Truly we see the work of your hand in the creation around us, O God. Trees have brought forth their leaves and the grass has sprung up. Were you to hold back your arm, the world would shrivel and dry up. Man and beast would languish and our bones would perish.
But each day you display your love. You tend to the needs of creation, you water the land and it produces. You supply food for the cattle, and you bless the toil of our hands.
Indeed, our life is in you. You are the source of our existence and the fountain of goodness.
So our souls bless you. We rejoice in God Almighty, and adore you for your daily grace.
Thank you for ministering to us each day. Thank you for sustaining us and making life to abound.
And let it be that we do minister unto you today. May we perform our service of worship by laying our hearts before you. Accept the offerings of our lips and our sacrifice of praise.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Putrid Springs
God,
As we enter into your majestic presence, we acknowledge our frame. Who are we to ascend the holy mountain? We are small and vile, filled with all sorts of evil. We are like putrefied springs who pour forth all kinds of corruption. You see our inward state, you know that our hearts are clogged with sin and our lives have left a streak of black everywhere we have gone.
God we confess that we are poor sinners. And we are ashamed to think how the scales of judgment do tip because the mass of sin continues to grow hour by hour.
But this is why we fly to you. For you sent your one and only Son into the world to save sinners. And we do look to you for his redeeming grace. We pray that you might not look upon us as we are, but look upon us in Christ. Look upon the wounds of your Son, and let them not be without their worth.
We do pray that you would have compassion upon us and let the merits of our dear Savior abound to us. For this we ask in Jesus’ Name.
As we enter into your majestic presence, we acknowledge our frame. Who are we to ascend the holy mountain? We are small and vile, filled with all sorts of evil. We are like putrefied springs who pour forth all kinds of corruption. You see our inward state, you know that our hearts are clogged with sin and our lives have left a streak of black everywhere we have gone.
God we confess that we are poor sinners. And we are ashamed to think how the scales of judgment do tip because the mass of sin continues to grow hour by hour.
But this is why we fly to you. For you sent your one and only Son into the world to save sinners. And we do look to you for his redeeming grace. We pray that you might not look upon us as we are, but look upon us in Christ. Look upon the wounds of your Son, and let them not be without their worth.
We do pray that you would have compassion upon us and let the merits of our dear Savior abound to us. For this we ask in Jesus’ Name.
A Summer in Calvin's Institutes
What's on your summer reading list? How about John Calvin's magnum opus, The Institutes of the Christian Religion? Calvin's Institutes has been acclaimed as one of the most influential books of all time. Since 2009 marks Calvin's 500th birthday, it is a great time to dabble in its richness.
A study group is forming to discuss select portions of the Institutes. Plans are to begin the first week of June and run through the summer months. There is no hurry to make it through. We're just going to take our time to mosey through Book 3, which is the section dealing with the prayer and Christian life.
Texts can be obtained on a loan basis if so desired. Contact Matt Timmons at covenantofgrace1@msn.com or 419-289-2552 to inquire more or express interest.
Text can also be found on the web here or purchased here.
A study group is forming to discuss select portions of the Institutes. Plans are to begin the first week of June and run through the summer months. There is no hurry to make it through. We're just going to take our time to mosey through Book 3, which is the section dealing with the prayer and Christian life.
Texts can be obtained on a loan basis if so desired. Contact Matt Timmons at covenantofgrace1@msn.com or 419-289-2552 to inquire more or express interest.
Text can also be found on the web here or purchased here.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Thy Kingdom Come
God Above,
That is what we long to see. We long to see your reign extend throughout the earth. We long to see throngs of people praising your name and calling upon you with joy.
So we pray that your kingdom would come, O God. Let your Spirit descend and spread through all the earth. May Christ, our Exalted King, be victorious in the hearts of men, women and children all over the world. May legions of souls be subdued by your strong arm of grace, and brought out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light.
But even in this hour, we pray that your heavenly rule would be mightily manifested among us. We pray that we might enter into the courtroom of the Most High. We ask that we might meet with the One who is robed in majesty and power. We desire to worship the One who has crushed the head of the Serpent and loosened death’s grip.
God, enter into us and confirm us your grace, comfort us with your love, and build us up in the faith. Stir us and strengthen us that we might go forth to do your will.
That is what we long to see. We long to see your reign extend throughout the earth. We long to see throngs of people praising your name and calling upon you with joy.
