Remember the birds and the lilies. Dr. Helmut Thielicke preached a course of sermons on the Sermon on the Mount in St Mark’s Church, Stuttgart, during the terrible years (1946–1948) which immediately followed World War II. He often alluded to the scream of the air-raid sirens, alerting people to yet more devastation and death from … Continue reading In Anxious Times…
fear
Transforming the Fearful into the Faithful – A Prayer Guide for John 20:19-23
Praying Scripture | John 20:19–23 19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his … Continue reading Transforming the Fearful into the Faithful – A Prayer Guide for John 20:19-23
The Fear of the Lord
How do we navigate life well and all of its decisions with God’s wisdom? Many will say: “Listen to your heart.” Just a few verses earlier in Proverbs 14 we read: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Our hearts can and often deceive us … Continue reading The Fear of the Lord
A Simple Prayer through Psalm 23
Gracious Father, at birth we are all launched into a world that is ringed with terror – conflicts, accidents, assaults, disease, violence and death. How easy it is to allow fear to dominate our lives: The fear of rejection, failure, condemnation, pain and death. Thank You that Your sword was awakened against our Good Shepherd … Continue reading A Simple Prayer through Psalm 23
Martin Luther & The Courage to Face Your Fears
On Sunday, October 29th, we will celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. We remember on this day that Martin Luther began a process that resulted in the recovery of the biblical gospel. Many congregations will recall the efforts of Martin Luther and will sing his famous hymn based on Psalm 46 entitled "A Mighty … Continue reading Martin Luther & The Courage to Face Your Fears
With Jesus in the Boat
The early church viewed Jesus’ miracle of calming the troubled sea (Mark 4:35-41) as a sign of His saving presence amidst persecution that threatened to overwhelm the church. In early Christian art, the Church was portrayed as a boat being driven about on a perilous sea and, with Jesus in the midst, there was nothing … Continue reading With Jesus in the Boat
The Majesty of a Forgiving Father
Psalm 130:4 sets forth one of the greatest discoveries that we can ever make: “With you (the LORD) there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” According to John Stott, this verse “contains a beautiful balance because its first part brings assurance to the despairing, while its second part sounds a warning to the presumptuous.” How … Continue reading The Majesty of a Forgiving Father
Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled
Let not your hearts be troubled for Jesus promises… Light after darkness, gain after loss; Strength after weakness, crown after cross; Sweet after bitter, hope after fears; Home after wandering, praise after tears; Sheaves after sowing, sun after rain; Sight after mystery, peace after pain; Joy after sorrow, calm after blast; Rest after weariness, sweet … Continue reading Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled
The Fear that Conquers All Fears
Fear can dominate and immobilize us. Internet images of brutal deaths of the oppressed and persecuted stoke the fires of fear in our hearts. Two of the greatest fears with which we deal are: The fear of man and the fear of death. Those who trust in the resurrected and reigning Lord Jesus Christ must … Continue reading The Fear that Conquers All Fears
Have You Settled the Issue Regarding Your Assurance of Salvation?
Both our struggle with sin and pressures from suffering can unsettle us deeply. The only remedy is to know with equal depth the unbreakable love of God for us in Jesus. Reflecting on Romans will promote a cross-based, Spirit-given assurance of salvation for all believers in spite of sin (8:1-17), suffering (8:18-30) and death (8:31-39). … Continue reading Have You Settled the Issue Regarding Your Assurance of Salvation?
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