1 Tim. 5:3-8 (NASB-U)
Honor widows who are widows indeed; [4] but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. [5] Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. [6] But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. [7] Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. [8] But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Col. 3:23 (NASB-U)
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
1 Thes. 4:11 (NASB-U)
and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,
2 Thes. 3:10-12 (NASB-U)
For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. [11] For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. [12] Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.
2 Tim. 2:6 (NASB-U)
The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.
3 John 1:5-8 (NASB-U)
Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; [6] and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. [7] For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. [8] Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
2 Tim. 4:5 (NASB-U)
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
How Great is Our God
Here's a video showed in our chapel today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1EAmfOu9lE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE5sF1rdxM4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuF629DW9kI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUCJ0HHMSbY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OoBEV10rjc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1EAmfOu9lE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE5sF1rdxM4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuF629DW9kI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUCJ0HHMSbY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OoBEV10rjc&feature=related
Sunday, October 19, 2008
contact me
please feel free to shoot me an e-mail or send me a letter or call me. i dont bite.
dan_hoeppner@yahoo.com
1210 E. Michigan Ave. #114
Jackson, MI 49201
cell: 925-518-2448
dan_hoeppner@yahoo.com
1210 E. Michigan Ave. #114
Jackson, MI 49201
cell: 925-518-2448
The Simple Things
Lately i've noticed something new yet old. simple yet unfathomable. just the simple things. the foundational biblical truths. christian basics. these things taking a new place in my life, becoming more and more real to me.
At Riverview Church yesterday night it was another truth just poping out right in my face like i had never seen it before. Noel, the pastor, was speaking on Mathew 14:23-33. the story of Jesus walking on water. before this, Jesus fed the 5000 with the bread and fish, and after, his disciples went on a boat to cross the sea of galilee. great winds and waves picked up and they were in the midst of a storm. they see a man walking on the water and think its a ghost. Jesus tells them it is Him and Peter says Lord if it is you let me come to you. so Jesus says come. Peter gets out of the boat and starts walking on the water. then it says that Peter looked at the wind and waves and he was afraid. he starts to sink.
so what changed? what was different when peter was fearless at first to come out and walk on the huge waves with Jesus. what he was doing at first was keeping his hope and his focus and his sight on Jesus. the moment he took his focus, sight, and hope off Jesus, he starts to sink.
So in the midst of the storm, in the midst of this economy, in the midst of thinking what will happen in the future, if we keep our focus on Jesus, we have nothing to fear. i know right. crazy! i know its so simple or maybe just skimmed or looked over but this truth can never be exhausted, like many biblical truths or attributes of God. The #1 hold on Christians today for not growing and trusting and giving everything they have to the One that gave them new life is FEAR.
"Unbelief puts our circumstances between us and God, but faith puts God between us and our circumstances."
Don't hold back. its not your life anymore. God bought it with a price. a very expensive price. His one and only Son. He gave you new life. that new life belongs to Him, not you. become a servant, giving everything you have. and when you have given too much to where you have nothing left, dont fear. keep your focus on Jesus. God knows your needs and since your life doesnt belong to you anymore but God owns your life, those needs you have are Gods problem not yours. keeping your focus on Jesus though is not easy in the midst of this world. it is very difficult. it has to come by self-discipline. reading your bible. daily quite time. regular fellowship. accountability for these is key. dont try doing it by yourself. pray fervently.
This week was filled with this same message and God really drilled it into me. please be praying for me that these simple yet highly difficult truths will be evident in my life and that it would show outwardly through my life. thanks.
At Riverview Church yesterday night it was another truth just poping out right in my face like i had never seen it before. Noel, the pastor, was speaking on Mathew 14:23-33. the story of Jesus walking on water. before this, Jesus fed the 5000 with the bread and fish, and after, his disciples went on a boat to cross the sea of galilee. great winds and waves picked up and they were in the midst of a storm. they see a man walking on the water and think its a ghost. Jesus tells them it is Him and Peter says Lord if it is you let me come to you. so Jesus says come. Peter gets out of the boat and starts walking on the water. then it says that Peter looked at the wind and waves and he was afraid. he starts to sink.
so what changed? what was different when peter was fearless at first to come out and walk on the huge waves with Jesus. what he was doing at first was keeping his hope and his focus and his sight on Jesus. the moment he took his focus, sight, and hope off Jesus, he starts to sink.
