Browsing the archives for the holiness tag

Glenn Beck and the Gospel part II

general thoughts

Cal Thomas writes an interesting commentary today concerning the rally held by Glenn Beck last month.  It speaks to the heart of revival and renewal for God’s people today.

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Muslim worship

general thoughts

“What do you think of when you see a picture of Muslims at prayer?  Maybe they’re onto something we as Christians may be missing.  The chief word in the Old Testament for a right relationship to God is not faith or love, but fear – you prostrate yourself before deity in humble awe.  We like to think of the “man upstairs”, the lover, the friend, the brother.  We seem to have lost the majesty, the grandeur, the holiness – the wholly otherness of our God.  Most of us never prostrate ourselves before His majesty.”

Robertson McQuilkin, the five smooth stones

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Turn back and Live!

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In Ezekiel 33, God begins to renew His people.  The first step is His call to repentance.  “Turn back to me and live,” God cries.  This is the central message in this chapter and the first step to renewal.

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putting off repentance

general thoughts

 

“God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.” – Augustine

Repent today, turn back and live, why do you insist on your evil ways?

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“The Seduction of Pornography and the Integrity of Christian Marriage”

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This is an important address by Dr. Al Mohler concerning a crucial issue in the lives of many men.  I encourage you to read it and feel free to leave comments here.

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Book Review: The Practice of Godliness

Book reviews

The Practice of Godliness is an excellent book by Jerry Bridges.  It is a re-release of his sequel to the first book, The Pursuit of Holiness.  In this book he addresses areas to grow in, “to put on” the new self and grow in Christian character.  Pastor Bridges establishes three core elements (fear of God, love of God, desire for God = devotion to God) and the nature and need for training, and then briefly overviews each of 12 characteristics of God and His followers.  Pastor Bridges’ book is heavily rooted in the Word but in an easy and flowing writing style.  It is a practical exposition, encouraging the reader to apply what is developed.  The author correctly focuses on internal heart and mind change in order to impact our outward behaviors – “good fruit can only grow from good roots and proper nourishment.”  It is not necessary to read these chapters in order; the reader can “skip around” if needed.  It would be helpful for the reader to read and study more on the areas of immediate concern.  The additional study guide is helpful for further discussion and study.  This is an excellent book to read and study through and apply in the life of any believer and follower of Christ.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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discipleship / counseling conference notes 1

general thoughts

I was so blessed to attend the discipleship / counseling conference in Pittsburgh at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary this weekend.  Their Biblical Counseling Institute hosted the speakers, the director Dr. George Scipione and pastor Dr. Richard Gantz gave the addresses.

The first session, Personal Transformational Discipleship, was given by Dr. Ganz.  He focused on Romans 12:1-2

  • the mercy of God
  • presenting ourselves
  • a living sacrifice
  • a logical and reasonable response
  • we are not to conform to the world
  • we renew our minds in order to prove the will of God

He emphasized the self control we have been given by the Spirit (2 Timothy 1:7) over our minds, and to develop positive and right Biblical thinking.  We are to exercise power in killing the old man through right thinking.

He also developed the relationship between counseling, discipleship, and sanctification, all to the worship of God.

It was a great lead-off session and good to be reminded of these truths.

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Holiness

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This is my sermon on holiness from Zechariah 5:1-11, September 20, 2009.

I quoted Jerry Bridges from his Pursuit of Holiness.  I like his picture of the farmer who is dependent upon God for his crop yet he must work at the task of having the crop – this is the same as our holiness, both that we are dependent on God and yet we are responsible for working it out as well.

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the pursuit of holiness

Book reviews

Jerry Bridges writes in The Discipline of Grace, “The pursuit of holiness requires sustained and vigourous effort.  It allows for no indolence, no lethargy, no half-hearted commitment, and no laissez faire attitude toward even the smallest sins.  In short, it demands the highest priority in the life of a Christian, because to be holy is to be like Christ – God’s goal for every Christian.”

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