Listening to God’s Word with an obedient heart will be the single most important thing we could do in 2013.
It’s also something many of us find hard to do on a regular basis, so thanks to Justin Taylor for this post detailing lots of ways to help get into the Bible in 2013.
And if you want Bible Study notes to help you along the way, The Good Book Company currently have 10% off all of their study notes.
Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
whereon the Savior of the world was born.
Rise to adore the mystery of love
which hosts of angels chanted from above.
With them the joyful tidings were begun
of God incarnate and the virgin’s Son.
Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
who heard th’angelic herald’s voice: “Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Savior’s birth
to you and all the nations on the earth.
This day has God fulfilled his promised word:
this day is born a Savior, Christ the Lord!”
Then may we hope, th’angelic throngs among,
to sing, redeemed, a glad triumphant song;
he that was born upon this joyful day
around us all his glory shall display;
saved by his love, incessant we shall sing
eternal praise to heav’n’s almighty King.
John Byrom (1692-1763)
So what ought we to do in the face of the likely introduction of gay marriage? Here are some suggestions by FIEC National Director, John Stevens from an article he has written here:
Man’s maker was made man,
that He, Ruler of the stars,
might nurse at His mother’s breast;
that the Bread might hunger,
the Fountain thirst,
the Light sleep,
the Way be tired on its journey;
that the Truth might be accused of false witness,
the Teacher be beaten with whips,
the Foundation be suspended on wood;
that Strength might grow weak;
that the Healer might be wounded;
that Life might die.
– Augustine of Hippo (Sermons 191.1)
Holidays are frequently times when people get trapped by the expectations game. Because everyone around you assumes that the day is going to be “really good,” “special,” or “fantastic,” and is constantly telling you to have a “merry” one, it is easy to assume that having a merry Christmas is an actual possession of yours, and if not a possession, at least a birthright. Consequently, the tendency is to sketch out in your mind what you would like that possession to be like. But it turns out, metaphorically speaking, that you get socks instead of the shotgun, or cookware instead of pearls, and the expectation lost is a set-up for real disappointment. This is one of the reasons why holidays can be such an emotional roller coaster ride for so many, and Christmas is no exception. (Wilson, God Rest Ye Merry, 100)
Just what do we want most for our kids? Good health, material success, a happy family, a fulfilling career?
Or to be world-opposing slaves of King Jesus.
A dose or reality in our hopes for raising children here from Adam Griffin.
If you’re like me and hope for your kids to be fully devoted followers of Christ, then we need to be raising up a generation who is ready to be distinctly different from their peers. In a lot of ways, that’s the opposite of my natural inclination in how to raise my son. Raising kids who are ready to be hated means raising kids who unashamedly love God even in the face of loathing and alienation. Regardless if the insults of the world are naive or legitimate, I pray our children will be ready to stand firm in the midst of a world that hates them.
WHATEVER IS COMMENDABLE 