When lost, it might be embarrassing to stop to ask for directions. However, when reading the Bible, John Piper suggests that we SHOULD stop and ask questions about the text. Here is a quote from the introduction of a sermon, “The Baptism and the Genealogy of Jesus”: You can learn more from a book if you stop … More Stop and ask questions
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV Six Goals of Satan in Getting You to Hold Grudges by John Piper According to [Ephesians 4] verse 27 this is what Satan is watching for—the gap called … More Piper: Six Goals of Satan in Getting You to Hold Grudges
John Piper, in a sermon, “John the Baptist and the Brood of Vipers”, helps us understand Luke 3:1-20, our passage for today. This is the meaning of repentance: a turning of the direction of our life and the affections of our heart, so that we become oriented on God and love the things he loves. … More Repentance is a heart issue
In our reading today, Ephesians 4:17-21— Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness … More There is an escape from futility!
John Piper, in a sermon, “The Son of God at 12 Years Old” says of Luke 2:41-52- ….our text has important implications for understanding the divinity of Christ. It helps us understand what Paul meant when he said, “Though he was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God a thing … More The Son of God at 12 Years Old
In light of failed predictions of the end of the world and the rapture, many people just roll their eyes when they hear talk of “the coming of Christ” In Luke 2, we read of someone who had been eagerly waiting a lifetime to see Jesus. John Piper, in a sermon from Luke 2, “Preparing … More Are you eagerly waiting for Jesus’ coming?
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, … More When the massive weather front of God’s love meets the massive weather front of God’s power
John Piper: For God’s Little People—Luke 2:1–5 Have you ever thought what an amazing thing it is that God ordained beforehand that the Messiah be born in Bethlehem (as the prophecy in Micah 5 shows); and that he so ordained things that when the time came, the Messiah’s mother and legal father were living in … More It is not our prosperity but our holiness that he seeks with all his heart.
John Piper asks us to: Picture in your mind a great, wise painter, painting on a huge canvas with many brushes, most of them very ordinary and messy. The painter is God, so you can’t picture him. He’s invisible. But he intends for his painting to be the visible display of his wisdom. He knows … More Painter? God …. Brushes? Us!
I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! —Psalm 119:32 When God enlarges our heart, we get a NEW heart. John Piper helps us understand: But forgiveness and cleansing is not enough. I need to be new. I need to be transformed. I need life. I need a new way … More God gives us big, new hearts
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 