Sanctification and Sexual Purity: God’s Will for Your Life
Let us commit to pursuing purity. Avoid legalistic duty. Rather, joyfully embrace the life God intends for you.
Understanding that purity is a response to God’s love rather than a checklist of rules frees us from the burden of legalism. Grace empowers us to pursue holiness out of love and gratitude. Take a deep breath. Do you feel the freedom Jesus has purchased for you? You can, by His Spirit, do this. You... Continue Reading
Unveiling the True Nature of Grumbling
What Is Grumbling?
Grumbling’s evil twin is discontentment. Refusing to recognize the providence of God—that He is sovereignly in control of my life such that the circumstances I face are not random fate—will lead to discontentment. Discontentment inevitably leads to grumbling and vice versa. They go hand in hand, and they are also contagious. I’ve recently tried... Continue Reading
Feasting on the Pastoral Prayer
Ways We Benefit Spiritually from this Part of the Worship Service
The more we rest and grasp the work of the cross and the empty tomb seen in the sacrifice of Christ the more our souls are fed by this knowledge and as we bring our hearts to bear in praise the depth available will be with us in the week ahead. Concerts are fun and... Continue Reading
Stay Strange
The Church as a Home for Exiles
Faithful Christians cannot help but look strange to unbelievers of all sorts—progressive and conservative, urban and rural, young and old. But that doesn’t mean we fundamentally are strange, not from the standpoint of eternity. No, from the perspective of “forever and ever,” the strangest thing of all is this present world of sin, this God-ignoring age. ... Continue Reading
Grasping the Hand of God
Prayer in Nehemiah (7)
Nehemiah’s prayer is not only a dimension of his political leadership; it is integral to his personal piety and practice. We look at leaders in Christ’s church and we see the urgency and necessity of prayer for them. Whatever sphere is in view, whether church, home, government, world, prayer is featured as the conduit for believers... Continue Reading
The Power of Devoted Prayer
Beyond Moments of Need: A Lifestyle of Prayer
The concept of being “devoted to prayer” might seem daunting at first. After all, in our busy lives, how can we possibly maintain a constant state of prayer? The key lies in understanding that prayer isn’t just about bowed heads and folded hands. It’s about an ongoing conversation with God, a constant awareness of His presence... Continue Reading
The Church Militant: Equipping the Saints for War
The Characteristics of God’s Army
God’s people are part of His army. The tribes—including all of their men, women, and children—were called armies and camped as such. Second, this army is inherently expeditionary—they were meant to move and conquer rather than defend. Third, this army subdues the enemy without compromise: enemies who would not submit and become slaves of righteousness... Continue Reading
Let Him Who Boasts Boast in This
What is it about knowing God that causes him to tell us that knowing him is of greater worth than wisdom, might, and riches?
Those who know God have confidence in his character. Life is full of trials; in a fallen world there is no escape from pain. Scripture does not cover up that pain. Rather, it says, My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one... Continue Reading
Listen to Instruction
Solomon’s proverbs was to help us know wisdom and instruction.
The “instruction” that he refers to is not his own personal advice, but rather the instruction of God, revealed through his Word, of which Solomon is now a representative. Solomon is not asking his audience to hear and obey every personal whim of his simply because he’s the older, more experienced one among them. He is pointing... Continue Reading
Have You Misread Romans 8?
Clarifying Three Beloved Verses
As we experience these hardships, Paul promises that God is for us and that we will be victorious. Because of Christ’s all-sufficient death, resurrection, and continuing intercession on our behalf, God is our kind-hearted Father (Romans 8:32) and righteous Justifier (verses 33–34), which our experiences of hardship do not minimize or erase. Hence, our victory... Continue Reading
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