“The unexamined life is not worth living,” wrote the ancient secular philosopher. That is true for believers as well. The practice of self-examination is wise and profitable for every believer. It is important to “try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (Eph. 5:10) so that we might cultivate discernment in the daily choices […]
Read More Be careful how you liveIn Ephesians 5:18, Paul contrasts being filled with the Holy Spirit by the control that is experienced by those who are under the drunken influence of alcohol. While the main focus of the analogy is on being filled by the Spirit — Paul is using drunkenness as an illustration only, not as a major theological […]
Read More Is alcohol ok for believers?When the Scriptures speak of the will of God, there are two possibilities in view — either the sovereign, decreed will of God by which He governs all the affairs of creation, or the moral will of God by which He reveals the commands of which are incumbent on all men to follow. And in […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (11/14/10)I came across this statement by Jonathan Edwards in my morning devotional reading today. It fits well with part of my message this coming Sunday morning on Eph. 5:17-18 — understanding what the will of the Lord is: Don’t perplex your mind with the secret decrees of God and particularly about the eternal decrees of […]
Read More The secret things belong to God, so…Martin Luther called this verse “the gospel in miniature” because there was a sense in which the entire story of the Bible is expounded in it. Just two weeks before he died, he repeated the text with evident ecstasy and added, “What Spartan saying can be compared with this wonderful brevity? It is a Bible […]
Read More John 3:16Here is a summary chart of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit: Or download it as a PDF.
Read More The doctrine of the Holy SpiritFor a limited time (not sure how long), the English Standard Version Bible is free as a Kindle version. Download it here.
Read More Free Kindle ESVEchoing 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 […]
Read More Prayer Answered by CrossesWhat will you accept and even desire from God for the transformation of your heart? What do you long for God to do to you and in you so that you will walk in newness of life and be freed from the daily temptations of sin and the desires of the flesh? Last night, my […]
Read More Batter My HeartJon Bloom contemplates what it would have looked like for Zacchaeus to confess his sin to those whom he’d defrauded and in the process, dismember an idol from his own heart: “Dad, there’s a man at the door. He said his name is Zacchaeus.” “Zacchaeus!” Judah’s face flushed with sudden anger. “What does he want?” […]
Read More What confession looks likeHere is a video trailer for John MacArthur’s next book, Slave: (HT: Challies.) In recent years, he has spoken several times on this issue, including at the 2008 Shepherds’ Conference.
Read More John MacArthur’s next bookThere are many significant events in the history of the world. Great men and leaders have risen and fallen. Great civilizations have been established and others destroyed. Great movements and developments and advancements have been made in language and science and knowledge. But the advent of Christ was the greatest event in all of history […]
Read More A greater eventThis month’s free book from Christian Audio is John Piper’s, Don’t Waste Your Life. Just go to the Christian Audio website, put the book in your shopping cart and check out. It’s that simple.
Read More Free audio copy of Don’t Waste Your LifeCharles Schultz understood the tenor of the day. I do not know what year this panel was drawn, but it could have been this year, for the way that it reflects the mindset of too many. Oh, contraire, my friend, Linus. It is only the object of our faith that will help (read: save) us. […]
Read More Faith mis-definedWe would never say it this way. We probably would not acknowledge it if asked. In fact, we most often would deny having such affections. But by the way we respond to and use technology, we too often act as if it is our savior. A recent new piece of technology promises, like so many […]
Read More Technology is not our Savior
Words of Grace 