Author: Brian

Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor

Q&A#13D: Commandments 8-10

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#13D
Q: What do the eighth, ninth, and tenth commandments teach us?
A: The eighth, ninth, and tenth commandments teach us to love God and people by respecting what belongs to others, telling the truth, and being content.

You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet….
– Exodus 20:15-17a (ESV)

For Further Reflection
Ephesians 4:25 & 28, I Timothy 6:6-8

Our Response
Share with others instead of taking from them.
Be radically committed to the truth.
Be content with what God gives you.

God Never Sleep

On By BrianIn Rest Reflections

ThankGodforBedtimeGod never sleeps.  God has been alert, fully functioning, and perfectly attentive for every single nanosecond of history. What’s more, not sleeping has never caused him to become anything less than perfect for even a moment. I get grumpy and irritable when I have to wake up half an hour early; God has never slept, yet remains utterly flawless.

– Geoff Robson in Thank God for Bedtime

Q&A#13C: Commandments 5-7

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#13C
Q: What do the fifth, sixth, and seventh commandments teach us?
A: The fifth, sixth, and seventh commandments teach us to love God and people by honoring our parents, human life, and marriage.

Honor your father and mother….
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
– Exodus 20:12a, 13-14 (ESV)

For Further Reflection
Ephesians 6:1-4, I John 3:15, Matthew 5:21-32

Our Response
Honor all God-given authority.
Treat people as image-bearers of God.
Respect the marriage relationship.

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

10 Things You Should Know about the Presence of God – J. Ryan Lister (Crossway)
The church has two clear purposes: 1) the church works within itself for the sanctification of its members to prepare God’s people for God’s present and future presence; and 2) the church works externally to share the gospel so that the lost may enjoy God’s presence now and forever as well.

Masters of Self: Cultivating Gentleness in an Age of Outrage – Scott Swain (DG)
When the vice of anger is the spiritual diagnosis, Holy Scripture prescribes the virtue of gentleness or meekness as the spiritual medicine. Gentleness is the spiritual virtue that tempers or moderates the desire for vengeance we experience when we suffer or witness injustice. According to Protestant moral theologian Niels Hemmingsen, gentleness is “the virtue by which minds that have been rashly stirred up toward hatred of someone are restrained by kindness.”

Six Marks of Maturity to Look for in Your Life – Colin Marshall (SA)
So, who are the really mature Christians in your church? What’s the grid that we use to measure maturity?

One of the Church’s Greatest Needs – R. Kent Hughes (Crossway)
The church cannot prosper with deception among its members—and God wanted to make this clear for all time. Deception wounds the body of Christ—makes it dysfunctional—and is a sin against God! This is why Peter cried to Ananias at the moment of his death, “You have not lied to man but to God” (Acts 5:4).

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping the Lord with your local church!

Declaring the Glory

On By BrianIn Declaring the Glory

Black Canyon in Colorado

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