Anxious Idolatry

On October 26, 2011 By BrianIn Idolatry

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other,
or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat
or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.
Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
– Matthew 6:24-25

In answer to Jesus’ question: Of course life is more than food and clothing. But if you make your life about food or clothing or money or any number of other things, you have made that thing into an idol. It has become your god. It has become your master whom you serve. And your idol will make you anxious. Why? Because your idol can be threatened. If you treasure anything on this earth, it can be lost (see v19). And when your idol (what is central to you) is threatened or lost, you will become anxious. You will worry.

How different if we make our life all about God. He cannot be threatened or lost. If our lives are about him, we need not worry.

Next time you catch yourself worrying, ask yourself: what idol in my life is being threatened? Then repent of your anxious idolatry and turn back to the one true God.

Quotes To Ponder

On October 25, 2011 By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

Here are some more challenging quotes on sin:

Sin has cast this world into trouble.
You see the smoke and dirt of this trouble
spread throughout the pages of Scripture.
– Paul Tripp

Eve lays all the blame upon the serpent.
Sin is a brat which nobody is willing to own,
a sign that it is a scandalous thing.
– Matthew Henry

It becomes us to speak of sin with the utmost dread and detestation
as an abominable thing; it certainly is so, for it is that which God hates,
and we are sure that his judgment is according to truth.
Call it grievous, call it odious, that we may by all means possible
put ourselves and others out of love with it.
– Matthew Henry

We’ll never deal with temptation
unless we deal with it immediately,
unless we deal with it realistically,
unless we deal with it ruthlessly.
– Alistair Begg

Those that make light of sin, make light of Christ.
– Matthew Henry

Declaring the Glory

On October 24, 2011 By BrianIn Declaring the Glory

Manistee River 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

Idolatry and Anxiety

On October 20, 2011March 21, 2015 By BrianIn Idolatry Quotes

When we find ourselves feeling anxious, that feeling tells us that something we treasure is being threatened…. [It is] a signpost telling us that something is amiss with our hearts. We are not loving the Lord as we should – which is to say, we have lost sight of his supreme loveliness and forgotten that in his presence only is fullness of joy (Ps. 16:11). We have other gods…. Our Savior, the one who loves and welcomes us, tells us where our treasure should be: with his kingdom and his righteousness (Matt. 6:33). If our treasure is in living our lives for him and in leaving our success and security to his providential care, and if our treasure is his righteousness, not ours, then we will be able to appreciate all the good things he bestows without succumbing to worry. On the other hand, when we find ourselves plagued by anxieties, we have to conclude that his kingdom and his righteousness are not the chief delight of our heart.

– Elyse M. Fitzpatrick and Dennis E. Johnson
Counsel from the Cross, p136-137

Quotes To Ponder

On October 18, 2011 By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

A few quotes related to the Scriptures:

Let the man who would hear God speak read Holy Scripture.
– Martin Luther

Reading the Bible is not an obligation to be endured
but a dialogue to be savored and enjoyed.
– T.J. Addington

Bible memorization has the effect of making
our gaze on Jesus steadier and clearer.
– John Piper

Declaring the Glory

On October 17, 2011 By BrianIn Declaring the Glory

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1

Dwelling Place

On October 17, 2011February 23, 2017 By BrianIn God & His Glory

…you have made the Lord your dwelling place….
– Psalm 91:9

Psalm 91 calls us to make the Lord our dwelling place, to abide in the shadow of the Almighty. We can draw near and dwell with God. We can abide in his presence.

What a wonderful place to dwell!

Not only can we make God our dwelling place, but he has made us his dwelling place. In I Corinthians 6:19-20, we are reminded that our bodies are God’s temples. God’s Spirit dwells in us. He is always with us.

God’s Spirit dwells in us, and we can dwell in him. Indeed it is because God has drawn near to us, that we can draw near to him. What an incredible opportunity! Throughout each day, God is with us, and we can turn to him as our refuge in each trial. We can praise him for each blessing he showers upon us. We can commune with him each moment. We can walk with him each hour. We can draw near at any time. We can draw near all of the time.

Father, open my eyes to your presence with me today. Let me draw near and abide with you. As you have made me your dwelling place, may I dwell in you today. Amen.

Passion Points

On October 15, 2011December 6, 2014 By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

The Parable of the City Dog and the Country Dog – Trevin Wax. You’ll just have to read it to find out the meaning of the parable. May we become more like the Country Dog!

Prayers of confession can be hard for many reasons. Not least is finding words. Lancelot Andrews gives us words in his prayer of confession and hope.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. I am always amazed at the stuff Christian retail comes up with for people to give to their pastors. Brad Whitt suggests ten things to give your pastor to show your appreciation that he will really appreciate. As a pastor, I would heartedly agree.

Finally, R. C. Ryle gives us four thoughts on true worship. It is much more than singing hymns and choruses on Sunday morning.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church family.

Idolatry and Addictions

On October 13, 2011March 21, 2015 By BrianIn Idolatry Quotes

Here are some helpful quotes from Edward Welch on the connection between idolatry and addictions:

The true nature of all addictions is that we have chosen to go outside the boundaries of the kingdom of God and look for blessings in the land of idols. (47)

Addictions are ultimately a disorder of worship. Will we worship ourselves and our own desires or will we worship the true God? (xvi)

Life is about God. It is about worshipping him, trusting him, knowing him, and loving him. The deepest problem for addicts is that they are not worshipping, trusting, knowing, or loving the true God. (102)

If the root problem of addictions is false worship, the answer is knowing the Lord, the One who deserves our worship. (141)

Don’t Lose Heart

On October 11, 2011July 19, 2016 By BrianIn PASSION Resources

A few weeks ago I mentioned a pastor’s conference I attended. The sessions are now available on audio here.

The two sessions by Jim Grier would be great for any Christian who wants to think. In the first session he gives a helpful overview of God’s presence throughout the Bible. In the second, he paints the picture of God’s presence as we gather to worship from Hebrews 12:18-29. You may never approach worship the same! Highly recommended!

And if you are a weary pastor, there are some great messages of encouragement for you by Joel Beeke from Hebrews 12:1-3 and Steven Lawson from II Corinthians 4. Beeke also shares some lessons on perseverance from the lives of John Calvin and John Bunyan.