Why God’s Love is an Immutable Love
God has an infinite, eternal, unconditional love for his chosen people in Christ.
His love is infinite, greater than we can measure or understand (Ps. 103:11; Eph. 3:19), which God demonstrated by giving the gift of infinite value: “his only begotten Son” (John 3:16 KJV). His love is eternal (Ps. 103:15–17). His love is unconditional, giving the best good to those who do not deserve the least good... Continue Reading
A Different Kind of Profanity
We tend to reason that grumbling is not a big deal because it is not actually doing anything it is simply talk.
In contemporary American culture grumbling is often ingrained as a way of life and many treat it as harmless personal therapy. We tend to rename it as something like venting in order to remove the stigma. Grumbling is so habitual that we often miss the irony of our words when we stand in front of... Continue Reading
The Discipline That God Despises
There is such a thing as “ungodly discipline” — a form of hard work, persistence, effort, and commitment that drive him farther away, instead of inviting him near.
Think about the resolutions we might make a month from now. Almost all of them involve some kind of discipline. Some of us have been thinking about them since our last round failed in February or March (or sooner) — weight to lose, new rhythms in important relationships, bad patterns to break, consistency and depth in... Continue Reading
Love & Hurt Feelings – Refresher
“Love…does not take into account a wrong suffered.”
Someone commits a few small sins against us and look out; like the graceless insurance company, the relationship gutters. We place them on our spiritual detention list for relational prosecution. We are no longer trusting, but suspecting. We are no longer caring, but gossiping. We are no longer inviting, but ignoring. We are no longer... Continue Reading
Most Popular Bible Verses in 2018 Deal with Fear
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God."
“This year’s data shows people worldwide are continuing to turn to the Bible in search of comfort, encouragement, and hope,” said Bobby Gruenewald, pastor at Life.Church and YouVersion Founder. “We’re humbled that 10 years after its release, people continue to use the YouVersion Bible App in record numbers to connect with God’s Word.” From... Continue Reading
When Will Jesus Return?
The newspaper will not help us understand Revelation. Knowing the Old Testament and the rest of the New Testament will help us understand it.
When we begin to read Revelation in the way the original author intended it to be read, we can begin to understand its intended meaning. We no longer read with the book of Revelation in one hand and a newspaper in the other. The newspaper will not help us understand Revelation. Knowing the Old Testament... Continue Reading
God Grew Up in a Forgotten Town
The Old Testament never mentioned Nazareth.
How remarkable that our Lord, being fully God and perfect man, didn’t make for the big city first chance he got, or insist he dwell where all the action was. Rather, he gave nearly the entirety of his life and public ministry not grasping for Jerusalem, but humbling himself in Galilee — in a man-forsaken... Continue Reading
Linchpin of Life – Sanctify the Sabbath
Fundamental to the sanctified national life of divine, corporate, image-bearers is devoted Sabbath Day observance.
We are not interested in 601 pernickity, sawdust-spotting, hair-splitting, Scribal tradition additions! Nor are we enamored with a mere cessation of physical activity on the Redeemer’s Day of Rest, which Christ’s blood sanctifies to us! What we crave, surely, is exquisite, spiritual delight in the marrow and manna of Christ – which Jesus purchased at... Continue Reading
Know Who You Are Not
You are not who you were. You are not what you feel. You are not where you’re tempted to fall. Now, you are his.
When you were brought from darkness into God’s magnificent light, you were given marvelous power for a great task: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). You... Continue Reading
How to Correct Your Opponents Like Paul
Why go through all the trouble of patiently training our emotions, enduring reproach, dealing kindly and gently with all, while maintaining the courage to engage over truth?
“If you’re going to correct false teaching in your opponents with gentleness, you’re going to need to be able to withstand misplaced anger, contradiction, arrogance, and maybe even personal abuse. Much confusion with regard to doctrine comes from sin, but it also gains a foothold in the lives of those who have been sinned against... Continue Reading
