Author: Brian

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

Sermon Songs: Revelation 3:7-13

On By BrianIn Revelation Hymns

MusicNotes

O Church – consider your blessings
We have a powerful King
And a history of keeping
His Word and persevering
Let us trust Him, And proclaim Him
Hold fast to our Savior’s name

The blessing of vindication
And the riches of His love
From God’s wrath a great salvation
We will dwell with God above
Let us trust Him, Rest in His love
Draw near to our God above

A glor-i-ous belonging see
Jesus writes on us God’s name
Citizens of God’s great city
He claims us with His new name
Come remember, Who you are now
Church – consider your blessings

To the tune of “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending”

Reflections on Proverbs 20-21

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which proverb especially speaks to your life situation today?  How should you respond?

  • Lazy – The sluggard sleeps and doesn’t work (20:4, 13). The result is poverty (20:13).  The plans of the diligent bring abundance (21:5).  Which one are you?  What tendencies do you have towards laziness?
  • God is in Control – The Lord directs our steps (20:24), turns the heart of the king (21:1), throws down the wicked (21:12), and brings victory (21:31). Nothing can avail against God (21:30).  How do these truths encourage you?

Family Collection

On By BrianIn Family Collection

Here are some helpful posts for parents related to children on the internet:

Wise Technological Parenting – Jon Payne (ref21)
Allowing our tweens and early teens carte blanche freedom on their devices is equivalent to letting our toddlers play soccer next to the freeway during rush hour. It’s absolutely foolish, plain and simple. If ever we needed to be wise and courageous in our parenting, it is now.

10 Internet Safety Rules to Teach Children Before They Go Online – Alan Henry (lifehacker)
From making sure they don’t fall for phishing scams to reminding them to never reveal personal information online, children just getting their start on the web may talk savvy, but still need a helping hand learning the stuff the rest of us know. Here are a few tips to get them started on the right foot.

How to React the First Time Your Child Admits Watching Porn – John Fort (Covenant Eyes)
What are we supposed to say the first time we find out our child has been exposed? Even if we have a plan, that doesn’t mean it’s easy for us to see it through and react in the best interest of our child.

Standing Against a Destructive Misogyny Threatening Our Children – Denny Burk
A generation of young men are destroying themselves by the darkness of pornography, and now they are foisting their desolation on young women who desperately want to be loved by a young man. The sexual revolution which promised to liberate has given birth to a destructive misogyny that is now being soft-pedaled as “normal” by the likes of Teen Vogue.

Reflections on Proverbs 18-19

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which proverb especially speaks to your life situation today?  How should you respond?

  • Anger – Wisdom leads us to overlook offenses rather than become angry (19:11). Why is that a wise response?  Why is it so difficult to respond this way?  What offenses do you need to overlook right now?
  • Wife – A good wife is a good gift from God; it is an example of God’s favor (18:22, 19:14). Husband: do you value your wife?  Are you thankful for this good gift from God?  A quarreling wife is like a continual dripping of rain (19:13).  Wife: are you quarrelsome?

Proverbs 18-21: Practical Matters

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(18, 21) How do these proverbs describe the power of the tongue (18:21, see also 15:1, 4, 23; 16:24)?

What should we do with our tongues according to these proverbs (21:23, see also 15:28, 17:27-28)?  Why?

How might we apply these proverbs to our homes, our church, our workplaces, and our social media?

(18-21) For each of the following topics, answer the following questions:  What is the main point(s)?  What pictures, comparisons, contrasts, or consequences are given to drive home the point(s)?  Can you think of a current example that illustrates the point(s)?  What are some practical ways to apply the point to our lives(s)?

Sluggard: 18:9; 19:15, 24; 20:4, 13; 21:25-26; see also: 14:23; 15:19; 16:26 –

Money: 18:11; 19:17; 21:17, 25-26; see also 11:24, 28; 13:11; 16:8; 22:26-27; 23:4-5 –

Rich and Poor: 18:23; 19:4, 6-7; 21:13; see also 14:20-21, 31; 22:2, 7, 9, 16, 22-23; 28:6, 11; 29:7 –

Justice: 18:5; 19:28; 20:8, 10, 23; 21:3, 7, 15; see also 22:8; 24:10-12, 24-25 –

Instruction: 18:15; 19:20, 25, 27; 21:11; see also: 15:5, 10, 12, 31-32; 17:10; 23:12; 29:1 –

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Alienation from God – Sinclair Ferguson (Ligonier)
Our worldview is self-focused. Man is, in Martin Luther’s words, “incurvatus in se”— turned in on himself, self-obsessed. We belong to what Christopher Lasch has called a culture of narcissism.

