He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7 I would like this verse to be true of me, trusting in God, even when life hurts. Plans may change, but God’s purpose remains. I was reminded of this when I read of Rachel, a young mom who went … More Spurgeon: no dread that evil tidings will come, and no alarm when they do come.
Bob Deffinbaugh comments on 2 Samuel 13 and the tragedy in Israel’s royal family: ….this text is placed immediately following the passage that depicts David’s sin and its personal consequences in the death of his first son by Bathsheba. This is not only because the events of chapter 13 follow closely in time to those of … More Sin and Consequences
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” John Piper on Galatians 2:20: What does it mean to … More What does it mean to be crucified with Christ?
We come now to Mark’s account of Jesus’ arrest and betrayal. J.C. Ryle comments on Mark 14: 43-52 Let us notice, secondly, in these verses, how all things in our Lord’s passion happened according to God’s Word. His own address to those who took Him, exhibits this in a striking manner–“the Scripture must be fulfilled.” There was … More God’s purpose. No accident. No chance.
DAVID by John Piper December 18, 1983 In spring, the time of year when kings Go forth to war, and David sings Of conquest, and the lonely wives At dawn plead for the distant lives Of brown-eyed lovers under oath To Joab, it is known to both That front-line flesh is severed first And valiant … More “David” by John Piper
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 John Piper, in a sermon, “When Not To Believe an Angel” The most thrilling implication of verse 10 … More Only one person to please: Jesus Christ
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.”And going … More See the contrast between the choices of Jesus and the disciples?
The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” Psalm 110:1 (Jesus quotes this in Mark 12, which we read last week.) John Piper: Now add one more observation about the Psalms in general: The Psalms are inspired by God. They are not merely the word … More Jesus has implicit faith in the reliability of the Psalms.
John Piper, in a sermon, “Risk and the Cause of God,” Our text is 2 Samuel 10, especially verse 12. “Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” The Amalekites had shamed the messengers of Israel … More May the Lord do what seems good to him.
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. But we pray to God that you may not … More Test yourself: What does your salvation depend on?
