQXNyPmwl14jU-x-LnTEqTSYmT7Vafd86ZqjdbeXlJ50WSOgRAiTydm9-I06oLT1uZjHq9INO2qnN6Js7zl4HOzh77PpwT9uqUb7vPTSR8h6_4bn7TnuaQj7IGzLevo2Uc/w617-h358/pexels-turuncu-sakal-19228317.jpg" width="617"></a></div><br><p></p><p><b>"We serve God wherever we are, knowing He has put us there."</b></p><p>Where does God's will meet (or override) our stewardship? This is one of the most difficult topics that we face.</p><p>There's a man who invests and saves his money diligently throughout his life, only to encounter circumstances totally outside of his control that leave him empty-handed. It was the will of God. Yet there's another man who does not invest or save his money and he, too, is left empty-handed. It was his lack of stewardship. Not so fast. The first man was not exempt from engaging in good stewardship and the second man was not exempt from the will of God. Both men live with both realities -- just as we do (in all things, I should add).<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2024/01/where-sovereignty-and-responsibility.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-59476060681774956472024-01-02T09:38:00.001-06:002024-01-02T09:38:14.628-06:00Prayer as Evangelism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2aBBIGycGv1BMwmWL_F3cWl8xfpF4cFK3c5tN_P4r5CTHMqmBJol75j2CEVrcRZl5_Bei3qp-mcEvJ4irFpGf_UdbyVs7jITvZd_rVACYBP_r3NzqcgaZjve8kbdNYnOc6zyM9UxVjMRUtd1eXeUuNyG7kvJbyn1inHhnTAa_7DEjAS7C2k7eoQDKko/s1014/pexels-nicole-michalou-5779170.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="1014" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2aBBIGycGv1BMwmWL_F3cWl8xfpF4cFK3c5tN_P4r5CTHMqmBJol75j2CEVrcRZl5_Bei3qp-mcEvJ4irFpGf_UdbyVs7jITvZd_rVACYBP_r3NzqcgaZjve8kbdNYnOc6zyM9UxVjMRUtd1eXeUuNyG7kvJbyn1inHhnTAa_7DEjAS7C2k7eoQDKko/w623-h342/pexels-nicole-michalou-5779170.jpg" width="623"></a></div><br><p><b>"We prioritize prayer in this life as we live for the next."</b></p><p>Prayer can be an evangelistic tool.</p><p>When we pray with our children, they hear the desires of our heart and how we speak to and of God. This is powerful. When we sit down for a meal with an unbeliever and let him or her know that we would like to thank God for the food before we eat, the unbeliever is unexpectedly entering into a spiritual moment. This too is powerful.<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2024/01/prayer-as-evangelism.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-61226919613606133282023-12-05T08:38:00.001-06:002023-12-05T08:38:44.646-06:00Commitment to Gospel Conversation<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj997eVkT4lZ2SG49CTgTnlmAMEb2Nx1kaPnfZXGItESVCoSNvapoBKGBDxhyRZm1YcoITgly680_Lh_-PwEuak-gSxOK68vyMDGfHENadrM8luG5nmUm-_0GLijvRXbHt4qG8We2MrGcGoMCxn68vWmFeAj8suCdoaZdMoqR6RSTFEFGj3pxXVEnUMCVw/s1257/pexels-seven-2420585.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1257" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj997eVkT4lZ2SG49CTgTnlmAMEb2Nx1kaPnfZXGItESVCoSNvapoBKGBDxhyRZm1YcoITgly680_Lh_-PwEuak-gSxOK68vyMDGfHENadrM8luG5nmUm-_0GLijvRXbHt4qG8We2MrGcGoMCxn68vWmFeAj8suCdoaZdMoqR6RSTFEFGj3pxXVEnUMCVw/w553-h319/pexels-seven-2420585.jpg" width="553"></a></div><br><p></p><p><b>"We proclaim the gospel to the world so that they may be saved."</b></p><p>The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 is absolutely astounding. An angel told him where to go (v. 26), the Spirit told him who to talk to (v. 29), and the Ethiopian man asked him to teach the Bible to him (v. 31). Philip proclaimed the gospel of Jesus to him (v. 35) and the man believed and was baptized (v. 38). After that, the Spirit raptured Philip to a city dozens of miles away.</p><p>Well, that was easy!<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/12/commitment-to-gospel-conversation.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-44677221792263263902023-12-02T13:00:00.004-06:002023-12-12T10:08:59.969-06:00God's Word Is Sufficient<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBn35ue_xuhZHHWD2Dj_zSrZhuWTsEg5esL00eRETlg4pYJ-D0L0ODiqfSX96A8-yilvwU2GJrxqX21y8XoZKcuoOP9uFCb4QZ9pLWRzLOeaU6fZ7rqYXQtbvK6vhskSNx2C2CW-r6Xrs9rPuTPKE8za0CeRAmQuFb0077YsGqQUvt79QpXERvmO7EJk/s994/pexels-pixabay-159679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="994" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBn35ue_xuhZHHWD2Dj_zSrZhuWTsEg5esL00eRETlg4pYJ-D0L0ODiqfSX96A8-yilvwU2GJrxqX21y8XoZKcuoOP9uFCb4QZ9pLWRzLOeaU6fZ7rqYXQtbvK6vhskSNx2C2CW-r6Xrs9rPuTPKE8za0CeRAmQuFb0077YsGqQUvt79QpXERvmO7EJk/w634-h379/pexels-pixabay-159679.jpg" width="634" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b>"We study the Bible because it is the whole counsel of God."