Four reasons to avoid pornography

Yesterday I came across an article that revealed, “5 proven ways pornography warps your mind.” The list is good. I agree in large part with the list. It rings true both to research studies and anecdotal evidence: Watching porn decreases our sexual satisfaction Watching porn disconnects us from real relationships Watching porn lowers our view […]

I need Scripture

It is the work of the Spirit of God to use the Word of God to change the fleshly man into the man of God. I need Scripture for the transformation of my heart. So says Jonathan Edwards: Saturday, May 23. How it comes about I know not, but I have remarked it hitherto, that […]

“I am the Lord”

It has been often noted that at the base of all sin is some form of pride. A man pridefully deems that the protection of his finances is more important than the government’s right to tax, so he is deceitful on his 1040 form. A child yearns for a toy and is billigerent in his […]

May I Go In There?

From Jared Wilson’s blog: This is taken from an illustration in John Phillips’ Exploring Hebrews commentary that has always moved me. Imagine with me a Moabite of old gazing down upon the Tabernacle of Israel from some lofty hillside. This Moabite is attracted to what he sees so he descends the hill and makes his […]

A steadfast mind, pt. 2

Matthew Henry comments on Isaiah 26:3 — 1. This is here the matter of a promise (v. 3): Thou wilt keep him in peace, peace, in perfect peace, inward peace, outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace at all times, under all events; this peace shall he be put into, and kept in […]

A steadfast mind

Author George Bernard Shaw went to visit fellow Brit and sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein on one occasion. As the artist showed the writer his studio, Shaw noticed a huge block of stone in the corner and asked Epstein what his intention was for the granite. “I don’t know yet. I’m still making plans.” “You mean […]

Sunday Leftovers – Relationships According to Proverbs

We are to do everything humanly possible to be at peace with all men (Rom. 12:18). Yet harmony in human relationships cannot always be accomplished. Elizabeth Barrett was an accomplished writer and poet, yet her marriage with Robert Browning caused an irreconcilable rift with her parents. As he did with all his children who married, […]

A study in contrasts

Call this a study in contrasts. Isaiah 9 is a well-known passage for its description of the advent of the Messiah: For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal […]

Let him who boasts

All men tend towards pride. A wise man’s temptation is to boast in his own wisdom. A strong man is tempted to boast in his own strength. A rich man is tempted to boast about his riches (Jer. 9:23). There is a two-fold problem with this pride. First, the pride is rooted in an exaltation […]

Are we lovers of the Word?

Continuing the thoughts from yesterday, Thomas Watson asks the question, “Are we lovers of the Word?” He offers some tests of this aspect of our godliness. Let us test by this characteristic whether we are godly: Are we lovers of the Word? 1. Do we love the Word written? What sums of money the martyrs […]

Sunday Leftovers (9/11/11)

From Thomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture, who reiterates some of the same principles of how to read the Scriptures that we spoke of this morning: A godly man shows his love to the Word written: (i) By diligently reading it. The noble Bereans “searched the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11). Apollos was mighty in the […]

Church is not that complicated

There are many ideas about how to do ministry (I receive new ideas on postcards and flyers virtually everyday in my mailbox and inbox). There have always been many diverse and divergent ideas about the priorities of ministry. The temptation is often to take a pragmatic approach to “make the church grow.” Now having dancing […]

They said it better than me – the value of Scripture

A few quotes that were left on the cutting room floor from Sunday’s sermon about Scripture: “There is no substitute for submission to Scripture. Your spiritual health depends on placing the utmost value on the Word of God and obeying it with an eager heart.…Don’t relinquish the sweet, satisfying riches of God’s Word for the […]

Sunday Leftovers (9/4/11)

It won’t substitute for a trip to the doctor’s office. And it usually isn’t adequate for an employee review. And a building inspector certainly won’t allow it. But for the believer, self-examination is not only allowed, but it is commanded. A believer is called to examine his salvation — is he genuinely saved (2 Cor. […]

An example of suffering

Pastor Keith has been teaching through the book of Job on Sunday mornings. This Sunday, he mentioned again the story of Brian Birdwell as an example of those who suffer. If you don’t have time to read his book, Refined by Fire, here is a brief summary of his story in his words: Brian currently […]