Daniel Ausbun
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5 Spiritual Changes You Should Make in 2022

12/31/2021

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2022 is almost here. Covid is still with us. God is still on His throne. Masks are still required in some places. Jesus is coming soon. Alabama has a great football team. Some things never change, but there are critical spiritual changes you need to consider for the new year.

 
1). You need to begin January with a commitment to daily read the Bible. Answer these questions:


  • Will you read the Bible on your phone or read a physical Bible?
  • Will you read the entire Bible in 2022?
  • Will you follow a Bible reading plan?
  • Will you listen to the Bible on a podcast?
 
 
2). You should commit to pray over a weekly prayer list. If you know of someone who doesn’t know the Lord, make a commitment to pray that person to Christ in 2022. Write their name down in your Bible – pray for your pastor, your church, your Sunday School class – God listens when His people call upon Him. Prayer is access to God.

 
3). Begin looking at your network as a mission field. You go to work, to school, the doctor, the grocery store, the gym, the family who lives above you, the salon – the people you regularly see and speak to – invite them to church, ask how you can pray for them, shift your conversations from college football to the Lord. Evangelism is telling a lost person you know about Christ. God wants people saved in 2022.
 
 
4). Commit to a Sunday School class or small group. Sunday School is your spiritual connection to like-minded believers. You connect to people who are in the same stage of life as you – your closest friends should attend with you in Sunday School – they’re the friends you text at 1 a.m. for prayer – your children should likewise be with others in small group. Christians who connect in a group are more committed to their church. Being fully devoted to a Bible-believing church is God’s plan for His people. For those who've fallen away from church, 2022 should be a rededication to weekly worship.

 
5). Remove the clutter – sinful compromises towards other things in your life should disappear in order for you to commit to reading the Bible, prayer, evangelism, and attending worship. Many Christians aren’t able to make spiritual changes because of busy clutter – social media, TV, hobbies, even church work – harmless things that don’t allow time for spiritual growth. You’re doing things God hasn’t assigned you to do – you need to get rid of good things to become godly.

 
5 spiritual changes for you in 2022 – commit to reading your Bible, commit to a dedicated prayer life, commit to leading others to Christ, commit to your church, and commit to removing the clutter that prevents the first four changes.


Related Posts:
3 Commitments You Needs to Make in 2020
3 Bible Reading Plans for 2018
The Five Subtle Ways Christians Become Worldly Without Knowing

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3 Spiritual Advantages of Running

7/16/2021

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Finish line of the Bluegrass 10,000
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Sherri beat me on July 3
Regularly running is one of the best physical activities a believer can practice. Running is biblical - David wrote about the sun maintaining it's course, "It is like a bridegroom coming from his home; it rejoices like an athlete running a course" (Psalm 19:5). Like the sun, a runner stays on course. Our life should maintain the same God-centered focus.

Paul compares the Christian faith to running a race, "Don't you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize" (1 Corinthians 9:24). When you run, you want to try your best, set a personal record.

If you're desiring spiritual revival / removal from worldliness / repentant heart towards God - running could meet these goals.

1). Running allows for alone time with God. You can listen to a sermon podcast, spend time in prayer, and meditate on God's Word. Don't waste your run listening to secular music - make time with God.

2). Running keeps you away from other forms of media. No TV, movies, video games, and scrolling your phone. Not only does it free you of media - but can free you from addictions - alcohol, unhealthy eating, and pain. Your attention and time moves towards exercise and goal setting. Signing up for a race is how to begin a goal. I'm training for a 50-mile ultra in April 2022.

3). Running reveals indwelling sin. When you're miles into a run, tired, weak, and hot - God convicts you of sinful attitudes, actions and motives. Job had lost everything, he was depleted and God spoke to him. When you're at exhaustion, the Lord comes near. Job 42:6, "Therefore, I reject my words and am sorry for them; I am dust and ashes." Running puts our life in perspective.

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60+ Years of Ministry

1/31/2017

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Jim Heard with his new Toyota Camry
We just completed our first month of ministry here in Lexington. It's been 31 days of meeting people, learning the community, and planning for the future. One of the great men I've had the opportunity to spend time with is Broadway Baptist Church's minister of outreach and visitation - James Heard - also known as "Brother Heard."

Brother Heard has been in the ministry for 60+ years and is one of the greatest assets to Broadway Baptist. A former pastor of several Lexington churches and the former interim pastor of Broadway Baptist.

Brother Heard took me on my first home visit, first hospital visit and knows nearly every member and attender at BBC. One of the great blessings of discipleship is not only do you get to disciple others, but someone will disciple you. Brother Heard has discipled me this first month.

On January 1 - 30 days ago - during my installation service, the director of missions prayed that our time at BBC will be our most fruitful years of ministry. What an accurate prayer - with a mentor in Brother Heard, it can certainly happen!

