Recent Posts
God? Who Needs Him?May 31, 2013
Self-sufficient humanism. Paul saw it coming – “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Imago Dei
September 12, 2012
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Why Can't I Pray?
August 18, 2012
The bible gives us several reasons, but according to Jeremy Taylor, a deceitful heart is at the root of prayerlessness.
It's Not Rocket Science
July 23, 2012
To keep in step with the Spirit should be our daily quest. And if we are successful at that, all of life falls into place.
Theological Steak
April 10, 2012
These words by P. T. Forsythe on the magnificence of Christ's work are to theology what Ruth's Chris is to a good steak.
Describing the Indescribable
February 11, 2012
What we have in Christ will take all eternity to describe. But for one segment of one sermon, a great preacher made a mighty attempt.
Making Sense Of It All
January 30, 2012
Where are things headed? Is there rhyme and reason to the endless cycle of summer, fall, winter and spring? Is there a plan in place, or is randomness the explanation?
Happy, Happy, Happy
January 4, 2012
The declaration of independence holds up the pursuit of happiness as a right. Did you ever consider the reading the bible might be the one source that will never let you down?It's unfortunate that George Mueller is not a household name, considering all the good he did for thousands of parentless children on the streets of London in the middle of the 19th century.
The orphanages that God raised up through Mueller's faith were started with only two shillings (50 cents) but as he prayed - believe it or not without making his needs known - slowly but surely the buildings were built to feed and house orphans for sixty years.
How did this happen, you ask? Curiously, Mueller credits his habit of scripture reading.
I believe that the one chief reason that I have been kept in happy useful service is that I have been a lover of Holy Scripture.
It has been my habit to read the Bible through four times a year; in a prayerful spirit, to apply it to my heart, and practice what I find there. I have been for sixty-nine years a happy man; happy, happy, happy."
Forget four times. Try once in 2012. Baby steps. Here are some questions to keep you focused and to increase your understanding of what you are reading.
1. What do these words actually mean?
2. What light do other scriptures through on this text? Where and how does it fit in the total biblical revelation?
3. What truths does it teach about God, and about man in relation to God?
4. How are these truths related to the saving work of Christ, and what light does the gospel of Christ throw on them?
5. What experiences do these truths delineate, or explain, or seek to create or cure? For what practical purpose do they stand in Scripture?
6. How do they apply to myself and others in our own actual situation? To what present human condition do they speak, and what are they telling us to believe and do?
From A QUEST FOR GODLINESS by J. I. Packer, page 105
The Twelve Signs Of Grace
December 22, 2011
Self-examination is not easy to do. The tendency is to let ourselves off easy. But examine we must, for eternity is at stake.Self-examination takes courage and honesty. And since it concerns our eternal destination, we need to be all the more diligent to estimate how our soul is doing.
Jeremy Taylor, (15 August 1613 – 13 August 1667) was a cleric in the Church of England who achieved fame as an author Oliver Cromwell rose to power, and he spent a considerable amount of time thinking on this matter of holiness and integrity of heart.
The person certainly belongs to God,
1) who believes and is baptized into all the articles of the Christian faith,
2) and studies to improve their knowledge in the matters of God, so as may best make them live a holy life.
3) Out of obedience to Christ they worship God diligently, frequently, and constantly, with natural religion, that is of prayer, praises and thanksgiving.
4) They take all opportunities to remember Christ's death by a frequent sacrament, as it can be had, or else by inward acts of understanding, will, and memory (which is the spiritual communion) when the external rite is not possible.
5) They live chastely,
6) and are merciful.
7) They despise the world, using it, but never engrossed in it.
8) They are just in their dealings and diligent in their calling.
9) They are humble in spirit,
10) obedient to government,
11) content in their fortune and employment.
12) They do their duty out of love God; and if after all this they are afflicted, they are patient, ready to suffer affliction for the cause of God.
The person who has these twelve signs of grace and predestination does as certainly belong to God, and is His child as surely, as he is His creature.
Well? How'd you do?
17th Century Authenticity
December 30, 2010
To say what you don't feel in your emotions is considered to be inauthentic, or phony. Samuel rutherford would beg to differ.
Better Than Counting Sheep
December 13, 2010
When my head hits the pillow, it's lights out. But perhaps before nodding off, some more intentionality might be in order. Certainly Jeremy Taylor thought so.
Feeding On The Bone
May 13, 2009
Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) stated that the "reason why Christians are so loath to exchange this world for a better is because they have more sense than faith; they see what they enjoy; they do but hope for what is to come."
Outrage and The Holiness of God
March 5, 2009
A jaded Christian is an oxymoron. Anything that is hurtful to God must hurt us as well. We must not become so self-protective that we are not emotionally impacted by rebellion against God. And any such identification pleases God.
Go Away And Leave Me Alone!
December 13, 2008
This world is enemy territory, and Satan fights for every inch. And the biggest threat to him are Christians who take the word of God as just that, the word of God, and seek to live by that word, knowing that to be the path of greatest happiness.
Stay On The Main Road
November 25, 2008
Jesus said that he and he alone is the way, truth and the life. No one could get to the Father except through him. But many try alternate routes. It is only an exercise in futility.
Feeling Our Way Through Life
November 24, 2008
Feelings have become the new end all, the criteria that governs our actions. At the same time, self-discipline is frowned upon as inauthentic and artificial. Worship often loses out, when it is our means to health and wholeness.
The Ultimate No-Brainer
November 24, 2008
I'll do it myself. Where does that come from, anyway? We're born with it. But seeing God as the One we turn to instead of "the arm of flesh" is the key to living life well. God is in control, so let Him lead. He's really good at it.
Making A Difference
November 13, 2008
We all want our lives to matter, to count for something. How can we be sure we are not throwing our life away? What will count for eternity? This much we know. Giving ourselves to Kingdom of God work is never wasted effort.
Keeping The Main Thing The Main Thing
November 9, 2008
When the advice "don't put all your eggs in one basket" seeps into ministry, danger lies ahead. "Keeping your options open" is a recipe for disaster for the minister of God, making whole-hearted devotion to Christ an even greater mountain to climb.
"I'm Warning You!"
November 4, 2008
The "slow to anger" part of God's name is to our great benefit. God is patient, and restrains his wrath, giving us time to repent. But we must not test the limits of God's patience. "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts...Hebrews 3:15
A Voice Crying In The Wilderness
November 2, 2008
God has a standard that he requires of his creatures. And when we fall short of the mark, he anoints prophets to be his mouthpiece. So just where are today's prophets? And will we pay attention in time?
Cheaper Chicken
October 29, 2008
What are you shooting for? Is your life being lived myopically, with self-interest as the bottom line? Or do you have the grand purposes of God propel you? Choose carefully. Each of us gets one go-around.
The Company We Keep
October 10, 2008
You've heard the phrase "in the world, but not of the world." How do we associate with unbelievers, without being molded by their perspective on life, and losing our zeal and spiritual fervor?
Life's Wear And Tear
July 8, 2008
"I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." Acts 9:16
The World Was Not Worthy Of Him
July 7, 2008
Heaven will be filled of saints who lived here on earth as if there was a home elsewhere waiting for them - an eternal home. George Bowen of Bombay was such a follower of Christ.
