Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Using Self-Examination for Spiritual Formation – Joe Carter (TGC)
The Christian life requires frequent self-examination to ensure we are overcoming sin and growing in obedience.

Fears and Fleeting Faith – Tim Challies
…there is no situation beyond God’s knowledge, no condition beyond God’s control, no circumstance beyond God’s power. The one who holds us in the storm is the very same one who holds the storm.

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Helping the Hurting– Dave Furman (TGC)
No one wants to be like Job’s friends. We have hurting people in our lives, and we want to help them, but how do we manage to not make fools of ourselves? And how can we actually help hurting people without discouraging them even more?

The Best Day of the Week…for Your Kids – Nick Kennicott (TCC)
Here are eight ways we can help our children view Sunday as being the best day of the week…

Hope you have a great best day of the week!

The Stones Cry Out

On By BrianIn Stones Cry Out

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Rocky Beach along Lake Superior in Michigan

As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—
the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice
for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying,
“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him,
“Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered,
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
– Luke 19:37-40

And the stones do cry out – proclaiming the glory and beauty of our Creator!

Reflections on I Samuel 16-18

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

In our passage today, God chooses a new king.  Note:

  • Heart – God looks not on the outward appearance, but on the heart. God chooses David because David has a heart for God.  What does God see when he looks at your heart?
  • The battle is the Lord’s – David goes out to fight Goliath, but he doesn’t go alone. He goes in the name of the Lord for the glory of God.  What battles are you facing?  You need not fight the battle alone.  Look to the Lord for help and fight for his glory.

Reflections on I Samuel 13-15

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Saul, the new king, fails to follow the Lord.  Observe:

  • Heart for God – Saul offers a sacrifice that is not his to make, and so disobeys God. Samuel tells Saul that his kingdom will not continue, for God is seeking a man after his own heart.  In other words, Saul’s disobedience reveals his heart – and it is not after God.  Where is your heart?  Do your actions reveal a heart for God or not?
  • Obedience – As Saul disobeyed God in chapter 13, so he does it again in chapter 15 – apparently following the people instead of God. Are you following God or the crowd around you?  In what ways are you tempted to follow those around you?

I Samuel 13-18: A Tale of Three Men

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(13) How did Saul disobey God?  What excuses does he make?

What do Saul’s actions and excuses tell you about his heart?

(15) How did Saul disobey God?  What excuses does he make?

What do Saul’s actions and excuses tell you about his heart?

How would you summarize v22?

How should we apply this verse (and the entire passage) to our lives today?

(13-14) What contrasts do you see between Jonathan and Saul?

What do you learn about Jonathan’s heart?

(16-17) God is going to provide for himself a king.  What is God looking for, and not looking for (16:7, see also 9:2, 13:14)?

How might we apply 16:7 to our own lives today (see I Timothy 4:7-8)?

How does David exhibit what God is looking for in chapter 17?

How do David’s actions against Goliath point to Jesus?

(18) Again, what contrasts do you see between Jonathan and Saul?

What do you learn about each man’s heart?

(14, 17)  How do Jonathan and David demonstrate the truth found in II Corinthians 12:9-10?

How do we need to apply this truth to our lives today?