John Piper, in a message, “Called to Suffer and Rejoice -that We Might Gain Christ” Why did God ordain and Paul accept the losses that it meant for him to be a Christian? Paul gives the answer again and again in these verses so that we cannot miss the point. He is not passive in this suffering … More Gaining something far more precious
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ Philippians … More Knowing Christ is a value that surpasses everything else
John Piper on Philippians 2:17-18: Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. Paul loved this church. He loved all the churches. And he died every … More Pouring out for others..over and over
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 Unfolding…unpacking….brings to mind an image of a suitcase full of stuff. Now a suitcase full of stuff does not have much practical use until you unpack it. Your toothbrush and toothpaste can’t be used until you take them out of … More Unfolding God’s Word
John Piper on Philippians 1:21 ….the inner essence of worship is cherishing Christ as gain – indeed as more gain than all that life can offer – family, career, retirement, fame, food, friends. The essence of worship is experiencing Christ as gain. Or to use words that we love to use around here: it is … More The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ my Lord
Naaman’s Servant Girl An Advent Poem by John Piper “Grandma.” “Yes, Sarah.” “Mamma told Me once about how very bold You were when you were nine or ten, And how a mob of Syrian men Stole you away from home at night. She said there was an awful fight, And other things you kept inside. … More Naaman’s Servant Girl
“It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20-21 What is life all about? How about death? Honoring Christ should be our greatest desire and hope. The … More Don’t waste your life OR your death
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. —Ephesians 6:4 (ESV) John Piper on “Raising Children Who Hope in the Triumph of God” Paul says, “Don’t provoke your children to anger.” What does he mean? He doesn’t mean don’t cross their will. He … More Show your children something great to live for
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be … More Marriage: Imaging Christ and His Church
ELIJAH PART 2, An Advent Poem by John Piper King Ahab called out from the rocks, “Do you think that a fire-tailed fox Can scorch the fields of Jezebel, And starve the stock, and dry the well, And mock the Baals, and scorn Jezreel, And not be crushed beneath the wheel Of Ahab’s chariot? Beware … More Elijah: Faith was a gift, and God would send It when he willed
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 