A Contra-view on Kevin DeYoung’s View of Persecution
Another perspective on the nature of and reasons for persecution.
Most Christians I know today in America have never experienced biblical persecution. They may have to endure disagreement with unbelievers, but that is not biblical persecution. Most Christians I know live in nice houses, drive nice cars, have good jobs, and take annual vacations. We all have it pretty good. Pastor Kevin DeYoung represents... Continue Reading
Praying Together
Brothers and sisters, like all the saints before us, we must be praying people
“We must be praying people, first, because we know that our only help is in the name of the Lord. It is the Lord who builds the house and watches over the city—who gives success to the church’s mission and spiritual life to its worship. In prayer together, we admit that we are helpless.” ... Continue Reading
4 Reasons To Be Glad That Life Is Short
While it is right to lament life’s brevity, we can also find in it reason to rejoice
“Each of us enters the world crying and leaves the world groaning, and between those times we carry a cross. Our comfort is this: Though we must bear a heavy cross, we have but a short way to carry it.“ One of the great sorrows of life is its brevity. This life is but... Continue Reading
God’s Faithfulness in Every Season
The beauty and wonder of spring, as amazing as new life and growth is, serves to point me to the One who holds the world in His hands
“Just as the seasons unfold throughout the year, just as the sun rises each morning, just as the cherry tree blossoms in spring, we can trust in God’s faithfulness. He is as sure as the sunrise each morning, the gravity that holds us to the ground, and the air we breathe.” I haven’t experienced... Continue Reading
The Reverse Logic of the Gospel
The dimensions of what God had to do in order to redeem are impossible to fully fathom
“In other words, his starting point was God and what he had done to secure salvation through his incarnate Son, not man and whatever sense of his need might be. From the perspective of the world of our day this may seem somewhat counter intuitive, given the extent to which Christianity has been marginalized as... Continue Reading
For the Christian Perfectionist
The Christian perfectionist knows and treasures the Gospel, but still wrestles with deep discouragement and even despair.
I’m not writing here about people who are Christians and happen to be perfectionists in other areas in life. I’m referring to those of you who love the gospel, live in the church without hidden sin, but struggle, maybe even to the point of despair, with the feeling of never being good enough before God. ... Continue Reading
Doubting God’s Goodness
Is God good? The harsh realities of this broken world will beat down even the most optimistic soul at some point.
Flee to the cross. Without this step, everything else is a band-aid. Without the cross of Christ, we could never be assured that the worst things are planned by God to do the best things. Without the crucifixion, we would not have ongoing and eternal proof that our God is a good God, who gave His... Continue Reading
Women of Faith and Action
Two very unlikely women became role models for us of faith and action.
Faith drives both of these women to act. God’s word honors their faith although both went against the tide of society in doing God’s will. The glory for the victory goes to Jael who is not even an Israelite. The peace and assurance of salvation goes to the sinful but believing woman who is roundly... Continue Reading
Learning from Hudson Taylor
His goal was not to make converts to Christ and British culture but to Christ alone.
As I consider the current state of America and the American church, I can’t help but think that we need to learn from Hudson Taylor today. As a nation, the divisions seem to be getting wider and wider with an increasing attitude of “assimilate or go home.” Sure this is the inevitable result of sin,... Continue Reading
For the Christian Perfectionist
Here are some words of encouragement for those of us who struggle with never being good enough.
In my experience, many who struggle with this form of perfectionism have love for Jesus and deeply enjoy him. Their consciences are tender before God and they are sensitive to their own sin, willing to bring it before God and others in repentance and confession. These Christians’ main desire is to glorify God who they... Continue Reading