Month: November 2012

A Matter of Death and Life

(c) Dr R.C. Sproul, Jr We live in strange times. It used to be said that the only two things we could be certain of were death and taxes. You still can be pretty sure of taxes, but death recently has become rather more cloudy. With the advent of assorted technological wonders in the field…… Continue reading A Matter of Death and Life

John Piper – Chief of Sinners: 1 Timothy 1:16 and Galatians 1:15

I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. . . . He set me apart before I was born, and called me by his grace. You were aflame, a Pharisee.…… Continue reading John Piper – Chief of Sinners: 1 Timothy 1:16 and Galatians 1:15

Living by faith (10)

Discipline: training in faith Scripture Readings Psalm 94:12-19 Hebrews 12:1-13 Introduction There is no doubt about it: because discipline in the house has gone out the backdoor, our society now stands on loose legs.  Those involved in law enforcement will tell you that their workload would probably cut in half (or even more) if discipline…… Continue reading Living by faith (10)

Endure to be Offered

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (Hebrews 12:7, ESV) The readers of Hebrews understood the word endure. For them is meant a hard struggle with sufferings, they were publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and…… Continue reading Endure to be Offered

Honesty, for the sake of the body

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” (Ephesians 4:25, NIV) Not like a an allergy, which basically “lies” to the body about potential harm and then causes it to be sick. Is there perhaps something wrong with the modern-day church’s…… Continue reading Honesty, for the sake of the body

Living by faith (9)

Run the race with endurance Scripture Readings 2 Chronicles 20:1-12 Hebrews 12:1-12 Introduction Dear friend in the Lord, The Bible teaches us about the reality of the demon possession. I believe it is a state of the soul which we will see increasing as our society become less Christian and more anti-Christian.  Demon possessed people…… Continue reading Living by faith (9)

Living by Faith (8)

Faith: victorious, embattled and seemingly defeated Scripture Readings: 1 Kings 18:30-46 Hebrews 11:32-12:3 Introduction My dear brother and sister in the Lord, Faith is to be sure of what we hope for and to be certain of what we do not see.  But, this faith is not something mystical, a feeling, a sort of thrill…… Continue reading Living by Faith (8)

Faith “out there”: yearning for the perfect

The writer of Hebrews, in chapter 11:32-40, becomes more general – he does not mention specific names or specific occasions. Yet, faith that springs from God, is at work in history, sometimes more fruitful than other times. Faith sometimes conquers: it overthrows kingdoms, saw justice done, shuts the mouth of lions, escapes flames and sword,…… Continue reading Faith “out there”: yearning for the perfect