The Auditors are making their annual visit to FBCJAX this week. A team of 4-5 accounting types have literally been camped in one of our conference rooms all week sifting through any and every financial record they want to see (invoices, checks, payroll records, receipt records, financial reports, expense documentation, and the like) looking for errors, discrepancies, or failures in proper financial reporting, control and record-keeping. They read the minutes of Church and Board meetings to see if we have complied with the Bylaws and the Church’s decisions during the year. They watch how we handle collections (from the plate to the bank). They observe how we make payments, and what procedures are in place to prevent misappropriation of funds. All of this is done for the express purpose of providing assurances that the Church is being operated in a financially sound and orderly manner. Our Finance Office may not look forward to this inspection (because of the hours and hours of preparation for it), but I am always glad to see them. I appreciate the wisdom of having another set (or sets) of eyes looking at the daily work we do. I value the input and opinion of highly trained financial minds as to the appropriateness and adequacy of the systems we have in place. I am thankful for the accountability this provides, because it makes us better at our jobs, it makes us more diligent to properly document receipts and expenditures, it makes us think through decisions, and it prevents us from becoming sloppy in our handling of God’s money and resources.

Accountability is a biblical concept. From the very beginning God has required an accounting of our actions. In Eden God asked of Eve, “What have you done?”. In Christ’s millennial reign books will be opened and people will be judged on the basis of what they have done. Accountability is a serious and weighty matter. The reality that God is going to conduct an audit of every person’s life should generate soberness in conduct and diligent preparation for that day. Like a financial audit provides the impetus for us to act wisely, think clearly, and do right, so God’s impending audit should do the same in everyone’s life. Are you glad that God is going to look deeply into your life, or are you dreading that day? The answer to that question reveals how you are conducting the business of your life. It brings comfort to my heart that I already know how that audit, that judgment, of my life is going to turn out.

Jesus said…”Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”  Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.  Revelation 22:12-14 

Only those who have washed away their sins in the blood of Jesus will pass God’s judgment. Only they will enter the city of God, not because of how good they have been at ordering their life, but because of the perfection of Christ imputed to them. O, reader, are you trusting Christ, and Him alone? Are you ready for the judgment that is coming?

This coming Friday, April 10, is “Good Friday”. It is good because it is the day that sin in the world reached its zenith, rising up in rebellion against God the Father and killing the Son of God. It is good because the omniscient, omnipotent, infinitely wise God allowed such an atrocity to occur, for His good pleasure and for His good and glorious ends.

Isaiah 53:10-12 

Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  (11)  Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.  (12)  Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

The end for which God allowed such heinous rebellion was salvation, and ultimately the magnificent display of His glory over and above all else. What Satan meant for evil, God meant for good. The greatest good in all the history of the world was accomplished at the instant of the greatest sin in all the history of the world!

O, child of God, give glory and praise, honor and glad obedience to the God of your salvation!

I pray you will have a glorious Passion Week, and that you will worship in spirit and in truth, the God who is infinitely good, and has been so very good to you. I recommend that you dwell on the Gospel accounts of Christ’s betrayal, death, burial, resurrection, post-resurrection attestations and instructions, and His ascension to the Father. As you read, look for your own lost soul in the accounts, and look for your own salvation, and look for your own hope, and in this search be caused to rejoice over the joy that has been set before you because of the goodness of God to you.

Glory to God!

Glory and Praise to our infinitely good and eternally glorious King!

O, praise His name forever and ever!

Ephesians 3:16-21  that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  (17)  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  (18)  may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,  (19)  and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  (20)  Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,  (21)  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Infinite God,

We ask for the impossible. We ask that you would fill us with Your fullness. To do this, we must first be emptied of ourselves and all that competes with You for love in our hearts. This seems impossible. What’s more we think that to lose those things would not be love at all! Father, your glory is more delightful and desirable than all that thrills our hearts…combined. We cannot begin to know all that You are. But give us the desire to know, and the desire to let go of all that fills our lives, our minds and our hearts that is not glad in You.

By Your infinite strength, through the Spirit dwelling in us, and by Your Son seated at Your right hand, create in us an insatiable desire to be filled full with You. Cause us to long to be in such fellowship with You that all sense of self-importance vanishes, and we are transformed into the likeness of Christ, Who is the exact imprint of Yourself.

This is a preposterous prayer, knowing our depravity. But You are able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think…because of the power at work in us. O, Father, be glorified in us, Your church!

For Christ’s sake…AMEN!

Ephesians 3:16-19a  that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge

Loving Father,

You desire us to be like that tree that is planted by the rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in season, withering not, prospering in all we do. O what love you have for us!

