The necessity of trials

Several times recently I have had occasion to encourage people with the statement, “you need to have a category in your life that believes when you experience the sins of others against you, it is a grace in your life (because your responses will expose either your own sinful desires and idols or they will […]

Weakness and the Gospel

How do you respond when you are weak — maybe it was your sin, maybe it was someone else’s sin against you, but your humanity is being demonstrated in bold colors for all to see through your situation. Pastor Erik Raymond addresses that very question through a meditation on the life of Adonijah: But what […]

Grab bag

Found recently around the internet: A new album from Sovereign Grace — “Risen.” You can listen to every track — and then purchase it as a download for only $5. What I’ve heard so far sounds good. There is much digital ink being spilled (digitized?) over Rob Bell’s latest book. Many good and biblical responses […]

An encouragement to contentment

A favored lament of children is, “that’s not fair!” While spoken in more sophisticated tones and with a slight measure of less whining, adults have their own versions — “I just want what I’m due. I’ve worked hard.” Or, “Why are things always so hard for me? Why can’t it be easy just once?” Or, […]

Thanksgiving thinking, Part 3

You know the verse. It’s short, concise, and direct. In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess. 5:18) Give thanks? Sure. We’ll give thanks when a job is provided. We’ll give thanks when a baby is born. And when a gift is received. And when verbal encouragement […]

Learning grace in affliction

Greg Lucas’ son Jake has a variety of severe learning disabilities. And Jake has been a significant means of grace in the Lucas family. He has learned and is learning the truth that God regularly uses trouble and trial in our lives to remove inept and futile desires from our lives and replace them with […]

Prayer Answered by Crosses

Echoing the same theme that I found yesterday in John Donne’s poem, “Batter My Heart” (aka “Holy Sonnet XIV”), John Newton penned “Prayer Answered by Crosses.” It is yet another testimony that grace is found in burdens. God’s favor is evidenced in the revelation of “the hidden evils of my heart.” These devices and more […]

Blessing God in affliction

Jeremiah Burroughs helps us to think about righteous responses to God in times of affliction. I have used and referred to this section often: …where contentment of heart springs from grace, the heart is very quick and lively in the service of God. Yea, the more any gracious heart can bring itself to be in […]

Would it be good to have everything you desire?

Is suffering inherently bad? Would it not be better to have every good thing we desire? Charles Spurgeon, who suffered from Bright’s Disease and depression, and yet was able to maintain an amazing amount of productivity and ministry, answers: Happily for us our happiness does not depend upon our understanding the providence of God: we […]

Grab bag

Recently seen around the Internet that I found interesting: I might tweak some of his counsel at the end to be a little more Biblical, but I agree with his observation that “Busyness is the new spirituality.” Nine Marks produces an e-Journal every two months that is always helpful and thought-provoking. This month the theme […]

Reflections on Twenty Years of Ministry: Godly Suffering and Godly Examples

This is the ninth of a series of reflections of gratitude on 20 years of ministry at GBC. Twenty years ago, I did not have this category for gratitude in my life. I couldn’t conceive it. I hadn’t lived life long enough to experience any significant pain and sorrow. Nor had I been exposed to […]

The gracious tests of storms

I’ve recently begun reading the biography of Robert Murray M’Cheyne. And this weekend I came across this statement from him that I’d come across in another source: You will never find Jesus so precious as when the world is one vast howling wilderness. Then he is like a rose blooming in the midst of desolation, […]

Can you hear God? A meditation on Exodus 6:9

Sometimes, in the midst of discouragement, it’s hard to see the blessings of God. As an example, consider this morning’s Scripture reading. For all the blessings God had given Abraham (an eternal covenant), Isaac (spared from death on a sacrificial altar!), and Jacob (sons who would be the patriarchs of Israel), there was something He […]

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.

Are you anxious for anything?

The command of Jesus — do not be worried about your life — is worthy of turning into a heart question. Am I anxious for anything? The question was brought to mind again when I saw this post from Tullian Tchividjian — pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, which has undergone […]