Lifelines for those journeying through spiritual depression from Psalm 120: Martin Lloyd Jones in his book entitled Spiritual Depression sets forth a radical notion that has proven most helpful to me personally. He writes that "most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking … Continue reading Lifelines for Spiritual Depression
Reflections for Worship – Romans 16:1-16
One biblical scholar writes that Romans 16 "is one of the most instructive chapters of the New Testament because it encourages personal relationships of love in the church." — Emil Brunner The warmth of Christian friendship evident in these verses (with so many indications of warm affection) reminds us that in a world of fractured … Continue reading Reflections for Worship – Romans 16:1-16
If he has work for me to do, I cannot die!
While in college, Henry Martyn was stirred by the missions interests of his pastor Charles Simeon of Holy Trinity Church as well as by reading the journals of David Brainerd, the Puritan missionary in North America. Henry was a "Senior Wrangler" at the prestigious Cambridge University. That meant he graduated first among the honor students … Continue reading If he has work for me to do, I cannot die!
A Man for Others in Loving Forgiveness
How are you doing in modeling the gospel with others? A man for others embodies the gospel by forgiving others the same way that God in Christ has forgiven you. (Philippians 2:2 - "Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.") Ephesians 4:31-32 – Let all … Continue reading A Man for Others in Loving Forgiveness
Luther – Our Daily Business is Our Hardest Work
I don't know about you but it always encourages me to hear the saints of old acknowledge their own difficulties in spiritual disciplines such as prayer. What a delight it should be for us to bring all our cares, burdens, joys, and petitions to the throne of grace, but, if you're like me, you find … Continue reading Luther – Our Daily Business is Our Hardest Work
Praying for Your Wife
What are you praying for right now for your wife? I have found it most helpful to pray through certain Scriptures for my wife Scottie. One passage that has served as a helpful guide through the years has been Proverbs 31:10-31. Here are several bullet points for prayer. I would urge to use this as … Continue reading Praying for Your Wife
A Cure for All Your Unhappiness
Martin Lloyd-Jones' book Spiritual Depression has had a profound impact on my life. It is a compilation of his sermons from the book of Psalms. In his sermon on Psalm 42, he sets forth what he believes is the fundamental cause of all our unhappiness and prescribes a cure. “Have you realized that most of … Continue reading A Cure for All Your Unhappiness
A Challenge for Married Men and Those Soon to Marry
If you have been married for any length of time, you have had to learn how to deal with disappointment and difficulty in living together as a married couple working hard to keep your vows. This morning I am in the midst of finalizing a wedding ceremony and came across a wonderful challenge to married … Continue reading A Challenge for Married Men and Those Soon to Marry
Martin Luther on Praying the Psalms
“Whoever begins to pray the Psalms earnestly and regularly will soon take leave of those other light and personal little devotional prayers and say, ‘Ah, there is not the juice, the strength, the passion, the fire which you find in the Psalms. Anything else tastes too cold and too hard.'”
Loving Your Wife
"It is not having a wife, but loving a wife, that makes a man live chastely. He who loves his wife, whom Solomon calls his fountain, will not go abroad to drink of muddy, poisoned waters. Pure conjugal love is a gift of God, and comes from heaven; but like the vestal fire, it must … Continue reading Loving Your Wife
