Thursday, May 26, 2011
A very subtle, and dangerous sin
“Whatever it be that makes us trust in ourselves that we are comparatively wise or good, so as to treat those with contempt who do not subscribe to our doctrines, or follow our party, is a proof and fruit of a self-righteous spirit.” -Timothy Keller
The tendency of our mind
"You’re going to roll out of bed tomorrow a functional Pharisee. The instincts beneath your instincts, the impulses way down deep inside you, are law, not gospel. A good night’s sleep, not a heretical sermon, is all it takes to forget the gospel of grace." - Dane Ortlund.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
"How to" know false teaching - READ YOUR BIBLE
"Nothing supplies false prophets with followers so much as spiritual sloth under a cloak of humility." - J.C. Ryle
Ring true much?
Ring true much?
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
When brothers (and sisters) in unity
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" - Psalm 133:1 (ESV)
As I sat in prayer with a couple of my brothers today, I thought to myself how blessed I am to have so many people in my life who love the Lord and desire to see Him glorified in their own lives and the lives of others.
There is nothing quite like sharing the knowledge and power of the gospel with others, rejoicing together in the salvation that comes entirely from the Lord. If you don't have people like this in your life, to constantly remind you of the gospel and who you are in Christ, then I urge you to find some! There is nothing quite like it, I promise!
As I sat in prayer with a couple of my brothers today, I thought to myself how blessed I am to have so many people in my life who love the Lord and desire to see Him glorified in their own lives and the lives of others.
There is nothing quite like sharing the knowledge and power of the gospel with others, rejoicing together in the salvation that comes entirely from the Lord. If you don't have people like this in your life, to constantly remind you of the gospel and who you are in Christ, then I urge you to find some! There is nothing quite like it, I promise!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Consider this
"Whoever is wise, let him consider these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD" - Psalm 107:43
Spending some time in the Old Testament, one can't help but be amazed at how gracious and merciful God showed Himself to be to the people of Israel. The amazing work of salvation that the Lord worked through the freeing of the Jews from the bondage of Egypt, the patience and mercy in the desert, the faithfulness in obtaining the Promised Land, the faithfulness throughout the exile and the list goes on.
But we know what this list culminates in: the birth, life, death and resurrection of the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Isaiah 9:6)
May we who have been blessed with the knowledge of the Lord's amazing grace through Christ, consider it always and share it with others, as we strive forward on our journeys to love God and others.
let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD" - Psalm 107:43
Spending some time in the Old Testament, one can't help but be amazed at how gracious and merciful God showed Himself to be to the people of Israel. The amazing work of salvation that the Lord worked through the freeing of the Jews from the bondage of Egypt, the patience and mercy in the desert, the faithfulness in obtaining the Promised Land, the faithfulness throughout the exile and the list goes on.
But we know what this list culminates in: the birth, life, death and resurrection of the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Isaiah 9:6)
May we who have been blessed with the knowledge of the Lord's amazing grace through Christ, consider it always and share it with others, as we strive forward on our journeys to love God and others.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
A fresh (and essential) look on discipleship
After listening to David Platt's fantastic sermon on what the gospel truly demands of our lives (http://www.brookhills.org/
Am I pursuing comfort or a cross? (Luke 9:58)
Am I pursuing maintenance or mission? (Luke 9:60)
Do I have an indecisive mind or an undivided heart? (Luke 9:62)
Does the church truly believe the Word, and what it says about - following Jesus, the lost and the poor?
Lord, may you please give us the grace to live radical lives for the sake of your glory and gospel.
Am I pursuing comfort or a cross? (Luke 9:58)
Am I pursuing maintenance or mission? (Luke 9:60)
Do I have an indecisive mind or an undivided heart? (Luke 9:62)
Does the church truly believe the Word, and what it says about - following Jesus, the lost and the poor?
Lord, may you please give us the grace to live radical lives for the sake of your glory and gospel.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
My soul thirsts for you
"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." - Psalm 63:1
Every time I meditate upon the psalms of David and witness through his writing the turmoil of his soul, I can't help but be stricken by his heart. The longing and desire that he possessed for God and knowing God and being brought near to God and rejoicing in God and finding his only satisfaction in God and feeling God despite his afflictions, is astounding.
Utter dependance on someone in an unbiblical worldview can be seen as a sign of weakness, but these states of mourning are so vital in the Christian walk. Just look at David. The man after God's own heart was one of the most consistently broken an needy men throughout the history recorded in the Scriptures. Our Ultimate Example, the Lord Jesus Christ himself, stated that the blessed are those who are poor in spirit, meek and who mourn over sin and severed relationship with God (Matthew 5:1-11).
The human soul is made to connect with God on a much higher level than our body is to connect with physical gratification. We will only ever find the true source of enjoyment in life in a relationship with the Creator of the universe, the almighty God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit. Praise be to God for opening the eyes of our hearts to this glorious, intimate, joyful relationship that can be entered into through the blood of Christ.
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." - Psalm 63:1
Every time I meditate upon the psalms of David and witness through his writing the turmoil of his soul, I can't help but be stricken by his heart. The longing and desire that he possessed for God and knowing God and being brought near to God and rejoicing in God and finding his only satisfaction in God and feeling God despite his afflictions, is astounding.
Utter dependance on someone in an unbiblical worldview can be seen as a sign of weakness, but these states of mourning are so vital in the Christian walk. Just look at David. The man after God's own heart was one of the most consistently broken an needy men throughout the history recorded in the Scriptures. Our Ultimate Example, the Lord Jesus Christ himself, stated that the blessed are those who are poor in spirit, meek and who mourn over sin and severed relationship with God (Matthew 5:1-11).
The human soul is made to connect with God on a much higher level than our body is to connect with physical gratification. We will only ever find the true source of enjoyment in life in a relationship with the Creator of the universe, the almighty God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit. Praise be to God for opening the eyes of our hearts to this glorious, intimate, joyful relationship that can be entered into through the blood of Christ.
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