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
As we read in 1 Kings about Solomon’s construction of the Temple, we need to be reminded that it was a shadow. John Piper comments on this in an introduction to a message, “Jesus: Mediator of a Better Covenant” The tabernacle and temple were a shadow; the official priesthood was a shadow; the animal sacrifices … More These shadows will fall away
From Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1- for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the … More God loves to undertake for the underdog who calls on his mercy
“Which is his body, the fullness of him [i.e., Christ] who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:23 John Piper helps us understand this passage in our read through the Bible plan today- So Christ fills all in all. Or as the present tense and the middle voice imply: Christ is now filling for himself all … More No place where HIS power does not hold sway
We begin our reading of Ephesians this month. Here is a snippet from a sermon by John Piper, “God Has Chosen Us in Him Before the Foundation of the Earth” God’s purpose in the salvation of his people is invincible—it cannot fail—because it is based first not on our choosing God but on God’s choosing … More A great objective ground for assurance
Today we begin reading the gospel of Luke. Here is help from John Piper, in a sermon, “How Not to Talk to an Angel” Luke is the only gospel writer who recounts the foretelling and birth of John the Baptist. He begins in 1:5–25 with the announcement of John’s birth to Zechariah, his father. Then … More The sovereign God ordained and ordered their births and their destinies.
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. —Galatians 6:14-15, in our reading plan today. What does that mean, … More Every blessing in life is meant to magnify the cross of Christ.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 (in our reading through the Bible plan today) Five Steps Toward Walking by the Spirit by John Piper Let me conclude by mentioning five things that I think we must do so that it can … More Piper: Five Steps Toward Walking by the Spirit
John Piper comments on Psalm 117: “Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!” This is God’s purpose: that he be praised by all the peoples – that he be much of; that he be seen and savored and shown to be great. Missions is a cross-cultural movement aimed at helping people stop making … More What is the aim of missions?
When the psalmist cried out, “What shall I render to the Lord for all of his benefits to me?” the reply was, “I will lift the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:12-13). ……Jesus gives us the gift of himself and we ask, “Now what can I render to … More What kind of gift does Jesus love to receive?
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 