Sin is evil. And temptation is the tool Satan uses to draw individuals into sin so that they are destroyed by it. He seeks to deceive and delude unbelievers so that they are prevented from seeing the light of the gospel. And he seeks to devour believers as their adversary. There is nothing inherently good […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (7/24/11)More than a decade ago, there was a shooting in a Fort Worth church where a number of people were killed by a gunman. That same week, John MacArthur was speaking at a conference I was attending and when he was asked about the event he responded, “The deeper the world sinks into the abyss […]
Read More Violence, againUntil July 27, Amazon is “The Big Deal” selling over 900 books at significantly reduced prices — $0.99, $1.99, $2.99, and $3.99. Here are a few deals I found yesterday: The list of Christian and “spiritual” books (watch out for that last category) can be found here. And a few more deals: Nancy Pearcey, Saving […]
Read More Kindle book saleAwareness of the knowledge of God is a preventative for sin. But God’s knowledge of us is also a grace to us, as Thomas Watson explains: The infiniteness of God’s knowledge is a comfort, in case the saints have not a clear knowledge of themselves. They find so much corruption, that they judge they have […]
Read More God’s knowledge: a grace for sinnersKeeping 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 […]
Read More God’s knowledge: a preventative for sinFollowed relentlessly by police officer Javert, Jean Valjean finds himself with a unique opportunity: another man has been accused of his crimes and is about to be convicted. And if the innocent man is convicted, Valjean will be free. The dilemma is, can he allow another man to be unjustly accused and imprisoned for the […]
Read More Humbled by graceAfter recently preaching on Romans 8:28-29 and then listening to Keith’s lesson on how to pray for those who are suffering (“Praying in Light of Job”) this past Sunday, I came across this related counsel from J. C. Ryle: Sickness is meant… To make us think—to remind us that we have a soul as well […]
Read More The spiritual value of sicknessHave you ever had a dream? I have… When I was five, I dreamed of being a garbage man. When I was ten, I dreamed of being fifteen. When I was fifteen, I dreamed of being a baseball player. When I was twenty, I day-dreamed. When I was twenty-five, I dreamed of finishing school. When […]
Read More Dreaming of faithfulnessI’ve been thinking much lately about how God uses difficulties, trials, and even sin for the accomplishment of His purposes and even for good in the lives of the believers (think Romans 8:28-29). Our tendency is to react defensively and with significant resistance to a statement like that. We struggle to accept that God works […]
Read More God is not like usIf you’ve been a parent for a while one of two things is likely true — either you are confident in your role, knowing exactly what you need to do, or you have become thoroughly confused and you feel clueless. You may be like the dad who said, “Before I had children I had three […]
Read More A word to parentsYou have been a Christian for years. Ministry seemed intimidating at first, but you’ve been involved in your church for a number of years, you’ve volunteered in some civic organizations, and you have a fairly clear perspective on your spiritual giftedness and effectiveness. Ministry is much more natural now. Yet, while the patterns of life […]
Read More Something for every personI have not yet listened to these messages given by Mark Talbot on suffering at the B. B. Warfield Memorial Lectures, but if they are anything like the message he gave at the Desiring God conference several years ago, this will be well worth hearing. (His message “Redemptive Curveballs,” given at Wheaton College is also […]
Read More Mark Talbot preaching on sufferingThis morning I began reading the two books of the Chronicles again. When reading these books, it’s easy to have your eyes become glassy and your mind distracted as you read name after name of unknown people. How can I read these verses in fresh ways so that the Lord uses this morning in redemptive […]
Read More Two thoughts while reading ChroniclesWe are more inclined to believe and enjoy and be satisfied with God’s sovereignty when we are in favorable circumstances. But what about when circumstances seem to be against us, when we are in difficulty, suffering, and even persecution? What then? What will we believe and cling to then? What will be our joy then? […]
Read More Truths to believe when sufferingOne writer has observed about the tendency not only of our culture but even believers, “We are willing to worship God only if God makes us safe. Thus you get the silly question, ‘How does a good God let bad things happen to good people?’” Too many want God only for the safety and comfort […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (7/10/11)
