We sing to you, O God, and lift up our voices. For our hearts long for you. As a deer pants for streams of water, so we thirst for you.
This morning we claim you again as our own. You are not just a god—being one among many. You are not simply the God. But you are our God, glorious and good.
And our petition this morning is that you would claim us, as we have claimed you; that you would take us to be yours again and set your affection upon us; tat you would have pity on us and abide with us.
O God, you are our chief pleasure. You are the satisfaction of our hearts. And we pray that we might have our fill of you today and rest securely under your wing.
For we ask this in the name that is sweeter than any other, the name of Jesus. Amen.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Our Lack of Self-Control
Almighty God,
We thank you that you are slow to become angry and not hasty in pouring out your wrath. We acknowledge that this is far beyond what we deserve. When we ought to have been wiped from the face of the earth, you showed yourself to be one that does not delight in the death of the wicked. You continually give us ample opportunity to confess our sins and turn from them. You urge us to come to you and be restored by your grace.
Truly we are debtors to your mercy. And what great debtors we are. For we have so little rule over our spirits. We cannot even pride ourselves in being good sport for the Devil, for he finds us easy prey. Not only do we yield to his temptations without resistance, but our ungovernable lusts seek his devilish delights.
But O that you would slay the fiendish cravings of our heart, that we might see our passions subdued and our hearts strengthened against all forms of enticement. O Father, we wish to be more inclined to godliness and more fit to fight against the foolish allurements of this world.
But we do not have it within us. So we come to you and ask that our souls would be your conquest. We pray that you would overrule our desires and place within us a spirit of fear and trembling. We pray that you would develop within us a great distaste for sin and a new yearning for what is good, noble, what is excellent and pure.
God give us cleansing, deep and thorough. We do thank you for the gospel promise and the claim to heaven we have in Christ. For he is our righteousness and he holds the keys to life. But we pray earnestly that your Spirit would have his full work in us. That we might ripen in that sweet fruit of self control and permit us to live more honorably to our God and Savior.
We thank you that you are slow to become angry and not hasty in pouring out your wrath. We acknowledge that this is far beyond what we deserve. When we ought to have been wiped from the face of the earth, you showed yourself to be one that does not delight in the death of the wicked. You continually give us ample opportunity to confess our sins and turn from them. You urge us to come to you and be restored by your grace.
Truly we are debtors to your mercy. And what great debtors we are. For we have so little rule over our spirits. We cannot even pride ourselves in being good sport for the Devil, for he finds us easy prey. Not only do we yield to his temptations without resistance, but our ungovernable lusts seek his devilish delights.
But O that you would slay the fiendish cravings of our heart, that we might see our passions subdued and our hearts strengthened against all forms of enticement. O Father, we wish to be more inclined to godliness and more fit to fight against the foolish allurements of this world.
But we do not have it within us. So we come to you and ask that our souls would be your conquest. We pray that you would overrule our desires and place within us a spirit of fear and trembling. We pray that you would develop within us a great distaste for sin and a new yearning for what is good, noble, what is excellent and pure.
God give us cleansing, deep and thorough. We do thank you for the gospel promise and the claim to heaven we have in Christ. For he is our righteousness and he holds the keys to life. But we pray earnestly that your Spirit would have his full work in us. That we might ripen in that sweet fruit of self control and permit us to live more honorably to our God and Savior.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Psalm 108:1-3
My heart is fixed, O God; I'll sing; my psalms I'll raise.Yes, God, we will give thanks to you among the peoples. We will raise our songs of praise to you amidst our brethren; amidst the nations we will exalt you as Lord. For your love is as vast as the heavens above us. Your mercy is as deep as the oceans below. Your faithfulness is more steadfast than the mountains and rocks of earth.
My soul shall sing; awake O harp! At dawn I'll wake to praise.
I will give thanks to Thee among the peoples, Lord.
Among the nations of the world to Thee I'll psalms accord.
And we pray that your glory would be advance. That today, in this hour your might receive us again into your presence, and accept the praises we bring. We pray too that our voices would resound with melodies of adoration. We pray that the unison of our voices would match the harmony of our hearts. Lord, would even that the tones of our lips might resonate beyond these walls—touching those who still do dwell in the darkness of their sins.
