In the modern west the sort of thick community, that which would allow us to witness each others’ Christians lives lived up close, is often unattractive to us. It requires us to give up some of our rights for the benefits of others. It requires us to privilege particular individuals (rather than a vague ‘everyone’... Continue Reading

You are not in this battle alone. God told Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Jos.1:9). We must be like Joshua, strong and courageous: There are battles ahead, but there is no victory without warfare —... Continue Reading

In John 6, the Jews demanded that Jesus prove Himself by performing a miracle like Moses had performed in giving their fathers manna. Jesus corrected them, explaining that it was not Moses, but His Father who gave them the manna. He further explained that He is Himself the manna or bread from heaven that would nourish... Continue Reading

The first seven beatitudes are difficult enough to apply in life, but it may be that persecution is the toughest of all. Whether it is that colleague at work who always has an insulting comment about your Christianity, or a member of your family that never lets up—it is difficult to suffer persecution. However, verse... Continue Reading

O Lord, I here desire to enter solemnly into covenant with Thee, taking Thee for my Lord and Master, and accepting Thee on Thy own terms, taking Thee for my King, Priest, and Prophet, and in my station, through Thy grace, to stand by truth, and cheerfully to take on Thy yoke, and follow Thee.... Continue Reading

You can experience a joy, a radiance, in even the worst circumstances. You can be going through the worst possible crisis, and you can still experience comfort and joy. The kind of joy that God offers isn’t diminished by difficulty and hardship; it coexists with difficulty and hardship. We can look to God in our... Continue Reading

In this sacrament, we see God’s tremendous grace poured out for sinners regardless of the sinner’s ability to merit or accomplish anything. Whether baptism is received by a child of a Christian household, or by a new professing believer, in all cases when rightly administered, baptism is wholly about the promises of God given by... Continue Reading

God uses His people to encourage and to motivate us to fight the good fight of faith and faithfully finish the race. Are we training ourselves to be lovers of good? Or do we just give in to our sinful hearts and break others with what we say? There is so much wisdom in silence. In silence,... Continue Reading

Money and possessions are never going to make you happy and fulfilled. This is such a critical truth for us as Christians. If you don’t live this truth, you’ll spend your whole life focused on menial and temporary treasures instead of eternal treasures. What we do with wealth now will affect our reward in the... Continue Reading

His sovereignty even over our very decisions and choices (including that to choose him) is good because it means none of our decisions and choices are the ones that ultimately derails his plans for the world, for his people or for us in particular. I am convinced that CH Spurgeon had it right: ‘The sovereignty... Continue Reading