Today we read Proverbs 26:1-16 in our Bible reading plan. Here are verses 4-5: Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. Hmm…which is it? When we come to confusing passages, we can approach … More A fool: answer him or not?
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and … More The Importance of God’s Sovereignty
….how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. —Hebrews 9:14 (read verses 1-10 in our Bible reading plan.) John Piper on Hebrews 9: So here we are in the modern age, the age … More The only answer to a guilty conscience
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. —Isaiah 41:10, part of our Bible reading plan today. Here is some encouragement from John Piper, in … More The crucial factor in fearless living
In a sermon on Hebrews 8, (part of our Bible reading plan today), John Piper gives wisdom when we come to something in the Bible that is “old and strange and foreign” to us. It’s almost inevitable that people who live in the modern world of computers and jets and television and antibiotics will read … More How do you deal with the old and strange and culturally foreign stuff in the Bible?
John Piper, in a sermon, “Prayer and the Victory of God” helps us understand Isaiah 37, part of our Bible reading plan today. Now to fix this truth vividly in your minds—that the victory of God is coming and that it is coming by means of our prayers—look with me at Isaiah 37 and one … More The Stunning Effect of Prayer Illustrated
Hebrews 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Read Hebrews 7:11-28 in our reading plan) John Piper, in a sermon on Hebrews 7, “Jesus: From Melchizedek to Eternal Savior” Verses 1-24 may be complex and difficult … More Saved to the uttermost!
In our Bible reading plan we come to Proverbs 24:1-22 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul … More Rescuing Unborn Children: Required and Right
When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” —Luke 22:53 (verses 47-53 in our reading plan) J.C. Ryle comments on Luke 22:53– …the time during which evil is permitted to triumph is fixed and limited … More God’s absolute and complete sovereignty
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.—Isaiah 30:18 (Reading plan is Isaiah 29-30) John Piper’s introduction and conclusion of a sermon, “Battling the Unbelief of Impatience,” Impatience … More Piper: Impatience is a form of unbelief.
