Michael Oher

Please take time to read this NYT story. Michael grew up in downtown Memphis in Hurt Village--the neighborhood I now live in.

Excerpt:

Simpson and o��d�E*I���C-��({Y��&��*u�"�[
`Y�uy@ޠ�hfd����^�m�ϔQp�chael’s father had been shot and killed and tossed off a bridge, that his mother was addicted to crack cocaine and that his life experience was so narrow that he might as well have spent his first 16 years inside a closet. And yet here was his application, in the summer of 2002, courtesy of the Briarcrest football coD��h�
;~ub� �bt�Lgݪ��T��O�l�~y� "(�|;�oR Y�Yż,J���E��ory: Big Mike, as he was called, was essentially homeless and so had made an art of sleeping on whatever floor the ghetto would provide for him.

Charnock - pp 135-160

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That this sacrifice is acceptable to God and efficacious for us, will appear in several propositions.

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Charnock's nine proofs of the above doctrine in our portion for this week are as follows:

1. God took pleasure in the designment and expectation of it
2. God had a restoration of his rest, which had been disturbed by the entrance of sin, and therefore this sacrifice was highly acceptable to God
3. The highest perfections of God's nature had a peculiar glory from this sacrifice (My favorite section)
4. Compare this sacrifice with the evil for which he was sacrificed, and which had invaded the rights of God, and the sweet savour of it will appear, as also the efficacy of it
5. His resurrection after his bloody sacrifice, is a clear evidence of the sweetness of its savour with God, and its sufficiency for us
6. The ascension and full exaltation of Christ after his bloody sacrifice, is a full evidence of this doctrine
7. The admirable virtue of this sacrifice, evidences the sweetness of it in the account of God
8. It is so acceptable to God, that it is a sufficient sacrifice for all, if all would accept of it, and by a fixed faith plead it.
9. The effects of this sacrifice show the acceptableness of it to God

Part I - Why True Christians Doubt

There are a number of reasons why true Christians will doubt their salvation.

It is a lying and hellish manipulative tactic--that has victimized many in our culture--to say that any doubting of one's salvation equals lostness. Evangelists who have a greed for 'decisions' have taught that Satan would never cause a person to doubt his or her salvation because that very doubt just might lead him or her to excercise genuine saving faith in the Lord Jesus. The deceptive logic is now in place, right? Satan doesn't want people saved, so he will not foster doubt lest they become Christians. Therefore the false prophets teach, "Isn't all doubt from God? And isn't all doubt a clear indication that one needs to be saved?"

Because there are so many reasons that a true Christian will doubt his or her salvation, and blog-brevity is always advantageous, I will here limit myself to discussing three primary causes.

1. Satan
2. Sin
3. Sanctification

First, a Christian may be experiencing doubts of his or her salvation because Satan--the 'Author of confusion'--wants to doubly paralyze the believer in his or her effectiveness. The two primary areas the Enemy hobbles us by doubt are (1) God-worship and (2) gospel witness. The doubting Christian is prone to spend more time focusing on self -- "Am I saved," than on God. He is also highly unlikely to be "proclaiming throughout the earth abroad the wonders of Christ's Name," because, after all, he isn't so sure if he should be preaching to others if he's not so sure he's right with his Master. See the paralysis?

It is unlikely that any of us have come into contact with Satan himself. Remember, Satan is not God's evil opposite. No. Just like everything that is not God, Satan is a creature. He was created. God is uncreated. Therefore, Satan does not have any divine attributes. He is not omnipresent. Satan is a real creature, but he is limited. We are no match for him. But he is no match for God. Satan stations himself wherever he supposses he can have the most negative influence. It is highly unlikely that I am the most strategic target in his futile war on God's glory, and most likely, neither are you. Satan is in one place at one time. Only God is everywhere at the same time. However, Satan does have an evil network of demons. Perhaps they are assigned by Satan to each Christian, to torment us, tempt us (but, remember, most of our temptation comes from our own depravity--James 1:14-15), and to do anything within the limits of God's permission (see here, and here) to cause us to forsake our Savior. One source of doubing salvation for a real Christian is Satanic attack.

Second, and obviously, sin is a source of doubt for the real Christian. Think about it. What if God were to lavish assurance on the soul of an unrepentant Christian? Where would the wooing toward a lifestyle of holiness come from? Exactly, it wouldn't. If someone can live in sin, and not be miserable, then that one is no Christian at all. So, of course, unconfessed and unforsaken sin is a major cause of doubt in the lives of many Christians. But we must not make the same mistake as Job's friends, or Jesus' disciples, supposing that every troubles is a direct consequence of sin. That's where we turn to a third source for doubt...

Third, and less obvious, sanctification can be a source of doubt for the real Christian. Sanctificaiton? Yes. Think with me again. Upon genuine conversion, a new babe in Christ is enamored with all that God is for him in Christ Jesus. New categories exist for the new creation in Christ! He is full of love to God. But, in all likelihood, he is still very ignorant of the grandeur of the Triune Person of God. Though repentant, he might only be aware of a smidgen of his wickedness, a fraction of his inordinate self-worship, and barely a tinge of how great a salvation that God has provided for those who love Him. But as is always the case in true Christian conversion, the seed of justifying faith begins to anchor deep roots in the soul and before long, will bud into a tree of sanctifying graces. As Christian growth progresses, so may doubt. A greater knowledge of God could lead to unexpected dispair. Just then, the young Christian wonders to himself or herself, "How could I have even been a real Christian, had real love for God, and not known this about Him?" Take heart true believer, this growth is good evidence that you have been purchased by Christ! If you love Christ and obey His commandments, then buckle your seat-belt because He has promised to reveal more of Himself to you in progressive degrees until you one day see Him face to face!