</b></p><p>The Bible is the whole of God's counsel--not the whole of all we may want to know. I would love to understand the Trinity more deeply. I would like to hear more about the incarnation of Jesus Christ. You could even say that I'm actually curious to know how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.</p><p>But God--in His goodness--has opted to give us what we have in the Bible as the fullness of His counsel. Fittingly, this conviction of ours is revealed in counseling. We practice biblical counseling because the Bible is God's whole counsel. We don't practice emotions-based counseling, trend-based counseling, or opinion-based counseling. All of our counsel comes from the counsel of God, which is the Word of God.</p><p>What this means is that when we respond to the problems people have, we must be led by Scripture. How tragic would it be if we provided an answer to someone's spiritual question with the whole counsel of God closed and tucked away on a shelf somewhere. When we open our mouths to speak, may our words reflect the Word. May our speech be guided and shaped by the Bible--the whole counsel of God.</p>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-15681970444111524942023-12-02T12:38:00.002-06:002023-12-02T12:38:28.507-06:00A New Revelation Chart (Messages to the Seven Churches)<p>I've created a new chart on Revelation! But not like that. This chart doesn't detail the events of the end times, but rather encapsulates Jesus' messages to the seven churches found in chapters 2-3.</p><p>Recently, I've desired to study these seven churches more and commit Jesus' messages to them to memory. There are some very unique statements in these two chapters that often get ignored. When I searched for charts like this one, I found a few online, but I wanted to make one that was a little better. So please feel free to download the chart and use it however you'd like. If you click on the image below, you will be taken to the Drive page where it can be downloaded.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A5A9btmIO0u_LZ7L0NiHHY53uNRJNTBq/view?usp=sharing" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="1031" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB8hAlXyOVBAnCLRtH_jG_9ddCMUpLu7x7YxIOAzGHd0fvsmB2drwwlVDrPpJ5f9eW3qKPNsUpMohi8FXclYZdqg-C9hX5MA7f2Q3V5oW_8W3EEd_IZ4gDYhs4A4rNpDuI6pXapdnclHvcHM8Zz53TuZ234ESuzi4u9DZXZ3BurB5_Wol7WywTNNjImo/w538-h383/Rev%20chart.JPG" width="538" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-22114432299355616832023-09-26T10:40:00.002-06:002023-09-26T10:40:21.513-06:00Participating in Christ's Body<p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAkyrV0xhHm-JcrdRi0HgTm_9MP0S7wkvfkSmrFPsl22bcoV6CeDR8OVeeZd0YeV_aJWrN5k5NVRPRMBQ2Z5bvYphZTi8N6sjVNBCFVUBD3K_m7Ts0mWlsuqkpKzIYsXJl0s0mAO7cN0bodCBQ_dPuY3rSdzvQc6fxhnPuXYsQAkp-dSk9XzmEp0P3t0/s1282/pexels-pixabay-257030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1282" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAkyrV0xhHm-JcrdRi0HgTm_9MP0S7wkvfkSmrFPsl22bcoV6CeDR8OVeeZd0YeV_aJWrN5k5NVRPRMBQ2Z5bvYphZTi8N6sjVNBCFVUBD3K_m7Ts0mWlsuqkpKzIYsXJl0s0mAO7cN0bodCBQ_dPuY3rSdzvQc6fxhnPuXYsQAkp-dSk9XzmEp0P3t0/w585-h389/pexels-pixabay-257030.jpg" width="585"></a></div><br><p></p><p><b>"We love each other and cherish the fellowship of God's people."</b></p><p>"Fellowship" is the common translation of the Greek word <i>koinonia </i>(it's where we get the name "Koin" for our fellowship hall). Out of the 19 times the word appears in the New Testament, the NASB translates the word as "fellowship" twelve times. Twice it's rendered as "contribution," twice as "participation," and thrice as "sharing." As we dwell on this, we can first understand--quite simply--that fellowship is more than "hanging out." It's deeper than simply existing in the same space with others for a select amount of time.