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Trials (from Sherri)

4/18/2014

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Run the Race
John 16:33 tells us, "In this world there will be trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Trials, God doesn't promise His children an easy life. In fact He tells us we're guaranteed to have trouble.

Why? My children's favorite question and as a Christian I often find myself asking God the same question, "Why God?" Why does sickness attack those whom love Christ? Why do insurmountable circumstances surround believers daily? Facebook seems to broadcast problems. The internet connects us like never before and can make us hyperaware of struggles and illnesses. Cancer, AIDS, orphans, disease, poverty, homelessness. Ignorance is no longer an answer.

We have to rest in God's peace that He has overcome this world. We are just passing through as God uses us as His instruments. Isaiah 40:29 reminds us that God, "Gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Sometimes it takes pain for us to realize our own weaknesses drive us towards Christ.

When everything is smooth sailing and there are no problems in sight, we might have an inclination to rely on ourselves. God allows trials so we can be humbled at His feet and wait.

Paul struggled with a thorn in his flesh. We are unsure of the burden Paul carried here on earth, but he tells us why. God revealed the secret of trials, "My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Instead of letting bitterness reside in his heart, Paul tells us, "For Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Such a difficult but valuable lesson. God's trials are to sharpen us so that we can further His kingdom. None of our trials compare to His trial. Take heart, God has overcome the world, the tomb is empty.

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The Goal of the Christian Life

9/2/2013

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I've met too many Christians with no spiritual goals. No direction. No purpose. No vision. No mission. No plan. They're living from day-to-day. Sunday-to-Sunday. Event-to-event. God has a plan and purpose for people who love Him (Jeremiah 29:11).

I believe the Bible is clear regarding the goal of the Christian life (Philippians 3:10). The word "goal" is used 7 times in Scripture. Since setting goals are biblical, why do so many believers have none?

Here are three goals of the Christian life:

1. Salvation. It is God's will and desire that all people are saved (Acts 17:30). The first goal is salvation and baptism. This first goal is where many lost people and believers get stuck. Lost people are never saved and some believers are saved, but never grow.

2. Discipleship. God wants His people to grow (1 Corinthians 3:6). Growth is hard, mundane and boring. Daily crucifying yourself with Christ. The grind is where disciples develop. You should know God, know the Bible, and know how to be obedient to the Lord's prompting as you grow as a disciple.

3. Reproducible. Who are you investing it? Who do you make time for? The Great Commission is centered on reproducible disciplemaking (Matthew 28:19). Our sinful nature leads us to selfishness than reproducibility. God's people multiply.

The productive and effective Christian is the goal-setting Christian.

Related Posts

The 3 P's to Doing ANYTHING Successful at Church
4 Ways to Run a Low or No Budget Ministry

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3 Reasons You MUST Be Baptized

1/18/2013

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Have you been baptized as a Christian? Baptism is one of the most important steps you'll take a follower of Christ. Jesus told His disciples to baptize others (Matthew 28:19). The church is instructed to baptize believers (Acts 2:41).

Do you need to be baptized as a believer? I walked the aisle, said the prayer and got baptized 4 weeks later as a 5th grader. Nothing changed. I was saved when I was 15 - God revealed to me I had my baptism out-of-order - I had been baptized before I was saved.

The Bible instructs us to be baptized after we believe (Acts 18:8). I received believer's baptism at 20 years old. Many Christians have their baptism out-of-order - here are 3 reasons you MUST be baptized:

1). Baptism is the initiation into the Christian faith. Matthew 3:15 says Jesus was baptized to "fulfill all righteousness." If Jesus submitted to baptism, shouldn't you?

2). There is no record of child baptism. There are references to households receiving baptism (Acts 16:15) - but the specific reference to a child receiving baptism is not found in Scripture. Baptism is an adult decision - if a child is baptized - the parents and pastor should examine the child to explain the meaning of salvation and baptism.

3). Baptism is all about obedience. Acts 22:16 asks us, "why delay?" Rejecting baptism is a sin of great disobedience. You're disobeying Christ by giving Him reasons you can't be baptized. I would never want to stand in front of God as an unbaptized believer. Only the thief on the cross wasn't able to get baptized (Luke 23:42-43). There's no such thing as an unbaptized Christian.

Baptism symbolizes our relationship with God - our old life going under the water, the water as the cleansing power of God, and our new life coming up (Romans 6:4).

Related Posts:

Which Children's Bible Should You Buy?
3 Signs it's Time for You to Change Churches

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3 Dangers of NOT Listening

1/12/2013

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Everyone has something to say. You'll read this blog and think, "I need to share this with ___________ who talks too much." If you share this, hence, you felt you needed to speak. Spiritual growth, personal growth and career growth isn't going to occur with what you say. Listening will likely begin the breakthrough you're longing for.