To Christ Be Glory

'To Him be the glory.' The saved soul longs to give glory to Christ. He looks back over all the way by which he has been led, and says from the bottom of his heart, 'To Him be glory.' He looks to the love of Jesus--to his awakening, drawing, washing, renewing, making him a king and a priest. Ministers may have been used as instruments, but he looks far beyond these and says, To Him be glory. A true Christian will cast his crown nowhere but at the feet of Jesus. It was He that loved me, He that washed me--'To Him be glory.'

Robert Murray McCheyne, The Believer's Joy, 68

William Barclay On Philippians 2:5-11

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It would be true to say that in many ways this is the greatest and most moving passage that Paul ever wrote about Jesus.

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John Calvin On Philippians 2:5-11

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Since, then, the Son of God descended from so great a height, how unreasonable that we, who are nothing, should be lifted up with pride!

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F.B. Meyer On Philippians 2:5-11

* * * *

It is almost unapproachable in its unexampled majesty.

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Paul Reese On Phlippians 2:5-11

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The passage is oceanic for the fathoms are countless and the tides are measureless. In it we enter the depths.

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John MacArthur On Philippians 2:5-11

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This is one of the greatest texts in all the Bible. It is, perhaps, the most profound statement of the Christmas story anywhere in the Word of God.

* * * *

Preparing To Worship By Preparing To Listen Well

If you will be a Grace this Sunday evening, I encourage you to try to make time to read Daniel Wallace's introduction to Philippians. If you only have a few minutes to read, I'd skip to section two entitled "Argument."

Thankful

That God has given me Himself.

You Formed Me In My Mother's Womb

Amazing.

(HT: Drudge Report)

Questioning My Salvation - Introduction

My aim in this short three-part series (following this intro) is not to convince you that you are saved, but to help you battle biblically with life's most serious question... Does God know you? I meant to write it that way.

For years people have come to talk with me because they are struggling with assurance of their salvation. Many Christians, at some point or another, will wonder, "Am I the genuine article?" Some are, some are not.

To state the obvious, when you boil it all down, there are only two types of people who doubt their salvation.

1. Non-Christians
2. Christians

While it is of eternal consequence for you to know God (John 17:3), it is of even greater import to that God knows you (Matthew 7:21-23). Let me show you what I mean...

Matthew 7:21-23

21"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

Nahum 1:7

7The LORD is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble,
And He knows those who take refuge in Him.

II Timothy 2:19

19Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness."

Galatians 4:9

9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?

Matthew 25:12

12"But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'

See what I mean? Apparently God knows some people and does not know others. But wait a minute! Doesn't God know everything and everyone? Yes! But the knowledge spoken of in these verses is a relational knowledge, like a Father to a child. There are many people (Matthew 7:14) whom God does not know as His child.

"Jesus loves me this I know," are lyrics from one of the most theologically rich songs I know. Even sweeter, in my estimation, would be the same song with inverted lyrics; "Jesus knows me, this I love!"

***Now for the question of the ages! How can you and I know if God knows us?

Answer here.

Coming Soon:

• Questioning My Salavation - Part I - Why True Christians Doubt
• Questioning My Salvation - Part II - Don't Ignore Doubt
• Questioning My Salvation - Part III - Advice For All Doubters - Rest In Christ

Ready For A Change Of Life?

Try This.

Shame & Wonder

Because it doesn't appear that I will be able to make it fit into Sunday's sermon on Philippians 2:1-13, I'm constrained to share a great poem with you now:

Shame and wonder intertwine
Within the heart of one
Who views his Savior, Jesus Christ,
The glorious King of paradise
Descend from heaven's throne.

What mystery is hidden there
Within the heart of God
To bid our Savior condescend,
That he might be the Son of Man
And walk this guilty sod?

And more than this, to die upon
The cruel Roman tree
To satisfy the Father's plan
And rescue fallen, sinful man
In great humility?

It is that love beyond the reach
Of human minds to know -
A love not based in fear or need
(He dwells in self-sufficiency),
But from His nature flows;

Love boundless as a shoreless sea
Poured down from heights above
On those who are His enemies;
In selfless magnanimity,
He shows a Father's love.

"And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2:8

Here Is Love

Here is love vast as the ocean
Loving kindness as the flood
When the Prince of life, our ransom
Shed for us His precious blood
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten
Throughout Heaven's eternal days

On the Mount of Crucifixion
Fountains opened deep and wide
Through the floodgates of God's mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide
Grace and love, like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above
And Heaven's peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love

Let us all His love accepting
Love Him ever all our days
Let us seek His Kingdom only
And our lives be to His praise
He alone shall be our glory
Nothing in the world we see
He has cleansed and sanctified us
He Himself has set us free

In His truth He does direct me
By His Spirit through His Word
And His grace my need is meeting
As I trust in Him, my Lord
All His fullness He is pouring
In His love and power in me
Without measure
Full and boundless
As I yield myself to Thee

One Way Creation Praises God

By eating.

