That I may know Him“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformed to His death.”
Phil. 3:10
The pursuit of the believer is Jesus Christ. Not just to be like Christ, but to know Christ.
This knowledge does not consist chiefly in facts about Jesus, but rather it consists in an intimate sharing of His person through the work of the Spirit. View full article »
One Thing is NeedfulDo you remember Jesus’ interaction with Mary and Martha?
Martha was upset at her sister because she wasn’t being helpful with all the preparations for a meal. Rather than agreeing with her diatribe of hurt feelings; Jesus simply said: One thing is needful, Mary has chosen the better thing, leave her alone.
So in order to make sitting at Jesus’ feet a bit easier this year at Easter we are going to keep it simple. View full article »
To the Rescue?In her seminal work, How the West Really lost God, Mary Eberstadt wrestles with the reasons for “trickle down secularism” that have eroded western civilization. She makes some interesting assertions in the book.
In one chapter she wrestles with Fredrick Nietzsche’s postulates about the death of God.
As she does so she develops one of the most important theses of the book: The privatization of religion always leads to its erosion.
Religion in and of itself demands community. The more individualistic we become, the less Christian we conversely are. View full article »
A SinnerMost of us have heard the story of John Newton who wrote Amazing grace. Once an infamous slave trader and profligate, he was converted and became a beloved Pastor.
In 1791 he received a letter from a couple who were anxious about their souls. They inquired of him the means to knowing that one’s sins were forgiven and that they were saved. After some time listening to him preach, receiving personal letters from him and having personal conversation; they both received a full assurance of salvation. Later, James Coffin entered the ministry and continued in a deep relationship with Newton. View full article »
Preserved“Therefore blessed be they, and most honoured be their name, that break the ice, and give the onset upon that which helpeth toward the saving of souls. Now what can be more available thereto, than to deliver God’s book unto God’s people in a tongue which they understand…but how shall men meditate in that which they cannot understand? (From the original preface to the KJV Bible)
Today we discuss the process by which God preserved His Word. As such there are some technical things that need to be understood. We discuss manuscripts and translation. View full article »
No Condemnation“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
This is probably one of the most reassuring verses in all of scripture. No Judgment. Sounds almost too good to be true. What does it mean?
This statement is the starting point for an extended section in the book of Romans where the apostle Paul explains the absolute security of the believer. This doctrine, also sometimes referred to as “the perseverance of the saints”, was hotly disputed in the early 1600’s by the followers of Jacob Arminius and John Calvin. View full article »
Why The Wicked…At the start of Jeremiah 12, Jeremiah posed a question to the Lord: “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? And why do all who are treacherous thrive?” God responds: “If you have fought with the infantry and had a hard time, how can you face the cavalry?”
“If you have run against men on foot (infantry) and they have wearied you; how can you contend with horses (cavalry)? Jeremiah 12:5
Jeremiah was discouraged. He had been God’s spokesman of impending judgment on the nation of Judah. View full article »