Pastor Jon's Complete
Through-the-Bible Teachings
in MP3 Audio Format on a
USB Flash Drive
$10
This flash drive contains Pastor Jon's teachings through the entire Bible (Genesis through Revelation) in MP3 audio format. There are over 1200 teachings which include Jon's verse by verse exposition of the Bible as well as the Sunday sermons which take a more in-depth look at a section of the Scripture from the verse-by-verse study.
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During the time of rest, Asa didn’t kick back. He used the time of rest to prepare for future battles. And I believe his example is invaluable to us. If your life is going smoothly, praise the Lord and enjoy it - but prepare for the battles that are sure to come your way. If you’re kicking back and watching TV in the time of peace, watch out because you don’t know what tomorrow holds. And when the trial or difficulty confronts you, it will be too late to build your cities then. It will be too late to arm the soldiers then. When the attack comes, you’ll kick yourself and say, “Why didn’t I prepare when I had the opportunity? I didn’t study and pray and meditate like I knew I should have, and now I’m sadly defeated.” Asa is remembered as a godly man because he was wise enough to use the time of peace for a time of preparation.
They built and they prospered. So too, there are three ways the Bible tells us we can build, or edify. The first is through the Word of God. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby” (see 1 Peter 2:2). The word translated “grow” literally means “be edified.” Peter doesn’t address this exhortation to newborn babes or new believers. He doesn’t say, “If you’re a newborn babe, desire the sincere milk of the Word.” No, he says, “As newborn babes, desire the milk of the Word.” In other words, it as imperative for us as believers to take in the Word as it is for a newborn baby to take in a consistent and continual supply of nourishment.
The second way to build or edify is through our own words. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Every word you speak will either build up or tear down. You’ll either build up your own or someone else’s faith through words of encouragement and blessing, or you’ll undermine your own or someone else’s faith through cynicism and doubt.
Finally, we edify through love. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13 that knowledge puffs up but love builds up. If you’re striving with people, you’re eroding the underpinnings of faith. But if you love people, you’re building on a firm foundation.
Three practical ways you can build and prosper in the time of peace: Get in the Word; speak positive words; and love. In so doing, you will not only edify others, but your own faith will be built up and strengthened.