Encourage: Powerful summary of baptism
Come, Holy Spirit, Dove Divine Come, Holy Spirit, Dove divine, on these baptismal waters shine, and teach our hearts, in highest strain, to praise the Lamb for sinners slain. We love Your name, we love Your laws, and joyfully embrace Your cause; We love Your cross, the shame, the pain, O Lamb of God, for sinners slain. We sink beneath the water’s face, and thank You for Your saving grace; We die to sin and seek a grave with You,...
Encourage: Pray for your pastor this year
Did you make any New Year resolutions? Most people make the same three every January: Lose weight, exercise more and save more money. A resolution is a firm decision. I would like for you to consider another resolution for 2020. Would you make a firm decision today to pray for your pastor every week this year; maybe even every day? The advance of the Gospel depends on the health of our churches, and the health of our churches...
Encourage: Christmas began in a dark world
We are often asked an interesting question this time of year, “Are you ready for Christmas?” That question reveals much about our cultural expectations for this holiday. We expect Christmas to be a season of happiness, abundance, family, food and fun. “Getting ready for Christmas” involves decorations, food, gathering friends and family, gifts and traditions. These all contribute to our Christmas expectations. Years ago, I heard Chuck...
Encourage: A Gospel partnership
The Lord is bringing me to a better understanding of Paul’s language in Phil. 1:3-5. I have known these verses for years, studied them and preached them. The opportunity to serve Oklahoma Baptists allows me to experience Gospel partnership in a whole new way. “I thank God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day...
Encourage: A prayer for Oklahoma Baptists
If you were unable to participate in our Annual Meeting last week, I want to make sure you know what took place. There were resolutions, reports, budgets, videos and votes. We experienced powerful times of preaching and singing and celebrating—all of it was important. But there are two aspects in particular I want to make sure you know. First, on Tuesday evening, Oklahoma Baptists participated in a one-of-a-kind International Mission...
Encourage: Advance
Advance is the theme of the 2019 Annual Meeting of Oklahoma Baptists. We will gather on Nov. 11-12 at Oklahoma City, Quail Springs. Please make every effort to participate in this important year for our cooperative work. What is our work? We encourage one another to advance the Gospel. The Gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ. Paul employs the idea of the advance of the Gospel. “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my...