The Practice Of The Presence Of God

On July 30, 2000, just three days before my discipler, Clyde Cranford, died, he preached a sermon entitled Practicing The Presence Of God. Little did he know only 72 hours later he would enjoy first-hand God's manifest presence in heaven!

In his sermon, Clyde exhorted us, "Practicing the presence of God requires two things: Being aware of the presence of God; and being aware of God's awareness of you." He underlined again and again, the sin of practical atheism. "The fool has said in his heart there is no God" (Ps. 14:1). "But how many professing Christians," pleaded Clyde, "live as if God existed not?" "Live in His presence! Live in the awareness that every moment, every thought, every move, God is aware of you!"

This takes spiritual discipline. Practicing God's presence--as a way of life--is aquired by God's grace by means of excercising spiritual muscles.

By admission, Clyde took most of his thoughts from Brother Lawrence. Please, please read Lawrence's little book. (Or, online for free here).

Psalm 27 - Look To Christ

Thank you Nathan for preaching Christ from Psalm 27 this evening at Grace. Of all of the things the Lord did in my heart through your sermon, three things stood out to me most. May I live them!

1. Look To Christ - I think you made this statement, in some form, nearly 100 times in the sermon! Thank you! He is sufficient!
2. Live, Look, & Love - In explaining verse 4, you admonished us to pursue that for which we pray because David said, "One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek..." As you pointed it out, I also noticed that David's "one" request was three-dimensional: (A) Live with God ("To dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life"); (B) Look at God ("To gaze upon Your beauty"); and (C) to Love God supremely ("To meditate in Your temple"). May we all live, look, and love.
   
3. Period - At verse 8 you exhorted us to seek Christ "more, and more, and more." I thought of all of the life-transforming things for which I have prayed, but have conjured up reasons to excuse my lack of progress in sanctification. The period at the end of verse 8 stood out to me. "When You said, 'Seek My face,' my heart said unto You, 'Thy face, O Lord, I will seek.'" Not, "Thy face will seek...tomorrow...or, when things are easier...or, if such and such happens." Nope. Just a period. End of sentence. I will seek Thy beautiful face!
   

Thank you for the admonition brother.

"Youth Is Converting Time"

The following sermon by Robert Murray McCheyne on Childhood Conversion is so good I decided to post it in its entiriety. Enjoy. Believe.

Reasons Why Children Should
Fly To Christ Without Delay
by Robert Murray McCheyne

"O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." Psalm 90:14

The late Countess of Huntingdon was not only rich in this world, but rich in faith, and an heir of the kingdom. When she was about nine years of age she saw the dead body of a little child of her own age carried to the grave. She followed the funeral; and it was there that the Holy Spirit first opened her heart to convince her that she needed a Saviour. My dear little children, when you look upon the year that has come to an end, may the Holy Spirit bring you to the same conviction; may the still small voice say in your heart, Flee now from the wrath to come. Fly to the Lord Jesus without delay. "Escape for thy life: look not behind thee."

1. Because life is very short.— "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." Even those who live longest, when they come to die, look back on their life as upon a dream. It is "like a sleep." The hours pass rapidly away during sleep; and when you awake you hardly know that any time is passed. Such is life. It is like "a tale that is told." When you are listening to an entertaining tale it fills up the time, and makes the hours steal swiftly by; even so "we spend our years as a tale that is told."

You have seen a ship upon the river when the sailors were all on board, the anchor heaved, and the sails spread to the wind, how it glided swiftly past, bounding over the billows; so is it with your days: "They are passed away as the swift ships." Or perhaps you have seen an eagle, when from its nest in the top of the rocks, it darts down with quivering wings to seize upon some smaller bird, how swiftly it flies, — so is it with your life: it flies "as the eagle hasteth to the prey." You have noticed the mist on the brow of the mountain early in the morning; and you have seen, when the sun rose with his warm cheering beams, how soon the mist melted away. And "what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

Some of you may have seen how short life is in those around you. "Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?" How many friends have you lying in the grave? Some of you have more friends in the grave than in this world. They were carried away "as with a flood," and we are fast hastening after them. In a little while the Church where you sit will be filled with new worshippers — a new voice will lead the psalm — a new man of God fill the pulpit. It is an absolute certainty that, in a few years, all of you who read this will be lying in the grave. Oh, what need, then, to fly to Christ without delay! How great a work you have to do! How short the time you have to do it in! You have to flee from wrath — to come to Christ — to be born again — to receive the Holy Spirit — to be made meet for glory. It is high time that you seek the Lord. The longest lifetime is short enough. Seek conviction of sin and an interest in Christ. " Oh, satisfy me early with thy mercy, that I may rejoice and be glad all my days."

2. Because life is very uncertain.— Men are like grass; "In the morning, it groweth up and flourisheth: in the evening, it is cut down and withereth." Most men are cut down while they are green. More than one-half of the human race die before they reach manhood. In the city of Glasgow alone, more than one half of the people die before the age of twenty. Of most men it may be said,— "He cometh forth as a flower, and is cut down." Death is very certain, but the time is very uncertain. Some may think they shall not die because they are in good health, but you forget that many die in good health, by accidents, and other causes. Again, riches and ease and comforts, good food and good clothing, are no safeguards against dying. It is written, "The rich man also died, and was buried.'' Kind physicians and kind friends cannot keep you from dying. When death comes, he laughs at the efforts of physicians — he tears you from the tenderest arms. Some think they shall not die because they are not prepared to die; but you forget that most people die unprepared — unconverted — unsaved. You forget that it is written of the strait gate, "Few there be that find it." Most people lie down in a dark grave, and a darker eternity. Some of you may think you shall not die because you are young. You forget that one-half of the human race die before they reach manhood. The half of the inhabitants of this town die before they are twenty. Oh, if you had to stand as often as I have beside the dying bed of little children — to see their wild looks and outstretched hands, and to hear their dying cries — you would see how needful it is to fly to Christ now. It may be your turn next. Are you prepared to die? Have you fled for refuge to Jesus? Have you found forgiveness? "Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."

