Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Pastor John Piper’s … More Piper on prayer: Feet on the Ground, Heart Rising to God
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1 Spurgeon says, To say there is no God is to belie the plainest evidence, which is obstinacy; to oppose the common consent of mankind, which is stupidity; to stifle consciousness, which is madness. Treasury of David Psalm 14
So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” —Genesis 32:30 ESV Henry Law, comments at Grace Gems: But is the lonely Jacob long alone? Oh no. A stranger suddenly draws near, and grapples with him, and strives with … More Face to face. Grace above grace.
Acts 8:1-4 And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off … More An interesting way to get the Gospel spread
John Piper, in a sermon “Spreading Power Through Persecution” I want to encourage you this morning from Acts 8:1–8 that God rules over the sufferings of the church and causes them to spread spiritual power and the joy of faith in a lost world. It is not his only way. But it does seem to … More Don’t judge suffering too quickly
Matthew 5:43–48 You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on … More Where Does Power to Love Like This Come From?
C. H. Spurgeon writes this about Psalm 13, “We have been wont to call this the “How Long Psalm.” We had almost said the Howling Psalm, from the incessant repetition of the cry “how long?” “How long?” This question is repeated no less than four times. It betokens very intense desire for deliverance, and great … More The Howling Psalm
Steven Cole on Genesis 31: In Genesis 31, Jacob is between a rock and a hard place. He has left Haran and is heading back to Canaan in obedience to the Lord. Behind him is his crafty father-in-law, Laban. Before him is his brother, Esau, whom he had cheated and run from 20 years before. … More God’s gracious protective hand
Steven Cole draws out some interesting points in our reading in Acts 7:39-60 Note the repetition in his sermon of the word “hands.” In 7:41, he mentions how in the incident of the golden calf, Israel re- joiced in the work of their hands. In 7:48, Stephen declares, “However, the Most High does not dwell … More God is not limited by hands
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24 ESV) John Piper, in a sermon, “Getting Right with God … More So Far as It Depends on You
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 