Do You Hate Yourself?
Self-hatred means something has gone wrong with our perception of ourselves.
Stopping the cycle of self-hatred requires the humility to give over to God your dreams for yourself. This is one of the best exchanges we could ever take, since by doing it we gain clearer eyes to see Jesus’ love for us, which is far more powerful than our self-hatred could ever be. They... Continue Reading
Unlikely Glory
He went through the sufferings of the cross to remove the sins of those who believe in Him.
The hour, the glory, the trouble of which Jesus spoke is the cross. How the cross of Christ is a place of unlikely glory! For it raises a question. “How can the brutal beating, crucifying, and death of a man be in any way described as glorious?” Does it not seem as if there is... Continue Reading
A Friend in High Places
Christian prayer is an action through which we have special entry to God’s heavenly presence because Jesus always stands there at the right hand of God and we can come through Him as His special guests.
Prayer recalibrates our perception of the world. It helps us see afresh the reality that God’s kingdom has broken in to the present world order as Jesus the King sits enthroned at the right hand of God wielding the power He has been granted in His exaltation, a power that extends across the entire scope... Continue Reading
Accountability is Not a Sign of Weakness
Using means of grace like accountability or filters to help us fight sin is not weakness but wisdom.
Don’t allow yourself to be misled by false expectations of repentance or lies that would push you away from utilizing every means available to help you in this fight. Don’t be discouraged that you still feel tempted. Don’t think you have to prove your repentance by removing safeguards, facing down temptation, and resisting it. Instead,... Continue Reading
When a Name Goes Missing in the Bible
This whole section of Scripture is centered on Ishmael, and Moses steadfastly refuses to include his name.
We should notice anomalies—things that are unusual or out of place. Anything that sticks out as abnormal. Moses used names, repeatedly, for all of the characters in this story except one. That should make us sit up and take notice. In observation we gather the fuel we need for the fire of interpretation, and observing... Continue Reading
Growing Toward Maturity
Our worship services must be reverent and God-centered.
If we want our people to grow in emotional and spiritual maturity, then what they participate in when it comes to corporate worship needs to be biblically shaped, reverential in nature, and prayerfully planned. Doing so will help God’s people form their affections and tastes towards maturity. Many elements helped contribute to the immaturity... Continue Reading
Pilgrimage to Dust
Our pilgrimage to dust might be delayed, but death will come for all flesh on this earth, just as it did for the Word who became flesh.
Our bodies may be driving us back towards the dust, but at the same time the Holy Spirit is inwardly pushing us along to glory. He will continue sanctifying us, until the final day, seemingly at our weakest, when our body succumbs to its physical death, we will behold the greatest victory! The beautiful chain... Continue Reading
We Don’t Know What to Do
It is easy to panic when things suddenly spin out of control and we realize we are face-to-face with something that threatens our comfort, joy, or even existence.
Jehoshaphat was one who was able to fully appreciate the victory of salvation. God responded to the king of Judah and obliterated the enemy army without a single soldier in the Judean army having to lift a finger. And it is the same for us. In the battle against Satan and sin, the only thing... Continue Reading
The Cross and the Believer’s Home
Jesus went to the cross to prepare a final home for believers in the new heavens and new earth.
The blessings of Christ on the land are really typical of His blessings on His people. It will be fully realized in His dwelling with His people in the new heavens and new earth—a completely renovated habitation in which only righteousness dwells. It is image bearers with which God is most concerned. The environment of... Continue Reading
The Hidden War
We must offer alternatives, not moral condemnation.
In speaking out against abortion, therefore, we must not forget that few other sins cause more heartache or anguish of soul. Very few women today are offered viable alternatives, and almost none of them are pointed to God, who alone can answer their need. A woman who has had an abortion suffers great torment of... Continue Reading
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