Deus Misereatur

(The following is the graduation charge I gave to six high-school graduates during ceremonies at Faith Bible Church, Edmond Oklahoma, 11 May 2019) Proverbs 3.5-8  [5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. [7] Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. [8] It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. I was around 15 or 16 when my dad started a new business…in those times, when I wasn’t complaining and griping, he would talk about craftsmanship, business and customer satisfaction. I gained a ton from those talks. And so, we need to hear Proverbs as the counsel of a father to his son. More importantly, listen to it as the speech of the Eternal Father to his eternal, unique, one-of-a-kind Son, Jesus Christ, who followed through perfectly, and once said: “ I do nothing on my own authority, but sp...

I was asked to give the benediction at another graduation this evening. Here's how it went: Another Prayer and Benediction for Graduation 2016  “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground…His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love” (Psalm 147.5-6, 10-11). “…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (Romans 5.8-11)...

I was asked to give the benediction for a homeschool graduating class. Here's what I said: Prayer and Benediction for Graduation 2016 Hear now the Word of God for the people of God by the Apostle of God: “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3.3-7). Remember who you are, whose you are, and why you are. Let us pray: LORD God, the Almighty, the Most High, who has made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; truly, it is ...