http://bgcovenant.org 1165 Haskins Rd | Bowling Green, OH | 419-352-8483 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:03:49 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en http://bgcovenant.org/2010/03/07/03-07-2010-heavens-lost-and-found/ http://bgcovenant.org/2010/02/21/bonded-by-the-blood-of-jesus/ http://bgcovenant.org/2010/02/14/02-14-2010-godly-grief-produces-joyful-generosity/ http://bgcovenant.org/2010/02/07/02-07-2010-recalculating-how-godly-grief-helps-us-to-keep-in-step-with-the-spirit/ http://bgcovenant.org/2010/01/31/sometimes-we-need-to-be-grieved-into-repenting/ http://bgcovenant.org/2010/01/28/01242010/ http://bgcovenant.org/2010/01/17/variations-on-a-theme/ http://bgcovenant.org/2010/01/10/01-10-2010-the-best-appeal-comes-from-an-open-heart/ http://bgcovenant.org/2010/01/03/01-03-2010-the-expectation-within-the-horiozon-of-a-living-hope/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/12/27/12-27-2009-this-song-everyone-can-sing/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/12/25/12-24-2009-the-play-is-over-but-not-the-story/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/12/20/12202009-christmas-memory/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/12/13/12-13-2009-the-real-god-promises-real-hope-for-real-people/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/12/06/to-understand-christmas-you-have-to-be-born-twice/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/11/29/a-truly-inconvenient-truth/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/11/15/sermon-11-15-2009-2/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/11/08/sermon-11-8-2009/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/11/01/sermon-11-1-2009/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/10/25/10-25-2009/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/10/18/sermon-10-18-2009/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/10/11/strangers-in-a-strange-land/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/10/04/you-can-have-it-all-and-other-lies/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/09/13/from-now-on/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/09/06/sermon-09-06-2009/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/08/30/when-we-aim-at-heaven/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/08/23/we-must-be-heavenly-to-be-any-earthly-good/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/08/23/sermon-8-9-2009/ http://bgcovenant.org/2009/08/23/a-house-not-made-with-hands/ A Surely As God Is Faithful http://bgcovenant.org/2009/03/29/as-surely-as-god-is-faithful/ A Little Chin Music http://bgcovenant.org/2009/03/15/a-little-chin-music/ Comfort That Gives Us the Energy to Carry On http://bgcovenant.org/2009/03/11/comfort-that-gives-us-the-energy-to-carry-on/ WEATHER ALERT PLEASE NOTE: Anytime Wood County declares a Level 2 snow emergency,  Sunday service and or all Wednesday night activities are canceled. http://bgcovenant.org/2009/02/19/snow/ This Conversation Cannot Be Postponed http://bgcovenant.org/2009/02/02/this-conversion-cannot-be-postponed/ Good Intentions Make a Bad Stew http://bgcovenant.org/2009/01/25/good-intentions-make-a-bad-stew/ Sermon: Rev. Michael Malanga Bible reference: Hebrews 13: 5-8 http://bgcovenant.org/2009/01/04/two-planes-cant-land-on-the-same-runway-at-the-same-time/ 11-30-2008 Phil. 2:5-11 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/11/30/bruce-edwards-the-mystery-of-christmas/ Sermon from 11-16-2008 Isaiah 42:1-9 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/11/16/till-he-has-established-justice-in-the-earth/ Michael Malanga Sermon - 1 Thesalonians 1:2-10 High Def Discipleship Series http://bgcovenant.org/2008/11/09/the-spirit-helps-us-to-wait-and-to-serve/ Sermon by Tim Butler on 11-02-2008 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/11/02/tim-butler-perseverance/ 10-26-2008: Romans 8: 31-39 - Stumbling Blocks into Stepping Stones http://bgcovenant.org/2008/10/26/stumbling-blocks-into-stepping-stones/ Roman's 8:19-25 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/09/14/for-in-this-hope-we-were-saved/ Romans 8:18-30 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/09/07/with-groaings-too-deep-for-words/ Guest Speaker Tim Butler speaks about perserverence and Romans 5:1-5 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/08/24/godly-character-evidence-of-the-spirit/ Sermon on Psalm 51 -08-17-08 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/08/18/psalm-51-sermon-from-08-17-08/ Psalm 51 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/08/17/the-spirit-gives-us-a-fresh-start-from-a-full-stop/ Acts 2:36-41 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/08/10/repentance-baptism-and-the-gifts-of-the-holy-spirit/ 8-03-08-finalActs 2:17-21 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/08/03/the-word-that-comes-by-the-spirit-points-to-the-cross/ Elder Mark Eberle gives a poignant message on Luke 22:31-33 on July 27, 2008 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/07/27/keeping-the-faith/ http://bgcovenant.org/2008/07/20/how-to-be-a-mission-minded-church-2/ Continuing on the High Def Discipleship Series, on Acts 2:14-21. http://bgcovenant.org/2008/07/08/what-happens-under-the-influence-of-the-holy-spirit/ Although not fully consistent in the practice I am often found reading a book. It is equally the case that when reading a book I am usually equipped with a yellow highlighter, a red pencil and a mechanical pencil. Such equipment should clue you into the fact that the books ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/06/26/worship-helps-biblical-faith-mature-into-genuine-discipleship/ http://bgcovenant.org/2008/06/22/waiting-for-the-power-of-the-spirit-is-more-important-than-knowing-times-or-seasons/ Dear BG Covenant Church,Here is an excerpt for our Membership Handbook which explains why church membership is important.  The membership class starts this Sunday after our regular church service. We have plenty of handbooks, so if you have been undecided about becoming a member of BG Covenant Church, you can ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/06/19/why-is-church-membership-important/ http://bgcovenant.org/2008/06/15/6-high-definition-discipleship-series-%e2%80%9dsent-with-the-breath-of-life%e2%80%9d/ 8June 2008/Hi Def Discipleship- Sermon 5 Text—John 16.(4b-11) 12-15 Subject—What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer? Big Idea—The Holy Spirit is sent to help us keep our eye on the Lord Jesus Christ. Title—“The Fifth Promise of the Holy Spirit – Keep Your Eye On the Ball” 1. ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/06/08/5-high-definition-discipleship-series-the-fifth-promise-of-the-holy-spirit-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9ckeep-your-eye-on-the-ball%e2%80%9d/ 25 May 2008/Hi Def Discipleship– Sermon 4 Text—John 16.4b-11 (12-15) Subject—What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer? Big Idea—The Holy Spirit is sent to help us preach the Gospel. Title—“The Fourth Promise of the Holy Spirit - What the Spirit Exposes God Can Forgive” The Holy Spirit is ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/05/25/4-high-definition-discipleship-series%e2%80%9cthe-fourth-promise-of-the-holy-spirit-what-the-spirit-exposes-god-can-forgive%e2%80%9d/ http://bgcovenant.org/2008/05/22/prince-caspian-returning-to-narnia-not-a-moment-too-soon/ 18 May 2008/Hi Def Discipleship– Sermon 3/Trinity Sunday Text—John 15.25-16.4a Subject—What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer? Title—“The Third Promise of the Holy Spirit – The Spirit Keeps Us From Falling Away” Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to help us stay faithful to Him. 1. The Spirit helps ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/05/18/in-our-weakness-the-spirit-keeps-us-faithful/ 11 May 2008/Hi Def Discipleship– Sermon 2/Pentecost Sunday Text—John 14.25-31 Subject—What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer? Title—“The Second Promise of the Holy Spirit – The Best Substitute Ever” The Holy Spirit is sent to help us believe everything Jesus said about Himself. 1. The Holy Spirit is sent ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/05/15/the-best-substitute-ever-john-1425-31/ http://bgcovenant.org/2008/05/07/check-out-our-cool-church/ 4 May 2008/Hi Def Discipleship – Sermon 1 Text—John 14.12-17 (18-21) Subject—What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer? Title—“The First Promise of the Holy Spirit – The Spirit Clarifies the Importance of Loving Jesus” The Holy Spirit will help us by clarifying the importance of loving Jesus. 1. The ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/05/06/high-def-discipleship-%e2%80%93-the-first-promise-of-the-holy-spirit-john-1412-17-18-21/ Galatians 6.6-10 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/04/21/sow-to-the-spirit-with-the-harvest-in-mind/ Galatians 6.6-10 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/04/21/sow-to-the-spirit-with-the-harvest-in-mind-2/ Dr. Malanga’s poignant commentary on Galations 6.1-5 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/04/14/there-is-a-way-to-be-good-again/ Dr. Malanga's poignant commentary on Galations 6.1-5 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/04/14/there-is-a-way-to-be-good-again-2/ Pinch hitter Dr. Bruce Edwards stepped up to the plate as Pastor Malanga is recovering from the flu. http://bgcovenant.org/2008/04/06/whammo-toys/ Pinch hitter Dr. Bruce Edwards stepped up to the plate as Pastor Malanga is recovering from the flu. http://bgcovenant.org/2008/04/06/whammo-toys-2/ Continuation of the Galatians series, on Galatians 5.25-6.5 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/31/god-does-not-need-your-good-works-your-neighbor-does/ Easter Sunday, 2008. HE IS RISEN! (He is Risen Indeed) http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/23/what-began-as-a-tornado-ends-with-an-earthquake/ O God of my Exodus, Great was the joy of Israel’s sons, when Egypt died upon the shore, Far greater the joy when the Redeemer’s foe lay crushed in the dust. Jesus strides forth as the victor, conqueror