Of all the virtues Christ commended in the Beatitudes, it is significant that the first is humility, being 'poor in spirit' (Matthew 5:3). The virtue of humility (the blessed gift of self-forgetfulness) underlies all the others: You cannot mourn (5:4) without appreciating how insufficient you are to handle life in your own strength. That is … Continue reading Jesus’ Beatitudes & the Virtue of Humility
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Cultivating a Healthy Marriage – Clothed with Humility
During your early years of marriage, you will discover that developing a good marriage is a lot like cultivating a garden (recall Tim Keller’s talk on “Cultivating a Healthy Marriage"). A garden takes a lot of work and it costs more than you figured, it is messier than you anticipated, and it requires greater determination … Continue reading Cultivating a Healthy Marriage – Clothed with Humility
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
Prayer of Confession based upon Proverbs 6:16-19
Proverbs 22:8 – He who sows iniquity will reap calamity. “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:” Haughty eyes (Where and when have I looked down upon others—pride of race, face, place, and grace? Where and when have I possessed an exaggerated sense of my own opinions and … Continue reading Prayer of Confession based upon Proverbs 6:16-19
Three Main Avenues of Spiritual Attack
Dr. J.I. Packer is one of my favorite theologians and writers. On many occasions he has brought clarity and insight to the Word of God for me. One article that has been particularly enriching is called "Self-Care for Pastors: Riches from the Anglican Devotional Tradition." In this article, he emphasizes that there are three main … Continue reading Three Main Avenues of Spiritual Attack
Proverbs: On The Cure for Spiritual Cancer
Prince Rabadash was the evil heir of Calormene. He is portrayed as the supreme example of pride in CS Lewis’ chronicle The Horse and His Boy. Rabadash lets a Narnian princess he wants to marry slip through his fingers. In his anger and disappointment, he calls for an attack on the land of Narnia. In … Continue reading Proverbs: On The Cure for Spiritual Cancer
To Increase Humility
1 Peter 5:5 says: "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." In my devotional reading this morning, I came across this piece from a 17th century pastor named Jeremy Taylor entitled "To Increase Humility." I stumbled upon it in the Winter … Continue reading To Increase Humility
God’s Guidance – Wisdom Along the Way
Jake was so excited to be hunting quail. He took off through the brush and proceeded to flush a bird… not just once, twice, but three times. After the third time, the hunter, my friend Joseph Wheat’s father, got right in Jake’s face and spoke firmly to his dog: “Jake, we’re not here today to … Continue reading God’s Guidance – Wisdom Along the Way
Three Primary Forms of Spiritual Attack
Over the past several years, one journal article that has helped me immensely comes from the pen of J.I. Packer entitled "Self-Care for Pastors: Riches from the Anglican Devotional Tradition." Packer emphasizes that there are three main avenues of attack against leaders of Christ's church. All of us are engaged in a constant, inescapable battle … Continue reading Three Primary Forms of Spiritual Attack
