7 Ways Prayer is Worship by Paul David Tripp

I rarely use devotional books. I really don’t see the point of most of them and if I’m going to attempt to read something daily, I want it to be the Bible itself. That being said, Paul David Tripp’s devotional New Morning Mercies is actually quite good and on occasion I read a daily entry or two.

The entry for Sept. 13, was focused on how prayer is a form of worship it included these seven statements which I found helpful:

1. Pray acknowledges God’s existence
2. Prayer bows to God’s glory
3. Prayer submits to God’s plan
4. Prayer confesses allegiance to God’s kingdom
5. Prayer rests in God’s provision
6. Prayer celebrates God’s grace
7. Prayer commits to God’s work

Start with God

“The only way to understand yourself or your life is to start with God. And right at the very beginning the Bible takes us there. If you are not clear about this, you will go wrong everywhere else.”

Lloyd-Jones, Martyn (2009-10-07). The Gospel in Genesis: From Fig Leaves to Faith (p. 13). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

Yes, God Speaks … Through His Word

“You do not need another special revelation from God outside the Bible. You can listen to the voice of God every day. Christ still speaks, because the Spirit has already spoken. If you want to hear from God, go to the book that records only what he has said. Immerse yourself in the word of God. You will not find anything more sure.”

Rev. Kevin DeYoung from Taking God at His Word

Book Excerpt from ‘Christless Christianity’

From Michael Horton’s book, Christless Christianity:

“Like Peter, our Christian life is a roller coaster of faithfulness and unfaithfulness. Since we always drift back to self-confident triumphalism (remember Peter’s protest, ‘I will never deny you!’ just before he did), we need to hear God’s verdict on our righteousness through the law and his assurance of pardon in the gospel. Jesus’s example is not good news but a terrifying burden unless he is first of all the one who saves me from my inability to follow it.”

Don’t Miss List: Scripture, Archaeology, Books and TV

This week’s Don’t Miss List is absolutely brimming with content, so let’s get started.

Biblical Context for the Top Ten Biblical Archaeological Discoveries of 2015

If you ever daydreamed about being an archaeologist someday like I once did (blame Indiana Jones) then this should interest you. Bible Gateway builds on a recent Christianity Today story about archaeological finds from last year, and how they fit into the history presented in scripture.

Sharing the Housewife Theologian’s Review of ‘Fervent’

Priscilla Shirer’s new book, Fervent, is doing well, if Amazon rankings mean anything. Since I haven’t read it and don’t intend to, I wanted to share a review Aimee Byrd (The Housewife Theologian) published recently.

Challies Exposes More Problems with Jesus Calling

I was very happy to see that Tim Challies posted again about Jesus Calling, since its popularity is not waning. In fact its influence continues to grow.

Don’t Miss List for May 22, 2015

Before you check out for the three-day weekend or beach getaway or whatever you’re doing this Memorial Day, here’s a Don’t Miss List.

Proof There is No Discernment: Daniel Plan Wins Christian Book of the Year

Waking up to this news today made me want to go back to bed. According to The Washington Post and a number of other news outlets, Rick Warren’s book “The Daniel Plan” won Christian book of the year last night.

Two Easy to Spot Problems with The Prayer of Jabez

Recently a friend asked me what I knew about The Prayer of Jabez. I’d never considered writing about it before now because I thought it was already played out. It was popular when I was in college (which was some time ago). But I should have known that popular books filled with shallow and/or errant theology always return. These books have more lives than cats.

So let’s get down to business. Here are two fundamental problems with The Prayer of Jabez.