Author: Brian

Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

The Character of the Christian: A One-Woman Man – Tim Challies
Thus this qualification is a call to devotion—devotion first to God and then to a God-given spouse.

Private Prayer Walk – Jordan Monson (DG)
Pray without distraction. The message is the same, but the means have reversed. One of the best ways to close the door in the 21st century is to open the door and leave your home to go on a prayer walk.

8 Ways to Grow in the Fear of God – Albert Martin (via Tim Challies)
Learn to feed your soul on the majestic greatness of God. By that, I mean those aspects of His character and attributes such as His absolute sovereignty, holiness, power, omnipotence, and immensity. As we contemplate His majestic greatness, it is unthinkable that any rational creature would not fear such a God.

The Best Day of the Week – Nick Kennicott (TCC)
Lord’s Day worship isn’t a burden to endure, but a joyful offering from God to receive. Christians don’t put aside their earthly cares each week to earn God’s favor, but to enjoy worshipping the God whose favor has already been granted in Jesus Christ. It is a true delight to forego even the best worldly endeavors for the day, without feeling any sense of guilt for being lazy or uncaring, to revel in the heavenly things of God which are the truest and greatest treasure for any Christian.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!

Father of Glory

On By BrianIn Books of the Bible, Habit of Prayer1 Comment

In Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:16-20, he approaches God as the Father of glory. God is our Father, and yet at the same time he is the God of all glory. In the Old Testament, God is often referred to as the God of glory or the King of glory. Now we can call him our Father, but he is still the Father of glory. Or as Jesus teaches us, he is our Father in heaven. Calling him our Father means we can come boldly into his presence through Jesus as his children. “In heaven” and “of glory” means we must approach him with reverence and humility.

Is this how we approach God when we come before him in prayer or to worship? Boldly before our Father? Reverently and humbly before our glorious God? Do we mindlessly come into his presence, or do we consider into whose presence we come? He is the Father of glory.

Reflections on Genesis 21-23

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Isaac is born and Abraham is tested. Observe:

  • God’s faithfulness – God had promised a child to Abraham and Sarah, and God kept his promise! God had also promised Abraham many descendants, and Isaac is the beginning of the fulfillment of that promise. God had also promised Abraham the land, and Abraham’s purchase of a piece of land to bury Sarah is the beginning of the fulfillment that promise. God is faithful! How has God been faithful to you?
  • God’s test – God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son! What must have gone through Abraham’s mind? How could he kill the child through whom all God’s promises would be fulfilled? Hebrews 11:17-19 tells us Abraham concluded that God would raise the boy back to life so the promises could be fulfilled. That is faith! What is God asking you to do? Will you trust him and obey?
  • Abraham’s choice – How could Abraham kill his son whom he dearly loved? God’s test is not only a test of faith, but a test of love. Will Abraham love his son more than God? Who is first in Abraham’s life? Abraham passed the test. How about you? Who is first in your life? What if God asked you…?
  • God’s Son – What God asked Abraham to do, God himself would do 2000 years later. God stopped Abraham, but God would go all the way for you and your salvation. Ponder God’s sacrifice, and how you should respond.

Testimony Collection

On By BrianIn PASSION Collections1 Comment

I challenged the folks at my church this past Sunday to write out their testimonies.  Here are some helpful related posts:

How to Tell Your Story of God’s Grace– Chris Castaldo (TGC)

If You Don’t Have a Dramatic Testimony – Stephen Altrogge (DG)

When Your Testimony Just Isn’t That Good – Tim Challies

The Beauty of ‘Boring’ Testimonies– J.F. Arnold (TGC)

Total Depravity: The Great Equalizer – Tim Challies

Should We Use Our Personal Testimony in Evangelism? – Richard Phillips (Ligonier)

Don’t Just Share Your Testimony – Randy Newman (TGC)

The Great Commission Means Sharing Christ’s Story, Not Yours – Trevin Wax

Sermon Songs: Ephesians 2:1-10 (Take 3)

On By BrianIn Ephesians Hymns

MusicNotes

I once was going my own way
Condemned for all my sin
But Jesus died – rose the third day
My salvation to win

And this good news one day I learned
And by grace I received
From all my sin I gladly turned
And in Christ I believed

Then into my life Jesus came
He is mighty to save
He changed me – gave me a new name
And all my sins forgave

(To the tune of “Amazing Grace”)

Reflections on Genesis 18-20

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God comes to Abraham to reaffirm his promise that Sarah will have a son. God also tells Abraham that Sodom will be destroyed. Abraham pleads for Sodom, and God shows mercy to Lot. Notice:

  • God’s power – Sarah laughs when she hears that she will have a son at age 90. God responds by asking, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” In what situations in your life do you need to ask the question – “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” What is the answer? Will you believe it?
  • Abraham’s prayer – Abraham humbly, yet boldly, intercedes for Sodom. Undoubtedly he is thinking of his nephew Lot. He starts by asking God to spare the city if there are 50 righteous people in it, and then continues to press the Lord down to 10 people. Who are you humbly, yet boldly, interceding for before the Lord? Who do you need to start interceding for today?
  • God’s mercy – Tragically, there are not even 10 righteous people in Sodom, so God sends two angels to rescue Lot and his family. Foolishly Lot lingers, so the angels seize him and his family and bring them forcefully out of the city. The Bible explains this action as God’s mercy toward Lot. When has God forcefully shown his mercy to you in spite of your own foolishness?

Genesis 18-23: Trusting God

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(18-23) Our God is trustworthy because he keeps his promises. What promises does God make in this passage?

How do you see God keeping his promises in this passage?

(18-23) Our God is trustworthy because he provides for his people. What examples of his provision do you see in this passage?

How have you seen his provision in your life?

(18-23) Our God is trustworthy because he protects his people. What examples of his protection do you see in this passage?

Does that mean we will never be hurt or threatened or die? What does it mean according to the passage? How have you seen his protection in your life?

(20) Genesis 20 records an example of Abraham’s failure to trust God. What do you observe about his failure?

When do you see similar failures in your life? Why?

(22) Genesis 22 records an amazing example of Abraham’s faith in God. Why was the test so hard? Why was it necessary (see v12)?

What are you tempted to put before God?

Why was Abraham’s faith in God essential to pass the test? What did he believe God would do? (v5 & 8; see also Hebrews 11:17-19)

In what situations do you need to trust God right now? From this passage, what do you need to do to trust God in those situations?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Your Antidote for Awe Amnesia – Paul Tripp (TGC)
Just as a telescope points you to the stars and magnifies them for you to see their illuminating glory, so the earth focuses our eyes on God and magnifies his glory, so it can produce wonder in us. Every beautiful and amazing sight, sound, color, texture, taste, and touch of the created world has gloryscopic intention built into it. Every powerful and mighty thing, animate and inanimate, is gloryscopic by design. No created beauty is an end in itself. No physical wonder exists in isolation. Nothing that is, just is. Everything exists for a grand, vertical purpose.

The Character of the Christian: Above Reproach – Tim Challies
Your life is so consistent that your reputation is credible, you are an example worth following, and you do not make the gospel look fake by teaching one thing while doing another.

A Simple Way To Spend 45 Minutes A day With The Lord – Mark Altrogge|
Devise your own plan and try to make it a habit. Again, start small if 45 minutes seems too long…. The key is to try to be consistent. Nothing satisfies or yields more joy than spending time with Jesus.

4 Ways to Cling to the Lord – Sam Storms (Crossway)
The temptation to forget God is always present. But there is a way to maintain one’s devotion to the Lord. Joshua’s counsel in Joshua 23:6-11 is especially helpful and can be summarized using four As.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!