Spurgeon: The genuine salt of humility cannot be used in excess.

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. —Proverbs 15:33 C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening: When a man is sincerely humble, and never ventures to touch so much as a grain of the praise, there is scarcely any limit to what God will do for him. Humility makes us … More Spurgeon: The genuine salt of humility cannot be used in excess.

When life is at stake

Pastor Ray Stedman, “A Pair of Queens,” on Esther 2: The chapter closes with an account of how the entrance of Mordecai and Esther into the life of this king involved also deliverance from a plot which threatened the very life of the king: When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting … More When life is at stake

Why should people believe it’s life‑changing truth if your life isn’t changed?

Titus 2:5,8,10 5 … that the word of God may not be reviled.  8 …so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 10 …. so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. John MacArthur in a sermon, “Sound Doctrine Backed By Sound Living” from Titus … More Why should people believe it’s life‑changing truth if your life isn’t changed?

God delights most deeply not in making demands but in meeting needs

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. —Proverbs 15:8 John Piper, in a sermon, “The Pleasure of God in the Prayers of the Upright” My hope is that the effect of this message will not only be that you feel encouraged to pray, … More God delights most deeply not in making demands but in meeting needs

Irony and Providence

Donald Curtis, in an article “Irony and Providence,” comments on the structural elements of the book of Esther: Paired Events Nearly every event in Esther happens twice, the second time being a variation of the first. In the first chapter, there is a long banquet and a short banquet. In the second chapter, there is a … More Irony and Providence

You don’t correct error by hints or nice suggestions.

Pastor Steven J. Cole of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship, in a sermon on Titus 1:10-16 Paul writes (1:13), “But reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith.” “ Them” may refer to the false teachers, as the preceding context would indicate. But, being sound in the faith would point to believers. “To … More You don’t correct error by hints or nice suggestions.

Repentance and restitution leads to rejoicing

Pastor Mark Driscoll recently preached through the book of Luke. Zacchaeus was not just a wee little man, he was a man idolizing money and power and taking advantage of his neighbors. But when Jesus calls out to Zacchaeus, his life is changed forever. Zacchaeus immediately repents and offers restitution to anyone he’s wronged, which … More Repentance and restitution leads to rejoicing