i always loved how rocky and bullwinkle would give alternate titles for the next episode...

so this blogpost could either be titled: "yes, Hebrews 4:12 is my favorite verse, but don't forget to read Hebrews 4:13 with it" OR "speaking of Matthew 5:3, here's a great quote for a monday morning"

"We cannot bear to acknowledge either the seriousness of our sin and guilt or our utter indebtedness to the cross.... But we cannot escape the embarrassment of standing stark naked before God. It is no use for us to try and cover up like Adam and Eve in the garden. Our attempts at self-justification are as ineffectual as their fig leaves. We have to acknowledge our nakedness, see the divine substitute wearing our filthy rags instead of us, and allow him to clothe us with his own righteousness (cf. Revelation 3:17-18). Nobody has ever put it better than Augustus Toplady in his immortal hymn "Rock of Ages":
Nothing in my hands I bring,
Simply to your cross I cling;
Naked, come to you for dress;
Helpless, look to you for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die." - John Stott, The Cross of Christ

a missionary psalm

96

Oh, sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all the earth!

Sing to the LORD, bless His name;

tell of His salvation from day to day.

Declare His glory among the nations,

His marvelous works among all peoples!

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

but the LORD made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before Him;

strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;

bring an offering, and come into His courts!

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;

tremble before Him, all the earth!

Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!

Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;

He will judge the peoples with equity."

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 

let the field exult, and everything in it!

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

before the LORD, for He comes,

for He comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness,

and the peoples in His faithfulness.