Yet, whatever may occur beyond us, we pray that this room would be wholly devoted unto you. That our souls might be taken up to heaven, that we might meet with you and be sanctified by your Spirit.
Facination with the Lesser
Gracious God,
How we stand in need of your mercy and grace. Every minute we need you. For not a moment goes by where we do not defiled ourselves in sin. Even the few moments we have been united together—ever since we were called to worship you—we have let our minds wander to carnal things. This just shows our fascination with the world and its cares.
Why is it our hearts chase after lesser things? This we cannot even fathom. For what could be more desirable than you? What is more satisfying? What could ever bring more happiness and consolation?
This indeed is a great mystery to us, O God. But what is more, it is a great sin. And we confess it to you now and do pray that you would mend our hearts from this incurable disease. Let our hearts be fettered that they might always meditate upon your kindness. Let our roaming minds be stilled and stayed upon Jehovah.
How we stand in need of your mercy and grace. Every minute we need you. For not a moment goes by where we do not defiled ourselves in sin. Even the few moments we have been united together—ever since we were called to worship you—we have let our minds wander to carnal things. This just shows our fascination with the world and its cares.
Why is it our hearts chase after lesser things? This we cannot even fathom. For what could be more desirable than you? What is more satisfying? What could ever bring more happiness and consolation?
This indeed is a great mystery to us, O God. But what is more, it is a great sin. And we confess it to you now and do pray that you would mend our hearts from this incurable disease. Let our hearts be fettered that they might always meditate upon your kindness. Let our roaming minds be stilled and stayed upon Jehovah.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Holy Jealousy
Almighty God,
Come O God, come. Come to us and anoint us with your good Spirit. You have promised that you will draw near to those who draw near to you. You will exalt him whose heart is humble. You will do whatever we ask when we petition you in your name.
So hear our prayer today: Let us abide in your presence. Let us find a home at your side and a place at your feet.
O how we envy the angels, for they stand before you night and day. We are jealous of those saints who have passed from this earth and do now worship you in heaven. For they gaze upon your holiness and bask in your infinite splendor.
But though we cannot have the fullness of what they have, we pray that we might be able to partake of a portion of it. We pray that your presence would still be manifested among us. O that we might taste of the heavenly kingdom and worship you in the power of your grace.
For this we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Come O God, come. Come to us and anoint us with your good Spirit. You have promised that you will draw near to those who draw near to you. You will exalt him whose heart is humble. You will do whatever we ask when we petition you in your name.
So hear our prayer today: Let us abide in your presence. Let us find a home at your side and a place at your feet.
O how we envy the angels, for they stand before you night and day. We are jealous of those saints who have passed from this earth and do now worship you in heaven. For they gaze upon your holiness and bask in your infinite splendor.
But though we cannot have the fullness of what they have, we pray that we might be able to partake of a portion of it. We pray that your presence would still be manifested among us. O that we might taste of the heavenly kingdom and worship you in the power of your grace.
For this we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Confessing our Conformity
Dear God,
As we come before you we recognize that we are unsuited for your presence. We are defiled with sin and stand in need of a cleansing that only you can give.
You have every right to chase us away—to run us out of your good presence like Adam before us. Indeed, if we were cast out into the outer darkness, you would be justified in your actions.
But we know that you accept the one whose heart is penitent and you show mercy to the brokenhearted. He who has nothing you make rich, and you eye is ever on the poor in spirit.
And as we turn to you now we pray that you might pardon us for looking so much like the world: for taking their views, for following their idols, for imitating their ways and embracing their pride. Too often we have been the world’s twin, rather than its greatest enemy.
Do cleanse us from this filth and lift us out of this mire. We pray that you would give us instead a zeal to pursue your law; to be conformed to the image of your Son; to mimic the angels in heaven. No longer do we wish to be a friend of the world, but instead we desire to be a threat to it.
Dear God, let us be holy, even as you are holy. Amen
As we come before you we recognize that we are unsuited for your presence. We are defiled with sin and stand in need of a cleansing that only you can give.
You have every right to chase us away—to run us out of your good presence like Adam before us. Indeed, if we were cast out into the outer darkness, you would be justified in your actions.
