God’s knowledge: a preventative for sin

Keeping out of sin sometimes sounds easier than it is. After a passionate sermon on Sunday morning, it might seem inconceivable that one would ever knowingly choose sin again. But after a series of offenses from a boss on Monday afternoon, sin might seem the only viable and rational response. How can we keep from […]

Why the attributes of God are important

I was in a meeting yesterday where part of the topic was how to help people grow in their understanding of the nature and character of God through a reflection on His attributes. Since then I’ve been thinking about my next sermon series and the first sermon in that series in particular and a focus […]

God: worthy (alone) of glory

A few of years ago, popular author John Gray (Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus) released a new book: How to Get What You Want and Want What You Have. His thesis? “When you do your best, God does the rest.” In one place he reportedly writes, “Regardless of your particular orientation [of […]

Promises that do not fail

Being a truth teller is fundamental to godly character (Ps. 15:2b). Where truthfulness is absent, godliness is absent. That’s one reason it is so important to keep promises. A promise-keeper is a God emulator. For God keeps His word. He always has. He always will. And Joshua 21 is one demonstration of that truth. Hundreds […]

Free audio book: The Holiness of God

One of my favorite books (and one that we are currently giving away in our church gift bags) is now available for free as an audio download: R. C. Sproul’s, The Holiness of God. Download it at Audiobooks.

But God…

“But Daaa-dddddy” ranks as one of the all-time great whines. “But God” ranks as the all-time great hope. Think about it. Can you conceive any dilemma for which there is no possibility of intervention from God? Can you conjure up the image of any burden that God is inadequate to carry for you? Can you […]

The work of God’s fingers

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? (Ps. 8:3-4) All this God created with His fingers (Ps. 8:3) — He cast these spheres and […]

Does God get disappointed in believers when we disobey?

Does God get disappointed when we believers sin? Here is a thoughtful and helpful answer from David Powlison: The statement I found particularly helpful: “Being not under wrath but under grace does not mean God is now somehow indifferent and does not respond appropriately to our sins.…There is a fatherly displeasure that God’s revealed in […]

God is Infinite

When we speak of the attributes and nature of God, we are attempting to comprehend the incomprehensible. Finite beings have no categories for infinity as it relates to time (eternity), knowledge (omniscience), strength (omnipotence), space (omnipresence), morality (holiness and purity), authority (sovereignty), or anything else. Yet, the Lord has given us some ability to move […]

Another evidence that man is not God

The following report was in this morning’s newspaper: LOS ANGELES — Here’s a finding that may make some stargazers do a double take through their telescopes: There may be three times as many stars in the universe as we thought. Fixing this astronomical miscalculation may force some researchers to reconsider what far-off galaxies really look […]

Who is like God?

This morning I read this question that the prophet Micah directed towards God — “Who is a God like You?…” (7:18). The prophet further went on to define the character and nature of God — He is a God “who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession.” What […]

God is faithful

It was my first real job. Every morning I would get up early, go down to the corner, and pick up a bundle of newspapers, fold them, bind them with a rubber band, put them in my canvas carrying bag and deliver them. On only the second or third Sunday, I showed up at the […]

He will not change

That we live in different times than the generation(s) that preceded us seems self-evident. But the case of a certain John Fisher and Lizzie Clark, two strangers on a train near Atlantic City near the beginning of the 20th century reveals just how much change has taken place. This, according to the New York Times, […]

The power of God and His care of you

It is possible to consider the attributes of God (possible, but not wise) and to think that while God is great and supreme, that He is also disconnected from us. “So what if He is all-powerful,” we might irrationally reason, “of what use is that to me?” In his sermon, “God’s Uniqueness, Our Assurance,” Ray […]

Grab Bag

Learn to “Read better with [puritan Richard] Baxter” Pastor Tim Keller tells us how to “How to Love One Another: Affirm, Share, and Serve” The Trellis and the Vine — one of my new favorite books on how to minister and serve in the church body — is now in paperback, and on sale for […]