</p><p>So, drawing on these translations, perhaps an angle we could take at this is that "fellowship" is most properly understood as "<b><u>participating</u> </b>by <b><u>contributing</u></b> and <b><u>sharing</u></b>."<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/09/participating-in-christs-body.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-17853486939267631992023-09-05T08:51:00.003-06:002023-09-05T08:52:04.131-06:00Scripture's Sufficiency<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6kkNwxnFFv-lxZ1vgrH-mTVuM8r37eJsMFhlhU9InpEFYyL4hiSWLGKbLO5Cqx6zmaB1vjMlZTPp43I_zxrzPDOh0paVorkRRD2BtkDH1NBb90BJZ6SbS1cPTZ-TcXnCDMRf7ahGuyhW1VfynusGEy_If5xZWkRKx1hkOTpdNpl-0vFKHsdUSS73itk/s1364/pexels-luis-quintero-2294881.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="1364" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6kkNwxnFFv-lxZ1vgrH-mTVuM8r37eJsMFhlhU9InpEFYyL4hiSWLGKbLO5Cqx6zmaB1vjMlZTPp43I_zxrzPDOh0paVorkRRD2BtkDH1NBb90BJZ6SbS1cPTZ-TcXnCDMRf7ahGuyhW1VfynusGEy_If5xZWkRKx1hkOTpdNpl-0vFKHsdUSS73itk/w465-h427/pexels-luis-quintero-2294881.jpg" width="465"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">"We study the Bible because it is the whole counsel of God."</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">This past Sunday, my morning class discussed the sufficiency of Scripture. Wayne Grudem offers this helpful definition of what sufficiency really means:</p><p></p><blockquote>"The sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contained all the words of God He intended His people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains all the words of God we need for salvation, for trusting Him perfectly, and for obeying Him perfectly.”</blockquote><span></span><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/09/scriptures-sufficiency.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-17819513103678076802023-08-29T10:22:00.004-06:002023-08-29T10:28:39.021-06:00We and They<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-w7GvuNKNo4UXrj5p7Bhc_Bi4Y7Nne1aT6CmeMNQl8ZPXTHuOg8EtEXRxVvdf8WA2P-Vs1K2PeVi3kz_13oSbQ3F-TtnL9OcjaaJaceX-IGKhrsKv2ozRUectorY9vs0sh0_UAhtxDCUbXlBgh6M8VmGuR3-QjpBLMb1Rt336G4rhlcRBjFnfbVkGHWM/s1972/pexels-any-lane-5727783.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="1972" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-w7GvuNKNo4UXrj5p7Bhc_Bi4Y7Nne1aT6CmeMNQl8ZPXTHuOg8EtEXRxVvdf8WA2P-Vs1K2PeVi3kz_13oSbQ3F-TtnL9OcjaaJaceX-IGKhrsKv2ozRUectorY9vs0sh0_UAhtxDCUbXlBgh6M8VmGuR3-QjpBLMb1Rt336G4rhlcRBjFnfbVkGHWM/w578-h388/pexels-any-lane-5727783.jpg" width="578"></a></div><p><br></p><p><b>"We proclaim the gospel to the world so that they may be saved."</b></p><div>When you pay attention to the pronouns in this core value, it reveals a simple, yet profound reality about our responsibility.<span></span></div><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/08/we-and-they.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-56879867262167850622023-08-22T09:11:00.003-06:002023-08-22T09:11:20.688-06:00Living for Heaven<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzECSbG0PDiJlxgSj9XlH7XcMiI6o-pMZC5cOOrMf3jhX1WzZr0LyHBWrhnVna7hOg8XkqHbnWV3YPtHA6jKC0pywqj760dNzX83QiPF-PxyFFpt6traliEX6tOGuCJx0LHRFW4ZWlQtHf2tBy9vOHw6UaWBe0e7nLFdi01_dcXg0fyKkqfjacret_Vk/s997/pexels-fikelephi-ndisile-11977314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="997" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzECSbG0PDiJlxgSj9XlH7XcMiI6o-pMZC5cOOrMf3jhX1WzZr0LyHBWrhnVna7hOg8XkqHbnWV3YPtHA6jKC0pywqj760dNzX83QiPF-PxyFFpt6traliEX6tOGuCJx0LHRFW4ZWlQtHf2tBy9vOHw6UaWBe0e7nLFdi01_dcXg0fyKkqfjacret_Vk/w626-h416/pexels-fikelephi-ndisile-11977314.jpg" width="626"></a><br><br></p><p><b>"We serve God wherever we are, knowing He has put us there."</b></p><p>There cannot be a better service than service to the Lord. Though it's true that there are many ways to work and volunteer, none of those ways are best if they are done apart from intentional, devoted service to God. It's better to be a night janitor in service to Christ than a real estate mogul in service to self. Christians should be more desirous of serving in secret to earn a reward from the Father than to flaunt service before others for the praise or payment of men (Matthew 6:1-6).