Slight and Superficial

On July 29, 2016 By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

People have such slight and superficial views of sin because they have such slight and superficial views of God!

– Ian Hamilton in What Is Experiential Calvinism?

Reflections on Deuteronomy 23-26

On July 28, 2016 By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage today concludes the laws that the people of Israel were to obey.

Clean Laws – Our passage begins with laws about who may assemble before the Lord and laws about keeping the camp pure. God is in the camp, so the camp must be holy. God dwells within us, so we must keep ourselves clean within – we are to be holy as God is holy. Are you striving for holiness?
Poor Laws – Many laws show God’s concern for the poor – the sojourner, the widow, the orphan. While the approach may change, God wants us to care for those in need. How are you reflecting in your life God’s concern for the poor?
Universal Laws – Many laws flow straight out of the 10 Commandments and so are binding on us. These include laws prohibiting prostitution (7^th), breaking vows to the Lord (9^th), kidnapping (8^th), and dishonesty in buying and selling (8^th).
Giving Laws – Finally our passage ends with instructions for Israel to bring their first fruits and tithes to the Lord in gratitude for his provision and to care for the needy. This giving is to be a time of worship and rejoicing. What is your attitude when you give to the Lord?

Growing Up

On July 27, 2016October 1, 2016 By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

Every member should grow up and use a towel, not wear a bib. They should not be immature consumers but eager servants.

– Tony Merida in Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

Church Collection

On July 27, 2016July 27, 2016 By BrianIn Church Collection

I am very much in favor of including children in the Worship Service. Our children grew up in the Worship Service, and learned at an early age to sing what they could, pray when everyone else did, and listen to the sermons. So here are some good posts on why to keep children in the service:

4 Reasons Your Kids Should Sit with You on Sunday– Jared Bridges (TGC)

5 Reasons to Keep the Kids In – Nick Batzig (TCC)

It’s Okay for Kids to be Bored During Church – Melissa Edgington

4 Ways to Welcome Children in Worship– Megan Hill (TGC)

Prayer Quote of the Week

On July 26, 2016July 26, 2016 By BrianIn Prayer Quotes

I commend to you the importance of fullness in prayer…. I am afraid the private devotions of many are most painfully scanty and limited; just enough to prove they are alive and no more. They really seem to want little from God.

– J. C. Ryle

Reflections on Deuteronomy 18-22

On July 26, 2016 By BrianIn OT Reflections1 Comment

Our passage today announces another prophet and then presents numerous instructions for the people of Israel to follow as they enter the land.

New Prophet – Moses predicts the coming of another great prophet. The New Testament clearly applies this prophecy to Jesus (Acts 3:22-23; 7:37). We must listen to him. Are you?
Do not fear – When the people of Israel went into battle, they were instructed not to be afraid because the Lord would be with them to fight for them. What battles are you facing in your life? You need not fear for the Lord is with you to help you.
Laws, Laws, Laws – What to do with all these laws? Laws that restate the 10 Commandments are universal laws we should apply to our lives. Many laws apply the 10 Commandments to life at that time, which may need to be reapplied for our day. Punishments are civil laws to govern the nation of Israel under the Mosaic Covenant, and are not binding on us today. Other laws that are not clearly universal laws belong to the Mosaic Covenant but may teach important principles for us to live by. What can you learn from the laws in our passage today?
Cursed on a tree – A man who is hung on a tree is cursed by God (21:22-23). As we will see, a man who fails to keep God’s commands is also cursed (27:26). Since we are disobedient, we are under God’s curse. But Jesus took our curse upon himself by being hung on a tree that we might be saved (see Galatians 3:10-14).

Classic Quote

On July 25, 2016 By BrianIn Classic Quotes1 Comment

The redeemed have all their objective good in God. God himself is the great good which they are brought to the possession and enjoyment of by redemption. He is the highest good, and the sum of all that good which Christ purchased. God is the inheritance of the saints; he is the portion of their souls. God is their wealth and treasure, their food, their life, their dwelling place, their ornament and diadem, and their everlasting honor and glory. They have none in heaven but God; he is the great good which the redeemed are received to at death, and which they are to rise to at the end of the world.

– Jonathan Edwards

Deuteronomy 18-26: Laws, Laws, Laws!

On July 25, 2016 By BrianIn OT Studies

(19-21) Our passage this week is filled with laws – and many are further explanations and applications of the Ten Commandments. Let’s consider just one – the sixth commandment – you shall not murder. How do you see this commandment explained and applied to Israel in these chapters?

Are these explanations and applications directly applicable for us today? Why or why not?

Are there principles we might learn from these explanations and applications that would be applicable for us today? What might they be?

(25) That we are right to take principles from the Law of Moses and apply those principles to our lives today is demonstrated by Paul. What principle does Paul take from verse 4 that he applies to the church today in I Corinthians 9:7-11?

(18, 22-25) The context of the passage suggests some laws are universal laws by calling the breaking of that law an “abomination to the Lord.” How might we need to specifically apply each of these laws to our world today?

18:9-14 –
22:5 –
23:17-18 –
24:1-4 –
25:13-16 –

(13, 18) Moses predicts the coming of another prophet who will give God’s commands. What must God’s people do in response to this prophet (8:15, 18-19)?

What tests must a true prophet pass (13:1-5, 18:20-22)?

Who is this prophet (John 6:14, 7:40, Acts 3:18-24, 7:37)?

(21, 27) Who is cursed by God according to 21:23 and 27:26? How did Jesus address our curse (Galatians 3:10-14)?

Passion Points

On July 23, 2016 By BrianIn PASSION Points1 Comment

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

How To Pray When Your Soul Is Bone Dry – Tim Challies
There are times when your soul feels bone dry, when even opening your mouth to pray seems an impossibility. What do you do?

You Can Change – Tim Chester (Crossway)
Jesus came to remake us in God’s image. Jesus took our brokenness, our hatred, and our curse on himself on the cross. He took the penalty of our sin and in its place gave us a new life and new love. God is in the business of change. He’s interested in making us like Jesus.

Don’t Waste Your Summer – Kevin DeYoung
What can we do to make the most of June, July, and August? Here are twenty suggestions.

10 Reasons Why the Church Gathers – Casey Lewis (FTC)
As Christians, we should all desire to gather together with one another as often as possible. As motivation, here are ten reasons why gathering regularly with the church is important.

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