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
God
The Gift that Banishes Fear
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). What a tender word from our Savior. He knows how easily our hearts tremble—when we feel weak, when the way is hard, when the enemies of our souls seem strong, when we are painfully aware of our … Continue reading The Gift that Banishes Fear
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
The Dark Night of the Soul (Psalm 42-43)
The dark night of the soul. This phenomenon describes a malady that the greatest of Christians have suffered from time to time. It was the malady that provoked David to soak his pillow with tears. It was the malady that earned for Jeremiah the name, “The Weeping Prophet.” It was the malady that so afflicted … Continue reading The Dark Night of the Soul (Psalm 42-43)
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
Prayer: Learning How to Answer God
The Psalms play a crucial role in corporate and personal worship because Christians believe the richness of God’s Word ought to determine our prayers not the poverty of our own hearts. Why do we avail ourselves of the Psalms? The Psalms help us to know more intimately, love more fervently, and treasure more deeply our … Continue reading Prayer: Learning How to Answer God
Maundy Thursday and the Mark of a Christian
The Mark of the Christian (John 13:31-38) The text upon which this teaching outline is based is normally assigned to Maundy Thursday. The Latin word for commandment is mandatum. This commandment that Jesus gave was the old commandment with which Moses himself summarized the whole law, but Jesus made it new by highlighting three things: … Continue reading Maundy Thursday and the Mark of a Christian
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
A Burden-bearing God!
"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens" (Psalm 68:19). How wonderful it is to know that our God is a burden-bearing God. What is the burden you are carrying today? By prayer, you can cast it upon the Lord who promises to sustain you (Psalm 55:22). Jesus invites … Continue reading A Burden-bearing God!
2Cherish2Commend 