I once was living in the dark
Far from my God above
But then the Father came to mark
Me as His child of love
Now in his light and love I walk
Turn from sexual sin
And coveting and all foul talk
For God my heart did win
No more of what should not be named
Within God’s family
I am God’s child, Christ took my blame
That with Him I might be
(To the tune of “Amazing Grace”)
Our Sunday School class just finished two weeks reviewing the Biblical principles found in Joel Beeke’s booklet, How Can I Cultivate Private Prayer? I can’t help but think that if I could just digest and apply these principles, that my prayer life, and so my walk with God, would grow in incredible ways. To that end, I am going to take a section each week to reread, ponder, and seek to apply to my prayer life.
And I want to invite you to join me on this quest for growth. First, you need the book, which you can order here, or if you have Kindle you can get it here. Then read along with me each week. I will have a blog related to the weekly section each Wednesday. On p2, Joel Beeke writes:
Prayer is a crucial part of the Christian life and deserves our careful attention and cultivation.
That being so, let’s strive to grow in this important habit.
(Genesis 1-2) The Bible begins with God creating the world. What do you learn about God from these two chapters?
How do you think we should respond toward Him?
In what special way did God make people (1:26-27)?
Because of this, we have great value. How should this affect the way we think about ourselves? How we treat others?
(Genesis 3) Describe the first temptation in v1-6. What similarities do you find today?
What are the consequences of their sin (v8-24)?
What hope does God give them in v15?
(Genesis 6-8) Describe humanity’s fallen condition (6:5, 11-13; 8:21)?
What did God do in response to man’s wickedness? What does this tell you about God’s view of sin?
What is our only hope of escape (6:8)?
(Genesis 12-36) What promises did God make to Abraham in 12:1-3, 7; 13:14-17; 15:1-6, 18-20; 17:4-8?
How do the following verses relate to these promises which we call the Abrahamic Covenant?
How does God begin to fulfill these promises in Exodus through Deuteronomy?
How do these promises relate to you (Galatians 3:7-9, 16, 29)?
How did Abraham respond to God’s promises, and what was the result (15:6)?
How does this pattern relate to us (Romans 4:1-5, 23-25)?
(Genesis 37-50) What examples do you see of God’s sovereignty (reign, control) in the life of Joseph?
Describe the interplay between human actions and God’s sovereignty according to Joseph in 45:5-8 and 50:20. How does that encourage you?
How is the cross the ultimate example of 50:20 (see Acts 4:24-28)?
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
13 Reasons You Are Precious To God – Mark Altrogge (TBC)
Scripture’s “Top Two” List – Ed Welch (CCEF)
Why Believers Must Avoid Immoral Joking – Chuck Lawless
7 Ways to Become a Better Sermon Listener – Christopher Ash (TGC)
Hope you have a great Lord’s challenged and encouraged by the preaching of God’s Word!
It is often through a combination of Scripture and providential circumstances that God drives home to our hearts a lesson He wants us to learn deeply.– Jerry Bridges in God Took Me by the Hand
Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children.
– Ephesians 5:1
God calls us beloved children. You are God’s beloved child – his dearly loved son or daughter. You are dearly loved by God.
The Creator and Sustainer and Sovereign King of the entire universe dearly loves you. Let that sink in. God dearly loves you. Oh that you might grasp this incredible truth that God loves you. Who cares what others think of you, if God of universe loves you.
This word “beloved” occurs three times in Ephesians. Once is here. The first time was back in 1:6 where Paul referred to Jesus as the Father’s beloved. At Jesus’ baptism, the Father declared, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased.” And here in our text, the Father says the same thing to you: “You are my beloved son. You are my beloved daughter. You are my beloved child. I dearly love you.”
You are beloved by God.
May that truth sink into your heart, and may you live each day out of this glorious reality.
The right way to study God is to worship him for his attributes, so that our theology become our doxology.– Philip Graham Ryken in Discovering God in Stories from the Bible
Every Christian has the same high and holy calling to reflect in his life the likeness of Christ, who is the image of God.– Ian Hamilton in What Is Experiential Calvinism?
As Fall approaches, now seems like a good time to challenge all of us fathers to recommit to leading our families in Family Worship. Some helpful posts and a video from Donald Whitney:
5 Reasons to Prioritize Family Worship
The gospel produces a praying people.– Joel Beeke
Brian J. Mikul 