So in the midst of the storm, in the midst of this economy, in the midst of thinking what will happen in the future, if we keep our focus on Jesus, we have nothing to fear. i know right. crazy! i know its so simple or maybe just skimmed or looked over but this truth can never be exhausted, like many biblical truths or attributes of God. The #1 hold on Christians today for not growing and trusting and giving everything they have to the One that gave them new life is FEAR.
"Unbelief puts our circumstances between us and God, but faith puts God between us and our circumstances."
Don't hold back. its not your life anymore. God bought it with a price. a very expensive price. His one and only Son. He gave you new life. that new life belongs to Him, not you. become a servant, giving everything you have. and when you have given too much to where you have nothing left, dont fear. keep your focus on Jesus. God knows your needs and since your life doesnt belong to you anymore but God owns your life, those needs you have are Gods problem not yours. keeping your focus on Jesus though is not easy in the midst of this world. it is very difficult. it has to come by self-discipline. reading your bible. daily quite time. regular fellowship. accountability for these is key. dont try doing it by yourself. pray fervently.
This week was filled with this same message and God really drilled it into me. please be praying for me that these simple yet highly difficult truths will be evident in my life and that it would show outwardly through my life. thanks.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Abraham's Salvation
I believe that Abraham was saved in Genesis 12. I believe this because Abraham's true faith showed through the actions he made and his obedience. His faith was evident through his obedience to God of leaving his country and his family. He believed what God had promised him.
“And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
[3] And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."
And because he believed what God promised, he obeyed and left everything behind for a land that God would show him. “So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.”
Although in Romans 4 it states, “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. [3] For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’” Paul is speaking to the new believers in Rome and setting a foundation for their faith. He speaks of being in complete submission which Abraham did when he obeyed God in complete submission and left his family and home. James agrees with, “But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.’ [19] You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. [20] But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? [22] You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; [23] and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,’ and he was called the friend of God. [24] You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” James was speaking to believers who had an unreal faith because they did not show it through their actions. He taught that genuine faith produced good deeds and actions that show our faith to be real to us.
Galatians states, “Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. [7] Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. [8] The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘All the nations will be blessed in you.’ [9] So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.” Again this faith was showed by the obedience and action of Abraham and not by faith alone.
In Genesis 15 when it says, “Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness,” it is speaking just of one instance where Abraham believed. In Hebrews 11, it states multiple times where Abraham believed and showed that he believed by his actions. “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. [9] By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise.” “By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.” “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son.” And so Romans, Ephesians, and Galatians agree that one is saved through faith. “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live BY FAITH.” “Since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.” “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” “Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ‘The righteous man shall live by faith.’”
In conclusion, since Abraham obeyed God in Genesis 12, he already believed God. His obedience was in response to his faith. This is relevant throughout the Bible that man shows his faith again and again by his actions. We do not gain salvation by these actions, but they are a direct result of our salvation which is though faith alone as Abraham showed.
“And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
[3] And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."
And because he believed what God promised, he obeyed and left everything behind for a land that God would show him. “So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.”
Although in Romans 4 it states, “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. [3] For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’” Paul is speaking to the new believers in Rome and setting a foundation for their faith. He speaks of being in complete submission which Abraham did when he obeyed God in complete submission and left his family and home. James agrees with, “But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.’ [19] You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. [20] But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? [22] You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; [23] and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,’ and he was called the friend of God. [24] You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” James was speaking to believers who had an unreal faith because they did not show it through their actions. He taught that genuine faith produced good deeds and actions that show our faith to be real to us.
Galatians states, “Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. [7] Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. [8] The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘All the nations will be blessed in you.’ [9] So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.” Again this faith was showed by the obedience and action of Abraham and not by faith alone.
