"Happily Un-Married"

I recently watched a movie with my wife that we thought "might" be good. It was not a good movie on many levels. Before the movie got going to far the couple in the movie stated that they were "happily unmarried". This couple thought that life would be "no fun", "hard", have "more responsibilities", and that "children were not even a topic to be discussed, ever". This movie made me think about why marry. I was reminded of Ephesians 5:22-33. I have an example of how I am to love my wife, Christ's love for the Church. My love for my wife needs to one of self-sacrificing love. I need to nourish and cherish her. I need to follow the example that Christ left in loving my wife. This "happily unmarried" bit is ridiculous! This is not the way that God intended it to be. Through my marriage I have an opportunity to love, nourish, cherish, and help her to grow spiritually. Marriage is not about what "I" can get from it. It is what can I give of myself to my wife. Wow! What a challenge; to love my wife as Christ loves the church! I need God's help, strength, and wisdom.

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How Foolish.

I am the Sunday School Superintendent for this year, 2009, at our church. I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve God in this way! I am the one who is either to direct a Christmas program for the Sunday school classes or find someone to direct it. I thought that this is not so hard. I can do this. Wow! I may have underestimated the task I was taking on. We are doing the "Peanut Butter Christmas" put together by Ron Hamilton.
I thought that I would be able to get everything together and put this play on and that it would be a great success. I could not have been any more prideful. This was a task that, yes, I could lead but not put it on all by myself. I tried. The very first rehearsal proved that I was not going to be able to do this all by myself. There was only one lady who was there helping me and she was playing the piano. It was a horrible practice. I proved that I was not able to lead a group of children in singing nor keep them focused for a certain amount of time. Thankfully I was approached by a couple who suggested that I ask another lady to help with the singing. Wow! I am so glad that I did! She is and has done great! So much better than I would have ever been able to!
There are so many other times during this play, whether planning or practice, that I have desired things to go the way that I had planed, in my mind. But they did not. I would get frustrated and then be upset till God would remind me that this play is not about me but is really about Christ's birth, which we are celebrating. It is funny that I was so focused on how "I" was going to accomplish this play. Wow! How dumb!
Last night and this morning I have spent some time thinking and praying about the whole situation and realized that I should be thankful to God allowing my to serve as the director. Also that I should not think of my responsibility as a chance to prove something but rather to serve. God brought to my mind all the people who are really going to make this whole thing possible and I began to pray for them. Here are some of the people who I am very, very thankful for their help and participation: Maggie (God's greatest helper that He has given me), Jesse (props) and Katie (piano player), Dave (lights) and Darla (song leader), Juan and Sonja (parents in the play), Zach (sound), Isaiah (Davey), Kenzie (Ruthie), David (Joshua), Pastor Thompson, Rich, and Kent (the great bumbling robbers), and all the children who are singing in the choir.
In reallity I have such a small part in this whole play. Thank you to all who are involved! I am continually praying for you! Thank you!

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Take It Seriously.

Last night I went to hear a good friend of mine preach at the church that he and his wife are attending. He gave a wonderful challenge to take the return of Christ seriously. He essentially wanted us to see that we do not really live as though Christ could seriously return before you are done reading this or before you take your next breath! Through God's Word he showed us three actions that a person who takes the return of Christ seriously will evident in their life.
First, he took us to Philippians 2:16-18; 2 Peter 3:11-12. He stated that a person who is serious about the return of Christ will rejoice in anticipation. Paul and Peter both were rejoicing in anticipation of Christ's return. Paul rejoiced in the return of Christ because he had opportunity to serve God and be doing that when He came. Peter asked what kind of people we should be based on know what is going to happen to this world and then said he was looking forward and desiring to hasten the coming of the Lord. I was posed with a question of my own life. "When was the last time I felt so excited and filled with joy when I thought of the return of Christ?" I know that I can become excited and joyful about a lot of things, but the return of Christ...I do not think about it as I should. Many times the reason why I am not thinking about it is because I have a strong grip on this worlds things and activities. I need to release that grip and rejoice in anticipations.
Second, he took us to Romans 13:11-12; Mark 13:32. He stated that a person who is serious about the return of Christ will renew our sense of urgency. Paul wrote to the Romans basically that the time of the return could be any minute and they needed to "wake up and get to work!" Paul challenged them to get rid of the works of darkness and get to work because Christ may return at any time. Mark says a similar thing in that he wants them to be alert. I was posed with a couple of questions that are similar here as I was thinking about this. "How do I use my time?" He asked us, "Would I be more likely to be reading God's Word or watching tv when Christ returns? Would I be more likely to be praying or eating/preparing food when Christ returns? Would I be more likely to be sharing the gospel or committing a sinful act when Christ returns?" These were all hard questions for me to answer because I am not doing or being what God wants me to do when I should, now. I was convicted about my lack of urgency about the things of God. I need to renew my sense of urgency.
Third, he took us to 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9; 1 Peter 1:13. He stated that a person who is serious about the return of Christ will replace apathy with sobriety. Paul is urging these people, and us, to be sober. Peter is also challenging us to be sober in our minds. They are not wanting us to let anything hinder our thinking so that we may be completely focused. We cannot just go through life not focused on the return of Christ. It needs to be our goal, what we are aiming for. We need to be working towards that goal. I was posed with this question "Where is my focus?" Is my life showing, evidenting that I am focused on the return of Christ? My life is focused on a lot of temporal things more often than it is focused on the eternal. I am needing to put my attention and focus on eternal things, which will last for eternity. Colossians 3:2 say "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." I need to replace my apathy with sobriety.
What about you? Are you one who takes the return of Christ seriously?