<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/08/living-for-heaven.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-13862122477770971962023-08-15T09:53:00.002-06:002023-08-15T09:53:21.658-06:00We're Complete Together<p></p><div style="text-align: right;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8Tum7Zq4SfHexFAqcJ3SI3hT2aJvmHZ005J0EYldjooW7q4VgYfB-vtL0G1cPzHBjajuhA6L8ixm70CcVv6tnkjHV-A8EtL6Z5JfMsKT4m1Uq3h3hAB5AHHhcZTCuysulDK_i2TjuHl2-kP2bQX9-vSTaon3N3RhCozdiQMvA1AcTzapaXWlRSlmEjs/s2184/pexels-ann-h-3482444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="2184" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8Tum7Zq4SfHexFAqcJ3SI3hT2aJvmHZ005J0EYldjooW7q4VgYfB-vtL0G1cPzHBjajuhA6L8ixm70CcVv6tnkjHV-A8EtL6Z5JfMsKT4m1Uq3h3hAB5AHHhcZTCuysulDK_i2TjuHl2-kP2bQX9-vSTaon3N3RhCozdiQMvA1AcTzapaXWlRSlmEjs/w629-h387/pexels-ann-h-3482444.jpg" width="629"></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: black;"><br></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: black;"><br></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: black;">"We love each other and cherish the fellowship of God's people."</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">We need each other like puzzle pieces need each other. As individuals, we are unique, intriguing, and beautiful in our own ways -- yet we are also quite clearly incomplete. None of us is a picture to himself; we must come together as parts of the greater design of God. Finding life in Christ's body means functioning as a body part, living, moving, and having our being in Him with each other.<span></span></div><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/08/were-complete-together.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-15999198199856301812023-08-08T09:04:00.007-06:002023-08-08T09:04:38.218-06:00Prayer's Place in Eternity<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnBOvqPzbWTfHdhd7OemylY_vQBPZX1_OCGkDlZniu7HdSIItbNog7OpcyuHO6LuJ_CTq5U8vK0CPYfbhcfGMJUk_6FFBbfN8MixfgJVUZyPcToBx2qi-TyjAN4NVO8YhgLsmj511roYgmIiQaHGLZAv3u9u7_6qsJWb7zXdiHap8IN4EVReiaT6PYyk/s1160/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5206040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1160" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnBOvqPzbWTfHdhd7OemylY_vQBPZX1_OCGkDlZniu7HdSIItbNog7OpcyuHO6LuJ_CTq5U8vK0CPYfbhcfGMJUk_6FFBbfN8MixfgJVUZyPcToBx2qi-TyjAN4NVO8YhgLsmj511roYgmIiQaHGLZAv3u9u7_6qsJWb7zXdiHap8IN4EVReiaT6PYyk/w626-h416/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5206040.jpg" width="626"></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: black;">"We prioritize prayer in this life as we live for the next."</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">This life is the only time we have to pray. The Bible says, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known," (1 Corinthians 13:12). Later it says, "We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is," (1 John 3:2). So, after this life -- whether we die and go to heaven or live until the Lord descends to gather us to Himself -- our relationship with prayer will be different. We will no longer be walking by faith, but rather by sight. We will no longer be petitioning the God we cannot see, but rather calling on the One right before us (cf. Revelation 6:9-11).</div><span></span><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/08/prayers-place-in-eternity.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-37497193491096842852023-08-01T09:06:00.003-06:002023-08-01T09:07:10.039-06:00Bible Study Is Both/And<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TIl0m4CN7KBeYUEG8CEu7IS7sakOJhUgS1n_fqmQ8JuLoeRXEfPGmzOGRUrbaNewA0nDAUls2uCSZLDzlntSh3zPzhHfv_HkczTBK6d9MUD2PxKe-SbfKO9DSNo-GYmovqbIEexqflCsnXl7LzkFHZYFD1bJvYKHyHTsN7pTKy9e9mT72z-jH6QfOAU/s1196/pexels-victor-freitas-703016%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1196" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TIl0m4CN7KBeYUEG8CEu7IS7sakOJhUgS1n_fqmQ8JuLoeRXEfPGmzOGRUrbaNewA0nDAUls2uCSZLDzlntSh3zPzhHfv_HkczTBK6d9MUD2PxKe-SbfKO9DSNo-GYmovqbIEexqflCsnXl7LzkFHZYFD1bJvYKHyHTsN7pTKy9e9mT72z-jH6QfOAU/w615-h365/pexels-victor-freitas-703016%20(1).jpg" width="615"></a></p><br><b>"We study the Bible because it is the whole counsel of God."