Together we are His body
Christ our exalted Head
Belov’d and cherished now are we
And by Him we are fed
Together we are His fullness
Filled with his grace, glory
His love, his pow-er, His presence
That Christ others might see
As His fullness now let us live
Show Christ in everything
His body blessed by all he gives
Let all rejoice and sing
(To the tune of “O God Our Help In Ages Past”)
Here are some good posts for preachers:
5 Ways to Deepen Your Preaching – Gavin Ortlund (TGC)
Preaching is like a vast mountain, the top of which is hidden by clouds; and the higher I climb, the more it stretches up still higher above me.
6 Ways Not to Preach the Birth of Jesus – Steve Mathewson (TGC)
But there is another challenge awaiting preachers. The Gospel accounts of Jesus’s birth have been overlaid with centuries of exegetical misunderstandings and legendary elaborations.
That Vital Moment in Every Preacher’s Week – Erik Raymond
This is why one of the most important decisions that the preacher will make each week will come on Sunday night before he goes to sleep. He has to be able to go to close his eyes patiently trusting that God will work.
Jesus is far above all things
All powers, ev’ry name
He is the sovereign King of Kings
Forever He will reign
He is the sovereign King of Kings
Forever He will reign
So let us walk in peace today
Hope in our coming King
Submit in all we do and say
His praises ever sing
Submit in all we do and say
His praises ever sing
(To the tune of “All Hail The Power of Jesus’ Name”)
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
You Just Need To Obey – Steve Lawson (Ligonier)
For all true followers of Christ, obedience is never peripheral. At the heart of what it means to be a disciple of our Lord is living in loving devotion to God. But if such love is real, the acid test is obedience.
What Your Complaining Says About God – Philip Graham Ryken (Crossway)
It is really important to recognize that all of our complaining is ultimately directed against God, whether we mention him specifically in our complaints or not. All of our complaining goes to him; he is the great God. He is the one who exercises his sovereignty over whatever happens. So all of our complaints go right to the top.
Patience Is Not Optional for the Christian – Albert Mohler (Ligonier)
Patience is not optional for the Christian. The apostle Paul repeatedly commanded Christians to demonstrate patience to each other. In fact, this is a critical test of Christian authenticity. True Christian character, the very evidence of regeneration, is seen in authentic patience.
A Powerful Practice for Prayer – Tim Challies
There is one practice I find myself working on these days more than any other, and I think it may be the most important of them all. It is a simple one: Never resist the least urge to pray.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!
Here are some good posts on the family:
Why Satan Hates Your Family – Tim Challies
10 Principles for Christian Husbands and Fathers – Jason Helopoulos
Making Jesus Central in Your Family’s Life – Jamie Brown
Open our eyes that we might see
Our hearts to really know
Your great blessings so vast and free
That from Christ ever flow
To know our glor’ous God above
Our hope in this dark night
His wonderful amazing love
The power of His might
To know these wonders of Your grace
And in them ever live
And offering unceasing praise
Our thanks to You we give
(To the tune of “O God Our Help In Ages Past”)
Here are some good posts on doctrine:
Doctrine Matters: Eternal Life Depends Upon It – Kevin DeYoung
Christianity is much more than getting your doctrine right. But it is not less.
Take a Quiz on Christ – Tim Challies
How well do you know what the Bible teaches us about Jesus?
Your Highest Privilege – Tim Challies
Of all the privileges that are ours through the gospel, which is the greatest? According to many theologians, there is no privilege higher than adoption.
This is the holy reasoning of love; it draws no license from grace, but rather feels the strong constraints of gratitude leading it to holiness.
– Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Father, you have opened our blinded eyes that we might see you and know you, but too often our eyes are sleepy when it comes to your spiritual blessings. So open our eyes that we might grasp the ramifications of your great salvation for us. Open our eyes that we might live out the blessings that we have in Christ. May your Spirit enlighten the eyes of our hearts with wisdom to understand and live out the revelation of the gospel that you have given to us.
Open our eyes to know you in an intimate, experiential, life-impacting way. To grow in our personal relationship with you. To commune with you more and more – listening to you as you speak to us in your Word, and responding to you in prayer. Open our eyes to know you better.
Open our eyes to know in an intimate, experiential, life-impacting way the hope of your calling to us. To grasp the incredible inheritance that you have for your children. To cling to the hope of our own resurrection that we might dwell with you forever and ever. And to live in response to this hope in the midst of the struggles of life. Open our eyes to this great hope.
Open our eyes to know in an intimate, experiential, life-impacting way the riches of your inheritance in us. To grasp the wonder of being your own people, your own inheritance. To cling to the reality of your delight in us, desire for us, love for us, care for us – not because we are so great, but because of your incredible love. And to live each day in response to your amazing love for us no matter what others may think of us. Open our eyes to your great love.
Open our eyes to know in an intimate, experiential, life-impacting way the greatness of your power toward us. To grasp the immeasurable greatness of your power, your great might working in us. To cling to this same power toward us that raised Jesus from the dead and placed him above every other power. And to live each day in response to your mighty power toward us which is greater than anything that can come against us. Open our eyes to your great power.
Open our eyes to know you, to know this hope, to know this love, to know this power in an intimate, experiential, life-impacting way. Open our eyes, O God, open our eyes.
(Inspired by Ephesians 1:16-20)
The Christian who walks with the Lord and keeps constant communion with Him will see many reason for rejoicing and thanksgiving all day long.
– Warren Wiersbe
Brian J. Mikul 