Tag: Christianity

The Savior’s Example

On By BrianIn Virtue of Gentleness

GentlenessOfGod

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle (meek) and lowly (humble) in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
– Matthew 11:29 ESV (KJV/NASB)

Jesus tells us that he is not a harsh taskmaster.  He is not a demanding tyrant.  Rather he is gentle and lowly, providing our souls with rest.

If you think him a harsh taskmaster, then that is how you will treat others.  But if we grasp that Jesus is gentle towards us – if we rest in his gentle heart, then we can learn from him and share his gentleness with those around us.

Do you think of Jesus as a harsh taskmaster or as a gentle rest-giver?

In what current situation do you need to come to Jesus to find rest for your soul?

In what relationship in your life do you need to share the gentleness of Jesus?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

How to Improve Your Biblical Literacy – Scott Slayton
Strategizing to learn God’s word does take time. Finding a reading plan and working through how you will stick with it does take effort, but it is absolutely worth it. God’s word does not return void and time spent digging into God’s word is never wasted.

Joy Is for the Generous – Tim Challies
Their generosity brought joy. The free and willing sacrifice of their own wealth caused them to rejoice. Each one gave as he decided in his own heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion. God loves that kind of cheerful giver and God’s people love to be that kind of cheerful giver. God granted and his people gained joy.

We are Not In Eden – Courtney Reissig
We are longing for something better and it’s coming. It’s just not here yet. Until then, we fix the brokenness with this world with temporary solutions, like a band-aid. Longing for the day when it’s all made new.

How You Might Break the Third Commandment in Church -Mike Leake
I’m ashamed to say that I broke this one in church the other day. You might be surprised by that. Why in the world would a preacher of the gospel be guilty of dropping one of the big “no-no” curse words? But that’s not how I broke it. I didn’t use God’s name in a string of expletives. I used it in a worship song.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!

The Lord’s Day

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

BriefHistorySundayThe Lord’s Day…was taken as a celebration of the three great events of salvation history.  It was first of all the day of the resurrection of the Lord and therefore the beginning of the new creation.  It was also the very first day of the first creation, and therefore a time to rejoice in the goodness of God’s bounty.  And it was the eighth day of the week, and therefore a day of hope pointing to the consummation of all things.

– Justo Gonzalez in A Brief History of Sunday

The Shepherd’s Care

On By BrianIn Virtue of Gentleness

GentlenessOfGod

He will tend (feed) his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
– Isaiah 40:11 ESV (KJV)

 Isaiah gives us the picture of a gentle shepherd who cares for his sheep.  He tends, feeds, gathers, carries, and leads his flock.

Our God is like a shepherd to us.  He tends and feeds us, taking care of our needs.  He gathers and carries us in his arms.  And he gently leads us along the path we should go.  He doesn’t harshly drive us.  He doesn’t violently beat us. He cares for us with the gentleness of a shepherd.

Is this how you think of God – as a gentle shepherd?

In what situation in your life do you need God to carry you right now?

How do you need God to gently lead and guide you today?

Sermon Songs: Revelation 20:1-10

On By BrianIn Revelation Hymns

MusicNotes

See an angel seize the dragon, Bind him for a 1000 years
See the saints raised to life again, Reigning for a 1000 years
Blessed and holy, Priests to our God, Jesus wins the victory

See Satan released from prison, Deceive, gather an army
See fire fall down from heaven, Satan judged eternally
War is over, Christian rejoice, Jesus wins the victory

To the tune of “Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending”

Declaring the Glory

On By BrianIn Declaring the Glory

IMG_4939

Sunset over Lake Superior

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