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(Thanks Tim)

Snow

It is December 3 and we still have not really had any significant snow to speak of. I enjoy all the seasons. I enjoy the changing of the seasons. Now I think it is time for some snow. This morning it has snowed in other parts of the state but not here. In my mind the snow helps the cold temperatures not feel so cold. Today is a cold one. Snow would have been much appreciated.
When it is snowing it is very beautiful, also it is very beautiful right after it has snowed and before anyone has had an opportunity to walk through it or drive over it. It is so white and clean! It reminds me so much of how God has washed our sins as white as snow through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. When I see snow it reminds me of the love that God has for me. He loved me so much that He sent His only unique Son to earth to live life and struggle as we struggle, yet without sin, and go to the cross willingly to die for my sins, and not mine alone but all the world. Jesus died on the cross so the we might have eternal life. Snow reminds me of what God has done for me. Made me pure from sin. I no longer am a slave to sin, but rather a willing slave to God! Praise the Lord for what He has done! Snow, love it!

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Thank you!

I am thankful for many things this Thanksgiving day. I have spent the last week or so really thinking about thankfulness. Thankfulness is to have an attitude and heart that is appreciative, grateful for who God is and what He has done. It also acknowledges His sovereign control of our lives. When I think about thankfulness in this light, wow! I have a lot to be thankful for! So I began to think of all the things I am thankful to God for. Because really God is the one who has allowed me to have, be with, experience, and enjoy anything! My list is not in any specific order. It is just as they came to my mind and is not an exhastive list. I am equally thankful to God for all and everything. Here it is: God, salvation, God's Word, God's provision, God's protection, Opportunities to serve God, Maggie, Elijah, Dad, Mom, Amy, Philip, Susan, Maggie's parents and siblings, home, car, job, Jesse and Katie (Hayden, Owen, Silas), Tim and Anna, Jeriah and Shawna, Nick, Pastor Brian, Pastor Thompson and family, Pastor James, Bethel Baptist Church, the ability to run, play basketball, play soccer, or do just about anything. I know I am so thankful, but sometimes it is hard to put into words how thankful I am. God is so, so good all the time; all the time God is good! I love serving God and praising Him for all the worderful ways He works! Today and everday I need to praise Him! I am thankful today!

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God is good all the time!

Today is a very special day. As of today, I have been a father for one year. Yes, a father for one year! I cannot hardly believe that this is part of God's plan for Maggie and I, but I love it! Elijah Bradley Cox is one year old today! I am so excited that Elijah is part of Maggie and my's life! No, he does not really realize that he is a year old. Kind of funny that we as parents make a big deal about him turning one, but he goes on like nothing ever happened. Oh well! Maggie and I are rejoicing in all the memories of the first year of Elijah's life! God has been so good! Praise God!

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Any Fool.

This morning I had another good time in God’s Word! I was in Proverbs 20. Wow. I was challenged with a lot this morning from this passage. First from verse 3,”It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.” Any person can start a quarrel or an argument. Avoiding strife is honorable. Many people jump right into quarrels or arguments thinking that it is honorable, admirable, or praiseworthy to be in them and win. God says rather to refrain from striving or quarreling and then that will be honorable, admirable, and praiseworthy. This is something that is often forgotten by me. I need to remember that overlooking insults and dropping issues that may blow up is honorable before God. I am asking God to help me with this.
Second from verse 9, “Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin”?” No one can claim that they are pure or have made themselves clean from sin. We are all sinners and need the free gift of salvation that Jesus provided with His death on the cross, burial, and resurrection. This is the only way we can say we have been cleaned. God continually works in us to conform us into the image of His Son. Only in heaven with God will we be pure and clean like Christ. This was a good reminder to me that I am not where I need to be and should strive to be like Christ.
Third from verse 15, “There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” Gold and rubies are very nice and are worth a lot of money. There are also many people who have these. But there are not a lot of people who have lips of knowledge. I need to be one whose mouth speaks wise and good things at the appropriate time. Then I will be one who has lips of knowledge. I need to be quiet unless I am going to speak things that are needful at the time.
Fourth from verse 22, “Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.” I should not try to play God and repay evil or act as a judge. I should make it my aim to seek the good of others as well as myself. Also I should try to pursue peace with all people. I need to leave the revenge and repaying business to God and simply trust that He knows best. Then seek the good of others and pursue peace with all. I know this will be difficult but I am praying that God will help me to love others whether they deserve it or not.
Today was such a good day in God’s Word (although they all are). I am really enjoying Proverbs.