In Genesis 15 when it says, “Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness,” it is speaking just of one instance where Abraham believed. In Hebrews 11, it states multiple times where Abraham believed and showed that he believed by his actions. “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. [9] By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise.” “By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.” “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son.” And so Romans, Ephesians, and Galatians agree that one is saved through faith. “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live BY FAITH.” “Since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.” “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” “Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ‘The righteous man shall live by faith.’”
In conclusion, since Abraham obeyed God in Genesis 12, he already believed God. His obedience was in response to his faith. This is relevant throughout the Bible that man shows his faith again and again by his actions. We do not gain salvation by these actions, but they are a direct result of our salvation which is though faith alone as Abraham showed.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
M.O.A.O.
In April of 2007, my family and I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area for my dad’s job. We went to a church called Cornerstone Fellowship and that became our home church. I met a lot of new people and made some new friends through high school small groups that met in homes. I met the most beautiful and most outgoing girl I had ever met there, Jamie Esmeyer. I actually thought she was way too outgoing and had way too much energy when we first met. She showed an interest in me, so I starting hanging out with her more often to just get to know her and to see what she was all about. The more I hung out with her, the more attractive she became as a sister in Christ and the more I got to know the Jamie underneath all the crazy, outgoing, energetic personality. I started seeing her as God did through Christ, precious.
We started dating on January 12th of 2008 which began our commitment of getting to know each other better to better discern our compatibility. This also began God’s plan to show me truly what agape love is and how I fall way short of how He agape loves me. I am have been continually growing since to show this love that Christ first showed me. Jamie has and is a major part of God conforming me more and more to His image.
There was a time while I was here at NTBI that something changed in me. I noticed that I wasn’t spending as much time talking to Jamie or explaining all the cool stuff going on here at NTBI. Jamie recognized this also and confronted me about it. She wasn’t asking for a lot, just a bit of my time during the day. At first, I didn’t want to listen to her and thought she was being too controlling. This was just plain selfish of me though to not take into account Jamie’s wants and desires to spend time talking to me. I needed to put her needs first and serve her as Christ served me and give up my wants and desires as Christ did for me. “Father if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” This is an example of true agape love the Son showed toward the Father.
I am realizing more and more how sinful we both are and how we are no better than the other person. We will both hurt each other and let each other down. It’s not a matter of if but when. Because of who we are in Christ though, we have the obligation and privilege to honor, respect, and forgive each other in spite of those hurts and let downs. I am obligated to love her unconditionally. I have the opportunity to empty myself and my flesh for her, to lay aside my selfishness to serve her, to show her my adoring love for her. All this to love and suffer like God does for us.
It has definitely been a very difficult time here to show these, and it will be in the future too. I have learned to look to Jamie only for my female relational needs. I haven’t been able to see her face to face which has shown me to admire her inside beauty and not focus on the external. I am required to love her unconditionally, no matter what the circumstance or season in our relationship. I have realized that she is different than me, that we don’t think alike and that she is more emotionally driven, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s just different. I realize that I am not emotionally driven but am gung ho and don’t attach many emotions to my actions. I use my reason and logic, which isn’t wrong. It’s just different. This is the way God has designed most males and females.
I am recently learning how to better respect and care for her emotions and jealousy about the time I should spend with other girls here at school. Through some circumstances, she expressed her concern and feelings about this situation. It took a lot for me to understand where she was coming from and I still can’t fully understand, but I do realize that I was not being above reproach. I have since made boundaries for myself on how much time I spend with other females, not spending any “one on ones” with any other females, and limiting my phone usage with any other females. These boundaries are helping to prevent even any type of accusations or presumptions of my loyalty to Jamie.
The greatest relational insights I have learned is that mutual agape love brings joy in any relationship and that our friendship is the most important in our relationship. The agape love that sacrifices, that suffers, that is patient, that is kind. “It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” I am so grateful for Jamie in my life to help me grow personally to more reflect Christ.
We started dating on January 12th of 2008 which began our commitment of getting to know each other better to better discern our compatibility. This also began God’s plan to show me truly what agape love is and how I fall way short of how He agape loves me. I am have been continually growing since to show this love that Christ first showed me. Jamie has and is a major part of God conforming me more and more to His image.
