When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. —John 6:16-18 ESV J. C. Ryle comments on this passage at Grace … More Storm: Christ knew it, and Christ appointed it, and it was working for their good.
In this time of Advent, we remember and rejoice at the coming of Jesus. In this time of tragedy and mourning as a nation, we mourn with those who mourn, but we also remember and rejoice that our suffering Savior comes to us. This is from a post by Pastor John Piper, posted at Desiring … More Piper: ” How Does Jesus Come to Newtown?”
Job lost everything: his wealth, his health, and his ten children. All swept away in one satanic storm. Reduced to a heap of flesh, ashes, and tears—rebuked by friends and jeered by strangers—righteous Job wrestled over the purpose and presence of God in the midst of unbearable pain. In this book, John Piper recounts the … More Wresting over the purpose and presence of God in the midst of pain
John Piper, in a sermon, “Christ’s Power is Made Perfect in Weakness”- God’s purpose in our weaknesses is to glorify the grace and power of his Son. This is the main point of [2 Corinthians] verses 9–10. Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God’s design … More God’s design is to make you a showcase for Jesus’ power.
Have you ever read Psalm 105 and counted how many times either God says, “I DID___” or how many times the Psalmist says, “HE (God) DID ______” Try it today! Here is one example from Psalm 105:16-17 When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead … More Spurgeon: Our road to glory runs by the rivers of grief
And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. “There is none holy like the Lord; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. As we begin our readings of 1 & 2 Samuel this month, … More Praising God, Who has purpose for our pain
The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.” —Psalm 58:10-11 Imprecatory psalms are difficult to understand. Here are two comments that help us: … More Thankfully recognize God’s just displeasure
The following excerpt comes from “Twelve Appeals to Prosperity Preachers” found in the new edition of Let the Nations Be Glad.(John Piper)with a reference to our reading for today, Acts 14. Missing from most prosperity preaching is the fact that the New Testament emphasizes the necessity of suffering far more than it does the notion … More What is missing from most prosperity preaching?
John Piper, in a sermon “Spreading Power Through Persecution” I want to encourage you this morning from Acts 8:1–8 that God rules over the sufferings of the church and causes them to spread spiritual power and the joy of faith in a lost world. It is not his only way. But it does seem to … More Don’t judge suffering too quickly
John Piper, in a sermon on Job 38-42 What we have seen so far, then, is that Job’s suffering has a twofold explanation: its purpose at the outset was to demonstrate God’s value and glory, and its ongoing purpose was to refine Job’s righteousness. His suffering is not punishment. It is not a sign of … More God in the Thunderstorm
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