Let those who would discharge aright the ministry of the gospel learn, not merely to speak and declaim, but to penetrate into the consciences of men, to make them see Christ crucified, and feel the shedding of his blood. When the Church has painters such as these, she no longer needs the dead images of wood and stone, she no longer requires pictures; both of which, unquestionably, were first admitted to Christian temples when the pastors had become dumb and been converted into mere idols, or when they uttered a
few words from the pulpit in such a cold and careless manner, that the power and efficacy of the ministry were utterly extinguished.

Calvin on Galatians 3:1

Question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism

What is your only comfort in life and death?

Answer:

That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.

Amen…

"Prone to wander Lord I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here’s my heart oh take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above..."

Prayer

As I reflect, I see that prayer is what has been lacking in my own personal life and our generation. We must ask ourselves: when was the last time we truly cried out to God in desperate repentance over our sins and yet a cry of heartfelt thankfulness because of the forgiveness that is freely offered to us in Jesus Christ. I tell you, how different life would be if that is what we fed ourselves day in and day out.

Some words of encouragement to pray from the late Dr. Clowney’s A Biblical Theology of Prayer:

“If God is Lord and Sovereign, if he takes the initiative, if he accomplishes his will in heaven and in earth, why pray? Will not God carry out his purposes without our requesting that he do so? Since we do not know how God will accomplish his plan, would it not be better to leave everything in his hands? Is not prayer presumptuous meddling, offering God unnecessary advice? If the first difficulty misses God’s power, the second misses his goodness. The plan that God will accomplish is a plan that includes the dedicated participation of his creatures. For this purpose he has made man in his image and is restoring him in the image of his Son. As Jesus prays for those the Father has given him, he is fulfilling the will of his Father (John 17). Our prayers, too, are part of the great sweep of God’s plan for his people. God’s sovereignty does not rob history of significance; to the contrary, it is God’s plan that gives human history meaning. We do not know how to pray as we should in the light of God’s purposes. But for that very reason his Spirit who dwells in us makes intercession according to the will of God (Romans 8:27).”

“Christ is a priest, not by genealogical descent from Aaron, but by divine oath, appointing him to a royal priesthood, like that of Melchizedek. The oath appointing Christ fulfills God’s oath to Abraham (Hebrews 6:17-18). Christ is made both the guarantee and the Guarantor of the new covenant (Hebrews 7:22). We have, therefore, the strongest encouragement for prayer. Christ’s appointment to heavenly status as an eternal priest provides for us an anchor in the sanctuary of heaven itself (Hebrews 6:18-20). Indeed, heaven becomes our ‘sanctuary’ as we flee for refuge to Christ.”