Friday, December 31, 2010

A Prayer for the New Year

from "The Poor Man's Portions" by Robert Hawker


December 31.
Evening.

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen." 2 Cor 13:14

Here, my soul, set up your pillar. Baptised as you has been into the joint name, love, praise, and adoration, of the Holy Three in One; and blessed as you has been, and are, in their joint mercies, grace, and favour; here every day, and all the day, seek your portion and blessing, as the united source of all your salvation. End the year, and begin the year, under those precious tokens of God in Christ; and daily keep up a lively communion and friendship with each, as the blessed cause of all your happiness.

Jehovah, in his threefold character of person, is working to finish what he has begun: and it is, and should be your happiness to be forever viewing the testimonies of it, in the holy Scriptures of truth. God your Father has so loved the church in Jesus, as to give him to the church, and the church to him; and God the Son has so loved the church, as to give himself for it; zeal for his Father's honour, and longing for the salvation of his people, led him through all the work of redemption, and now engages his heart, until he has brought home all his redeemed to glory: and God the Holy Ghost is unceasingly engaged to render the whole effectual, by taking of the things of Christ, and disbursing them to his people.

See to it then, my soul, that every day, and all the day, you have the love-tokens of each person of the Godhead; for this will make you blessed upon earth, and blessed to all eternity. Hail! Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! Bless both him that writes, and him that reads, with your grace: and open and close the year with grace, until grace be consummated in everlasting glory. Amen and Amen.


from PuritanSermons.com: A Thought for the New Year

Bible Reading Plans for 2011

If you're interested in finding a way to read through the Bible in 2011, check out this post. Personally, I downloaded the chronological reading plan. Looks intriguing. Bible Reading Plans – Justin Taylor

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Music - Gift or God?

At a time of year when Christmas music is particularly special to Christians, Bob Kauflin offers a great perspective on music and idolatry.
"Good gifts can become gods.
Music turns from a gift to a god when we look to it for the joy, comfort, power & satisfaction only God can give. Here are 5 indicators that might be happening.
1. We choose to attend a church or a meeting based on the music rather than the preaching of the gospel and God’s word.
Nowhere in the Bible are we told that the church is to gather around music. We gather around the crucified and risen Savior, Jesus Christ. We gather to hear God’s Word in the Spirit’s power. Eph. 2:13-14 says the blood of Christ unites us, not music.
2. We can’t worship in song apart from a particular song, style, leader, or sound.Anytime I say, I can’t worship unless X happens, or X is present, unless X is the death of our Savior on the cross for our sins or the power of his Spirit, we are engaging in idolatry. At that moment, X is more important to us than God’s command to love Him with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength. That doesn’t mean that there are no bad songs, lousy leaders, or inappropriate styles. But being discerning is different from being unable to worship God at all.
3. We think music leads us into or brings God’s presence.Here’s what music can do. It can affect us emotionally. Create a mood. Soften our hearts so that we listen more intently. Help us hear words differently. Distract us from what’s going on. Help us focus on what’s going on. Help us remember words. And more.
Here’s what music can’t do. Make God more present. Bring God’s presence down. Bring us into God’s presence. Manipulate God. (Heb. 10:19-22; 1 Tim. 2:5).  There is only one mediator, and it’s not a song, style, leader, or sound. It’s Jesus Christ."

Read the whole article here.