Each year Christians make new year’s resolution about reading the Bible. Somewhere between mid-January and mid-February we tend to slow down in our Bible reading. Here are some wise and encouraging words from Charles H. Spurgeon to encourage you in valuing and esteeming God’s Word.
All other books might be heaped together in one pile and burned with less loss to the world than would be occasioned by the obliteration of a single page of the sacred volume [Scripture]. At their best, all other books are but as gold leaf, requiring acres to find one ounce of the precious metal. But the Bible is solid gold. It contains blocks of gold, mines, and whole caverns of priceless treasure. In the mental wealth of the wisest men there are no jewels like the truths of revelation. The thoughts of men are vanity, low, and groveling at their best. but he who has given us this book has said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Let it be to you and to me a settled matter that the word of the Lord shall be honored in our minds and enshrined in our hearts. Let others speak as they may. We could sooner part with all that is sublime and beautiful, or cheering and profitable, in human literature than lose a single syllable from the mouth of God.
I recently preached a message on Sunday morning from Romans 8:18-25 about how all creation groans under the curse (including Christians). The message was entitled Groaning with Hope. I often feel that I have only skimmed the surface of deep truths as I leave the pulpit. This is certainly the case any time preaching in Romans.
Each year for our Praise Emphasis Week we learn a theme song. This year our song we’re learning is titled Chosen as His Children. Here is the music and lyrics to help you as learn this hymn:
Chosen As His Children
Chosen by the Father’s mercy,
Set apart to serve His Son,
Sanctified by His own Spirit—
Praise the Holy Three in One!
Saved by resurrection power,
Shielded in His faithful love;
Now, no enemy can tarnish
My inheritance above!
Chorus:
I’m Born again!
I’m God’s own chosen child of mercy!
Born again! What love and grace!
Father, keep me walking worthy
‘Til I look upon Your face.
Led by wisdom into suff’ring,
Grieved by many trials below,
Yet rejoicing in His purpose,
That my faith as gold may glow.
Granted faith for overcoming,
Filled with love for Christ unseen;
Even angels cannot fathom
What salvation God will bring!
Fixed upon this hope completely,
As obedient children fear;
For the Holy One who called you
Purchased you with blood so dear.
Born anew from seed eternal,
By His lovingkindness spurred,
Lay aside all tasteless yearnings—
Crave the true and living Word!
Built on Christ, the sure foundation,
We are free from guilt and shame;
He is fitting us together
As a house to praise His name!
We are chosen as God’s people,
Called from darkness into light;
O what mercy now entreats us
To proclaim His glories bright!
The Jesus Storybook Bible is one of our families favorite resources. Here’s another promotional video that may be a help to your family in communicating the Christmas story to your children.
Not good at reading the Christmas story? Maybe this 5 minute video will help.
We are always looking for fresh ways to communicate the gospel to the little one’s in our home. The Jesus Storybook Bible has been one of the most helpful resources we’ve found. Now they have short promotional clips as well as the entire audio book is for sale.
Every year I am captivated by some new facet of the Christmas story. As if a splendid diamond was turned revealing a new shimmer, glint or sparkle of light never bent or reflected that way before.
This year I’m captivated with when the Christmas story truly began. Christmas is the time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the promised one, who came to save mankind from eternal separation from God resulting from their sin.
But Scripture reveals that the Christmas story started long before mankind ever existed.Read more »
Nearly every Christian would affirm, even if he or she couldn’t express, that Christians are saved by God’s grace through their faith in Jesus Christ, apart from their own good works. But the place we most often see the muddling of grace and law is in the area of sanctification. The implicit idea seems to be that the gospel is our entry ticket, but Law keeps us in line for the ride. But this belief, Martin Luther says, is “as though Christ were a workman who had begun a building and left it for Moses to finish.”
With the authority of the God of the universe, Paul has this to say about such a concept: “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:3).
The following post was taken from youversion.com – an incredibly helpful Bible app for mobile devices:
During Advent, the period that begins four Sundays before Christmas, many Christians prepare their hearts to celebrate the miracle of God entering the world in human form. Advent began yesterday, November 27, and YouVersion.com, the Bible App, offer several topical and devotional Reading Plans to help you focus on the true meaning of Christmas:
1. Countdown to Christmas (29 days)
An Advent activity calendar that’s fun for the whole family
All other books might be heaped together in one pile and burned with less loss to the world than would be occasioned by the obliteration of a single page of the sacred volume [Scripture]. At their best, all other books are but as gold leaf, requiring acres to find one ounce of the precious metal. But the Bible is solid gold. It contains blocks of gold, mines, and whole caverns of priceless treasure. In the mental wealth of the wisest men there are no jewels like the truths of revelation. The thoughts of men are vanity, low, and groveling at their best. but he who has given us this book has said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Let it be to you and to me a settled matter that the word of the Lord shall be honored in our minds and enshrined in our hearts. Let others speak as they may. We could sooner part with all that is sublime and beautiful, or cheering and profitable, in human literature than lose a single syllable from the mouth of God.