So we pray that your kingdom would come, O God. Let your Spirit descend and spread through all the earth. May Christ, our Exalted King, be victorious in the hearts of men, women and children all over the world. May legions of souls be subdued by your strong arm of grace, and brought out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light.
But even in this hour, we pray that your heavenly rule would be mightily manifested among us. We pray that we might enter into the courtroom of the Most High. We ask that we might meet with the One who is robed in majesty and power. We desire to worship the One who has crushed the head of the Serpent and loosened death’s grip.
God, enter into us and confirm us your grace, comfort us with your love, and build us up in the faith. Stir us and strengthen us that we might go forth to do your will.
The Shame of Being Ashamed of God
Our Father,
When we look into this Law, we recognize what we deserve. Here we find a perfect standard of love and devotion to you. But O, how terribly we have failed.
How you have not been our God. We have not walked in your ways or sought your guidance. We have rebelled and resisted, turned aside and turned away.
But even in our brighter moments we recognize that we have still failed you. We confess that we have so often been ashamed of you and afraid to vouch for you. Instead of being bold as lions, we have so often been reluctant in sharing the gospel, cowardly in our testimony and weak in our overall profession among men.
We recognize that we deserve to be shunned for having fear men more than God. But we pray that you would not deny us when you bring forth your kingdom. We pray that you would overlook our weakness and pardon all our transgressions.
Moreover we pray that you would crucify within us anything that hinders our profession of you. We know that we are not supposed to have a spirit of timidity, and so we pray that you would take it away. And fill us with a spirit of boldness and give us the courage to execute our duties without fear.
Let us be zealous for your honor, and may it be that the only real fear we have is the fear of offending you.
Amen.
When we look into this Law, we recognize what we deserve. Here we find a perfect standard of love and devotion to you. But O, how terribly we have failed.
How you have not been our God. We have not walked in your ways or sought your guidance. We have rebelled and resisted, turned aside and turned away.
But even in our brighter moments we recognize that we have still failed you. We confess that we have so often been ashamed of you and afraid to vouch for you. Instead of being bold as lions, we have so often been reluctant in sharing the gospel, cowardly in our testimony and weak in our overall profession among men.
We recognize that we deserve to be shunned for having fear men more than God. But we pray that you would not deny us when you bring forth your kingdom. We pray that you would overlook our weakness and pardon all our transgressions.
Moreover we pray that you would crucify within us anything that hinders our profession of you. We know that we are not supposed to have a spirit of timidity, and so we pray that you would take it away. And fill us with a spirit of boldness and give us the courage to execute our duties without fear.
Let us be zealous for your honor, and may it be that the only real fear we have is the fear of offending you.
Amen.
Friday, May 1, 2009
He Is What He Is
Because you are who you are, we worship you. And we bow ourselves before you in humble supplication. Our prayer is that we might arise from this miserable planet and ascend to the temple above. We pray that we might be taken up to the highest heavens and enter the gates of your dwelling. We desire to have contact with you this day, that we might give tribute to the God incomparable, and the King who rules over kings.
Who has all life, glory and goodness but you? Who alone is all sufficient, and the source of our being? Who else dwells in inexpressible light and fills the world with his glory.
All creation flourishes because of your kindness. We become merry and laugh because of your unfailing love. You’ve demonstrated patience, you’ve given grace. You’ve caused the sun to rise again.
So we arise to set our faces toward you. We cast off the world’s affairs and we come with high expectations of encountering our Divine Master. We come to you and seek your wisdom this day. So bless us in your grace today.
Who has all life, glory and goodness but you? Who alone is all sufficient, and the source of our being? Who else dwells in inexpressible light and fills the world with his glory.
All creation flourishes because of your kindness. We become merry and laugh because of your unfailing love. You’ve demonstrated patience, you’ve given grace. You’ve caused the sun to rise again.
So we arise to set our faces toward you. We cast off the world’s affairs and we come with high expectations of encountering our Divine Master. We come to you and seek your wisdom this day. So bless us in your grace today.
Our Word is Sand
True and Faithful God,
You stand by your word through a thousand generations. You waver not from your decrees. And this is why we come to you, humbly seeking your favor and grace.
We have heard of your threats, and we have seen how they were fulfilled with great thoroughness. And we recognize that we are liable to all the curses that are laid out in Scripture for having offended you.
But we know you also to be one who holds out mercy and promises steadfast love. You look with pity upon the penitent and you lift up those who humble themselves before you.
