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Another Newton hymn this time. You can find this one in the Trinity Hymnal, #320. That tune is not familiar to me and it repeats the last portion of each verse. The version below works with any of the "Rock of Ages" tunes you might know. Safely through another week
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Here's some material to kick off your weekend.
This isn't exactly about the Lord's Day, but it is about preparing to receive the Word of God preached on the Lord's Day. This is from John Piper in A Godward Life Book Two (368-371) This book has 120 daily devotional readings. This is #115 entitled "Take Heed How You Hear! Ten Practical Preparations for Hearing the Word of God on Sunday Morning A Meditation on Luke 8:18, RSV Take heed then how you hear; for to him who has will more be given, and from him who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away." He goes on to give 10 points and then comments on each one. I'll just list the 10 points and some of the scripture verses he references. 1. Pray that God would give you a good and honest heart. Ezekiel 36:26, Jeremiah 24:7 2. Meditate on the Word of God. Psalm 34:8 3. Purify your mind by turning away from worldly entertainment. James 1:21, Philippians 4:8 4. Trust in the truth that you already have. Luke 8:13, Jeremiah 17:7-8 5. Rest long enough Saturday night to be alert and hopeful Sunday morning. 1 Corinthians 6:12 6. Forebear one another Sunday morning without grumbling and criticism. Psalm 106:25, Matthew 5:23-24, James 1:19 7. Be meek and teachable when you come. James 1:21 8. Be still as you enter the room and focus your mind's attention and heart's affection on God. Psalm 46:10 9. Think earnestly about what is sung and prayed and preached. 1 Corinthians 14:20, 2 Timothy 2:7 10. Desire the truth of God's Word more than you desire riches or food. 1 Peter 2:2, Psalm 19:10-11
Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 38 Q. 103 What is God's will for you in the fourth commandment? A. First, that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained, and that, especially on the festive day of rest, I regularly attend the assembly of God's people to learn what God's Word teaches to participate in the sacraments, to pray to God publicly, and to bring Christian offerings for the poor. Second that every day of my life I rest from my evil ways let the Lord work in me through his Spirit, and so begin already in this life the eternal Sabbath. Hope you have a great weekend!
Here are some thoughts on the Sabbath from Joseph Pipa in his book The Lord's Day: "In Puritan England the market day was the chief business and social day of the week. Farmers, craftsmen, merchants, and housewives would come from the surrounding countryside and villages to buy and sell. Believing that God had appointed the Lord's day for especially important transactions with God, the Puritans called the Sabbath 'the market day of the soul.'...By referring to the Sabbath as 'the market day of the soul', the Puritans remind us that God gave us this day above all other days to conduct spiritual commerce. The purpose of the Fourth Commandment is to free us from our daily business so that we may do business with Him on 'the market day of the soul.'" (Pipa, The Lord's Day, 42-43) I hope we come ready tomorrow to stock up on truth and to get reoriented towards our great God as we worship him so we are prepared to face the week ahead. We have a day given over to this wonderful privilege; may we make good use of it! I hope you have a great Independence Day weekend!
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When I quote Scripture In this blog, unless otherwise indicated, the quotations are usually from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission.
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