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Proverbs 17

This morning I was in Proverbs 17. As I read through this chapter I wrote down thoughts that I had as I read it. Five verses were really challenging to me this morning. First was verse 3, “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.” This reminded me that as silver and gold are refined and purified under intense heat, God uses the heat from trials to refine and purify me to be more like His Son. God wants me to be pure and untainted from sin. Second was verse 9, “He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.” When I choose to cover or overlook a sin done to me I am seeking to love the person who has wronged me. I love the person, but not their sin. I am promoting love at this point. But if I repeat, tell it to someone else out of frustration or anger, I am gossiping which may or will cause lack of trust in a friend at another time. Third was verse 22, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.” A merry, joyous heart does good. The good it does is like medicine; it helps the medicine be even more useful to the body. A broken, discouraged spirit dries the bones and leaves a person done. I need to work on having a heart that is merry and joyous! Lastly it was two verses together 27-28, “He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” To be wise I need to have knowledge. A man who has knowledge knows when to speak and when to hold back his words. This same man has knowledge and understanding is of a calm spirit, he is not stressed or anxious and keeps his “cool”. A fool is considered wise when he is quiet, holds his peace/words. He is then considered perceptive, discerning when he is quiet. I need to love knowledge to where I am this man who knows when to speak and when to hold his words back.

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Forgetting Thanksgiving?

I have noticed that in stores, on TV, in advertisements of any kind, and on the Internet that people are ready for Christmas. I thought that there was another holiday, day we as the United States celebrated on the last Thursday of November, which so happens to be the 26th this year. What I am talking about, if you are one of those who forgot or is so focused on Christmas, is Thanksgiving! My wife has been interested in starting to listen to some Christmas music. I at first told her that we should wait till after Thanksgiving. But as I began to think about it. We should listen to this music because it helps to be thankful to God for sending His Son to earth as a baby that He might grow into a man who would take away the sins of the world. I am extremely thankful for that! So we are actually listen to Christmas music now. My other concern about "forgetting Thanksgiving" is that Christmas in today's world focuses people on getting. Children see santa as a big jolly, bearded guy who comes down chimnes to give toys and things to them. All advertisements are focused on enticing people to ask for certain things from others so that they may get something. I think that we need to remember Thanksgiving because it is a time for us to reflect on all that God has given us and rejoice because of them. I am not saying that we should forget Christmas but that we should not just skip over Thanksgiving either. My thoughts are that we should be thankful to God for who He is and what He has done and then be excited about an opportunity to give to others something that would be helpful to them at Christmas; a time where God gave us His Son so that we may have eternal life. I am striving in my own heart to be thankful for what God has done and given to me and my family. I am also praying that God would help me to know what I should give those whom I love to help them become more like Christ and to simply help them. I would encourage you to think about this as well.

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Plans

I read in Proverbs 16 today for my devotions. Verse 9 says, "A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps." When I read this verse I had to stop and think. Then I remembered what verse 1 said, "The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." I was realizing that these verses were saying very similar things. I may plan how my day, month, year, or life may go; arranging things in a certain order. I make plans for how I am plans for my actions, how I will live my life. The thing that I need to remember is that God is sovereign over all things. God has perfect plans for me. I need to trust His sovereignty even when it seems to be different than my own ideas. I need to make sure as I plan that my ways please the Lord. God is sovereign! I should strive to make plans that are in accordence to what His Word says I should be doing.

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Will It Happen?!?!

Will it happen and why? I am an Iowa Hawkeye fan! I bleed black and gold! Just kidding, I really do not. The Hawkeyes are currently 7-0 on the season!! They have not been this since 1985!! WOW!! What do you think? Will the Iowa Hawkeyes go undefeated this season? What are your thoughts?

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Discretion

This morning I read in Proverbs 19 for my devotions. I was reading through until I reached verse 11, “The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.” When I read this verse I had to stop and reread it, reread it, reread it, and reread it. I could not just move on. Something about this verse really made me stop and want to understand it because I saw that I needed to be this man.
Discretion is an interesting word. It means “the quality of being discreet, esp. with reference to one's own actions or speech” (www.dictionary.com). This is interesting to me. When a person is discreet they know how to hold back their own actions and speech. I understand this verse to say that when I am using discretion I will know how to hold back my actions and speech so that I will be able to be slow to anger. Of course only with God’s help am I able to do this. I definitely need to work on this.
This same man is to overlook a transgression; it will be to him as glory to do so. He realizes that it will cause more trouble to bring up or acknowledge it. This man has used his discretion to prevent him from getting angry or from sinning. I need to be wise enough to know when it is time to overlook a transgression or help admonish from God’s Word. It will be to myself, and those who do the same, glory and honor. This is not done in our own strength but only by God’s strength can we be wise in our discretion so that we may be slow to anger and able to overlook a transgression.

