Here are some helpful posts on dangers in ministry:
Pastors Should Beware of These Common Dangers – Geoffrey R. Kirkland
Pastors Can’t Afford to Neglect Themselves – Erik Raymond
Pastoral Ministry and Fame – Zack Eswine (Crossway)
Author: Brian
Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor
Prayer Quote of the Week
From the fact that prayer is so urgently commanded, we ought to conclude that we should by no means despise our prayers, but rather prize them highly.
– Martin Luther
Reflections on Psalms 91-95
Which psalm or verse especially reflects your heart today? Use those words to talk to the Lord.
- God’s Shelter – Psalms 91 and 94 remind us that God is our refuge, fortress, and stronghold. We can dwell in his shelter in the midst of the storm. His love holds us up. In the midst of cares, God cheers our souls. How do you need God to be these things to you today?
- Praise – Psalm 92 and 95 call us to praise the Lord: to sing praises, give thanks, make a joyful noise, worship and bow down. Why? Because God is great, he made everything, and he shows us steadfast love and faithfulness. Ponder these things and respond with praise!
Classic Quote
Holiness comes from Christ. It is the result of vital union with Him. It is the fruit of being a living branch of the True Vine.
– J.C. Ryle
Psalms 91-100: Praise the Lord
(92, 98, 100) What two attributes of God do you find in all three passages: 92:1-4, 98:1-6, 100:1-5?
How should we respond to these two attributes according to these passages? Describe our heart, our words, and our actions.
Give a recent example of how God has shown these two attributes to you.
(93, 95-97, 99) Many of these psalms celebrate God as the King of Kings who reigns over all the earth. What attributes and actions are related to his reign?
How should we respond to God’s reign according to these psalms? Describe our heart, our words, and our actions.
(91-100) Spend some time praising the Lord.
(91-100) Which verse(s) or psalm especially speaks to you, and why?
Passion Points
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
Enjoy Your Prayer Life – Michael Reeves (EM)
In one sense your prayer life is disgustingly revealing. Your prayer life reveals how much you really want communion with God and how much you really depend on him.
Why You Can’t See Your Biggest Flaws – Tim Keller (TGC)
By definition the sins to which you are most blind, that you make the most excuses for, and that you usually minimize—are the ones that most have you in their grip.
8 Ways God Works Suffering for Our Good – Tim Challies
Suffering never comes our way apart from the purpose and providence of God and for that reason, suffering is always significant, never meaningless. Here are some ways that God brings good from our suffering.
Why the Church Needs Teens and Teens Need the Church – Jaquelle Crowe (Crossway)
All Christians are called to live in community with God’s people. All Christians are called to serve other members of God’s people, to love them, to be held accountable by them, to be taught by them. And teenagers—of all God’s people—need that so much.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!
A Thorn Bush
Impatience is the thorn bush that grows in the soil of pride. Pride is all about us – our desire, our preference, and our convenience reside at the center of our universe. Others revolve around us. When people don’t do what we want, when we want we react with irritation – sometimes contained in resentment and bitterness, sometimes expressed in rage and venom.
– Stanley Gale in A Vine-Ripened Life
Sermon Songs: Mark 9:2-8
Behold the glory of Jesus
Shining in radiant white
Ponder His role now to save us
Redeem us from endless night
Consider His identity
The Father’s Beloved Son
Be still with all humility
Listen to Jesus the Son
Tell me the story of Jesus
Write on my heart ev’ry word
Tell me the story most precious
That I might live what I’ve heard
(Some words by Fanny Crosby, to the tune of “Tell Me the Story of Jesus”)
A Holy Man
A holy man will endeavor to shun every known sin, and to keep every known commandment.
A holy man will strive to be like our Lord Jesus Christ.
A holy man will follow after meekness, longsuffering, gentleness, patience, kind tempers, government of his tongue.
A holy man will follow after temperance and self-denial.
A holy man will follow after charity and brotherly kindness.
A holy man will follow after a spirit of mercy and benevolence towards others.
A holy man will follow after purity of heart. He will dread all filthiness and uncleanness of spirit, and seek to avoid all things that might draw him into it.
A holy man will follow after the fear of God.
A holy man will follow after humility.
A holy man will follow after faithfulness in all the duties and relations of life.
A holy man will follow after spiritual mindedness.
– J. C. Ryle in Holiness
Reflections on Psalms 86-90
Which psalm or verse especially reflects your heart today? Use those words to talk to the Lord.
- Great God – Psalm 86 and 89 speak of our great God who is good, forgiving, loving, merciful, gracious, patient, faithful, righteous and just. Which of these things is especially meaningful to you today and why? In response, the Psalmists want to give thanks and glory and exultation to God. They want God to teach them. They want to walk with him. How will you respond?
- Our Days – God is from everlasting to everlasting, but our days here are short (Psalm 90). How should this recognition affect the way we live? How should it affect the way you live today?
Brian J. Mikul 