The Poker Table
He gave me years to serve Him and minister His Word around and from that table.
Today the poker table sits in my study at home. The pad on top has been removed, and the cushions are recovered in a deep blue more fitting to my study. The days of it serving as a gaming table are long over, though occasionally it hosts a game of Euchre or Yahtzee as a... Continue Reading
Is Discouragement Always an Enemy?
Knowing that God has not failed us, and we are still dismayed should be an indication that we have misplaced our trust.
If God’s plan for us was to reach a point of discouragement, doesn’t that mean that God is causing us to sin? The problem is that this way of thinking is too simplistic. The disconnect is in failing to realize that we are already sinful. The fact that the Lord allows us to face situations that... Continue Reading
Songs of the Saints: Comfort in Loss
The love of God is the comfort for those grieving the loss of a loved one.
One Sunday, I finally answered the call. I confessed my sin against God and looked to Jesus Christ as my only hope for salvation. The Lord had called me home as his child. Years before my profession of faith, my grandmother responded to the same call. She had turned from her life of sin and... Continue Reading
Bob and Larry Ride Again
Vischer said fans can expect the new show to include “richer theology” and more New Testament teachings.
Sixteen years had elapsed since Phil Vischer wrote a VeggieTales episode, and he didn’t know how easily he could bring the characters back to life. But Vischer decided to try after the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) approached him last year and asked him to present Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, and the rest of... Continue Reading
Unconditional Election
Why Some Believe and Others Remain in Their Sin
To appreciate the Canons’ teaching on unconditional election, it is important to remember that they were articulated in a specific historical context. The Synod of Dort was convened to address the controversy that broke out in the Reformed churches of the Netherlands in response to the teaching of James Arminius (1560-1609) and his followers, the... Continue Reading
Confusion: A Judgement on Society
Sin made all things complicated upon earth.
Every human enterprise is now beset with labour, sweat and tears. We are not to be surprised by that. Our Maker foretold us that it would be so when he informed Adam that from the first hour of man’s Fall all his labour would henceforth be with ‘the sweat of his face’ (Gen. 3:19). The... Continue Reading
Origins of the Creed
The Scripture says that we are to teach one another in Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs--and this is what the followers of Arius did.
One of their choruses is strikingly illustrative of their doctrine and method. Being a Greek speaking city, the chorus was in Greek, and consisted of only five words, only 7 total syllables (a perfect chorus). The first word and the last are the same, while the second and third words rhyme: “ην ποτε ὁτε ουχ... Continue Reading
Sexual Brokenness (John 7:53-8:11)
Regardless of who you are and where you’re coming from on this issue, we actually have a lot more in common than you think.
Today’s topic is important. We’re going to talk about sexual brokenness. I need to warn you: today’s sermon may seem a little negative at first, but I want to invite you to hang in there, because I think it’s actually good news for all of us. My goal is to elevate awareness of how sexually broken... Continue Reading
If God is Gracious, Why Can’t I do What I Want?
When we are united to Christ, his alien righteousness becomes our own.
Christians are united to Christ in his death and also in his resurrection in order to walk with him in newness of life. Christians simply can’t keep living like the old sinful person they were because that person has been spiritually crucified with Christ, laid in the grave, and been raised a new person. ... Continue Reading
Being Quick to Hear and Slow to Speak
When we listen well, we reflect God’s image, because God is the consummate listener.
Amazingly, the triune God also listens to us. He attentively hears and graciously answers the prayers of His people. This should never cease to boggle our minds and move our hearts—the God of the universe listens to us when we pray. It has been pointed out that God gave us two ears but only... Continue Reading
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