Servantsfograce - Latest Comments

Re: Five Reasons For Temptations and Four Snares of the Devil

Jason W — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 12:40:12 -0000

Good post. This phrase really stood out for me - "By discontinuing prayer, we give the enemy the greatest encouragement possible". Thanks. I shared with those on my social media channels @ http://www.bibleverse411.com/

Re: The Future of Marriage in America and the Response of Christians

R Wllms — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 00:43:36 -0000

Amen!

Re: Everyone’s a Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology

Tired_Of_Political_Correctness — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 09:59:14 -0000

Could not agree more. As SInclair Ferguson says in his book, The Christian Life, A Doctrinal Introduction, "The conviction that Christian doctrine matters for Christian living is one of the most important growth points of the Christian life."

Re: Ministry is a Tough and Light Burden

Dave Jenkins — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 21:02:06 -0000

Jason,

Thank you so much for that very encouraging and thoughtful response. I'm so glad to hear the Lord through this article gave you fresh strength to pursue Him all the more. May the Lord richly bless you brother!

Re: Ministry is a Tough and Light Burden

Jason W — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 10:13:05 -0000

Dave,
Thanks for this article. It is a great help. I minister through the website, http://www.bibleverse411.com/, and have taught classes, help with baptisms, etc. over the years at the churches where I have been a member. I was once 30 days away from being a licensed minister in a small Baptist Association. I longed for years to go to bible school and become an official "credentialed" minister. I have studied and had a love for God's word since I was very young. I am now over 40.

Your article helped me to be reminded that in the vineyards of the Kingdom of our God we all have a corner or plot that we are called to work, credentialed or not. Some people hear better from an intellectual perspective. While others may listen to someone who has walked through real trials, struggles, and tribulations and in the process gained a deep intimate knowledge of and experience in God and His great truths for their life. Thanks again.

Re: They Hear You When You’re Speaking

Andrew Gilmore — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 21:13:13 -0000

I agree! That was the best piece of marriage advice I think I ever got, but I never thought to apply it my kids. Thanks!

Re: Rest

Paul Horne — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 08:49:01 -0000

Good Post Dave!! I posted a link to your post in a recent blogpost on relaxation/rest. :D

Re: 6 Reasons Why You Should Write In Your Bible

Paul Horne — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 11:21:25 -0000

This is a practice I have just taken up in the last few years for the longest time I venerated the words too much to mark them up. I just came across a verse this morning that the Lord illuminated for me and had to highlight it and underline it so I can find it again. Thanks for this post may it be helpful to people who were like me that don't/didnt like to mark up their Bibles. God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving.

Re: The Unfinished Church: God’s Broken and redeemed Work In Progress

John Myer — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 20:06:15 -0000

I'll definitely be picking up a copy. Pastors love to champion the church (I know I do), but there was a time when I wasn't any kind of leader and still ran around promoting it. The interesting thing about that was the preaching there wasn't so great, the music was awful, and the people were a bit ingrown and could often be jerks. I wished some of them would have read a book on manners. Still, the faith connections I experienced were so incredibly important to me then as a new believer, I don't know where I'd be today without them...maybe believing in Jesus, sleeping in, and bashing the church.

Re: Why Theology Matters for You and Me: Theology, the Church, and the Christian Life

Debi Martin — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 15:58:06 -0000

Great first issue! Looking forward to more!

Re: Eating Stories for Life

Henry — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 10:46:50 -0000

Well said, my friend. Is it no wonder that the Lord commanded fathers to fill his children's hearts with the stories "when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." I believe the crisis for Israel occurred as described in Judges 2, when "there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals." The fathers had stopped teaching their children.

I am convinced that revival will come to the church in America when the fathers turn their hearts to their children and do what is commanded in Deuteronomy 6. I think it will not matter how great the worship band, how good the coffee bar, how fantastic the preacher; without the feeding of the Lord's story to our children by their parents, we will continue to drift into judgment. Henry, author of "Point to Reading the Bible"

Re: Pay It Forward

Mike Leake — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 11:15:31 -0000

Great ideas! I especially like your last one.

Re: Spiritual Growth Series: Why Suffering Needs Scriptures

Kirk Apolo — Sat, 19 Jul 2014 11:25:51 -0000

This piece of writing is truly fruitful for me, keep up posting these articles.

Re: Why Read the Puritans?

CavazosDan — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 08:25:25 -0000

Thanks for this article. I am challenged.

Re: #2: Living In Light of God’s Faithfulness[Sermon]

Bill Cockrell — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 05:49:09 -0000

Thanks for sharing God's word!

Re: Five Myths about Christian Engagement in the Public Square

pastordo7 — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 11:04:01 -0000

Thank you for this writing. It is a solid, biblical answer to those within and without the church who believe we should not be involved in politics, as well as a biblical guide to how we should behave when we do engage in political arenas. I will add this to my arsenal of reasoning and faith as a reminder of why we must be involved in the "public square" as well as a rebuke to those times when I am frustrated and want to lash out with harshness at those who oppose such involvement. Blessings to you and your ministry.

Re: Father’s Day: Experiencing Healing from Our Heavenly Father for the Father Wound

Meredith Elizabeth — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 14:30:55 -0000

Thank you for sharing about your father wound. I can't imagine what it would be like to have the wound ripped open again as you described. I am extra thankful for our Heavenly Father on this particular day. He has ministered to my father wounds. I might be illegitimate in this world, but in the Kingdom of Heaven, I was hand crafted by Him. =) Hallelujah~ Blessings.