</b><p></p><p>Is exercise an individual effort or a group effort?</p><p>This question cannot be answered with a strict either-or, of course. There are some people who prefer to exercise alone, and there are some who prefer to exercise in a group. Most people prefer some sort of a mix, as opportunities to work-out within a community of people committed to fitness provides for some encouragement and accountability.<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/08/bible-study-is-bothand.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-73906020087280519392023-06-06T09:35:00.004-06:002023-06-06T09:37:00.284-06:00Disappointment as Opportunity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYTpDXnPmpzxxWEVFgW1T6YoNcN_UPYzC5lhFcnFPhIxLqv1jkOnBHE6ymcfKROAaQdJIcPEzlgQmd0AXqoxrz82u_YKB_Ib9AXeFoEvNWw-4goM2ykoSG8blLauPKN-bcQiq5DiuOSDWVBr3ZWiDaIW2C18dA0bt9at2L67ISFyctJRl9EDhf-4d/s1011/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3755755.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1011" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYTpDXnPmpzxxWEVFgW1T6YoNcN_UPYzC5lhFcnFPhIxLqv1jkOnBHE6ymcfKROAaQdJIcPEzlgQmd0AXqoxrz82u_YKB_Ib9AXeFoEvNWw-4goM2ykoSG8blLauPKN-bcQiq5DiuOSDWVBr3ZWiDaIW2C18dA0bt9at2L67ISFyctJRl9EDhf-4d/w615-h392/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3755755.jpg" width="615"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>"We live for God wherever we are, knowing He has put us there."</b></p><p>How do you respond to disappointment?</p><p>We know well the saying that life is full of disappointments, and the longer we live, the truer it rings. As fallen humans with largely unreasonable expectations for ourselves and others, we bump into disappointment often. "Man makes his plans and the Lord laughs," someone has said, and I'm inclined to believe him. We don't know what is held in the next week, day, hour, or breath; yet, we must plan our way. When we arrive at our destination and discover that the grass isn't as green as we thought it would be, our hopes can be quickly dashed. We're fickle, and prone to despair.<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/06/disappointment-as-opportunity.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-59189534469729946572023-05-31T14:26:00.001-06:002023-06-14T14:56:06.204-06:00Critiquing Covenant Theology<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-iAnKBO2ynkp006X9Olci4_krO5PdaEC7UND1cNeGZCIbV-PZtXyebgtG28IRPlpGcPFclKU8wvAd16fueXrIYNByFx1U7VsRZLJrA2Zi8cewuSC0-d2kmGyWnXbZ92aCebdysE46t_Q5IziJtRT3kV4QLquNf8SLhrbWSqyeli7FQeOCc9yRGdN/s3000/pexels-pixabay-207662.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-iAnKBO2ynkp006X9Olci4_krO5PdaEC7UND1cNeGZCIbV-PZtXyebgtG28IRPlpGcPFclKU8wvAd16fueXrIYNByFx1U7VsRZLJrA2Zi8cewuSC0-d2kmGyWnXbZ92aCebdysE46t_Q5IziJtRT3kV4QLquNf8SLhrbWSqyeli7FQeOCc9yRGdN/w598-h398/pexels-pixabay-207662.jpg" width="598"></a></p><br><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">I very much appreciate many Covenant Theologians. Several Presbyterians and Reformed Baptists have influenced my thinking -- from John Calvin to Charles Spurgeon to Cornelius Van Til to Francis Schaeffer to John Frame, Alistair Begg, Wayne Grudem, and James White -- I have a load of gratitude for many non-Dispensational pastors, authors, and scholars. However, when it comes to the Covenant Theology vs. Dispensationalism issue, I remain convinced that the Dispensational system best explains God's program as revealed in the Bible. Further, Covenant Theology seems to muddy the waters instead of providing clarity regarding God's purposes in the world.</p><p style="text-align: left;">So it is from this perspective of thankfulness and admiration for my Reformed brothers and sisters that I offer a critique of their theological system.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I've broken down this issue into nine categories, as seen by the headings below. For each of these categories, I will first articulate the Covenant Theology perspective before offering my critique from a Dispensational viewpoint. I hope this article serves well those who are seeking to understand the differences between these systems and why it matters.