Here are 3 dangers that happen when you don't listen:

1). You'll miss God. Jesus told us to be careful how we listen (Luke 8:18). God has a purpose, plan and point for your life. It's more than attending church for one hour on Sundays. You shouldn't continually ask God, "What do you want me to do?" "Where do you want me to go?" "Who do you want me to talk to?" God has already spoken to you through His Word, your job is to read and obey it (aka discipleship).

Eli told young Samuel how to hear from God, "If He calls you, say, 'Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening'" (1 Samuel 3:9). Samuel kept missing God speak, and it took an Eli to teach him how to listen.

2). You'll have the same reoccurring problems. If you're on your third marriage, your fourth job in two years, and constantly have high turnover of friends - you have to ask yourself, "Could the problem be me?" Those who are most closest to you can speak most truthfully about you. The same reoccurring problem likely is because you aren't listening - the problem is you.

Blaming and attacking others is a way we justify ourselves. The purpose of listening is to hear the truth and improve.

3). You'll become lost.
Not only are you spiritually lost by not listening to God, you'll become lost by wasting hours everyday to the TV, Facebook, drinking and playing games on your phone. You go to work, come home and numb yourself. No goals, no plans, no direction - just waiting around until you have to go to work again.

Related Posts:

The 3 P's to Doing ANYTHING Successful at Church
4 Reasons You Need to Join a Discipleship Group

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4 Characteristics of a Megachurch

1/1/2013

4 Comments

 
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Do you attend a huge church? Do you worship with not hundreds, but thousands of people every Sunday? The largest church in the world is Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea with 1 million members.

A "megachurch" is defined by at least 2,000 worshippers every week and there are about 1,200 megachurches in the United States.

What are some characteristics of a megachurch compared to your local, neighborhood church down the street? Here are 4 characteristics found in megachurches:

1). Megachurches establish a brand. Ultra large churches purposely create identities for their niche. For example, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas is known for Joel Osteen and his positive messages and upbeat worship. The Church of Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama has created an identity for radical discipleship and missions to unreached people groups. Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina is known as a hip, college-centered church - including church extensions on university campuses.

2). Megachurches communicate extremely well. Most of them have a Minister of Communications who is always emailing, snail mailing, tweeting, blogging, Facebooking, videos, advertising, publishing - every possible avenue to connect with members and guests - they're aggressive and professional. I know of a church that requires it's staff members to return phone calls/emails/Facebook messages within 4 hours of receiving them.

Logos, mission statements, and new member classes are all used to communicate the vision of the church, how you can be involved, and how you can give. Too much is at stake for a megachurch or any size church to fail at communication.

3). Megachurches master small groups. They know that a church grows larger by growing smaller. Much of their growth is building 5 hallways each with 10 large rooms seating 40 people each and clean restrooms. Whether its Sunday School, Discipleship Groups, Specialty-based classes or Weight Watchers meetings - they use small groups to connect. Megachurches know if people don't assimilate in a small group setting - they don't stick.

4). Megachurches have personalities. The pastor is publishing a book a year, the worship pastor writes the songs they sing, the children's minister is writing the curriculum for the kids. A high level of professionalism and expectation is established. This can be dangerous if a ministry leader sets himself on a higher level than the people in the pew...aka pride.

Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, said his goal was to memorize 3,000 names. He would study the church directory - thousands of people would attend, and he'd walk around saying their names. He knew nothing about them...but he knew their names!

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3 Steps to Prevent Discouragement

12/19/2012

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Have you ever had a great idea, shared it with others, only to be ignored? Do you have God-sized plans, cast your vision, only to be told it cost too much?

Jesus warned His followers in Luke 18:1 not to be discouraged. He spoke in parables to prevent discouragement.

Everyone will experience discouragement at times, maybe many times. I remember 7 years ago trying to launch a single adult ministry from scratch at First Baptist Moreland. A big party and movie was planned, spent $100 on food, many hours in outreach - only to have 2 people show up - and one was the leader - she didn't count. I was not only discouraged, but embarrassed.

Here are 3 steps to identify and prevent discouragement:

1). Stop making comparisons. God's standard is His Word, not other people. There's always someone prettier, better, stronger and wealthier than you. Whatever you do, someone can do it better.

When you're making comparisons, you'll likely miss God's unique plan He has for you. You'll be tempted to surrender to discouragement. God calls you to faithfulness - this means being faithful to someone else - God. We're faithful by fulfilling the responsibilities He has given you. These responsibilities include a follower of Christ, a husband, a father and a employee.

2). Stop being consumed. If you're going non-stop for 18 hours everyday - your defenses become weaker and things seem bleaker than they really are. If you're tired, soon you'll gripe, grumble and groan. Burning your candle at both ends doesn't make you brighter - rather you'll be burned up sooner.

