Tag: Discipleship

Passion Points – Habits

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

This week, I want to share some good posts about what I call Passion Habits.  Passion habits are those things we do because of our passion for God and compassion for people.  These are habits ideally motivated by Christ’s passion for us.  Passion habits are traditionally called spiritual disciplines.  They might be habits we do individually or corporately or both.  So here are some good thoughts about some of these habits:

Scripture – J. C. Ryle points to the necessity of being often in the Word.

Prayer – Trevin Wax shares what the Romanian church has taught him about corporate prayer.  We can learn much from their example.

Worship – Kevin DeYoung shares why his church worships the way they do.

Service – Jon Bloom encourages us to serve in the shadow God places you.

Evangelism – Mark Altrogge considers ways to influence people toward Christ.

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

 

 

Oliver Twist

On By BrianIn Identity

In Dicken’s tale, Oliver Twist, Oliver’s mother dies far from home while giving birth to him.  Not knowing whose family he belongs to, he is raised in poverty in a work house.  His troubles and the shame of his poverty define him.  Eventually he runs away only to get caught up in a gang of thieves.  He is caught trying to steal something, and now society defines him as a thief – he is defined by his sin and guilt.  But the one he tried to rob turns out, as the story continues, to be his grandfather.  He is more than the sum of his troubles, his shame, his sin, and his guilt.  He is part of a wealthy family.

What is it that defines you?  Maybe it is your troubles.  Your trials are huge, and you have let them define your life.  Maybe it is shame for some past hurt done to you.  Maybe it is guilt for some past sin you committed.  Maybe it a sin that you wrestle with today.  But the one you sin against, it turns out, is your Father.  You are more than your troubles, your shame, your sin, and your guilt.  You are part of God’s family.

You are the beloved child of your Heavenly Father.  As his child you have a new identity.  You no longer have to be defined by your troubles, shame, sin, or guilt.  Your identity is now found in Christ.  Jesus suffered so suffering wouldn’t define you.  He bore your shame, so you wouldn’t have to bear it anymore. He bore your guilt on the cross so you could be called righteous.  And he defeated sin as he rose again so you could overcome it in your life.  God loves you.  You are his child.  Find your identity here.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” – I John 3:1a

 

 

Quotes To Ponder

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.
– Flannery O’Connor

A snake bites Paul, so they think he’s a criminal.
He doesn’t fall dead, so they think he’s a god.
Beware of human polls.
– John Piper

‎A man can no more possess a private religion
than he can possess a private sun and moon.
– G.K. Chesterton

Our greatest fear should not be of failure
but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.
– Francis Chan

It is a cheap zeal that reserves its passions
to combat only the sins and temptations of others.  
– D.A. Carson

Waiting isn’t just about what you are hoping for at the end of the wait,
but also about what you will become as you wait.
– Paul Tripp

It ill becomes you to make much of dress and show,
when you are so soon to see the face that was crowned with thorns.
– Robert Murray M’Cheyne

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

The best laid plans….  I had every intention of blogging daily using the schedule I mentioned a few weeks ago, but it has been a busy week.  We’ll see how next week goes.  In the meantime, here are some good posts from around the web:

Glorifying God

Kevin DeYoung considers how being part of a local church glorifies God.

Jeff Brewer suggests 15 ways that college freshmen can seek to glorify God.  With slight re-application this list would be useful for all of us!

Passion for Christ

A great excerpt from J. C. Ryle on what loving Jesus looks like.  Challenging!

Justin Taylor quotes John Piper and Ryle considering how our love for Christ should intersect with our desire for heaven.

God’s Blessings

Mark Altrogge reminds us of our incredible blessings in Christ.

Mark then shares a great story from Spurgeon’s life of God’s daily care for us. 

Church

Finally, as you prepare to gather with your local church tomorrow, consider these helpful ideas for getting the most out of the sermon from Nancy Leigh DeMoss. 

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day feeding on God’s Word!

 

Family Quotes To Ponder

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

The Christian is supposed to love his neighbor,
and since his wife is his nearest neighbor,
she should be his deepest love.
– Martin Luther

Let the measure of God’s grace to you in the cross of Christ
be the measure of your grace to your spouse.
– John Piper

Which of you by being angry can add a single hour to his span of life?
Or any affection to your marriage?
– John Piper

God often disapproves of his children’s behavior.
But he never treats us with contempt.
Imitate him in your disapproving.
– John Piper

Happy is that family where the worship of God
is constantly and conscientiously maintained.
– John Newton

Walking With God

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes1 Comment

I’ve started reading Gary Thomas’ challenging book, Holy Available.  Here are a few quotes so far that have caught my eye:

The grand point is not to wear the garb, nor use the brogue of religion, but to possess the life of God within, and feel and think as Jesus would have done because of that inner life.  Small is the value of external religion unless it is the outcome of a life within.
-Charles Spurgeon

Christianity is not merely a philosophical theory or a moral code, but involves a direct sharing in divine life and glory, a transforming union with God “face to face.”
– Kallistos Ware

If we don’t think about God, pray to God, listen for God’s voice, and consciously serve God, by definition we live an ungodly life.  We usually think of “ungodly” as being against God, but ungodly can also be a life that simply ignores God or – out of busyness, indifference, religiosity, or apathy – simply doesn’t tap into God.”
– Gary Thomas

So are we just going through the outward motions, or are we really walking with God?

