Teaching Outline: Rain is the difference between life and death. God’s Word is like the rain. How so? True life (both physical and spiritual) comes from beyond us. We can’t control it; we can only receive it. When God's word pours down like rain, we heed the invitation to our Lord's banquet of grace (Is. 55:1-5). Like rain, … Continue reading When God’s Word Pours Down Like Rain
Prayer of Confession – Romans 8
Holy and gracious Father, the highest court in the universe has declared us completely forgiven, totally accepted and forever loved!” Yet when we find ourselves in a cauldron of adversity and difficulty, we easily succumb to despair and our minds are seduced into believing the lie that you really don't care about us. Forgive us … Continue reading Prayer of Confession – Romans 8
Reflections on the Good Samaritan
Before we go rushing down the Jericho road imagining ourselves the heroes of the story, we need to be quiet, allow ourselves to be comforted, and listen in on the conversations in the Hotel Compassion, where all the talk is about the compassion of the Lord. — Patrick J. Willson Let no one glean from Jesus’ … Continue reading Reflections on the Good Samaritan
Reflections on the Exclusive Claim of Jesus
In John 14:6, Jesus says to Thomas, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The exclusivity of this claim is completely offensive in our age of tolerance. Here are a few musings on this claim that have proven helpful to me. In a world of … Continue reading Reflections on the Exclusive Claim of Jesus
Reflections on Jesus’ New Commandment
In his booklet on John 13:34-35 entitled “The Mark of a Christian,” Francis Shaeffer called love ‘the final apologetic.’ The love of Christians for one another should be the distinguishing mark by which the world recognizes us as followers of Jesus. Such mutual interest in and concern for each other will arrest the attention of … Continue reading Reflections on Jesus’ New Commandment
Christian Contentment: A Definition
Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in our every circumstance and condition. —Jeremiah Burroughs (1599-1646)
Dealing with Depression at Christmas
Many of us deal with discouragement and depression during this season of the year. Some of us deal with deeply flawed marriages, unbelieving children, less than fulfilling careers, singleness, childlessness, broken dreams/relationships, and/or being falsely accused of something we didn’t say or do. One key attribute of God that helps us face these dark days is God’s providence. … Continue reading Dealing with Depression at Christmas
When You Face Injustice
Here is a simple prayer of confession of sin to reflect upon and pray through: God, our heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your Son to pour out a crimson flood to make sweet earth’s bitter waters of evil, injustice, hatred, and revenge. Never was any man more unjustly sinned against. His life was one … Continue reading When You Face Injustice
John 13 & The Distinguishing Mark of a Christian
In his booklet on John 13:34-35 entitled “The Mark of a Christian,” Francis Shaeffer called love ‘the final apologetic.’ The love of Christians for one another should be the distinguishing mark by which the world recognizes us as followers of Jesus. Such mutual interest in and concern for each other will arrest the attention of unbelievers. This recognition from the … Continue reading John 13 & The Distinguishing Mark of a Christian
The Struggle to Believe in Sovereign Grace
If you have ever struggled to believe in God's sovereignty in the salvation of sinners. Below are quotes from distinquished authors who recount this struggle and explain succinctly the practical implications for resting your salvation in the hands of a sovereign God: Men will never worship God with a sincere heart, or be roused to fear … Continue reading The Struggle to Believe in Sovereign Grace
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