4:1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you … More James is really all about grace.
Dr. Kim Riddlebarger comments on James 1:13-17 Now, it is absolutely vital that we are clear about the fact that while God allows us to go through trials so as to strengthen our faith, God never tempts us to sin. In verses 13-17, James writes, “Let no one say.” when he is tempted, `I am … More Don’t Blame God
Pastor Kim Riddlebarger on James 1: Joy is simply the knowledge that it is well with our souls, despite our present circumstances. It may not be well with our bodies. It may not be well with our job, or with our particular circumstances. But because Jesus died for our sins, and because he was raised … More James and Joy
Pastor Kim Riddlebarger, at the Riddleblog: Mark 9:35-37 And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my … More Status or service?
Pastor Kim Riddlebarger on the Transfiguration in Mark 9: And so, while we look for God’s glory in Christ’s person and work (as Luther put it, in the cradle and on the cross), we also know that one day we will see the kingdom come in power. That will be the day when God raises … More Transfiguration!
Pastor Kim Riddlebarger, of Christ Reformed Church, in a sermon on Mark 8: What does this encounter [Mark 8:14-21] between Jesus and the Pharisees say to us? How do Jesus’ words to his disciples apply to us? It is easy for us to read this account and think, “these disciples are really a bunch of nimrods.” … More Have you connected the dots?
Nothing is as big an impediment to the preaching of the gospel as religious “know it alls” who self- righteously pronounce judgment upon others. And yet Jesus singles these people out for the harshest of criticism. He calls them hypocrites. They pretend to be one thing, but are really something else. They claim to be righteous and yet … More Do you worship in vain? Kim Riddlebarger on Mark 7
Pastor Kim Riddlebarger on Judges 10-11: As we work our way through that period of redemptive history known as the time of the judges, we meet people much like ourselves. On the one hand, the Israelites are secure in the blessings of God, and yet on the other, they still struggle with their sin. Despite the presence … More Pulled Away
Pastor Kim Riddlebarger comments on Judges 9: The story of Abimelech points us in two directions. On the one hand, we see in Abimelech the sovereign hand of God. In order to remove Gideon’s sham dynasty, YHWH allows Abimelech to do in sixty-nine of Gideon’s sons (save one) and then become the leader over much of Israel. … More Lessons From Abimelech
Pastor Kim Riddlebarger on Judges 8: In 1 Timothy 6, the apostle Paul warns us of many of the same things that Gideon brought upon Israel. He speaks of men who “teach a different doctrine [which] does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness.” Ironically, … More WWGD- “What would GIDEON do?”
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 