Who Is the Center?

On February 27, 2014 By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

A relationship in which both parties have inserted themselves into the center of their worlds so that everything is all about them will be one of constant conflict, hurt, discouragement, frustration, and anger. Eternity reminds us that life has not and will not work according to our plan, for the world is moving according to the plan of Another. Eternity humbles us with the inescapable reality that we have been born into a universe that, by its very nature, is a celebration of Another.

– Paul David Tripp in Forever

Walk in Light of the Future

On February 27, 2014 By BrianIn Book of Isaiah

In Isaiah 2:1-4, we get an incredible vision of the future. Then in v5, he tells us to come and walk in the light of the Lord. Walk in light of what he is going to do. The Lord has given us this future vision so that we might live differently. What God is doing in the future should impact how we live today. And so we ought to walk in the light of:

His Priority – In a world all about me, we say no, it is all about Him. I’m not the highest – God is. He is first; he is the priority in all things. I am to live my life seeking his honor, seeking his kingdom, seeking his will. Is God’s honor your highest priority? Is God’s kingdom your highest priority? Is God’s will your highest priority? Or are you living for your own honor, your own kingdom, your own will?

His Presence – His manifest presence isn’t here now as it will be then, but God is with us. In a world of trials and sorrow, we can walk in the light of his presence. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). In the midst of the struggles of life, are you holding onto the One who is with you every step of the way?

His Paths – In a world of many paths, religions, worldviews, and ideologies, we follow the path of the one true God. Our hearts should burn to learn God’s Word. Does yours? And we ought to strive to obey God’s Word, to walk in his paths. Do you?

His Peace – In a world filled with strife, we are to pursue peace. We ought to put down our swords and spears, our proud insistence that things go our own way. Instead we ought to pick up humility and gentleness and patience and love, striving for peaceful unity in Christ’s church (Ephesians 4:1-3). Are you?

As we consider the glorious future that awaits us, may God graciously help us to live in light of that future today.

Current

On February 26, 2014 By BrianIn Current Collection

A weekly collection of current news and issues in the church, country, and world.

Christian publishing. I love it, and I can’t stand it. There are a lot of great books published every year. And then there are the not-so-helpful, not-so-biblical books that end up as best-sellers. Here are some helpful discerning thoughts on three of those latter books:

We Don’t have to Read the Book or See the Movie to Know Heaven Is Real – Nancy Guthrie (GC)

Don’t Pray in Circles! – Tim Challies

Did Jesus Really Say? – Todd Pruitt (Reformation 21)

Grace Leading to Grace

On February 26, 2014March 26, 2016 By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

What does it look like to live life in a manner worthy of the gospel? It looks like dying with Christ to one’s self and being raised in Christ to walk in the newness of life with our brothers and sisters. It means living grace-filled lives that grant patience and mercy and gentleness for the spiritual journeys of others and a respect for the differences and idiosyncrasies we all bring to the Lord’s table.

– Matt Chandler reflecting on Philippians 1:27 in
To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain

Glimpses of the Future

On February 26, 2014 By BrianIn Book of Isaiah1 Comment

In Isaiah 2:1-4, we get four glimpses into the future.

First, we see the Lord’s Priority. The mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills (v2). The gods of the nations were thought to live in mountains, so to say that the mountain of the Lord would be highest, is to say that the Lord is the highest. He is lifted up above all the gods and religions of this world. The Lord will be recognized and exalted as the one true God. He will be first over all. He will have the priority. Imagine a world where God is lifted up as the number one priority in every heart, in every life, every day!

Second, we see God’s Presence. Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob (v3). The mountain of God and the house of God is where God dwells. It was understood that God dwelt in his temple, that his manifest presence was there. And we will one day dwell in this presence. We will dwell in the presence of God who is the Holy One of Israel, the Lord of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel. In his presence we will stand in awe of him. We will worship him as we see God’s people doing throughout the book of Revelation. Imagine a world where we are in the manifest presence of God worshiping in wonder and awe!

Third, we see the Lord’s Paths. And all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (v2-3). The nations will flow like a stream to Jerusalem to hear the Word of the Lord. People will want to hear His Word, and they will invite others to join them. There will be a hunger, a desire, to be taught by the Lord, and then to follow his teaching, to walk in his paths. Imagine a world where every heart burns to hear God’s Word and obey it faithfully, a world with no more sin!

Finally, we see the Lord’s Peace. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore (v4). God will judge and decide disputes, and both parties will hear and follow his decrees. There will be no more war. Indeed the instruments of war will be turned into instruments of farming, suggesting prosperity, blessing, and plenty. Imagine a world with no wars, no civil wars, no hungry people displaced by wars, no tyranny, no terrorism, no crimes, no fear, no strife in the home or workplace – imagine true peace on earth!

Sermon Songs

On February 25, 2014April 18, 2017 By BrianIn Isaiah Hymns

Praise God who will be lifted high
Praise Him whose presence will be nigh
Praise Him who will teach us His way
Who brings the latter, peaceful day

Come let us walk in the Lord’s light
Rest in his presence in the night
Put first the Lord, His Word obey
Walk in his peace and hope today

– From a sermon on Isaiah 2:1-5

Ministry Monday

On February 24, 2014November 13, 2014 By BrianIn Ministry Moments

Here are some good posts on modern day ministry:

7 Ways Social Media Makes Pastoring More Difficult – Borrowed Light

Writing Checks to Mel Gibson – Tim Challies

5 Tools Needed to Reach Today’s Teens – Cameron Cole (GC)

The Stones Cry Out

On February 24, 2014July 19, 2016 By BrianIn Stones Cry Out

Tiger Eye

As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—
the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice
for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying,
“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him,
“Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered,
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
– Luke 19:37-40

Passion Points

On February 22, 2014March 21, 2015 By BrianIn Idolatry, PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Quotes on Knowing and Loving God – Trevin Wax

What Must You Leave Behind? Kevin DeYoung

Being True to Yourself is Living a Lie – Trevin Wax

These Precious Days – Tim Challies

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day knowing and loving God!

Fearless Faith

On February 20, 2014 By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

Fearless faith results from holding on to Christ as our treasure. Gospel courage comes from gospel preciousness. If we truly believed that our reward in heaven far surpasses all the comfort and convenience and collections of the world, we, too, would be willing to consider them all as loss.