CONNECT people to Christ and POUR into their lives His teaching so they'll OVERFLOW for the glory of God

Posts by Ben (Page 27)

Did God Choose Barack Obama as President?

(By Dave Miller, the current 2nd Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention and a pastor in Iowa)

Habakkuk was confused, frustrated, and evidently just a little bit ticked at God.

“Oh, Lord, how long shall I cry for help and you will not hear? Or cry to you ‘Violence” and you will not save?” (Hab 1:2)

His concern was focused on the wickedness that was so prevalent among God’s people, in his nation.

“So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.” (Hab 1:4)

Read between the lines. “Where are you, God? Why are you allowing this wickedness to prevail?”

Then, God answered Habakkuk, but it was not an answer that the prophet wanted to hear. […]

Work: God’s Blessing

The Bible says that on the seventh day, God rested (Gen 2:1), which was a fitting conclusion to a week of work.  We are made in God’s image (Gen 1:27), and if God is a worker, then so should we be as well.  I know that we as a nation are increasingly becoming an entitlement society, but we who are followers of…

Wednesday Is for Worship: “All Creatures of Our God and King”

It’s the Wednesday after the Tuesday that saw what felt like the biggest election of my voting lifetime.  Christian, whether or not your presidential candidate won, here’s a song to remind you that more than a president with a fluctuating approval rating and sin nature, you have a King who is perfect and worthy of all praise.  Even better… You didn’t elect…

How to Vote on November 6

We are only five days away from the 2012 presidential election, and I’m here today to tell you how to vote. I know that voting for the leader of the greatest nation on Earth is always a big deal, but for some reason, it feels especially big this time around. So, how should you vote on Tuesday?

Wednesday Is for Worship: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

Hello, worshipers!  It’s Wednesday, and before you don your costume and head out to gather together all of the Halloween goodies, I’ve come in just the nick of time to remind you that today is not just Halloween.  More importantly, it’s REFORMATION DAY!  It was on this day back in 1517 when a vexed Augustinian monk named Martin Luther sparked what came to…

Wednesday Is for Worship: “Forever Reign”

It’s almost 3:00p, but Wednesday isn’t over yet.  Let’s turn our thoughts to worship with a simple but powerful song called “Forever Reign.” Written in 2009 by Jason Ingram and Reuben Morgan and published through Hillsong Music, I first worshiped the Lord with this song at the Connect worship time at my son’s school co-op under the leadership of Hunter Sparkman.  My…

Wednesday Is for Worship: “Forgiven Much”

A blesséd Wednesday to you!  One of the great wonders of history is the fact that God forgives sinners through faith in Jesus Christ.  That’s absolutely amazing!  He doesn’t just forgive believers a little.  He forgives completely!  He forgives much because there is much for which we need forgiveness.  Just think about the depth of your sin and then think of the…

Wednesday Is for Worship: “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”

Well, here’s a fresh one.  It’s been on my heart for about a week now.  I’ve been singing it.  My wife’s been singing it.  My son has been begging me to use it at our AWANA worship.  It hit #1 this year on the Billboard Christian Music chart and is connecting with the hearts of worshipers everywhere.  I’m talking about “10,000 Reasons…

That’s Not Fair!

The Lord has blessed my wife and me with four children, and the two oldest who are 6yo and 4yo have developed a strong sense of justice.  Even last night, my 2yo daughter’s growing sense of justice was shining through.  I doubt a day goes by that I don’t hear them tell their mother, “Mom, that’s not fair!” or me, “Dad, that’s…