We may not always be very impressed with the church. All too often, we get frustrated with other Christians. We are embarrassed by what they do, or fail to do. In fact, sometimes they are the hardest people in the world to love. But we should never forget that Jesus loves these people so much that he gave up his life for them.
– Phil Ryken in Loving Jesus More
Behold our God is glorious, Come with awe and endless praise
He created and sustains us, Submit now in all your ways
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship our glorious God
Behold God is fully righteous, Rejoice – wickedness can’t win
We are sinners – woe now to us, Give thanks – Jesus saves from sin
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship our righteous Savior
Behold our Lord God Almighty, Come to Him with every need
He reigns over all completely, To His ev’ry word take heed
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship the Lord Almighty
Behold our God lives forever, Come and ponder your short life
Come with hope that none can sever, A future eternal life
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship our eternal God
To the tune of “Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending”
This may be the truest test of our love for our Lord: will we go out and love the church that he died to save?– Phil Ryken in Loving Jesus More
Behold in heaven stands the throne
Of God in His glory
Rich and brilliant like precious stone
In splendor and beauty
Lightning and thunder from the throne
Announce coming judgment
But faithful mercy to His own
With whom He is present
Around the throne four Living Ones
Cry “Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
Holy, holy, holy”
The Elders join and cry “Worthy
Is He who makes all things
All power, honor, and glory”
Now lift your voice and sing!
Holy, holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
Is our Lord God Almighty
Who reigns eternally
Worthy, worthy, worthy, worthy
Is our Creator King
All power, honor, and glory
Let all creation sing!
To the tune of “We Sing The Greatness Of Our God”
Here are some good posts for pastors:
6 Marks of a Faithful Ministry – Tim Challies
12 Pastoral Commitments (Or, How to Pray for Your Pastor) – Kevin DeYoung
48 Scattered Thoughts about Pastoral Ministry and Being a Pastor – Scott Slayton
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
Can I Sing ‘Amazing Grace’ If I Was Saved at Six? – John Piper (DG)
There are six reasons that Christians like me can feel the greatness of our sinfulness, and the wonder of grace, even if we have no recollection of ever being an unbeliever….
Envision the End of Your Sin – Garrett Kell (TGC)
Gracious Lord, we need help. Make us sober-minded. Keep us vigilant. Help us see the end of our sin.
Reflections on the 50th Anniversary of My Diving Accident – Joni Eareckson Tada (TGC)
Grace softens the edges of past pains, helping to highlight the eternal. What you are left with is peace that’s profound, joy that’s unshakable, faith that’s ironclad.
7 Reasons God Commands Us To Sing To Him – Mark Altrogge (TBC)
Our God is so great, and so good and so glorious, he’s worthy of all of our praise. And one of the easiest ways to praise him is by singing. Let’s “sing the glory of his name!”
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church singing praises to our gracious and glorious God!
Dear church neither ice cold nor hot
But lukewarm and so deceived
Let true riches from Christ be sought
And white garments be received
Anoint your eyes, Heed His counsel
Draw near to the Lord again
Those He loves He will discipline
So be zealous – from sin turn
Jesus knocks now – go let Him in
True fellowship with Him learn
And we will be, Always with Him
Draw near to the Lord again
To the tune of “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending”
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
You May Not Love What You Think – James K.A. Smith (DG)
How am I curating my heart? What liturgies and rituals am I giving myself over to? What cultural practices am I allowing to shape my heart habits, perhaps without realizing it? What am I learning to love without realizing it?
The Problem of Nice and the Promise of New – Michael Lawrence (Crossway)
No churches ever explicitly teach the religion of nice. In fact, they typically teach the exact opposite. But those same churches are filled with people who believe that God will accept them based on how good they’ve been. I’ve heard it on too many living rooms couches and nursing home beds. Not perfect—no one ever says that—but good enough.
Are You Content To Carry the Pins? – Tim Challies
God called some Levites to carry the ark, and some to carry the pins, the tent pegs. But whether they carried the most holy or the most common items, their responsibility was to answer God’s call and to faithfully and joyfully carry out their task. We can learn from them.
Spiritual Growth Comes From Community – Jen Oshman
My encouragement to young moms, or busy students, or stressed businessmen and women is this: put yourself in a role that will require you to show up at your local church week after week. Rather than sidelining activities that will feed your spiritual growth, put yourself at the very center of them. With both gratitude and humility I see clearly that I owe my spiritual growth over the last two decades to the accountability and community of the local church.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day growing with your local church.
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
Alienation from God – Sinclair Ferguson (Ligonier)
Our worldview is self-focused. Man is, in Martin Luther’s words, “incurvatus in se”— turned in on himself, self-obsessed. We belong to what Christopher Lasch has called a culture of narcissism.
The Five Key Factors in Every Christian’s Sanctification – Tim Challies
How does God go about this work of sanctification? David Powlison helpfully narrows it down to five means or five streams through which God pours out his sanctifying grace. These factors work in tandem, each one contributing to our lifelong gain in godliness.
When Did Solomon Write Proverbs 5-7? – Mike Leake (Borrowed Light)
The life of Solomon should serve as a warning to us. The Scriptures are true. Solomon’s words are true. But that mere fact doesn’t protect us unless we actually apply and live out these words. Just knowing that adultery will kill you isn’t enough. You have to actually live in light of those facts. Solomon didn’t and he got burned.
12 Principles on How to Disagree with Other Christians – Andrew David Naselli and J. D. Crowley (9Marks)
But human nature being what it is, the stricter group was always tempted to judge those they saw as too free (“And they call themselves Christians!”), while the free group tended to look down on those with unnecessary restrictions (“those poor legalists!”). Fortunately, Paul condemned both attitudes.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church worshiping our great God!
Jesus your judge now consider, Live for Him fearing your King
Trust Him and patiently endure, Walk in love – humbly serving
Grow in these things, Hold fast to them
That you may hear: “Child, well done”
Do not tolerate false teaching, Guard your life, what you believe
We will one day reign with our King, and the Morning Star receive
Let those with ears, Come now and hear,
What the Spirit says to us
To the tune of “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending”
Brian J. Mikul 