Author: Brian

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

Suppose

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

FaithfulnessHolinessSuppose for a moment that you were allowed to enter heaven without holiness.  What would you do?  What possible enjoyment could you feel there?  To which of all the saints would you join yourself, and by whose side would you sit down?  Their pleasures are not your pleasures, their tastes not your tastes, their character not your character.  How could you possibly be happy, if you had not been holy on earth?

– J.C. Ryle in Holiness

Sermon Songs: Mark

On By BrianIn Mark Hymns

MusicNotes

Tell of his amazing pow-er
Behold his authority
Tell of his love ev’ry ho-ur
Proclaim His grace and glory
He healed the sick, made the blind see
Caused all the demons to flee
He stilled the storm, fed the hungry
He touched and cleansed even me
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.

(To the tune of “Tell Me the Story Of Jesus” – Chorus by Fanny Crosby)

We Must Be Holy

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

FaithfulnessHolinessWe must be holy:

  • Because the voice of God in Scripture plainly commands it.
  • Because this is the one grand end and purpose for which Christ came into the world.
  • Because this is the only sound evidence that we have saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Because this is the only proof that we love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
  • Because this is the only sound evidence that we are true children of God.
  • Because this is the most likely way to do good to others.
  • Because our present comfort depends much upon it.
  • Because without holiness on earth we shall never be prepared to enjoy heaven.

– J.C. Ryle in Holiness

Reflections on Psalms 105-109

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which psalm or verse especially reflects your heart today?  Use those words to talk to the Lord.

  • Saved to Walk with God – Psalm 105 recounts God saving Israel from Egypt – that “they might keep his statutes and observe his laws” (v45). Psalm 106 tells of Israel’s repeated failure to do what they were saved to do.  What about you?  God saved you that you might walk with him.  Are you?  What changes do you need to make?
  • Saved by Love – Psalm 107 recounts several stories of people who were in deep trouble who cried out to God, and God saved them. In response they should give thanks to God for his love.  What story from your life could you add to this psalm?  Thank God for his saving love.

What God Hates

On By BrianIn Idolatry, PASSION Collections

Tim Challies recently finished an excellent series on eight things God hates.  In Challies’ words:

The God who loves must also hate. The God who loves all that is good and pure and holy must hate all that is evil and defiled and perverse. 

If we are going to love God, we must hate what he hates.  If we are going to love people, we must hate what God hates since these things that he hates are also hurtful to people.

So below are links to the first four.  I encourage you to take the time to read them, and examine your life.  Where do you see these tendencies in your life?  For which of these might you need to repent and find forgiveness in the sacrifice of our Savior?

God Hates Idolatry

God Hates Sexual Immorality

God Hates Injustice

God Hates Hypocrisy

Reflections on Psalms 101-104

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which psalm or verse especially reflects your heart today?  Use those words to talk to the Lord.

  • Integrity – In Psalm 101, David expresses his desire to walk with integrity. He ponders the way that is blameless.  He guards his eyes from worthless things.  He wants nothing to do with evil.  How well does this describe you?  What steps do you need to take to walk with integrity before God?
  • God’s Love – Psalm 104 presents God as our Creator and Sustainer. Despite the fact that we are small before him (and even sinners), God still shows his compassion to us (Psalm 103).  Ponder his care for you – and give thanks.

Psalms 101-109: The Love Of God

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(102, 104) How would you describe God according to 102:25-27 and 104:1-35?

(103) How would you describe people – morally (v6-12) and physically (v13-18)?  How does this contrast with God?

How does God respond to us (v8, 11-12, 17)?

(105-106) God demonstrates his love towards his people by remembering his covenant with them (106:45).  Trace the ways he remembered his covenant (105:7-11) to Israel in these two psalms.

How are his actions towards Israel good examples of love?

How should God’s people respond to his love (105:1-6, 45; 106:1, 47)?  What might this look like in our daily lives?

(107) For each of the following passages, describe the situation, God’s loving response, and how we should respond:

v4-9 –

v10-16 –

v17-22 –

v23-32 –

(101, 108, 109) How should we further respond to God’s love in 101:1-8, 108:1-5, 109:21-26?

(101-109) Which verse(s) or psalm especially speaks to you, and why?

 

Passion Week: Power

On By BrianIn Holidays

Sunday: Power – He Is Risen!
Read Mark 16:1-8

Prayer: Father, thank you for the resurrection – your seal of approval for the sacrifice Jesus made.  Thank you for the joy and wonder of a new life with my risen Savior.  Thank you for the hope of my own resurrection when Jesus returns.  Amen.

Reflect/Discuss: Why is each sentence in this prayer a reason to rejoice?  How can you express your joy today?

Praise: Sing “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today”