But those who are most conscious of forgiveness are invariably those who have been most acutely convicted of their sin. – (The Christian Life by Sinclair Ferguson, “Conviction of Sin,” p.39) How beautiful it is to picture the grateful woman who wet Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair! (Luke 7:36-50.)… Read More »
But where you find quarrels and fights, you are witnessing people obeying the desires of a different lord. – (Journal of Biblical Counseling, 16:1, p. 34) Anger is a moral matter. By its nature it makes judgments and seeks to eliminate injustice. God wants me to exhibit righteous anger. I should be rightfully outraged at… Read More »
Christless, grace-less attempts at change conclude either with the praise of your own glory or with your shame. – (“Who Is God?,” Seeing with New Eyes by David Powlison, p.48) Why do I fail in my attempts at change? Answer: Because I attempt to change my life in my own strength, for my own glory.… Read More »
The Scene: I return home from a busy day of attending classes and studying. I desire rest and peace, relaxation, and a safe shelter after a long day of work. After a few minutes of surfing the net, I find myself faced with a choice point: to check my stocks or…? I decide that on… Read More »
A ‘worrier’ is storing ‘treasure’ in the wrong place. If what you most value can be taken away or destroyed, then you set yourself up for anxiety. – (“Don’t Worry: Luke 12:22-34,” Seeing with New Eyes by David Powlison, p.115) This summer, I found myself awakening in the morning, only to hop on the internet… Read More »
The language of love, trust, fear, hope, seeking, serving- terms describing a relationship to the true God- is continually utilized in the Bible to describe our false loves, false trusts, false fears, false hopes, false pursuits, false masters. – (David Powlison writing in Idols of the Heart and “Vanity Fair,” Journal of Biblical Counseling, 13:2,… Read More »
Philippians instills in me a longer view of the battle– the marathon of the Christian life. It offers joy and hope and encourages me to strain toward the goal, because Christ Jesus has made me his own (3:12)! I know that I am not always overflowing with joy and thanksgiving, in stark contrast with the… Read More »
Have you ever noticed in yourself a desire to be right in an argument at the expense of hurting a relationship? I see in myself a desire to prove myself at the expense of others. Standing for truth is important, but when love has left my heart, I have created an idol. “The approval of… Read More »
True gain does not come from smart investments in the stock market, a large income, or storing up worldly knowledge. True gain comes from knowing Christ (Phil 3:7-11) and pursuing godliness (1 Timothy 6:6-9). Knowing Christ: But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as… Read More »
The Mormons are coming to speak with me again. I conversed with two young Mormon lads last week. The grace that Mormons preach is no grace at all. I pity their sad state. They have no assurance of salvation. They are working their butts off to “merit grace.” To suppose that whatever God requireth of… Read More »