There was a time while I was here at NTBI that something changed in me. I noticed that I wasn’t spending as much time talking to Jamie or explaining all the cool stuff going on here at NTBI. Jamie recognized this also and confronted me about it. She wasn’t asking for a lot, just a bit of my time during the day. At first, I didn’t want to listen to her and thought she was being too controlling. This was just plain selfish of me though to not take into account Jamie’s wants and desires to spend time talking to me. I needed to put her needs first and serve her as Christ served me and give up my wants and desires as Christ did for me. “Father if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” This is an example of true agape love the Son showed toward the Father.
I am realizing more and more how sinful we both are and how we are no better than the other person. We will both hurt each other and let each other down. It’s not a matter of if but when. Because of who we are in Christ though, we have the obligation and privilege to honor, respect, and forgive each other in spite of those hurts and let downs. I am obligated to love her unconditionally. I have the opportunity to empty myself and my flesh for her, to lay aside my selfishness to serve her, to show her my adoring love for her. All this to love and suffer like God does for us.
It has definitely been a very difficult time here to show these, and it will be in the future too. I have learned to look to Jamie only for my female relational needs. I haven’t been able to see her face to face which has shown me to admire her inside beauty and not focus on the external. I am required to love her unconditionally, no matter what the circumstance or season in our relationship. I have realized that she is different than me, that we don’t think alike and that she is more emotionally driven, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s just different. I realize that I am not emotionally driven but am gung ho and don’t attach many emotions to my actions. I use my reason and logic, which isn’t wrong. It’s just different. This is the way God has designed most males and females.
I am recently learning how to better respect and care for her emotions and jealousy about the time I should spend with other girls here at school. Through some circumstances, she expressed her concern and feelings about this situation. It took a lot for me to understand where she was coming from and I still can’t fully understand, but I do realize that I was not being above reproach. I have since made boundaries for myself on how much time I spend with other females, not spending any “one on ones” with any other females, and limiting my phone usage with any other females. These boundaries are helping to prevent even any type of accusations or presumptions of my loyalty to Jamie.
The greatest relational insights I have learned is that mutual agape love brings joy in any relationship and that our friendship is the most important in our relationship. The agape love that sacrifices, that suffers, that is patient, that is kind. “It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” I am so grateful for Jamie in my life to help me grow personally to more reflect Christ.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Testimony
Daniel Hoeppner
I was born into a non-religious home, without the Bible or any type of faith. My parents were just trying to live the best life they knew how to in their own eyes. My dad was heavily in to cocaine and his business led him overseas where everything fell apart. While he was in Thailand, he slept around with women and my mom was fully aware of it. When my dad was on a business trip, my mom left him with my three brothers and I, and we headed from southern California to northern California where my grandparents lived.
I went to a public elementary school and lived life to have fun and get friends. Cursing was introduced to me and because I thought I was cool and I did it often. While in elementary school, this guy began coming around the house and started staying the night. Then one day…BAM, I had another brother. That’s when my mom’s boyfriend moved in. There were times when he was really cool and he would buy and give me stuff that I wanted. Then other times I really didn’t like him at all. I loved seeing my dad every time we got the chance to visit though. He was chill, never told me what to do, and taught me stuff like how to ride a motorcycle and drive a car. My dad had a girlfriend, and we hung around her family quite a bit. She had a son that was my age which was a bonus for me. But all their family did was argue, fight and yell. It was so hectic all the time. My dad continued to use cocaine and shared the habit with his girlfriend. At this point, I was really confused about life. I had no idea about the meaning of life or where you went after death. It was just taught to be the best person you can be and to be as successful as possible.
