And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets … More Let there be…bread!
Pastor Sam Storms of Enjoying God Ministries writes: So why do you pray? What motivates you to whisper in your Father’s ear? Is it even worthwhile to do so? Let’s explore this for a moment by asking five questions and seeking the answers in Psalm 86. First, why did David, the psalmist, pray so fervently … More What motivates you to pray?
Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers. And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal. —Judges 9:56-57 Pastor Kim Riddlebarger comments on Judges 9: The … More When we look at the life of a man like Abimelech we see not Christ, but his opposite
John Piper, in a sermon,“Idolatry, the Lord’s Supper, and the Body of Christ” What 1 Corinthians 10 is about is the way the Corinthians had overestimated the power of the Lord’s Supper as sacramental food, and had underestimated the purpose of the Lord’s Supper as spiritual fellowship with Christ. In other words, they saw eating … More Overestimating and underestimating the Lord’s Supper
J. C. Ryle comments on Mark 6:14-29 An unjust imprisonment and a violent death, were the last fruit that John the Baptist reaped, in return for his labor. Like Stephen and James, and others, of whom the world was not worthy, he was called to seal his testimony with his blood. Histories like these are … More Your best life now? Or later? J.C. Ryle on Mark 6
You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! —Psalm 85:3-4 C.H. Spurgeon, in “The Treasury of David” comments: How often did the longsuffering of God take away from Israel the punishments which had been justly laid upon them! How … More Restoration and Mercy
Pastor Kim Riddlebarger on Judges 8: In 1 Timothy 6, the apostle Paul warns us of many of the same things that Gideon brought upon Israel. He speaks of men who “teach a different doctrine[which]does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness.” Ironically, Gideon did this … More Beware whose example you follow
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10 that we are to take heed of the examples of the Old Testament, because we should learn from them and not repeat their mistakes. In verse 12 he warns: Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. C. H. Spurgeon comments in “Morning and … More Faith and confidence in Jesus alone
J.C. Ryle on Mark 6:5-6 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. Two remarkable expressions are used in teaching this lesson. One is, that our Lord “could do no mighty work” at Nazareth, by reason … More Ryle: Let us watch our own hearts
Sam Storms comments on Psalm 84 (our passage for today) and Psalm 63: Some people are terrified of appearing needy. Obsessed with their public image and how they are perceived, they put on a false front of self-sufficiency and self-reliance. Not David! That’s one of the things I admire most in the author of so many … More A relentless and chronic ache for joy
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 