Just what is the Advent wreath?

On Sunday mornings during the Christmas season, as part of our worship service, we light Advent wreath candles in conjunction with a Scripture reading. You may be wondering about the origin of this practice, and just what an advent wreath is. As one writer notes, “For four weeks, it’s as if we’re re-enacting, remembering the […]

Memorizing and Reciting Scripture

For more illustrations of the power of Scripture memorized well, see Memorizing and Reciting Scripture (Justin Taylor). Several years ago, Pastor Andy Davis has written an article about how to memorize extended passages of Scripture. Recently I also came across the Fighter Verse app, which I have found to be very helpful in […]

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 […]

Advent Devotionals

The next few weeks will produce many kinds of temptations to forget about Christ. Busy with Christmas, we might ignore the meaning of these days. Here are a few of resources to help keep you and your family focused on Christ during these days. The Village Church. has provided an Advent Guide (PDF) that provides […]

A Good Read: The Art of Divine Contentment

The Art of Divine Contentment is Watson’s exposition and explanation of the contented life from Philippians 4:11 — “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (KJV). While little is known of Thomas Watson’s biographical information (we do not even know in what years he was born and died), Watson is […]

Evangelism tips

Say the word “evangelism” and you are sure to instantly stir up guilt and apprehension in the lives of many Christians. We are convinced that we are to do it, but most of us struggle with how to do it. Someone who is writing and speaking well on this topic is Jesse Johnson, who posted […]

Hymn Story — Just As I Am

The backgrounds to many of our hymns and songs provide additional testimony of God’s goodness and grace, expanding the effect of the words we sing. The hymn, “Just As I Am,” is another work that grows in significance when we learn the story of its author, Charlotte Elliott: Just as I am, without one plea, […]

Grab bag

Some helpful articles from the last week or two: Ten “Wives Speak Out” about their role in marriage and their practice of submission in their marriages. I find myself gravitating more to biographies these days — and here are two new ones on theologian Charles Hodge that appear interesting. Kevin DeYoung takes a closer look […]

Some good words about thankfulness

On this Thanksgiving Day, here are five encouragements to God-honoring gratitude: “A gracious soul is thankful and rejoices that he is drawn nearer to God, though it may be by the cords of affliction.…When God has a rod in his hand, a godly man will have a psalm in his mouth.” [Thomas Watson, A Godly […]

Looking for a truth to stimulate gratitude?

Here is a truth to encourage gratitude this Thanksgiving Day: “There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.” [Richard Sibbes] HT: Of First Importance.

Giving thanks for what?

Many years ago a seminary professor recounted the story of his first Thanksgiving sermon in his first pastorate. Thrilled and excited over God’s grace in his life, he structured his sermon around the theme of gratitude for wives, children, job, financial provision, and general happiness. As the congregation filed out, a woman whose husband had […]

Now thank we all our God

It seems an odd response, but on the week of Thanksgiving, some search vainly for reasons for expressing gratitude. Some are generally just discontent. They have fed the monster of covetousness and greed to the point that they are rarely happy and rarely content and thankful. And on the occasions that they are thankful, it […]

How God used cancer in a 14-year-old

The story of Victor Watters is a story of God’s grace in using cancer for His glory and the good of the cancer-ridden: Undoubtedly, Victor was on a mission to share the gospel with unbelievers — to spread the fragrance of Jesus everywhere. He did so with articulation and wisdom beyond his years. With his […]

When a Christian is married to a non-Christian

Ed Welch offers encouraging words about how a Christian married to a non-Christian should view their relationship, and what kinds of things can be communicated graciously about his or her faith: “You should be thankful everyday that you’re married to a Christian.” She was smiling when she said it to her husband – not angry […]

Grab bag

Some helpful articles seen recently: John Newton, writing his troubled friend William Cowper, notes the hardness of the Christian life — and the grace of Christ: “For every day shows us some new thing in the heart, or some new turn in the management of the war against us which we were not aware of; […]