Principles Of Spiritual Self-Defense
“Having been to a church where works-based theology was an issue, how do we keep people aware that this is still a thing today?”
We have been dealing with what we now know as the self-named Federal Vision theology for a long time now. When we consider that the same set of questions has arisen regularly since the early 16th century, we realize that we have always had this problem with us and it shall likely always plague us.... Continue Reading
Do You Suffer from ‘Bible Anorexia’?
God calls his Word bread, milk and honey.
Christians can have Bible anorexia. I attended a women’s Bible study that had a workbook with quite a bit of homework in it. We would do the homework and then meet together to talk about it. One friend told me she was frustrated with the study. My friend replied, “I like coming to Bible study,... Continue Reading
The Wonderful, Amazing Blessings of the Fear of the Lord
I had been afraid of punishment. But Jesus took my punishment on the cross. So I no longer had to fear God’s punishment for my sins
Does this mean I feel free to sin? That I can do whatever I wish and there won’t be any consequences? No. A healthy fear of God grows from coming to know God is infinitely, unimaginably, gloriously holy. Sin is the opposite of God’s holiness. One of God’s plans for his children, in conforming us... Continue Reading
Four Reasons to Sing When Your Soul is Troubled
When we don’t know how to help someone who is in distress, sometimes fewer words and perhaps singing is the right answer
We must prepare for trials. And theology is one way that we can do it. That’s why we should sing the deepest and richest of songs–so that we can respond the best when trials come. Theology can’t be learned on the fly, we must prepare for trials so that when they come we know how... Continue Reading
The Antidote to Our Political Addiction
In short, the Bible tells us to submit to the governing authorities, but not to look to them first to solve our problems.
We should regard government as no more and no less important than the other institutions in our society—even when it’s a society that needs changing. When the Israelites were living in pagan Babylon, God told them to engage in all the institutions of societal life—commerce and community, marriage and family, and yes, even government, as... Continue Reading
How The Gospel Rescues You From Doubt
Ever since Adam and Eve doubted and embraced the lie, God has worked to deliver humanity from this doubt.
If you doubt God’s goodness—if you wonder if God cares, or hears, or loves—you need to trust in Jesus. You need to set before your mind his life, his love, his sacrifice, his reign, and his promised return. You need to see in Jesus that God loves and cares for you. You need to see... Continue Reading
Good Works as a Light to the World
What made Jesus the light of the world? It was not His mere words, but also His works
“The works we do in Jesus’ name bear witness about us. Our outward, observable, public works make who we are and whose we are manifestly clear. And just as it was for Jesus, our works will cause some to revile us and persecute us and utter all kinds of evil against us falsely on His... Continue Reading
The Illusion of Control
What if the autonomy you seemingly operate under really casts something of an illusion?
Let this text remind you: we’re not as in control as we think we are. Psalm 127:1’s “house” is not merely a brick and mortar shelter. Unless the Lord builds your house, those who build it labor in vain. We build, but we build in dependence upon the Lord. It’s not just that how... Continue Reading
The Surprising Truth About Finding Your Life Purpose
Are you unsure of which direction to go with your life? Here’s my suggestion.
“I think it would be great to have a clear purpose in life, and to run hard after that purpose. But what if you don’t know what your life purpose is? What if you’re like me, a lousy goal setter, easily distracted, easily thrown off course, and very often full of self-doubt?” There are... Continue Reading
A Psalmic Faith
I found my Psalmic faith personally challenged last year when my father died suddenly
So often in times of trial, the church can become moralistic or pietistic. We try to avoid pain and struggle by jumping to correct doctrine, possibly shortchanging the process of sanctification. How can we have a faith like David the Psalmist, a “man after God’s own heart”? What is a Psalmic faith? I learned... Continue Reading