3. Most that are ever saved fly to Christ when young.— It was so in the days of our blessed Saviour. Those that were come to years were too wise and prudent to be saved by the blood of the Son of God, and he revealed it to those that were younger and had less wisdom. "I thank, thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight." "He gathers the lambs with his arm, and carries them in his bosom." So it has been in almost all times of the revival of religion. If you ask aged Christians, the most of them will tell you that they were made anxious about their souls when young.

Oh, what a reason is here for seeking an early in-bringing to Christ! If you are not saved in youth, it is likely you never will. There is a tide in the affairs of souls. There are times which may be called converting times. All holy times are peculiarly converting times. The Sabbath is the great day for gathering in souls — it is Christ's market-day. It is the great harvest-day of souls. I know there is a generation rising up that would fain trample the Sabbath beneath their feet; but prize you the Sabbath-day. The time of affliction is converting time. When God takes away those you love best, and you say, "This is the finger of God," remember it is Christ wanting to get in to save you: open the door and let him in. The time of the striving of the Holy Spirit is converting time. If' you feel your heart pricked in reading the Bible, or in hearing your teacher, "quench not the Spirit;" "resist not the Holy Ghost ;" "grieve not the Holy Spirit of God." Youth is converting time. "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not." Oh, you that are lambs, seek to be gathered with the arm of the Saviour, and carried in his gentle bosom. Come to trust under the Saviour's wings. "Yet there is room."

4. Because it is happier to be in Christ than out of Christ.—Many that read these words are saying in their heart, It is a dull thing to be religious. Youth is the time for pleasure — the time to eat, drink, and be merry — to rise up to play. Now, I know that youth is the time for pleasure: the foot is more elastic then — the eye more full of life — the heart more full of gladness. But that is the very reason why I say youth is the time to fly to Christ. It is far happier to be in Christ than to be out of Christ.

First, it satisfies the heart.—I never will deny that there are pleasures found out of Christ. The song and the dance, and the exciting game are most engaging to young hearts. But ah! think a moment. Is it not an awful thing to be happy when you are unsaved? Would it not be dreadful to see a man sleeping in a house all on fire? And is it not enough to make one shudder to see you dancing and making merry when God is angry with you every day?

Think again. Are there not infinitely sweeter pleasures to be had in Christ? "Whoso drinketh of this water shall thirst again; but whoso drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst." "In thy presence is fulness of joy: at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore." To be forgiven — to be at peace with God — to have him for a Father — to have him loving us and smiling on us — to have the Holy Spirit coming into our hearts, and making us holy — this is worth a whole eternity of your pleasures. "A day in thy courts is better than a thousand." Oh to be "satisfied with favor, and full with the blessing of the Lord!" Your daily bread becomes sweeter. You eat your meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God." Your foot is more light and bounding, for it bears a ransomed body. Your sleep is sweeter at night for "so he giveth his beloved sleep." The sun shines more lovingly, and the earth wears a pleasanter smile, because you can say, "My Father made them all."

Second, it makes you glad all your days.—The pleasures of sin are only "for a season;" they do not last. But to be brought to Christ is like the dawning of an eternal day: it spreads the serenity of heaven over all the days of our pilgrimage. In suffering days, what will the world do for you? "Like vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart." Believe me, there are days at hand when you will "say of laughter, It is mad and of mirth, What doth it?" But if you fly to Jesus Christ now, he will cheer you in the days of darkness. When the winds are contrary and the waves are high, Jesus will draw near and say, "Be not afraid; it is I." That voice stills the heart in the stormiest hour. When the world reproaches you, and casts out your name as evil — when the doors are shut— Jesus will come in and say, "Peace be unto you." Who can tell the sweetness and the peace which Jesus gives in such an hour? One little girl that was early brought to Christ felt this when long confined to a sick bed. "I am not weary of my bed," she said, "for my bed is green; and all that I meet with is perfumed with love to me. The time, night and day, is made sweet to me by the Lord. When it is evening, it is pleasant; and when it is morning I am refreshed."

Last of all, in a dying day, what will the world do for you? The dance and the song and the merry companion will then lose all their power to cheer you. Not one jest more. Not one smile more. "Oh that you were wise, that you would understand this, and consider your latter end." But that is the very time when the soul of one in Christ rejoices with a joy unspeakable and full of glory. "Jesus can make a dying bed softer than downy pillows are." You remember when Stephen came to die; they battered his gentle breast with cruel stones; but he kneeled down and said, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit." John Newton tells us of a Christian girl who, on her dying day, said, "If this be dying, it is a pleasant thing to die." Another little Christian, of eight years of age, came home ill of the malady of which he died. His mother asked him If he were afraid to die? "No," said he, "I wish to die, if it be God's will: that sweet word, Sleep in Jesus, makes me happy when I think on the grave."