<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/05/critiquing-covenant-theology.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-50401847432328305762023-05-30T09:00:00.003-06:002023-05-30T09:00:44.190-06:00Thoughts on Attending Church Services<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OhFHySqJ4lWpPsymkPMALSkDwJ-mEdvNHSRf6APZMCkkHG1BdlppwONlCa98qlE_4viMEn6Whe1qJfdHxejek_N36QT4UTLoVjIop9JGH-VEQplG91t3Er8z23HEoBJ_kpmbxS0RopJiqFPSgcf4RG9lIVCGJ2WXszZbnjPY_sBYtfnYgvfphLy8/s2457/pexels-nikko-tan-133699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2457" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OhFHySqJ4lWpPsymkPMALSkDwJ-mEdvNHSRf6APZMCkkHG1BdlppwONlCa98qlE_4viMEn6Whe1qJfdHxejek_N36QT4UTLoVjIop9JGH-VEQplG91t3Er8z23HEoBJ_kpmbxS0RopJiqFPSgcf4RG9lIVCGJ2WXszZbnjPY_sBYtfnYgvfphLy8/w606-h404/pexels-nikko-tan-133699.jpg" width="606"></a></div><br><br><p></p><p><b>"We love each other and cherish the fellowship of God's people."</b></p><p>Jesus told us, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also," (Matthew 6:21). Based on that, many people have pointed out that you can learn much about a person by finding out where his money goes. A checkbook register full of waste, lewdness, and gluttony reveals something about the checkbook owner's heart. His savings and investments (or lack thereof) preaches something, too.</p><p>In the same way, a person's calendar exposes what resides in his heart. Schedules full of distractions reveal a distracted heart, schedules that focus inward reveal an inward-focused heart, and so on. How we spend our time speaks just as loudly as how we spend our money. You've heard me carry on about this before, but let's consider it again.<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/05/thoughts-on-attending-church-services.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-83695592054728438812023-05-23T09:57:00.002-06:002023-05-23T09:57:36.033-06:00Stopping to Pray<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolQ-735n8WwBpxQkry05bqkIK_lVxu67G3lUchf7Q9Pdy85tjorN17NpDnAFrd9FamsikWTe3c9oCdosyri5Ii3_uhZfyZwI6ml7I13PDkc4q69CkhHrlJWOe8JuL8OCNREQBgfhd4YEvill335UNrrNdbPbE-Uu73E1mv8kaujCpSUyDymtB6tuc/s1719/pexels-pixabay-39080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1719" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolQ-735n8WwBpxQkry05bqkIK_lVxu67G3lUchf7Q9Pdy85tjorN17NpDnAFrd9FamsikWTe3c9oCdosyri5Ii3_uhZfyZwI6ml7I13PDkc4q69CkhHrlJWOe8JuL8OCNREQBgfhd4YEvill335UNrrNdbPbE-Uu73E1mv8kaujCpSUyDymtB6tuc/w600-h401/pexels-pixabay-39080.jpg" width="600"></a></div><br><b><br></b><p></p><p><b>"We prioritize prayer in this life as we live for the next."</b></p><p>There's a resistance natural to our flesh that keeps us from stopping and praying when we should. Have you ever wondered why it seems so instinctive to cease to pray rather than to pray without ceasing?<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/05/stopping-to-pray.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-20477748005159073192023-05-16T10:46:00.002-06:002023-05-16T10:46:35.106-06:00Embracing the Teaching<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAzQhaFOtBLt4c2_2pvz5HJLGOYLEGq3qouT8UQoszdy2Ub4bLulTTXrcPZgGV137nsuwvNQxRM9GJnJuuH4crOV3YWUhKu6lq7qnGa2EH3-YvAvVcDSHU1fhqtoBJF5Vn8ghb7jQciCGpYEoMzB32vU6TPWpi01g8k0KerlDKA1lmAuxiZ6rCAab/s2464/pexels-dn-milk-895449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="2464" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAzQhaFOtBLt4c2_2pvz5HJLGOYLEGq3qouT8UQoszdy2Ub4bLulTTXrcPZgGV137nsuwvNQxRM9GJnJuuH4crOV3YWUhKu6lq7qnGa2EH3-YvAvVcDSHU1fhqtoBJF5Vn8ghb7jQciCGpYEoMzB32vU6TPWpi01g8k0KerlDKA1lmAuxiZ6rCAab/w624-h413/pexels-dn-milk-895449.jpg" width="624"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></p><p><b>"We study the Bible because it is the whole counsel of God."</b></p><p>After He fed the five thousand, Jesus taught the people that He is the true bread of life and that people must eat His flesh and drink His blood to be truly satisfied. The account then reads, "As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore," (John 6:66).