John Calvin, Commentary on Zechariah, Malachi: It is therefore necessary that we should be subject, from first to last, to the scourges of God, in order that we may from the heart call on him; for our hearts are enfeebled by prosperity, so that we cannot make the effort to pray. (HT: John Piper)
Read More Today’s Quote – Prosperity (Calvin)“And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach…” (Mark 3:14) Seven words form the foundation of Christ’s discipleship process for His band of twelve followers. So that they would be with Him. A few fishermen. A couple little brothers. A tax collector. A […]
Read More Bible Reading Reflections, Mark 1-6I spent today at the library reading and studying, so my attentions were away from the inauguration this morning. When I left the library for a few minutes to get a sandwich for lunch, a television in the restaurant pulled me back to reality as President Obama was giving his inaugural address. Which precipitated a […]
Read More A prayer for the new PresidentThomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture: A godly man shows his love for the written Word of God — by diligently reading it (Acts 17:11; 18:12) by frequently meditating on it (Ps. 119:97) by delighting in it — it is his recreation (Jer. 15:16) by hiding it (Ps. 119:11) by defending it (Ps. 119:111; Rev. […]
Read More Today’s Quote – Love of Scripture (Watson)Kris Lundgaard, Through the Looking Glass: God has served up a great feast in his Word. But if we sit in front of it and refuse to eat, it’s no wonder that we shrivel up like spiritual raisins. If we’re too lazy to dig into his Word, or if through sin we think so little […]
Read More Today’s Quote – Scripture (Lundgaard)A list of various resources that I’ve come across while catching up on some blogs through my Google reader: Playboy is in trouble, but it’s not exactly the good news you might think it is A short paragraph about sin and redemption Ligon Duncan, “How to pray for your pastor” John Piper, “How Barack Obama […]
Read More Grab bagContinuing the thought from Sunday’s sermon on Psalm 119, and the significance of meditating on the word of God, here are several resources that I have found helpful in thinking about and being encouraged in Scripture memory: Justin Taylor, “Meditating on God’s Word” Don Whitney’s resources on meditation John Piper, “If My Words Abide in […]
Read More Scripture memory and meditationThe second stanza of Psalm 119 is perhaps the most well-known in the psalm, and it is addressed to a “young man.” The word refers to any young man who is not of marital age. This is the sense of the word as Solomon used it in Proverbs. But the instructions in this verse are […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (1/18/09)John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion: …the pious mind realizes that the punishment of the impious and wicked and the reward of life eternal for the righteous equally pertain to God’s glory. Besides, this mind restrains itself from sinning, not out of dread of punishment alone; but, because it loves and reveres God as […]
Read More Today’s Quote – Worship (Calvin)Not only has the Shepherds’ Fellowship (a resource outgrowth of the Shepherds’ Conference held annually at Grace Community Church in Southern California) redesigned their website, but they have also made available all the audio from 2001 – 2008 for free! In order to access the audio, you will need to create an account, but that […]
Read More Free Shepherds’ Conference audioG. K. Chesterton, What’s Wrong with the World?: The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.
Read More Today’s Quote – Spiritual Life (Chesterton)Henry Scougal, The Life of God in the Soul of Man: The love which a pious man bear to God and goodness, is not so much by virtue of a command enjoining him so to do, as by a new nature instructing and prompting him to it; nor doth he pay his devotions as an […]
Read More Today’s Quote – Spiritual Disciplines (Scougal)Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening: Happy are we to have God’s Word always to guide us! What were the mariner without his compass? And what were the Christian without the Bible? This is the unerring chart, the map in which every shoal is described, and all the channels from the quicksands of destruction to the […]
Read More Today’s Quote – Bible (Spurgeon)Jonathan Edwards, “The Scripture is the Word of God:” …if you let the Word of God alone, and never use [it],…you can’t expect the benefits of it…you must not only hear and read, etc., but you must have it sunk down in your heart. Believe. Be affected. Love the Word of God. Written in your […]
Read More Today’s Quote – Bible (Edwards)It is easy to presume that Psalm 119 is only about Scripture — a defense of the authority and power of God’s Word. It is. And it isn’t. Psalm 119 is also about the love the writer has for God’s Word. The entire psalm reflects the happiness of a man in love with God. There […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (1/11/09)
Words of Grace 