Here are some good posts on preaching:
The Necessity of Expository Preaching – Derek Thomas (Ligonier)
10 Pointers for Young Preachers – Peter Mead (Biblical Preaching)
Dear Pastors: Your Preaching Is Not In Vain – Erik Raymond
Author: Brian
Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor
May the Strength of God
May the strength of God pilot us,
May the power of God preserve us,
May the wisdom of God instruct us,
May the hand of God protect us,
May the way of God direct us,
May the shield of God defend us,
May the host of God guard us
Against snares of evil
And the temptations of the world.
– St Patrick
Morning by Morning
Morning by morning he awakens;
he awakens my ear
to hear as those who are taught.
– Isaiah 50:4b
This verse is found in the third Servant Song speaking of the coming Servant of the Lord, our Lord Jesus Christ. And morning by morning he listened to God. It was a regular habit – a daily habit – listening to God.
Now the verse gives us a description of the Servant. It is not a command. And yet it is a good example for us to follow, even more so because it is the example of our Lord whom we follow. Morning by morning, he listened to God.
I love to read Christians biographies of men who were close to God and did great things in the kingdom. And the recurring testimony of these men is that they spent time with God morning by morning. If we want to be close to God and be used by God in his kingdom, we ought to consider their testimony and follow their example.
Morning by morning – listen to God.
Missions Moment
Here are some good posts for those thinking about missions:
Missions: Not Safe But Good – Mike Pettengill (TGC)
The Biggest Barrier to Students Going to the Mission Field – Kim Ransleben (DG)
The Missionary Life: No Shortcuts – Evan Burns (TGC)
Prayer Quote of the Week
He who prays as he ought,
will endeavor to live as he prays.
– John Owen
Sermon Songs: Isaiah 49:14-26
Our Lord has not forgotten you
Your name is on His hand
He came to save, to make you new
His covenant will stand
Our Lord has not forgotten you
He knows your suffering
Your trials he’ll end – make all things new
And pour out his blessing
Our Lord has not forgotten you
The wicked – they will pay
He’ll gather us on the earth new
When He returns one day
The Lord has not forgotten you
So know your Savior Lord
And wait on Him – He will prove true
You’re held by love’s strong cord
– From a sermon on Isaiah 49:14-26
(To the tune of the “Amazing Grace”)
Ministry Collection
Ministry is tough and dangerous. Here are some helpful posts to press on:
5 Ways To Prepare for Challenges in Ministry – Nick Batzig (Lifeway)
Why Pastors Need Mentors – Dean Inserra (Send Network)
A Pattern Among Fallen Pastors: Lessons for Us All – Garrett Kell
Gentleness
Gentleness is illustrated by the way we would handle a carton of exquisite crystal glasses; it is the recognition that the human personality is valuable but fragile and must be handled with care.
– Jerry Bridges in The Fruitful Life
Not Forgotten
In Isaiah 49, Isaiah is writing to the people of Israel in Babylonian exile. And they need to know that they are not forgotten. The Lord has not forgotten them.
And still today as we face our own trials and struggles, we need to know that we are not forgotten. The Lord has not forgotten us.
Though it feels that way sometimes, doesn’t it?
But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me;
my Lord has forgotten me.” – Isaiah 49:14
Ever feel that way? Ever think those thoughts? As you are walking through some trial or struggle, you wonder: where is God in the midst of all of this? And it feels like God has forgotten. But your feelings are wrong.
“Can a woman forget her nursing child,
that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”
– Isaiah 49:15
Could a mom forget the baby lying in her arms? Could your mom have forgotten you? And even if she did, even if your mom and dad and everyone were to abandon you, God says, “I will not forget you. I have compassion on you. I care about you. I care for you. I love you.”
Remember this week no matter what you face that you are not forgotten. The Lord has not forgotten you.
God’s Glory
God’s “weight” or glory is the greatness of who He is. His glory is the awesome gravity of His name, the infinite wealth of His divine attributes as is found in His holiness, sovereignty, wrath, grace, goodness, and so forth. Every aspect of His character is immeasurably heavy, incomparably great, beyond any human character or ability. Being absolutely perfect, God is awesome in every way.
– Steven Lawson in Expositor Magazine
Brian J. Mikul 