</p><p>Because of a difficult teaching, many of those who had joined the group of disciples ended up jumping ship. They were done walking with Jesus because His call was too extreme. He was stating that He desired more than mere public association; He taught that true disciples will fully embrace His Person and work. He told them that there is no life outside of embracing Him completely.<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/05/embracing-teaching.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-84751045582762925302023-05-09T08:51:00.007-06:002023-05-09T08:52:17.992-06:00Thinking about Evangelistic Relationships<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOv2X3MJ8Axt5Oo4ofqiKZd0S0uXMmqfeLx1aiGWdlPgNaTGPAwQRxTNzyyrnCG8_CIhDN4u0zxsFePI8h2bC5nfGAYYefi8C52rXAkp7JAMo1AJVr7ZMLKkjjPjr1iHWuCdvO2uZBdHkxjTmxibJhBPhQOBTKD8cxnqf7pg6twRo3UIlKQ0ZOypx0/s2589/pexels-bas-masseus-1187520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1809" data-original-width="2589" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOv2X3MJ8Axt5Oo4ofqiKZd0S0uXMmqfeLx1aiGWdlPgNaTGPAwQRxTNzyyrnCG8_CIhDN4u0zxsFePI8h2bC5nfGAYYefi8C52rXAkp7JAMo1AJVr7ZMLKkjjPjr1iHWuCdvO2uZBdHkxjTmxibJhBPhQOBTKD8cxnqf7pg6twRo3UIlKQ0ZOypx0/w606-h424/pexels-bas-masseus-1187520.jpg" width="606"></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><p></p><p><b>"We proclaim the gospel to the world so that they may be saved."</b></p><p>I remember the people who talked to me about the gospel before I became a Christian, and what those conversations were like. It's likely you remember those people and conversations from your own life, too.</p><p>My conversations were all over the place. I've always had a more doctrinally-oriented mind, so many of my questions had to do with the Christian worldview and what God has declared right and wrong. God's people were willing to explore those questions with me and seek answers when I needed them the most. But beyond conversations started by my questions, there were words spoken into my life totally initiated by the Christians.<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/05/thinking-about-evangelistic.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-85908407639252909372023-04-25T09:24:00.001-06:002023-04-25T09:24:07.527-06:00Love in the Local Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl5EwvYVhdn4vnpt2J8bNm6MkFtobCfdIP5tYie7EdZ1_2Kbi57tlAHta4i0cgp_D4TmzeQMUWbAlZWdNNJF3ZRKIfacb9xgPQQwG97oyuqEOVIghaStAMinJCoO921Dwnq7wRMo1L48yVBv_VaSKDCt0cl_1-km03MmUs69c_zfsrrbmAmPSazxf/s1388/pexels-jo-kassis-10586391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1388" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl5EwvYVhdn4vnpt2J8bNm6MkFtobCfdIP5tYie7EdZ1_2Kbi57tlAHta4i0cgp_D4TmzeQMUWbAlZWdNNJF3ZRKIfacb9xgPQQwG97oyuqEOVIghaStAMinJCoO921Dwnq7wRMo1L48yVBv_VaSKDCt0cl_1-km03MmUs69c_zfsrrbmAmPSazxf/w631-h410/pexels-jo-kassis-10586391.jpg" width="631"></a></div><br><p><b>"We love each other and cherish the fellowship of God's people."</b></p><p>Love isn't a feeling.</p><p>Recently, Melissa and I were mocking a lady on television who was talking about <i>knowing </i>a certain man was "the one" because of <i>feelings</i>. That stuff makes for good cinema, but not for good living. If we were committed to those we should love only when we felt like it -- when circumstances were just right and when our hearts were going pitter-patter in just the right way -- we would not be practicing genuine love and we would be in disobedience to God's instruction for our lives.<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/04/love-in-local-church.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-18132833073097602842023-04-18T09:31:00.001-06:002023-04-18T09:31:22.795-06:00Praying with Childlike Trust<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWtw8pPqoqmxQX4bY0xEzbSYxD_LVHjldJKEi3bRJYDV_nc52_z2OFasagDxlNvxPuiSF2dUoovFuwtrj3jghFF6DwiIyAZVHdNXexbcx2NUGZPdts1KQ1H4xpR_ympc6zlxwnpxCm6T_rv57oY-OJQ_d2FEmZV7hwzxM-nqdDEKHd4RiQmA7GGnD/s1800/pexels-lisa-fotios-2721581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1800" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWtw8pPqoqmxQX4bY0xEzbSYxD_LVHjldJKEi3bRJYDV_nc52_z2OFasagDxlNvxPuiSF2dUoovFuwtrj3jghFF6DwiIyAZVHdNXexbcx2NUGZPdts1KQ1H4xpR_ympc6zlxwnpxCm6T_rv57oY-OJQ_d2FEmZV7hwzxM-nqdDEKHd4RiQmA7GGnD/w606-h365/pexels-lisa-fotios-2721581.jpg" width="606"></a><br><br></p><p><b>"We prioritize prayer in this life as we live for the next."