Then some years later, you look back on that period. And you realize, in retrospect, just how much the Lord was doing in that time when He felt so unmoved and absent. He was keeping His promises, though He was doing so slowly. Gradually. Sometimes silently.     God keeps His promises. True enough, He... Continue Reading

After three days, Jesus stepped out of the grave in triumph, never to die again. He is the victor over death, evil, and the devil (Hebrews 2:14). He is Lord and King. And so declares: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). Then comes the true and formal... Continue Reading

Instead of endlessly worrying over the unknown of the future, we rest in peace, having confidence that nothing is outside of God’s meticulous plan. We remember God’s works because they show us His heart, and knowing His heart of enduring love gives us hope for the present and future.     Does anything in our... Continue Reading

Not every worshiper will be thus privileged, but those who dwell there, as Simeon and Anna dwelt in the temple. So, there are some that abide in Christ, and His words abide in them. They live near God. They receive, therefore, choicer favors than those who only come and go. He who has learned to... Continue Reading

It’s hard, but we shouldn’t always wait until we have all the answers before we act. Sometimes, things will just have to be figured out as time goes on. I admit, this is hard for me to do. I like to control situations and not experience future surprises or complications.     Do you remember... Continue Reading

The heavens dropped rain. The earth trembled. The river Kishon flooded. The chariots became useless in the mud. The advantage of Sisera turned into his downfall. “From heaven the stars fought… the torrent Kishon swept them away” . This was not a close battle. It was divine intervention. Deborah’s words before the battle make this... Continue Reading

We are to be saturated in God’s Word. This is to be where we have planted our feet. So when you hear the phrase, “ordinary means of grace,” remember where this phrase comes from, and remember that when you promised your commitment to the Westminster Standards, you committed yourself to live and work according to... Continue Reading

Some Christians have slammed the door on unsaved family because of bitterness over past hurts.  If we cannot model merciful forgiveness for unbelievers, who will?   In Muslim parts of Africa, fierce persecution rages against Christians, even betrayal from their own relatives.  But for those of us living in countries (like South Africa) that enjoy... Continue Reading

There’s a lot we have the opportunity to do that is sin and which God forbids, so while we may think we have that freedom, we actually don’t, because God hasn’t given us permission.     Two ways to consider this: I can remember, growing up, my mom would allow us to have one soda... Continue Reading

If the Supper is a biblically mandated element of worship—as the Westminster Standards and Three Forms of Unity affirm—then a church that routinely omits it on Sunday is liturgically lacking on its own confessional terms.     “The argument is that a proper understanding of the Supper will lead us to recover a frequent and... Continue Reading