The great confidence and promise of Isaiah 9:6 is not that we have a Wonderful Counselor who will help us come up with a plan for our life and future. The good news is that Jesus is the Counselor and King who already has come up with a plan—and the plan was himself.   One... Continue Reading

The world–including (especially) the religious world–tells us that we need to put on a false front, an image of what people think we ought to be–but the true saints of God need not do that. Our glory is in the One human being (Jesus Christ) who possesses none of the infinite fallenness that has befallen... Continue Reading

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.…When you said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord,... Continue Reading

We don’t want to confront. We just want to wash our hands of the relationship. Commitment to Christ and commitment to others, however, calls for courage. Paul was courageous, “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we... Continue Reading

“Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God” (v. 40)? She did, to be sure, see God’s glorious raising up Lazarus. Nevertheless, she missed seeing even more glory – like Thomas, she didn’t believe until she saw. Confessional churches teach us wonderful truths. May we realize from... Continue Reading

A number of people might offer compliments about the sermon, but it would be the critical remark that echoes in my mind for days on end. It was always a frustration when someone disagreed with a point or observation that I made, and my own remarks were based in hours of research, reflection, and examination... Continue Reading

There are the poor saints struggling under the new temptations all around them and in their pockets, who need to be encouraged not to return to their vomit. And there are those insidious or misguided church leaders, who would have the church approve of what God has clearly labelled evil. There is a deep irony... Continue Reading

“Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the lord looks on the heart.”   Beauty is not necessarily visual; beauty can be non-visual too. For example, the Lord is... Continue Reading

Whereas many of the ministers, who are to supply the vacant churches and destitute places in the more new and growing parts of our church must for some time to come, continue to be educated in the older sections of our country, and at a great distance from the field where they are to be... Continue Reading

What does it mean to be human? It means being men and women who have the capacity to know God, who should know and imitate Him in righteousness and holiness, and who govern creation under Him.   Unless we know who God is, we cannot truly know who we are. Is it surprising that when... Continue Reading