Solomon now turns from a beautiful section (Ecclesiastes 3:9-15) about God making everything beautiful in its time, taking pleasure in God’s gifts to us, thanking and fearing our sovereign God… to the section which is our focus for today, verses 16-22. Solomon’s brief interlude into a vertical perspective quickly ends and he turns his attention back to … More Don’t forget the vertical perspective
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. —James 2:1 (in our Bible reading plan today) John Piper helps us understand why we should not show partiality… 1. Verse 1: Partiality contradicts faith in Jesus Christ as the Lord of glory. 2. Verses 2-4: … More Why we should not show partiality
Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” [What?!] He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about … More If you come to Jesus you see spiritual reality
Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, … More What are you boasting about?
Today we read James 1:19-27. Verse 21 says, “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” Here is John Piper on how to“Receive With Meekness the Implanted Word” Receive it—this implanted word. In other words, if you treat the word of … More Soul Survival
The North Church Women studied the Gospel of John together in Fall 2018-Spring 2019. Teaching is available via podcast here. What did John mean when he referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God? In Genesis…. When Abraham was told to offer his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice, God provided a substitute sacrifice. a ram … More Behold, the Lamb of God
This also, I saw, is from the hand of God; for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? (Ecclesiastes 2:24b-25, verses 17-26 in our reading plan today) Ray Stedman comments, in a message, “Life in the Fast Lane” That is his second declaration, and that is the true message of this … More Enjoyment is a gift of God.
When you are driving and get lost, what do you do? I used to pull over and walk in to a local gas station and ask for directions. However, with my smart phone and its map app, I do not need to “ask” but will figure it out with technology. Either way, I can search … More The ultimate map app
Kim Riddlebarger comments in a sermon on James 1:1-18, in our reading plan today. James makes very critical two points in these verses. The first is that God does indeed allow trials to come our way. The second is that sin arises in us (because we have a sinful nature), not because God somehow tempts … More Trials and temptations
John 1:19-28 is our passage to read today. Here are helpful insights from John Piper’s series on the Gospel of John: John the Baptist is a root partly under ground in the Old Testament and partly exposed in the New Testament. He has a foot in both worlds—a prophet something like Elijah (but not Elijah … More A root, a foot in both worlds
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 