John Piper, in a sermon from Acts 7, The Story of a Stiff-Necked People: So in Acts 7:1 the high priest gives Stephen a chance to defend himself, “Is this so?” he asks. And Stephen does a very strange thing. He tells a story—a condensed version of the history of Israel. He starts with Abraham … More History as a defense
And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and … More This Ladder: Think forever, and you reach not the threshold of His vastness.
In our reading for today, Genesis 25-26, we encounter the story of Esau selling his birthright to his younger brother, Jacob, in a moment of hunger. Alexander MacLaren was a renowned preacher of the 19th and 20th century. Expositions of Holy Scripture brings together many of the sermons over his fifty years in ministry. Here … More “Flinging away greater future good”
God is sovereign and His Spirit leads us to the right opportunities for ministry. We see this in Acts 16:6-10…. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared … More “…concluding that God had called us”
J.C. Ryle says there are eight “foundation-stones”, which Jesus lays down at the beginning of the sermon on the mount. The wise person will look at all eight and evaluate their life against this passage of Scripture. J. C. Ryle comments on Matthew 5:1-12, The Beatitudes: 1-The Lord Jesus calls those blessed, who are poor … More Foundation stones of blessing
“He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.” Comments on Psalm 10:6 from James Saurin, 1677-1730 found at The Treasury of David To consider religion always on the comfortable side; to congratulate one’s self for having obtained the end before we have made use of the … More Dreaded calm before a storm
Acts 5:17-21a But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, “Go … More God’s power- not ours
Matthew 4:23-25 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, … More J.C.Ryle: Jesus is is mighty to cure every ailment of our souls
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. -Psalm 9:1-2 Charles H. Spurgeon writes in The Treasury of David: It is our duty to praise the Lord; let … More Whole-hearted praise!
Genesis 24 tells a wonderful story of God’s providence and leading, bringing Isaac and Rebekah together through a faithful servant and some pretty amazing signs. Theodore Epp, of Back to the Bible, makes this interesting observation at the end of the very eventful chapter: Have you ever considered yourself so small in the sight of … More Isaac: A Common Man
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 