Why do followers of Jesus take time to regularly confess their sins to God? The regular discipline of confession enables us to grasp more fully the beauty and wonder of grace as we are made continually aware of the depth of our need of God’s unmerited favor. Christopher Ash explains: We desire “to encourage self-examination … Continue reading Taking Time to Examine Yourself
Worship Reflections
One Way to Pray for Yourself Before Sunday
Have you or someone you know ever said, "Well, I didn't get much out of that sermon." Certainly most pastors are pretty self-critical of their attempts at preaching God's Word and can do a poor job at setting forth the wonderful truths and treasures of God's Word. Yet, you have a responsibility to prepare yourself … Continue reading One Way to Pray for Yourself Before Sunday
One Reason to Pray for Your Church & Pastor Today
There are many reasons to pray for your church and her ministries. Westminster Larger Catechism Question 159 sets forth not only the way pastors are to preach, but also how they are to lead in ministry. To do the following well, your pastor and church desperately needs your prayers! How is the Word of God … Continue reading One Reason to Pray for Your Church & Pastor Today
The Remedy for Perplexity and a Dulled Conscience
Both for perplexity and for dulled conscience the remedy is the same; sincere and spiritual worship. For worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness; the nourishment of mind with His truth; the purifying of imagination by His beauty; the opening of the heart … Continue reading The Remedy for Perplexity and a Dulled Conscience
The Power of the Preached Word
Have you ever wondered why the church devotes so much time to the reading and preaching of God’s Word? Like doubting Thomas, we all struggle with unbelief. The Apostle Paul reminds us of the antidote: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). In our natural condition, all of us … Continue reading The Power of the Preached Word
Struggling with Change at Church
Are you struggling with a change at your church? Maybe a change of leadership, a change in ministry direction, a change of a particular style, or a change in your ministry focus. Here is a good and encouraging word from a seasoned pastor, John Stott: “Change is painful to us all, especially when it affects … Continue reading Struggling with Change at Church
Reflections on “The Poor in Spirit”
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3) 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, … Continue reading Reflections on “The Poor in Spirit”
Psalms of Ascent – What do they teach us about our Lord?
The Lord gladly answers us when we call out to Him in our distress (Psalm 120) The Lord exercises His watchcare over us when we face physical and spiritual dangers (Psalm 121). The Lord is worthy of our thankful praise for He extends peace to us (Psalm 122). The enthroned God of heaven delights to … Continue reading Psalms of Ascent – What do they teach us about our Lord?
Hungry Hearts
Like Bruce Springsteen said, all of us have hungry hearts. We have a hunger to experience the transcendent. We have a hunger to love and be loved. We have a hunger for purpose and meaning in life. Left to ourselves, we generally look to satisfy our hungry hearts with the treasures and pleasures of this … Continue reading Hungry Hearts
Reflections on Spiritual Drifting
‘We must pay the greatest attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away (Hebrews 2:1).’ Drifting is the besetting sin of our day. And as the metaphor suggests, it is not so much intentional as from unconcern. Christians neglect their anchor — Christ — and begin to quietly drift away. … Continue reading Reflections on Spiritual Drifting