And this is what we wish to do. We place ourselves in a vulnerable position. We come to you with all our sins exposed, confessing our need of your mercy and acknowledging our miserable offenses.
We admit that our word has not held the integrity that it should. In making agreements we have not always been true. Our yes has not always been pure and our no has not always been no. Instead, to our dishonor, our word has often been as firm as sand.
Yes, Father, though faithfulness is not a virtue well practiced by us, we know that it is perfect in you. And you will by no means cast out those who come to you with greif and sorrow in their hearts.
We pray that our offenses would be laid upon the cross. That they would be cast as far from you as the east is from the west. And in their place we ask that a better fruit would be grown. Make us more loyal, trustworthy and sincere. And may our walk be honoring to the profession that we have made.
You stand by your word through a thousand generations. You waver not from your decrees. And this is why we come to you, humbly seeking your favor and grace.
We have heard of your threats, and we have seen how they were fulfilled with great thoroughness. And we recognize that we are liable to all the curses that are laid out in Scripture for having offended you.
But we know you also to be one who holds out mercy and promises steadfast love. You look with pity upon the penitent and you lift up those who humble themselves before you.
And this is what we wish to do. We place ourselves in a vulnerable position. We come to you with all our sins exposed, confessing our need of your mercy and acknowledging our miserable offenses.
We admit that our word has not held the integrity that it should. In making agreements we have not always been true. Our yes has not always been pure and our no has not always been no. Instead, to our dishonor, our word has often been as firm as sand.
Yes, Father, though faithfulness is not a virtue well practiced by us, we know that it is perfect in you. And you will by no means cast out those who come to you with greif and sorrow in their hearts.
We pray that our offenses would be laid upon the cross. That they would be cast as far from you as the east is from the west. And in their place we ask that a better fruit would be grown. Make us more loyal, trustworthy and sincere. And may our walk be honoring to the profession that we have made.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Fearful Attractiveness of God's Holiness
O God,
Like the angels, we bow before you in humble address. For we cannot gaze upon you and live. Your holiness makes you attractive. Our hearts leap at the mentioning of your perfect way and your transcendent being. But yet, our eyes cannot bear the sight. Our frame trembles to even think of entering your presence.
But lo, O God. We desire it. We long to be drawn by your hand into it. And we pray that we might partake of it.
So we call upon your name. We pray that your Spirit might minister to us and assist us as we enter into the holy of holies this hour. We praise you that through Christ our Savior we do have access to you this morning. And we pray that it would be effective for our greater sanctification.
But more than that, we pray that we might give to you the worship that is your due.
Like the angels, we bow before you in humble address. For we cannot gaze upon you and live. Your holiness makes you attractive. Our hearts leap at the mentioning of your perfect way and your transcendent being. But yet, our eyes cannot bear the sight. Our frame trembles to even think of entering your presence.
But lo, O God. We desire it. We long to be drawn by your hand into it. And we pray that we might partake of it.
So we call upon your name. We pray that your Spirit might minister to us and assist us as we enter into the holy of holies this hour. We praise you that through Christ our Savior we do have access to you this morning. And we pray that it would be effective for our greater sanctification.
But more than that, we pray that we might give to you the worship that is your due.
God Sees Us Looking Elsewhere
God, you see through us. You see the very depths of us. Every thought is laid bear before you. Every action is recorded in heaven. Every motive is not hidden from you.
But we come before you because there is the promise of forgiveness with you. Though you see all, you will blot out the transgressions of those who come to you in faith.
Indeed our sin is that we have taken our eyes off of you. We have been distracted by many things and by many affairs. And we have failed to remember your Almighty arm, your sweet provision, and everlasting love.
Thus we have wasted ourselves and our time with worries. We could have rested in you, but instead we have gone the way of the heathen.
Lord, we acknowledge our foolishness before you and we pray that you would acknowledge it no longer. Forgive us and make us clean.
But we come before you because there is the promise of forgiveness with you. Though you see all, you will blot out the transgressions of those who come to you in faith.
Indeed our sin is that we have taken our eyes off of you. We have been distracted by many things and by many affairs. And we have failed to remember your Almighty arm, your sweet provision, and everlasting love.
Thus we have wasted ourselves and our time with worries. We could have rested in you, but instead we have gone the way of the heathen.
