Pastor Sam Storms of Enjoying God Ministries writes: So why do you pray? What motivates you to whisper in your Father’s ear? Is it even worthwhile to do so? Let’s explore this for a moment by asking five questions and seeking the answers in Psalm 86. First, why did David, the psalmist, pray so fervently … More Sam Storms: Why do you pray?
Pastor Kim Riddlebarger comments on Judges 9: The story of Abimelech points us in two directions. On the one hand, we see in Abimelech the sovereign hand of God. In order to remove Gideon’s sham dynasty, YHWH allows Abimelech to do in sixty-nine of Gideon’s sons (save one) and then become the leader over much of Israel. The people … More Riddlebarger: The story of Abimelech points us in two directions
John Piper, in a sermon,”Idolatry, the Lord’s Supper, and the Body of Christ” What 1 Corinthians 10 is about is the way the Corinthians had overestimated the power of the Lord’s Supper as sacramental food, and had underestimated the purpose of the Lord’s Supper as spiritual fellowship with Christ. In other words, they saw eating … More Piper: The Two-Sided Error of the Corinthians
J. C. Ryle comments on Mark 6:14-29 An unjust imprisonment and a violent death, were the last fruit that John the Baptist reaped, in return for his labor. Like Stephen and James, and others, of whom the world was not worthy, he was called to seal his testimony with his blood. Histories like these are … More J. C. Ryle: Your best life now? or later?
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
Pastor Kim Riddlebarger on Judges 8: In 1 Timothy 6, the apostle Paul warns us of many of the same things that Gideon brought upon Israel. He speaks of men who “teach a different doctrine[which]does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness.” Ironically, Gideon did this … More “What would Gideon do?” wrist-band?
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 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
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.
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?
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 