The workings of grace in the heart in like manner, are utterly mysterious and unsearchable.

J.C. Ryle comments on “The Parable of the Seed Growing” in Mark 4:26-28 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the … More The workings of grace in the heart in like manner, are utterly mysterious and unsearchable.

Stepping on a few toes…

Paul steps on a few Corinthian toes. John Piper comments: [1 Corinthians 7] Verse 19 says literally, “Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God (is everything).” That was about the most offensive thing Paul could say to a Jew: Circumcision is nothing. And if we understand its broad cultural … More Stepping on a few toes…

Restore us, O God

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved! —Psalm 80: 3, 7, 19 Restore us, O God. Turn us back to You.  Change us.  Change our character, if not our circumstances.  We need YOU, O God. Let Your face shine… we want to see You.  “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine … More Restore us, O God

A warning not to turn away

We are nearing the end of Joshua this week, by reading Joshua 22-23 today. Kim Riddlebarger, Senior Pastor at Christ Reformed Church, opened and closed his sermon on Joshua 23 with these comments: When Moses died, the people of Israel surely thought he could never be replaced. Years later when Joshua says farewell to his people, there can … More A warning not to turn away

Stepping on a few toes…

Paul steps on a few Corinthian toes in today’s reading in 1 Corinthians 7:17-40. John Piper comments: [1 Corinthians 7] Verse 19 says literally, “Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God (is everything).” That was about the most offensive thing Paul could say to a Jew: Circumcision is nothing. … More Stepping on a few toes…

Grant us eyes to see

Kim Riddlebarger asks, “What, then, should we take with us from this section of Mark?” [Mark 3:20-35, from our Bible reading plan today.] The very fact that so many different and diverse people witnessed the miracles of Jesus with their own eyes and yet did not understand his mission or understand who he was, should remind … More Grant us eyes to see