Passion Week: Thursday

On By BrianIn Holidays, PASSION Reflections

Read: Mark 14:32-42.
And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” – Mark 14:35-36 (ESV)

Reflection: Jesus trusted and submitted to the Father’s will for Him – even to the cross.  How do you need to trust and submit to the Father’s will for your life today?   

Sing:
Were the whole realm of na­ture mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
(When I Survey, Written by Isaac Watts)

Passion Week: Wednesday

On By BrianIn Holidays, PASSION Reflections

Read: Mark 10:32-34.
“See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” – Mark 10:33-34 (ESV)

Reflection: Ponder what Jesus endured for you. Rest in His love.  Offer Him your thanks.

Sing:
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
(When I Survey, Written by Isaac Watts)

Passion Week: Tuesday

On By BrianIn Holidays, PASSION Reflections1 Comment

Read: Mark 9:30-35.
But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” – Mark 9:34-35 (ESV)

Reflection: Jesus chose to humbly serve us by going to the cross.  How have you been seeking to be the greatest?  How can you serve today?

Sing:
When I survey the won­drous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
(When I Survey, Written by Isaac Watts)

Passion Week: Monday

On By BrianIn Holidays, PASSION Reflections

Read: Mark 8:31-34.
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them,“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. – Mark 8:34 (ESV)

Reflection: Jesus denied Himself and took up the cross to save you.  How do you need to deny yourself to follow Him today?

Sing:
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
(When I Survey, Written by Isaac Watts)

Passion Week: Palm Sunday

On By BrianIn Holidays, PASSION Reflections1 Comment

Read: Mark 11:1-10.
And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”
– Mark 11:9-10 (ESV)

Reflection: Your King was willing to take the road to the cross to make you part of His Kingdom.  Join the crowds in praising Him.

Sing:
“Hosanna in the highest!”
That ancient song we sing,
For Christ is our Redeemer
The Lord of Heaven our King.
O may we ever praise Him
With heart and life and voice,
And in His blissful presence,
Eternally rejoice!
(Hosanna, Loud Hosanna, Written by Jennette Threlfall)

Singing Psalm 5 with Isaac Watts

On By BrianIn Hymns

Here is Psalm 5 paraphrased into Common Meter by Isaac Watts – along with a few adaptations. We sang it to the tune of “O God Our Help In Ages Past.”

Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear
My voice ascending high;
To thee will I direct my prayer,
To thee lift up mine eye….

Thou art a God, before whose sight
The wicked shall not stand;
Sinners shall ne’er be thy delight,
Nor dwell at thy right hand.

But to thy house will I resort,
To taste thy mercies there;
I will frequent thine holy court,
And worship in thy fear.

O may thy Spirit guide my feet
In ways of righteousness!
Make every path of duty straight,
And plain before my face.

My watchful enemies combine
To tempt my feet astray;
They flatter, with a base design
To make my soul their prey.

Lord, crush the serpent in the dust,
And all his plots destroy;
While those that in thy mercy trust,
For ever shout for joy.

The ones that love and fear thy name
Shall see their hopes fulfilled;
The mighty God will cover them
With favor as a shield.

Singing Psalm 4 with Isaac Watts

On By BrianIn Hymns

Here is Psalm 4 adapted into Long Meter by Isaac Watts – along with a few adaptations. We sang it to the tune of “I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day.”

O God of grace and righteousness,
Hear and attend when I complain;
Thou hast enlarged me in distress,
Bow down a gracious ear again.

Ye sons of men, in vain ye try
To turn my glory into shame;
How long will scoffers love to lie,
And dare reproach my Savior’s name?

Know that the Lord divides his saints
From all the tribes of men beside;
He hears the cry of penitents,
For the dear sake of Christ that died….

Let the unthinking many say,
“Who will bestow some earthly good?”
But, Lord, thy light and love we pray;
Our souls desire this heav’nly food.

Then shall my cheerful pow’rs rejoice,
At grace and favors so divine;
Nor will I change my happy choice
For all their corn and all their wine.

Thus, with my thoughts composed to pray,
I’ll give mine eyes to quiet sleep;
Thy hand in safety keeps my days,
And will all of my slumbers keep.

Resource Wednesday: The Art of Rest

On By BrianIn Book Look

I’ve been thinking a lot about rest over the past few years, and this was a really helpful book! In midst of an over-busy world, Adam Mabry gives good Biblical teaching about rest, including the important benefits of rest. And this month, the e-book is available for free here. Go check it out! Read it, and learn to rest.

Singing Psalm 3 with Isaac Watts

On By BrianIn Hymns

Here is Psalm 3 paraphrased in Common Meter by Isaac Watts. We sang this one to the tun of “We Sing the Greatness of Our God.”

My God, how many are my fears!
How fast my foes increase!
Consp’ring my eternal death,
They break my present peace.
The lying tempter would persuade
There’s no relief in heav’n;
And all my swelling sins appear
Too big to be forgiv’n.

But thou, my glory and my strength,
Shalt on the tempter tread,
Shalt silence all my threatening guilt,
And raise my drooping head.
I cried, and from his holy hill
He bowed a listening ear;
I called my Father, and my God,
And he subdued my fear.

He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes,
In spite of all my foes;
I woke, and wondered at the grace
That guarded my repose.
What though the hosts of death and hell
All armed against me stood,
Terrors no more shall shake my soul;
My refuge is my God.

Arise, O Lord, fulfil thy grace,
While I thy glory sing;
My God has broke the serpent’s teeth,
And death has lost his sting.
Salvation to the Lord belongs;
His arm alone can save:
Blessings attend thy people here,
And reach beyond the grave.