Robust Repentance

[Edward’s] writings indicate that whenever he became aware of any sin, he sought to turn away from it. 
With his mind, he would concur with God about the evil of this sin in his life. 
Then, with his heart, he would grieve over such sin. 
Finally, with his will, he would choose to remove it from his life.
Steven J. Lawson in
The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards

Here indeed is a robust repentance using the mind, heart, and will – every part of our being.  How often do we only dabble in repentance?  We may acknowledge that we have sinned, but we really don’t feel bad about it, and show no effort to change.  Or maybe we feel bad, and yet don’t think it is really all that bad, and do little to change.  Or maybe we try to change even though we don’t want to or really think we need to.  But none of these will do.  We need to acknowledge the horror of our sin against God, hate and grieve over it, and get serious about fighting to overcome.

Father, by your infinite grace, grant us this robust repentance
that we might better live for your glory.  Amen.

Passion Points

For your weekend reading, let me recommend some worthwhile quotes from three heroes of the faith.

Hanging Upon the Life-Giving Cross – Basil the Great (via Trevin Wax)
A wonderful meditation as many of us prepare to celebrate the Lord’s Supper tomorrow.

Rejoice! and The Enjoyment of God – Jonathan Edwards (via Matthew Wynne)
I have been reading a lot about Edwards lately, and I really appreciated these two helpful quotes reminding us to delight in the Lord.

Finally, if you have not yet discovered Erik Kowalker’s blog of J.C.Ryle quotes, I encourage you to visit.  Following are some recent quotes I found especially helpful:
Our Unfailing Friend, Jesus Christ
Keep Looking Unto Jesus
In Need of the Holy Spirit’s Presence

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day delighting in our Savior!

Passion Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

My Measly Opinion – Marva Dawn (via Trevin Wax) – There is truth that transcends opinion.

Location, Location, Location – Paul Tripp (via Gospel Coalition) – A helpful summary of the daily battle of life – it is all about location.

A Catechism of the Heart – Sinclair Ferguson (via Justin Taylor) – What is the heart, and how do you keep your heart for God?

Like A Bag of Sand – Jared Wilson – How NOT to overcome an idol.

Worship: The Fuel, Fire, Furnace, and Heat – John Piper (via Justin Taylor) – A helpful summary of worship as you prepare for corporate worship tomorrow.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshipping our great God!

Family Worship Month

I have mentioned before the idea of Family Worship – a regular time for the family to gather together around the Word and prayer.  My family has been doing it for several years – and it is a highlight of our kids’ day. 

To help promote the idea, some folks have declared January to be Family Worship Month, and January 29 to be Family Worship Sunday.  Their blog has numerous articles from various Christian leaders (living and dead) on the importance of Family Worship.  Well worth checking out.

For a brief but helpful book introducing Family Worship, pick up Donald Whitney’s book.

God Has Been Gracious

I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant. – Genesis 32:10

God has dealt graciously with me. – Genesis 33:11

…the God who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.  – Genesis 35:3

This is Jacob’s testimony. 
Looking at his life, it is clear Jacob was not worthy,
and yet God dealt graciously with him.

Is this not our testimony as well?
Looking at our lives, we are not worthy either,
but God has dealt graciously with us.

He showers us with his steadfast love.
He remains faithful to us.
He answers our prayers.
He is always with us.

Sure, we will have difficult days.  Jacob did too.
And yet we can see God’s grace in the trials
as well as in the blessings.

Truly, God has dealt graciously with us!

Cleaning His House

And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold.
 – Luke 19:45

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,
whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.
So glorify God in your body.  
 – 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Jesus came to his temple and found what should not have been there,
so he began to drive those things out.

You are his temple today. 
When he comes to his temple, does he find what should not be there?
Are there common sins he wants to drive out?
Are there idols he wants to drive out?
Are there wrong priorities he wants to drive out?
Will you cooperate with him in driving those things out?

Passion Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

A few years back I started going book by book through the Old Testament looking for examples of grace.  I only got through I Samuel.  This week I found this post by Dane Ortland who gives us a brief summary of how each book of the Bible shows forth God’s grace.

Mike Bullmore tells us from the Bible what we should expect from the Bible.  Do we come to the Bible with these expectations?

Finally, Tim Chester has been posting a number of Apologetic Sound Bites to help us answer skeptics who ask the following questions:
How can you claim there’s only one true religion?
Why do you want to force your opinion on me?

Why does God allow so much suffering?
Why doesn’t God reveal himself more clearly?

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day hearing the Word preached in your local church!

Thorns?

Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold,
some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.  
 – Matthew 13:7-9

Are there thorns in your life seeking to choke you
and keep you from being fruitful?

Maybe it’s time to pull some weeds….

Our Treasure and Our Pearl

 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
– Matthew 13:44-46

Is Jesus the treasure and pearl for whom you would give all,
or is he merely an add-on to your life?