The Conscience: a ‘Heart Monitor’ for the soul

“The conscience is God’s monitor in our souls.” -Joel Beeke

How We Know Ourselves

“We only know ourselves when we listen to the words [God] has spoken about us.” -Paul Tripp

The Author of Sin?

“[The Apostle] John considers [the devil] as the author, leader, and architect of all malice, and iniquity.” -John Calvin

BTW NOTE: Calvin is referring to 1 John 3:8

God’s Adversary, Ours Too

“The fact that the devil is everywhere called God’s adversary and ours also ought to fire us to an unceasing struggle against him.” -John Calvin

Ways to Pray

• Sometimes we ask God to change our circumstances: heal the sick, give daily bread, protect from suffering and evil, make our leaders just, convert friends and family, make our work prosper, provide me with a spouse, quiet this storm, send rain, give us a child. 
• Sometimes we ask God to change us: deepen my faith, teach us to love each other, forgive sins, make me wise, make us know you better, help me to sanctify you in my heart, don’t let me dishonor you, help us understand Scripture, teach me to encourage others. 
• Sometimes we ask God to change everything by revealing himself more fully, magnifying his glory and rule. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, be exalted above the heavens, let your glory be over all of the earth, come Lord Jesus.

Over Focus on the Nativity

“​Satan would be pleased if everyone focused on the baby in the quaint manger scene and ignored the baby grown up and bloody on the cross.” -Burk Parsons

​”All of God’s purposes and promises converge in Jesus. He is the mediator of the covenant of redemption who gives his life for his people.” -Michael Horton

​”The baby in the manger was the Wonderful Counselor, he came to bless us with life-giving wisdom because sin reduces all of us to fools.” – Paul Tripp

Soul-satisfying Covenant

​The covenant of grace is a “soul-satisfying covenant, and he is a soul-satisfying Christ.” -George Gillespie

Story of Grace

​”The Bible is not a collection of doctrines or moral aphorisms. The Bible is an unfolding story of grace.” -Michael Horton