Thoughts on Scripture and life
for the glory of Jesus Christ
The Joy of Having Biblical Elders
My heart is full. This weekend my church ordained two more elders to join the servant-leadership team. While it might seem strange to rejoice over a seemingly trivial thing — after all, the officers of the church hold lowly positions — I think it good to rejoice in the blessedness of God's perfect plan for His church. We all confess that God designed His Church well, but do we ever consider how great a blessing comes from His perfect plan?
One Resolution for 2017
All Glory Be to Christ indeed has humble beginnings. But it's fame is anything but, for it's lyrics and themes are majestic and grand, fitting for the King to which it sings. "All glory be to Christ our King!" it proclaims. "All glory be to Christ! Of His rule and reign, we will ever sing. All glory be to Christ!"
Auf Wiedersehen 2016!
It has been a very long year — of plummets and crescendos, of thrills and much loss. I will be glad when it is finally done. But I do try to remember, for remembering reminds me that the Lord is good and does good. Of His abundant grace, I am sure.
So without further ado, here's a recap of my year. In writing it, I see traces of God's providence and goodness. I hope you see it, too.
Practical Strategies for Obedience
The Bible expects believers to live a life ordered by obedience. For example, the Apostle Peter matter-of-factly exhorts Christians to live such a life when he writes, "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy' " (1 Peter 1:14-16). Peter does not allow for disobedience in the life of a Christian because of the reality of indwelling sin. There are no legitimate excuses for compromise. Christians are commanded to obey God.
Article Roundup: October 2016
Reformation 499, 10 election thoughts, the gospel and kids, science not gender, Spurgeon and money.
A Definition of and Manifestations of Pride
Pride is competitive toward others, and especially toward God. Pride wants to be on top. Thomas Watson is quoted to have said, “Pride seeks to ungod God.”
Love or Die: Christ's Wake-up Call to the Church - Book Review
"It is not so much that their genuine virtues have squeezed love out, but that no amount of good works, wisdom, and discernment in matters of church discipline, patient endurance in hardship, hatred of sin, or disciplined doctrine, can ever make up for lovelessness."
Article Roundup: September 2016
Doctrine & practice, reading more, faithful wounds, living in the light of dying, Spurgeon on sin and shame, Ligonier poll.
Redeeming the Time - Steve Lawson
Article Roundup: August 2016
Funeral prayer for a family of five, the cost of the cross, three keys to prayer, five marks of true repentance.
Article Roundup: July 2016
Social upheaval, sanctification, Heaven as home, the origin of Calvinism, and working well.
There's a Storm Coming
There is a storm coming your way. It cannot be avoided, and the surest way out is to sail straight through, in full assurance that the Lord is your Captain. This is an attempt to prepare you for the suffering that will come. Amidst the storm, we must cling to these seven truths.
The Reformation Martyrs: John Hooper
There is a movement within "contemporary Evangelicalism" to join hands with Rome. Yes, there are professing Protestants who wish to partner with those against whom their spiritual forefathers once protested! Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Knox, and the rest, if they could see what was happening on earth, would be in a holy rage.
Article Roundup: June 2016
Article Roundup for June 2016: hearing God through a sermon, humble leaders, forbidden phrases at funerals, and more.
For Freedom, Oppose California SB 1146 2016
If California voters pass this bill, it will mark the wholesale destruction of American society. I'm not given to hyperbole. America has reached, and passed, many tipping points, but after this goes, free institution as we know it, not just Christian institutions, will cease to exist.
Beholden to the Providence of God
"We are beholding to this providence of obstructing sin for our lives, our families, our estates, our liberties, for whatsoever is or may be dear unto us; for may we not say sometimes, with the psalmist, "My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the souls of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword" (Ps. 57:4)? "
Article Roundup: May 2016
Article Roundup for May 2016. Meekness, complaining, love & bragging, prayer to God our Father, and the prayer of faith.
Fix Your Eyes On the Cross of Christ
Shall we give entertainment unto that, or hearken unto its dalliances, which wounded, which pierced, which slew our dear Lord Jesus? God forbid! Fill your affections with the cross of Christ, that there may be no room for sin. The world once put him out of the house into a stable, when he came to save us; let us now turn the world out of doors, when he is come to sanctify us.
Article Roundup: April 2016, Part 2
Article Roundup: April 2016, Part 2. Our responsibility to the church, praying as discipleship, and finals.
The Advantage of Examining Indwelling Sin
"It were wished that we would all apply our hearts more to this work {of searching our own souls for indwelling sin}, even to come to a true understanding of the nature, power, and subtlety of our adversary, that our souls may be humbled..."