One thing I’ve noticed since moving into my new house the week before Christmas is this: there is no end to the availability of home repair projects.   As I stood working on my shower on a recent Saturday, a difficult reality hit me like a carton of plumber’s putty between the eyes.   I should be helping my wife and kids get their hearts ready for worship tomorrow.  Ouch.  I wish I could say I dropped what I was doing (after all, we needed the shower to be working for Sunday morning), but I shouldn’t have started the project so late that day in the first place.  This is just one of those little practical areas where, if I think ahead better and plan my Saturday more effectively, I can be a blessing to my family and help usher them into God’s presence on the Lord’s Day.    I’d encourage you to come to our Sunday School class Raising Young Worshippers at 9am next Lord’s Day.   We’ll be talking about this very question:  How can I order my days and weeks around worshipping God?  And how can I most effectively “call the Sabbath a delight?”  (Isaiah 58:13).   Come join us in the Worship Center for this discussion!

To give you a little window into the things I’m chewing on this week in preparation for our first sermon in 2 Corinthians, check out John Piper’s powerful sermon on the recession here.  I’m grateful for godly men who stir my heart to think about suffering rightly.  The root of our enduring joy in the middle of a difficult season is found in realizing deeply that God is powerfully and lovingly causing these struggles to happen in our lives because he wants us to rely on Him and nothing else.  Not our money, not our job (or our ability to secure one), not our stock portfolio and not our ability to make ends meet.  Right from the beginning of this letter to the Corinthians Paul is pushing us to see the power of weakness - strength being perfected in weakness as we boast in God’s power and not ours.

2 Corinthians 1:9   Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

May God give you the grace to embrace whatever comes this week.  He is for you, and thus nothing else can really be against you.

In His grace,
Pastor David

 There is a fundamental question that we are often faced with as Christians.  Particularly when we come on Sunday morning and consider worshipping God with our whole hearts, we often ponder the previous week and remember our sins and failures.  “After the way my week’s gone, how could God love me? With all the sin in my life, am I really a Christian?”  We need to understand the nature of a biblical assurance of salvation.  Honestly, if we look at our own life, character and pursuit of godliness, we will often be driven to despair and doubt concerning our salvation.  But while fruit is important (Jesus said “By your fruits you will know them” Matt 7:16) and we DO have reason to doubt our salvation if there is no fruit in our lives, praise God that He has given us a solid foundation for assurance, not based on our performance.  The apostle John wrote the entire letter of 1 John to help us understand the doctrine of assurance.  He says it this way:

1 John 5:11-13   ¹¹ And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  ¹² He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.  ¹³ These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.

Notice the definitive word in verse 13:  he has written these things so that we may know we have eternal life.  Not guess, hope or be relatively convinced!  This passage shows us that it is possible to have assurance of eternal life.  John Murray, one of the greatest thinkers of the twentieth century put it this way:  “When we speak of the assurance of faith we mean the assurance entertained by a believer that he is in a state of grace and salvation, the knowledge that he has been saved, has passed from death unto life, has become a possessor of eternal life, and is an heir of glory.” 

Perhaps it would be good to define HOW we attain assurance of salvation.  In other words, on what is our assurance of faith in Christ based?  We should understand that there are two types of assurance.  The first is a simple understanding and agreement with the facts:  “Am I certain (assured) that Jesus is a fit Savior for sinners?” Am I convinced that He paid for sin as a substitute?  Am I agreed that trust in Him alone is the only way to eternal life?”  These are of the essence of saving faith and are very objective.   But the more subjective and personal questions are these:  “Has Christ’s work been applied to me?  Am I certain that my faith is genuine, or am I self-deceived?”   This is what often troubles us.  There is much that could be said here, but let’s consider two passages that describe the most significant aspect of biblical assurance:  Our assurance is primarily based on the promises of God.  Let’s meditate on these great promises for a moment:

1 John 1:9  ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

John 10:27-29   ²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

Two great promises are outlined here and both of them have their roots in the character of God.  First, John tells us that we can be assured of the forgiveness of sins because of God’s faithfulness and his justice.  If we confess our sins it would be both unfaithful and unjust for God to not forgive and purify us.  Why?  Because God has promised to forgive those who repent, and He is faithful to keep that promise.  Secondly it is just for Him to do so, since Christ has paid the penalty for our sins.  It would be fundamentally unjust for Him to require double payment for the same sin – once from Jesus and once from us. 