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Precious Times

At breakfast this morning, I was able to feed Elijah his breakfast and eat mine while Maggie as able to accomplish some things. I had not read my Bible for the day so as I fed Elijah and myself, I grabed my Bible and began to read. I read aloud Proverbs 29 and Psalm 52 to him as well as myself. I do not know if he really understood what I was saying but I want him to see that the privite, personal study of God's Word is important to dad. It was a wonderful time to read God's Word with my little boy! It was one of those precious times where it was just me and him and God's Word. When I would stop reading to give him a bite or take one myself he would begin talking again. He was realitively quiet during the reading though. I am super excited to see what God has for Elijah and am praying that he will one day understand that he is a sinner and needs Jesus as his personal Savior. I love being a dad!

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Philippians 1 & 2

Praise the Lord!! God has allowed me to be able to memorize Philippians 1 and now 2! I am really, really enjoying going over and over Philippians like this! It has helped me think biblically as I am at home, work, church, or with friends. God's Word is powerful and is the best weapon to combat Satan's temptations to sin.
There are a few thoughts I have on chapter 2. First is that I need to have the mind of Christ. Chapter 2 begins, "If there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Then it goes on to show how Christ Jesus exemplified this mind that Paul is asking us to have. This mind is totally focused on others. Not only to love others but to help know God. I need to have this focus, mindset.
Also, in verses 14-15, "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crocked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." I need to do all things, everything without complaining, grumbling and disputing, arguing. The reason for this is that I am a light to the world around me and need to not let my light be dim or hidden by my complaining, grumbling, disputing, or arguing. I need to be a bright light so that others may see God and glorify Him!
Verse 21 really stuck out to me; "For all seek their own, and not the things which are of Christ Jesus." Paul is saying that Timothy is seeking the things which are of Christ Jesus. Others were seeking their own wants and desires. I need to be seeking the things of Christ Jesus not pursuing my own.
I have been helped so much by memorizing Philippians and I am only half way through! Praise the Lord! What are you memorizing?

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Marinating On God's Truth!

Tonight at church, my wife and I help lead the childrens group. They are doing a curiculum called "Kids 4 Truth". It really focuses on helping the children to know the truth of God's word through questions/answers and then by memorizing God's Word! It is a lot of fun to help these children with their knowledge of the truth of God's Word!
Last Wednesday night I challenged them to make sure to bring their Bibles and books (Kids 4 Truth books) when the come on Wednesdays so that we can hide God's word in our hearts. I also told them that I was going to be working on Philippians, to memorize it. Tonight I gave the about 20 minutes to work on saying verses to the leaders. They all did very well! I then asked if they remembered what I said I was going to do last week. None of them remembered, unfortunately. I then reminded them and they said, "Oh yeah!" I then preceded to have all of them turn to Philippians 1 and follow along as I quoted that chapter. I was able to do it with only two mistakes! I was kind of disappointed in how I did. They were all surprised. They asked me to share with them the whole book of Philippians when I have it memorized by October 11 and I said I would.
Then I shared with them Psalm 119:9-11. I talked them about the fact that we can cleanse our way by taking heed to God's Word. Then we talked about how when we hide God's Word in our heart it helps us to not sin against God. We can use the verses that we memorize to combat Satan's temptations. I used the illustration of our minds being like a steak and God's Word being a marinade; we need to let our minds marinade on God's Word so that we might soak it up! Then we will have the Word of God dwelling in us richly! This was a lot of fun to talk to them about this! I pray that they will not simply memorize to pass a section but to really hide God's Word in their hearts.
How are you hiding God's Word in your heart? Let me know.

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Elijah the Explorer

After lunch today, we took Elijah to a little park near by where we live. It was a great time to see him experiment with rocks, sticks, leaves, and pin cones! He really enjoys being outside! He likes to watch everything, whether trees, leaves, little animals, or trying to figure out the wind. Here are some pictures of him trying new things!

Philippians 1

"Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me." Philippians 1:1-30.
Praise the Lord I now have the first chapter of Philippians memorized! Actually I am a have almost half of chapter two memorized as well! This has helped me so much! No matter what I do my mind is full of God's word! It brings new meaning to Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..." My mind is being saturated with Philippians! This has been a huge help to me in keeping my thoughts on the positive things, things of God!

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October 11, 2009

I have been working on memorizing Philippians for a while now. I have decided that I will set a goal for myself. October 11, 2009 I will have memorized the book of Philippians. This is one of my favorite books in the Bible and it will be very helpful for me to hide God's word in my heart. Please pray that I will be able to meet this goal with God's help. I am working on having Philippians 1 done by Sunday (September 20). I have the first eleven verse down now and am praying for God to help me to be commited to the rest!

