John 7:40–44: 40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David … Continue reading The Comforting Truth of God’s Providence
Bible
The Danger of Worldliness & Becoming What You Worship
Worldliness is whatever any culture does to make sin seem normal and righteousness to be strange. When we embrace the Zeitgeist (the spirit of the age) of worldliness, it feels strange to think like a Christian. Acting according to the Bible’s mandates becomes difficult. When we think the world’s thoughts after it, our actions align … Continue reading The Danger of Worldliness & Becoming What You Worship
All Saints’ Weekend
Your church may not use the church calendar throughout the year and that is perfectly fine. Therefore, you may not know that this past Friday was All Saints’ Day. This day is a very special day for me because it reminds me to give thanks to the Lord regularly for those whom God used to lead … Continue reading All Saints’ Weekend
Strategies for Our War Against Temptation
If you are facing temptation today, these words of challenge from John Piper which I have edited just a bit are sound, biblical counsel. Your temptation may be to grasp for power when you feel vulnerable, or to succumb to lust, or to despair when something doesn’t work out like you had hoped: Here is … Continue reading Strategies for Our War Against Temptation
Sanctifying Our Deep Distresses
"In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.” - Psalm 18:6, 16 John Rippon wrote … Continue reading Sanctifying Our Deep Distresses
Reflections for Palm Sunday Worship
No word in my vocabulary expressed deeper hatred than the word interference. And the Bible placed at the center what seemed to me a Transcendental Interferer. — C.S. Lewis Glorious as Jesus is in Himself, as a conqueror over death, and hell, and the grave, the Son of God is still ‘meek and lowly of … Continue reading Reflections for Palm Sunday Worship
Do You Believe the Bible is God’s Word?
There are forces afoot today that would cause you and me to doubt the veracity, authority, and sufficiency of the Bible as God’s Word. This phenomenon is not unique to our time. Recall the tactics of the ancient serpent in his temptation of Eve in Genesis 3: “Did God really say?...” Therefore, it behooves us … Continue reading Do You Believe the Bible is God’s Word?
Why Read Your Bible? Eight Reasons from J.C. Ryle
One of my favorite authors and pastors from a previous generation is John Charles Ryle. He was a pastor in Liverpool, England back in the 1800s. Here are a few excerpts from a book entitled Practical Religion that I am presently reading. This chapter is simply entitled "Bible Reading." There is hardly any discipline more … Continue reading Why Read Your Bible? Eight Reasons from J.C. Ryle
A Presidential Address on the Bible
One hundred years ago, our President at the time, Woodrow Wilson, gave an important speech. The year was 1911. It was perhaps the last time a speech like this was ever given by an American president. It was a public address devoted completely to the Bible and its importance to our survival as a nation. … Continue reading A Presidential Address on the Bible
What is a Christian?
Here is a sound definition from James I. Packer in his classic book Knowing God in the chapter "Thy Word is Truth:" "A person who acknowledges and lives under the Word of God. He submits without reserve to the Word of God written in 'the Scripture of truth' (Daniel 10:21), believing the teaching, trusting the promises, … Continue reading What is a Christian?
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