All of us go through times of spiritual drought and dryness. When I was a college student, I encountered this for the first time and it concerned me greatly. I was helped by reading a little book called The Green Letters by Miles Stanford. The title has been changed now to Principles of Spiritual Growth. … Continue reading In Times of Spiritual Dryness
Devotional Thoughts
When You Are Misunderstood
It is the characteristic of our Adamic residue to find it difficult to believe in the nobility of others. Joseph's brothers measured Joseph by themselves. In our suspicions of other people we often reveal ourselves and our own hearts. There is scarcely anything more trying and searching in life than the experience of being misunderstood, … Continue reading When You Are Misunderstood
Praying to Our Rock of Refuge – Psalm 71
Psalm 71:3 - Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. O Lord, you are a rock of refuge to which we may continually come. May the guilty come and find release from the … Continue reading Praying to Our Rock of Refuge – Psalm 71
Reflections on Repentance that Leads to Life
The believer in Christ is a ‘lifelong’ repenter. He begins with repentance, and ends with repentance. Repentance is a change of mind regarding sin and God, an inward turning from sin to God. Repentance is hating what you once loved, and loving what you once hated, exchanging irresistible sin for an irresistible Christ. — Jim … Continue reading Reflections on Repentance that Leads to Life
Honoring Your Father and Mother
Honor your father and your mother. (Have I made every effort to show members of my immediate family, especially my parents, all the love, consideration and respect that I can?) Westminster Larger Catechism – On the Fifth Commandment Question 127 — What is the honor that children owe to their parents? The honor which children … Continue reading Honoring Your Father and Mother
When You are Misunderstood or Maligned as a Leader
I was thinking this morning about some of my friends in church leadership who have been critiqued recently for not leading well and strongly enough. Others have been accused of being too autocratic and not collegial enough in their leadership style. Below is a short portion of a sermon from John Charles Ryle, an evangelical, … Continue reading When You are Misunderstood or Maligned as a Leader
A Word to College Students and Churches Who Love Them
For ten years, I served as a pastor of a church in a college town. Our church loved our students and a number of our families adopted students to show and share with them the love of Christ during their formative student days. I would urge new college students to work to find a church … Continue reading A Word to College Students and Churches Who Love Them
The Normal Christian Life Involves Suffering
Though many in the evangelical church in America today will tell you differently, the normal Christian life involves suffering and afflictions. The apostles galvanized the first century disciples with this reality check: "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom" (Acts 14:22). When we are called to face this reality personally, let us not be … Continue reading The Normal Christian Life Involves Suffering
Charles Simeon, John Wesley and the Doctrines of Grace
I came across this piece while reading an old sermon on Romans 8. Here's Charles Simeon’s record of a conversation he had with John Wesley: "‘Sir, I understand that you are called an Arminian; and I have sometimes been called a Calvinist; and therefore I suppose we are to draw daggers. But before I consent … Continue reading Charles Simeon, John Wesley and the Doctrines of Grace
When Discouragement and Despair Knock at Your Door
“All progress in the Christian life depends upon a recapitulation (an act or instance of summarizing and restating the main points of something) of the original terms of one’s acceptance with God” (John Stott, The Cross of Christ, p. 27). This delightful quote points us to an enduring remedy for all our ills, even that … Continue reading When Discouragement and Despair Knock at Your Door
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