25 words for new graduates

Always treasure Christ and you will never be disappointed. If you are disappointed, you have hoped in something more than you have hoped in Christ.

On knowing Christ

Paul wanted to know Christ — even to the point of knowing the fellowship with Him that comes from suffering (Phil. 3:10). And Paul wanted his spiritual children to know Christ — that they would know the full confidence that is associated with the hope of His calling them to salvation (Eph. 1:19), and that […]

Valentine’s Day and the love of God

Today, on the day when the rest of the world celebrates the human love, what better time is there to remember the divine love of God for man. What follow are some reflections of men who have “said it better than me” about God’s love: When Karl Barth, the famed German theologian, visited the Untied […]

Today’s Quote – Christ’s Love (Bunyan)

John Bunyan, All Loves Excelling: …that a person so great, so high, so glorious, as this Jesus Christ was, should have love for us, that passes knowledge. It is common for equals to love, and for superiors to be beloved; but for the King of princes, for the Son of God, for Jesus Christ to […]

Today’s Quote – Holiness (Calvin)

John Calvin, quoted in John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology: I call “piety” that reverence joined with love of God which the knowledge of his benefits induces. For until men recognize that they owe everything to God, that they are nourished by his fatherly care, that he is the Author of their […]

Today’s Quote – God’s Love (Hiebert)

D. Edmond Hiebert, 1 Peter: Amid the crushing burdens or the burning trials that often befall the saints, it is the cross and the resurrection of Christ that remain the unshakable demonstration of God’s love and concern.

Today’s Quote – Grace (Edwards)

Dwight Edwards, Revolution Within: When He’s viewed almost exclusively as a God of love, we see forgiveness as just part of His job. That leaves His love with no punch for us, no fizz, no sprakle. Assumed grace can never be transforming grace. We must be primed by the blazing holiness of God before His […]

Today’s Quote – Trials (Cuyler)

Theodore Cuyler, God’s Light on Dark Clouds: Never has [God] promised us an easy road or a smooth road, or such a road as our selfishness may select. He never consents that the flock shall decide as to the lot in which they shall be pastured, or over what deep hills he shall conduct them, […]

Book Review: Love or Die

Title: Love or Die: Christ’s Wake-Up Call to the Church Author: Alexander Strauch Publisher: Lewis & Roth, 2008; 99 pp. $9.99 Recommendation (4-star scale): A few weeks ago I preached a message on Revelation 2:1-7 — the Ephesian church’s loss of love for Christ. A couple days after the message, a friend said to […]

Head and heart

Fear of leaving the love of God might leave some thinking that the attention to doctrine practiced by the Ephesians is detrimental to a passionate, heart-filled following of Christ (I have a friend who leans in that direction). Yet, John Piper this week made “A Plea for Heart Devotions and Head Study.” It is a […]

Today’s Quote – Scripture (MacArthur)

John MacArthur, Our Sufficiency in Christ: You’ll never know what the Word can do if you don’t study and apply it. It isn’t enough to simply say you believe it. It must occupy an exalted place in your life. Since God Himself exalts and magnifies it (Ps. 138:2), how much more should we?

Today’s Quote – Knowledge (Getz)

Gene Getz, Sharpening the Focus of the Church: Experience has demonstrated beyond doubt that knowing does not automatically lead to doing.…A Christian can know many things about God without sensing His greatness, His power, His riches, and His grace, without being moved by the marvel and wonder of it all.…In short, it is possible to […]

Today’s Quote – Ministry (Sanders)

J. Oswald Sanders, Enjoying Intimacy with God: All spiritual ministry flows from the reality of our knowledge of God and the vitality of our fellowship with Him and His Son.

Today’s Quote – Love for God (MacArthur)

John MacArthur, “Rekindling Your Love for Christ:” …the Christian life is about loving Christ. [It] is about loving him singularly. It is about loving him totally. It is about loving him sacrificially. It is about loving him obediently. It is about loving him worshipfully. It is about loving him in terms of service. It really […]

Sunday Leftovers, 3/22/09

It is good to maintain doctrinal purity in the church. It’s not only good — it’s the reason the church exists (1 Tim. 3:15) and is our calling and responsibility (2 Tim. 1:13ff). But there is no benefit to maintaining a doctrinal purity and clarity without devotion; nor is their benefit in keeping devotion without […]