Secondly, you see Jesus in John 10 giving us a sure promise based on God’s character, namely His power and ability to keep us.  If you are struggling with assurance today, perhaps because of sin in your life, look to 1 John for how to deal with your sin (repentance) and then look in hope to this great and loving promise of the powerful Savior:  He gives eternal life to us, and we will never perish, never be snatched away, never taken to destruction!  You can have assurance of faith because God is faithful, just and powerful to forgive your sin and keep you from falling away.  Praise God!  Let that give you hope today!

John also gives us sinners a great word of comfort:

1 John 2:1-2  My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;  2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

If you have struggled in sin this week, John tells you that there is hope because of Jesus our advocate.  Jesus Christ the righteous One stands before the throne of God and pleads his righteousness on our behalf. If you struggle with assurance, bathe yourself in these promises, committing your struggle to prayer.  Ask God to strengthen your assurance as you grab on to His promises and meditate on His character today!

In Him,

Pastor David

Here are a few resources to help us prepare well for the upcoming election season.  First, a great article by John Piper here:  “Let Christians Vote as Though They Were Not Voting.”   Piper looks at 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 and encourages us to be involved in the process while thinking biblically about our true hope in Christ, no matter what the outcome of this election season.   Second, check out a lecture given at our sister church, New Life Presbyterian Church in Escondido.   This lecture was given by Pepperdine law professor Robert Cochran on Homosexuality, the Church and the State.  You can download the lecture here. Third, join us this Saturday at 8:45am at the church as we gather to pray for our nation.   Let me encourage you to read, listen, pray, think biblically and vote!     Pastor David 

Recently I’ve been reading a choice book by John Piper titled God’s Passion for His Glory: Living the Vision of Jonathan Edwards.  Edwards (1703-1758) was probably one of the greatest minds America has ever produced.  He lived and labored as a pastor in New England and was a spiritual leader during the Great Awakening, a massive revival of the Gospel that occurred during the 1730’s and 1740’s.  In this book, John Piper reproduces and interacts with a key work of Edwards’ titled The End For Which God Created the World.  Piper sums up the glorious purpose of God for creating the world in this way: “First, that the glory of God might be magnified in the universe, and, second, that Christ’s ransomed people from all times and all nations would rejoice in God above all things.” According to Piper (and Edwards), these two goals are not actually at odds; in fact they are one great goal.  The glory of God and the joy of His people are not separate but bound together.  In the course of this book, Piper draws out some of the great implications of this twofold goal, and one of them is a breathtaking view of the nature of heaven.  I’ve been trying to wrap my mind and heart around it for a few days, and I’d like to invite you to join me in that effort.  Listen first to Piper summing up Edwards:

“Heaven will be a never-ending, ever-increasing discovery of more and more of God’s glory with greater and ever- greater joy in him.  If God’s glory and our joy in him are one, and yet we are not infinite as he is, then our union with him in the all-satisfying experience of his glory can never be complete, but must be increasing with intimacy and intensity forever and ever. The perfection of heaven is not static. Nor do we see at once all there is to see—for that would be a limit on God’s glorious self-revelation, and therefore, his love. Yet we do not become God. Therefore, there will always be more, and the end of increased pleasure in God will never come.” (God’s Passion For His Glory, p. 37)

Those are Piper’s words. Now here is another paragraph from the book, giving us the way Jonathan Edwards puts it, with Piper interspersing some comment:

“‘I suppose it will not be denied by any, that God, in glorifying the saints in heaven with eternal felicity, aims to satisfy his infinite grace or benevolence, by the bestowment of a good [which is] infinitely valuable, because eternal: and yet there never will come the moment, when it can be said, that now this infinitely valuable good has been actually bestowed.’ Moreover, he says, our eternal rising into more and more of God will be a ‘rising higher and higher through that infinite duration, and . . . not with constantly diminishing (but perhaps an increasing) celerity [that is, velocity] . . . [to an] infinite height; though there never will be any particular time when it can be said already to have come to such a height.’ This is what we see through a glass darkly in Ephesians 2:7, ‘[God seats us in heaven with Christ] so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.’ It will take an infinite number of ages for God to be done glorifying the wealth of his grace to us—which is to say he will never be done.” (p.37)

OK, so there’s a theological term for this:  YOWSA.  Think about the point that both of these wise men are making:  When we enter heaven for all eternity to enjoy God’s presence, He will continue to “show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Because we will be there for eternity, and because God’s grace is limitless, we actually will NEVER REACH THE CREST OF THE WAVE in our beholding and seeing and enjoying God’s glory.  We will never come to a point where we will be able to say:  I have beheld the fullness of God’s glory and have received the fullness of His grace to me.  Now, don’t be mistaken.  This does not mean that what we receive and see and enjoy of Christ in heaven will be less perfect or glorious at the beginning of eternity than after we’ve been there ten thousand years (as if there were such a thing – who on this earth can know what being outside of the bounds of time will be like?).   No, it will be perfect joy and bliss from the moment we enter heaven, as we will behold Jesus for the first time.  But, because God is infinite and we are not, we will never be able to receive the fullness of his love to us all at once.  Indeed the sheer joy of our joy is that it will not remain static, but will grow forever!

