Praise God who reigns and knows all things
The Lord God Almighty
He graciously pours out blessings
Forgives and shows mercy
He is the only one true God
Creator and our King
He scoffs at worthless man-made gods
And pagan worshiping
The Lord’s greatness let us proclaim
His praises let us sing
In all of life trust in His name
And serve the one true King
– From a sermon on Isaiah 43:8-44:20
(To the tune of the “O God Our Help In Ages Past”)
The only God who deserves your trust is Jesus. Paul declares, “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ” (Colossians 2:9-10). When you put your faith in Jesus, the security and significance of your life are settled. You are complete, for you are in Christ, and Christ is God. What could you ever do to top that?
– Michael Wittmer in Despite Doubt
Lake Superior near Grand Marais, MI
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20
Our God calls each of us by name
He formed, created you
He redeemed you – that’s why He came
“You’re mine” He says to you
And thru the trials I’ll be with you
I am your God today
Remember church that I love you
I’ll gather you someday
– From a sermon on Isaiah 42:18-43:7
(To the tune of the “Amazing Grace”)
…we are growing in our character every day. The question is, in which direction are we growing? Are we growing toward godly character or ungodly character? Are we growing in love or selfishness, in harshness or patience, in greed or generosity, in honesty or dishonesty, in purity or impurity? Every day we are training ourselves in one direction or the other by the thoughts we think, the words we say, the actions we take, and the deeds we do.
– Jerry Bridges in The Fruitful Life
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
Grace Is Not A Thing – Jeremy Treat (TGC)
Consider several misconceptions and enemies of grace.
4 Reasons to Stop Obsessing about Heaven – Mike Wittmer (TGC)
And set your hope on the resurrection!
Does Your Facebook Rant “Honor Everyone?” – Trevin Wax
Think before you post!
God’s Tapestry – Tim Challies
God weaves the good and bad things in your life into a beautiful tapestry.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church celebrating God’s grace!
– Thomas Watson
The fruit of the Spirit is fundamentally relational. Rather than originating with us, it flows to us from our union with Christ, and it flows beyond us to bring us into fellowship with others. The secret of this flow – and our unity with God and others – is humility.
– Jerry Bridges in The Fruitful Life
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves,
and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
– II Chronicles 7:14
For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.
– Psalm 18:27
He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
– Psalm 25:9
The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.
– Psalm 147:6
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
– Isaiah 57:15
But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
– Isaiah 66:2b
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says,
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
– James 4:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God
so that at the proper time he may exalt you.
– I Peter 5:6
Here are some good posts on children and youth ministry:
3 Ways To Avoid The “Children’s Church” Ditch – Sean Sawyers (Christward Collective)
Who Is Really Leaving The Church and Why? – Andrew Hess (TGC)
3 Common Traits of Youth Who Don’t Leave the Church – Jon Nielson (Church Leaders)
The Only Foundation for Youth Ministry – Josh Cousineau (TGC)
Don’t Segregate the Youth – David Wright (TGC)
How Logic Can Help Save a College Student’s Faith – Dave Sterrett (TGC)
Brian J. Mikul 