God, Our StrengthZechariah 10:6-12June 11, 2023 Many years ago, a despondent looking Charlie Brown lamented to his friend Lucy, “I feel inferior.” Lucy hopefully responds, “Oh, you shouldn’t worry about that. Lots of people feel that way.” “What, that they’re inferior?” Charlie asks, feeling somewhat encouraged. “No — that you’re inferior.” In one of […]
Read More God, Our StrengthThe Bad ShepherdsZechariah 10:1-5June 4, 2023 One of the beauties of Scripture is that it takes a transcendent, infinite, unknowable God and reveals Him to us not only so that we can know Him, but that we can understand Him. One way the Bible does that is by taking things that we know and […]
Read More The Bad ShepherdsGod, the Faithful Shepherd-KingZechariah 9:11-17May 14, 2023 I suppose most people in most nations complain about their political leaders. Ingrained in the fallenness of man is an inherent rebellion against authority. So, we don’t like kings (or presidents, or dictators, or senators, or…). We don’t want anyone ruling over us, dictating what we will do […]
Read More God, the Faithful Shepherd-KingGod’s Redeemer KingZechariah 9:9-10May 7, 2023 Great Britain coronated a new regent yesterday. After 70 years under the leadership of Queen Elizabeth, the United Kingdom now gives allegiance to and serves King Charles III. Elizabeth was particularly loved by Great Britains (at least it seemed that way from way over here in Texas). As […]
Read More God’s Redeemer KingGod’s Wrath and RedemptionZechariah 9:1-8April 30, 2023 Unbelievers have many complaints against God. But I suspect that one of the main complaints against God is that He is wrathful — and particularly that He would judge sinners and condemn them to eternal Hell. You’ve heard the criticism: “How can God send anyone to Hell and […]
Read More God’s Wrath and RedemptionAs followers of Christ, we do not always reckon well the provision of Christ for us. In this brief meditation, Philip Dodderidge helps us consciously meditate on our position in Christ and some of the infinite blessings that flow from the cross: I am yours!Your mercy is mine to pardon me.Your blood is mine to […]
Read More I am Christ’sThe true account of the death of the philosopher Socrates serves as a parable of the hopelessness of the world. With the poison of hemlock already flowing through his veins and death momentarily awaiting him, one of his disciples leaned forward to him and whispered, “Master, shall we live again?” That’s an important question for […]
Read More The believer’s hopeSome helpful articles I’ve bookmarked recently (or not so recently): “How to Pray for Afghan Christians” (Kevin Carson) “Jesus Is Literally All They Have Left” (Randy Alcorn) “9 Things You Should Know About the Taliban” (Joe Carter) “Celebrating 50 Years Of Marriage” (Paul Tripp) “Preaching the Funeral Sermon I Once Most Dreaded” (Hershael York) — […]
Read More Grab bagI would not say that miracles “abound” in Scripture. There are miracles in the Bible. There are many miracles. By definition, miracles are astounding, incredible, unusual, and wondrous. And the miracles of the Bible are all those things. Think of the miracle of 2 million people crossing the Red Sea on dry land, getting across […]
Read More The last miracle of redemptionLast week, the Wall Street Journal published an article entitled, “Finding Hope When Everything Feels Hopeless.” The thesis of the post was that people today feel hopeless and need hope. But hope “feels increasingly elusive,” with COVID, the election, winter, and more weighing on people’s minds. Author Elizabeth Bernstein suggests that hope “guards against anxiety […]
Read More Think hopefully, not wishfullyIn Praise of God Romans 11:33-36 July 26, 2020 John Wesley Powell was a government explorer who led a boat expedition through the Grand Canyon in 1869. He wrote a description of his impressions of that trip entitled, “The Most Sublime Spectacle on Earth” in his book, Canyons of the Colorado (1895): The Grand Canyon […]
Read More Sermon: In Praise of GodGod’s People? Saved! (Pt 1) Romans 11:25-27 July 12, 2020 How have you spent your COVID? It’s not the only thing we have done, but we spent at least four days attacking trees and shrubs in our yard — trimming, cutting down, and then digging out roots. By my count, I have dug out 10-12 […]
Read More Sermon: God’s People? Saved! (Pt 1)Israel, God’s Promises, and Unexpected Favor Romans 11:17-24 July 5, 2020 In Romans, Paul is establishing his credibility as an apostle and as a missionary. He wants the Roman church to be his sending church on his journey to Spain, and he is giving them his understanding of the gospel — man’s sin and lostness […]
Read More Sermon: Israel, God’s Promises, and Unexpected FavorWhen Your Soul is Tempted to be Despondent, Part 2 Psalm 103:6-22 May 17, 2020 Over the past couple of months I’ve thought several times of a popular and catchy, but ridiculous song from the late 1980s: In every life we have some trouble But when you worry you make it double Don’t worry, be […]
Read More Sermon: When Your Soul is Tempted to be Despondent, Pt. 2When Your Soul is Tempted to be Despondent Psalm 103:1-5 May 10, 2020 Several months ago, while reading my Bible, I was struck by the beauty of a particular psalm and though I didn’t have time to study it in detail that day, I knew I didn’t want to forget to study that psalm, so […]
Read More Sermon: When Your Soul is Tempted to be Despondent
