Thanks to my good friend David Elmore I know of the esteemed Robert Hawker, an evangelical Anglican minister back in the late 1700s and early 1800s. His devotional The Poor Man's Morning & Evening Portions can be assessed here: Poor Man's Morning & Evening Portions Here is a lovely thought of his that I am thinking about … Continue reading An Increasing View of the Infinite Dignity of Jesus Christ
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Temptation & the Loveliness of Jesus
The below three quotations remind us of the only real, lasting cure for resisting temptation. To respond to the distorting nature of temptation and sin you must set your affections on the beauty and glory of God, the loveliness of Christ, and the wonder of the gospel: Were our affections filled, taken up, and possessed … Continue reading Temptation & the Loveliness of Jesus
Prayer of Confession – Re. Physical Beauty
Beautiful Savior, You died to make me beautiful. For I was marred and made beastly by sin. Late it was that I loved you, beauty so ancient and so new, late I loved you! I vacillate between a monkish contempt of physical beauty and a worldly addiction to physical beauty. Forgive me where I have … Continue reading Prayer of Confession – Re. Physical Beauty
Prepare Your Heart for Worship
Here is a simple prayer to pray through and reflect upon as you prepare to worship God personally and with others. It is based upon the beautiful hymn: "May the Mind of Christ My Savior." Almighty God, may my worship of you cause the mind of Christ to be more fully present in me this … Continue reading Prepare Your Heart for Worship
Gazing Upon True Beauty
Religious people find God useful for obtaining things in life. Christians find God beautiful and knowing Him is the chief good they seek. The Psalmist declares in Psalm 27:4 - “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days … Continue reading Gazing Upon True Beauty
Physical Beauty – Reflections, Confession, and Forgiveness
Reflections How do we celebrate beauty without lapsing into either pantheism or cynicism? This will take serious imagination, imagination fueled by reflection and prayer at the foot of the cross and before the empty tomb, imagination that will discern the mysteries of God’s judgment on evil and God’s reaffirmation through resurrection of his beautiful creation. … Continue reading Physical Beauty – Reflections, Confession, and Forgiveness
Is Beauty the Beast? What does the Bible say?
Key Verses: Proverbs 11:16, 22; 30:18-20; 31:30 In the hearts of women and men, there is a God-given longing to be seen and enjoyed as beautiful or handsome without being used. However, ever since the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive (Genesis 6:2) and came into them (v.4), physical beauty … Continue reading Is Beauty the Beast? What does the Bible say?
Jesus’ Ultimate Desire for You – Part 2
Jesus prays in John 17:24: "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world." Jesus gives us his reason for why he wants you to be … Continue reading Jesus’ Ultimate Desire for You – Part 2
Husbands: What’s the best gift you can give your wife today?
There are lots of wonderful gifts that you can give, but the best gift you can give her is to regularly pray for her and tell her what you are praying for her. This is especially crucial if you've experienced a recent conflict. It is very hard to stay angry at someone for whom you … Continue reading Husbands: What’s the best gift you can give your wife today?
Praying for Your Wife
What are you praying for right now for your wife? I have found it most helpful to pray through certain Scriptures for my wife Scottie. One passage that has served as a helpful guide through the years has been Proverbs 31:10-31. Here are several bullet points for prayer. I would urge to use this as … Continue reading Praying for Your Wife
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