For junior high, my mom put my brothers and I in a private Christian school by our house because she was worried about the atmosphere of the public schools. It was just to protect us from bad influence. As a requirement at the school, I began to read and learn about the bible which I had never done before. I read verses in school like Romans 3:23 that says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” I soon learned that everyone is a sinner and that no one is perfect. The church my classmates went to on Sundays was a part of the school I went to. I began attending the same church. Almost every day, the Bible was either read to me or I read it for school. I knew that I did bad things but never thought I was a bad person. In Romans 6:23 it says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I realized that the penalty for my sin is death. The first verse I memorized in school was John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This was the first time I had ever known that Jesus paid the penalty for my sins and He took my place so I could have eternal life. One Sunday morning at church, the pastor asked anyone who wanted to put their trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to come to the front. With a few other kids, I boldly went up to the front and accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior through a prayer. It went something like this, “God I realize I am a sinner. I want forgiveness of all my sins in the past, in the present, and in the future. I believe that Jesus died on the cross in my place and rose from the dead. I want you to be in control of my life. I accept your free gift of salvation.” Although I knew I was forgiven and that I was going to Heaven, my life didn’t really change. I still hung around the same friends that were just like me and didn’t want to get serious about living for Christ. I still wanted some control.
As I was in this Christian private school, something really crazy yet amazing happened. My dad went to jail for a couple of days after he was pulled over for a tail light that was out and had a warrant out for his arrest for missing some court appearances. While searching his car, the police found cocaine in it. After he got out of jail, he had a court order to attend a recovery group. Through many circumstances and someone explaining the Gospel to him for the first time, he received Jesus Christ as his Savior and was sobered. Around the same time, my mom also received Jesus Christ as her Savior at a weekend service at our church. I started seeing God actually work in my life. I saw change in both of them which I had never seen before. My dad broke up with his girlfriend. My mom broke up with her boyfriend. My dad attended a winter retreat at the church he went to. The speaker was speaking on family and marriage. He called us after he got back saying that he was going to remarry my mom. That was the greatest and craziest thing I had ever heard in my life. But my mom thought my dad was crazy. Eventually, she came around and they remarried right before my freshman year of high school.
I knew my life wasn’t the way God wanted it and that I wasn’t surrendering my whole life to His plan. On the same day as my parents wedding, I was baptized and rededicated my life to Jesus Christ. I know I can never earn my way to Heaven or become perfect one day, but I surrender my plans and my life and realize my life is not mine anymore. I now have faith in knowing I have a purpose for living. I wouldn’t be who I am today without Jesus Christ in my life because he has made all the difference.
In this season of my life, God has opened opportunities to lead me to New Tribes Bible Institute in Jackson, MI. I am learning and growing in God’s Word everyday and am solidifying my foundation and worldview in His Word. I will be attending NTBI for three more semesters, and I am planning on going to further missions training with New Tribes after.
Each semester here at NTBI costs $4150 without including books and supplies. Through prayer and many generous contributions, I made it into the first semester on their deposit / monthly installment program. The monthly payments are $450.00. They are due on the 1st of each month. I am looking for prayer and financial partners to help me through this education. Please consider what you can contribute.
2 Cor. 9:13-15 (NIV)
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
The Lord willing, I will complete 2 years of Bible studies and then do further missions training and be well prepared to reach the unreached for Jesus Christ. I have committed my time and effort for this purpose in my life.
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Acts 1:7-8 (NIV)
He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Please write or call if you have any questions or concerns for me or NTBI.
Email- dan_hoeppner@yahoo.com
Cell- 925-518-2448
Danatnewtribes.blogspot.com
1210 E. Michigan Ave.
Jackson, MI 49201
For His Glory,
Daniel Hoeppner
I was born into a non-religious home, without the Bible or any type of faith. My parents were just trying to live the best life they knew how to in their own eyes. My dad was heavily in to cocaine and his business led him overseas where everything fell apart. While he was in Thailand, he slept around with women and my mom was fully aware of it. When my dad was on a business trip, my mom left him with my three brothers and I, and we headed from southern California to northern California where my grandparents lived.
I went to a public elementary school and lived life to have fun and get friends. Cursing was introduced to me and because I thought I was cool and I did it often. While in elementary school, this guy began coming around the house and started staying the night. Then one day…BAM, I had another brother. That’s when my mom’s boyfriend moved in. There were times when he was really cool and he would buy and give me stuff that I wanted. Then other times I really didn’t like him at all. I loved seeing my dad every time we got the chance to visit though. He was chill, never told me what to do, and taught me stuff like how to ride a motorcycle and drive a car. My dad had a girlfriend, and we hung around her family quite a bit. She had a son that was my age which was a bonus for me. But all their family did was argue, fight and yell. It was so hectic all the time. My dad continued to use cocaine and shared the habit with his girlfriend. At this point, I was really confused about life. I had no idea about the meaning of life or where you went after death. It was just taught to be the best person you can be and to be as successful as possible.
