A Sudden and Remarkable Reversal So suddenly, out of the blue, he takes the key player in the persecution of his people and turns him totally around on the Damascus road. The Saul who was breathing out threats and murders against Christians doesn’t just drop dead—which would have been a big enough reversal for … More Jesus Still Turns Things Around…John Piper on Acts 9:20-43
Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Let me tell you what I think that text does not mean. It does not mean: Make no preparations for tomorrow’s needs. If you’re a farmer, the thought about tomorrow’s empty … More Today’s Mercies for Today’s Troubles…John Piper on Matthew 6:34
John Piper explains: …the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch teaches us one of the ways God uses to evangelize the world. I say “one of the ways God uses” because it is clear from the book of Acts that a lot of evangelism was done without an angel of the Lord having to … More The Leading of the Lord in Personal Evangelism (Acts 8:26-40)
By prayer, I mean intentionally conveying a message to God. It’s frustrating—isn’t it?—how unclear language can be if we are not careful. Why do I say “intentionally conveying a message to God? Why don’t I just say that prayer is talking to God? Well, because Romans 8:26 says, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For … More What IS Prayer? John Piper on Matthew 6:1-15
“The owlet, Atheism, Sailing on obscene wings across the noon, Drops his blue-fringed lids, and shuts them close, And, hooting at the glorious sun in heaven, Cries out, ‘Where is it’” Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1772-1834 Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
In a sermon titled, “True Faith: Clinging to God”on Genesis 32 by Coty Pinckney, Desiring God Community Church, Charlotte, NC, 9/12/04: God gives Jacob a new name, a new identity. Jacob has changed fundamentally – and his name will reflect that change. The name Jacob has stood for heel grasper, cheater, supplanter. And that has … More A New Name for a New Man (Genesis 32)
In Acts 8, we see God using suffering and persecution for the advancement of the Gospel…….look at verse 4, “Therefore”—that is, because of the persecution, “those who had been scattered went about preaching the Word.” Bible commentators point out that there are different words for “scattered” in Greek. One means dispersed so that the item is … More Parallels Between the Acts 8 Church and Today’s Persecuted Church
In a sermon titled, “But I Say to You, Love Your Enemies” (Matthew 5:44-45), Dr. John Piper said, So when Jesus says, back in Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45 in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven,” … More John Piper on “But I Say to You, Love Your Enemies” (Matthew 5:44-45)
Dr. Sam Storms, of Enjoying God Ministries, says of Psalm 13: Depression is an ugly word, and difficult to define. We’ve all faced it, some worse than others. Even if we don’t understand it, we know what it feels like. The confidence that God is behind you has vanished. The courage to face anything life … More Dr. Sam Storms on Depression (Psalm 13)
John MacArthur on The Stoning of Stephen (Acts 7), from Stephen: A Profile in Courage Acts 7:55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man … More John MacArthur on The Stoning of Stephen (Acts 7)
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 