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

The Gnostic Jesus, like the Buddha, Lao-tse, or Sufi masters, offers deep teaching on esoteric spirituality—techniques that quickly become salvation by works. What attracts me to the biblical Jesus is that he came not just to teach but to accomplish a task I cannot accomplish myself.     People meet Jesus in many ways. Mine... Continue Reading

As many others have pointed out over the past several years, in critiquing some aspects of Tim Keller’s ministry and legacy, and of the Gospel-centered movement, there are real problems with the Keller-style “winsome” approach. This is an approach that sometimes, rather rigidly, says we must always seek to be winsome in our tone and... Continue Reading

Our question about the severity of the consequences and punishment in the garden may just reveal more about our understanding of the goodness and holiness of God than it does about our ability to judge appropriate consequences. If, on the other hand, we were able to grasp the immensity of God’s goodness; the quality of... Continue Reading

We must meditate, bringing the jewels of God’s past faithfulness out into the light, that we may examine and delight ourselves in their sparkling glint. We must muse. We must speak and write of them, bringing wonder to ourselves and others: “Remember how the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt with a mighty hand! Feel... Continue Reading

A local church needs a body of Spirit-filled, godly, qualified, humble, penitent, and united men to be examples of godliness for their people. This means they are ever aware of their sin and need of Christ, the abundant grace of God in Christ, and God’s call upon their lives to live and lead in gratitude.... Continue Reading