Only genuine belief in the goodness of God and his commitment to his promises will get anyone to say “yes” to a deal that will make our lives harder. Why suffer for the sake of Christ? Because he calls us to do it and we believe he is good and he will work for our... Continue Reading

Every day he breaks and tears down strongholds of rebellion, willfulness, egoism, self-reliance, and hope and comfort in earthly people and things—anything and everything that hinders us from trusting and loving him in our totality.   An old friend of mine has been telling me about her granddaughter, who is only ten years old and... Continue Reading

We live in a world of absolute doubt and uncertainty about a way forward, the reality of truth, and meaning of life. The church, however, responds with hope….Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, for He is God incarnate. Only God can be all of those things.   Years ago, I heard a... Continue Reading

Olympia’s war-torn world seems far removed from us, but it is always worth remembering that long-ago sisters in the faith risked displacement and death for the teachings we take for granted.    Olympia Morata was born in 1526 or 1527 to a university instructor in the Italian city of Ferrara. She was blessed with a... Continue Reading

If your defense of engaging in public activities on the Sabbath is it helps me relax and unwind and yet in doing so it means thousands must lose their opportunity to do the same is that really loving your neighbor as yourself?   I’m sure you, like me, have sat through an innumerable number of... Continue Reading

I’ve known preachers to scratch their heads at more “theological” sections of scripture wondering how they’re going to “apply” the text. Show us Jesus, that is application. If people leave seeing and savouring Christ more than they came in, you have achieved very practical application for their lives. Don’t let the need for application rob you... Continue Reading

Some critics seem intent on taking down Basham’s book at all costs. Whether the book is truly inaccurate seems a secondary matter for them. They just want to stop others from reading it…It is hard to ignore the feeling that much of the brouhaha raised against Basham’s book reflects insecurity and even fear.   If... Continue Reading

When church discipline is done properly, the holiness and good of the church are promoted. The negative outcomes of discipline are never desired but are a grace from God for the blessing of His church.   When I first started attending a Reformed church, I remember an announcement that was made about a former member... Continue Reading

Here we are—on the other side of the world and 2,000 years removed from the place and time of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. And on any given Sunday, untold millions gather to worship Christ and hear his teachings. Truly, this is Christ’s church. He is building it. And nothing will prevail against it! This... Continue Reading

God tells us, essentially, “Don’t set up your own judgment seat, because I know the motives of the heart that you don’t.” We lack a few important qualifications for being judges: not only holiness, but also a little thing called omniscience! These words of our Lord are worth repeating: “But I tell you that men will... Continue Reading