The Sermon on the Mount describes what human life and human community looks like when they come under the gracious rule of King Jesus… Still today the indispensable condition of receiving the kingdom of God is to acknowledge our spiritual poverty… Thus, to be ‘poor in spirit’ is to acknowledge our spiritual poverty, indeed our … Continue reading Happy Are Those Who Are Poor in Spirit – A Few Reflections and A Prayer
Devotional Thoughts
Unremoved Thorns and Unanswered Prayers
What is it that we are to learn from the Apostle Paul’s thorn that is not removed in spite of his focused prayers for its removal? Many would claim that Paul did not have sufficient faith or else it would have been removed. However, this is completely contrary to God's Word. Here are a few … Continue reading Unremoved Thorns and Unanswered Prayers
When You Walk through Times of Spiritual Darkness
In today's contemporary church, we speak little about the subject of spiritual darkness, but in the older tradition it was very different. It was recognized that at times God can sovereignly bring upon us episodes of spiritual darkness, in which what is sensed is his absence rather than his presence, his displeasure rather than an … Continue reading When You Walk through Times of Spiritual Darkness
When You Doubt the Father’s Love
Recently, I stood at the foot of the grave of the Apostle John and thought about these wonderful truths that he wrote about the love of God. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1) … Continue reading When You Doubt the Father’s Love
The Purpose of God-Sent Afflictions
To be thankful only for our comforts is to make an idol of this life. “God-sent afflictions,” says Maurice Roberts, “have a health-giving effect upon the soul” because they are the medicine used to purge the soul of self-centeredness and this world’s vanities. Pain, in other words, sharpens us, matures us, and gives us clear … Continue reading The Purpose of God-Sent Afflictions
What is life about? Reflecting on the Death of an Icon of American Industry
I am indebted to Steve Jobs, the founder and CEO of Apple Computers, for making my day to day work as a pastor more productive and more enjoyable, but it is important that we reflect upon our own lives and mortality at times like these. Moses prays in Psalm 90:12 - "Teach us to number our days, … Continue reading What is life about? Reflecting on the Death of an Icon of American Industry
Dad: The Family Shepherd from Psalm 78
Psalm 78 offers a simple guideline for all of us moms and dads in nurturing in our children a love for the Lord. I. Model the truths of God's Word (Believe and model the gospel.) An Old Testament Model for Contemporary Moms and Dads David shepherded and guided the people of God (Psalm 78:72) HOW? … Continue reading Dad: The Family Shepherd from Psalm 78
Threats to a Growing Church – Wednesday Vespers
Click below for a worship guide for our vesper service that focuses on Acts 5 and two main threats to a growing church: compromise within and force without. Threats to a Growing Church - Acts 5:1-42
The Hazards of Life and the Help of the Lord
A Brief Study Guide: The Hazards of Life and the Help of the Lord Sinclair Ferguson, a Scottish man, who serves as Senior Minister for First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina tells this fascinating account of a powerful use of this particular Psalm. The year was 1582 AD. The Scottish minister John Drury had been … Continue reading The Hazards of Life and the Help of the Lord
The Hidden Teacher & The Logic of Grace – Isaiah 30
Click on the link for our personal/family worship guide through Isaiah 30. The Hidden Teacher & The Logic of Grace
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