Here is a lovely thought if you find yourself spiritual weak at the moment:Matthew 12:20 - "He won't break a bruised reed, he won't quench a smoking flax." What are we to understand by the bruised reed and smoking flax? The language of the prophet no doubt is figurative. What is it that these two … Continue reading Are you spiritually weak and vulnerable right now?
J.C. Ryle
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
The Bruised Reed and Smoldering Wick
What are we to understand by the bruised reed and smoldering wick in Matthew 12:20? "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory." This language is no doubt figurative. What is it that these two expressions mean? The simplest … Continue reading The Bruised Reed and Smoldering Wick
When You are Misunderstood or Maligned as a Leader
I was thinking this morning about some of my friends in church leadership who have been critiqued recently for not leading well and strongly enough. Others have been accused of being too autocratic and not collegial enough in their leadership style. Below is a short portion of a sermon from John Charles Ryle, an evangelical, … Continue reading When You are Misunderstood or Maligned as a Leader
A Comforting Word for Calvinists and Arminians
When we see the mournful divisions which rend the church of Jesus Christ, let us rest our souls on this comfortable thought. Let us remember that a large portion of them arise from ignorance. We know in part and therefore misunderstand one another. A day comes when Lutherans shall no longer wrangle with Zwinglians, nor … Continue reading A Comforting Word for Calvinists and Arminians
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?
One Unfailing Friend – J.C. Ryle
Mark 14:50 - "And they all left him and fled." Let us notice how much the faith of true believers may give way. We are told that when Judas and his company laid hands on our Lord, and He quietly submitted to be taken prisoner, the eleven disciples "all forsook Him and fled." Perhaps up … Continue reading One Unfailing Friend – J.C. Ryle
Three Rich Cordials to Cheer Our Souls
Mark 13:9-13 - 9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested … Continue reading Three Rich Cordials to Cheer Our Souls
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
Our Lord’s Triumphal Entry – Gleanings from the Man of Granite with the Heart of a Child
The Triumphal Entry of our Lord is spoken of four times in the New Testament. “It is evident that it is a scene in the earthly life of Jesus which Christians are intended to study with special attention. Let us study it and see what practical lessons we may learn for our own souls” (J.C. … Continue reading Our Lord’s Triumphal Entry – Gleanings from the Man of Granite with the Heart of a Child
2Cherish2Commend 