David Westerfield

Gospel. Culture. Technology. Music.

Tag: Heart


Violence in Our Hearts

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On August 19, 2016

In Theology

“Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s and under their lips is the venom of asps.” Psalm 140:1-3

“The venom of asps is under their lips.” Romans 3:13

Over the course of doing lay ministry work, there are two things guys seem  to primarily struggle with… and the other is anger (guess the first one?). In reading this text from Psalm 140 today, I was struck by a thought I’ve had recently about anger and aggression (something I’m tempted to frequently and must be on the look out for): how 1) anger so often stems from fear and anxiety, which stems from a lack of trust in God’s loving promises, but also 2) how that animal-like response of rage that some are more prone to than others can be stoked into flame by taking in violence, its exaltation and letting it dwell there. And our culture is full of it. We are welcoming violence into our hearts and it is shaping us. Even if we’re not taking in violent content and images, just go read some social media comment threads. It’s enough for me sometimes.

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Promises for Believers

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On April 19, 2012

In Scripture, Theology

This is a great list of promises from God for believers, written up by Ken Miller at Christ Chapel Bible Church. There are certainly many others, but this is a great summation. Reciting the promises of God, from Scripture, is a sure way to stoke and kindle your faith. It is these promises that motivate the heart unto obedience and faith. Gospel-motivated obedience is sure to last if we return to these truths, and more, daily. Just trying harder is not the answer, because you rely upon your strength to maintain your own righteousness, which is sure to fail. When your perspective is changed to see you are completely accepted by God through the finished work of His Son, regardless of your moral record, “good” or bad, because of His works and promises, you are freed from the heart to obey. Meditate on these things, let them soak into your heart. In Christ alone, and His perfect work in His life, death and resurrection are these established for us, and by them we know that God is for us, when circumstances are excellent or terrible. This is solid ground to stand upon. What a sure, true and faithful word! You can hover over each of the verses to read these great truths!

  • Promises guaranteeing the safety and security of the true believer: John 5:24; 6:37-40; 6:47; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1; 8:28-29; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30; Phil. 1:6; Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:5; Jude 24-25
  • God’s constant care – 1 Pet. 5:7
  • God’s great faithfulness – Lam. 3:21-23; 1 Cor. 1:9; Heb. 11:11
  • God’s sufficient grace – 2 Cor. 9:8; 12:9; John 1:16-17
  • God’s eternal love – Jer. 31:3; John 31:1 ; Rom. 8:35-39
  • God’s unfailing promise – Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18; Num. 23:19; 2 Cor. 1:20; Rom. 4:20-21; Heb. 11:11
  • God’s abiding presence – Heb. 13:5; Deut. 31:6,8; Matt. 28:20
  • God’s mighty working – Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 3:20-21; Heb. 13:20-21
  • God’s adequate supply – Matt. 6:25-34; Phil. 4:19; Psalm 23:1; 34:10
  • The promise of God’s peace – Isa. 26:3; Phil. 4:6-7; 4:9; John 14:27; 16:33
  • The promise of God’s joy – John 15:11; Gal. 5:22
  • The promise of God’s rest – Matt. 11:28-30; Heb. 4:1-11
  • The promise of forgiveness and cleansing from sins – 1 John 1:9; Psalm 32:5; Prov. 28:13
  • The promise of answered prayer – John 14:13-14; 15:7; 1 John 3:22; 5:14-15; Matt. 7:7-11
  • Promises for new strength – 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Phil 4:13; Isa. 40:28-31; 41:10
  • Promises for needed wisdom – James 1:5-7
  • Promises for needed help – Heb. 13:6; Isa. 41:10,13
  • Promises for needed comfort – 2 Cor. 1:3-5; John 14:16-18; 2 Thess. 2:16-17
  • Promises for needed guidance – Prov. 3:5-6; Psalm 23:2-3
  • Promises for needed faith – Rom. 10:17; Hebrews 11
  • Promises for victory over sin – Romans 6; John 8:31-36
  • Promises for victory over temptation – 1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 2:17-18; 4:15-16
  • Promises for victory in the midst of trials – Heb. 12:5-11; James 1:2-12; 1 Pet. 1:6-8; 4:19
  • Promises for victory in the midst of suffering – Rom. 8:18,28; 2 Cor. 1:3-4
  • Promises for victory over the world system – 1 John 2:17; 5:4-5
  • Promises for victory over Satan – James 4:7; 1 John 4:4
  • The promise of reward for keeping God’s commandments – John 14:21,23; Psalm 19:11
  • The promise of reward for seeking God – Heb. 11:6; Matt. 7:7; Jer. 29:13; Deut. 4:29
  • The promise of reward for faithful living – 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 4:2-5; Luke 16:9-10
  • The promise of a future heavenly home – 1 Pet. 1:4; Rev. 21:3-5; John 14:1-3; Heb. 11:10
  • The promise of the return of Christ – John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 John 2:28-3:3; Tit. 2:13

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