There's a little book in our church book store called "Time and the End of Time." The cover and the title have attracted my interest, and several times I've picked it up to take a look at it. It was written by John Fox in 1676 - not to be confused by the John Foxe of Foxe's The Book of Martyrs. Fox's book is … [Read more...]
Where Must Faith Always Look
Where Must Faith Always Look? I'm sure we all know that the answer is Christ - at least we ought to! I know, but I'm afraid I don't always live it. I need constant reminders. So this isn't me sermonizing (I'm unqualified); it's a confession of my failing, and a passing on of a message from someone else... That … [Read more...]
Plead God’s Promises in Prayer
To Plead God's Promises in Prayer is a suggestion found in Chapter 12 (Prayerful Praying Today) of Joel Beeke's and Brian Najapfour's book "Taking Hold of God." The book is mentioned in our article Matthew Henry on the Method of Prayer. On pages 236-237 of "Taking Hold of God" the authors write: In His … [Read more...]
Therefore We Will Not Fear – Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, therefore we will not fear - Psalm 46. Over the last few years, this Psalm has been a particularly great source of comfort to me - so much so that I often read it aloud and with gusto. Life can often throw unexpected trials at us. Or we suddenly find ourselves walking in the Valley of … [Read more...]
When the Wicked Seem to Flourish: Psalm 73
When the wicked seem to flourish: Psalm 73. More and more we see wickedness around us and we might wonder about God's sovereignty and justice. At such times, read Psalm 73. Who have I in heaven but you? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides you! This verse has been a favorite. But its context never … [Read more...]
Waiting For the Lord
Have you been waiting for the Lord? Have you been praying day in and day out for something and God seems silent to you? Join the club - haven't we all? God has answered many of my prayers, sometimes in spectacular ways. Yet some prayers wait to be answered. What do we do? Charles Spurgeon has some advice for us: It … [Read more...]
Richard Baxter on God’s Love
Richard Baxter on God's Love for the saints: Baxter (1615 - 1691) is well known for his monumental work "The Saints' Everlasting Rest." This work was a product of the turmoil the Puritan experienced throughout his life. There was civil war and disease. Some 868,000 people died through battle and disease over three … [Read more...]
Psalm 96 Sing a New Song to the Lord
Psalm 96, Sing a New Song to the Lord: 1 Sing to Adonai a new song! Sing to Adonai, all the earth. 2 Sing to Adonai, bless His Name. Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. 3 Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. 4 For great is Adonai, and … [Read more...]
Christ Our King of Glory
Christ Our King of Glory...Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! (Psalm 24:1-10) The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who may ascend … [Read more...]
Sailing in Prayer by the Wind of the Spirit
Sailing in prayer by the Wind of the Spirit - though I've had little to do with them I've always been drawn to sailboats and ships. There's something special about only using the power of the wind to sail the seas. It wasn't just sailing boats - as a young boy I was given a book about sailplanes. I became … [Read more...]