Click here: A Prayer Guide through Colossians 3:12-17 It is very sad and unfortunate that many view Christianity primarily as a moral code instead of the grace-filled relationship that it is. I, for one, grew up thinking that becoming a Christ-follower involved keeping rules with clenched fists. However, I have come to learn that … Continue reading Praying for Your Church: A Flourishing Community of Grace
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For Those Who Are Waiting in a Time of Grief and Pain
This week, my daily Bible reading took me through Isaiah 30 which has much to say to those who wait with grieving and pain-filled hearts. You may be waiting for someone to love and cherish you... waiting for the privilege to bear children, waiting for healing for a terminal illness, waiting for a prodigal child … Continue reading For Those Who Are Waiting in a Time of Grief and Pain
Four Movements in Corporate Worship
Corporate worship contains four basic movements: Glory, guilt, grace, and gratitude. The wonderful hymn of praise “God, All Nature Sings Thy Glory” beautifully illustrates this. Glory: The radiant beauty of our God is seen in all that He has made, especially the pinnacle of His creation – man. The only fitting response is to worship … Continue reading Four Movements in Corporate Worship
Taking Time to Examine Yourself
Why do followers of Jesus take time to regularly confess their sins to God? The regular discipline of confession enables us to grasp more fully the beauty and wonder of grace as we are made continually aware of the depth of our need of God’s unmerited favor. Christopher Ash explains: We desire “to encourage self-examination … Continue reading Taking Time to Examine Yourself
Grace – The Fuel for Worship
The people of God gather on the Lord’s Day to worship Him. We do this in the power of the Holy Spirit, out of gratitude to our Almighty God as He is revealed himself in the person and work of Jesus Christ. We humble ourselves before Him by declaring His worth, confessing His lordship,and rendering … Continue reading Grace – The Fuel for Worship
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
The Reformation: A Time When Men Went Blind, Staggering Drunk…
This coming Sunday we celebrate Reformation Sunday. We give thanks to God for men like Martin Luther who helped the church recover the biblical gospel of grace. Here's two of my favorite quotes by writers who capture with force exactly what happened during this time in history (1517-1689 AD). Robert Capon graphically shares: “The Reformation … Continue reading The Reformation: A Time When Men Went Blind, Staggering Drunk…
The Delight That Removes Distress – 2 Corinthians 8:9
What is distressing to you right now? What is causing you stress? It could be a lingering illness, the shaky economy, joblessness, or spending the holidays with your extended family. How easy it is to succumb to discouragement and depression and to lose hope. How does the Lord strengthen us to face the distressing and … Continue reading The Delight That Removes Distress – 2 Corinthians 8:9
Advent Devotional #3: Receiving the Riches of Grace
Have you ever seen or read about someone who devoted themselves exclusively to the preservation of their own life and their own resources with no regard for others? How would you describe their life? I have one word: Misery! Remember the original Bah-humbug man in “A Christmas Carol ” – Ebenezer Scrooge? He was a … Continue reading Advent Devotional #3: Receiving the Riches of Grace
The Power of Grace – E. Stanley Jones
"Grace binds you with far stronger cords than the cords of duty or obligation can bind you. Grace is free, but when once you take it, you are bound forever to the Giver and bound to catch the spirit of the Giver. Like produces like. Grace makes you gracious, the Giver makes you give." — … Continue reading The Power of Grace – E. Stanley Jones
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