Sparks of Praise Continued: Remembrances, Part 3

April 22, 2011

Thoughts on Mortification of sin:

We must not be concerned only of ourselves, but our concern must be for God.

Why do you seek to mortify “this sin”?  Because it troubles you and takes away your peace?

Yes, but you have neglected prayer and reading? Vain and loose is your conversation with other things? Jesus Christ bled for these also! Why do you not set yourself against them?

“We must hate all sin as sin and not just that which troubles us. Love for Christ because He went to the cross and hate for sin that sent Him there is the solid foundation for true spiritual mortification. To seek mortification only because a sin troubles us proceeds from self-love.” John Owen

As every day we celebrate

Our risen Lord and Savior,

His glory is made manifest

By praise and our behavior.

May 29, 2011

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.  “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ Revelation 2:1-7

 Upon preaching a message from the proceeding passage, Pastor Robert Briggs made the first statement below and I simply finished it with poetry.

Local churches come and go

And yet the Church will stand.

For Christ has purchased all

Appointed by the Father’s hand.

June 19, 2011

Give grace to sow beside all waters

That the fruit of sons and daughters

May be seen around Your table

By Christ Jesus who is able

To present before the Presence

Of Your glory and Excellence

As faultless with exceeding joy

The ones You kept to show Your glory!

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12, 13

Do you worship approval; acceptance of others,

Or true to our God and the sake of our brothers,

Lay down your life by the faith of our Lord,

That He may gain praise: He alone is adored?