We need to come to appreciate that the only righteousness that matters, when the dust settles, is being “right” with God, and the only way to garner such righteousness is by faith in Christ. If we grasp this truth, heart-transformation will occur.   Secular materialism, the great religion of our age, is the second-hand smoke... Continue Reading

Christ commands us to love people. Encouragement is the key. Everyone needs encouragement—some more than others. Who can you encourage?   Acts 4:32–37 (NIV) All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles... Continue Reading

Why do we eat this meal? Well, the most basic reason is because Jesus told us to do it.   It wasn’t just another dinner, and the disciples knew it. This was Passover week, the yearly celebration in which the Jewish people remembered how God delivered their ancestors from bondage to the Egyptians. And this... Continue Reading

The Lord Jesus ordained this remembrance supper for us, and then supplies us with a world in which bread and wine are in abundance. But if we come to this table in presumption, pride, or unbelief, how great is our condemnation?   Many a parent has been mortified to discover a mischievous toddler misusing some... Continue Reading

This “pray and do” principle is woven into Scripture, not just for our sustenance but for every aspect of our unfolding journey in this world. We pray for a car and we do our shopping, asking God for wisdom and provision.   “aspire to lead a quiet life” (1 Thess. 4:11, NKJV) In Paul’s epistles... Continue Reading

Much ink has been spilled on the incarnation. Entire books have been written about it. Theological arguments have been had about it. But there is something to be said for the effect of the incarnation. There is the “believability” factor that leads to doubt among Christians, that’s certain. But there is also the believability factor... Continue Reading

Time and time again, the Psalmist bore his heart to the Lord in tearful desperation, “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my... Continue Reading

We go to Christ to ask for forgiveness for our own sin. I do not have to know and confess all the sins of my predecessors to be free of their guilt. But do these words eliminate any consideration of the corporate aspects of evil? Corporate prayer and inclusive confession: Christians often will do individual... Continue Reading

“For we dare not…compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12).   Pride is a deceptive resident of every human heart. Paul admonished each of the believers in Rome regarding spiritual gifts “not to think of himself more highly... Continue Reading

The children as they are given the sign of baptism are visibly testamented to be as much partakers of the . . . ministry, oracles, and ordinances of the New Testament as an adult present. We deny that when we unnecessarily remove them from the presence of Christ in the morning and evening worship. They... Continue Reading