The benefits of Scripture

Most decisions we make are run through the benefits grid, as in, “what’s in it for me?” Or, “how will this help me?” If you are offered a new job, an early question is, “what’s the benefits package?” When you consider a change in diet or exercise, you want to know, “how will this help […]

Do not fear

The first day of any new task inevitably arrives with a certain level of tension, anxiety, apprehension, or even fear, along with excitement and anticipation. So many school-age children have trouble eating the first day of each school year. And the first day of a new job, and the first day of marriage, and the […]

He’s about forgiveness

Some things never change. Ask the bystander on the street (or in the mall) about Jesus and it might be said that He was a wise teacher, or an inspiring model to follow, or a moderate political activist, or a social reformer, or a compassionate servant and healer. But few will address the reason Christ […]

The miracles are not about the miracles

In Matthew 9, the writer records five healings or miracles of Jesus: the healing of the paralytic man the healing of the hemorrhaging woman the raising of the official’s daughter from the dead the healing of the two blind men the casting out of the demon from the mute man Additionally, Matthew notes that “Jesus […]

Seeking Christ’s righteousness

We utter the words of Matthew 6:33 quite easily — “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” But what does seeking the righteousness of Christ mean? Is this an opportunity for chest-thumping legalists to rejoice in their accomplishments? No. “The righteousness we are to seek has […]

A reluctant Giver?

A few years ago I was encouraged to ask someone for a favor — “Ask him…I really think he’d be willing to help you.” I was uncertain. The favor I was asking was not insignificant and while this man was well-known to my friend, I did not know him at all. Why would he take […]

Anxiety and God’s righteousness

Jesus was concerned to correct false views of righteousness. As an example, Jesus’ most famous sermon — the one given on the mount (Mt. 5-7) was given largely with a view of revealing God’s standard (and provision) of righteousness. The problem, as Jesus revealed it, is that there are competing forms of righteousness and none […]

I have set the Lord continually before me

Contemplating Psalm 16:8-9, Spurgeon [in The Treasury of David] outlines the importance and benefits of an ongoing consideration of and meditation on God: A sense of the divine presence our best support. It yields, 1. Good confidence concerning things without. I shall not be moved. 2. Good cheer within. My heart is glad. 3. Good […]

Suffer well

“Prepare your people for suffering,” one pastor has repeatedly advised other pastors. He’s right. And his counsel imitates what Christ did for His disciples while on earth, and what His Word repeatedly does for its readers even now. Persecution and suffering are inevitable for the follower of Christ (2 Tim. 3:12). Make a choice to […]

Blessings and woes

Every life has good and trouble — or to use the terms of Luke 6, blessings and woes. Each day has some of both. A card of encouragement and a hospital bill come in the same mail box: blessing and woe. A perfectly baked potato and an overdone steak are served as part of the […]

What makes a heart hard?

Examples of people with hard hearts abound in Scripture. Pharaoh is the first one who is explicitly said to have a hard heart (Ex. 7:13ff). He was followed by Sihon (Dt. 2:30), Israel in the wilderness (Ps. 95:8), the inhabitants of the land of Canaan at the return from Egypt (Josh. 11:20), the Philistines when […]

Honoring Christ

It’s late Saturday morning and you are trying to make progress on your too-long weekend to-do list when your door bell rings. You weren’t expecting company and as you go to the door you glance outside the window and don’t see a car in the driveway. “I wonder who it could be,” you muse. You […]

Only God

We like stories. Sometimes they are dramatic, sometimes inspiring, sometimes perplexing, sometimes amusing, and almost always entertaining. But we don’t just tell stories to entertain each other. Our stories have purpose; they are designed ultimately to illustrate a truth and instruct the mind and conscience. The writers of Scripture used stories in the same way […]

I will sing to the Lord

Today is Sunday. So the first part of Psalm 13:6 resonates (at least a little) with us: “I will sing to the Lord.” It’s fitting. It’s right. It’s what we should do. It’s what we have to do. We will sing. But notice why David says he will sing: “because He has dealt bountifully with […]

Nowhere to lay His head

The humanity of Christ is a great comfort for believers. Certainly we are dependent on His deity, for that is where His authority and His redemptive powers reside, yet in His humanity, we have a Savior who is sympathetic to our needs. He understands us and our circumstances (e.g., Heb 4:14-16). Yet it can be […]