I’ve just begun to realize why this is hard to comprehend.  We are finite creatures that can’t really understand a category like “ever-increasing joy.”   When we experience joy, even the greatest joy imaginable, it reaches a glorious crest like a wave, and then subsides and the joy (while having lasting effects) inevitably gives way to the level plain or even a valley.  We only know joy in a limited sense.  But still, our joy in God is a true joy and a foretaste of heaven.   Oh, how the hope of this ever-increasing bliss can shape us into joyful, hopeful people in this life!  How transformational it ought to be in us that we have this great future that awaits us.  We will spend eternity in an ever-increasing joy, an ever-widening view of the expanse and beauty of Jesus, and we will receive an ever-increasing bestowment of grace from Him.  

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”  (1 Corinthians 2:9)

It is hard to find a comment other than this: If that what heaven is like, then sign me up.

Living in anticipation,

Pastor David

The following is a list of books compiled by Donna Pipkin to help with children from Kindergarten through early years of child development.   Most are available at Evangelical Bible Book Store (619-291-4381).

Books to use with your child while they are in Worship Workshop:(The weekly e-mail to parents of children in Worship Workshop will tell what we are doing in each of these books.) Memory Work Notebook by Paul G. Settle ($10.72)Memory work plan for 3yr olds through 12th grade. Worship Workshop covers all the scriptures for 4’s and 5’s. This comes in different versions - we use the ESV. The Worship Workshop CD’s cover this material as well as the hymns.  The ABC’s of God: Great is the Lord by Jill Nelson ($9.43)Coloring book with an attribute of God for each letter of the alphabet, including an explanation and scripture verse.We use one word a week in Worship Workshop as our Call to Worship. Trinity Hymnal ($19.95)The children learn the first verse of one hymn a month from this hymnal. You may want to learn the other verses of each hymn together.  Leading Little Ones to God by Marian M. Schoolland ($17.18)This is Kindergarten systematic theology. One lesson is used each week in conjunction with the catechism question or memory passage.  Lessons are also used to fill in the biblical story. It is helpful to read and discuss the lesson for the week with your child as there is not time to discuss it on Sunday. The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm ($19.83)A Bible story book that tells God’s plan of salvation from creation to Revelation.  There are only 26 stories so we cover one a week and then supplement with Leading Little Ones to God.  We do not show the pictures of the New Testament for those who do not believe in picturing God in any way.  It is helpful to read the story of the week with your child, let them look at the pictures and talk about the ideas presented either before or after Sunday’s Worship Workshop.         Books to use with your child after Worship Workshop:The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones (19.83)44 Bible stories told for young children (K-3rd?) with Jesus at the center. Discovering Jesus in Genesis by Susan Hunt and Richie Hunt ($11.21)Discovering Jesus in Exodus by Susan Hunt and Richie Hunt ($11.21)Ties these books into the covenant plan of redemption through a story format with two children and various adults.Includes memory work, talk about questions, and prayer starters for each story.  Hymns for a Kid’s Heart by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada ($18.31)Two volumes which include the history of the hymn, a story about it, and the music and words written and on CD.        Kidictionary: Memorable Words from the Bible and What They Mean by ZonderKidz ($13.68)Use this to build your children’s biblical vocabulary. Simple explanations of words like sacred, trust… Books for Parents on Children in the Church:Parenting in the Pew by Robbie Castleman ($11.21)Must read for parents to help them guide their children into the joy of worship. Heirs of the Covenant by Susan Hunt ($12.07)Describes Christian education within the covenant family. Making Sunday Special by Karen Burton Mains Creative ways, new and old, to make Sunday the best day of the week.  Books for Parents on Discipline:Don’t Make Me Count to Three! A Mom’s Look at Heart-Oriented Discipline by Ginger Plowman ($11.21) Solid biblical truth and practical parenting advice that makes the focus of discipline the heart and unpacks how to use the Scriptures for both encouragement and reproof. Wise Words For Moms by Ginger Plowman ($3.66)Chart giving ideas of heart probing questions and scriptures for reproof and encouragement for different discipline situations. Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp How to speak to the hearts of your children rather than just modify their behavior.  Instructing a Child’s Heart by Tedd & Margy Tripp ($11.80)To help parents give their children a consistent, persuasive, biblical framework for understanding the world God has made and their place in it.

