Tag: God

Father of Glory

On By BrianIn Books of the Bible, Habit of Prayer1 Comment

In Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:16-20, he approaches God as the Father of glory. God is our Father, and yet at the same time he is the God of all glory. In the Old Testament, God is often referred to as the God of glory or the King of glory. Now we can call him our Father, but he is still the Father of glory. Or as Jesus teaches us, he is our Father in heaven. Calling him our Father means we can come boldly into his presence through Jesus as his children. “In heaven” and “of glory” means we must approach him with reverence and humility.

Is this how we approach God when we come before him in prayer or to worship? Boldly before our Father? Reverently and humbly before our glorious God? Do we mindlessly come into his presence, or do we consider into whose presence we come? He is the Father of glory.

Genesis 18-23: Trusting God

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(18-23) Our God is trustworthy because he keeps his promises. What promises does God make in this passage?

How do you see God keeping his promises in this passage?

(18-23) Our God is trustworthy because he provides for his people. What examples of his provision do you see in this passage?

How have you seen his provision in your life?

(18-23) Our God is trustworthy because he protects his people. What examples of his protection do you see in this passage?

Does that mean we will never be hurt or threatened or die? What does it mean according to the passage? How have you seen his protection in your life?

(20) Genesis 20 records an example of Abraham’s failure to trust God. What do you observe about his failure?

When do you see similar failures in your life? Why?

(22) Genesis 22 records an amazing example of Abraham’s faith in God. Why was the test so hard? Why was it necessary (see v12)?

What are you tempted to put before God?

Why was Abraham’s faith in God essential to pass the test? What did he believe God would do? (v5 & 8; see also Hebrews 11:17-19)

In what situations do you need to trust God right now? From this passage, what do you need to do to trust God in those situations?

Reflections on Genesis 1-2

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

In Genesis 1-2, we are immediately introduced to God as the Creator of all things. In his role as Creator, we see:

  • His Power – He simply spoke and it came to be. His power extends over all of his creation. There is nothing that can come against you that God cannot handle.
  • His Wisdom – He ordered all things perfectly. If God can perfectly order all of creation, can you not trust him to wisely order your life?
  • His Beauty – Having created such a beautiful world, what must God Himself be like? What joy to spend our lives and all of eternity getting to know Him better!
  • His Provision – He provided the plants for food, a garden to live in, and a companion to enjoy. How many ways has he provided for you? Give thanks!
  • His Authority – He made man and then commanded him. As our Creator, he has the right to command; we have the responsibility to obey.
  • His Assignment – He gave man a task – to cultivate the earth and use it for his needs. God did not make you to be idle, but to serve him by working as he gives you strength.
  • His Relational Nature – God says, “Let us make man in our image.” That “us” is the first hint of the Trinity – that God is one God in three persons enjoying eternal relationship with each other. When God created people, he entered into a relationship with them too. God is relational, and he made us in his image to be relational too. Our relationship with God and others is central to what it means to be human. How are you cultivating those relationships?

The God Who Gives

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

BecomingWorldlySaintsThere are two ways to ruin our relationship with the Giver of all things. The first is to ignore him and focus entirely on his gifts…. The second way is to ignore the gift and focus entirely on the Giver…. If the first temptation ignores the God who gives, the second refuses to let him be the God who gives.

– Michael Wittmer in Becoming Worldly Saints

Stand Firm In His Love

On By BrianIn Book of Isaiah

“…but with great compassion I will gather you….
…with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”
says the LORD, your Redeemer.
“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
– Isaiah 54:7-8, 10

God offers us great compassion. Not just a little. Not just some. Not just the leftovers. God offers us great compassion.

God shows us everlasting love. Not just occasional love. Not just temporary love. Not just conditional love. God shows us everlasting love.

On the cross he showed that love. And on the cross he paid the price to bring us peace with God (53:5). And this covenant of peace cannot be removed, it cannot be cancelled, it cannot be annulled.

And so, even if the mountains and hills in all their stability were to disappear, he will not remove his love from us. He will yet have compassion upon us. Because of Jesus, nothing can separate us from his great compassion and everlasting love.  So stand firm in his love.

Stop fretting that you will somehow lose his love – it cannot be removed.

Stop working, trying desperately to earn his love – he already loves you.

Stop grumbling about your life as though he doesn’t love you.

Stop sinning against this God who loves you so much.

Stop caring what world thinks of you – what does it matter if God himself loves you.

Stop looking for love in all the other places our world looks for love – you have already found the fountain of all love.

So stand firm in God’s love.  Rest in his everlasting love & his great compassion.

The God of universe loves you.

So stand firm in his love.

God’s Glory

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

Expositor2JGod’s “weight” or glory is the greatness of who He is. His glory is the awesome gravity of His name, the infinite wealth of His divine attributes as is found in His holiness, sovereignty, wrath, grace, goodness, and so forth. Every aspect of His character is immeasurably heavy, incomparably great, beyond any human character or ability. Being absolutely perfect, God is awesome in every way.

– Steven Lawson in Expositor Magazine

Sermon Songs: Isaiah 43-44

On By BrianIn Isaiah Hymns1 Comment

MusicNotes

Praise God who reigns and knows all things
The Lord God Almighty
He graciously pours out blessings
Forgives and shows mercy

He is the only one true God
Creator and our King
He scoffs at worthless man-made gods
And pagan worshiping

The Lord’s greatness let us proclaim
His praises let us sing
In all of life trust in His name
And serve the one true King

– From a sermon on Isaiah 43:8-44:20
(To the tune of the “O God Our Help In Ages Past”)

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Grace Is Not A Thing – Jeremy Treat (TGC)
Consider several misconceptions and enemies of grace.

4 Reasons to Stop Obsessing about Heaven – Mike Wittmer (TGC)
And set your hope on the resurrection!

Does Your Facebook Rant “Honor Everyone?” – Trevin Wax
Think before you post!

God’s Tapestry – Tim Challies
God weaves the good and bad things in your life into a beautiful tapestry.

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