The Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 37
101. Question: But may we swear an oath by the Name of God in a godly manner? Answer: Yes, when the government demands it of its subjects, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote fidelity and truth, to God's glory and for our neighbor’s good. Such oath-taking is based on God's Word[1] and was therefore rightly used by saints in the Old and the New Testament.[2] [1] Deut. 6:13; 10:20; Jer. 4:1, 2; Heb. 6:16. [2] Gen. 21:24; 31:53; Josh. 9:15; I Sam. 24:22; I Kings 1:29, 30; Rom. 1:9; II Cor. 1:23. 102. Question: May we also swear by saints or other creatures? Answer: No. A lawful oath is a calling upon God, who alone knows the heart, to bear witness to the truth, and to punish me if I swear falsely.[1] No creature is worthy of such honour.[2] [1] Rom. 9:1; II Cor. 1:23. [2] Matt. 5:34-37; 23:16-22; James 5:12.
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There is nothing that makes us love a man so much as praying for him. (William Law)
This Week’s Scripture · Acts 1:6-14 · Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 · 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 · John 17:1-11 Adoration Psalm 68:35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God! Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus (verse 1) Hail, thou once despised Jesus! Hail, thou Galilean King! Thou didst suffer to release us; thou didst free salvation bring. Hail thou universal Savior, who has borne our sin and shame! By thy merits we find favor; life is given through thy name. (John Bakewell and Martin Madan) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3) We confess to you, God of ceaseless mercy, our tendency to spread the Gospel in word and deed only half-heartedly and weakly, partly because we do it according to our own timetable and relying on our own energies. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to hear and heed again the direction of Jesus to wait upon you and the Spirit, which alone can make us effective ministers for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. (Paul A. Laughlin) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Heavenly Father, you are the one true God and I give you praise for who you are and for your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for glorifying your Son and for bestowing upon him all authority to give eternal life to all you have given him. To know you is eternal life, the greatest blessing imaginable. You didn’t look at me and see one worthy of such love and grace. But from your own character and will, poured out such unearned gifts. Thank you. I praise you that my Lord Jesus was not only raised from the dead, but glorified in heaven at your right hand. Thank you Father for Jesus passing on to your children what you gave to him, that we might know you, your will, and your truth. Fill us with your Spirit so we may walk all of our days according to what has been given us. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen. (based on John 17:1-11) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Help me to grow in wisdom and become who you created and redeemed me to be. · Renew my mind and enable me to cultivate a godly perspective and attitude regarding the various spheres and circumstances of my life. · Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My family, immediate and extended · Those struggling with sin, illness, or difficulties in their workplace · Other needs We pursue God because, and only because, he has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit. (A.W. Tozer) Today's Walk in the Word begins a new series in the Book of Ephesians in the New Testament. It's a great book that will help us know Christ better and become more like him. As Christians we want to walk closely with Christ and Ephesians is just the book to help us do that. Today's episode focuses on the Apostle Paul and what he means when he calls us "saints." What does it mean to be a saint? We'll briefly look at that in today's episode. Thanks for stopping by. God does not call us to live the Christian life in our own strength or according to our own wisdom. He supplies all we need via his Holy Spirit. Join me in this first episode of A Walk in the Word to hear what I hope will be an encouraging and edifying reflection from God's Word. Today was also an exciting opportunity for character development when I realized I had completed recording and never turned on my mic. Thankfully, my laptop recorded it. I'll have better sound quality for future episodes (hopefully... and in theory). Prayer is the most important thing in my life. If I should neglect prayer for a single day, I should lose a great deal of the fire of faith... (Martin Luther)
This Week’s Scripture
Adoration Psalm 66:20 Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! Jesus! the Name High over All (verses 1&2) Jesus! the name high over all, in hell or earth or sky; angels and mortals prostrate fall, and devils fear and fly. Jesus! The name to sinners dear, the name to sinners given; it scatters all their guilty fear, it turns their hell to heaven. (Charles Wesley) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, (1 Peter 3:18) Take away, O Lord, from our hearts all suspiciousness, indignation, anger, and contention, and whatever is calculated to wound charity, and to lessen brotherly love. Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on those who seek thy mercy; give grace to the needy; make us so to live, that we may be found worthy to enjoy the fruition of thy grace, and that we may attain to eternal life. Amen. (Thomas a Kempis) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving O Promise-Making, Promise-Keeping God, I give you praise and thanks for the promise of your beloved Spirit. He is indeed the Helper, Advocate, and Counselor I need every hour of the day, every day of my life. I am grateful he will be with me forever, even as he is with me here and now to guide me into all truth. I thank you that he is not merely near me, but actually in me. Indeed, his presence in me animates my love for you and fills me with your presence. Thank you for not leaving me as an orphan in this world, but for giving me your very Spirit who enables me to keep your commandments, thus showing my love for you. Finally, thank you for loving me and manifesting yourself to me. I am underserving, but I am grateful. In my Savior’s name I pray. Amen. (based on John 14:15-21) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself)
Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others)
Live near to God and so all things will appear to you little in comparison with eternal realities. (Robert Murray McCheyne) |
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Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path: (Proverbs 23:19)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
(Matthew 7:13-14) |