of death, hell, and all opposing might; He bursts the bands of death, tramples the powers of darkness down, and lives forever. He, ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/20/resurrection/ Heavenly Father, Thou hast led me singing to the cross where I fling down all my burdens and see them vanish, where my mountains of guilt are leveled to a plain, where my sins disappear, though they are the greatest that exist, and are more in number than the grains of fine sand; For there is ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/20/calvarys-anthem-a-prayer-for-good-friday/ God of all Good, I bless Thee for the means of grace; teach me to see in them Thy loving purposes and the joy and strength of my soul. Thou has t prepared for me a feast; and though I am unworthy to sit down as guest, I wholly rest on the merits of Jesus, and hide ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/20/the-lords-supper-a-prayer-for-maundy-thursday/ http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/20/how-to-be-spiritual-without-being-religious/ Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service 2008 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/20/bread-wine-and-the-presence-of-christ/ Incomprehensible, Great and Glorious God, I adore Thee and abase myself. I approach Thee mindful that I am less than nothing, a creature worse than nothing. My thoughts are not screened from Thy gaze. My secret sins blaze in the light of Thy countenance. Enable me to remember that blood which cleanseth all sin, to believe in that ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/14/new-beginning-a-prayer-for-palm-sunday/ Message given by Pastor Malanga 3-09-08, based on Galatians 5:22-23 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/09/fruit-for-the-final-frontier/ To those who know me well, it should come as no surprise that when it comes to singing the only key I know is the one I use to start my car. This dearth of singing ability was, until my recent service as pastor of Bowling Green Covenant Church, a ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/07/a-seeker-unfriendly-hymn-by-isaac-watts/ O DIVINE LAWGIVER, I take shame to myself for open violations to thy law, for my secret faults, my omissions of duty, my unprofitable attendance upon means of grace, my carnality in worshiping thee, and all the sins of my holy things. My iniquities are increased over my head: My trespasses are known in the heavens, and there Christ ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/07/mortification-a-prayer-for-the-fifth-sunday-in-lent/ "Narnia" mania is about to crank up again with the release of the movie Prince Caspian on May 16. This is the next movie in The Chronicles of Narnia series, based on the books by C.S. Lewis. John Blok is joined by Bowling Green State University's Dr. Bruce Edwards who ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/05/dr-edwards-explains-how-he-first-discovered-c-s-lewis/ http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/02/the-fruit-is-revealed-by-the-middle-innings/ Based on Galatians 5:22-23 message given 3-02-2008 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/02/the-fruit-is-revealed-by-the-middle-innings-2/ SOVEREIGN LORD, When clouds of darkness, atheism, and unbelief come to me, I see thy purpose of love in withdrawing the Spirit that I might prize Him more, in chastening me for my confidence in past successes, that my wound of secret godlessness might be cured. Help me to humble myself before Thee by seeing the vanity ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/03/02/humiliation-a-prayer-for-the-fourth-sunday-in-lent/ I am an apologist for hymns that teach sound theology and stout doctrine. As far as I am concerned you can keep most, if not all the sentimental, romantic hymns of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. I do not care to go to the garden alone. And my ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/02/29/hymns-with-lyrics-like-liquid-bread/ Message given 2-24-2008 See Galatians 5:22-23 (19-26) http://bgcovenant.org/2008/02/24/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-is-the-evidence-of-the-spirits-presence/ http://bgcovenant.org/2008/02/24/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-is-the-evidence-of-the-spirit%e2%80%99s-presence/ O Thou Most High, It becomes me to be low in thy presence. I am nothing compared with thee; I possess not the rank and power of angels, but thou hast made me what I am, and placed me where I am; help me to acquiesce in thy sovereign pleasure. I thank thee that in the embryo ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/02/24/contrition-a-prayer-for-the-third-sunday-in-lent/ http://bgcovenant.org/2008/02/17/follow-the-evidence/ Message given by Rev. Malanga 2-17-2007, based on Galations 5:19-23 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/02/17/follow-the-evidence-2/ Holy Lord, I have sinned times without number, and been guilty of pride and unbelief, of failure to find thy mind in they Word, of neglect to seek thee in my daily life. My