Author: Brian

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

Sermon Songs: Mark 4:35-41

On By BrianIn Mark Hymns1 Comment

MusicNotes

See Jesus on the storm-tossed sea
As the boat begins to fill
Hear Jesus – sleeping and weary
Wake up and say – “Peace, be still”
The wind and waves quickly obey
Behold His amazing power
So in your storms trust Him today
He’ll be with you ev’ry hour
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”)

Reflections from Psalms 36-40

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

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

  • God’s love – Psalm 36 speaks of God’s great love. By his love we take refuge in him.  His love provides us with food to eat and numerous delights to enjoy.  He gives us life itself.  How has he shown his love to you?
  • Look to the Lord – Many of today’s psalms remind us that life is often rough, but we can trust the Lord and wait on him. Life is also short, but we hope in the Lord.  For what do you need to look to the Lord today?

Reflections on Psalms 31-35

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

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

  • Fear and Forgiveness – We ought to fear the Lord and do that which is good (34:7-14). Do you have a reverent fear (or awe) of God that leads you to obey him?  When we fail to obey him, we can confess our sins and seek his forgiveness (32:1-5).  Are there some sins you need to confess and seek God’s forgiveness for?
  • Great God – Psalm 33 speaks of our great God who is full of righteousness and justice and love. He is the Creator and King.  And so we look to him for help and we offer up our praises to him.  What do you need to trust God with today?  How can you praise him today?

Psalms 31-40: Waiting on the Lord

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(31-40) Read 38:15.  Again and again in these psalms, we are encouraged to wait on the Lord.  What do you think that means?  Give an example of when you have had to wait upon the Lord.

For what situations in your life today do you need to wait upon the Lord?

In the following verses, what words further describe what this waiting should look like?  Or not look like?  How do each of these ideas apply to your current life situation?

31:24 –

33:20-22 –

37:7-9, 34 –

39:7 –

40:1 –

(31-40) What are we encouraged to do again and again in these verses: 31:6,14-15;  32:10,  33:21,  37:3,5;  40:3-4?  How is this related to waiting?

(31-40) What incentives does God give us to wait upon Him (33:20, 38:15, 40:1)?

What further incentives do we find in 31:19, 34:8, 36:7-9?

How do these incentives encourage you to wait on the Lord in your current life situation?

(31-40) Which verse(s) or psalm especially speaks to you, and why?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

A Simple Way to Pray Every Day – Nick Aufenkamp (DG)
The problem of our prayerlessness is not simply with our smartphones or schedules. The problem is with our hearts. So, if we really want to grow in our prayer life, we must take aim at something much deeper than surface distractions: our most inward affections and desires.

Pride Is Poisoning Your Happiness – Jonathon Woodyard (DG)
But how do we lean away from pride and toward humility? There are a number of strategies for the fight, but let me focus on just one: consider fighting pride with pleasure.

How Much Entertainment Is Too Much? – Tim Challies
It is good for us to consider the place of entertainment in the Christian life. What is the purpose of entertainment? How much is enough? How much is too much?

Boring Church Services Changed My Life – Daniel Darling  (CT)
Because somewhere in your congregation are children singing words they don’t know, listening to Scripture they don’t understand, and fighting sleep during a sermon that doesn’t hold their interest. They don’t realize it yet, but the Spirit of God is pressing the gospel message, through yet another “boring” church service, deep within their hearts.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!