My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. —James 2:1 ESV 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: Partiality reveals a judging heart … 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?
James 1:21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. John Piper, in a sermon, “Receive With Meekness the Implanted Word” Receive it—this implanted word. In other words, if you treat the word of God like your kidneys, you are making … More Soul Survival
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 RSV) Ray Stedman comments, in a message, “Life in the Fast Lane” That is his second declaration, and that is the true message of this book. Enjoyment is a gift of … 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 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 us to sin. What this … More Trials and temptations
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 reincarnate, 1:21) and voice crying that the long-expected Messiah has come. Three … More A root, a foot in both worlds
Ecclesiastes 2:1 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. Solomon was searching. Searching for lasting satisfaction but pursuing it in all the wrong places. He became like a new freshman on a college campus, trying out everything. He became the ultimate … More The Pleasure Test
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. This is one of my favorite word pictures in the Bible: God is our Shepherd (Psalm 23) and Jesus, our Good Shepherd. (John 10:1-14) In Jeremiah we see MANY references to shepherds, both good and bad. … More The Good Shepherd promises shepherds after His own heart
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 