Encourage: Season of praise
The old French carol confirms our pattern of celebrating the birth of Jesus by singing. Sing we now of Christmas, Noel sing we here! Hear our grateful praises to the Babe so dear. Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel! Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel! Why do we sing at Christmas? The people of God have been singing about the birth of Jesus since Mary was pregnant. The Gospel of Luke tells us the story of Mary’s song. Take...
Encourage: Support new IMB leader
Our International Mission Board (IMB) established a new president earlier this month, Paul Chitwood. I admire Dr. Chitwood and fully support his work as our IMB President. I believe we will see a great Gospel advance under his leadership. In the press conference following his election, Dr. Chitwood said this about the IMB vision statement: “I do not bring a new vision to the IMB. In fact, I don’t believe the IMB’s vision is ours to...
Encourage: Blessing for His purpose
I have noticed that around the holiday season, life’s disappointments can loom especially large. God understands. God sees our suffering. He is there, through our disappointments and when we ask, “Why?” In contrast, I have noticed we seldom ask “Why?” when good things happen. Why are we blessed by God? When we have health and wealth, we do not often ask, “Why am I being given this?” To think about that question, let’s look at Psalm...
Encourage: Advancing the Gospel
We encourage one another to advance the Gospel. With that sentence, I am stating the purpose of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma as we gather together for our annual business meeting. We are a partnership, a fellowship of churches working to spur one another on in the Lord’s work. The Lord’s work is the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul employs the idea of the advancement of the Good News of Jesus. “Now I want...
Encourage: Share your time, Nov. 12-13
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21). Amen. The apostle Paul wrote his letters in Greek, including the powerful prayer that closes the third chapter of Ephesians. Every word of the letter is in Greek except for one word, “Amen.” He...
Encourage: Prayerful voting
On Tuesday, Nov. 6, Oklahomans have the opportunity to vote on many key issues. From candidates for various statewide offices to the state legislature to state questions, the 2018 midterm elections promise to be consequential. The significance of this moment should remind Christians of our opportunity—our duty—to exercise the right to vote. The right to vote was earned by the sacrifices of many men and women who came before us. This...
