Worship and Work Resources

I mentioned on Sunday that I would post on some resources that may be helpful to you as you seek to glorifying God from "8-5."

First, a couple of messages worth listening to:

"Glorifying God in Your Work" by Sebastian Traeger from Capitol Hill Baptist Church.

"A Study in Wise Words: Business Ethics" (from Proverbs) by Kevin DeYoung from University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI.

Next, one book I can recommend...














...and two that have been recommended to me. This:



And this:




Finally, two articles I found to be very insightful and thought-provoking:

"Why Work?" by Dorothy Sayers
"Human Flourishing" by Danielle Sallade

Jesus Wants The Rose!

Rob Alekel pointed out to me this illustration by Matt Chandler. It's really good.

Please ponder what is "underneath" the preaching of the man against whom Chandler reacts. I hope you see very clearly that the man's appeals were more appeals to pride, self-righteousness, and fear than they were appeals to believe the gospel of Jesus. Chandler is right to be angry. This is the kind of stuff that angered Jesus as well. Jesus wants the rose! And, at Bethel, I hope we do too!

What The Father Never Says To His Children

"What do you want?!"

Isn't that good news?! Remember who your Father is today. 

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11, emphasis mine)

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16, emphasis mine)

 Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. (Psalm 50:14)

The Best Is Yet To Come

After church yesterday, quite a few people asked where to find the song we played at the end of the service. It's called "The Best Is Yet To Come" from the album "A Sweet and Bitter Providence." The name of the group is The Joy Eternal. You can find the song (and the rest of the album) on Amazon or iTunes.

Here's where I first heard about it. The video will give you an idea of what inspired the album and you'll hear parts of the other songs on the album (there are 4 songs total, with 2 tracks where John Piper is reading portions of his book that inspired the album). I heartily recommend them all! I also recommend that you turn the volume way up!


Exclusive video of The Joy Eternal's new EP release! from Andrew Laparra on Vimeo.

Listen! He Is Praying For You!

If you belong to Jesus, you need to know that he prays for you! 

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:33-34)

Consequently, [Jesus] is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

What difference would it make if we wholeheartedly believed this? Robert Murray M’Cheyne gives us a good idea.

If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me. (Robert Murray M’Cheyne p. 179)

 HT: JT (HT: ER)