When you are driving and get lost, what do you do? I used to pull over and walk in to a local gas station and ask for directions. However, with my smart phone and its map app, I do not need to “ask” but will figure it out with technology. Either way, I can search … More The ultimate map app
This also, I saw, is from the hand of God; for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? (Ecclesiastes 2:24b-25 RSV) Ray Stedman comments, in a message, “Life in the Fast Lane” That is his second declaration, and that is the true message of this book. Enjoyment is a gift of … More Enjoyment is a gift of God.
Kim Riddlebarger comments in a sermon on James 1:1-18 James makes very critical two points in these verses. The first is that God does indeed allow trials to come our way. The second is that sin arises in us (because we have a sinful nature), not because God somehow tempts us to sin. What this … More Trials and temptations
From John Piper’s series on the Gospel of John: John the Baptist is a root partly under ground in the Old Testament and partly exposed in the New Testament. He has a foot in both worlds—a prophet something like Elijah (but not Elijah reincarnate, 1:21) and voice crying that the long-expected Messiah has come. Three … More A root, a foot in both worlds
Ecclesiastes 2:1 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. Solomon was searching. Searching for lasting satisfaction but pursuing it in all the wrong places. He became like a new freshman on a college campus, trying out everything. He became the ultimate … More The Pleasure Test
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. This is one of my favorite word pictures in the Bible: God is our Shepherd (Psalm 23) and Jesus, our Good Shepherd. (John 10:1-14) In Jeremiah we see MANY references to shepherds, both good and bad. … More The Good Shepherd promises shepherds after His own heart
Pastor Kim Riddlebarger on James 1: Joy is simply the knowledge that it is well with our souls, despite our present circumstances. It may not be well with our bodies. It may not be well with our job, or with our particular circumstances. But because Jesus died for our sins, and because he was raised … More Even in trials, it is well with my soul
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. —John 1:1-3 ESV Pastor John Piper in an introductory message that explains the … More Treasure Jesus in His Infinite Majesty
And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a … More God is not an option, He is a necessity
John Piper, in a conference message: “Passion for the Supremacy of God, Part 2” Sin is the insanity of forsaking the pursuit of your pleasure in God. Here’s the text: Jeremiah 2:12-13: “Be appalled O heavens, be shocked. Be utterly desolate, says the Lord. For my people have committed two great evils. They have forsaken … More All heaven is appalled. Why?
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 