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Praises!

Today I have a lot to be praising God for. This morning I was able to help a man in our church paint a side of his house. I really enjoyed getting to talk to him about his past. I was excited to hear how he came to know Jesus as his personal Savior! Praise the Lord! We talked about a lot of the church's history that I was unfamiliar with. That was really neat! Along with all the talking, I was able to help him paint the side of his house! Praise!
Also today I went to work and was supposed to work 12pm to 6pm. Well a little after 4pm my boss came to me and said, "See you tomorrow Dan." He allowed me to go home! He told me to go home and take my wife out for supper! WOW! Praise the Lord! We do not get that opportunity very often! This is totally a God thing! I asked Maggie where she wanted to eat and that is what we did! Praise!
Tonight at church I was able to lead the children in Kid 4 Truth. We had our time all outside! It was great! We had a wonderful time of prayer! We played some wiffle ball! Then we talked about thirsting for God from Psalm 42:1-2! It was a neat time to spend with this children and to pray, play, and study God's Word! Praise!
What are you praising God for today?

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Rejoicing!

At work sometimes I can get frustrated and wonder why God has me there. Almost every time these thoughts come into my mind, God brings to my thoughts the song by Ron Hamilton "Rejoice in the Lord". Really it is simply the first verse and chorus. " God never moves without purpose or plan when trying His servant and molding a man. Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long; in darkness He giveth a song. O Rejoice in the Lord He makes no mistake, He knoweth the end of each path that I take, for when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold." God wants me to realize that what is going on in my life is not random or by chance but He has a perfect plan for me. God wants me to see that He is molding me into what He wants me to be. God does not make any mistakes. He is the one who knows the end of the test or trial I may be in. God wants me to understand that when this is all over that He wants me to be more like His Son. I simply need to trust in God. "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). This is the prayer that I am praying today; that God would help to rejoice in Him always and keep rejoicing!

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Thirsting for God

This morning I read Psalm 42 as a part of my quiet time with God. I was really challenged to have a thirst for God. I enjoy running, actually I have ran about 120 miles this summer so far. I enjoy a good run that challenges me to push myself further than I would want to and I also know that it is beneficial to my whole body if I exercise. The other day I went for a run and decided that I was going to run for four miles, by the time I got home I was so incredibly thirsty for water that I could hardly bare it! What Psalm 42 says in verses one and two is basically the same thing. The author begins by taking deer and explaining that they long for the water brooks. After the deer has run, exerted energy it is longing for a drink of water. When I finish my runs I am earnestly longing for water! My soul, my life needs to long for God in such a greater way than that! My soul, my life needs to thirst for God! When I wake up in the morning I need to so thirsty for God I can hardly do anything else. As I go through my day I should be so desiring the water of God's Word in my life. Water sustains us physically so that we may live. The water that God has to give us sustains our spiritual lives. I can not live for God without the water that He gives through His Word! I must earnestly seek to spend time in God's Word so that I may have the living water that only He can provide so that I may live a life full for God and what He has for me! I need to thirst for God!

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Skating and Walking with God

Tonight we had an all church skating fellowship! It was great! There were plenty of people skating and people fellowshiping! I for one enjoyed a chance to skate. I really enjoy skating! Skating reminds me of my walk with God. It is not easy. There are times when you think you are doing good and get over confident and then I would fall. This happens to me in my walk with God. I will be going along and think to myself that this is not so hard. Then, I fall. The good part is that I can get back up and put my reliance and confidence back in God. Thank you to God that even when I become confident in myself and fall that He does not give up on me but is willing to help me along.

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Psalm 18:30

"As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him."

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Such Love

I had a wonderful day at church today! It started with Sunday school. I teach a class on Genesis. This study has been challenging in so many ways! I love studying God's Word! This morning we looked at the life of Jacob. You might wonder how we got through the whole life of Jacob. Well I wanted to focus on the two Jacobs we see in Genesis. We started by looking at the Jacob the deceiver and then Jacob the humble servant. This was a great look at how Jacob started his life as one who tricked, deceived, and manipulated to get what he wanted. He was able, with the help of his mother, to get his brother's birthright and blessing from Isaac his father. But Esau was so angry that he desired to kill Jacob. So Jacob goes to Uncle Laban's "to find a wife". Jacob was willing to serve Rachel and the flocks that were with her by removing the stone and watering them for her. He barely knew her. This is a transition in Jacob's mind. He was beginning to not focus on himself. He then loved Rachel so much that he was willing to work for her for seven years and even said that the time seemed only as days because he loved her. Laban then tricks, deceives Jacob and gives him Leah to marry. What goes around comes around. Jacob does not get mad, he does not demand Rachel. He then agrees to work another seven years for Laban. After being with Laban for about twenty years Jacob heads to Canaan. Jacob hears that Esau is coming with 400 men to meet him. Jacob must have thought that this cannot be good. He sends messengers to Esau to tell him that his servant Jacob is coming and is sending gifts to him. Jacob now is not throwing the blessing and birthright in Esau's face but is humbling himself and saying he is Esau's servant. Esau runs to Jacob and hugs him! Not what Jacob expected. We saw that Jacob started as a deceiver but became a humble servant.

