Rediscovering Jesus' Hymnbook (via 9Marks)

Interesting article from 9Marks on Psalm Singing (which I have only recently meet people who do).

How interested would you be if archaeologists unearthed a hymnbook embossed with the name, “Jesus of Nazareth?” Overlooking the anachronism for a moment, wouldn’t “Jesus’ hymnbook” be immediately republished and rocket to the best-seller lists? Wouldn’t those songs find instantaneous popularity in worship services across the globe?

We have that hymnbook. We do know what songs Jesus sang: he sang the psalms.

Continue Reading....

Will we light the spark?

Reading up on the Third Great Awakening (1850-1900) for a history paper.  Many profound things marked this revival, both positive and negative, but the emphasis on prayer and unity really struck me.  Walter Hampel writes, "Denominational differences were considered important but secondary to the purpose of seeking God’s face in prayer."  This unity in prayer is credited with much of how the revival "spread to be like a lightning strike in a forest".  Christians, will we light the spark of revival on our knees?

Thought for the Day: "Free Will"

“Free Will” is a concept many people boast in.  Free Will is the ability is “do as we please”.  But, then is free will in fact not free, but a servant to pleasure?  The prophets of old told of a day when we would get new desires through a New Covenant.

By His death, Jesus inaugurates this New Covenant (Luke 22:20) in the hearts of His People and regenerates them from death to life (Eph. 2:1-10) not by infringing on “free will” but by redirecting desires away from sin and toward Christ. 
Apart from God's work you would never chose Him (Romans 3:10). 
Praise Him for His gift of a new heart.

“Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.” - Luther

Great Response to the Nye-Ham Debate from Last Night

"The central issue last night was really not the age of the earth or the claims of modern science. The question was not really about the ark or sediment layers or fossils. It was about the central worldview clash of our times, and of any time: the clash between the worldview of the self-declared “reasonable man” and the worldview of the sinner saved by grace."

Check out Al Mohlers Response HERE.

Missionary Ann Judson on the Topic of Missions:

"I want the Baptists throughout the United States to feel, that Burmah must be converted through their instrumentality. They must do more than they have ever yet done. They must pray more, they must give more, and make greater efforts to prevent the Missionary flame from becoming extinct. Every Christian in the United States should feel as deeply impressed with the importance of making continual efforts for the salvation of the heathen, as though their conversion depended solely on himself. Every individual Christian should feel himself guilty if he has not done and does not continue to do all in his power for the spread of the gospel and the enlightening of the heathen world. But I need not write thus to you. You see, you feel the misery of the heathen world. Try to awaken Christians around you. Preach frequently on the subject of Missions. I have remarked it to be the case, when a minister feels much engaged for the heathen, his people generally partake of his spirit." (Letter to Francis Wayland, 22 January 1823)

Hebrews 13 is a reminder that "acceptable worship" has nothing to do with which instruments we play or the clothes we wear, but the lives we live.