John says, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” (3 John 4). Paul expresses great gratitude and joy for the faith of the believers in Ephesus (1:15-16) and Colossae (1:3-5) and the obedience of the Romans to Christ (16:19). All heaven, the angels, and God Himself […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (3/27/11)Michael Wittmer recently made an observation, asked a question, and drew an application about sexual sin: There is something about sexual sin that ruins the minds of previously healthy people.… Why is sexual sin a gateway to this smorgasbord of lethal debauchery?… Sexual sin is the canary in the coal mine, the first sign that […]
Read More The canary in the coal mineJust because I have life this moment does not mean that I am guaranteed life in any future moment. For the believer, this is a comforting statement because he can be happy with life here and he is happy with life in eternity (which is Paul’s point in Phil. 1). For the unbeliever, this is […]
Read More The uncertainty of the continuance of lifeWe are people of the cross. The cross is the source of our spiritual life. It is the reason for our hope. It is the foundation of our victorious living. Paul says it this way: “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which […]
Read More Boasting in the crossI’ve read Desiring God in its entirely two or three times, I’ve re-read portions of the book many times, and I’ve read most of Piper’s other books (which he says are all just a rewriting of Desiring God). But I’ve never read this book with John Piper. And now you and I have that chance, […]
Read More Read Through Desiring God with John PiperYesterday, in talking about how to love others, I mentioned that it is possible to use small talk either to love others as a demonstration of your care and interest in them and their desires, or as a means of withholding love by keeping things superficial and non-intimate so that you neither have to share […]
Read More The ministry of small talkDavid Sharp was 34 when he died five years ago. And depending upon whom you ask, his death was either unavoidable or preventable. The British citizen was attempting a climb up Mt. Everest in May of 2006 when he died in a shallow snow cave from a lack of oxygen. That he died, in one […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (3/20/11)The release of one book has produced a massive (and needed) output of words in the blogosphere on the topic of hell. I’ve been planning to write something myself (perhaps tomorrow morning). For now, this 8-minute excerpt from a message by R. C. Sproul is a sober reminder of the profound work Christ accomplished by […]
Read More The curse of God and the grace of ChristHow can you tell if you are growing in the grace of Christ (2 Pt. 3:18)? Scotty Smith regularly offers insights on Twitter (follow him @ScottyWardSmith) about manifestations of the growth of grace in a believer’s life. Here are some of my favorite over the past couple of weeks. A sign you are growing in […]
Read More Signs of graceThe audio for last week’s Shepherds’ Conference is now available. All sessions can be downloaded for free — a great gift from Grace Church! As I have done the past couple of years, I’ve scanned through my notes and pulled some of the statements from each session/preacher that were significant, helpful, encouraging and beneficial to […]
Read More Shepherds’ Conference summaryIn a somewhat extended article that is definitely worth reading, a Japanese believer talks about the spiritual needs in Japan, the goodness of God in the past week, the death of believers the tsunami, and the opportunity to demonstrate the transforming work of Christ in this circumstance: In a nation with such a small Christian […]
Read More How a Japanese believer responded to the tsunamiWhile talking with my NANC supervisor yesterday about a couple with marital problems that I am counseling, he said I should remind them, “you think the biggest problem in your marriage is your spouse and you; the biggest problem in your marriage is you and God.” And isn’t that always one of the root issues […]
Read More The biggest problem in your marriageHow are you doing in your fight for joy in Christ? Most of us need daily reminders of the goodness and grace of Christ so that we might walk in joy victory and not sorrow and defeat (insert comment here about the need for daily feeding from God’s Word to fulfill that need). In a […]
Read More Pursuing JoyThe Regeneration camp for high school-aged students will be held at Glorietta, NM on the week of July 25-29. A preview of and purpose for the week:
Read More Regeneration campThe last session of the Shepherds’ Conference was John MacArthur. The only authority we have is when we speak that which God has spoken. And that makes it a horrendous thing when evangelicals come along and make it a virtue to be “humble,” and to obscure the meaning of the text. 9-MacArthur General Session.pdf
Read More Session 9 – John MacArthur
Words of Grace 