If you try to imitate God’s ways in your own power, you’re going to hurt yourself. You need the power of his Spirit and the resources of his people. You need to be equipped and strengthened and trained. Simply put, it takes time and effort and a community to imitate God. Yes, God gives us... Continue Reading

Attempting to relive the glory days of your youth through vicariously living through your own children and grandchildren, will turn you into a busybody. Refrain from interfering in matters that aren’t your concern, or offering advice were it wasn’t sought.   Growing older doesn’t mean automatically growing wiser or more godly. It’s never too soon... Continue Reading

“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself… Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.” It takes discernment to know when to speak and when to be still.   Every generation has its cowards. Ours just learned to hide behind... Continue Reading

“God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself.” (Mere Christianity)   For a person does not prevail by his own strength. (1 Samuel 2:9) Many of... Continue Reading

Spiritual blessings. God gives the means of grace to a people — His Word and ordinances and the offers of salvation — especially for the sake of those who belong to Him. It is no small mercy to have an external gospel call, an offer of Christ. If people neglect their opportunities, forsake their own... Continue Reading

David had questions like this. He eventually reached the conclusion that God was governing all things and would help him one way or another.   Sometimes we feel like no one understands how we feel or what’s going on in our lives. Sometimes we don’t want anyone to know. In Psalm 139, David speaks to... Continue Reading

Every believer can rely on him, can be saved through him, and can be changed by him. In the Apostles’ Creed we confess a “holy, catholic church.” But this is not a confession about a building. Christians themselves are the house of God! What does this mean?    In the Apostles’ Creed we confess a “holy,... Continue Reading

Job suffered terribly. We know the story of how he was on the top of the world—wealthy, healthy, a wonderful family, obedient, with a reverence for God, and serving him faithfully. But for reasons Job didn’t know, he suffered the loss of everything. Everything. In the end after his three friends tried to explain all... Continue Reading

I’m amazed by the stamina of Jacob. We all know what it’s like to reach a point of exhaustion. Many of us are quick to give up. This is true physically and spiritually. As soon as we feel a touch of fatigue, that’s us finished. Not Jacob. He presses on, and on – and on –... Continue Reading

As we commemorate Reformation Day and celebrate God’s power and faithfulness towards his people, we may sing “A Mighty Fortress” with renewed enthusiasm. We may sing with a sure trust in our God of the awesome armies, with a great confidence in our Saviour who even now is enthroned in heaven.   For many Christians,... Continue Reading