Where are we to find that love? In You…for You are love.

Therefore, enable us to sink the roots of our soul’s desire deeply into the soil of Your love so that we are grounded in it, unmovable by the howling winds of temptation, unyielding in our clinging to You. Then, as we go through storms, we will discover dimensions of Your love previously not discerned by us. Then, You will give us strength to know, progressively more and more of the love of Christ Jesus. Then we will have joyful fellowship with the saints as we together rejoice and exult in the infinitude of Your love. Give us the strength to grow more and more in love with You, for our joy and for Your fame in the world.

In the name of the One who loved us and gave Himself for us we pray

Ephesians 3:16-17a  that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–

Glorious God, strengthen our faith today. Some among us have never trusted Christ’s saving work of atonement. Grant them faith to believe the good news of salvation in Christ Jesus, and receive His payment for, and forgiveness of, their sin.

Some may be doubting the goodness of God today. They are under attack of Satan, and Jesus seems far away. Let them know that Christ is dwelling in their hearts, and that He is a very present help in time of need. He will not leave them alone. Strengthen their faith with the strength of Christ’s very real presence in their heart.

Still others need new mercies for a new day, and all of the trials it will bring. Assure them of Your nearness, and Your attentiveness to all of the details of their lives, and of Your power to save and sanctify them in every situation. May that knowledge give them power to act in obedience to Your Spirit’s direction. And may those actions confirm in their hearts that God is indeed able to make all grace abound to them, because greater is He who is in them that he who is in the world.

Get glory for Yourself today, by making our faith strong, by Your strength, and Christ’s presence in us.

In Christ’s name we pray

In his letter to the Ephesians Paul prayed for the first century church (Eph. 3:14-21). His prayer is the basis for the prayers I will pray for our church and each of you this week.

Ephesians 3:16  that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Father, You who name every family that is in heaven and on the earth, may we be strengthened with your power, through Your Spirit who dwells in us. May this strengthening be in accordance with the infinite riches of Your glory. We ask for strength, because we know our weakness.

We are all physically weak, and many among us are in pain, or are sick today. Strengthen our bodies, so that we can carry out the work You have ordained for us to do this day.

We are weak mentally. At best we know only a thimble full of what can be known, and we long for answers to questions that rise from deep in our spirit. Keep our mental weakness from causing us to stumble. Grant that we will know, beyond any question, that You are good and do nothing but good for us, and that You are growing us through those things that cause our questions.

We are weak emotionally. There are those among us who are carrying emotional burdens, concerns and cares that only You know about. And, all of us are so quick to respond to trials in our lives with emotions that are fleshly and not of faith. God, keep us in perfect peace as we fix our minds on you today. Bring faith to work in us as we face hard situations. Cause us to remember that we are to cast all our cares on You, because You care for us.

And Father, we are weak spiritually. None of us have the strength to live the life that brings You most glory. We are prone to wander. We are prone to love other things more than You. We are prone to self-worship, and self-interest. O, how weak we are spiritually. Today, give us a knowledge of You. Give us a sensing of Your glory, and beauty, and power that captivates our hearts, that transforms our minds, that produces a hatred for sin and a loathing for self-worship. Be wonderful in our lives today. Remove the scales from our eyes, the slowness from our ears, and the calluses from our hearts, so that we can see and hear and delight, not in our selves, but in You today.

We pray these things, not for our joy merely, but for Your glory mostly. May people see You in us today and be drawn to You, that the riches of Your glory are clearly seen and You are pleased.

Delight Yourself in us today…We pray in the name of our Savior, Jesus

 In his Epistle salutations, the Apostle Paul often expresses how thankful to God he is for the remembrances of those to whom he is writing. No doubt the fond remembrances of brothers and sisters in Christ and the testimony of how they were living out their faith were a source of constant encouragement to Paul. He did not approach the expressing of thanks as a thing to be done. Rather, his thanksgiving was the overflow of his joy.

In this post I want to express the overflow of my joy through heartfelt thanks for behind the scenes happenings in our church. I thank God…

For the care and concern you have expressed for my family during my Mom’s and Dad’s recent illness. Your thoughtfulness, prayers, inquiries, meals and visits have meant so much to Mom, and to Ann and me. Through your actions we have seen God’s love for us displayed, and it is beautiful.

For Sunday School teachers who have adopted a new way of teaching through small group disucssions and applications; and Sunday School participants who have willingly engaged in this format, despite their initial discomfort with it, and are now gladly encouraging and exhorting one another with the scriptures. Your spirit of cooperation is a testimony of God’s grace in your lives.

