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)
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)
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.
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.
Here is Psalm 2 paraphrased in Common Meter by Isaac Watts. We sang it to the tune of “We Sing the Greatness of our God.”
Why did the nations join to slay The Lord’s anointed Son? Why did they cast his laws away, And tread his gospel down? The Lord, that sits above the skies, Derides their rage below; He speaks with vengeance in his eyes, And strikes their spirits through.
“I call him my Eternal Son, And raise him from the dead; I make my holy hill his throne, And wide his kingdom spread. “Ask me, my Son, and then enjoy The utmost heathen lands: Thy rod of iron shall destroy The rebel that withstands.”
Be wise, ye rulers of the earth, Obey th’ anointed Lord, Adore the King of heav’nly birth, And tremble at his word. With humble love address his throne; For if he frown, ye die: Those are secure, and those alone, Who on his grace rely.
Our church just started a sermon series on the Book of Psalms. After the sermon, we are singing the psalm as paraphrased by Isaac Watts who added meter and rhyme. Psalm 1 was written in Common Meter, and we sang it to the tune of one of his more familiar hymns – “We Sing the Greatness of Our God.”
Blest is the man who shuns the place Where sinners love to meet; Who fears to tread their wicked ways, And hates the scoffer’s seat: But in the statutes of the Lord Has placed his chief delight; By day he reads or hears the word, And meditates by night.
Green as the leaf, and ever fair, Shall his profession shine While fruits of holiness appear Like clusters on the vine. Not so the impious…unjust; What vain designs they form! Their hopes are blown away like dust, Or chaff before the storm.
Sinners in judgment shall not stand Amongst the sons of grace, When Christ, the Judge, at his right hand Appoints his saints a place. His eye beholds the path they tread, His heart approves it well But crooked ways of sinners lead Down to the gates of hell.
Brian J. Mikul 