You must make time for rest. It might mean missing a church event or cousin's birthday party. If it's Tuesday and you're looking forward to sleeping late on Saturday morning - your time is too consumed.

3). Stop being a casualty. Does everything you do seem to fail? Nothing goes as planned, problems persist, people are pessimistic. When you keep being passed over for the job, its easy to become a casualty. Just when you think you can make ends meet, someone moves the end.

Failure doesn't mean you're doing the wrong thing. You could be you're doing the right thing the wrong way. If something isn't working, change it. Try a new approach, change your friends, change churches, change careers - there is no reason to live your life as a casualty to discouragement.

If you feel discouraged, its your choice, no one is making you feel that way. Recommit your life to Christ - there's incredible motivating power in faith.
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5 Keys for a Successful Women's Ministry

11/30/2012

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Does your church want to be more effective at reaching women for Christ? 61% of church attenders are women. If your church is going to reach it's neighborhood and nations for Christ - ministering to women must be a priority. Here are 5 keys to a successful women's ministry:

1). You need an active women's leadership team. Bethlehem Baptist Church blogs about the role and responsibility of their leadership team. If all the teaching, planning, and counseling falls on one lady - burnout and discouragement will soon follow.

2). You need Bible studies and discipleship groups geared towards women. Small group settings allow for sharing and developing close friends. The teacher/minister will also discover the real issues/needs sitting on a couch with friends.

3). You need women counselors available at your church. Not all women want to tell a male minister/deacon their problems (nor is that healthy) - here's a good book for women learning to counsel other women.

4). You need women involved in missions - including women-only mission opportunities. If your church does ministry towards people in your community, you'll notice the large number of women or single mothers receiving help. Ladies should prioritize missions towards other women - sometimes men are too prideful to ask or receive help - but a mother wants food, clothes and shelter for her children.

5). You need events, retreats and conferences available for women to attend. There are hundreds of women-only conferences, retreats and getaways for ladies to learn and grow. I attend at least 1-2 conferences a year - I always come home wishing everyone could have been there. Here's a women's conference coming up at First Baptist Moreland:
Women's Ministry Resources:

Biblical Woman
Living Proof Ministries
LifeWay Women
The Woman's Study Bible (coming April 2013)
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4 Reasons You Need to Join a Discipleship Group

11/27/2012

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Do you have a small group you meet with weekly? Many times we join a church or Sunday School class, but we're still "out there." Still looking to connect, wanting to grow, and seeking more.

Here are 4 reasons you need to join a Discipleship Group:

1.) A D-Group holds you accountable. If there are 12 ladies in your group and only 11 show-up, we're going to know you're missing and you're getting a Facebook message tomorrow morning. You could miss church and Sunday School for 4 weeks and your pastor or teacher never call. No so with a D-Group.

2.) D-Groups are biblical. This is how Jesus made disciples. He gave His time to 12 men (Luke 6:13). We're told in 2 Timothy 2:2 to pour our lives into others. Also, the Great Commission is really all about making disciples (Matthew 28:19).

3.) D-Groups allow you to address immediate needs. One of the "complaints" of traditional church ministry is its slow to change and respond. For example, if your wife is threating to leave you, you might not want to share personal information in a Sunday School or Wednesday night class (around guests and people you really don't know) - but in a small group setting in someone's living room, around people you know - you're more likely to open up and receive immediate help and prayers. The key to openness is members not having gossipy lips. This also allows other people in the group to minister to the person in need - the ability to learn from others.

4.) D-Groups multiply. If you cap your group at 12 (which is the number Jesus used). When 13 or more people begin attending, a new group needs to start. The goal of a D-Group is not to explode to 35 people one Monday night. The focus is on spiritual growth and multiplication. This is biblical evangelism (Acts 2:46-47).

Discipleship Resources:

    Gospel Centered Discipleship
    Multiply
    LifeWay Discipleship
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Top 5 Book of the Years for Cyber Monday!

11/26/2012

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Today is Cyber Monday - which means you need to buy something online. Christians need to read incredible books. Rick Warren says if you're in a rut, you need to read yourself out of it. Here are my "Book of the Year" for the last 5 years.

2008 - Crazy Love by Francis Chan - This book says we need to have an unbelievable love for God, above anything else.

2009 - This Momentary Marriage by John Piper - All married or soon to be married people should read this. The best marriage book available.

2010 - Radical by David Platt - This book says we need to give everything for the Gospel - become totally desperate and dependent on Him.

2011 - Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividjian - This is Billy Graham's grandson writing about the importance of Christ in everything in our lives. This book reminds us what the Christian faith is all about.

2012 - Deep & Wide by Andy Stanley - The story of North Point Church and Andy Stanley's life and passion for reaching the unchurched. I wish every Christian would read this.

2013 - my predictions...Follow Me by David Platt or The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken
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