Suffering arrives in our lives in many ways, sudden or slow-onset, long-lasting or short-lived, many different varieties afflict us. How do we handle suffering? What is our response to tragedy in our lives? In Job 2, we see a man faced with not only the loss of his children and all his earthly riches, but … More Responses to suffering
Ezekiel is a book of the Bible filled with strange things, hard to understand things. It is tempting to skip over some of these passages. I’ve done that. But in doing so, we miss some wonderful things. When you read through Ezekiel 4-8 today, notice how many times God tells Ezekiel about things that will … More Then they shall KNOW that I am the Lord
I am struck with the similarity between the passage we read from Ezekiel today (Chapter 2) and this passage in John. Here in John, Jesus is speaking with some folks who were trying to kill him. He asks, “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my … More Can’t bear to hear…
How many missions agencies will give the following advice to new missionaries? You are going to a very hard place. This people group is rebellious and difficult. In fact, they have been double-crossing God all along. They are stubborn and offensively bold and shameless in their sin. But you are being sent to speak God’s … More Advice to missionaries
This is probably my all-time favorite John Piper sermon and I highly recommend that you listen to it or read it. The text is Jeremiah 32:36-41 “Now therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning this city of which you say, ‘It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by … More Four Promises of Sovereign, Sustaining Grace
Since we celebrate the 500th birthday of John Calvin this week: Before proceeding to recite God’s works, the Psalmist declares his supreme Deity, and dominion: not that such comparative language implies that there is anything approaching Deity besides him, but there is a disposition in men, whenever they see any part of his glory displayed, … More Calvin on Psalm 136
1 Chronicles 17:16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 17 And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown … More Who am I?
Scott Grant, in a message, “THE GOSPEL IS WORTH EVERYTHING YOU CAN GIVE IT” Philippians 4:16-19 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. [2] 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having … More Our God of lavish grace!
John Piper, in a sermon from Luke 2, “Preparing to Receive Christ: Looking For the Consolation of israel” God prepares a person to receive Christ by stirring up a longing for consolation and redemption that can come only from Christ. In Relation to the First Coming We can see in this text that this was true of … More Are you eagerly waiting for Jesus’ coming?
To whom was the first gospel message preached? The answer took me off guard a bit when I was reading through Genesis recently. Of course students of the Bible are familiar with the seed of the woman that is promised in Genesis 3. The fancy word for this is the protoevangelium (“first gospel”). What I … More Protoevangelium- First Gospel
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 