Subscribe:
RSS feed
Thrones are not where you go for grace. “The rulers of the Gentiles,” Jesus said, “lord it over them” (Mark 10:42). Sovereigns are not often known for their sympathy. So when we read that we have (a) a “great high priest” (b) “who has passed through the heavens” (c) as the very “Son of God” […]
June 8, 2011
In reading through the Psalms recently (especially 130-150), the Holy Spirit showed me that the Psalms can provide powerful motivation and encouragement for evangelism. Although the psalmists wrote mostly from the come-and-see mentality of ancient Israel, their desire was the same ultimate desire that we see expressed throughout Scripture: the pure, worldwide worship of the one true God. Here […]
April 23, 2011
The crucifixion account in the Gospel of John is full of glorious irony. In fact, John’s entire narrative, along with the discourses of Jesus, are filled with striking ironies, stark contrasts, and deeper meanings. The story whispers to those who have ears to hear. By John 19:16, the mockery of Jesus’ hasty trial had come to an […]
April 18, 2011
It can take some time in life to figure yourself out. We grow up wanting to be like our heroes, but can’t quite figure out what made them tick, or if we’ve got it in us to tick the same way. We stumble through the latter years of youth looking for affirmation in all the wrong places, […]
October 8, 2010
When did God first speak to His people? Long ago. How has God spoken to His people in the past? At many times and in many ways. Who did He speak to? He spoke to our fathers, the patriarchs. Who did He speak through? He spoke by the prophets. What about now? These are the […]
September 27, 2010
Titus, we heard that you just got a letter from Paul. What did he say? He said a lot, but at the end, he wanted me to remind you of some things. What kinds of things? To be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no […]
December 31, 2009
You know your blog has lost steam and substance when posts only appear in conjunction with the calendar (Christmas and New Year’s, for instance). Perhaps I’ve officially joined the ranks of the periodic drive-by commentator pounding out shallow remarks about contemporary events, complete with the obligatory pre-post apologies. At least I’m just in time for […]
December 8, 2009
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to […]
August 24, 2009
The “problem of evil” has been debated for centuries. How can God allow evil and suffering to go on in the world? If He rules the world, why is there so much pain? Did He create evil? Or did He just allow it to exist (and how does that work)? Is evil under His control? […]
July 2, 2009
They call it a “paper pregnancy.” It’s the period of time between the conception and finalization of your adoption. There’s no positive pregnancy test, no hormonal upheaval, no morning sickness, no amazing ultrasounds, no growing belly, no random food cravings, no little feet-kicks coming from the womb, and no agonizing labor pains and delivery. Yet […]
June 26, 2009
Puritan Thomas Watson said that gospel tears are one mark of a godly man. Here are his reasons why a godly man weeps. A godly man weeps because of his indwelling sin, his sinful nature which he knows is at enmity with God. A godly man weeps because his corruption clings to him, and he […]
April 23, 2009
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). I think and talk […]
April 10, 2009
Good Friday. It seems that nothing less than your spiritual best can qualify you to worship on such a day. A day of gory splendor such as this calls for heartfelt pangs of conviction and heartwarming expressions of gospel praise. Dressed in white robes or with the flashing brightness of the angels, you may come. […]
October 3, 2008
Satan is the great accuser of the saints. Jesus is the great defender of the saints. They are in heaven waging a relentless courtroom battle for our souls. On one side stands Satan as “the accuser of our brothers… who accuses them day and night before our God” (Revelation 12:10). On the other side stands […]
June 6, 2008
The apostle Peter was not shy theologically. In 1 Peter 1:3-5, writing to intensely suffering Christians, he paints an enviable picture of the invincibility of our inheritance in Christ. He describes our inheritance in a multitude of ways in these three verses, but there is one particular string that stands out for its staccato structure of phrases describing the […]
February 12, 2008
Most Christians are familiar with the powerful Pauline phrase, “you were bought with a price.” It renders a hammer-blow to our constant notions of personal rights and privileges and reminds us quite forcefully that we belong to Christ and not to ourselves. You were bought with a price, and this purchase has implications. In 1 […]
September 13, 2012
0