John Piper, in a sermon, “Preparing to Receive Christ: Hearing Moses and the Prophets”, comments on the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16: So the rich man in the parable is one of those who presumed to say, “I am secure as a child of Abraham.” But he bore no fruit that befits repentance, … More Delighting more in luxuries for himself than in love for Lazarus?
When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. —Proverbs 10:19 The NKJV translates this verse: “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking” Due to our fallen natures, if we speak a lot, we are going to sin. Therefore the second half of this verse makes … More So many words …
In Nehemiah 4, we come to two statements which contain elements of God’s awesome power and sovereignty, and also elements of our responsibility. The setting is the rebuilding of the wall and the fierce opposition from the enemies of the Jews. In verse 9 we read: And we prayed to our God and set a … More Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight …
1 Timothy 6:6-11 says, But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many … More The fight for faith
Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” J.C. Ryle comments: Thousands on every side are continually trying to do the thing which Christ pronounces impossible. They … More Mission impossible: Serving two masters
A longer-than-usual post today, but may it bless you, dear reader… John Piper on Proverbs 10:11 (entire sermon text included here) Several things are clear and lie right on the surface of today’s text. The first obvious thing is that God is a lover of life; he likes to promote life, not violence and death. … More The mouth of the righteous is a fountain not a factory
In Nehemiah 3, we read of the section-by-section, gate-by-gate repair of the broken walls and gates of Jerusalem. This was a group project, demonstrating their collective desire to see the wall restored. Spurgeon helps us see a spiritual dimension to this wall. C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, on Nehemiah 3: The broad wall afforded a … More Spurgeon: The broad wall
Luke 16:1 He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can … More Lessons from the dishonest manager
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Proverbs 9: 10 Randy Alcorn, of Eternal Perspective Ministries: In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, volume I of The Chronicles of Narnia, one of the children asks Mr. and Mrs. Beaver about Aslan the … More We all must fear. But if you fear God, you need fear no one and nothing else.
Nehemiah 1:4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, … More Prayer from a deep reservoir of faith
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 