John Piper, The Passion of Jesus Christ: We are not as Christ-centered and cross-cherishing as we should be, because we do not ponder the truth that everything good, and everything bad that God turns for the good, was purchased by the sufferings of Christ.
Read More Today’s Quote – Cross (Piper)The New Testament writers almost deal with the crucifixion of Christ itself as an afterthought. The details surrounding the crucifixion are explicit and lengthy; the details about the crucifixion itself are sparse: Matt. 27:35 And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots. Mark 15:25 It was the […]
Read More The crucifixionC. J. Mahaney, Living the Cross Centered Life: I identify most with the angry mob screaming, “Crucify Him!” That’s who we should all identify with. Because apart from God’s grace, this is where we would all be standing, and we’re only flattering ourselves to think otherwise. Unless you see yourself standing there with the shrieking […]
Read More Today’s Quote – Good Friday (Mahaney)We do not know what Mary said at the cross. But we do know that she was there. And we do know other truths that had been spoken about Christ in the Old Testament, at His birth (anticipating His redeeming work) and during His life. One writer has compiled a number of these statements and […]
Read More What Mary might have said at the crossJ. H. Merle d’Aubigne, Let Christ Be Magnified: The Word of God is the only power that can subdue the rebellion of our heart. There is a power in our fallen nature which revolets against divine truth, and which nothing human can overcome. No teaching of man will do it, not even that of your […]
Read More Today’s Quote – Scripture (d’Aubigne)Title: God’s Light on Dark Clouds Author: Theodore L. Cuyler Publisher: Banner of Truth Trust (Reprint), 2008; 134 pp. $10.00 Recommendation (4-star scale): Many years ago, when I was still in seminary, Raye Jeanne and I received a phone call telling us of the death of one of our family members. As we reflected […]
Read More Book Review: God’s Light on Dark CloudsMany years ago I was counseling a woman whose husband was adamantly opposed to the gospel. One item in particular bothered him — Easter, he said, was nothing more than the Christianization of a pagan celebration. So he himself did not recognize the remembrance and forbade his wife and family from recognizing it as well. […]
Read More Easter and pagan deitiesJohn Piper, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: What is God looking for in the world? Assistants? No. The gospel is not a help-wanted ad. It is a help-available ad. Nor is the call to Christian service a help-wanted ad. God is not looking for people to work for Him but people who let Him work […]
Read More Today’s Quote – Grace (Piper)This month the Scripture memory verse for the church is Romans 8:28-29 — And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of […]
Read More Why memorizing Romans 8:28-29 is importantJ. Vernon McGee, Galatians: The natural man hates the gospel of the grace of God…it is in us to hate it because it doesn’t require any doing on our part.
Read More Today’s Quote – Grace (McGee)When I was four or five years old, it was not uncommon for me to ask my mother if I could use a table knife for a few minutes. I would take the knife to my bedroom, grab my green ceramic piggy bank, hop on my bed and carefully use the knife to extract the […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (4/5/09)Title: Let Christ Be Magnified Author: J. H. Merle d’Aubigne Publisher: Banner of Truth Trust (Reprint), 2007; 52 pp. $9.00 Recommendation (4-star scale): This being the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin’s birth, there are no shortage of books being written or re-released in tribute to him. I think I’ve acquired at […]
Read More Book Review: Let Christ Be MagnifiedRichard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed: All sin is either from false principles, or ignorance, or thoughtlessness, or unbelief of what is true.…It is good, therefore, to store up true principles in our hearts, and to refresh them often, that, in virtue of them, our affections and actions may be more vigorous.
Read More Today’s Quote – Scripture (Sibbes)John Piper, When I Don’t Desire God: We need the Word of God not only to see God in the Word, but to see him rightly everywhere else.
Read More Today’s Quote – Scripture (Piper)Ken Sande, The Peacemaker: Forgiveness can be a costly activity. When you cancel a debt, it does not just simply disappear. Instead, you absorb a liability that someone else deserves to pay. Similarly, forgiveness requires that you absorb certain effects of another person’s sins and you release that person from liability to punishment. This is […]
Read More Today’s Quote – Forgiveness (Sande)
