Sunday Leftovers (2/7/10)

How far does one go in upholding the two words “one faith?” God has united believers in Christ into one body and called those members to preserve that unity because they possess only one faith — one gospel that will save and redeem men. To what extent will one travel to uphold that truth? One […]

A motivation for devotions

Do you ever feel unmotivated to open your Bible and read? At times do you feel apathetic about your life of prayer? The problem is not so much a lack of obedience as it is a waning set of motives for carrying out your spiritual disciplines. In his diary, Robert Murray M’Cheyne offers a succinct […]

Pastors, people, and joy

Yesterday, the Bethlehem Conference for Pastors concluded. The theme of the conference was “The Pastor, the People, and the Pursuit of Joy: The Apostolic Aim of Pastoral Ministry.” Ministry and joy. It’s not surprising that John Piper chose those topics or that he put them together in this conference. It is, however, likely that many […]

What truth is and does

Almost two centuries ago Daniel Webster wrote, “There is nothing as powerful as truth and often nothing as strange.” In the intervening years, very little has changed — truth is still powerful and in our culture truth is still strange, and undoubtedly increasingly so. What matters to most individuals now is not truth, but “my […]

The danger of pride

Paul says that humility is an inner attitude that will yield the peaceful fruit of unity in the church body. Echoing the same truth by denoting the danger of a lack of humility, Thomas Watson wrote, How many by the wind of popular breath have been blown to hell! Whom the devil cannot destroy by […]

A discerning mind exemplified

Last night while reading Memoirs & Remains of Robert Murray M’Cheyne, I came across his response when a friend of the family had said “That she was determined to keep by the world.” What do you say about one who, like Demas, loves the world and with intention and volition walks away from Christ? M’Cheyne […]

A discerning mind

If I go to the grocery store, I can usually distinguish between the ripe, ready-to-eat fruit from the overripe and time-to-throw-it-in-the-garbage-can fruit. Take me to a used car lot, and I have a harder time determining what’s a good ride and what’s a worn-out set of wheels. Set two people in front of me who […]

Do not lose heart in doing good

Paul says, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Gal. 6:9). In the context, he is talking about doing the good of restoring a sinning brother to Christ (v. 1) — of carrying the heavy load of reconciliation (v. 2). He’s […]

Sovereign Grace book sale

Sovereign Grace is having their annual, month-long sale during February again this year. Among items on sale are all their books (most under $7), CDs ($6) and album downloads ($5). Among the books that I have found particularly helpful are: Humility: True Greatness Living the Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing Preaching […]

Good listening

I spend a fair bit of time each week either in my car or on a piece of exercise equipment where I can listen to sermons and lectures that are good for the edification of my soul. If you likewise are interested in adding some beneficial sermons to your iPod, you might consider the audio […]

Reading Proverbs

Today we begin reading the book of Proverbs. Here is some background information (Word document) about the book that will help you understand it as you read, as well as a brief summary here: The key word in Proverbs is “wisdom,” and making men wise serves as the fundamental purpose of the book (cf. 1:2). […]

Sunday Leftovers (1/31/10)

About a decade ago, a company in Tokyo launched a new business venture — a 24-hour convenience store run entirely by robots — no managers, no clerks, no humans at all on the premises. The idea was that people didn’t want to have to deal with grumpy, tired clerks, so why not remove them from […]

Some good Puritan reading

It was after I finished seminary that I was introduced to the Puritans. A friend gave me a book by Thomas Watson, I thanked him, and put it on my shelf where it sat for several years. One day I was browsing through my shelves looking for something; I saw the book, picked it up, […]

Let the congregation sing!

Not only was the book of Psalms the song book for Israel; it also included many admonitions to sing. As a very small sample, consider Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name. (Ps. 30:4) Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of […]

Are you a cessationist?

Cessationism is the belief that the sign gifts God gave the church are no longer operational or valid for the church today — their purpose and function for authenticating the message of the apostles is no longer necessary because of the completion of the word of God. Among the things believed to have ceased are […]