Phillip Graham Ryken writes in Thermelios: Ezra also had a mind for biblical truth. Perhaps the best example comes from Nehemiah 8, where Ezra gathers the Israelites to renew the covenant in Jerusalem. The heart of that renewal was the reading and preaching of God’s Word. Ezra gathered people in the square in front of the … More Faithful Gospel Preaching
John Piper, in a sermon, “Wonderful Things From Your Word” Consider 2 Timothy 2:7. The NASB has “Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” Literally it is, “Think about (noei) what I say.” Does this mean that understanding Paul’s teaching is simply a human, natural enterprise of thinking? No. The … More Think and pray. Pray and think.
Matt Chandler on the Ten Lepers of Luke 17: “On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them … More One Thankful Leper
C.H. Spurgeon, comments in Morning and Evening: “He that watereth shall be watered also himself.”—Proverbs 11:25 We are here taught the great lesson, that to get, we must give; that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must … More Unexpected Grace
Ray Stedman comments on Nehemiah 7: Here Nehemiah seeks to perpetuate the achievements that he has brought about, by appointing wise successors and establishing sound policies. After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed. I put in charge of … More Never let down our guard
John Piper, in “Brothers, Let Us Query the Text”— In 2 Timothy 2:7 Paul gave us a command and a promise. He commanded, “Think over what I say.” And he promised, “God will give you understanding in everything.” How do the command and promise fit together? The little “for” (gar) gives the answer. “Think . … More Piper: Let us query the text
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” —Luke 17:5 J.C. Ryle comments: Faith is a grace which admits of degrees. It does not come to full strength and perfection as soon as it is planted in the heart by the Holy Spirit. There is “little” faith and “great” faith. There is “weak” … More Ryle: Faith is a grace which admits of degrees.
Nehemiah 6 tells of a tough situation in Nehemiah’s life. He and the people were just about finished building the wall, but his enemies were out to get him. they intended to do Nehemiah harm(v 2) they were spreading false rumors, “invented in their own mind” v8 (that Nehemiah and the people were intending to … More God acts. God gets the glory.
Proverbs 11:1 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. John Piper, in a 1987 sermon, “The Pleasure of God in Public Justice” The implications here are very far-reaching. But let’s get the specific picture clear in our minds. Suppose you were a merchant in the Old … More Piper: God’s Interest in All Our Non-Religious Life
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. —2 Timothy 1:5 Who knows what lifelong influence a mother and grandmother can have in the life of a child? Sure, Timothy was strengthened greatly … More History Shapers
