Today we read Matthew 7:1-14. Here is encouragement from John Piper, in the introduction to a sermon “Ask Your Father in Heaven” on Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. When you pause to consider that God is infinitely strong … More Pause to consider the incredible privilege of prayer
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. —Psalm 17:6-7 (in our reading plan today) C. H. Spurgeon comments on verse 7 “Show thy marvelous lovingkindness.”(KJV) … More Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus
John Piper’s sermon, “The Sale of Joseph and the Son of God” concludes this way: The story of Joseph is the story of a righteous one who is sinned against and suffers so that tribe of Judah would be preserved and a Lion would come forth, and would prove to be a Lamb-like Lion, and … More Destroying the Dreamer
John Piper in a sermon, “Jesus Still Turns Things Around” brings this encouragement from Acts 9, our reading for today: Luke drives this home by showing the persecutor becoming the persecuted. First, in verse 23 Luke tells us that the Jews in Damascus plotted to kill him. The hunter becomes the hunted. And he escapes … More Jesus turns things around
Do Not Be Anxious Matthew 6:25-34 is our reding for today. In verse 25, Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, ……. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. J.C. Ryle with some words of encouragement: … More J.C. Ryle: Do Not Be Anxious, BUT….
From Sam Storms, who writes on our Bible reading passage today, Psalm 16: Rock stars rarely age well. The Rolling Stones are a case in point. Often called The Strolling Bones, and not without cause (!), this once energetic and controversial sixties group was actually invited to perform during the Super Bowl halftime show only a few … More Psalm 16 Satisfaction
Thanks to Coty Pinckney for his insights into Genesis 35-36. (Genesis 36 is our Bible reading today.) He has a wonderful reminder that we need to consider the eternal perspective and do not look at the results of obedience in our own lifetimes. Esau has been a central figure in Genesis since his birth in … More Reminder: consider the eternal perspective
John Piper, in a sermon “Overflowing Grace for All Who Believe” comments on the conversion of Saul in Acts 9, which we read today. This is the kind of person that no one expects to be converted. His opposition is too deep and too articulate. So much of his life would be threatened if Christianity … More God’s mercy and power are not limited. Period.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” From our reading in Matthew today, chapter 6, verse 24 J.C. Ryle with a challenge: Singleness of purpose is one … More Two masters?
O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly (uprightly KJV) and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; —Psalm 15, our reading for today. Charles H Spurgeon comments on Psalm 15 True believers do not cringe as flatterers, wriggle as serpents, … More Walking is of far more importance than talking.
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 