“What does it mean to have a well-ordered heart?” To have a well-ordered heart “is to love the right thing to the right degree in the right way with the right kind of love.” Christopher Hall, Living Wisely with the Church Fathers (p. 221). Westmont, IL: IVP Academic. Quoting John Ortberg in the book The … Continue reading A Well-Ordered Heart
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Preaching the Gospel to Yourself – One Life Transforming Result
Christians who are no longer sure that God loves and accepts them in Jesus, apart from their present spiritual achievements, are subconsciously radically insecure persons —much less secure than non-Christians, because they have too much light to rest easily under the constant bulletins they receive from their Christian environment about the righteousness they are supposed … Continue reading Preaching the Gospel to Yourself – One Life Transforming Result
Give One Thing More – A Grateful Heart
“You who have given so much to me, give one thing more — a grateful heart. Not thankful when it pleases me, as if your blessings had spare days; but such a heart, whose pulse may be your praise.” Almost four hundred years ago, the Anglican poet and preacher George Herbert captured with these prayerful … Continue reading Give One Thing More – A Grateful Heart
In the Soil of a Thankful Heart
My Grandmother Rose was known all around our community for how she responded to the simple question: "How are you doing?" Her classic response always was: “I’m thankful.” In times of sorrow and in times of joy, “I’m thankful.” In times of abundance and in times of scarcity, “I’m thankful.” My Grandmother spoke in the … Continue reading In the Soil of a Thankful Heart
Prayers of Supplication – Psalm 95
Supplication is asking the Lord to meet your own spiritual and physical needs.
A Prayer to Align Our Hearts with God’s
Lord of the nations, You are pursuing with omnipotent passion the worldwide purpose of gathering joyful worshippers for Yourself from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. As we prepare to worship You today, grant us to share in Your inexhaustible enthusiasm for the supremacy of Your name among the nations. Bring our affections … Continue reading A Prayer to Align Our Hearts with God’s
Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled
Let not your hearts be troubled for Jesus promises… Light after darkness, gain after loss; Strength after weakness, crown after cross; Sweet after bitter, hope after fears; Home after wandering, praise after tears; Sheaves after sowing, sun after rain; Sight after mystery, peace after pain; Joy after sorrow, calm after blast; Rest after weariness, sweet … Continue reading Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled
When Discouragement and Despair Knock at Your Door
“All progress in the Christian life depends upon a recapitulation (an act or instance of summarizing and restating the main points of something) of the original terms of one’s acceptance with God” (John Stott, The Cross of Christ, p. 27). This delightful quote points us to an enduring remedy for all our ills, even that … Continue reading When Discouragement and Despair Knock at Your Door
Praying for A Big-hearted Pastor with Thick Skin
What are the three things that every pastor needs? A mind of a scholar, a heart of a pastor, and a hide of a rhinoceros. Here's a wonderful prayer written by Scotty Smith that you can pray and meditate on for yourself as well as using it to intercede for your pastor. http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2013/05/01/a-prayer-for-thick-skin-and-a-big-heart/