This morning in church Pastor preached about "Such Love" from 1 John 3:1. He challenged us to focus on the love of God! WOW! The love of God! We are so unworthy of the love of God. Praise God that He loved us even while we were enemies, arch rivals Christ died for us! So often we forget what price was paid for us to be saved but even more often we forget the love of God that drove Christ to the cross. The love of God! Oh, that I would never forget that love!

This evening Pastor preached sermon that was our response the love of God from the last part of 1 John 3:1. He reminded us that we are not to be surprised if the world does not like us, understand us, or hates us because He was not like, misunderstood, and hated first. We are to realize that the Holy Spirit is how we can do anything for Christ. Also that we are lights in the world. Are we shying away from unbelievers because we are scared of them and their sin? Are were taking the great love of God to them regardless of who they are? We need to take the great love of God to them but refrain from involving in their sin. We are to love the sinner but the sin. Also that we are realize that we are heirs with Christ. We have all in Christ! Praise God!

Today has been such a wonderful day at church! God has challenged me in so many ways. I pray that your day at church was amazing as was mine! Glory to God!

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Preach the Word

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2)

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Running

I have been running with my pastor and his boys every morning for the past month or so. We had only been running 2 - 2 1/2 miles a day. This morning I meet with them and we started running. Well I was running with Isaiah and we keep running and running and running. We finally got back to their house and it had only taken us about thirty minutes which was really surprising. We figured it out and we had ran 4 miles in thirty minutes! Wow! I was not expecting that! It was good for me. I enjoy running because it helps me to realize how my christian life is not a sprint but a marathon and I need to understand how to maintain a constant pace without stopping. Today we ran down a big hill and then up it, turned around and did it again. In my life there are times where it is easy, like going down a hill. Also there are times were when it is hard, like running up hill. The key is to fix your eyes on the goal and press on! I need to not let the things around me distract me, like how sore my body is, or how nice it would be to walk, or if I give up it will be easier. I need to fix my eyes on the prize and run to that goal! "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14)

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Family Camp 3, 2009

Tomorrow Maggie, Elijah, and I will be heading to Camp for our very first Family Camp! We are very excited about going together! Maggie and I have almost been married two years! WOW! Praise the Lord! Now we have Elijah with us. We are excited about going as a family. Both Maggien and I have gone to family camp with our parents throughout our growing up. But now we have a different experience. I so looking forward to going as an adult, husband, father, and leader of my family. I am praying that God will work in my heart and life as well as Maggie's! Also I am praying that we will have a great time as a family!

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Pleasing To Me

Today I read 2 Kings 16 in my devotions. I have been really challenged that living for God is not just a one time choice but is a daily, moment by moment choice to live for God. I have really seen this as I have read through the lives of the kings of Israel and Judah. Today is Ahaz, you know that things are not good when they start talking about how he did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord. Ahaz was the king of Judah and I read that he followed the kings of Israel and not God. He sacrificed to gods that pleased him rather than sacrificing to God who wanted him to please Him. Ahaz was being attacked by the king of Israel and the king of Syria. They were not successful in the conquest of Judah. But they did overtake a town called Elath. So Ahaz sends a messege to Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria for help in getting rid of these other two kings. Ahaz sees a alter that is pleasing to himself and sends the blueprints of it to the priest of Judah to build one for him. He not only relied on the king of Assyria and not God, but he wanted to continue to worship things that we not God. Ahaz was preoccupied with what pleased him rather than what pleased God. I need to be focused on pleasing God not myself. Who are you pleasing right now? God or self? I choose to please God!

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A Glass House?

