Richard Steele on Family
A godly marriage is a bit of heaven on earth.
To experience a bit of heaven on earth, one must not simply get married. Marriage itself is of no guarantee to be a delight or joy. It is not your spouse in their strength, ability, personality, or personhood that enters into heaven and brings you peace, tranquility, satisfaction, and relief. The aspect of heaven on... Continue Reading
Dead Men Talking – Part 1
Hebrews 11 recounts the stories of some of the godly men and women of Scripture that were people of faith – people who still have something to say.
The dead guys I’m referring to are the ones who believe in the authority of Scripture and embrace the doctrinal foundations that fuel our Christian lives. One of those dead men is none other than Charles H. Spurgeon (1834 – 1892) who died over 120 years ago. He remarked, “I shall live and speak long... Continue Reading
Closest to God
God generously lets us come close for Jesus’s sake.
Between the Lord and us, there is now beautiful peace. Through Jesus’s blood, our sins are completely wiped away and we have been made right with our Maker. And this is what we long for, to know—and to experience in a deeper way—that our God is near. We want to know that the Lord is... Continue Reading
How to Read Historical Narrative
Three reading strategies that can help us better understand and appreciate the art of the ancient historical narrative as set forth in the Bible.
When reading these narratives, read carefully and consider all the details, both what is included and what is not. Finally, and most importantly, work hard to understand how all the Bible’s individual narrative units come together in one grand narrative, climaxing in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Bible records the covenantal... Continue Reading
A Subtle Shift in Modern Worship
Worship must be centered on God. When we focus on ourselves, we will get emotional.
It is very subtle, but many modern worship songs have been slowly changing the emphasis in their lyrics from God saving us to God helping us. Without clearly explaining how God helps us, many will think of their careers and happiness, but God is not in the happiness business. He is in the ministry of... Continue Reading
Martha and the Resurrection
George Hutcheson points out the striking features of the dialogue between Jesus and Martha.
Although Martha believes in the resurrection, yet Christ finds it needful to instruct her better in many things about it. Believers need daily instruction from Christ, so that they will know and understand better those things which they already believe in part. Also, it is not enough that we believe in great benefits and mercies,... Continue Reading
12 Wonderful Responsibilities God Has Given to Men
To Serve Sacrificially
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. (Prov. 23:24) Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4) It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating... Continue Reading
Dealing with Death and Disease
Believers can face their fear of death with courage, because Jesus has already faced death for us and won.
Admit your fears to God and others. I don’t know all the reasons why the Lord allows us to suffer. I do know that He uses our pain to conform us to Christ. Confessing our fears gives people the opportunity to pray for us and encourage us to keep our eyes on Jesus, not our suffering.... Continue Reading
The Miserable Missionary
Do you wish for certain enemies to perish?
Jonah was so displeased at God’s mercy to them, he simply wanted to die rather than live. Not exactly a missionary’s vision. I do not have a concrete answer as to Jonah’s attitude. He’s been reduced from certain death and now seems ungrateful that God has saved a nation. What is beyond my grasp in human... Continue Reading
How the World Should React When it Sees a Christian Suffer
Though it’s hard to see and accept in the moment, there is indeed redemptive purpose in the pain.
We ought to walk through suffering so that a watching world recognizes that there is no good reason why we should have the hope we have. The peace we have. The continued joy we have. Not in a fire like that. And though they might not yet be able to identify with clarity the reason why,... Continue Reading
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