When we worship other gods, fail to rest and worship on the Christian Sabbath, do not honor those in authority, or struggle with any form of adultery, it is because we are coveting. When we worship the ways of the world, long for a self-serving Sabbath, claim our own authority, or desire our neighbor’s spouse,... Continue Reading

Recognize that the holy God has called us to Himself. In doing so, He has united us by His Holy Spirit to Christ. Old unholy passions have been cut off from their food supply. New holy affections have been implanted. The seeds of holiness have started to grow. Meanwhile, Peter directs us onto the right path to take: don’t... Continue Reading

If you have ever wondered whether God answers your prayers, then wonder no more. By praying to him what he has given you to pray, you are assured he not only hears but answers your prayers according to his good and perfect will.   Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your... Continue Reading

The meek can put aside their rights, privileges, and power because they believe that if God is for them, none can be against them. The meek have been robbed of the need to advance their own cause and status and had it replaced with confidence in the will and fatherhood of God. They have this confidence... Continue Reading

How beautiful are the feet of mothers who preach the good news! Our feet do not grow tired in vain if our mouths do what God designed them to — daily proclaim to our children the greatest love story ever told. Preaching the gospel is not one to-do item on a mother’s endless list. It... Continue Reading

Throughout the book of Revelation, the Lord uses images that affirm the reality we are experiencing – that of a beleaguered group under siege (see 11:2, 7-9), but God balances these pictures with others that remind us of who we are in God’s ultimate plan and purpose (see 11:6, 11-12).  We experience but a small... Continue Reading

It is not that if we keep these lists, we can get saved and earn God’s approval. We keep these lists because we are already saved by God’s grace, and living such lives demonstrates our saving faith. As the virtue list in Gal. 5 informs us, these are the fruit of the Spirit. It is... Continue Reading

Paul looked unflinchingly down at the grave, backward on his service and faith, and forward to an eternal crown and everlasting future with his Lord. Our blessed assurance, our great confidence, is not ultimately that we have lived a remarkable life on earth, but that Jesus did. By his life, his death, his resurrection, we... Continue Reading

God’s sovereignty is good news because it means he has the power to undo, fix, and heal the mess that we have made of ourselves and of his world. You see, while we don’t know why God allows the evil, painful, and unjust things that he does—the Bible does tell us what God can do with those things. God... Continue Reading

Jesus is called the “Day-Spring.” The dayspring is the dawn – it’s that moment, which ebbs and flows according to the season, when light first breaks over the darkness. But it’s more than that – it’s the first sign every day of the dispelling of darkness. It is the daily reminder that the mercies of... Continue Reading