The Value of Spiritual Disciplines
Jesus himself spent a lifetime obeying the Father, attending the synagogue, and reciting Scripture.
We don’t naturally develop speed and endurance while sitting on the couch and scrolling our phones. And we don’t develop speed and endurance because we went for a run one time. In the same way, we don’t naturally develop Christlikeness by living in this world. And we don’t get to know the Lord deeply because... Continue Reading
” . . . To Forgive Is Divine”
The humble sinner who receives God's forgiveness in Christ, and who grants it to other sinners, makes himself "like" his Great God.
Our Lord Jesus Christ made it abundantly clear, that those who do not forgive other sinners, are not (themselves) forgiven their sins (by God Himself). And, to not be forgiven one’s sins, is to be abiding in sin, death, condemnation, judgment, and (impending) hell. Our Savior could have said a lot about His “Lord’s Prayer,”... Continue Reading
Colorado Couldn’t Ban Christian Counseling — So It Did This Instead
Just as in the days of Jesus, scoffing and retaliation over Christian principles are increasing.
The First Amendment protects free speech. But financial terror accomplishes what a legal ban cannot. When a counselor faces the prospect of unlimited liability for simply having a conversation, they go silent. And when counselors go silent, the silencing of the Gospel is accomplished. This is not a hypothetical threat. It is already happening. ... Continue Reading
Conscience – Minister’s Letter June 26
God has gone to enormous lengths to speak to us in ways that are designed to get through to even the most damaged conscience.
Dear all at IPC, What is it that makes the difference between hearing God’s words, even listening to God’s words, and then responding to him in the way that we should? What is it that makes the difference between the days when we are actually arrested, grabbed by the word of God and have to... Continue Reading
How to Live Simply and Give Generously
When we live on less than we make, we create margin to help others.
Choosing a smaller house, selling expensive jewelry, or skipping the latest tech gadget may seem like a sacrifice. But if those choices free up funds for God’s work, the return is eternal. Jesus promised that we are storing up treasures in Heaven when we invest in His kingdom. Every time we say “no” to materialism,... Continue Reading
Spur One Another On (pt 4)
Church that gathers to one another one another for the glory of God as we live for his kingdom that is both here and approaching.
Inviting you to commit to gathering with God’s people, to recognise the drift into apathy, and change your habit. If that’s you this morning, will you share that with someone, so they can pray for you and encourage you to come along Sunday by Sunday?And it’s not just Sunday. We need to be meeting with... Continue Reading
I May Not Be the Best, But I Choose to Be My Best-Maxim # 60
If we all gave up everything we weren’t the best in, we’d end up doing nothing except being the best at giving up and quitting.
Should I have given up real estate because there may have been a few better real estate agents than me? No, I should have fulfilled the place I had, giving excellent service, along with my wife, and help the people we helped. There will always be people smarter and more talented than me. I... Continue Reading
Pastor’s Job Description
Four essential responsibilities of a shepherd.
Sheep are defenseless and vulnerable. They are not predators but prey. Therefore, they need shepherds to protect them, particularly when it comes to false teachers who prey on the flock (Acts 20:29; Eph. 4:14). These teachers make lies sound like truth; they make slavery look like freedom; they offer poison as candy. They present the pathway to... Continue Reading
Would You Attend Your Son’s Execution?
The day will come when the crosses that stand before us will be seen to have achieved God’s purpose just as much as the one that stood before her.
I can barely bring myself to picture Mary as she stood before the cross, but I love to picture Mary just a short time later. Her grief must have been intense in the day that elapsed between what we now call Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Her senses must have been overwhelmed, her body exhausted... Continue Reading
Is There Anything Else you Would Rather Do?
Virtually nothing can compare with this joy, this contentment, this pleasure, this freedom. And all of it is found in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Those who, by grace alone, have “seen” the “face” of Jesus Christ by faith, are so-enrapt by this visage that they earnestly and sincerely *want* to meet with their God every day. In fact, this fellowship with The Holy Trinity becomes *so* special to them, that nothing else can replace it/replicate it/or (even) compete with... Continue Reading
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