Lord, we acknowledge our foolishness before you and we pray that you would acknowledge it no longer. Forgive us and make us clean.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Covenant Fellows to Examine Respectable Sins
After having considered what would be profitable for the Covenant Fellows (the men's group at CRF), I have settled on Jerry Bridges' book Respectable Sins. Bridges books are always highly recommended as they contain deep theology in simple terms (as a matter of fact the CRF ladies are currently studying Bridges book on the Fruit of the Spirit).
Respectable Sins certianly looks to be a probing study as the book addresses the more "acceptable" sins such as discontent, judgmentalism, and envy.
Feel free to join us Tuesday nights at 6:00 at my house (1010 Chestnut St.) whether or not you have a book. Or contact me for more information.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Great Multitude
Praise is due you, O God. For you are drawing unto yourself a people of every tribe, tongue and nation. And we who are gathered here today are only a sample of the myriads who have been appointed to salvation. Indeed, who can number the legions who have gone before us. Who can tell how many will come after us? And who can count them that now populate the earth?
But this thread binds us all, that you have ordained praise from our lips. And we unite our voices today for that very purpose: to exalt you as our God, to worship you as our Savior divine.
We praise the Father, for you have ordained us to inherit everlasting life. We praise the Son, for he has purchased us with his own blood. We praise the Spirit, for he is the guarantee of our inheritance until we gain possession of it. Blessed is our God, and blessed be his Name.
But this thread binds us all, that you have ordained praise from our lips. And we unite our voices today for that very purpose: to exalt you as our God, to worship you as our Savior divine.
We praise the Father, for you have ordained us to inherit everlasting life. We praise the Son, for he has purchased us with his own blood. We praise the Spirit, for he is the guarantee of our inheritance until we gain possession of it. Blessed is our God, and blessed be his Name.
Broken Fellowship
Almighty God,
We have just confessed our common faith. We have voiced the fact that we are united in serving the true and living God. But we wish to confess how we have all failed to live up to that confession. We admit that we have acted foolishly and broken the bond of peace that is to exist among us.
Father, we are sorry for the times that we have majored in minors and have pitted ourselves against one another. Such is so unbecoming of those who belong to the household of faith. And we wish to ask your forgiveness for the times when we have failed to be gracious and forgiving.
We thank you that you are more gracious than we are, that you do not hold us to the same standard we hold others. And we pray that you would fill us with your Spirit, that we might become more like you. That in being united to Christ we would be more united to one another. That in tasting of the love of God we would be more apt to show the love, and strengthened to relish the communion of saints.
We have just confessed our common faith. We have voiced the fact that we are united in serving the true and living God. But we wish to confess how we have all failed to live up to that confession. We admit that we have acted foolishly and broken the bond of peace that is to exist among us.
Father, we are sorry for the times that we have majored in minors and have pitted ourselves against one another. Such is so unbecoming of those who belong to the household of faith. And we wish to ask your forgiveness for the times when we have failed to be gracious and forgiving.
We thank you that you are more gracious than we are, that you do not hold us to the same standard we hold others. And we pray that you would fill us with your Spirit, that we might become more like you. That in being united to Christ we would be more united to one another. That in tasting of the love of God we would be more apt to show the love, and strengthened to relish the communion of saints.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A Confession of Sin for the Ministers of Great Lakes Presbytery
O God,
Do hear our cry, and look down from your holy height with compassion for we are poor sinners, humbled low and to the dust.
We confess to you that all too frequently we have had sleepy souls. We have been dull to the things of God and deadened to your holy ordinances. And we pray that you would forgive us or this. And we pray that you would pardon us for having conducted drowsy ministries.
O how we have lacked the fervency that is expected of us as watchmen. We have been like the disciples in the garden. We have failed to be diligent in prayer and earnestness in presenting our supplications.
Much to our shame we must also confess that this lethargy has also invaded your pulpit. Time after time we have moved our mouths to speak words, but we have not let ourselves be moved by your word. We know you can use passionless preaching—because you are God and your Word is guided by your Spirit—but that does not take away the offensiveness of our inattentiveness and the scarcity of our zeal.
But we acknowledge this sin before you, and we pray that you would cover it and all the others that accompany it. We pray that we might know the sure salvation that is in Christ, and the full pardon that comes through his blood. I pray that you might indeed impress it upon our hearts that we might be more apt to pass it on to our fellow sinners. Give us o God, a fresh taste of your grace, that we might go forth and declare it aboard. Renew our hearts and give us a holy fanaticism that burns ever so keenly.
Do hear our cry, and look down from your holy height with compassion for we are poor sinners, humbled low and to the dust.
