Title: Give Me This Mountain Author: Helen Roseveare Publisher: Christian Focus, 2006; 159 pp. $12.99 Recommendation (4-star scale): A good biography doesn’t just tell a story. A good biography will stimulate and encourage the believer in Christ to a closer walk with Christ. “I want to live like that…” will be a common response to […]
Read More Book Review: Give Me This MountainBeing a truth teller is fundamental to godly character (Ps. 15:2b). Where truthfulness is absent, godliness is absent. That’s one reason why it is so important to keep promises. A promise-keeper is a God emulator. For God keeps His word. He always has. He always will. And this passage is one demonstration of that truth. […]
Read More God, the promise keeperThis morning, concluding a message on Ephesians 4:13 — a consideration of how we might work to see spiritual maturity developed in all our relationships — I offered a number of implications of that text. They are as follows — This is going to influence the way we structure ministry — we will always value […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (4/11/10)They may not have been adopted by any legislature, but the “Toddler Property Laws” are just as real, nonetheless. If I like it, it’s mine. If it’s in my hand, it’s mine. If I can take it from you, it’s mine. If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine. If it is mine, […]
Read More The best inheritanceIn studying our way through Ephesians 4, we’ve seen the importance of spiritual gifts and how God uses them to accomplish His purposes in His people. We seem to understand that, at least cognitively, if not also experientially. But the use of our gifts and our receiving the practice of the gifts of other believers […]
Read More Spiritual gifts and unanswered prayerForty years Israel wandered in the desert, waiting for a generation of disobedient, doubting unbelievers to die. Even Moses had to die. And then the day came when God told Joshua to prepare to enter the Promised Land. Scout it out, He said. Cross the Jordan, He said. Consecrate yourselves, He said. Take Jericho, He […]
Read More It’s just a little indulgenceIf a fool has reason to fear the omnipresence of God, then believers have reason to delight in His omnipresence. Thomas Watson explains: If God be everywhere present, then for a Christian to walk with God is not impossible. God is not only in heaven, but he is in earth too. Isa 66:6: Heaven is […]
Read More Believers and the omnipresence of God“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God,’” David tells his readers. The fool denies the existence of God and his empty speculations lead him to acting contrary to God. He will do anything opposed to the will of God. He will not uphold justice. He will follow any evil inclination of […]
Read More Fools and the omnipresence of GodTitle: Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross Editor: Nancy Guthrie Publisher: Crossway, 2009; 152 pp. $12.99 Recommendation (4-star scale): It is a common temptation to think too superficially and too rarely about the cross and the gospel. The occasional evangelistic sermon, generally wrapped around a holiday celebration, along with an occasional communion remembrance is enough […]
Read More Book Review: Jesus, Keep Me Near the CrossPart of America’s heritage is a tax-revolt. And since an infamous tea-party, we Americans have quite consistently looked for opportunities to reduce, object to, fight against, and refuse to pay taxes in a variety of different forums. Argumentation against taxation has often also been a frequent topic among believers, who have often sought tax relief […]
Read More The believer and his taxesThe work of God to redeem the sins of believers (what we call indwelling sin) — in the lives of people like Peter and his sinful denial of Christ — is a mark of great grace. And it is a reminder that God is not dependent on us; we are dependent on Him. He is […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (4/4/10)Two quotes to stimulate your thinking as you contemplate the crucifixion of Christ on this Good Friday morning and His cry from the cross — “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?’ that is, ‘MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?’” (Mt. 27:46; NASB) […]
Read More The cry from the crossThe longer I walk with Christ, the more I not only love Him, but the more I love the cross. I love to read the crucifixion story. It moves me every time. I love to read about the cross — I have at least a couple dozen books that deal with the singular topic of […]
Read More Christ, the cross, and joyToday’s Scripture reading includes Dt. 32:35 — Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.’ It is this verse that served as the text for Jonathan Edwards’ well-known sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an […]
Read More In due time their foot will slipOver the years, I have I heard others say this, and I have said it too: “Jesus didn’t have to die.” That is a partially true statement, in that Christ was fully blameless, innocent, and untainted by sin. It was “right” for Him not to die. Yet that obscures part of the message of Scripture. […]
Read More The necessity of a rejected Christ
Words of Grace 