Tag: Discipleship

Walk in Light of the Future

On By BrianIn Book of Isaiah

In Isaiah 2:1-4, we get an incredible vision of the future. Then in v5, he tells us to come and walk in the light of the Lord. Walk in light of what he is going to do.  The Lord has given us this future vision so that we might live differently. What God is doing in the future should impact how we live today. And so we ought to walk in the light of:

His Priority – In a world all about me, we say no, it is all about Him. I’m not the highest – God is. He is first; he is the priority in all things. I am to live my life seeking his honor, seeking his kingdom, seeking his will. Is God’s honor your highest priority? Is God’s kingdom your highest priority? Is God’s will your highest priority? Or are you living for your own honor, your own kingdom, your own will?

His Presence – His manifest presence isn’t here now as it will be then, but God is with us. In a world of trials and sorrow, we can walk in the light of his presence. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). In the midst of the struggles of life, are you holding onto the One who is with you every step of the way?

His Paths – In a world of many paths, religions, worldviews, and ideologies, we follow the path of the one true God. Our hearts should burn to learn God’s Word. Does yours? And we ought to strive to obey God’s Word, to walk in his paths. Do you?

His Peace – In a world filled with strife, we are to pursue peace. We ought to put down our swords and spears, our proud insistence that things go our own way. Instead we ought to pick up humility and gentleness and patience and love, striving for peaceful unity in Christ’s church (Ephesians 4:1-3). Are you?

As we consider the glorious future that awaits us, may God graciously help us to live in light of that future today.

Current

On By BrianIn Current Collection

A weekly collection of current news and issues in the church, country, and world.

Christian publishing.  I love it, and I can’t stand it.  There are a lot of great books published every year.  And then there are the not-so-helpful, not-so-biblical books that end up as best-sellers.  Here are some helpful discerning thoughts on three of those latter books:

We Don’t have to Read the Book or See the Movie to Know Heaven Is Real – Nancy Guthrie (GC)

Don’t Pray in Circles! – Tim Challies

Did Jesus Really Say? – Todd Pruitt (Reformation 21)

Grace Leading to Grace

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

ToLiveIsChristWhat does it look like to live life in a manner worthy of the gospel? It looks like dying with Christ to one’s self and being raised in Christ to walk in the newness of life with our brothers and sisters. It means living grace-filled lives that grant patience and mercy and gentleness for the spiritual journeys of others and a respect for the differences and idiosyncrasies we all bring to the Lord’s table.

– Matt Chandler reflecting on Philippians 1:27 in
To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain

Glimpses of the Future

On By BrianIn Book of Isaiah1 Comment

In Isaiah 2:1-4, we get four glimpses into the future.

First, we see the Lord’s Priority. The mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills (v2). The gods of the nations were thought to live in mountains, so to say that the mountain of the Lord would be highest, is to say that the Lord is the highest. He is lifted up above all the gods and religions of this world. The Lord will be recognized and exalted as the one true God. He will be first over all. He will have the priority. Imagine a world where God is lifted up as the number one priority in every heart, in every life, every day!

Second, we see God’s Presence. Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob (v3). The mountain of God and the house of God is where God dwells. It was understood that God dwelt in his temple, that his manifest presence was there. And we will one day dwell in this presence. We will dwell in the presence of God who is the Holy One of Israel, the Lord of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel. In his presence we will stand in awe of him. We will worship him as we see God’s people doing throughout the book of Revelation. Imagine a world where we are in the manifest presence of God worshiping in wonder and awe!

Third, we see the Lord’s Paths. And all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (v2-3). The nations will flow like a stream to Jerusalem to hear the Word of the Lord. People will want to hear His Word, and they will invite others to join them. There will be a hunger, a desire, to be taught by the Lord, and then to follow his teaching, to walk in his paths. Imagine a world where every heart burns to hear God’s Word and obey it faithfully, a world with no more sin!

Finally, we see the Lord’s Peace. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore (v4). God will judge and decide disputes, and both parties will hear and follow his decrees. There will be no more war. Indeed the instruments of war will be turned into instruments of farming, suggesting prosperity, blessing, and plenty. Imagine a world with no wars, no civil wars, no hungry people displaced by wars, no tyranny, no terrorism, no crimes, no fear, no strife in the home or workplace – imagine true peace on earth!

Sermon Songs

On By BrianIn Isaiah Hymns

Praise God who will be lifted high
Praise Him whose presence will be nigh
Praise Him who will teach us His way
Who brings the latter, peaceful day

Come let us walk in the Lord’s light
Rest in his presence in the night
Put first the Lord, His Word obey
Walk in his peace and hope today

– From a sermon on Isaiah 2:1-5

 

Passion Points

On By BrianIn Idolatry, PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Quotes on Knowing and Loving God – Trevin Wax

What Must You Leave Behind? Kevin DeYoung

Being True to Yourself is Living a Lie – Trevin Wax

These Precious Days – Tim Challies

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day knowing and loving God!

Fearless Faith

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

ToLiveIsChristFearless faith results from holding on to Christ as our treasure. Gospel courage comes from gospel preciousness. If we truly believed that our reward in heaven far surpasses all the comfort and convenience and collections of the world, we, too, would be willing to consider them all as loss.

– Matt Chandler in To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain

God’s Purpose in Our Affliction

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

In the midst of facing various afflictions, I found the following Spurgeon devotional from this morning to be helpful:

“Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.”—Job 10:2.

PERHAPS, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never be discovered if it were not for thy trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glow-worm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star—not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God doth set the jewels of His children’s graces, to make them shine the better. It was but a little while ago that on thy knees thou wast saying, “Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith.” Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?—for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you?

“Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to His feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there.”

Along these same lines, I’d also recommend Crawford Loritts’ sermon “Jesus’ Transforming Power on Behalf of the Afflicted” that I listened to yesterday: