“The Christian gospel is not merely that Jesus died and rose again; and not merely that these events appease God’s wrath, forgive sin, and justify sinners; and not merely that this redemption gets us out of hell and into heaven; but that they bring us to the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ as our supreme, all-satisfying, and everlasting treasure. ‘Christ … suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God’ (1 Pet. 3:18)”

— John Piper
God is the Gospel
(Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2005), 167

http://firstimportance.org/2011/11/brought-to-the-glory-of-god/

“No amount of activity in the King’s service will

make up for neglect of the King Himself.”

–R.M. M’Cheyne

unite the Gospel with faith | Hebrews 4:2

“Being able to articulate the gospel with accuracy is one thing; having its truth captivate your soul is quite another. The gospel is not just supposed to be our ticket into heaven; it is to be an entirely new basis for how we relate to God, ourselves, and others. It is to be the source from which everything else flows.”

— J. D. GreearGospel: Rediscovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary
(Nashville, Tn.: B & H Publishing, 2011), 9

Jesus My Glory

O LORD GOD,
Thou hast commanded me to believe in Jesus;
and I would flee to no other refuge,
wash in no other fountain,
build on no other foundation,
receive from no other fullness,
rest in no other relief.
His water and blood were not severed in their flow at the cross,
may they never be separated in my creed and experiences;
May I be equally convinced of the guilt and pollution of sin,
feel my need of a prince and saviour,
implore of him repentance as well as forgiveness,
love holiness, and be pure in heart,
have the mind of Jesus, and tread in his steps.
Let me not be at my own disposal,
but rejoice that I am under the care of one
who is too wise to err,
too kind to injure,
too tender to crush.
May I scandalize none by my temper and conduct, but
recommend and endear Christ to all around,
bestow good on every one as circumstances permit,
and decline no opportunity of usefulness.
Grant that I may value my substance,
not as the medium of pride and luxury,
but as the means of my support and stewardship.
Help me to guide my affections with discretion,
to owe no man anything,
to be able to give to him that needeth,
to feel it my duty and pleasure to be merciful and forgiving,
to show to the world the likeness of Jesus.

(Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions)

Jesus read his Bible

This post was particularly helpful in seeing that Jesus treasured his Bible... interesting concept to consider at first seeing as Jesus was God in the flesh.  Here's a small excerpt detailing the effects of Jesus' treasuring of the Word on our life:

"We start off thinking about needing to be more faithful in reading the Word, but we finish off by seeing (in the Word) that Jesus was faithful in all of his living, to include his love for the Bible. It is this soul-stirring, pride-crushing obedience of Jesus that convicts and compels my obedience. It drives me to the Bible, not to curry favor, but in response to the favor he has earned.  Small group conviction and accountability relationships may work in the short-term to produce more Bible reading. However, it is this sight, grasp and appreciation of Jesus’ doing and dying for us that truly changes people in the long-term."

Read the entire post here.

the difference between a christian and non-christian

This post is not orginial to me but rather was just posted on the DG blog (found here).  I simply found it good enough to repost...

What is a distinguishing mark of a believer? At our 2009 Pastors Conference Mark Dever gave us a helpful and memorable word:

"The difference between a Christian and non-Christian: When a non-Christian is convicted of sin, he sides with his sin. When a Christian is convicted of sin, he sides with God, against himself."

on reading books by old dead guys...

CS Lewis said, "The only safety is to have a standard of plain, central Christianity ("mere Christianity" as Baxter called it) which puts the controversies of the moment in their proper perspective.  Such a standard can be acquired only from the old books.  It is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between.  If that is too much for you, you should at least read one old one to every three new ones."

It is impossible to conceive a Savior more suited to the wants of man's heart than our Lord Jesus Christ--suited not only by His power, but by His sympathy--suited not only by His divinity, but His humanity...[He] is the most loving and sympathizing of friends, as well as the mightiest and most powerful of Saviors....you want no comfort...so long as you can repose your weary soul on the Man Christ Jesus."
-J.C. Ryle, Holiness, pp.240-242

standing on shoulders

It is no secret in my little corner of the internet that I am indeed a great fan of Hudson Taylor but before Taylor (and still near and dear to my heart) is Samuel Rutherford.  You can find glimpses into his sweet walk the the Father in The Letters of Samuel Rutherford or even shorter glimpses in a small pocket sized book, with BIG truth called The Loveliness of Christ.  In recent weeks, these words of Rutherford below have supplemented my time in the word quite well.  So thankful to have men and women who gazed at Christ from days long past that we can indeed stand on their shoulders and behold Him as he is and seeing Him, be transformed in His image...   

"There is no sweeter fellowship with Christ than to bring our wounds and our sores to him." -S. Rutherford

"Whether God come to his children with a rod or a crown, if he come himself with it, it is well.  Welcome, welcome Jesus, what may soever thou come, if we can get a sight of thee: and sure I am, it is better to be sick, providing Christ come to the bedside and draw the curtains, and say, Courage, I am thy salvation, than to enjoy health, being lust and strong and never need to be visited of God."  -S. Rutherford 

 

purposes in pruning

I've had this plant for three years.  Three years and it has bloomed once... once.  However, I have very high hopes for this plant this season.  Why you might ask?  Because after three years I finally pruned it.  Indeed, a couple of months ago I finally took the plunge and cut away some of the old leaves that had been damaged by the harsh sun and sudden frosts.  The result: new fresh growth!!  In the midst of my excitement about this new growth (yes, sometimes it's the little things that excite me) I've been reminded that likewise the Father prunes his children so that they might bear fruit for him.  Therefore, we should be thankful for the sometimes painful act of pruning.  The Father is purposing in the midst of our pruning that we would be conformed to the image of his son.  Pruning, it's a good thing all in all, right?