For junior high, my mom put my brothers and I in a private Christian school by our house because she was worried about the atmosphere of the public schools. It was just to protect us from bad influence. As a requirement at the school, I began to read and learn about the bible which I had never done before. I read verses in school like Romans 3:23 that says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” I soon learned that everyone is a sinner and that no one is perfect. The church my classmates went to on Sundays was a part of the school I went to. I began attending the same church. Almost every day, the Bible was either read to me or I read it for school. I knew that I did bad things but never thought I was a bad person. In Romans 6:23 it says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I realized that the penalty for my sin is death. The first verse I memorized in school was John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This was the first time I had ever known that Jesus paid the penalty for my sins and He took my place so I could have eternal life. One Sunday morning at church, the pastor asked anyone who wanted to put their trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to come to the front. With a few other kids, I boldly went up to the front and accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior through a prayer. It went something like this, “God I realize I am a sinner. I want forgiveness of all my sins in the past, in the present, and in the future. I believe that Jesus died on the cross in my place and rose from the dead. I want you to be in control of my life. I accept your free gift of salvation.” Although I knew I was forgiven and that I was going to Heaven, my life didn’t really change. I still hung around the same friends that were just like me and didn’t want to get serious about living for Christ. I still wanted some control.
As I was in this Christian private school, something really crazy yet amazing happened. My dad went to jail for a couple of days after he was pulled over for a tail light that was out and had a warrant out for his arrest for missing some court appearances. While searching his car, the police found cocaine in it. After he got out of jail, he had a court order to attend a recovery group. Through many circumstances and someone explaining the Gospel to him for the first time, he received Jesus Christ as his Savior and was sobered. Around the same time, my mom also received Jesus Christ as her Savior at a weekend service at our church. I started seeing God actually work in my life. I saw change in both of them which I had never seen before. My dad broke up with his girlfriend. My mom broke up with her boyfriend. My dad attended a winter retreat at the church he went to. The speaker was speaking on family and marriage. He called us after he got back saying that he was going to remarry my mom. That was the greatest and craziest thing I had ever heard in my life. But my mom thought my dad was crazy. Eventually, she came around and they remarried right before my freshman year of high school.
I knew my life wasn’t the way God wanted it and that I wasn’t surrendering my whole life to His plan. On the same day as my parents wedding, I was baptized and rededicated my life to Jesus Christ. I know I can never earn my way to Heaven or become perfect one day, but I surrender my plans and my life and realize my life is not mine anymore. I now have faith in knowing I have a purpose for living. I wouldn’t be who I am today without Jesus Christ in my life because he has made all the difference.
In this season of my life, God has opened opportunities to lead me to New Tribes Bible Institute in Jackson, MI. I am learning and growing in God’s Word everyday and am solidifying my foundation and worldview in His Word. I will be attending NTBI for three more semesters, and I am planning on going to further missions training with New Tribes after.
Each semester here at NTBI costs $4150 without including books and supplies. Through prayer and many generous contributions, I made it into the first semester on their deposit / monthly installment program. The monthly payments are $450.00. They are due on the 1st of each month. I am looking for prayer and financial partners to help me through this education. Please consider what you can contribute.
2 Cor. 9:13-15 (NIV)
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
The Lord willing, I will complete 2 years of Bible studies and then do further missions training and be well prepared to reach the unreached for Jesus Christ. I have committed my time and effort for this purpose in my life.
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Acts 1:7-8 (NIV)
He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Please write or call if you have any questions or concerns for me or NTBI.
Email- dan_hoeppner@yahoo.com
Cell- 925-518-2448
Danatnewtribes.blogspot.com
1210 E. Michigan Ave.
Jackson, MI 49201
For His Glory,
Daniel Hoeppner
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