We cannot always explain why we suffer. To do so, to take control by explaining it away, would be to follow Job’s friends in their retributive principle or to follow Elihu in his claim to speak on behalf of God. Instead, we have to cast ourselves wholly into the God who is beyond our comprehension.... Continue Reading

A century ago, Dr. Witherspoon and our fathers were on the busy stage of life. They are gone now. Where shall we be a hundred years hence? Certainly, we shall all be in eternity, but will it be a blessed eternity? Will the world be the better for our having lived in it?   It... Continue Reading

Let us not forget that submitting to Christ’s Lordship includes making Him Lord over our clothing. Therefore, the simple act of getting dressed should be an act of worship that seeks to elevate and obey Him rather than exalting and pleasing self.   Let me guess what is going through your head right now. Women:... Continue Reading

We care for the flock as the Lord’s treasured possession, redeemed at the cost of the blood of his Son. Matthew Henry comments: “they are God’s people, and should be treated with love, meekness, and tenderness, for the sake of Him to whom they belong.”   There is a serious shortage of pastors and elders.... Continue Reading

When the situation is dire, the world tells us to look into our hearts. To screw up our courage. To banish our fears. But Christian hope is different. It comes from outside ourselves. It’s a joy that pushes fear into its proper place and keeps it from becoming all-consuming.   Peter Kreeft has a new... Continue Reading

Without the concept of providence, we would miss the comfort, consolation, and joy of knowing that God stands above and beyond all things. He is not an isolated spectator who roots for us.…His purposes cannot be thwarted.   People tend to feel uncomfortable when reading that God from all eternity, immutably and freely, ordains whatsoever... Continue Reading

We are to be subject to such people how? To be subject to their needs and supply them with practical aid? Or to obey their rule and follow their teaching? As Paul distinguishes between the proper functions of men and women, it is reasonable to conclude that subjection to a male co-worker that exercises teaching... Continue Reading

The Holy Spirit applying the word is ultimately necessary for convincing the person of their sin and only Christ can sanctify the sinner. When pastors forget this truth, that Christ alone saves, they can quickly fall into the messiah complex.   One of the great dangers in the pastorate is that a minister might develop... Continue Reading

Jesus said that “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:3). And we know that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick…” (Jeremiah 17:9). Evil speech, either spoken or devoured, corrupts the soul.   “Evil speech corrupts us…Our wicked speech can burn down our own lives and... Continue Reading

Nehemiah remembered the Lord and then picked up tools. Boniface trusted Christ and lifted an ax. Carey preached the gospel and labored for reform. Let us pray that God would raise up high agency missionaries in our generation—and let us seek to be such men and women ourselves.   In the book of Nehemiah, when... Continue Reading