Philippians 1:12-14 - I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, … Continue reading How Suffering Serves to Advance the Gospel
Tag: praise
The Marks of a Fruitful Church
In 1741, the great Jonathan Edwards first published his now-classic book The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God. In this important work, Edwards is analyzing and synthesizing all he’s experienced in the revivals of his day (chronicled most notably in A Narrative of Surprising Conversions and An Account of the Revival of Religion in … Continue reading The Marks of a Fruitful Church
Glorify God as Your Supreme Delight
Ecclesiastes 2:1 - I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. The preacher in Ecclesiastes was on a desperate search for meaning and satisfaction in this life. He had earlier hoped to find victory over the vanity of life through his worldly … Continue reading Glorify God as Your Supreme Delight
Glorify God in your Prayer Life
Matthew 6:6 - But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Every blog that I write this year will be built around the theme of our church this year: "For God's Glory." … Continue reading Glorify God in your Prayer Life
Christmas is a Call to Missions
"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them. “For this … Continue reading Christmas is a Call to Missions
Thanksgiving and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb
I love Thanksgiving. It is a day marked by an attitude which should permeate us every day! We are so entitled, we feel as if we are owed everything, and often times that carries over even into our relationship with God. Thanksgiving, however, reminds us that we are far more than just a product of … Continue reading Thanksgiving and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb
Andrew Fuller: Balance in a Time of Extremes
Andrew Fuller was fully aware of the state of his denomination as he entered the pulpit. From the beginning of his pastoral ministry, Fuller set out to correct the many extremes that had overtaken the Baptists in his day. As noted earlier, the General Baptists by 1750 had almost dwindled to nothing because of the … Continue reading Andrew Fuller: Balance in a Time of Extremes
Three Disciplines for Spiritual Formation
An essential part of any life is growth. Where growth is absent, death is abundant, and it is no different for the Christian life. In Ephesians 4:15, Paul writes, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." When Christians are born again through faith … Continue reading Three Disciplines for Spiritual Formation
The Geometry of Christ’s Love
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. – Ephesians 3:17-19 In the Church we often … Continue reading The Geometry of Christ’s Love
Love is the Primary Response to God
There are so many responses that should flow from the Christian towards their great God. Reverence, humility, obedience, all of these things are proper and necessary responses to this glorious Triune God, but I believe there is one response which serves as the primary response of the Christian to God, and is the response by which all … Continue reading Love is the Primary Response to God
The Ramblings of a Young Minister 