If you need one more reason to consider the OBC Israel trip, I just gave you one. Oh what I would do to enjoy 80 in February as a Nebraskan. Yes, the trip of a lifetime to the place where the one and only God-Man lived, died, and rose again for us is now only one year away! This means it is time for an informational meeting. The meeting will be for all those who are interested and will be Sunday, March 21st at 5:00 pm in the OBC library. More information on the OBC Israel trip can be found at www.OmahaBibleChurch.org under the events section.
See you Sunday night, March 21st at 5.

*Pictured is a Herodian Citadel in Jerusalem where Pilate could observe the crucifixion of Jesus.

I am excited about the retreat this weekend. It promises to be a good time for many men from both campuses to get away together and sit under some very good and practical preaching.

Here are five things I am looking forward to this weekend:

1. The opportunity to sit and have good meaningful discussions with other men who love Christ without having to worry about schedules. With this, I am also excited about the chance to talk with some new friends and old friends at OBC.

2. The exposure to the Word of God preached by a man of God. I have fed on Pastor Pat's preaching for many years but do not get to hear him live very often, therefore I am excited about how God will use Pat this weekend.

3. The music. There is something special about singing songs that exalt Christ together with other men who love Christ. Tyler Hughes and his team have traditionally done a fantastic job serving at the men's events in the ministry of music and I would suspect that this week will be no different.

4. The expectations from our respective wives. Men, none of us are glorified. And the truth is, if your wife loves you she is praying for you to meet with God through his word this weekend. She is praying that you would be a better man (husband, dad, friend, worker, etc). I am excited about how God will work in and through this dynamic.

5. The fact that when we return that mildly offensive graphic will come down off of our homepage. The only thing more offensive than that sick graphic is men who don't lead. I pray that God would remove both offenses this weekend for his glory and our joy!

Your fellow pilgrim,

Erik Raymond

Each time I watch a Super Bowl it seems like the hype, the intensity, the excitement just grows from previous years. So in terms of an event, it is great.

For the Christian who is praying for the Kingdom of God to come and the Son of God to receive his due worship, the Super Bowl is a bit of a providential peep into a prophetic keyhole. When I see tens of thousands of men and woman at the stadium joined by another fifty million homes, chanting, shouting, and completed engaged with the action on the field I begin to see a bit of an admittedly rudimentary picture of what we will see when Christ comes again as the reigning King.

Consider with me the reality of countless worshipers gathering together to see the preeminent One exalted and to join in his exaltation. There will be no competition or rivalry to Jesus, for he alone will be distinguished as worthy, adored as perfect, honored as King, cherished as Savior, revered as King, and loved as a friend.

Zechariah 14:9 And the LORD will be king over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one.

There is no doubt that humanity was made as passionate and worshiping beings. The great perversion of the fall births all sorts of idolatrous mutations of this. But rejoice with anxious anticipation when you see men and woman display their inward affections outwardly through face painting, silly costumes, and all of the team gear, for one day men and women will stand regenerated and renewed by the Holy Spirit of God with undivided attentions or affections before the One who alone is worthy to receive the title supreme and to be the object of worship.

And it is this reason that we pray as our Lord instructed us:

Matthew 6:9-10 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

Personally, I cannot wait!!

Imagine the music. It will all be theologically correct and all Christ-exalting.

Consider your affections, completely riveted on Jesus without earthly distractions or prideful tugs of your fallen heart to worship yourself.

Consider the duration, constant worship and enjoyment of the Savior.

Consider the Savior, enthroned and exalted, nodding his head in hearty acceptance of the worship that he purchased with his own blood. How sweet and how heavenly is this worship?!

O’ for this day to hasten here that we might shed these earthly tents which are plagued by sin to stand before Jesus with hearts, voices, and affections united in unmitigated and unhindered worship of him, for he is indeed, “the only one”.

Rooms at the Lied Center in Nebraska City for Feb. 19^th & 20^th are sold out. But don’t despair men! There are now other options available. But you MUST REGISTER no later than Feb. 14th and pay a Conference Fee. Register for any of these three options on the OBC website or by emailing John Widhalm at widim5@cox.net. The three options now available are: Alternate Lodging Option = $60 Conference Fee plus lodging at the Best Western, call (402) 873-7000, ask for the OBC rate of $68.31 (double occupancy); Friday Night Only Option = $15 Conference Fee; Saturday Only Option = $45 Conference Fee. You CANNOT ATTEND the Men's Conference without registering and paying the Conference Fee.

 

Starting Sunday January 31, the text for our Sunday Scripture reading will be the Gospel of Jesus Christ According to Mark. Here are some of the reasons for this choice:

1. It is the Good News of Jesus Christ!
2. The gospel narrative complements our study of Romans which is founded upon the historical work of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
3. Reading a gospel account helps to remind everyone of the great earthly work of Christ Jesus who is to be our first love.

So given the matchless value of God’s written revelation, join me in praying for hearts that will crave the Word of Christ. And remember, it is not just the reading of a book in public. It is the very word of Christ that makes wise unto salvation, produces spiritual maturity, and is the very word of God Himself!

Pat