We have a rich inheritance
Dwelling with God in His presence
From sin and death a great release
A kingdom of great joy and peace
Predestined by the Father’s will
In union with our Savior still
And sealed by the Holy Spirit
Given as our sure deposit
So now believe and enter in
Proclaim salvation from our sin
Cling to your hope in life’s distress
Our Triune God forever bless
(To the tune of the Doxology)
Here are some good posts for the pastor:
Ten Commandments for Pastors – Joel Beeke
1. Give priority to your personal communion with God. Put your own soul first: your maintaining communion with God is a prerequisite for being an effective pastor to your people….
The Pastor’s Personal Holiness – Jason Helopoulos
As I reflect over the past decade of watching fellow brothers in the pastorate fail morally, the threats seem to come in four primary categories. Dear pastor, be on-guard against each….
What is the Most Common Ministry Priority Neglected by Pastors? – Brian Croft
Pastors, I know your schedule is busy. I am aware of the great demands on your time that pull on your conscience. But, don’t forget to pray for your people this week. Pray with your people. Set time aside in a quiet place and cry out to God for your people. Make the other pastoral matters wait. It is safe to say they are less important than prayer.
– J. C. Ryle
Here are some really good posts for your weekend reading:
You Were Made for the Godward Life – John Piper (DG)
A Godward life is lived leaning toward God. We turn our face toward him and not away from him. We enjoy the consciousness of his presence moment by moment. We remember him and do not forget him. At every turn of the day, we put our trust in him.
Why You Should Be Praying the Psalms – Don Whitney (CBS)
Praying the Bible means talking to God about what comes to mind as you read the Bible. Usually you might read the passage first, then go back and pray through what you just read.
When Routines Become Idols – Christina Fox (CBMW)
Some of us are so attached to and defined by our routines that we can’t stand when they are interrupted, changed, or tampered with in any way. That’s because of what our routines represent to us. Comfort. Ease. Control. Peace. When we trust in our routines and cling to them, we are relying on them to give us comfort.
When Your Heart Isn’t In It – Joe Thorn (FTC)
We are made by our triune God to worship him in spirit and truth. In him we find grace and mercy and fullness of life. He speaks in his word, hears our prayers, and delights in our songs of praise. And when we engage in these disciplines by faith we are sanctified. We experience more grace. And despite all of this we sometimes just don’t want to do it.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!
Every soul belongs to God and exists by His good pleasure. God being who and what He is, and we being who and what we are, the only thinkable relation between us is one of full Lordship on His part and complete submission on ours. We owe Him every honor that is in our power to give Him. Our everlasting grief lies in giving Him anything less.
– A. W. Tozer in The Pursuit of God
Here are some good posts on prayer in the church:
Persevere in Prayer! – Tim Challies
7 Ways to Ruin a Prayer Meeting – Tim Challies
3 Reasons We Need to Pray – Tim Challies
The way of sin is to live, not for God, but for yourself; to love and serve and please yourself without regard for your Maker; to try to be independent of him, to hold him at arm’s length, to keep the reins of your own life firmly in your own hands; yet at the same time to try to manipulate him as a means to your own ends and to use him as a safety net when you are in trouble…. Sin is deviation from the God who wants our fellowship and worship, and sin embraces self-absorption in place of God-centeredness.
– J. I. Packer in Taking God Seriously
Our God revealed His gracious plan
His offer to save fallen man
And to unite in Christ all things
Before Him every knee bowing
So come his pardon to receive
And invite others to believe
Humbly submit unto our King
His praises gladly ever sing
(To the tune of the Doxology)
Here are some helpful posts on the doctrine of election:
How the Doctrine of Election Fueled Jesus’ Work – Hannah Ploegstra (GTF)
Being chosen in him means that our lives and mission will mimic his. The Bible’s glad doctrine of election should give us the same courage, clarity, and joy that it gave to Jesus in the work he has left us to do.
Before Galaxies Stood Forth, He Knew You – Jim Essian (FTC)
The cosmic love and wisdom of God should be a truth that collides with our heart (for it is personal to us) and explodes in our soul (for it will stir you to worship).
Ten Reasons to Revel in Being Chosen– John Piper (DG)
The adversaries may seem powerful and numerous and dangerous and dominant. But look again. You are God’s chosen ones, a “people for his own possession.” O, dear suffering Christians, Peter would say, do you feel what that means? Revel in being God’s chosen ones!
– John Calvin
Brian J. Mikul 