A Prayer for Times of Anxiety
This life is filled with many cares, many concerns, and many anxieties. It is fitting that in our times of trouble we turn to the Lord, the one who is always eager to hear us and to bless us. This prayer from George Swinnock gives words to such prayers. Perhaps it would serve you to make its words your own.
You, O God, are all good things and every good thing.
You are self-sufficient, alone-sufficient and all-sufficient.
Nothing is wanting in you, either for my soul’s protection from all evil or for its perfection with all good.When I am ambitious, you are a crown of glory and a royal diadem.
When I am covetous, you are unsearchable riches, yes, durable riches and righteousness.
When I am filled with desire, you are rivers of pleasures and fullness of joy.
When I am hungry, you are a banquet of aged wine and the best of meats.
When I am weary, you are rest, a shadow from the heat and a shelter from the storm.
When I am weak, you are the Lord Jehovah in whom is everlasting strength.
When I am in doubt, you are marvellous in counsel.
When I am in darkness, you are the Sun of righteousness, an eternal light.
When I am sick, you are the God of my health.
When I am sorrowful, you are the God of all comforts.
When I am in distress, your name is a strong tower, in which I may run and find safety.
When I am dying, you are the fountain and Lord of life.You are a universal medicine against all sorts of miseries. Whatever my calamity is, you can remove it; whatever my necessity, you can relieve it.
You are silver, gold, honour, delight, food, raiment, house, land, peace, wisdom, power, beauty, father, mother, wife, husband, mercy, love, grace, glory, and infinitely more than all these.
(Drawn from Into His Presence by Tim Chester)
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Weekend A La Carte (December 23)
My gratitude goes to Burke Care for sponsoring the blog this week. Burke Care offers discipleship care with certified biblical counselors.
Today’s Kindle deals include a variety of books both new and old.
(Yesterday on the blog: A Family Update for the Holiday Season)Randy Alcorn wants to be sure you meet the Messiah who came to serve. “We owe Jesus everything. He owes us nothing. But that doesn’t keep God from choosing to serve us, His servants.” What a wonder!
Mark Ward looks carefully at the text to discern what we actually know about those three wise men who appear in the Christmas narrative.
Stephen asks a good question here: “Where to now for the young evangelicals who left the Reformed faith for the safety and security of Rome? A Rome whose walls would never be breached, we were led to believe, by the ravages of the post-Christian Sexular Age?” And yet the pope has now said that same-sex relationships are worthy of blessing.
And it’s not just Rome. As Tim Lamer explains, the United Methodist church is also racing a reckoning. “According to estimates, one-fourth of the churches within the United Methodist Church—the nation’s second largest Protestant body—have chosen to disaffiliate because the denomination has failed to be faithful to Christian teaching on sexuality and marriage.” (Note: If you are not a subscriber, WORLD should allow you several free articles per month, so hopefully you can read this one.)
Writing for Baptist Press, Jason Duesing reflects on the symbolism of fog in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and relates it to the current state of the world. “In our day, we live in a fog. Current events and the conflict of culture pervade our streets and the airwaves in which we live and move. Yet, often when burdened by this fog and darkness we fail to see it as a reminder to move us to places of comfort. Places with fires and friends. Places that arrive naturally at this time of year.”
You might have heard it said at some point that Charles Spurgeon was anti-Christmas. But was that really the case? J.A. Medders investigates.
We are prone to forget our poverty, our need, our desperation, our condemnation. We are prone to forget where we came from, prone to forget what God drew us out of.
The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as is this truth of the incarnation.
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Weekend A La Carte (September 3)
Here are a few deals to keep in mind today:
(Yesterday on the blog: Dream Small)
The Lord Almighty Reigns
You’ll enjoy this new song from Keith & Kristyn Getty.
The Fruit Grown in a Flock by Pastoral Encouragement
This article is meant to encourage pastors to be encouraging.
The Cancellation of Dr. Nassif
Carl Trueman: “For anyone wondering how traditional Christianity is going to fare in the culture in future, even within many Christian institutions, the disturbing tale of Dr. Bradley Nassif, formerly of North Park University, an institution formally connected to the theologically conservative Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), offers an interesting case in point.”
Protecting and Cultivating Your Marriage
In this brief video, Hershael York explains how ministry leaders can invest in the most valuable relationship in your life and ministry.
How to Understand and Apply the Old Testament
This is a neat ongoing series by Jason DeRouchie that means to help you know how to understand and apply the OT.
The parable of monkeypox
This article from Al Mohler is a few weeks old but still timely.
Flashback: Tips for Young (and Maybe Not-So-Young) Bloggers
Even as you grow in knowledge and begin to share that knowledge with others, be certain that you put the higher priority on humility. The Christian world has greater need of examples of humble young people than know-it-all young people.If you give the devil your pen, he’ll write you a horror story. —David Murray
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A La Carte (July 29)
The Lord be with you and bless you today.
Today’s Kindle deals include Joel Beeke’s Puritan Reformed Theology at an 82% discount!
(Yesterday on the blog: New and Notable Christian Books for July 2022)
Are Some Sins Worse Than Others?
John MacArthur’s answer covers the original question along with some others (like the nature of the unpardonable sin).
Why John Stott Lived with Less
“We live in an age of excess. Our lack of self-denial and moderation extends to shopping, eating, and how much entertainment we consume. Stott’s life stands in stark contrast to our cultural tendencies.” (I think it’s important to note that Stott was unmarried and childless which necessarily impacted his ability to live with less; but still, we can learn from him.)
My Biggest Struggle with Daily Devotions
“My biggest struggle with daily devotions is not carving out the 20 to 30 minutes needed to read the word and spend time with God. The most difficult part is slowing down my heart and mind enough to get anything from it.” I expect that’s true for many, most, or all of us.
The Oft-Unopened Gift of Shame
Can shame be a gift? It can, if put in its proper context.
The Elusiveness of Contentment
Here’s a brief, helpful word on contentment.
Evangelical Catholicity and How To Foster It
I’d say that the best part of this article is the list of very specific suggestions on intentionally promoting cooperation and charity.
Flashback: Why We Fail at Family Devotions
I am convinced a lot of people fail because we feel that Word and prayer are not enough. We read books and blogs by people who do so much more and feel that we do not measure up.When God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is the infinite center of worship, it invariably transcends color, culture, and comfort. —H.B. Charles Jr.
