Category Archives: Banner of Truth

A Puritan Prayer before the weekend…

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My Friday morning’s devotions included this prayer — which seems so fitting for believers in materialist America on the eve of the weekend — for which so many “live”….
(From the wonderful collection THE VALLEY OF VISION, edited by Arthur Bennett)

Lord of immortality,

Before Whom angels bow and archangels veil their faces,
enable me to serve Thee with reverence and godly fear.

Thou who are Spirit and requireth truth in the inward parts, help me to worship Thee in spirit and in truth.

Thou who art righteous, let me not harbor sin in my heart, or indulge a worldly temper, or seek satisfaction in things that perish.

I hasten towards an hour when earthly pursuits and possessions will appear vain, when it will be indifferent whether I have been rich or poor, successful or disappointed, admired or despised.

But it will be of eternal moment [significance] that I have mourned for sin, hungered and thirsted after righteousness, loved the Lord Jesus in sincerity, gloried in His cross….

AMEN!
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BANNER: 7 Characteristics of Calvin’s ministry

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Pastor Ian Hamilton (a Banner Trustee, and author, as a Scot serving a church in Cambridge, England), also spoke (twice) at the recent Banner of Truth Trust Minister’s Conference — once on Calvin as a Pastor, and then bringing the closing sermon of the conference from 2 Corinthians 4.

calvin painting_2In the first, Hamilton listed for us “7 Characteristics of Calvin’s Ministry” —

1/ It was carried out with a view of Christ as Chief Shepherd.

2/ Love to Christ is the animating principle of ministry; our motive.

3/ It reflects the servanthood of Christ.

4/ A conviction that preaching and teaching the gospel is the primary task of the pastor; in season, and out of season he preaches the Word. *NB: The preacher has two voices: one to feed the sheep, and one to frighten the wolves.

5/ Much use of pastoral visitation, house to house.

6/ He never wearied of telling believers to get out of themselves and in to Christ!

7/ A ministry shaped and impregnated with the overflow of his own union with Christ.
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O Lord Jesus, help me, and my fellow pastors, in our frailty and feebleness to serve You and Your flock better. For your glory, Lord. Amen.
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