Isaiah 59:15b-20 (ESV) via Mark 6:6

For the “Smaller Setting” Gospel of Mark community.

Thank you for spurring me on to love and good deeds…

Mark 6:6 – And he marveled because of their unbelief…

Isaiah 59:15b – The LORD saw it, and it displeased him
that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no man,
and wondered that there was no one to intercede;
then his own arm brought him salvation,
and his righteousness upheld him.
17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
18 According to their deeds, so will he repay,
wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies;
to the coastlands he will render repayment.
19 So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west,
and his glory from the rising of the sun;
for he will come like a rushing stream,
which the wind of the LORD drives.

20 “And a Redeemer will come to Zion,
to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the LORD.

Death by Love

Death by Love

“Death by Love: Reflections on the Cross.” Revisiting who Jesus and the cross is, deserves more attention today than most people would like to think. Over time Christians arguably could begin losing sight of the cross, what it meant and what it means for us today. Mark Driscoll brings us back to the fundamental aspects of the cross and the practical implications of a proper view of the cross in this day. Some church movements today focus on the incarnation, leaving out the cross and the exaltation of Jesus Christ and therefore undermine the deity of Jesus Christ and the gospel. The correct view of the cross gives way to the correct view of the atonement and ultimately giving us the clear picture of the gospel that we are to preach today. Driscoll looks at penal substitution, propitiation and expiation. By gaining the fuller picture of the cross we may be faithful in building God’s Kingdom with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 34:18 – “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.”

Isaiah 55:1-3

I found this picture on www.shanebertou.com, and found it to be wildly appropriate.

Even our four-year daughter is besieged by covetousness this season.

As Francois Fenelon said, “May God preserve us from that fatal slavery…”

Or as Sufjan Stevens has said: “Get behind me, Santa!”

Isaiah 55

The Compassion of the LORD

1 “Come, everyone who thirsts,come to the waters;and he who has no money,come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,my steadfast, sure love for David.