Spurgeon: Judges and Psalms proclaim God’s mercy

You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! —Psalm 85:3-4 C.H. Spurgeon, in “The Treasury of David” comments: How often did the longsuffering of God take away from Israel the punishments which had been justly laid upon them! How … More Spurgeon: Judges and Psalms proclaim God’s mercy

Spurgeon: He who boasts of grace has little grace to boast of.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10 that we are to take heed of the examples of the Old Testament, because we should learn from them and not repeat their mistakes. In verse 12 he warns:  Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.  C. H. Spurgeon comments in “Morning and … More Spurgeon: He who boasts of grace has little grace to boast of.

J.C. Ryle: How exceedingly sinful is the sin of unbelief

J.C. Ryle on Mark 6:5-6 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. Two remarkable expressions are used in teaching this lesson. One is, that our Lord “could do no mighty work” at Nazareth, by reason … More J.C. Ryle: How exceedingly sinful is the sin of unbelief

Sam Storms: Don’t apologize for that relentless and chronic ache for joy.

Some people are terrified of appearing needy. Obsessed with their public image and how they are perceived, they put on a false front of self-sufficiency and self-reliance. Not David! That’s one of the things I admire most in the author of so many of these psalms. He is utterly unashamed to acknowledge before others his weakness … More Sam Storms: Don’t apologize for that relentless and chronic ache for joy.

Piper: Should we venture on God in ways that may look foolish?

John Piper, “The Gideon Venture,” a sermon when the church was considering a building project, sending out part of the congregation to plant a new church, and doing all of this without incurring debt…. …we began to meditate on God’s unusual ways of doing things in the Bible. We saw his strange ways everywhere. God … More Piper: Should we venture on God in ways that may look foolish?

The Song of Deborah

Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day: “That the leaders took the lead in Israel, that the people offered themselves willingly, bless the Lord! “Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; to the Lord I will sing; I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel. —Judges 5:1-3 … More The Song of Deborah

“Just say no” to the things which could be a “yes”?

Bob Deffinbaugh, “When a Right May Be Wrong,”  at Bible.org: Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 9 sheds new light on the matter of pleasing God. Pleasing God does not result from merely keeping the rules. Pleasing God comes from personal sacrifice, for the glory of God, the good of others, and the advance of the gospel. Many … More “Just say no” to the things which could be a “yes”?