Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in our every circumstance and condition. —Jeremiah Burroughs (1599-1646)
Devotional Thoughts
Dealing with Depression at Christmas
Many of us deal with discouragement and depression during this season of the year. Some of us deal with deeply flawed marriages, unbelieving children, less than fulfilling careers, singleness, childlessness, broken dreams/relationships, and/or being falsely accused of something we didn’t say or do. One key attribute of God that helps us face these dark days is God’s providence. … Continue reading Dealing with Depression at Christmas
When You Face Injustice
Here is a simple prayer of confession of sin to reflect upon and pray through: God, our heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your Son to pour out a crimson flood to make sweet earth’s bitter waters of evil, injustice, hatred, and revenge. Never was any man more unjustly sinned against. His life was one … Continue reading When You Face Injustice
John 13 & The Distinguishing Mark of a Christian
In his booklet on John 13:34-35 entitled “The Mark of a Christian,” Francis Shaeffer called love ‘the final apologetic.’ The love of Christians for one another should be the distinguishing mark by which the world recognizes us as followers of Jesus. Such mutual interest in and concern for each other will arrest the attention of unbelievers. This recognition from the … Continue reading John 13 & The Distinguishing Mark of a Christian
The Struggle to Believe in Sovereign Grace
If you have ever struggled to believe in God's sovereignty in the salvation of sinners. Below are quotes from distinquished authors who recount this struggle and explain succinctly the practical implications for resting your salvation in the hands of a sovereign God: Men will never worship God with a sincere heart, or be roused to fear … Continue reading The Struggle to Believe in Sovereign Grace
C.S. Lewis: What Christians Do in Time of War
Writing more than a half a century ago of nuclear war, C.S. Lewis risked sounding unfeeling in order to enforce the way of wisdom: Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were already sentenced to death before the atomic bomb was invented; and quite a high percentage of us were going to … Continue reading C.S. Lewis: What Christians Do in Time of War
Take Courage! There Are No Exemplary Families in the Bible
It is easy to despair when we realize how far we fall short as husbands, wives, fathers and mothers. Below is an excerpt from Eugene Peterson’s book Like Dew Your Youth: Growing Up with Your Teenager (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998). It has been a source of tremendous encouragement for me … Continue reading Take Courage! There Are No Exemplary Families in the Bible
Prayer of Confession of Sin
Before the practice of confessing our sins to God in worship fell out of favor and practice in the church, God's people regularly used the ten commandments as a guide for their time of confession. Here is a simple prayer that guides you through the second table of the law of God found in Exodus … Continue reading Prayer of Confession of Sin
The Essence of Discipleship
John 12:26 - Whoever serves me must follow me... J.C. Ryle offers a challenging word especially to us all: "As the soldier follows his general, as the servant follows his master, as the scholar follows his teacher; as the sheep follows its shepherd, just so ought the professing Christian to follow Christ. Faith and obedience … Continue reading The Essence of Discipleship
All Saints Day and The Legacy of our Family Matriarch
Tomorrow in the church calendar is All Saints Day. How should we seize this opportunity to grow in our relationship with the Lord? All Saints Day is a perfect day to reflect on someone in your past who is now with the Lord who has impacted you in life-transforming ways and has served Christ's interests … Continue reading All Saints Day and The Legacy of our Family Matriarch
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