"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again till Christ be formed in you," if you would live happy and die happy, come now to a Saviour. The door of the ark is wide open. Enter now, or it may be never.

Copied by Stephen Ross for WholesomeWords.org from The Works of the Late Rev. Robert Murray McCheyne. 2 vols. New York: Robert Carter, 1848-1850.

Election Not The Main Point..But Still A Point...So Evangelize

God's election of individuals to salvation is not the main point of John 17:1-5 (the text I preached last Sunday evening at Grace). The major theme of those verses, and the entire prayer, is God's unrelenting glorification of God Who alone is glorious (see, v. 1, 4, 5, 10, 22, 24). But clearly election of individuals to salvation is a significant theme in the Lord's prayer (v. 2, 6, 9, 11-12, 24).

This lesson is helpful in understanding how the Biblical doctrine of election is a massive motivation FOR evangelism! (Listening recommended):

Excerpt:

We are not saying that final salvation is unconditional. It is not. We must meet the condition of faith in Christ in order to inherit eternal life. But faith is not a condition for election. Just the reverse. Election is a condition for faith. It is because God chose us before the foundation of the world that he purchases our redemption at the cross and quickens us with irresistible grace and brings us to faith.

Tough Texts

Been a while since the last post in this series. This is a helpful word on how to approach apparent contradictions in God's Word.

Excerpt:

Here's the point. When you find two parts of Scripture that may seem to be in tension with each other, don't make the liberal mistake of jumping to the conclusion that the Bible is inconsistent or self-correcting or in process of moving from enthusiastic error to realistic truth. Instead, picture the things that seem in tension as spoken by a person who means both of them, and regards both of them as true. Then work toward a coherent understanding of them as best you can. This will take you much deeper into the reality of God's truth. And you will honor the divine Author of Scripture.

Lordship & Assurance

I've been working on several posts that show the biblical relationship between our knowledge of God and our salvation (John 17:3). Phil Johnson's post from today is applicable to some of the things I've been considering.

My short series should be beginning next week, Lord willing.

How To Believe A Lie

Start making rules for who God can be.

Who Killed Saul?

I Chronicles 10:4 ::

Then Saul said to his armor bearer, "Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me." But his armor bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therfore Saul took his sword and fell on it.

I Chronicles 10:13 ::

So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the LORD, because of the word of the LORD which he did not keep; and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it, and did not inquire of the LORD. Therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.

Even The Wrong Get It Right Sometimes

Massive portions of the book of Job are wrong. I'm referring to the sections where Job's "friends," Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar each give lengthy, but wrong assessments of Job's circumstances. They are ignorant of God. While attempting to educate Job, they routinely offer long discourses that are mostly untrue. Every once in a while, however, they offer a spot-on truth about God.

God is so Holy that even the heavens are not pure in His sight. Man does drink iniquity like water.

J.C. Ryle - Truly Loving A Child's Soul

From Kairos Journal:

True Love for the Child’s Soul—J. C. Ryle (1816 – 1900)

Bishop of Liverpool and Victorian evangelical leader, J. C. Ryle was well known throughout the 20th century for his writing on spiritual and practical issues. His great aim was to encourage serious Christian living, which included responsible child raising.

Ryle maintained that those who love children wisely will not be satisfied with the world’s curriculum. Earthly custom, fashion, and indulgence do not address the greatest of the child’s concerns, eternal life in Christ. To focus on earthly matters to the neglect of spiritual instruction is a form of cruelty.

It is a subject that concerns almost all. There is hardly a household that it does not touch. Parents, nurses, teachers, godfathers, godmothers, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters,—all have an interest in it. Few can be found, I think, who might not influence some parent in the management of his family, or affect the training of some child by suggestion or advice. All of us, I suspect, can do something here, either directly or indirectly, and I wish to stir up all to bear this in remembrance. . .¹

Soul love is the soul of all love. To pet and pamper and indulge your child, as if this world was all he had to look forward to, and this life the only season for happiness—to do this is not true love, but cruelty. It is treating him like some beast of the earth, which has but only one world to look to, and nothing after death. It is hiding from him that grand truth, which he ought to be made to learn from his very infancy,—that the chief end of his life is the salvation of his soul.

A true Christian must be no slave to fashion, if he would train his child for heaven. He must not be content to do things merely because they are the custom of the world; to teach them and instruct them in certain ways, merely because it is the usual; to allow them to read books of a questionable sort, merely because everybody else reads them; to let them form habits of a doubtful tendency, merely because they are the habits of the day. He must train with an eye to his children's souls. He must not be ashamed to hear his training called singular and strange. What if it is? The time is short,—the fashion of this world passeth away. He that has trained his children for heaven, rather than for the earth,—for God, rather than for man,—he is the parent that will be called wise at last.²

Footnotes :

1	J. C. Ryle, “The Duties of Parents,” in The Upper Room (1888; reprint, London: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1990), 283.
2	Ibid., 290.

Charnock

Week 7: November 16 - pp. 109-134 - Doctrine


Longest section yet, but worth the journey!