</b></p><p>Where you go in times of trouble reveals who and what you trust.</p><p>I remember when I was in my first car accident as a driver. I was sixteen (that didn't take long!), and I was at fault; I was alone, and I was scared. I took out the simple LCD screen Nokia bar phone we had at the time and I made one phone call. There was only one voice I wanted to hear in that moment: my mom's. She would know what to say and what to do. And she did. She was the trusted voice of assurance and instruction.<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/04/praying-with-childlike-trust.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-9582124100961517232023-04-11T09:40:00.006-06:002023-04-11T09:40:38.568-06:00Following Wycliffe's Example<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wBmmB7vZm0TIxVHywm_IUreIl61NLVAJOsrvNXIfgL-7s359UOJxxvrTy_PAokdrzMlBTLjvJQocMnSF9yloDrMvBNNuyXdwqSAwDzt-KYhoDwtzc_egDncoq6H6a3HQdAANlTDKpVtAyLJKBVuGqOk_BOjbyjjv8ByC3psjDhqkuci7GeFI-uwI/s1545/pexels-johnmark-smith-250609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="1545" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wBmmB7vZm0TIxVHywm_IUreIl61NLVAJOsrvNXIfgL-7s359UOJxxvrTy_PAokdrzMlBTLjvJQocMnSF9yloDrMvBNNuyXdwqSAwDzt-KYhoDwtzc_egDncoq6H6a3HQdAANlTDKpVtAyLJKBVuGqOk_BOjbyjjv8ByC3psjDhqkuci7GeFI-uwI/w616-h410/pexels-johnmark-smith-250609.jpg" width="616"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: black;">"We study the Bible because it is the whole counsel of God."</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">John Wycliffe lived during the 1300s and could be considered the original Reformer. He rejected some of the core teachings of the Roman Catholic Church from a perspective that appealed to the Bible alone as his authority. He believed that God's book in the hands of God's people was a goal of paramount importance. <a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/morning-star-reformation"><span id="mt-tracked-link_1681226921585" style="color: red;"></span>Writing for Tabletalk Magazine</a>, Stephen Nichols has done a great job summarizing Wycliffe's life and influence:<span></span></div><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/04/following-wycliffes-example.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448945793000726573.post-77964447873107389712023-04-04T09:30:00.003-06:002023-04-04T09:30:48.361-06:00So That They May Be Saved<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-K2SeFEXzs0753Iz0-6Q9YrOl_Mn0qr7lQgwJAcVMIWl_wiYXm82sOngvhY8sY24Yxi-ZDE8j2N2VURFYww4s_R4ZLvzr9YU2L5mlfEqi4anSoV1DxqVHRSYQFioXvgaBF3XLM09U38Yr1NRad9_OE0KnY3Vi4uoVI_iHRkp-FNPfypb0mpxQ6iq/s2984/pexels-alexander-suhorucov-6457519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1768" data-original-width="2984" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-K2SeFEXzs0753Iz0-6Q9YrOl_Mn0qr7lQgwJAcVMIWl_wiYXm82sOngvhY8sY24Yxi-ZDE8j2N2VURFYww4s_R4ZLvzr9YU2L5mlfEqi4anSoV1DxqVHRSYQFioXvgaBF3XLM09U38Yr1NRad9_OE0KnY3Vi4uoVI_iHRkp-FNPfypb0mpxQ6iq/w634-h376/pexels-alexander-suhorucov-6457519.jpg" width="634"></a><br><br></p><p><b>"We proclaim the gospel to the world so that they may be saved."</b></p><p>If your neighbor ends up going to heaven, what will be the cause?</p><p>There are two ways to answer this: the easy way and the hard way. The easy answer is, "God must save him/her." This is certainly true and good. We know from the Bible that for anyone to be saved, God must cause him to be born again to a living hope. He must choose to do this out of His grace, bestowing love on a sinner so that he will be adopted into God's family, coming to know his Creator as his Father. Every saved person can explain his conversion experience by simply pointing to the good and sovereign God who has intervened to bring light and life out of darkness and death.</p><p>However, this isn't a full answer.<span></span></p><a href="https://www.jeremyhoward.net/2023/04/so-that-they-may-be-saved.html#more"></a>Jeremy Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835379626475078911noreply@blogger.com0