transgressions and short-comings present me with a list of accusations, But I bless thee that they will not stand against me, for all have ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/02/17/confession-petition-a-prayer-for-the-second-sunday-in-lent/ http://bgcovenant.org/2008/02/10/christians-are-not-religious-they-are-spiritual/ Message given by Rev. Malanga 2-10-2008 on Galatians 5:16-18 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/02/10/christians-are-not-religious-they-are-spiritual-2/ O God of Grace, Thou hast imputed my sin to my substitute, and hast imputed his righteousness to my soul, clothing me with a bridegroom’s robe, decking me with jewels of holiness. But in my Christian walk I am still in rags; my best prayers are stained with sin; my penitential tears are so much impurity; my confessions ... http://bgcovenant.org/2008/02/10/continual-repentance-a-prayer-for-the-first-sunday-in-lent/ Galatians 5:19-23 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/02/03/how-to-be-spiritual-without-being-religious-2/ http://bgcovenant.org/2008/01/27/use-your-freedom-to-serve-one-another-in-love/ Galatians 5:13-18 http://bgcovenant.org/2008/01/27/use-your-freedom-to-serve-one-another-in-love-2/ 16 November 2007 Over the past several days I have received several inquiries as to BGCC’s position regarding the upcoming release on December 7 of the motion picture The Golden Compass, based on the book by the same name by Philip Pullman. Mr. Pullman is an atheist and his Dark Materials ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/11/15/the-golden-compass-the-christian-conscience/ Friday 20 July 2007 “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished,’ and He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit.” – John 19.30 “This remarkable expression, in the Greek, is one single word in a perfect tense, ‘It has been completed.’ It stands here in majestic ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/07/20/it-is-finished-part-2/ Friday 13 July 2007 “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished,’ and He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit.” – John 19.30 The Valley of Vision is a collection of prayers written by the Puritans. One prayer titled, The Spirit’s Work is especially powerful. Midway ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/07/13/it-is-finished/ Friday 15 June 2007 I begin this post the same way I ended my last—with a quote by Dr. Gordon Fee: “the goal (of salvation) was not simply to fit individuals for heaven but to create a people who by the power of the Spirit lived out the life of ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/06/15/work-out-your-own-salvation-part-3/ This past Sunday I ended my sermon with the following prayer from The Valley of Vision, A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions (Arthur Bennet, Ed., The Banner of Truth Trust, Philadelphia, PA, ©1975). The prayer is titled, The Grace of the Cross. O my Saviour, I thank Thee from the depths of ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/06/12/the-grace-of-the-cross/ Friday 8 June 2007 I began my last post with the following observation from David F. Wells’, book, Above All Earthly Powers: “It is very easy to build churches in which seekers congregate; it is very hard to build churches in which biblical faith is maturing into genuine discipleship.” I mentioned ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/06/08/work-out-your-own-salvation-part-2/ Friday 1 June 2007 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/06/01/work-out-your-own-salvation/ Friday 11 May 2007 If you cannot remember the last time you read the prophet Habakkuk (H?-bak -??k), or if you have never read him, it’s likely you are good company. To find him you must venture deep into the Old Testament. He is ensconced between Nahum and Zephaniah (two ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/05/11/habakkuks-lament/ “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/04/13/christ-was-raised-and-is-still-alive/ Friday 30 March 2007 An Invocation for Palm Sunday Humble and riding on a donkey, we greet You; acclaimed by crowds and caroled by children, we cheer You; moving from the peace of the countryside to the corridors of power, we salute you: CHRIST OUR LORD. You are giving the beast of burden a new dignity; You are giving majesty a new face; You ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/03/30/the-palm-sunday-paradox/ Dr. Bruce Edwards gives a sermon titled “In not of: living in the shadowlands,” To view Dr. Edwards C.S. Lewis blog, go to www.pseudobook.com/cslewis http://bgcovenant.org/2007/03/23/dr-bruce-edwards-living-in-the-shadowlands-mp3/ Friday 23 March 2007 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8.12 Mordecai, merchant in Jerusalem To Bartholomew, my beloved brother and merchant in Bethsaida, Greetings in the Name of the He who is blessed forever, ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/03/23/the-light-of-the-world/ http://bgcovenant.org/2007/03/12/lent-2007-sermon-3-the-safety-of-entering-through-the-narrow-door/ Sermon #3 of "The King, the Cross, and the Empty Tomb" series Rev. Dr. Michael Malanga - Luke 13: 31-35 Title: "The Safety of Entering through the Narrow Door" http://bgcovenant.org/2007/03/12/lent-2007-sermon-3-the-safety-of-entering-through-the-narrow-door-mp3/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 9 March 2007 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” – John 6.51 Bartholomew, merchant in Bethsaida, To Mordecai, my ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/03/08/the-bread-of-life/ Sermon #2 of "The King, the Cross, and the Empty Tomb" series Rev. Dr. Michael Malanga - Luke 13: 22-30 Title: "In a word - "YES." http://bgcovenant.org/2007/03/04/sermon-2-the-king-the-cross-and-the-empty-tomb-mp3/ http://bgcovenant.org/2007/03/04/lent-2007-sermon-2-in-a-word-yes/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 2 March 2007 “As the time drew near for his return to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” – Luke 9.51 [NLT] “And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/03/02/scriptura-ex-scriptura-explicanda-est/ O LORD, I  bless Thee that the issue of the battle between Thyself and Satan has never been uncertain, and will end in victory. Calvary broke the dragon’s head, and I contend with a vanquished foe, who with all his subtlety and strength has already been overcome. When I feel the serpent at my heel may I ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/02/28/the-servant-in-battle/ Sermon #1 of “The King, the Cross, and the Empty Tomb” series Rev. Dr. Michael Malanga - Luke 4: 1-13 This sermon begins our lent series titled "The King, the Cross and the Empty Tomb" http://bgcovenant.org/2007/02/25/sermon-the-king-the-cross-and-the-empty-tomb/ ~ The King, the Cross and the Empty Tomb ~ A Sermon Series for the Season of Lent – Sermon 1: Luke 4.1-13 ~Jesus stood up to the devil’s every temptation by standing firm on the word of God ~ “As Jesus turned down Satan and consciously chose to follow God down ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/02/24/study-guide-%e2%80%93-lent-sermon-1-luke-41-13/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 23 February 2007 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”–Paul the Apostle, First Epistle to the Thessalonians 5.16-18 There were no better keepers of Paul’s exhortation than the Puritans. Their enthusiasm for prayer is ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/02/23/to-live-by-prayer-as-well-as-by-providence/ Our first sermon podcast at BGCC titled, "Carried Along, Not Carried Away" Topic: 2 Peter 2: 16-21 http://bgcovenant.org/2007/02/18/carried-along-not-carried-away/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 16 February 2007 “Consider how I love Your precepts! Give me life according to Your steadfast love. The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous rules endures forever.” — Psalm 119.159-160 They are two of my favorite Hebrew words. That they appear in consecutive verses of ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/02/16/hesed-and-emeth/ Friday 9 February 2007 “…I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/02/09/persuaded-by-the-spirits-power/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 2 February 2007 “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/02/02/a-deliberate-amnesia/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 26 January 2007 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” -1 Corinthians 11.26 I recently discovered an old hymn titled By Christ Redeemed, In Christ Restored. It was written over 150 years ago by George Rawson, with ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/01/26/by-christ-redeemed/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 12 January 2007 “'Great are You, Lord, and greatly to be praised. Great is Your power, and Your wisdom infinite'(Psalms 145.3; 147.5). And man wants to praise You; man, but a particle of Your creation; man that bears about him his mortality, the witness of his sin, ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/01/12/restless-hearts-find-their-rest-in-god/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 5 January 2007 They say, “Truth is stranger than fiction.” If so, the following Associated Press headline is further evidence in support of that axiom – “Saved By the Word” (This Associated Press story appeared on page 17 of The Sentinel-Tribune (Bowling Green, Ohio), Monday, November 20, 2006.) The ... http://bgcovenant.org/2007/01/05/46/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 26 October 2006 “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” —Romans 15.5-6 Several years ago, our family ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/10/27/benediction-rest-stops/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 29 September 2006 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/09/28/graced-with-a-clean-heart/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 22 September 2006 “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him saying, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’” —Matthew 14.30-31 [ESV] Before I saw the ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/09/22/successful-failure/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 15 September 2006 “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.”