The following is excerpted from Paul David Tripp’s devotional book, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional. Discouragement focuses more on the broken glories of creation than on the restoring glories of God’s character, presence, and promises. What captures your mind controls your thoughts and dominates the desires of your heart. Outside of intentional moments…
Father, thank you that you are a God of grace – you give to us what we believe we deserve when in fact we don’t. Thank you that you have saved, rescued, protected us from so many forces of evil around us and you have saved us from ourselves. We wrongly believe we can handle…
Photo by Lukas Budimaier on Unsplash God’s care is sure, but will you run to him in your time of need or look elsewhere for hope and comfort? “[ Cast] all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5: 7). “He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Heb. 13: 5).…
This brother who wrote this is marked with a gospel security, humility, clarity and power that is deeply encouraging, challenging and refreshing. This is a POWERFUL word from this pastor on many, many levels…confession, speaking the truth in love, accountability, sin, repentance, the power of the gospel, humility, husbandry, pastoring, etc. I can’t say enough…
Dr. Lawless regularly blogs here and without fail I’m always encouraged and challenged by his words. Leaders often lead in their own power. I’m guilty of this. I wrongly and foolishly think that my competency comes from my aptitude, wisdom and experiences. In so doing, I lead out of my own power, not God’s. The…
God has graced me with some great friends. Many of these friends have been friends longer than 15 years. For someone who’s in their mid 30’s this is significant. I honestly do not know where I would be without the friendships I have in my life and before you go all “the only person you…
John Piper said that, “God made the world to communicate His glory,” but what does this mean? It means to communicate the greatness and beauty of his manifold perfections. He goes on to say, “and he made me to experience his glory, and through this experience to glorify and thank him. I am created to…
John Piper said that, “God made the world to communicate His glory,” but what does this mean? It means to communicate the greatness and beauty of his manifold perfections. He goes on to say, “and he made me to experience his glory, and through this experience to glorify and thank him. I am created to…
David Powlison in Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness, gives the following examples that I found helpful regarding the “good fruit” of wisdom. Keep your mouth shut, when you used to blurt out a reaction. Listen, when you used to be busy crafting a comeback. Speak up courageously, when you used to get intimidated. Embed…
Carson’s statement begs the question, “how do you give a rebuke in loving humility?” David Mathis in his book Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus Through the Spiritual Disciplines gives seven steps we can work towards giving a rebuke that is biblical/Jesus-honoring. Check your own heart first. Seek to sympathize. Pray for restoration. Be quick. In my opinion,…
Theology Along the Way 