Holy discourse seeks to apply the blood-bought benefits of Christ to the deepest recesses of the human heart. Holy discourse fans zeal for Christ, strengthens understanding of Scripture, reinforces doctrinal orthodoxy, unearths destructive patterns of thought, addresses beleaguered souls, nurtures preserving prayer, bridles gossip and backbiting, deepens compassion for others, and develops skills of soul... Continue Reading

Yes, notwithstanding all this, God waits to be gracious! Oh, grace, grace unto it! Is it not a wonder that men are spared, especially if we consider how quickly God cast away the angels that sinned! Wonder of grace!   It is a wonder that God is gracious to sinful men. It is a wonder... Continue Reading

Knowledge of the truth alone does not save – one must believe and have faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. The king, while softened in his murderous decree and acknowledging the truth of the source of their present curse, still at that terrible hour refused to embrace Jesus Christ by faith as He is... Continue Reading

By the curse of exile, the paradigm was set – for us who believe, Christ became a curse, the true object of lament, so that as we pass his Cross, if we are ever asked “does it mean nothing to you” our response is this: “His pangs and wrath are the most significant event to... Continue Reading

I am utterly convinced that nothing quite assaults our peace like sickness and the reality of death. No matter how much money we have, how successful we are, how well-educated we’ve become, or how much we prepare, there are certain things we cannot protect ourselves from. In many ways, money is like the insulation in a... Continue Reading

Coming to Jesus for rest doesn’t shield us from afflictions. It transforms afflictions from fear-dominating, anxiety-producing, and hopeless to “light and momentary.” Hoping in the God of hope makes all the difference. So, Jesus says to us, “Come to me.” His shepherd’s heart toward us is filled with the same compassion, and his invitation is as... Continue Reading

Whatever our lot, we must resist the temptation to rebel and buck against our creaturely limitations, instead entrusting ourselves to our faithful God and endeavoring to walk in faithfulness to His revealed, recorded will.  Along with Paul in pondering the perplexities of a sovereign God, our response is not to pout but to praise.   ... Continue Reading

A big part of the reason we always feel the need to respond in any situation is because we lack this assurance and confidence. We don’t know who we are, or at least, we haven’t fully embraced it. We, because of Jesus, have become the sons and daughters in whom the Father is well-pleased, and... Continue Reading

In 1 Peter 2:11, Peter refers to believers as sojourners, which we truly are, because our eternal home the Christ secured for us is with God in heaven. This reality awaits us, who while we are here are witnesses to the saving work of Jesus Christ for sinners like us. This is why we can... Continue Reading

So many in the church today seem to think that participation with Christ means only Easter Sunday, only participation in aspects of resurrection and glory. They forget that it is a package deal: suffering and death are the necessary twin of resurrection and glory. These passages collectively make the strong case that these two aspects... Continue Reading