—Joshua 1.7[ESV] “Now before faith ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/09/15/keep-your-head-up/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 8 September 2006 “Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/09/08/the-second-shakedown/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 1 September 2006 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” — 1 Corinthians 15.58 [ESV] “We ought not merely to labor in the Lord but to do ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/09/01/labor-day/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 25 August 2006 “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” — 1 Peter 2.12 [NIV] Recently, Christianity Today asked the following question of subscribers ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/08/24/to-glorify-god-we-must-behave-like-jesus/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 18 August 2006 “A voice says, ‘Cry out.’ And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’ ‘All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/08/18/god-is-forever/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 11 August 2006 “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” “’This is My body which is for you. Do this in remembrance ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/08/11/communion/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 21 July 2006 “For God made two great lights, the sun and the moon, to shine down upon the earth. The greater one, the sun, presides during the day; the lesser one, the moon, presides through the night. He also made the stars.”—Genesis 1.16 [NLT] What happened July ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/07/21/communion-on-the-moon/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 14 July 2006 “When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.” —1 Corinthians 2.13 [NLT] There is a hidden danger in becoming ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/07/14/the-spirits-words-speak-spiritual-truth/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 7 July 2006 “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.”—1 Corinthians 2.12 [ESV] Over the past two weeks I have been watching the play downs to ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/07/07/fifa-world-cup-and-the-spirit-of-god/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 30 June 2006 “Give thanks to the LORD for He is good. His love endures forever. “Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. “Give thanks to the LORD of lords. His love endures forever.”—Psalm 136.1-3 [ESV] I am a baseball fan. My favorite pastimes ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/06/30/keep-a-scorecard-of-gods-steadfast-love/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 23 June 2006 “Say not, ‘Why were the former days better than these? For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.”—Ecclesiastes 7.10 [ESV] “Don’t long for ‘the good old days,’ for you don’t know whether they were any better than today.”—Ecclesiastes 7.10 [NLT] Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher, warns ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/06/23/keep-to-the-present/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 16 June 2006 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose matter under heaven.”—Ecclesiastes 3.1 [ESV] Before my wedding day my father offered me some sage advice. “Mike,” he said trying to hide a grin, “never buy Jill a household appliance for her birthday, your ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/06/16/theres-a-right-time-to-that-household-appliance/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 9 June 2006 “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” —John 14.23 In John 14, Jesus begins His farewell discourse—His last will and testament given to the apostles before ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/06/09/jesus-making-himself-right-at-home/ The Traveler’s Advisory Friday 2 June 2006 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/06/02/what-makes-you-happy/ “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/05/24/empowering-your-mind-and-life/ Cheryl was a young Jewish woman who had come to faith in Jesus. Since coming to faith in Jesus life had been difficult for her. Her parents would not talk to her. Her old friends either ignored her or made fun of her for being on that “born again” kick. ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/05/15/let%e2%80%99s-have-some-tea/ “And the people spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.”