Re: The Intolerance of Tolerance

Clay Yeagley — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 00:21:44 -0000

Thank you for your boldness in engaging the ever growing liberal post modern world view that has our Country in a tailspin. As America once revered as a Christian Nation attempts to push Jesus completely from the foundation of it's birth, it is in a rapid moral decline that only marks that we are approaching the end of Gods longsuffering towards this world and we need to stand together in faith and preach the hard truth of the Gospel of Christ through sound biblical doctrine. Amen Brother

Re: Doctrine and Discipleship

JINGJING39 — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 14:56:08 -0000

ANOTHER EXCELLENT ARTICLE! I STRESS A LOT HOW IMPORTANT DOCTRINE IS & IT'S THE DEVILS MISSION TO POLLUTE THE LORDS' TEACHINGS (DOCTRINE) THAT WAY THE PEOPLE DON'T RECEIVE THE RIGHT JESUS OR THE FULLNESS OF THE LORD. THE WORD STRESSED THIS AS WELL (2 John 1) 8 Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;

Re: Church Series: The Best Way to Help your Church

Dave Jenkins — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 13:19:54 -0000

Go ahead @Jeremy Lundmark. Feel free to use anything you find helpful here. I'm thankful you were helped by Dan's article. Hope you enjoy the rest of the series.

Re: Church Series: The Best Way to Help your Church

Jeremy Lundmark — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 07:37:23 -0000

Well said. I may be printing this up as a church resource. Great stuff.

Re: Love Series: Sharing Love

Shalom Muwanguzi Nyenje — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 05:22:45 -0000

Bless the living God Matt F., I Praise and thank God for you ,and your family,the ministry and all those God has brought your way.May the Lord God increase His unction upon your life in Jesus name. Acts 10:38.
Secondly,permit me with all humility,to thank you for this three pronged strategy to love,serve our God with passion.This was a well laid out strategy,that can keep the fire of Christ in us and His zeal to consume us. John 2:17

Re: Loving Christ, Loving the Church: A Response to Donald Miller

Dave Jenkins — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 11:56:42 -0000

Joel,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post.
You said,
“Second, I'm not convinced that the formula you've advanced in your post
represents a prescription for church that all believers should follow
to the letter. God can manifest Christian community in many different
ways.” I find it interesting that rather than responding to my comments
with Scriptural engagement you post your opinion that “God can manifest
Christian community in many different ways.” Also rather than dealing
with the biblical argumentation in the post you say, “I’m not convinced
that the formula you’ve advanced in your post represents a prescription
for church that all believers should follow to the letter.” If that is the
case then I’m not convinced that you’ve read the New Testament epistles
which were written to churches gathering together in local expressions.
Read the opening of every Pauline epistle and tell me who the letter is
addressed to? The Church! Not individuals but the church in that place.

You said, “All these varieties of Christian community add up to God making
known his manifold wisdom through the church. I'm not sure Miller specified his involvement in church. The closest he got was describe the joy and fellowship he experiences working with his team in his company. How many of us are privileged enough to say that God has built a church among us and our coworkers in our jobs?”

Unlike what you said Miller is actually very clear about his thoughts on attending church when he states, “Do I attend church? Not often, to be honest. Like I said, it’s not how I learn. But I also believe the church is all around us, not to be confined by a specific tribe.” The Bible as I made clear
in my post is very clear about the importance of attending a local church and being under godly authority. I stand by my comments in the post and encourage you to consider the biblical argumentation in the
post.

Re: Loving Christ, Loving the Church: A Response to Donald Miller

Dave Jenkins — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 11:55:13 -0000

Mike,

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my post.

You said, “This age, chuch is not something we attend. Rather, it is
what we become by virtue of our devotion to Christ. The organized church
demonstrates that it is not the kingdom of God by it obvious divisions. If you
truly want to love the church, love those who love Christ…whether they go to
church or not.”

According to you then a local church isn’t important
because we can just love Christ without being a part of the Church? While I
appreciate the sentiment of your post I disagree with your points. Furthermore,
when one considers that the Apostle Paul opens his letters not to individual
Christians but to Christians gathered together in local churches the point you
make here about “If you truly want to love the church, love those who love
Christ” is diminished. I understand what you are saying about divisions but you
are also undermining the importance of the local church which is established by
God. As a Christian, since you say you love Jesus you should love His Church. A failure in loving the Church demonstrates a lack of love for Christ. Finally, I find it interesting that rather than engaging the biblical argumentation of the post you decide to offer your opinion without engaging the content of the post itself.

Re: Loving Christ, Loving the Church: A Response to Donald Miller

Joel Zehring — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 11:04:03 -0000

First, I didn't get the impression from Miller's post that he neglects to gather with other believers. All he admitted is that he doesn't attended weekly worship services built on the template of choral singing and sermon.

Second, I'm not convinced that the formula you've advanced in your post represents a prescription for church that all believers should follow to the letter. God can manifest Christian community in many different ways.

Local churches can vary in size of gatherings, location of gatherings, frequency of gatherings. Some local churches might make a weekly habit of singing songs aloud together and then listening to a prepared sermon, others might only do this once a month while joining in other activities during other gatherings, like group discussions and studies, prayer meetings, or gatherings geared toward serving others in the community.

Some churches pay a few believers to serve the body while others depend on the volunteer service of believers. Some churches appoint specific male believers to offices like elder and pastor while other churches depend on male and female believers to fulfill the responsibilities of elders and pastors without explicitly assigning offices.

All these varieties of Christian community add up to God making known his manifold wisdom through the church. I'm not sure Miller specified his involvement in church. The closest he got was describe the joy and fellowship he experiences working with his team in his company. How many of us are privileged enough to say that God has built a church among us and our coworkers in our jobs?