Since we have just finished reading Ezra and Nehemiah, this article will bless you- John Piper, at Desiring God Blog: Here’s another reason I am joyfully committed to expository exultation, that is, preaching. Look at this amazing statement of what biblical exposition is like when it’s done well—in the power of God’s Spirit and riveted … More Understanding leads to rejoicing
How prone are we to self-deception? Are we really able to be honest with ourselves as we talk with God? Do we remember daily the true source of our righteousness? Here is a devotional by Elaine Stedman, inspired by one of Ray Stedman’s sermons: Remember me with favor, O my God (Nehemiah 13:31b). Some people … More Remember me with favor, O my God
From the ESV Study Bible: Prov. 13:1–6 Headed by the call to be a wise son (10:1), these proverbs also utilize a play on words (cf. 10:6–32) relating to both speech (hears/listen, 13:1; mouth, vv. 2–3; lips, v. 3; falsehood,v. 5) and eating/desire (eats, v. 2; desire, v. 2; craves and richly supplied, v. 4) in order to assure those who seek to guard their mouth (v. 3) through righteousness … More Mouth guards in Proverbs
Pastor P. G. Matthew, of Grace Valley Community Church, in a sermon “Covenant Renewal”: Nehemiah 10:28 speaks of “the rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters … More No partial obedience!
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. —2 Timothy 3:16 John Piper, in a sermon, “All Scripture Is Breathed Out by God and Profitable” That is a remarkable phrase: “every … More How does the Bible equip us?
John Piper asks: A widow comes to an unjust judge and pleads for help. She is being oppressed unjustly and wants him to use his authority to seek her relief. That’s us, the widow. Weak, poor, and no husband to speak up for us. Her only source of help, the judge. Our only source: God. … More God is different from the judge
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 12:25 Do you have anxiety in your heart? Are there others around you that are being weighed down with an anxious heart? According to the Bible, a good word can change their outlook. Will you reach out with a … More Extending grace and gladness to Eyore
Steven Cole on Nehemiah 9: God’s abundant mercy is the dominant theme of this prayer. It begins by exalting God and His glorious name (9:5) and then it starts where the Bible does, with God as the almighty Creator of everything, who gives life to every living creature. All the angels bow before Him (9:6). … More God’s abundant mercy
John Piper with a warning: Beware of being like the people in 2 Timothy 3:7 who are “always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Delight in solutions; don’t forever resist them as though it is noble to ever be the struggling skeptic.
Luke 17:20-21 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Lo, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” John Piper, in the … More Part now AND part later
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 