But we know that you accept the one whose heart is penitent and you show mercy to the brokenhearted. He who has nothing you make rich, and you eye is ever on the poor in spirit.
And as we turn to you now we pray that you might pardon us for looking so much like the world: for taking their views, for following their idols, for imitating their ways and embracing their pride. Too often we have been the world’s twin, rather than its greatest enemy.
Do cleanse us from this filth and lift us out of this mire. We pray that you would give us instead a zeal to pursue your law; to be conformed to the image of your Son; to mimic the angels in heaven. No longer do we wish to be a friend of the world, but instead we desire to be a threat to it.
Dear God, let us be holy, even as you are holy. Amen
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
New Study on the Church
What do you know about the Church? If you are like most people, not much.That is why CRF is embarking on a new study on the doctrine of the church (otherwise known as ecclesiology) in its Sunday evening study (6:30 p.m.).
It has been said that "Protestant theology has concerned itself largely with salvation truth to the neglect of the doctrine of the church." Indeed this is true. Many can speak of Jesus, but most do not know a thing about what Jesus says regarding his bride.
Moreover, it is important in a day when the church is governed more by pragmatism and personal affinities than by God's Word that we turn to the Bible to find out what the church should be and do.
The study will begin by looking at the attributes of the church, which are outlined in the Nicene Creed: I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Then we will consider other pertinent topics, such as the marks of of a true and false church, the mission of the church, church government and sacraments.
All along the way we'll be diving into contemporary issues such as the ecumenical movement, the church growth movement, and the issue of social action. Practical questions (such as, when is it right to leave a church? what is my role as a member of a local church? and do para-church ministries have biblical authorization?) will also be addressed throughout.
Faith Lessons for CRF's Tuesday Night Men's Group
The men of CRF have begun what looks to be a great series of videos from Ray VanderLaan and his Faith Lessons series. In the Dust of the Rabbi is the title of the videos we will be watching each Tuesday night at 6:00. If these videos are anything like the earlier ones from the Faith Lessons series, then they are sure to be excellent.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Reformation Day Celebration
This Friday (Oct 31st) is Reformation Day! We'll be celebrating by wathing the movie Luther. You are most welcome to come and join us. Just let me know. Don't forget to read your 95 Theses too in honor of our great heritage.
Mighty God,
What debt of love we do owe you. How can we repay? You have loved us with a matchless love. You have poured out mercy upon mercy. Torrents of grace have come down and we have been swallowed up by a deluge of love.
Yet you were not satisfied with that. You would not be content with a mere reconciliation. You would not stop until our hearts had been fully subdued and we made your children. This being so you have hounded us and hunted us. You have sought us and saved us.
So we stand here today as princes—heirs of eternity. We look to inherit a rich treasure, a great kingdom, a life of constant pleasure and happiness.
And so we call upon your Name, that name that is above all names, and ask that you might meet with us here. And continue to affirm your love for us. Bind us to yourself with that matchless devotion. For there is no one like you. There is no one who can even begin to imitate the bounty of your affection.
What debt of love we do owe you. How can we repay? You have loved us with a matchless love. You have poured out mercy upon mercy. Torrents of grace have come down and we have been swallowed up by a deluge of love.
Yet you were not satisfied with that. You would not be content with a mere reconciliation. You would not stop until our hearts had been fully subdued and we made your children. This being so you have hounded us and hunted us. You have sought us and saved us.
So we stand here today as princes—heirs of eternity. We look to inherit a rich treasure, a great kingdom, a life of constant pleasure and happiness.
And so we call upon your Name, that name that is above all names, and ask that you might meet with us here. And continue to affirm your love for us. Bind us to yourself with that matchless devotion. For there is no one like you. There is no one who can even begin to imitate the bounty of your affection.
God of all grace,
You have set us in this world to be salt and light. You called us to be separate from the world and a witness to the world. But we acknowledge that we have failed this holy calling.
Despite having received from you blessing upon blessing, we have grumbled and complained. We have despaired and doubted. Our faces have not reflected the joy that ought to characterize those who have been sanctified by your grace. And our lives have been filled with corruption.
We acknowledge the fact that we are defiled with the stain of sin. And we pray that you would forgive us for continuing to go back to wallow in the cesspool of our sin.
