God allows us to be tempted because it shows us what is within our hearts. It reveals our fallen nature to us in either how God’s grace has worked in us to overcome it or in how corrupt we really are outside of His grace. Both grace and corruption exist and work deep in our... Continue Reading

When you are wondering how to encourage the suffering saint, let your speech be full of Christ. Remind them of His suffering, and His glory. Remind them of His promise to restore. Remind them of His excellent priesthood. Remind them that He can sympathize with their weaknesses, and that He always lives to make intercession... Continue Reading

No matter the circumstances, the Christian can always utter the words of hope, “But you, O Lord.” Who God is and what he promises is always a resounding answer to whatever we face. Here, David is likely meditating on the Scriptures from Exodus 34:5–8. Who is this for? It’s not to remind God as if he... Continue Reading

In coming into the world as a man, being raised from death, ascending to heaven, Jesus has become the human king we can all relate to, as well as the divine and sovereign king who doesn’t get in the way or need to deflect attention elsewhere. He is the king who isn’t flawed, the one who can... Continue Reading

Contentment is about resisting the temptation to play the “comparison game” and refusing to define my satisfaction by any measure other than Christ. My happiness is not tied to the material possessions or circumstances I have received, my pleasure and joy are bound up in a person, the triune God, who is sovereign, who has... Continue Reading

You can do some very significant things. You can be conscious of the judgment to come, and you can live in the light of that reality. Secondly, you can build an ark for the saving of your family. You can set a priority on bringing your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren to Jesus Christ.... Continue Reading

Reformed theologians embrace the tensions and difficulties in Scripture, digging deeper to understand it. The rigor of Reformed theologians to argue from Scripture alone has always struck me as their greatest strength and is far and away the most compelling piece for believing the doctrines of Reformed theology.   On this Reformation Day, I’m reflecting... Continue Reading

For if the Son of God be man, then he understands me and will have a fellow feeling for me. He knows my unfitness to worship sometimes—he knows my tendencies to grow weary and dull my pains, my trials, and my griefs: He knows what fierce temptations mean, For he has felt the same. Man,... Continue Reading

Christians can sing a re-formatted version Psalm 139:19 by using the NT expression of justice, judgment, and vengeance in this way: “Lord, destroy the enemies of your church, either in your wrath or in the waters of baptism.” Like the saints of Revelation 6, Christians today are free to desire and invite the vengeance of God. Contrary to... Continue Reading

Jesus doesn’t ask us to change our behaviour, he promises to give us a new heart and that will cause us to change. WWJD puts the emphasis on our doing and changing to copy Jesus whereas scripture puts the emphasis squarely on Jesus changing us so that we might be more like him. In the end,... Continue Reading