Be the treasure of my heart

O Jesus, take my bent away
For thinking much of me,
And kill my pride, and from this day
With mercy make me free.

O Jesus, grant the gift to see
The treasure that you are,
And as the night eclipses me,
O be my Morning Star.

And now if I should serve, or lead,
Or give, or mercy show,
O Jesus, let my love be freed,
And like a river flow.

O Jesus, be the treasure of
My heart and all I do,
And may the river of my love
Alone make much of you.

— John Piper“Using Our Gifts in Proportion to Our Faith, Part 2″(Minneapolis, Minn.: Desiring God Ministries, Nov. 7, 2004)

(HT: First Importance)

 

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Does Christ really love me?

Let us count the ways. . . .

• He has accepted me in Christ (1 Pt. 2:5)
• He was made a Savior that He might be with me (Mt. 1:23)
• He gave Himself up for my transgressions (Rom. 4:25; Gal. 1:4)
• He paid the ransom for my debt of sin (1 Tim. 2:6)
• He offers gentle patience to bring me to repentance (Rom. 2; Ps. 25:18)
• He has reconciled me to Him (2 Cor. 5:18-21; Col. 1:20-23)
• He has forgiven me (Eph. 1:7; 4:31-32)
• He has provided me the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:26) to teach me and comfort me
• He has given me abundant life (Jn. 10:10)
• He has demonstrated His love for me through His actions towards me and for me (Rom. 5:8)
• He has freed me from the bonds of sin and released me from the destiny of hell (Rom. 6)
• He gave himself for me (Eph. 5:25; Rom. 5:8)
• He continues to intercede before God on my behalf (Rom. 8:34)
• He defends me against the accuser Satan (Rev. 12:10; Heb. 7:25)
• He has made me a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17)
• He has justified me — given me His imputed righteousness (Rom. 5:1; 2 Cor. 5:2)
• He has sealed me (guaranteed my future) by the gift of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14)
• He has protected me (Jn. 10:29-30; Rom. 8)
• He has shepherded me (Jn. 10)
• He has given me the truth (Jn. 14:6; 1 Tim. 3:15)
• He has remained faithful to Himself and me (2 Tim. 2:15; Lam. 3:22-23)

Compiled by Terry Enns.

 

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Great February wallpaper for your computer or apple devices

If you are looking to brighten up your month with some great wallpaper that works on your computer or apple devices, Challies has a dozen or so HERE.

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Ask the counselor: does God get upset with believers?

Does God get upset when we disobey?

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You are behind enemy lines

Charles Spurgeon on the church:

“She is the church militant here below, and both in suffering and in service she is made to prove that she is in an enemy’s country. She is contending for the truth against error, for the light against darkness: till the day break and the shadows flee away, she must maintain her sentinels and kindle her watch fires; for all around her there is cause to guard against the enemy, and to descend the royal treasure of gospel truth against its deadly foes.”

(HT: James White)

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Questions for a new month

• Are you becoming more like Jesus?
• Did you become more like Jesus in January?
• How will become more like Jesus in February?

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. ” (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

“Beholding the glory of Christ is the means of becoming like Christ in his glory!”–Brian Hedges

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