Author: Brian

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

Gospel Quotes To Ponder

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

Remember what the gospel says about us:
we are more sinful and flawed than we ever dared believe
but we are also more loved and welcomed than we ever dared hope.
– Elyse M. Fitzpatrick and Dennis E. Johnson

So when the devil throws your sins in your face
and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this:
“I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it?
For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf.
His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where he is there I shall be also!”
– Martin Luther

I am a great sinner, but Christ is a great Savior.
– John Newton

Two Necessary Ingredients for Prayer

On By BrianIn Habit of Prayer

The end of all things is at hand;
therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
– 1 Peter 4:7

This verse suggests two necessary ingredients for prayer. 

First, we must be self-controlled.  We must exercise the self-control to manage our time in such a way that we make much time for prayer.  Projects, chores, and obligations call to us constantly.  We have so much to do!  Only with self-control, will we take the time to pray.

Second, we need to be sober-minded.  We need to have clear minds to see things as they are.  The end is near.  Christ is coming back.  Some things have greater priority than others in our limited time.  What is more, we can do nothing on our own.  All those projects, chores, and obligations require God’s blessing, God’s enablement, God’s strength.  When we soberly recognize our necessary priorities and our need for help in all we do, we will take time to pray.

Declaring the Glory

On By BrianIn Declaring the Glory

Near our home in northwest Michigan

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

Loving the Lost

On By BrianIn All About Love

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
– Matthew 22:39

If we love our neighbor in this way,
we will want them to know Jesus as we do.
We will care about their spiritual condition.

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10

Jesus sought the lost.
He died to save the lost.

As we follow Jesus, we will share his heart.
We too will seek out the lost that they might be saved.
We will follow Christ’s call:

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:19

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem
and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8

We do this not in our strength
but in the strength of the Spirit.
We begin where we live
and move out from there.
There are countless millions who need a Savior.

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;
therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest
to send out laborers into his harvest.
– Matthew 9:37-38

So let us pray.

And let us go.

With the heart of Christ.

With the power of the Spirit.

Father, grant us a growing burden for the lost.
Help us to seek opportunities to share our faith,
and use those opportunities we find.
May the gospel spread in our

families

places of employment

schools

neighborhoods

communities

and throughout the world

for your glory!  Amen.

Taking Hold of God

On By BrianIn Prayer Quotes

Here are a few helpful quotes on prayer from the book Taking Hold of God edited by Joel R. Beeke and Brian G. Najapfour:

You can do more than pray, after you have prayed,
but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.
– John Bunyan

How can we live to God outside the prayer closet
when we so seldom meet him in the closet?
– Joel R. Beeke

Pray often, for prayer is
a shield to the soul,
a sacrifice to God,
and a scourge for Satan.
– John Bunyan

Loving Christ’s Church

On By BrianIn Church Life, Revival

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise!
– Psalm 84:1-4

May we too desire to gather with God’s people as his temple
to praise the living God, to rejoice in his name. 
May we

long

faint

hunger

thirst

to come together into his presence!

 And they devoted themselves to
the apostles’ teaching
and the fellowship,
to the breaking of bread
and the prayers.
– Acts 2:42

This was not an after-thought
an “if we have time”
an “if there is nothing else going on”
a Sunday morning only affair.
No, they

devoted

committed

prioritized

these four things.
It was central to their lives.
It was an important part of their new lives in Christ.

  Restore us, O LORD God of hosts!
  Let your face shine, that we may be saved!
– Psalm 80:19

  Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
  and put away your indignation toward us!
 Will you be angry with us forever?
  Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
 Will you not revive us again,
  that your people may rejoice in you?
 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,
  and grant us your salvation.
– Psalm 85:4-7

May we join the psalmists in their cry
for restoration and revival.
May we pray for his love and grace
to be poured out upon us
that we might be saved from our lukewarmness
and find all our joy in Him.

Father, revive your people.
Let us rejoice in you.
Let us delight in gathering together in your presence.
Let us devote ourselves to your church.
  Restore us, O LORD God of hosts!
  Let your face shine, that we may be saved!
Amen.

Prayer Quotes To Ponder

On By BrianIn Prayer Quotes

Cold prayers are a sacrifice without fire.
– J.C. Ryle

When you pray, rather let your heart be without words
than your words without heart.
– John Bunyan

If your knowledge of doctrine does not make you a great man of prayer,
you had better examine yourself again.
– Martyn Lloyd-Jones

 Prayer will make a man cease from sin,
or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer.
– John Bunyan

 

 

Loving One Another

On By BrianIn All About Love, Church Life

Beloved, if God so loved us,
we also ought to love one another.
– I John 4:11

The more we grasp God’s love for us,
the more we will love God;
and the more we love God,
the more we will love his people.

As Jesus formed this new people for himself,
he gave them a new command:

 A new commandment I give to you,
that you love one another:
just as I have loved you,
you also are to love one another.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.
– John 13:34-35

We are to love as Christ loved us.
That is an incredible love!
And when we love that way,
people will see a difference in us.
They will be attracted to Jesus.
Oh, that God’s church would be known for its love!

What might this love look like? 
Romans 12:10, Galatians 6:10, and Ephesians 6:18
give us some pointers:

Brotherly affection.

Genuine respect.

Doing good to each other.

Praying for one another.

How would our relationships with one another change
if we consistently lived these out in our churches?

Declaring The Glory

On By BrianIn Declaring the Glory

Near our home in northwest Michigan

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