"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." - Lamentations 3:24 Is the Lord enough for us? The secret of joy, contentment, hope and victory over temptation is resting in and knowing that the Lord is enough. We ultimately don't need all the other things of this world. Thomas … Continue reading The Lord is Our Portion
Grasping the Wonder of Grace
“For every one look you take at your sin, take ten looks at Jesus.” Robert Murray M’Cheyne spoke these words to his congregation in Scotland in the early 1800s. We do well to heed M’Cheyne’s counsel as we regularly confess our sins to the Lord and experience anew the assurance of forgiveness. The regular discipline … Continue reading Grasping the Wonder of Grace
Insanity, Blasphemy, or Deity?
Have you settled the issue in your mind concerning who Jesus really is? His high priestly prayer starts in John 17:1-5. Listen to his prayer: "After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people … Continue reading Insanity, Blasphemy, or Deity?
The Ultimate Hindrance to Our Church’s Mission
I came across this challenging quote in my study of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer in John's Gospel. What do you think of John Milne’s comment on John 17:21 and 23? “The biggest barriers to effective evangelism according to the prayer of Jesus are not so much outdated methods, or inadequate presentations of the gospel, as … Continue reading The Ultimate Hindrance to Our Church’s Mission
A Friend in Heaven
Here are a few lovely thoughts from the inspirational Bishop of Liverpool, John Charles Ryle based upon John 11 where Jesus raises his friend Lazarus from the grave: • You have a friend in heaven of almighty power and boundless love who weeps with those who weep. • You are thought of, cared for, provided … Continue reading A Friend in Heaven
A Prayer for The Dying and Those Who Care for Them
O Father, may your salvation surround us who live and walk under the shadow of death. Draw near to your dying children. By simple faith in your undying grace may they have peace in the hour of their departing. Draw near to those caught up in the rawness of a new grief. Enable them to … Continue reading A Prayer for The Dying and Those Who Care for Them
Overcoming the Violent Tyranny of Death – John 11:17-44
In John's narrative of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, a gnawing statement surfaces not once, twice, but three times. "Jesus, if you’d been here, this would not have happened!" Couldn’t Jesus have prevented the death of his friend, Lazarus? The neighbors mumble: “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have … Continue reading Overcoming the Violent Tyranny of Death – John 11:17-44
Live Well to Die Well
For every morbid person who thinks pathologically about death, there are probably a million more who do not think about it enough. When Moses thought about the brevity of life he prayed: “Teach us to number our days that we might present to you a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). “Get correct views of … Continue reading Live Well to Die Well
A Challenging Quote from Hudson Taylor
Recently I was rereading Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret and came across this quote that has always served as an inspirational challenge and I commend it to you! For us in the West today, Christianity is easy going on steroids. However, it will not always be this way. Better to begin paying the price now to … Continue reading A Challenging Quote from Hudson Taylor
A Prayer of Confession for Good Friday
Merciful Father, we meet each other today at the foot of the cross. We wait with each other as those who inflict wounds on one another: Have mercy on us. As those who spurn Your love for other loves: Be merciful to us. As those who put our trust in power and prestige: Be merciful … Continue reading A Prayer of Confession for Good Friday
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