Most Persecuted

According to Johan Companjen in Please Pray For Us: Praying For Persecuted Christians In 52 Nations, in the year 2000 these were the 52 countries where Christians suffered the most persecution: (ABC order)

1. Afghanistan
2. Algeria
3. Azerbaijan
4. Bahrain
5. Bangladesh
6. Bhutan
7. Brunei
8. Cambodia
9. Chad
10. Chiapas, Mexico
11. China
12. Columbia
13. Comoros Islands
14. Cuba
15. Djibouti
16. Egypt
17. Ethiopia
18. India
19. Indonesia
20. Iran
21. Iraq
22. Israel
23. Jordan
24. North Korea
25. Kuwait
26. Laos
27. Libya
28. Malaysia
29. Maldives
30. Mauritania
31. Morocco
32. Myanmar
33. Nepal
34. Nigeria
35. Oman
36. Pakistan
37. Peru
38. Philippines
39. Qatar
40. Russia
41. Saudi Arabia
42. Somalia
43. Sri Lankia
44. Sudan
45. Syria
46. Tajikistan
47. Tunisia
48. Turkey
49. Turkmenistan
50. Uzbekistan
51. Vietnam
52. Yemen

Pray for our siblings to suffer well (I Peter 1:11; 2:18-25; 3:14, 16-18; 4:1-2; 12-18; 5:9-11)!

Christian Theism

Grame Goldsworthy writes:

Christian theism thus understands atheistic and theistic humanism in biblical terms. All forms of humanism are expressions of the sinful nature of mankind's refusal to acknowledge the truth of God. They are futile substitutes for the truth.

If the sinfulness of man makes him unable consciously to recognize the truth, what hope is there? The Bible tells us that the deadness of man's heart and his hatred of God are overcome by the goodness of God. He gives a new and special revelation of himself, and he subdues our rebellious wills by His Spirit so that we understand and receive his revelation. The Holy Spirit convinces us that God's Word is the truth. Thus, the converted or believing sinner is being restored in his or her mind to receive the truth of God. Our restoration is not complete until we are transformed through our resurrection on the last day. During this life there is tension between the new life within us and the old life of rebellion against God. We never succeed in being totally consistent in our thinking and doing with what God reveals in his Word. But we are enabled to know things truly for what they are, facts interpreted by God.

According To Plan, 43.

Pastor's Meeting

Don't tell Bryan or Nathan, but I'm posting this while we're sitting in my office having pastor's meeting :)-

Pray for Nathan

Nathan Sawyer is scheduled to preach this weekend at Grace Church. Please pray for him as he prepares.

If I Gave You

If God were to offer you perfect health, a guarantee of endless life on earth, no pain, no sickness, no sadness, unlimited recreation, financial prosperity, far-reaching influence, but you would not have Him, would you take the offer?

Heaven is heaven to the real Christian because he gets to spend eternity with God. Heaven is heaven to Jesus because He returns to intimate fellowship with the Father (John 17:5). Do you want God? Is He your primary motive for desiring eternal life?

Free Book

Pocket-Guide to NT Theology.

Thanks Be To God

Tonight's worship service--the second ever for Grace Church--was encouraging. I feel that my exposition of John 17:1-5 was inadequate. Thankfully, the Lord has chosen to use the foolishness of preaching (and foolish preachers!) to save sinners, sanctify His saints, and glorify His name. Oh for the day when preaching will no longer be needed...

John Piper Is Bad

Bad, bad, bad.

Photo Op

We are looking to compile as many cool photos of major Memphis and/or Mid-South landmarks and cultural symbols as possible for potential use on the soon-to-be-released Grace Church website. Also, we're looking for any worship stimulating pictures of creation, sunsets, etc... too. If you have some pics that fit these categories and would release all rights for us to use them, or are willing to take some pictures for this purpose, please let us know in this comments section of this post. Gracias.

PS - We'd need these burned to a cd and sent to us, so leave your email address for us to contact you.

Genuine Faith Leads To Spontaneous Worship

You are blind. You were born blind. Some guy that you don't recognize finds you. He spits on the ground, mixes His spit with the dirt, smears it on your eyes and tells you to go splash some water on your face from a certain very significantly named pool (Siloam means "sent" which is Jesus' primary message about Himself in the gospel of John.) Miraculously, you can see!

Smart religious people try to convince you that the guy who healed you is a sinner because He healed you on the wrong day of the week. They interrogate you. They interrogate your parents. They tell you that you were "born entirely in sins" as they suggest that someone of your pedigree could have nothing to teach them about spiritual things.

Then the guy who restored your sight heard what they did to you and He finds you. He wants to know if you believe in the "Son of Man?" "Who is that," you ask. He says, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you."

Now my point:

"He said, 'Lord, I believe.' And he worshiped Him." (John 9:38)

Genuine faith leads to spontaneous worship. Worship Jesus now.

Charnock Meeting

Share Here.

In Heaven What Will Obedience To 1 Thess. 5:18 Sound Like?

Something like this.

I Thess. 5:18

Notice Why!

Floored by the Word again this morning!

Jesus explained to those Jews who had "believed" in Him (Jn. 8:31) why they were not of God? According to Jesus was it because of A or B?

A. Because they did not hear the words of God therefore they were not of God, or
B. Because they were not of God therefore they did not hear the words of God.

Answer: John 8:47

Major difference in A & B! Major implications!

A Sad Result Of Potentially Misplaced Faith

I grieve with the family of Linda Long, who recently lost her life in a snake-handling episode. That was someone's daughter, and perhaps wife and mother. Beyond sad. Only 48. [deep sigh!].

