Ministers must take seriously the preparation part of their ministry and do the work necessary to not only maintain competence, but desiring to use their time in their study to feed their people with the full measure of faith in offer in the Bible. Here we see why the Directory of Public Worship encourages men to... Continue Reading

The idea of God makes sense of a lot of things. But we can’t pretend that an argument for God in itself means we understand God. To understand God, we need God to communicate with us, to initiate some sort of relationship. He must stoop to our level and use words and concepts that make... Continue Reading

If the church stands by and folds its hands, the corruption and evil in society will only grow. In a modern world, historical creeds and confessions are seen as outdated and retrogressive by the masses. But, unbeknownst to those starved of such delicacies, they are of importance because they serve as a guide and standard of historical... Continue Reading

When we look back, then, across the landscape of what was and what He did during those times, we see time and time again these big and small examples of His faithfulness. Everything from providing a job to helping you take the very next step still in faith is a testimony to His unchanging character... Continue Reading

In pastoring I’ve heard the quip, “ministry would be great if it weren’t for the people.” When you complain that there are too many people, it’s worth remembering that you classify as part of that unfortunate category to someone else. Sometimes we epitomize cities as dens of sin while nature reflects purity and innocence. But... Continue Reading

Humans are not mere victims of the flow of history, but responsible actors. Made in the image of God, humans are not only central to the story but uniquely valuable. We are also deeply fallen, often operating from selfish, racist, or other sinful motives. We need not think of America or Americans as either flawless... Continue Reading

Even though our battle is not against physical “flesh and blood” this does not mean our battle is against purely ethereal spirits who have no concrete presence within this world. The principalities are grounded in all sorts of ways, ideas, and – yes – people. This means we are to wield our spiritual sword (Eph.... Continue Reading

God takes special notice of the sins of prophets. They are mentioned first in the general corruption that affected all sorts. There were priests’ sins, princes’ sins, and people’s sins, but the prophets are set in the front. They provoked God greatly. They did the most hurt. “From the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone... Continue Reading

To grow jaded, cynical, condescending, and bitter as we age should not be normal for Christians. Instead, as we age, we should grow in Christ. And as we grow in Christ, we ought to grow in humility. And as we grow in humility, we will find that we are aging backward in our own minds,... Continue Reading

We, therefore, most image God whenever we love, enjoy, and glorify Him, in the same way that He loves, enjoys, and glorifies Himself. We least image God whenever we turn our love, enjoyment, and glory inward upon ourselves. As Christ is formed in us, we are being remade into the image of Christ, who is the... Continue Reading