The confession articulates – in no uncertain terms – that salvation is within God’s covenant, yet it is only a possibility, not a guarantee. One way Jesus articulated this truth was by his parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-43).

David does not seek these mercies out for others, but for himself only. No man can redeem another, we can only beseech the Lord on their behalf. But, we can certainly ensure that we are united to Christ

The Lord has been at work in my life and has been teaching me many things, of which I hope to share a small bit with you here. God is always at work, really, even when we aren’t aware of it. Over the last bit of my life, however, I have been afforded the kindness of being more aware of it than normal.

Considering the biblical teaching regarding the divinity of Christ. One place to look would be to the teaching of Paul found in Philippians 2. In verse 6 Paul plainly traces Christ’s life from eternity past, when he was in the form of God and equal to God, saying, “though [Jesus] was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.”

Jerusalem the Golden is a hymn, composed by Alexander Ewing in 1853. He took the words from an ancient Medieval hymn, written by Bernard of Cluny in the 1100s.

The Church reformed and is always reforming according to the Word of God. The Reformers lived by this principle in all aspects of the Christian life. Our understanding of the Scriptures and authority was reformed. Our understanding of salvation was reformed. Our understanding of people, families, and work was reformed. Everything was reformed.

When someone is raised with an expectation that what is needed for pardon is to degrade yourself until the offended feels better or continually apologize and grovel until you’ve learned your lesson, it's difficult to see how forgiveness can be so easy and free, or that someone would really desire to forgive you.

Though you’ve confessed your sins and have communed with God through singing, prayers, and His Word, and have now come to the Lord’s Table, instead of continuing in this reverent and joyful worship as a forgiven son or daughter in Christ Jesus

We, as reformed, confessional Christians, argue that the Word of God is a sufficient rule for all of faith and life, and that includes our music. Our Triune God has given us a hymnbook, smack dab in the middle of our Bibles, and its contents should make up the majority of our worship.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

When we look at the confession, we observe that it intentionally has a “big tent” outlook on the church. It does this so as to not unnecessarily exclude any true believer from fellowship within the visible church, and the sacraments of the Lord. This is established within the confession by its discussion regarding the visible church.

Family worship is one of the most tremendous blessings of the Christian home. As a father, having the family gather around the table, around the couch, or around the bed, to worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the highlight of my day!

There are times in life when we are afforded a mere taste of something spectacular. Be it food, or adventure, love, or satisfaction. A moment of sheer enjoyment - complete gratification

It is always the yearning of children to please their fathers and for them to see and feel their father’s smile. And the greater the compassion of the father, the greater the passion of his child is for him.

But notice, the psalmist recognizes his station. He is God’s servant, his slave, subjected to the Lord and attending to the Lord’s will, rather than to his own. For, here we learn that many would wish to make the Lord their subject and require him to grant all that they have promised themselves in arrogant thoughtlessness.

“You mean, all I have to do is drink this cup and I’ll be forgiven? All my sins will be wiped away?” Yes! Only in this cup, this blood, can God and man come and live together.

The sweet psalmist of Israel here conjures up a request against a besetting sin that not a single soul is spared from gazing upon vanity! With a slow, and intentional reading, the saints of God feel the weight of this request into the core and who they are

Well, there is, yet again, and with an ever-pressing vigor, another undeniable relation between God, the creator, and all the universe, his creation - a covenantal relationship.

We see first, that the psalmist asks the Lord the “lead” him in the path. This can also been translated as “make me walk,” but the idea being conveyed is that of bending a bow. Before the archer makes ready his weapon he has but wood and string.

It may be strange at first to associate the patriarch Abraham with the First Advent of Jesus. Yet, Abraham is in the first advent story, and his role is more vital than one may suppose at first mention.