Have you ever wondered what does it really look like to make spiritual progress in your journey? What kind of Christians does the Holy Spirit want to develop? Christians whose lives display the following seven features: Doxology, the habit taught and modeled by Paul of constantly praising God and giving him thanks; Humility, the downward … Continue reading The Major Markers of Spiritual Progress
j.i. packer
Facing Our Long Battle with Terrorism
This morning I was reading again a journal article by James I. Packer entitled "Wisdom in a Time of War: What Oswald Chambers and C.S. Lewis Teach Us about Living Through The Long Battle with Terrorism." He wrote this for the January 2, 2002 edition of the periodical Christianity Today. One of the first points he makes … Continue reading Facing Our Long Battle with Terrorism
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?
When Politics Get You Down
Take a moment to grasp again how great is our God. The Bible tells us how unlimited are His wisdom, His presence and His power. No where does the Bible set this forth more beautifully than in Psalm 139. J.I. Packer, in his classic book entitled Knowing God, writes: Look at the world's great men - the … Continue reading When Politics Get You Down
The Power of the Word of God in a Young Pastor’s Life
J.I. Packer, as a young pastor, found himself “marginalized, isolated and required to work on unfulfilling and flawed agendas, in a manner that made him think of the Israelites having to make bricks for Pharaoh.” He claims to have lived “like Moses in Midian, with frustration in [his] heart, wondering what God could possibly be … Continue reading The Power of the Word of God in a Young Pastor’s Life
Dealing with Depression at Christmas
Many of us deal with discouragement and depression during this season of the year. Some of us deal with deeply flawed marriages, unbelieving children, less than fulfilling careers, singleness, childlessness, broken dreams/relationships, and/or being falsely accused of something we didn’t say or do. One key attribute of God that helps us face these dark days is God’s providence. … Continue reading Dealing with Depression at Christmas
The Struggle to Believe in Sovereign Grace
If you have ever struggled to believe in God's sovereignty in the salvation of sinners. Below are quotes from distinquished authors who recount this struggle and explain succinctly the practical implications for resting your salvation in the hands of a sovereign God: Men will never worship God with a sincere heart, or be roused to fear … Continue reading The Struggle to Believe in Sovereign Grace
Three Avenues of Spiritual Attack and What To Do About Them
Our church is under spiritual attack. In fact, all churches are under attack. Every single believer in Christ is engaged in a constant, inescapable battle against spiritual degeneracy in three forms: Our unbelief of God’s word, our lack of forgiveness of others, and our unhumbled pride in what we are and have done. So, I … Continue reading Three Avenues of Spiritual Attack and What To Do About Them
A Man for Others in Radical Humility
J.I. .Packer highlights the spiritual battle we all face: "We are all engaged in a constant, inescapable battle against spiritual degeneracy in four forms: Our unhumbled pride, our unbelief of God’s word, our lack of forgiveness of others, and our aversion to taking risks. All these forms of spiritual degeneration banish true spiritual joy..." … Continue reading A Man for Others in Radical Humility
Advent Devotional #1: A Riches to Rags Story
During Advent we remember and celebrate Jesus’s first coming when “the Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.”(C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity). We also look forward to our Lord’s second coming when He fully establishes His peaceable kingdom. To grasp more fully the magnitude of Advent, we want to … Continue reading Advent Devotional #1: A Riches to Rags Story
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