Aware, and fearful, of being perceived as inappropriate or at least untimely, I must ask the question, "Why?" Why did Linda Long die? No doubt she was aware of--and operating on the basis of--Mark 16:17-18. No doubt Linda's question to me would be, "If you believe the Bible, then why don't you prove your 'belief' by picking up a serpent too?" Fair question. My trembling response? The object of my faith is not my faith. The object of my faith is Jesus Christ.

I do not believe that if I only had more faith then I would pick up snakes too (or be richer, or healthier, or more influential, or any other aspect of the "faith gospel"). Keep in mind that In those four categories Jesus Himself only batted .500! (He had far-reaching influence, and probably good health, but snakes? And riches? [Jesus did actually handle one serpent!])

That is not to suggest that the object of Linda's faith wasn't Jesus. Nor is to even slightly insinuate that Linda is not now with the Lord. My hope is just the opposite.

Linda surely would have taken to task the notion that the "longer ending" of Mark wasn't part of Mark's original text. She would not have agreed with Greek scholar Daniel Wallace who noted:

Double brackets have been placed around this passage to indicate that most likely it was not part of the original text of the Gospel of Mark. In spite of this, the passage has an important role in the history of the transmission of the text, so it has been included in the translation.

That's a debate for another time.

My point is that snake-handling, tongues-speaking, deadly-poison-drinking-without-dying, healing-producing-hand-laying, and all the rest might all examples of evidences of genuine faith--but they are not necessarily so. At best they are only evidences. The crux of the matter is the object of our faith, not merely its evidences. Indeed, faith without fruit is no faith at all (James 2:17-24). But what may look like fruits of faith without the proper Object of faith is no better (Matthew 7:21-23).

The most important thing in all the world (let me restate, THE most important thing in all the world!) is do you and I rely completely, fully, without reservation or hesitation, wholly upon Jesus Christ alone for favor with God? The object, or resting place, of our faith must not be our faith, or the evidences of our faith, but Jesus--and Jesus only!

"Jordan, If you only believed, then you would be able to handle serpents too," is an accusation I can feel coming in the comments section of this post from the Linda Long types. With all due respect, save your time. I'm less concerned with the outward manifestions of my faith, than with the outward object of my faith. My faith, praise the Lord, is not in me, my actions, the bigness of my faith, or my ability to articulate the point that I'm now trying to make. I'm quite convinced that my faith is not all that big anyway.

But praise be to God that the little speck of faith He has placed within me rests squarely on His faithful Son! Jesus has handeled my Serpent's head with His heel! Hallelujah what a Savior! Trust Jesus. Bear fruit. Don't trust in fruit!

Voice Of The Martyrs

I think Richard Wurmbrand's Tortured For Christ was the first Christian book I ever read. I was in high school. It was given to me in a "goody bag" at a PromiseKeepers event. Little did I know how much motivation that little book would exert in my praying for Christ's persecuted church over a decade later.

That book quickly led me to The Voice of the Martyrs. It gladdens me to lead you there now.

Better Late Than Never - When Voting, Remember That People Are More Important Than Dogs

What would disqualify a person from being eligible for public office? There are some thins the general public would agree on. Participation in corporate fraud - yes. Admission of belief that black people should not hold office - yes. So, can you justify the "rightness" of being a "one-issue" voter?

When we bought our dog at the Humane Society, I picked up a brochure on the laws of Minnesota concerning animals. Statute 343.2, subdivision 1 says, "No person shall . . . unjustifiably injure, maim, mutilate or kill any animal." Subdivision 7 says, "No person shall willfully instigate or in any way further any act of cruelty to any animal." The penalty: "A person who fails to comply with any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor."

This must-read article on "one-issue" voting can be found here.

Vote

If you haven't voted, go now.

How to Confess Sin

I do not know Ted Haggard, and as far as I can remember, I had never heard of the man before his sin was made public. The only thing I have ever heard or seen from him is his letter of repentance and confession to his church. An ominous introduction to be sure!

I do not know this man, and I am not commending him as a person to emulate in any way - with one exception. I would encourage us all to learn from his example when it comes to confessing sin.

Sermon Snippet

Last evening I mentioned a few examples of the disparity between the biblical gospel and the false gospels of today. Please feel free to provide additional examples...

➢ The Biblical gospel says, “Come to Christ and be freed to make much of God."
The false gospel says, “Come to Christ and He will join you in making much of yourself.”

➢ The Biblical gospel says, “Your greatest need is a great view of God.”
The false gospel says, “God’s greatest need is a great view of you.”

➢ The Biblical gospel says, “The display of the glory of God’s grace in the cross of Christ is primarily for God’s glory.”
The false gospel says, “The display of the grace of God in the cross of Christ was primarily because He couldn’t imagine heaven without me.”

➢ The Biblical gospel says, “The chief end of man is to glorify God.”
The false gospel says, “The chief end of God is to glorify man.”

Who Knew

A little polka would lead to a reformation?

(HT: Anthony Carter)

Spiritual-Mindedness And Evangelism

How to be spiritually-minded #17:

Realize that millions of people in the other religions of the world are not looking for people with more American cultural coolness or techno savvy. They are looking for a “holy man,” a “man of God.”

The question will not be, "Is he quick-witted and fast-talking and clever?" The question will be: "Does he pray a lot? Does he know his holy Book, much of it by heart? Is he self-denying and focused on God? Is he powerful in his weakness?"

This quote is from John Piper's latest Fresh Words article.