Even the Waves Obey Him

On By BrianIn God & His Glory

Last night I read with my children how Jesus and the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee by boat (see Mark 4:35-41).  Jesus was sleeping as a gigantic storm came up.  The wind began to blow.  The waves began to rise.  The boat began to fill.  The disciples began to panic.  And Jesus was still sleeping.  The terrified fisherman woke Jesus.  Jesus spoke to the wind and the waves, “Peace! Be still!”  The wind became still.  The sea became still.  And the fisherman were still terrified – but now for a different reason.  “Who is this who commands the wind and waves?”

I recently wrote about how Lake Superior gives me a glimpse of God’s power.  As I see the powerful waves, I am reminded of God’s greater power.  And yet this story from Jesus’ life reminds me that the powerful waves of Lake Superior are no match for God’s power.  The waves of Lake Superior at their greatest are nothing compared to God.  With just a word, Jesus could instantly calm the waves of Lake Superior.  With just a word, God could calm the wind and waves and water of the hurricane that just soaked the east coast.  Peace!  Be still!  This is real power.  No wonder the disciples were afraid.  No wonder we are told to fear God.  We would be fools not to fear.

Amazingly, this great power comes along side of us.  When we are weak and hurting, God’s great power that calms the wind and waves rests upon us, calming our hearts and giving us strength to endure (II Corinthians 12:9-10).  And that great power that terrified the disciples long ago is now transforming his disciples today, powerfully changing our hearts (Ephesians 1:19).  With such great power at work in our lives, anything is possible.

Prayer Quotes To Ponder

On By BrianIn Prayer Quotes1 Comment

Prayer humbles us as needy and exalts God as wealthy.
– John Piper

 Whatever be the ground of one’s distress,
it should drive him to, not from, God.
– John Flavel

 When you stop trying to control your life and instead allow your anxieties and problems to bring you to God in prayer, you shift from worrying to watching.  You watch God weave his patterns in the story of your life.  Instead of trying to be out front, designing your life, you realize you are inside God’s drama.  As you wait, you begin to see him work, and your life begins to sparkle with wonder.  You are learning to trust again.
– Paul Miller

 Because God is the living God, He can hear;
because He is a loving God, He will hear; because
He is our covenant God, He has bound Himself to hear.
– Charles Spurgeon

 I put my prayers into Christ’s hands;
and what may I not expect from them,
when I have such an Advocate?
Oh, be sure not to ask a little from God!
– Thomas Adam

 The habit of spreading before God our soul’s needs
is an evidence that we have the spirit of adoption.
– J. C. Ryle

 If we do not delight on God’s presence and nearness here on earth, why would we want to go to heaven where he is the centerpiece of everything?
– Jim Cymbala

Glimpses of God’s Power

On By BrianIn God & His Glory

Every summer my family goes camping along Lake Superior.  I love this lake.  It reminds me of God.

It reminds me of God’s power.  There are days when the waves come crashing in ready to knock you over if you choose to wade out into them.  I see the power of the waves, and I think of God’s power.  I think of his power which made those waves, the lake, the earth, the entire universe.  I think of his power of which these waves give only a small glimpse.

I need that glimpse of God’s power.  In my weakness, I need to see his strength.  In my weariness, I need to see his great power that can renew my strength. 

As I see people hurting from great tragedies, I need to see God’s power which is sufficient in our weakness and is greater than anything that can come against us. 

As I see people wounded from their past, I need to see God’s power that can bring healing.

As I see people on the brink of despair, I need to see God’s power that can bring hope.

As I see people in turmoil, I need to see God’s power that can bring peace.

As I see people wrestling with depression, I need to see God’s power that can bring joy.

As I see people caught in the strong bonds of sin, I need to see God’s greater power which can break those bonds and bring freedom.

As I see people morning the loss of a brother or sister in Christ, I need see God’s power that will one day raise the dead. 

I need to see God’s power.  And I get a glimpse in the waves.

Passion Points

On By BrianIn Idolatry, PASSION Points

Here are some good reads for your weekend:

Gospel

Mark Altrogge ponders the suffering of our Savior.  Meanwhile, here is another post refuting the idea that we are worth dying for.  (See my post from earlier this week here.)

Idolatry

Here is a helpful interaction with Johan Herman Bavinck’s thoughts on three common idols – money, honor, and pleasure.

Family

Matthew Barrett gives us an interesting look at Martin Luther’s marriage to Katherine Von Bora as he brings out the idea that marriage is a context for growth in character.

Church

Finally, R.W. Glenn shares nine things you should pray for your pastor.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshipping the Lord with your church family!