Idolatry and Anxiety

On By BrianIn Idolatry Quotes

When we find ourselves feeling anxious, that feeling tells us that something we treasure is being threatened….  [It is] a signpost telling us that something is amiss with our hearts.  We are not loving the Lord as we should – which is to say, we have lost sight of his supreme loveliness and forgotten that in his presence only is fullness of joy (Ps. 16:11).  We have other gods….  Our Savior, the one who loves and welcomes us, tells us where our treasure should be: with his kingdom and his righteousness (Matt. 6:33).  If our treasure is in living our lives for him and in leaving our success and security to his providential care, and if our treasure is his righteousness, not ours, then we will be able to appreciate all the good things he bestows without succumbing to worry.  On the other hand, when we find ourselves plagued by anxieties, we have to conclude that his kingdom and his righteousness are not the chief delight of our heart.

– Elyse M. Fitzpatrick and Dennis E. Johnson
Counsel from the Cross, p136-137

Quotes To Ponder

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

A few quotes related to the Scriptures:

Let the man who would hear God speak read Holy Scripture.
– Martin Luther

Reading the Bible is not an obligation to be endured
but a dialogue to be savored and enjoyed.
– T.J. Addington

Bible memorization has the effect of making
our gaze on Jesus steadier and clearer.
– John Piper

Declaring the Glory

On By BrianIn Declaring the Glory

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20

Dwelling Place

On By BrianIn God & His Glory

…you have made the Lord your dwelling place….
– Psalm 91:9

Psalm 91 calls us to make the Lord our dwelling place, to abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  We can draw near and dwell with God.  We can abide in his presence. 

What a wonderful place to dwell!

Not only can we make God our dwelling place, but he has made us his dwelling place.  In I Corinthians 6:19-20, we are reminded that our bodies are God’s temples.  God’s Spirit dwells in us.  He is always with us.

God’s Spirit dwells in us, and we can dwell in him.  Indeed it is because God has drawn near to us, that we can draw near to him.  What an incredible opportunity!  Throughout each day, God is with us, and we can turn to him as our refuge in each trial.  We can praise him for each blessing he showers upon us.  We can commune with him each moment.  We can walk with him each hour.  We can draw near at any time.  We can draw near all of the time.

Father, open my eyes to your presence with me today.  Let me draw near and abide with you.  As you have made me your dwelling place, may I dwell in you today.  Amen.

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

The Parable of the City Dog and the Country Dog – Trevin Wax.  You’ll just have to read it to find out the meaning of the parable.  May we become more like the Country Dog!

Prayers of confession can be hard for many reasons.  Not least is finding words.  Lancelot Andrews gives us words in his prayer of confession and hope.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month.  I am always amazed at the stuff Christian retail comes up with for people to give to their pastors.  Brad Whitt suggests ten things to give your pastor to show your appreciation that he will really appreciate.  As a pastor, I would heartedly agree.

Finally, R. C. Ryle gives us four thoughts on true worship.  It is much more than singing hymns and choruses on Sunday morning.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church family.

Idolatry and Addictions

On By BrianIn Idolatry Quotes

Here are some helpful quotes from Edward Welch on the connection between idolatry and addictions:

The true nature of all addictions is that we have chosen to go outside the boundaries of the kingdom of God and look for blessings in the land of idols. (47)

Addictions are ultimately a disorder of worship.  Will we worship ourselves and our own desires or will we worship the true God? (xvi)

Life is about God.  It is about worshipping him, trusting him, knowing him, and loving him.  The deepest problem for addicts is that they are not worshipping, trusting, knowing, or loving the true God. (102)

If the root problem of addictions is false worship, the answer is knowing the Lord, the One who deserves our worship. (141)

Don’t Lose Heart

On By BrianIn PASSION Resources

A few weeks ago I mentioned a pastor’s conference I attended.  The sessions are now available on audio here.

The two sessions by Jim Grier would be great for any Christian who wants to think.  In the first session he gives a helpful overview of God’s presence throughout the Bible.  In the second, he paints the picture of God’s presence as we gather to worship from Hebrews 12:18-29.  You may never approach worship the same!  Highly recommended!

And if you are a weary pastor, there are some great messages of encouragement for you by Joel Beeke from Hebrews 12:1-3 and Steven Lawson from II Corinthians 4.  Beeke also shares some lessons on perseverance from the lives of John Calvin and John Bunyan.

Quotes To Ponder

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

On sin:

He that hath slight thoughts of sin never had great thoughts of God.
— John Owen

No man ever fell into error through being too watchful.
— Charles Spurgeon

The best things which we do have somewhat in them to be pardoned.
– J. C. Ryle

In heaven the chief thing that we look for, next to the presence of Christ,
is complete separation from all sin.
– J. C. Ryle

Declaring the Glory

On By BrianIn Declaring the Glory

Munising, Michigan

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20