For families who have accepted the challenge to carry the gospel to those we struggle to reach from downtown. They have opened their homes and their lives for the furtherance of the kingdom of God in the Jacksonville region, and God is using them. Your hospitality is inspiring.

For the staff leadership team, and the hundreds of lay leaders God has assembled here who are passionate about getting people to God and helping them to grow in their love for Jesus. Your zeal is contagious.

For church employees who faithfully and expertly do their jobs day in and day out with a servant’s spirit and a heart of love for God and people. Your work is worship to our God.

For men and women who daily under-gird our Pastor, Staff and church in prayer. Your prayers are effectual, and a sweet smelling savor to God.

For faithful givers who give first of themselves, and then of their treasure, to carry out the ministry of God’s Word through this church. Your gifts are regular demonstrations of your faith in God.

For musicians who give hours weekly to prepare to lead us in worship when we gather as a church. Your praise of God enahances my praise of Him.

For members who regularly minister to others through teaching, calling, writing, and visiting their brothers or sisters in Christ. Your labor of love is the product of God’s life in you, and the delightful fruit of the Holy Spirit.

For members who have gone, or enabled others to go, to invest their lives on the mission field this year, be it local, national, or international; long-term or short. May their efforts yield a bountiful harvest of souls to the glory of God. Your willingness to go and send is a testimony of the worth of Christ.

For a Pastor who lives out the word, loves genuinely, leads with integrity, and preaches truthfully. Your pastoring is like that of a loving shepherd who cares for His flock.

And the list could go on and on…Praise God for His goodness to us!

Oh, how good God is!

How wonderful it is to be saved! 

I thank Him for the Jesus I have seen in you.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:10-12)

Father,

You are Lord of all things; economies, stock markets, household budgets and personal finances included. Give us faith in You so that we remain faithful to You in the matter of our giving to You. Keep us from the folly of relying on our paychecks and bank accounts to bring us any sense of security. May we be faithful givers, so that we can see You do the impossible for us. We pray that you will rebuke the devourers on our behalf. We ask that You would open up the windows of Your storehouse in Heaven and meet our needs so abundantly and miraculously that only You can receive the thanks, honor, praise and glory; and so the work of this church can go on, and the families of our fellowship and employment can thrive. May those who see Your blessings on us call us blessed, and call You great, because of Your goodness to us. We confess that we are relying on You for our every need today. Delight us with Your grace. Satisfy us with Your fullness. Increase our faith.

We ask this in the Name of our Great Shepherd, Jesus.

The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. (Psalms 37:23-28)

 Lord,

You are our very present help in time of trouble. Our ways are established by You, when we delight in You and follow after You. Though we encounter trouble along the way, You hold our hand. You will not forsake us. You will preserve us forever! When we see the world around us troubled on every side, grant us to know the God of Peace in heart-calming, mind-shaping, faith-developing ways so that we will be faithful witnesses of Your goodness, Your provision and Your power over all things. We declare today, Father, that we are trusting in You and You alone for our life, our hope, our peace, and our joy. Thank You for caring for us in such God-exalting ways!

For nearly a year a group of volunteers have tirelessly labored to bring to life the idea that has now become the reality we call The First Baptist Academy of Jacksonville. They worked on establishing the philosophy of what the school should be, and how it should be run. They studied bylaws, procedure manuals, and policies from other successful Christian schools in order to develop principles of excellence that would guide our school. They developed curriculum guidelines, web sites, logos and budgets. They filed articles of incorporation, planned construction, and conducted a nationwide search for a headmaster. In all well over 1000 people-hours were invested by this group that numbered in excess of thirty persons who were involved in some aspect of developing this dream. Their labors of love have put us on a path to success with this new ministry venture. For their diligent and faithful efforts to bring us to this point I am thankful beyond my ability to express. All we can say as a church is THANK YOU and WELL DONE!

Now we have turned another page in the story. In early August Jim Daniels became Headmaster of School, and started working on taking the school to the next phase of development. Jim brings to us a well balanced body of both teaching experience and education. Holding a Master’s of Education degree, Jim, for many years taught math and science in the public schools of both Florida and Georgia. Then God began to draw Jim into His ministry vocationally when He laid on Jim’s heart the desire to go to seminary. Having graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, he also holds a Master’s of Divinity degree with an emphasis on Christian Education. From there Jim launched out into the ministry both as a Christian educator, administrator, and a minister in the church. We are thrilled that God has uniquely and skillfully prepared Jim to come start our school.

Jim’s love for kids is evident as is his passion for creative, cutting edge, relevant education that emphasizes the reality and glory of God to young minds. You will love getting to know him and his family. Please be in prayer for Jim and all those who will be helping open the doors of a new venture at FBC JAX.