Seeing Christ

Lately I have been working my way through The Death of Christ by James Denney.  I have had this book for quit some time and I will read a few chapters and set it down and then pick it up again and read some more.  It is a book that, at least for me, that I can not just power through.  It has a level of richness that I need to savor.  Going through it always brings me to reflect on Christ and the glories of the cross.

This is one of the books that transformed Martyn Lloyd Jones's preaching ministry.  After a message a man told him his message had very little Christ in it and Lloyd Jones went home and locked himself in a room and read this book and the Atonement by R. W. Dale.  These books transformed his ministry.  As I preach week after week, I do not want to have a conversation that I preach very little Christ.  I know that I have room to grow and I will always need to improve, but even now I must be sure to preach Christ.  Jesus said that the Scriptures testify of me (John 5:39).  Whatever portion of Scripture we come to, the focus must always be Christ. Spurgeon said "Whatever subject I preach, I do not stop until I reach the Savior. That is my goal.  As I pray and prepare each message I want to bring people to see Christ (John 12:21).

To see Christ, that is the gospel.  "Behold your God."  This is only possible through the cross.  Praise Him for His grace.

Soli deo Gloria

Moving into a new building!

This Sunday will be our first service in the new location that the Lord has provided for us.  His timing is always perfect.  Last Sunday, we had more people than we had chairs and space.  Many of the new comers were Bible college students.  Their semester just started and we were blessed to have some of them join us for service.  Be praying for them and their semester.  We expect the Lord to work in their lives and see them grow.  Also be praying for the Bible college and the staff that they are blessed and have wisdom to navigate many of the issues that arise.  They are currently still under construction of the new facilities.  You can check out how to get involved on their web site.

We also this last week, got an addition to our team here in Peru.  The Brower family arrived and are already making an impact in the ministry.  Yesterday Don, Hannah and Caleb joined us up in Matara.  Matara is a town about an hour outside of Baños that we have been blessed to go and come along side some other missionaries who have a wonderful work there.  We had 180+ kids yesterday.  Hannah passed out bananas and oatmeal to the kids after the Bible study and Don did some translating and prayer.

Tonight will be Dons first time translating.  Thursday nights we hold our midweek service.  This Saturday we will be heading up to another little town that we are blessed to teach in.  We go every other Saturday and minister to on average 20 adults and 15 kids.  This is a quechuan village that has asked us to minister to them.  They are hoping to build a church and have regular Sunday services.  Be in prayer for them.

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Soli deo Gloria