We confess to you that all too frequently we have had sleepy souls. We have been dull to the things of God and deadened to your holy ordinances. And we pray that you would forgive us or this. And we pray that you would pardon us for having conducted drowsy ministries.
O how we have lacked the fervency that is expected of us as watchmen. We have been like the disciples in the garden. We have failed to be diligent in prayer and earnestness in presenting our supplications.
Much to our shame we must also confess that this lethargy has also invaded your pulpit. Time after time we have moved our mouths to speak words, but we have not let ourselves be moved by your word. We know you can use passionless preaching—because you are God and your Word is guided by your Spirit—but that does not take away the offensiveness of our inattentiveness and the scarcity of our zeal.
But we acknowledge this sin before you, and we pray that you would cover it and all the others that accompany it. We pray that we might know the sure salvation that is in Christ, and the full pardon that comes through his blood. I pray that you might indeed impress it upon our hearts that we might be more apt to pass it on to our fellow sinners. Give us o God, a fresh taste of your grace, that we might go forth and declare it aboard. Renew our hearts and give us a holy fanaticism that burns ever so keenly.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
To Our King
God almighty,
Blessed is your Name, O God. Blessed be the Lord our God. Kings of earth bow down to you, and their kingdoms cannot compare. For you stretched out the heavens in the span of your hand and your dominion reaches from end to end.
And we gather together in this hour acknowledging that you are our God and that our citizenship is with you in heaven. We wish to proclaim our love for you and how happy we are to be under your good rule.
Most of all we bring out tribute to you. We bring our praise to honor you and render you that which you are due. So let your name be exalted and let your fame be spread from shore to shore.
Blessed is your Name, O God. Blessed be the Lord our God. Kings of earth bow down to you, and their kingdoms cannot compare. For you stretched out the heavens in the span of your hand and your dominion reaches from end to end.
And we gather together in this hour acknowledging that you are our God and that our citizenship is with you in heaven. We wish to proclaim our love for you and how happy we are to be under your good rule.
Most of all we bring out tribute to you. We bring our praise to honor you and render you that which you are due. So let your name be exalted and let your fame be spread from shore to shore.
Most Gracious God,
You are a Saving God, unlike any other. We thank you that you reach down and restore the fortunes of your people.
And we wish to humble ourselves before you and admit our need for Christ’s atonement and your unfailing grace. Many have been our sins, and few have been our acts of righteousness. Yet even those, our good deeds, have been sordid and polluted with all sorts of impure motives.
We admit that we do not deserve to be your children. Neither do we deserve to have access to you now. You would be just if you bolted the doors to your throne room and banned us from this place of worship.
It is amazing to us that you permit us to participate in these holy ordinances. For we are like children who play with diamonds, not knowing their true value and not giving them the regard they deserve.
But you are the God of all grace, and the one who overlooks a multitude of sins. We praise you that you call us to draw near to you. And we do that now, that we might obtain the mercy we need and forgiveness for our lack of reverence.
Moreover, we come to you to ask that you would purge our hearts of all idolatrous acts. Let us not be complacent and presume upon your goodness. But let us put off the sin that so easily entangles and run with endurance the race set before us.
And O God, we look unto Jesus, for he is the author and the perfecter of our faith. He who is now seated at your right hand is our only consolation here in this world and our only hope before your judgment seat.
You are a Saving God, unlike any other. We thank you that you reach down and restore the fortunes of your people.
And we wish to humble ourselves before you and admit our need for Christ’s atonement and your unfailing grace. Many have been our sins, and few have been our acts of righteousness. Yet even those, our good deeds, have been sordid and polluted with all sorts of impure motives.
We admit that we do not deserve to be your children. Neither do we deserve to have access to you now. You would be just if you bolted the doors to your throne room and banned us from this place of worship.
It is amazing to us that you permit us to participate in these holy ordinances. For we are like children who play with diamonds, not knowing their true value and not giving them the regard they deserve.
But you are the God of all grace, and the one who overlooks a multitude of sins. We praise you that you call us to draw near to you. And we do that now, that we might obtain the mercy we need and forgiveness for our lack of reverence.
Moreover, we come to you to ask that you would purge our hearts of all idolatrous acts. Let us not be complacent and presume upon your goodness. But let us put off the sin that so easily entangles and run with endurance the race set before us.
And O God, we look unto Jesus, for he is the author and the perfecter of our faith. He who is now seated at your right hand is our only consolation here in this world and our only hope before your judgment seat.
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