We ask that you would purge from us the iniquity that still litters our hearts. We ask, O God, that you would renovate these barren temples. Make them suitable for your divine presence. Clear away all that is vile. Melt away our longings for unrighteousness. Make us strong against temptation and shield us from evil.
We thank you for Jesus, and the promise of the gospel. We thank you that he did suffer and die upon the cross to bear the penalty of our sin.
And now, Father, we ask that you could cause our souls cleave to you and you alone. We pray that we might be testimonies to the Spirit’s work. That we might be your epistles to this world, having the gospel of grace written on our hearts. That others might find grace with you through us. Make it so, for Jesus sake.
You have set us in this world to be salt and light. You called us to be separate from the world and a witness to the world. But we acknowledge that we have failed this holy calling.
Despite having received from you blessing upon blessing, we have grumbled and complained. We have despaired and doubted. Our faces have not reflected the joy that ought to characterize those who have been sanctified by your grace. And our lives have been filled with corruption.
We acknowledge the fact that we are defiled with the stain of sin. And we pray that you would forgive us for continuing to go back to wallow in the cesspool of our sin.
We ask that you would purge from us the iniquity that still litters our hearts. We ask, O God, that you would renovate these barren temples. Make them suitable for your divine presence. Clear away all that is vile. Melt away our longings for unrighteousness. Make us strong against temptation and shield us from evil.
We thank you for Jesus, and the promise of the gospel. We thank you that he did suffer and die upon the cross to bear the penalty of our sin.
And now, Father, we ask that you could cause our souls cleave to you and you alone. We pray that we might be testimonies to the Spirit’s work. That we might be your epistles to this world, having the gospel of grace written on our hearts. That others might find grace with you through us. Make it so, for Jesus sake.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Our King and Our God,
To you we come this day wishing we had a thousand tongues to sing your praise. Even then it would not be sufficient to voice what we owe you. Neither then would we be able to express how glorious you are.
Your majesty is radiant. You are robed with honor. Yet we are limited creatures, we are but worms in comparison to your greatness. But we come as you have commanded. We shrink not back from our duty of worship. No, we come with glad hearts and jubilant spirits. For you are our all in all. We live because of you. We breath in this air because you have permitted us this simple grace.
And as we come to draw near to you, we pray that you would draw near to us. Come to us and abide with us. Make your dwelling place within us. Renew your love to us and shine your face upon us we pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
To you we come this day wishing we had a thousand tongues to sing your praise. Even then it would not be sufficient to voice what we owe you. Neither then would we be able to express how glorious you are.
Your majesty is radiant. You are robed with honor. Yet we are limited creatures, we are but worms in comparison to your greatness. But we come as you have commanded. We shrink not back from our duty of worship. No, we come with glad hearts and jubilant spirits. For you are our all in all. We live because of you. We breath in this air because you have permitted us this simple grace.
And as we come to draw near to you, we pray that you would draw near to us. Come to us and abide with us. Make your dwelling place within us. Renew your love to us and shine your face upon us we pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Our God and Savior,
We realize that we have broken covenant with you and have transgressed your law. We have not been humble enough to walk with you. We have not delighted ourselves in you. When you called us out of the storm of sin, we refused to come. We were more content to wallow in our iniquity and enjoy the pleasures of the flesh.
You have called us to walk in your way, to enjoy peace of conscience, and to find the bounty of eternal happiness. But we have not listened to your voice, nor heeded the beckoning of your Spirit.
But we turn to you now with grief in our hearts and sorrow for our sins. We are pained that we have left our first love and sought our own way. We cannot even explain why we were tempted to find our fulfilment in anything else. For you are the chief good and man’s supreme pleasure.
So, O God, we pray that you would not turn us away. As we turn to you we pray that you would turn again to us. Be gracious to us and forgive us. Mend us and restore us. Fill us and renew us with your grace. For we long to walk with you in newness of life. We long for the day when these chains of sin will be broken and ask that it would be this day that the remnants of sin would be continually splintered and put away forever.