Glory of God's Grace

If sin pass unpunished, where is the honour of justice? And if all sinners are punished, where is the glory of grace?

Sermons of Samuel Davies; v. 2, 262.

First GC Sermon

John 12:20-36.

Missions Conference

This conference is very helpful. 250,000,000 live in W. Africa. There are over 1600 people groups in this region with NO gospel witness. Why?

Please pray for my heart to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and to know how to help lead GC to own our responsibility to make disciples of all the ethne (peoples) - Matthew 28:18-20.

Charnock Group Meeting

I'm in St. Louis, so I'll have to miss this "meeting." Yes, I'm headed to the weekly rack. Comment away, I look forward to reading your thoughts!

I'm staying with my bro-in-law, so maybe I can convince him to show up? Hey Todd!

The God of the Bible

A few people have asked for the scriptures read this past Sunday evening. If you have 15 minutes, read and enjoy the God of the Bible through His Word.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy "I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite.

Isaiah 45:5-7
"I am the Lord, and there is no other;Besides Me there is no God I will gird you, though you have not known Me; [6] That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, [7] The One forming light and creating darkness,Causing well-being and creating calamity;I am the Lord who does all these.

Isaiah 40:18 To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him?

Isaiah 40:21-29
Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? [22] It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.[23] He it is who reduces rulers to nothing,Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless. [24] Scarcely have they been planted,Scarcely have they been sown,Scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth, But He merely blows on them, and they wither,And the storm carries them away like stubble. [25] "To whom then will you liken Me That I would be his equal?" says the Holy One.[26] Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name;Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.[27] Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God"? [28] Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. [29] He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.

Isaiah 41:4
"Who has performed and accomplished it,Calling forth the generations from the beginning? 'I, the Lord, am the first, and with the last. I am He.'

Isaiah 42:5-8
Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it, [6] "I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, [7] To open blind eyes,To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison. [8] "I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images.

Isaiah 43:10-13
"You are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "And My servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He.Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me.
[11] "I, even I, am the Lord, And there is no savior besides Me. [12] "It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, And there was no strange god among you; So you are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "And I am God. [13] "Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?"

Isaiah 43:21 "The people whom I formed for Myself Will declare My praise.

Isaiah 43:25
"I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.

Isaiah 44:6-8
"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last,
And there is no God besides Me.[7] 'Who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it;Yes, let him recount it to Me in order, From the time that I established the ancient nation.And let them declare to them the things that are coming And the events that are going to take place. [8] 'Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses.Is there any God besides Me, Or is there any other Rock? I know of none.' "
Isaiah 45:17-24
Israel has been saved by the Lord With an everlasting salvation;You will not be put to shame or humiliated To all eternity. [18] For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), "I am the Lord, and there is none else.[19] "I have not spoken in secret, In some dark land; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, 'Seek Me in a waste place'; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, Declaring things that are upright.
[20] "Gather yourselves and come; Draw near together, you fugitives of the nations; They have no knowledge,
Who carry about their wooden idol And pray to a god who cannot save. [21] "Declare and set forth your case;
Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me.
[22] "Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. [23] "I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance. [24] "They will say of Me, 'Only in the Lord are righteousness and strength.' Men will come to Him, And all who were angry at Him will be put to shame.

Isaiah 46:5 "To whom would you liken Me And make Me equal and compare Me, That we would be alike?

Isaiah 46:9-13
"Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other;I am God, and there is no one like Me, [10] Declaring the end from the beginning,And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; [11] Calling a bird of prey from the east,The man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.[12] "Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded, Who are far from righteousness. [13] "I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off; And My salvation will not delay.And I will grant salvation in Zion, And My glory for Israel.

Isaiah 48:9-11
"For the sake of My name I delay My wrath, And for My praise I restrain it for you, In order not to cut you off.
[10] "Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. [11] "For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; For how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another.

Isaiah 55:8-11
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,Nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. [9] "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.
[10] "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; [11] So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Exodus 34:5-7
The Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the Lord. [6] Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; [7] who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations."

Psalm 113:1-9
Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord. [2] Blessed be the name of the Lord From this time forth and forever. [3] From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the Lord is to be praised.[4] The Lord is high above all nations;His glory is above the heavens.[5] Who is like the Lord our God, Who is enthroned on high,[6] Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in heaven and in the earth?
[7] He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the needy from the ash heap,[8] To make them sit with princes,
With the princes of His people.[9] He makes the barren woman abide in the house As a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!

Malachi 1:11 "For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations," says the Lord of hosts.

Romans 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! [34] For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? [35] Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? [36] For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Psalm 8:1 O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!

Psalm 12:6 The words of the Lord are pure words;As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.

Psalm 19:1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Psalm 29:1-9
Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. [2] Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in holy array.[3] The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;The God of glory thunders, The Lord is over many waters.[4] The voice of the Lord is powerful,The voice of the Lord is majestic. [5] The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;Yes, the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.[6] He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, And Sirion like a young wild ox.[7] The voice of the Lord hews out flames of fire. [8] The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; The Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. [9] The voice of the Lord makes the deer to calve And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everything says, "Glory!"

Psalm 67:1-7 God be gracious to us and bless us,And cause His face to shine upon us—Selah. [2] That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations. [3] Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. [4] Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; For You will judge the peoples with uprightnessAnd guide the nations on the earth.Selah. [5] Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. [6] The earth has yielded its produce;God, our God, blesses us.[7] God blesses us,That all the ends of the earth may fear Him.