Someone asked me if being in a pastor's family was like growing up in a glass house.
To an extent I would say that growing up in a Pastor’s family is like growing up in a glass house. Your home life was seen a lot more then say a layman’s family would be. This was not a big hindrance to my life, in fact it may be a tremendous help to my spiritual life. I actually like the fact that people are watching the Pastor’s family. As a Pastor’s family we are an example to the church that we are a part of. If the Pastor is not controlling or running His family well then how can he run the church that God has given him well? There were times when I would get in trouble, deservingly so, but the other kids when they were acting up didn’t get in trouble. I go back to the fact that a pastor’s family will make or break his ministry. His family needs to be one that represents his leadership at home, so others will see what kind of leader he will be in the church.
At times I was considered different for being in a pastor’s family and at times I didn’t really like it. Sometimes you would be asked to do things that other kids in the church would not have to do. I never thought myself as a weird kid because of the things that I had to do for my dad. I don’t really think that I did things just to please my mom or my dad. My parents were always telling us kids that we need to do things for God’s glory and to please Him. That is where my parents wanted our focus to be, not on pleasing them. As a pastor’s kid I got to have a ton of fun! Being in the ministry is a lot of fun. Maybe I didn’t get to do all the things that my friends got to do but I got to see God work in awesome ways! I got to see something my dad had been preaching on (if you see a need and you can meet that need then do it), put into practice by our church when I was very young and I still remember seeing that like it was yesterday. If people think that seeing God do amazing things is boring and no fun! Then they have a wrong view of the ministry. I never really was embarrassed when my dad would use me as an illustration. This may have been because he had told us kids that the reason God gave him children was so he would have illustrations. I thought it was cool that my dad, the pastor, was using me to help get his sermon across to the congregation.
I really never felt any different for living or growing up in a Pastor’s family. My dad and mom made the ministry fun and allowed us to help with it. Times when I may have had to help with something that others my not have had to, gave me a desire for the ministry. I got to see so many things that God was doing. Many times I got to go spend time with my dad and just watch and see what he does and how he ministers. No matter what family you grow up you can either please God with your actions or you can please self. If you are in a “normal” family you can still rebel and not have a heart for God. All of this boils down to whether you are content with where God has placed you in life or are focused on what you can’t do. Instead you should be focused on what you can do! Being in a pastor’s family was a cool opportunity to see God work in and through my dad and our family! Although there are times where I didn’t enjoy being in a pastor’s family, but looking back on it now I am so thankful for being able to grow up in a pastor’s family!

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Fathers Day 2009

Happy Fathers day! This was my first Fathers day that I received a card and a hug. Elijah is almost seven months old. Maggie and Elijah presented me with a card on our way to church this morning. It was a strange but neat privilege to have this happen. I praise God for my wife and son! I also gave my father a call and told him "happy fathers day!" I pray that God will allow me to be a godly father like the one I have is. I have a great example of what a godly father should be like. Thank you Dad!

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Ordination

I realize I have not been posting. For the last nine months or so I have been working and studying for my ordination. On June 6, I met with about 25 pastors and laymen to question me on what I believe. Praise the Lord that they saw that I was able to handle the Bible well and defend what I believe. On June 7, I was officially ordained by Bethel Baptist Church. I was able to pick who I would like to speak at this service. I choose to have my brother read a favorite passage of scripture. I choose my dad and Pastor Thompson to bring a challenge from God's Word. It was a great opportunity to go through this process and God really stretched me through it all. I am extremely thankful to God for how He gave me the gentleness, patience, and humble attitude through it all! I am also very thankful for my parents who are great examples of what a pastor and wife should be. I have a lot to live up to. I am also thankful for Pastor Thompson and Rev. John Huggins (also recently ordained) for their help in my preparation. I am thankful for Jesse Johnston, for his friendship and simply being able to talk about anything. He is like a brother. Iron sharpening iron. I am thankful for Bethel Baptist Church in their helping me move forward with what God has for me. "Believers do what they want; disciples do the will of God."

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Wisdom Gained and Lived Out

This morning I read in 1 Kings 3:16-4:34. It was just after Solomon asked God wisdom. Solomon had then a time to use this wisdom that God had given him with deciding who the baby boy belonged to. Then Solomon delegated, with wisdom, his administration responsibilities. He did not try to do everything himself. God allowed Solomon to gain wisdom and wealth which he had not actually asked for. The one thing about wisdom is you may have it but that does not actually mean you will apply it to your own life. I have been given the revelation of God through His Word. It is as though I have the mind of God in my hands. If I do not put it into practice in my daily, moment by moment life I will be no better than if I did not have it. I need to study God's Word and then live it out!

Elijah

My son Elijah is now five months old! Wow! Time flys when you are having fun! I am praying that Elijah will continue to grow and understand he is a sinner and that he needs Jesus.

2 Samuel 21

This morning I read in 2 Samuel 21. It was interesting to me that there was a famine in the land of Israel for three years. Some how David was able to realize that there was a connection to a problem with a people group. David sought the Lord on the problem and the Lord told him it was because of Saul, that he was a bloodthirsty man. So David immediately took care of the problem. Also I read about how David and his men took care of all the Philistine giants. Pretty neat to read about a battle where the big guys lose! David seems to be a humble man though. The men in his army told him that he was not going to go with them to battle because he was growing faint. I think he might have been getting older and they wanted to protect their king. I believe that it took a lot of humility to not argue, question, or complain about this command. I mean he was the king of Israel. Humble king. This is the way I need to live my life. Humility is not easy. When you think you are humble it is at that point that you are no longer humble. My prayer is that God would help me to see more ways that I need to be humble.

