We are saved only by grace through faith in the work of Jesus Christ. But then we are sent back into our callings to live out that faith.
In this great little article, Gene Veith celebrates the Protestant doctrine of vocation.
Where is your struggle? Is it temper or bitterness? Sexual immorality? Amnesia toward God? Gluttony, laziness or greed? Judgmental words or thoughts? Gossip? Obsessive worrying? God welcomes all who are weary with sin.
A Personal Liturgy of Confession by David Powlison
Mockers try to knock the walls down, but the righteous build stuff.
Prov. 25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Prov. 21:24 “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.
Prov. 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.
Prov. 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Prov. 22:10 Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.
Prov. 4:23; Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Cf Phil. 4:7
Ps. 141:3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
2 Tim 1:14 Guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
We shared this prayer yesterday from the Lutheran Book of Prayer.
Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as the light of the day fades away and the darkness comes, I know that You, who kept safe Israel, will neither slumber nor sleep. With my thanksgivings I exalt You as the source of the many blessings of this day. Teach me to see ever more clearly that life and happiness, health and daily bread, peace of heart, forgiveness of sins, and the promise of life forever with You are gifts of Your divine grace. Continue Your mercies toward me, my fellow believers, and all mankind. If I have enemies, bless them and let them undergo a change of heart. Pardon the sin of my transgressions and shortcomings for the sake of Jesus, my Redeemer. Strengthen Your Church, and let her membership constantly grow and praise You, the only true God, here in time and hereafter in eternity; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
This week we are all learning the first question of the New City Catechism as we read, pray and sing around our tables.
Here is Tim Keller with a bit of encouragement and explanation.
God has commanded us to sing and has given us songs to sing. Here are a few resources referenced on Sundays.
Sing! Keith and Kristen Getty
Why Johnny Can’t Sing Hymns. T. David Gordon. The link is to a sample chapter.
In the month of August we will continue our pursuit of becoming better worshippers by asking, “Why do we sing in Lord’s Day worship?” Christians are a singing people and this church has always been a singing people. Why does the “work of the people” (liturgy) include the songs of the people?
Our vision is of a uniquely congregational worship, filled with joy and quality. First, we sing to God because God is worth singing to. Second, we sing good congregational songs and we sing them well. Third, we improve our singing to improve our ministry to one another. Fourth, we teach our children to sing to give them the gift of song and give the future church the gift of singers.
Listen here.
Find more singing resources here.
Two Ways to Live provides a simple way to tell the whole story, to communicate (in brief) the whole Christian worldview.
In the beginning, God made all things good because He is good. He is good and all that He does is good.
God created all things good…but that’s not the way it is now. We must be taught, from the ground up, to live in the world that God made to be good.
Here is Voddie Baucham teaching a children’s catechism to seminary students. It is darn good. The link starts at the right spot.
A beautiful old piece from Francis Schaeffer.
