"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory." What are we to understand by the bruised reed and smoldering wick in Matthew 12:20? This language is no doubt figurative. What is it that these two expressions mean? The simplest explanation seems to … Continue reading Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks
Jesus’ Ultimate Desire for You
Before Jesus faces the agony of the cross and being forsaken of His Father, He prays for you. His high priestly prayer in John 17 reflects His priorities and desire for you: 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they … Continue reading Jesus’ Ultimate Desire for You
Prayer: Learning How to Answer God
The Psalms play a crucial role in corporate and personal worship because Christians believe the richness of God’s Word ought to determine our prayers not the poverty of our own hearts. Why do we avail ourselves of the Psalms? The Psalms help us to know more intimately, love more fervently, and treasure more deeply our … Continue reading Prayer: Learning How to Answer God
To What End Does God Love You?
I've been studying recently John 13-17 which is called Jesus' Upper Room Discourse. John 13:1 says: Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the … Continue reading To What End Does God Love You?
Love Stoops to Conquer – Worship Reflections for John 13
The foot washing episode of John 13 serves as “a rebuke to the disciples’ ambitious strife, far more powerful than words could have spoken: Such a rebuke that never again do we see a hint of the old question, ‘Who should be greatest?’ It was Christ's answer to their unseemly conduct, and a lesson to … Continue reading Love Stoops to Conquer – Worship Reflections for John 13
The ABCDs of Becoming a Christ Follower
An excellent summary simply stated on how to become a follower of Jesus.
A Prayer of Intercession for Fathers on Father’s Day
Father's Day is coming soon on June 18th. Here is a way to pray for our earthly dads. We come to you this day... For you are God the Father Almighty. You are the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of all of us who believe in Him. We praise you for creating heaven … Continue reading A Prayer of Intercession for Fathers on Father’s Day
Messaging the Gospel into Our Hearts
GOD CALLS US TO CONFESS OUR SINS In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who … Continue reading Messaging the Gospel into Our Hearts
A Spiritual Workout – Using the Psalms to Transform Sadness into Joy
Our God specializes in transforming sadness into joy. The ultimate demonstration of this is our Lord’s resurrection which we celebrate every Sunday. Yet, God’s people have celebrated through the centuries that sorrow and suffering never have the last word in their lives. For example, King David offers a rationale for why we cannot remain silent … Continue reading A Spiritual Workout – Using the Psalms to Transform Sadness into Joy
A Prayer for Good Friday
O Father, at Calvary’s cross, Your grace removes my burdens and heaps them on your Son, who is made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me. There Christ was all anguish that I might have joy, cast off that I might be brought in, trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed … Continue reading A Prayer for Good Friday
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