The Five Key Factors in Every Christian’s Sanctification – Tim Challies
How does God go about this work of sanctification? David Powlison helpfully narrows it down to five means or five streams through which God pours out his sanctifying grace. These factors work in tandem, each one contributing to our lifelong gain in godliness.

When Did Solomon Write Proverbs 5-7? – Mike Leake (Borrowed Light)
The life of Solomon should serve as a warning to us. The Scriptures are true. Solomon’s words are true. But that mere fact doesn’t protect us unless we actually apply and live out these words. Just knowing that adultery will kill you isn’t enough. You have to actually live in light of those facts. Solomon didn’t and he got burned.

12 Principles on How to Disagree with Other Christians – Andrew David Naselli and J. D. Crowley (9Marks)
But human nature being what it is, the stricter group was always tempted to judge those they saw as too free (“And they call themselves Christians!”), while the free group tended to look down on those with unnecessary restrictions (“those poor legalists!”). Fortunately, Paul condemned both attitudes.

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

Sermon Songs: Revelation 3:1-6

On By BrianIn Revelation Hymns

MusicNotes

You look alive but you’re faking
Your good works are sore lacking
Worldly compromise you’re making
Sin has stained all your clothing
Jesus warns us, Come and repent
You need an awakening!

Stir the embers and fan the flames
Look to Jesus – come alive
Strengthen what little yet remains
Deep into the gospel dive
Come remember, And live it out
Find life in Jesus again

To the tune of “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending”

Reflections on Proverbs 16-17

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which proverb especially speaks to your life situation today?  How should you respond?

  • Pride – The Lord hates and punishes pride (16:5). Pride leads to destruction (16:18).  What examples have you seen of pride leading to one’s downfall?  It is better to be humble and poor, than proud and rich (16:19).  Do you believe this?  Really?  In what areas are you tempted to be proud?
  • Before the Lord – The Lord tests our hearts (17:3). We may think we are good, but the Lord weighs our spirits (16:2).  What does God see when he looks at you?  What sin do you need to turn away from out of reverence for God (16:6)?  Thank God for his love and faithfulness by which our sins are paid for (16:6)!

Reflections on Proverbs 14-15

On By BrianIn OT Reflections1 Comment

Which proverb especially speaks to your life situation today?  How should you respond?

  • Fear of the Lord – The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life (14:27). It is instruction in wisdom (15:33).  It is a place to find confidence and refuge (14:26).  It is better than wealth (15:16).  The one who fears the Lord walks in uprightness (14:2).  Are you walking in the fear of the Lord and enjoying its benefits?
  • Folly – Folly tears down homes (14:1). Fools are reckless, careless, and quick to anger (14:16-17).  Fools speak folly (15:2), despise instruction (15:5), and despise their parents (15:20).  Are you acting like a fool?

Proverbs 14-17: God and Man

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(15-17) What do you learn about God in the following proverbs?  What applications are there for your life?

15:3, 11; 16:2; 17:3; see also 21:2 –

16:1, 4, 9, 33; see also 19:21; 20:24; 21:1, 30-31 –

15:8, 9, 26; 16:5; 17:15; see also 20:10 –

(14-17) How might the three truths about God in the last question teach us to fear the Lord?  What would be the alternative (see 28:14)?  Why?

What does the fear of the Lord teach us (14:2, 15:33, 16:6)?

What are the results of fearing the Lord (14:26, 27; 15:16; see also 10:27, 22:4, 28:14)?

(14-17) For each of the following topics, answer the following questions:  What is the main point?  What pictures, comparisons, contrasts, or consequences are given to drive home the point?  Can you think of a current example that illustrates the point?  What are some practical ways to apply the point to our lives?

Humility vs. Pride: 15:25, 33; 16:5, 18, 19; see also 11:2, 12:9, 18:12 –

Anger: 14:17, 29; 15:18; 16:32; 17:27; see also 12:16; 19:11, 19; 22:24-25; 29:11, 22; 30:33 –

Strife: 17:1, 9, 14, 19; see also 18:19; 20:3; 22:10; 26:21; 28:25; 30:33 –

Glad vs. Sad Heart: 14:10, 13, 30; 15:13, 15, 30; 17:22 –