Encouragement

I read this today from Desiring God ministries and was greatly encouraged:

How do you keep from getting discouraged by Christians who aren't passionate for God and his word?

By John Piper September 19, 2007

The following is an edited transcription of the audio.
How do you keep from getting discouraged when it is apparent that so many people, even in your own church, just aren't passionate for God and his word?I keep from getting discouraged mainly by not focusing on my people but by focusing on the Lord. Then he gives me the heart for the people. If I were to focus on the world and its condition, or the church and its condition--or even my own soul and its condition--I think I would be overcome by discouragement. But that's not where encouragement comes from. We are to draw encouragement mainly from Christ, and from his work on the cross, and from his resurrection power, and from his intercession for at the Father's right hand, and from his promises to work all things together for good, to one day come and wrap up this history and make this creation his own fully, to cast out all ungodliness, and to establish righteousness and peace.So it is contemplaing Christ, the history of redemption, the work of the cross, and the promises of God that establish the heart. That is the most fundamental way I fight discouragement.And the second thing is that there are evidences of grace in the church, even in the weakest saint. And we should give thanks for the smallest evidences that the Holy Spirit has begun a work in our lives. And really, for all of us, that's all he has done: "He who began a good work in you will complete it unto the day of Christ" (Philippians 1:6). He has just begun.So I would say to look first to Christ--that's my hope. And then look for the evidences of his grace, even in the weakest saint. And you can find them. And you can celebrate them, and then bring those people along further.


And some verses that I've been meditating on lately and just wrote a song about yesterday,

"Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever...But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works."
Psalm 73:23-26,28

Re-embracing Hymns

I am currently loving hymns - the high view of God, depth of doctrine, and centrality of the Gospel - found in the classics...

One we sang last Sunday that I really enjoy:

"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" by Charles Wesley

Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav'n, to earth come down!
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling; All Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion; Pure, unbounded love Thou art.
Visit us with Thy salvation; Enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit; Let us find the promised rest.
Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be.
End of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty, to deliver; Let us all Thy life receive.
Suddenly return, and never, Nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish then Thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee.
Changed from glory into glory, TIll in heav'n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love and praise.