Our world seems to be descending more and more into moral chaos and confusion as moral relativism and secularism wreck havoc on people's lives. Rather than the church of Jesus stepping up to provide the gospel cure and model a better way forward, the church and many of her leaders seem to have been ensnared … Continue reading Is there any hope for the church?
John Calvin
Reflections on “The Poor in Spirit”
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3) The sermon on the Mount describes what human life and human community looks like when they come under the gracious rule of King Jesus… Still today the indispensable condition of receiving the kingdom of God is to acknowledge our spiritual poverty… Thus, … Continue reading Reflections on “The Poor in Spirit”
Worship – A Dress Rehearsal for Eternity
Every Lord’s Day serves as a dress rehearsal for life in our eternal home in heaven. How wonderful to know that history is moving towards a great end: The worship of the one, true, living God. This is the goal and climax of human history. How do we know this? Revelation 7:9 describes the heavenly … Continue reading Worship – A Dress Rehearsal for Eternity
Three Benefits of Taking the Lord’s Supper from John Calvin
Here, then, is the singular comfort that we derive from the Supper. It directs and leads us to the cross of Jesus Christ and to his resurrection, to certify us that whatever iniquity there may be in us, the Lord nevertheless recognizes and accepts us as righteous—whatever materials of death may be in us, he … Continue reading Three Benefits of Taking the Lord’s Supper from John Calvin
A Good Word from John Calvin on Spiritual Warfare
“We have been forewarned that an enemy relentlessly threatens us, an enemy who is the very embodiment of rash boldness, of military prowess, of crafty wiles, of untiring zeal and haste, of every conceivable weapon and of skill in the science of warfare. We must, then, bend our every effort to this goal: That we … Continue reading A Good Word from John Calvin on Spiritual Warfare
The Purpose of Jesus’ Prayer in John 17
Jesus' high priestly prayer in John 17 serves as a pattern of His intercession that He carries on for us in heaven now. It also serves as an example for our own prayer life. In a nutshell, what Christ asks for us, we should ask for ourselves. “Jesus here shows teachers an example, that they … Continue reading The Purpose of Jesus’ Prayer in John 17
Acts 14 – The Habits of the Heart of Gospel People
Devotional Guide - Habits of the Heart of Gospel People The church is called to teach people how to talk, how to act, how to fight, how to love, how to see the world in a peculiar way - a Christlike way. “The role of the church is to cultivate a people who can risk … Continue reading Acts 14 – The Habits of the Heart of Gospel People
Happy Are Those Who Are Poor in Spirit – A Few Reflections and A Prayer
The Sermon on the Mount describes what human life and human community looks like when they come under the gracious rule of King Jesus… Still today the indispensable condition of receiving the kingdom of God is to acknowledge our spiritual poverty… Thus, to be ‘poor in spirit’ is to acknowledge our spiritual poverty, indeed our … Continue reading Happy Are Those Who Are Poor in Spirit – A Few Reflections and A Prayer
Reflections for Worship – Devoted to Our Superior Weapon
In the first garden “Not your will but mine” changed paradise to desert and brought man from Eden to Gethsemane. Now “Not my will but yours” brings anguish to the man who prays it but transforms the desert into the kingdom and brings man from Gethsemane to the gates of glory. - D.A. Carson It … Continue reading Reflections for Worship – Devoted to Our Superior Weapon
Praying to a Prodigal Father
In a recent time of studying and meditating on the Lord's Prayer, I came across this wonderful piece from John Calvin on what we ought to reflect upon when we pray "our Father." "The exuberance of his paternal kindness he sets before us in the parable, (Luke 15:20) when the father with open arms receives … Continue reading Praying to a Prodigal Father
2Cherish2Commend 