—Numbers 21.5 (italics added) [ESV] “Now these things took place as examples for us, that ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/05/09/complain-little-and-praise-much/ “If you are then raised up with Christ, reach out for the highest gifts of Heaven, where Christ reigns in power. Be concerned with the heavenly things, not with the things of earth. For, as far as this world is concerned, you are already dead, and your true life is ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/04/28/hidden-in-god/ “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God…for if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/04/21/he-is-alive/ “So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/04/14/two-worlds/ “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/03/31/a-new-heart-and-a-new-spirit/ “O LORD, you have searched me and known me! …Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts![1] And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting![2]”—Psalm 139.1, 23, 24 [ESV] I have been considering a question ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/03/24/pursuit-of-his-glory/ “And then, when you pray, don’t be like the play-actors. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at street-corners so that people may see them at it. Believe me, they have had all the reward they are going to get. But whey you pray, go into your ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/03/17/authentic-prayer/ "Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."-Ephesians 5.15-16 [NIV] "Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning of life, but as those who do. Make the best ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/03/03/know-the-meaning-of-life/ "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 3.14 I am a hockey fan. This explains why this past Wednesday I rose at 5:45 a.m. to watch Team Sweden play Team Kazakhstan in Men's Olympic Ice Hockey. It was a first round game, ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/02/17/i-press-on/ I am at this moment still basking in the radiant warmth of a hunter's satisfaction with a successful campaign. I have rid my home of a mouse. Said mouse was discovered-dead-at approximately 5:18 a.m. on Wednesday morning February 8, 2006. The time of death is estimated to have been between midnight and 5 a.m. The ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/02/10/set-me-free/ Friday 3 February 2006 "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of the law."-Deuteronomy 29.29 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."-Matthew 5.4 "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/02/03/come-to-me-all-who-are-weary/ “You have heard that is was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. …You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”—Matthew 5.43, 48 [ESV] An old friend from my days ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/01/31/not-off-the-hook/ "Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ...Don't be intimidated at all by your enemies." -Philippians 1.27a, 28a [NLT] The numbers stagger the mind's ability to think in numbers so large: 40 million! That is the number of babies estimated to have been ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/01/20/citizens-of-heaven/ Several years ago we redecorated Liz's bedroom of our house in Canada. It was an old house so the project took longer than expected to complete—almost five weeks. We painted the windows and trim, the ceiling and part of the walls. We replaced her old light with a new combination ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/01/14/resolutions/ “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us.” —Philippians 3.13-14 [NLT] Everybody has regrets about their past. Even the apostle Paul had regrets. As a Pharisee and ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/01/13/regrets/ "Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and does them...is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock."-Luke 6.47 [ESV] In a past issue of the comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes, the two companions are walking in the snow. "Are you making any resolutions for ... http://bgcovenant.org/2006/01/03/foundation-on-the-rock-2/ Friday 16 December 2005 "For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ."-John 1.16-17 [NASB] One of my favorite stories to tell at Christmas is about a man jockeying his way through holiday traffic in New York City. ... http://bgcovenant.org/2005/12/16/grace-and-truth-2/ "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." -Isaiah 9.6 [ESV] Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah said that Jesus the Messiah ... http://bgcovenant.org/2005/12/08/a-child-is-born/ "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples, but the LORD will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to ... http://bgcovenant.org/2005/12/05/arise-and-follow-him/ Friday 18 November 2005 "Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done." -Psalm 105.1 [NIV] Archie Erickson was 85-years-old when I met him. As far as I know he never traveled more than 250 miles from his farm in north central North Dakota. He was ... http://bgcovenant.org/2005/11/18/give-thanks-to-the-lord/