Biblical Fathering: On Being Forthright
Fathers are to present Christ as the center of their lives in a forthright manner to encourage their children to imitate them as they imitate Christ.
Raising godly children is a complex task requiring the best efforts of both parents. Men and women are given different attributes, preferences, and gifts that are intended to display part of the picture of God to their children. Together dad and mom are to present a full-orbed picture of our loving, nurturing, holy, and just... Continue Reading
Susannah Spurgeon: A Necessary Woman
Unquestionably, God used Susie to save Charles’s life and ministry.
a Charles Spurgeon was one of the most important Christian leaders of the Victorian-era and, his wife Susannah (Susie) must figure into any estimation of his significance. Charles himself recognized her value when he wrote that he not only loved Susie but also that she was “necessary” to him. Susie supported Charles unwaveringly, setting... Continue Reading
Smiling at Storms
John Newton: Lost and Found at Sea
Storms come for us all. We can face them with terror or with faith, with unbelief or with belief. If Christ be near, unbelief must be far. The nearness of Jesus drives away doubts. Darkness flees his presence. The question is, have we drawn near to him? I love words. I’m always fascinated by... Continue Reading
How the Charges Against Paul Frame Luke’s Purpose
With Paul on trial, Christianity is on trial.
Nearly every commentator and overview article highlights a number of major themes that receive exceptional emphasis in Luke’s gospel: the poor, women, Gentiles, outsiders, prayer, the word, and the Holy Spirit. The charges against Paul explain why these themes mattered so much to Luke. Last week, I presented evidence from both Acts and Luke... Continue Reading
What If the Church Today Followed the Message of Ezra?
Ezra was a man who had given himself to the Law of the LORD and was determined to obey the Word, practice the Word, and teach the Word to God’s people.
The church today lacks a full commitment to God’s Word. While the church and her leaders (pastors in local churches) today often talk about marketing, programs, and other ideologies as opposed to the need for true revival. The clear commitment to God’s Word has been abandoned. The principle of sola Scriptura has been replaced with... Continue Reading
Three ways the prosperity gospel has infected our churches.
We withhold our worship because, as far as we’re concerned, we we aren’t feeling it because the Lord hasn’t given us what we demand.
Be honest, how many of your prayers start and end with thoughts about the glory of God? How many of the things you ask the Lord to do are to serve his glory? Now there are things in the everyday life of the believer that, should we ask the Lord for them and should he... Continue Reading
Some Practical Consequences Of Reformed Covenant Theology (1)
The covenant of grace and the church are bound up together.
A covenant theology is a churchly theology. Covenant theology draws the Christian into the church as the Christ-confessing covenant community, where burdens are shared, prayers are offered together, where the Word is preached, and the sacraments (baptism and the Lord’s Supper) are administered. The church is important but she is not the Lord. She is... Continue Reading
Loving Enemies (And Why It Seems Impossible)
Who are your real enemies today, those who drop trouble on you, who bear an angry grudge against you, those who have used their power to lay traps for you?
Loving our enemies. It’s a tall order, a hard saying. There’s nothing easy about it. Let me get this straight, we say, you want me to love the people who hate me, who have set out to harm me, who’ve plotted to bring about my downfall. How am I supposed to love those who discredit... Continue Reading
“The Sacrifice of Praise” by Herman Bavinck
(Translated & Edited by Cameron Clausing and Gregory Parker Jr.)
Bavinck writes with warmth and life. Each page is replete with biblical references. He treats all sides of his topic and goes from baptism and parental instruction, to church confessions, to Christian unity in the faith and Christian duty in the public sphere, and ends with an exultation in the ultimate confession the Church will... Continue Reading
Aspire to Live Quietly
If I’m out of touch with how social media affects my soul, then I’m out of touch with the will of God for my life.
I was asking God, “Why isn’t my book published? Why don’t I have more followers? I’ve been working like crazy for your will and I’ve seen very little reward.” And God answered me through 1 Thessalonians, as if saying, “You’ve been looking for the wrong reward. My will is to sanctify you.” When I... Continue Reading