We realize that we have broken covenant with you and have transgressed your law. We have not been humble enough to walk with you. We have not delighted ourselves in you. When you called us out of the storm of sin, we refused to come. We were more content to wallow in our iniquity and enjoy the pleasures of the flesh.
You have called us to walk in your way, to enjoy peace of conscience, and to find the bounty of eternal happiness. But we have not listened to your voice, nor heeded the beckoning of your Spirit.
But we turn to you now with grief in our hearts and sorrow for our sins. We are pained that we have left our first love and sought our own way. We cannot even explain why we were tempted to find our fulfilment in anything else. For you are the chief good and man’s supreme pleasure.
So, O God, we pray that you would not turn us away. As we turn to you we pray that you would turn again to us. Be gracious to us and forgive us. Mend us and restore us. Fill us and renew us with your grace. For we long to walk with you in newness of life. We long for the day when these chains of sin will be broken and ask that it would be this day that the remnants of sin would be continually splintered and put away forever.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy God,
We praise your name! We exalt you because you are infinite in holy perfection. Moreover, you are holy in that you transcend this creation and far surpass all that has been made by the power of your word. Even the angels in their burning light must fall down and cover their faces when in your presence.
As we come into your presence we do wish to rejoice that you have made us fit for your presence. We thank you that through the blood of your Son we have been justified. We give you praise for the outpouring of your Spirit, who has washed us and sanctified us so that we can stand before you and worship you today as the angels in heaven.
Moreover we thank you that we might be ones whom you have called to be holy. We do ask that you would come to us during this time of worship and stir our hearts up to that end. We pray that we might leave here with faces burning like Moses. We pray that our hearts might be set aflame with holy desires. We pray that in this time, as we are exposed to your majestic splendor, sin might be burnt like chaff and purged from our souls forever more.
We praise your name! We exalt you because you are infinite in holy perfection. Moreover, you are holy in that you transcend this creation and far surpass all that has been made by the power of your word. Even the angels in their burning light must fall down and cover their faces when in your presence.
As we come into your presence we do wish to rejoice that you have made us fit for your presence. We thank you that through the blood of your Son we have been justified. We give you praise for the outpouring of your Spirit, who has washed us and sanctified us so that we can stand before you and worship you today as the angels in heaven.
Moreover we thank you that we might be ones whom you have called to be holy. We do ask that you would come to us during this time of worship and stir our hearts up to that end. We pray that we might leave here with faces burning like Moses. We pray that our hearts might be set aflame with holy desires. We pray that in this time, as we are exposed to your majestic splendor, sin might be burnt like chaff and purged from our souls forever more.
We Can Do Nothing
Dearest Lord,
You are the God who dwells in heaven, and we are the people who have erred and gone astray. Your law declares your holiness. It convicts us of our evil and condemns us for it. Yet we come to you, poor sinners that we are, and seek your pardon.
We can by no means cover our guilt or make up for our offenses. No amount of offerings can take away your anger and no amount of charity could outweigh our evil. Even if we were to have the power to cease from our iniquity at this very hour, we know that we would still owe a debt beyond our ability to repay.
So as we come to you all we can do is throw ourselves upon your mercy, and look to the blood of your Son, our Savior. IN him we find one who is sufficient to pay our debt. In him we find our only hope of heaven and means of salvation.
So we pray that you would pardon our iniquity and fill us with a holy fear of you. Let us be ever thankful for your grace and sanctified by it. Let your spirit dwell within us continually and let him have his purifying work.
You are the God who dwells in heaven, and we are the people who have erred and gone astray. Your law declares your holiness. It convicts us of our evil and condemns us for it. Yet we come to you, poor sinners that we are, and seek your pardon.
We can by no means cover our guilt or make up for our offenses. No amount of offerings can take away your anger and no amount of charity could outweigh our evil. Even if we were to have the power to cease from our iniquity at this very hour, we know that we would still owe a debt beyond our ability to repay.
So as we come to you all we can do is throw ourselves upon your mercy, and look to the blood of your Son, our Savior. IN him we find one who is sufficient to pay our debt. In him we find our only hope of heaven and means of salvation.
So we pray that you would pardon our iniquity and fill us with a holy fear of you. Let us be ever thankful for your grace and sanctified by it. Let your spirit dwell within us continually and let him have his purifying work.
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