During Advent we marvel at the purpose of Christ’s incarnation. He became poor to make us rich. Here is an excerpt from a sermon by Augustine, a North African pastor from the 4th century: “The Word of the Father, by whom all time was created, was made flesh and was born in time for us. … Continue reading Augustine: Why the Incarnation?
Devotional Thoughts
Why did the incarnation of Jesus Christ take place?
During the Advent season, we remember that it was real flesh that Christ took; not the image of a body, but a true body. In the creation, man was made in God’s image; in the incarnation God was made in man’s image. Was there no other way for the restoring of fallen man but … Continue reading Why did the incarnation of Jesus Christ take place?
God’s Vision for His Church
God’s vision for His new community - the church. It is His family which He loves, His kingdom which He rules and His temple in which He dwells. As this reality dawns in our hearts, we “shall constantly be seeking to make our church’s worship more authentic, its fellowship more caring, and its outreach more compassionate. … Continue reading God’s Vision for His Church
Eternally and Completely Satisfied
Psalm 17:15 describes what theologians call the beatific vision... that moment in your future when you shall see God. It reads: “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.” Think about what you will be in eternity. When you see the King in … Continue reading Eternally and Completely Satisfied
A Psalm Prayer for an Election Year
Psalm 2 teaches believers how to counter the bullying world that intimidates them to retreat and hide. We learn that the LORD's Anointed One (Messiah) is personally and powerfully involved in this world, rescuing and ruling it for His glory and His people’s good. How is Jesus Christ the LORD’s King? He is the Son … Continue reading A Psalm Prayer for an Election Year
When The Time Comes to Divide the Family Estate
"When Providence has removed your parents by death, the best methods ought to be taken, not only for preventing quarrels among the children (which often happens over the dividing of the estate), but for the preserving of love so that unity may continue even when that center of unity is taken away." - Matthew Henry, Presbyterian pastor … Continue reading When The Time Comes to Divide the Family Estate
A Good Word If You Are Burdened Today
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. We serve a God who sustains and gives rest to His burdened children. He helps his children endure times of difficulty. The word “burden” can mean lot in life… that which is given … Continue reading A Good Word If You Are Burdened Today
Worship – A Dress Rehearsal for Eternity
Every Lord’s Day serves as a dress rehearsal for life in our eternal home in heaven. How wonderful to know that history is moving towards a great end: The worship of the one, true, living God. This is the goal and climax of human history. How do we know this? Revelation 7:9 describes the heavenly … Continue reading Worship – A Dress Rehearsal for Eternity
Word-Saturated Worship
Scripture suffuses every part of our worship services. We call one another to our awesome task of worshipping God with Scripture. We sing God’s praise with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in order to make God’s Word memorable and vivid. The Spirit uses God’s Word to convict us of sin and to show us our … Continue reading Word-Saturated Worship
Jesus’ Beatitudes & the Virtue of Humility
Of all the virtues Christ commended in the Beatitudes, it is significant that the first is humility, being 'poor in spirit' (Matthew 5:3). The virtue of humility (the blessed gift of self-forgetfulness) underlies all the others: You cannot mourn (5:4) without appreciating how insufficient you are to handle life in your own strength. That is … Continue reading Jesus’ Beatitudes & the Virtue of Humility
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