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My God

We truly have an amazing God! I studied a lot about God during my time in college in different doctrine classes. Now it seems in my life that I don't know what to do next, but I have been reminded and encouraged about three different things about God.
The first thing that I have been reminded of about God is the He is immutable. Malachi 3:6, James 1:17, Hebrews 6:18 tell us the God never changes. God's purpose will never change (Isaiah 46:9-10). God's word never changes (Psalm 119:89). God's attributes, who God is, never change (Malachi 3:6). This is great to know that God never changes and is completly consistent!! No matter what happens or changes in my life I can always know that God will always be the same and never change!! WOW!!
The second thing I have been reminded of about God is that He is omniscient. God knows everything. God knows our hearts (Psalm 139:1-6). God knows our burdens and wants (Exodus 3:7; Matthew 6:8). God knows the future (Jeremiah 29:11). This is great to know that God knows everything! No matter what happens to me I can trust and rely on God because He knows everything!! WOW!!
The third thing I have been reminded of about God is that He is in control. God is in control of Satan (Job 1:6-12). God is in control of nature (Mark 4:35-41). God is in control of our lives (Romans 8:28-29). This so great to know that God is in control! I don't have to rely on myself knowing that God is in control! I can leave it to Him!! WOW!!
This is what I have been encouraged with from God's Word lately. I pray that it challenges you to know and praise our God more for who He is!! We truly have an awesome and amazing God! All praise belongs to God!!

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Save in the Cross of Jesus

Easter was Sunday. We had a great day at Church! Maggie and I had the opportunity to sing in the choir. We sang "Save In The Cross Of Jesus". It was taken from Galatians 6:14 "But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." As a who has put his faith and trust in what Jesus did on the cross and that He rose again from the grave. I am saved in the cross of Jesus and this song says we have nothing to boast in except, save in the cross of Jesus. I, we, did nothing that could save ourselves. It was totally a God thing! I pray that it may never be that boast except, save in the cross of Jesus! It was a great day to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus! Praise the Lord!

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Grilling in the Wind

This week some of the men of our church have been working on the roof of our church. They have been doing a great job! Today Maggie, Elijah, and I decided to grill hamburgers for them for lunch. Maggie made rice-crispy bars, baked beans, and brought chips and carrots. I grilled the burgers in the wind. WOW! Grilling when it is really windy is not easy work! Elijah laid on the floor and played with his truck and book. It was a great time to serve God by serving these men, who are serving God! I was super excited to have Maggie help with it! I love her!
After we got all the things washed and put away; we went to a local park. We then took a nice walk together! It was a beautiful day! It was fun to spend time outside with Maggie and Elijah! I can't wait till he can run around with me!
Praise God for a great day! Praise God for a great opportunity to serve Him!

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Doctrinal Statement Revised

Today I went through and revised my doctrinal statement. I was pretty suprised that after going over it, with two others, that most of it was alright. I just needed some help in areas and was not just given the answers but was forced to decide for myself what I believe. I am excited about getting this done and printed, but realize that now I need to others to read through it and make sure there are not spelling errors or grammer errors. I believe that every should know what they believe and, if they desire, to type it out. This makes people actually say what they believe instead of trying to decide when they are in a tough time in their lives. This has not been easy but very rewarding to me in that I know what I believe. What about you?

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2 Samuel 11

I read in 2 Samuel 11 this morning for my devotions. This is the chapter where David makes choices that effect the rest of his life and the lives of others; when David takes Bathsheba and kills Uriah. It was very interesting that David made what seemed like a insignificant decision to not go to battle, but that was what the kings were supposed to do. So he was neglecting his duties as king and stayed home. For some reason he went for a walk on the roof and saw a beautiful women across the way. David's self control was thrown off the roof, was out of control. He then made the choice to take her knowing that she was married to Uriah. This choice he made the made him make another choice to try to get Uriah to go home and be with his wife. But Uriah was a man of integrity. He knew that his fellow men in the army we still fighting and living in tents, how then could he go to his home and be with his wife. David then tried to get him drunk, but to no avail. So David came up with a wicked plan. He wrote a letter to the leader of the army and told him to put Uriah at the fiercest part of the battle and then retreat a little. He sent the letter by the hand of Uriah!! Wow! So the result of David's choices were that he killed Uriah, got Bathsheba pregnant, has a child on the way, and most of all he displeased the Lord! WOW! The choices David made not only effected him but Uriah, Bathsheba, the child, but God!
I need to be living in such way that my choices please the Lord. Throughout this passage David was making choice to please himself. David stayed home from battle to please himself. David saw and took Bathsheba to please himself. David killed Uriah to allow himself to be pleased. David was so focused on himself that he was not pleasing God. The choices that I make in daily life need to be focused on pleasing God not myself.

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Hello

Hello, My name is Daniel Cox. I am starting this blog to help me express some of my desires to daily, moment by moment press on in life. I have kind of made this the "unofficial" motto for my life. It comes from Philippians 3:12-14, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." I want always be focused on the goal! Forget those things behind strain for what lies ahead and press on! My prayer is that this will be an encouragement and a challenge to me and you. Enjoy!

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