No Blood, No Altar Now No blood, no altar now the sacrifice is o’er! No flame, no smoke ascends on high. The Lamb is slain no more; But richer blood has flowed from nobler veins, To purge the soul from guilt, and cleanse the reddest stains. We thank Thee for the blood, the blood of Christ, Thy Son: The blood…
Author: <span>Matthew Johnson</span>
I love the Gospel! I borrowed an idea from another Pastor friend about preaching the Gospel once a month and encouraging the church to invite family and friends to that special service. We call that day “Discover Grace Sunday.” Of course this is a play on words since our church name is Grace Baptist. In no way do we believe that…
I used to think that roller coasters were a lot of fun. I mean who doesn’t like getting strapped into a seat too small for you, while pulse-pounding music is playing in your ears. Only to have the coaster slowly take off (after hearing beaps and buzzes and seeing some official looking guy running out of the engine room with…
We just finished a study in Habakkuk on Wednesday evenings. I have been waiting for months to get to the last two verses of that prophet’s writing. Habakkuk’s journey through as he seeks God’s answers is encouraging because I see myself in Habakkuk. Often I wonder what God is doing. I wonder why He is doing what is doing-the way He…
“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” -Psalm 73:25-26 This text accurately sums up my life at this point. I get very irritated with my flesh and my lack of spiritual fervor…
Although there are many lessons God has taught me through this wonderful gift to our church, I will conclude this topic with a third that God has been teaching me. 3. My God is Big. Rest assured, when you walk by faith and not by sight, you will stumble. Maybe this sentiment…
Yesterday, I noted in humble gratitude that God gave us such a large gift due only to His grace, not our worthiness. That was the first lesson God has been teaching me through His good gifting. The second lesson I will write about here. 2. We must then be faithful stewards of that gift. The first reaction to this statement…
In the previous blog article written, I mentioned the gracious gifts of God to our church in meeting our building needs. In this article, I would like to recount the first of several of the lessons that God has taught me through this whole process. Here goes with my list of life’s lessons from God’s schooling. 1. God’s grace means I am weak. …
December of 2004, Grace Baptist Church, having believed led of the Lord to secure 3.08 acres of land for a new building was $45,000 short of the needed money for the down payment due in January of 2005–So we prayed and our Gracious God gave us $45,000 dollars within a month. Fast forward to December of 2006. Having begun the…
I am in mourning today regarding the presidential election. I do not mourn the loss of “my candidate” nor do I mourn the win of Mr. Obama. Instead I grant my congratulations and a promise to President-elect Obama, that I will submit myself to the United States Government’s authority as long as it does not contradict my duty to my…