December is almost over, another year is about to pass. Time just keeps moving no matter what time of the year it is. Some seems faster than others. We are going to be making some changes to the blog. In fact, we will have a newly redesigned blog for 2010, going into effect around mid January. New name, blog and everything. Our purpose has always been but now seems to be more expedient to bring a light to the truth of the scriptures in our lives. We need a reformation today.
Isn’t it comforting to know that we have a Bible that is accurate and can be trusted to supply all of what we need. Some doubt it as a book written by men but how can that be with a span of over 1600 years and some 40 authors. Answers in Genesis wrote about such a question.
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God is sovereign over these things, he foresees them all, he causes or permits them all, and when he causes or permits something, he does so with purpose and design.
- The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. (Proverbs 16:33)
- Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21)
- The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.” (Psalms 33:10)
- [The Lord] declares the end from the beginning . . . saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” (Isaiah 46:10)
I do not know if I will ever be able to ‘comprehend’ the vast coverage of God’s sovereign design and plan but what great comfort to be one of His in this plan. To God be the glory!
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Proud people can’t be grateful. So here are three very humbling truths for the sake of your thankfulness.
1. Nature teaches us that an infinitely marvelous, eternally powerful being created us and all we have. Therefore we are his creatures. He owns us. Our life, our breath, and everything we have is a gift. Our duty is simply to be thankful to him from our heart and to cherish his glory.
2. All of us have fallen short of this duty. We have not consistently prized the diamond of God’s glory with an affection anywhere near its value. Instead, we’ve exchanged it again and again for the cracked marbles that in our great “wisdom” we have determined are more valuable.
3. God, in his great mercy, sent his Son to suffer the judgment of people who are broken and contrite in spirit and who trust in him.
Proud people don’t say thanks, but people who believe these three truths do. We are utterly dependent; we are depraved sinners; and we are redeemed and forgiven through contrite faith.
If this penetrates our hearts today, we will be emptied of pride and filled with thankfulness to God.
The following is adapted from John Piper’s sermon, “Proud People Don’t Say Thanks.”
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Men should be accountable to other men in order to avoid a hard heart. Hebrews 3:13 “But exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Desiring God ministries has a form that all of their pastors fill out each week when they meet together. All would agree that it is not the filling out of the form that matters but the heart behind it. We all desire to be true and holy to our God.
Although this form is directed at pastors of the church where Piper is senior pastor it can be modified for men who want and desire to be pure in their walk with God.
Do not think that you are too big to fall into sin. Just because you have a daily study habit or some other method that you cannot fall into the trap of sin. Be on guard and seek to be holy before the Lord.
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