Suffering as a ministry

We understand that the Lord often uses suffering as a means of sanctifying us — our trials are designed to conform us to Christ. We don’t necessarily “like” the process, but we understand that this is what God does. Paul makes that clear in several places: “And not only this, but we also exult in […]

Sermon: What to Pray When You’re Afflicted

“What to Pray When You’re Afflicted” Psalm 119:73-80 June 25, 2017 Scripture is filled with exhortations and examples of suffering: For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. (2 Cor. 1:5) For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to […]

Sermon: God’s Good Word in the School of Affliction

“God’s Good Word in the School of Affliction” Psalm 119:65-72 January 1, 2017 Every year for the past five or six years, on the first Sunday of January I have preached a sermon from Psalm 119 to encourage us to read and meditate on and memorize Scripture in the coming year. And I had planned […]

Sermon: God, My Portion

“God, My Portion” Psalm 119:57-64 June 26, 2016 Obedience is hard. It’s hard to obey a boss who is tyrannical and unfair. It’s hard to obey a parent that demands his children do what he will not do. It’s hard for a wife to submit to a husband whose leadership is foolish and uncaring. It’s […]

The cost of not following Christ

Jesus tells His followers to consider the cost of following Him: “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me […]

The blessings of having God as our Father

As believers we acknowledge that God is our Father, but that reality too often feels inadequate to us. We would rather have a loving father with flesh — a human daddy — than a heavenly Father. I have heard it said on multiple occasions, “I know God loves me, but I want my dad…” Yet […]

Sin is not liberating

Sin is not liberating. People will say it is liberating. Advertisers will attempt to convince you it is liberating. Those who engage in habitual sin will assert that Christians who follow the way of Christ are in bondage and enslavement. Sinners will smile, laugh, and appear joyful when engaging in sinful behavior, asserting that they […]

Sunday Leftovers: Teach Me, Lord

‪Martin Niemöller‬ was a pastor in Nazi Germany who interned in Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps from 1938 to 1945 for so-called activities against the state. Following his release he revealed how the Bible sustained him during those years: What did this book mean to me during the long and weary years of solitary confinement […]

Do you love the Word of God?

This morning we finished reading Psalm 119. One of the great themes of this Psalm is the affection, joy, and love the psalmist has for God’s Word. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. (v. 16) Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my counselors. (v. 24) Make me […]

God’s Word is settled

“Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” (Ps. 119:89; NASB) So many things in life are transitory and short-lived. While we know God is permanent, stable, and dependable, yet we often still feel unsettled. So this verse serves as an anchor to our storm-tossed souls, reminding us of the faithfulness of God and […]

What do you want the word of God to do in you?

When one thinks about Psalm 119, the theme of the Word of God obviously comes to mind. The Word of God is explained, its authority is exalted, and even God Himself is worshipped in the process of expounding the value of God’s Word. Yet in reading a portion of the psalm this morning, it was […]

Are you happy?

Are you happy? Truly happy? Content with your life and circumstances? Are you free from anxiety and worry? Does your sleep pattern reflect that you are resting and trusting in God? The one who is truly happy is ultimately happy with God and His Word (Ps. 119:1-3). We live in a world that craves happiness. […]

Sunday Leftovers — Psalm 119:24

Charles Bridges’ comments on Psalm 119:24 (“Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my counselors”) are a fitting summary to this morning’s sermon on the third stanza of that great Psalm — What could we want more in a time of difficulty than comfort and direction? David had both these blessings. As the fruit […]

Today’s Quote – Obedience (C. Bridges)

Charles Bridges, Psalm 119: Then let me begin my morning with the inquiry, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”…Let me trade with all my talents for thee: ever watchful, that I may be employed in thy work; setting a guard upon my thoughts, my lips, my tempers, my pursuits, that nothing may hinder, […]