Below are three wonderfully made videos describing the ministry of Dave and Darlene Eby and others in Uganda. Please share these with others. This is a wonderful tool we can use to communiate the exciting things that are happening in Uganda.

Catechism Club


Missionaries Needed


Westiminster Theological College in Uganda (part 1 of 2)


Westminster Theological College in Uganda (part 2 of 2)

If I were to guess, the majority of us reacted exactly as I did when I heard that my family would receive a check from the government sometime in May as a part of the economic stimulus package.  I reacted by thinking:  “What can I buy that we haven’t been able to afford lately?”  But then I read John Piper’s thoughts on how to use this unforeseen income in order that we might “make much of Christ.”  Check out his blog here and be encouraged to answer the question: “How can I use this money to show that Christ is my treasure?”  Piper rightly says that this doesn’t mean we won’t spend it on ourselves - often these providential provisions come right when our car breaks down!   

I’d encourage you to go read Piper’s challenge.  He summarizes it this way: “Before the check comes dream of some person or ministry which might make much of Christ because you treasured him above your next home project.”   So how can you use this unforseen money for God’s glory?  Has he brought it to you for a particular need that is about to arise in your life?  Or is there some person whose need you are chosen by God to fill?  Or a particular kingdom work that could benefit as you enjoy the blessing of giving more than receiving?  May God give us all wisdom.

“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8 )

Pastor David

Perhaps you’ve struggled to find good patterns to lead your children in a time of family devotion or worship at home.  I’d like to urge you to consider David Helm’s Big Picture Story Bible.  You can purchase this from our good friends at Evangelical Bible Book Store: www.ebiblebookstore.com.  This is an incredible resource that has significantly supplemented our family worship.  Our kids love it!  They literally beg us to read one more chapter in the unfolding story of God’s redemption.  What a beautiful thing to hear our kids plead with us to hear more about Jesus!  Now, you should know that we do a lot of Bible stories just by reading from our Bibles.  We do both - I think it is valuable for them to learn the art of listening to God’s Word read.  But we use this story Bible quite a bit too.  One of the things we’ve seen from reading this story Bible is that our children are starting to get some of the “Big Picture” of God’s plan of redemption because this book hits the major stories.  There are two HUGE advantages to this book.  First, it quotes directly from the Bible all the time.  This means that they are hearing the word and not just someone’s retelling of the story.  This is significant because “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).  But second, it points to the main character of the Bible - JESUS - throughout.  Particularly in the Old Testament this book does not default to the “David was brave - be like David” tendency of many story Bibles.  Not that we don’t need to learn from saints in the Bible and follow their godly patterns - we do.  But we need to see it all point to Jesus and his work of redemption, and Helm does a masterful job of showing us Christ in every Old Testament story. 

 I would heartily recommend this book to help supplement your family worship!  Read a story and then stop with your kids and ask some questions about what they read.  When we recently read the story of Nicodemus, we had a great discussion with our kids about what it means to be “born again.”  I loved seeing them look at their Mama’s tummy and try to figure out what Jesus meant! 

We will be starting to post family worship help on this blog more regularly in the future, including thoughts, questions for discussion to help lead your kids, and resources.  Setting a pattern of family worship can be difficult at first, but the dividends are huge.  I’ll try to periodically talk about the things we’re trying in our family as we struggle together in this holy task.  May God bless you as you disciple your kids!

Periodcially on our blog we’d like to point you to good resources we could categorize under “Soul Food.”  The Valley of Vision CD published by our brothers and sisters at Sovereign Grace Ministries is one of those gems worth noting.  Sovereign Grace Ministries have done a great service to the church through their production of solid, content-rich music, much of which can be used in worship.  The Valley of Vision is a compilation of songs based on the book The Valley of Vision, a collection of Puritan prayers.  We sing several of their songs at NCPC, particularly “Let Your Kingdom Come, O Great God” and “How Deep.”  This is a great CD to use for personal worship, or if you struggle to lead your children in singing, pop it in the CD player and sing along with it for family worship.  My kids love it, and it familiarizes them with songs we sing in church.  You can purchase this CD at www.sovereigngracemusic.org/music.  While you’re there, check out their Christmas album Savior (we sing “Hope Has Come” and “Christ the Lord was Born Today” from this CD) and the album Songs for the Cross Centered Life (Contains “Alas and Did My Savior Bleed” and “Before the Throne of God Above”).  Oh and did I mention they are on sale for $6 a piece with free shipping through the end of March?  Hard to beat!  May God bless you as you seek to foster worship in your life.