"Watch your life and doctrine closely"
As we pulled into the parking lot, I saw a little blonde dash across the playground like a gazelle. I couldn’t believe how big she had gotten in such a short time. In the backseat of the van my daughter squealed with excitement. We hadn’t seen our former foster daughter in over a year but…
Regeneration is God implanting a new life, a new disposition within us. In that moment, we go from our natural mindset that opposes God to a new spiritual mindset that knows and loves God. Such a change is so drastic, Jesus said it’s like being born again (John 3). A newborn shows signs of life…
Healthy competition can lead us to work harder and achieve more than we ever thought possible. However, competition’s ugly cousin, comparison, promises to help us achieve more but often leaves us in despair. It debilitates and discourages, leaving us feeling insignificant and purposeless. It reminds us there is always someone else who is more successful,…
A collection of links from around the web to encourage your growth in grace! The Gold Mine in the Local Church “God has uniquely gifted the local church to help the people of God reach the nations for God. Though you can mine the depths of the minds of great authors in their books, your…
Before beginning his ministry, many viewed Martyn Lloyd-Jones as the next “up and coming” doctor. He received the best medical training and others noticed his abundant abilities, including his instructors. Dr. Lloyd-Jones was no stranger to science and saw much value in it. However, he also saw its limitations. For example, Lloyd-Jones warned that many…
A collection of links to encourage your growth in grace! Why the Ordinary Means of Grace Must Be Central in Our Gatherings “It remains, however, a perennially pressing question as to what role these elements ought to play in any given Sunday service. Certainly, they ought to feature regularly in the life of the church….
Our greatest desire guides every decision we make. When faced with options, we will choose what we want and what we perceive to provide the greatest benefit. Oftentimes, we have competing desires and we’ll make our choice based on the greatest desire in that moment. For example, I might have a desire to lose fifteen…
There are certain prayers in Scripture that so perfectly capture the cry of one’s heart that they are worth repeating. I often pray “I believe, help my unbelief” because it perfectly communicates both my faith and lack thereof. One such prayer that has been on repeat for me since I read it as a high…
Check out this collection of links to encourage your growth in grace! The Fruit of Confessing Sin “Confessing in this way purifies our hearts, deepens our humility, maintains our fellowship, and enables us to see the glory of Jesus all the more clearly. Repentance does not just give us a clear conscience before God; it…
Scripture provides vivid warnings of judgment and eternal hell for those who don’t repent and believe in Christ. Such warnings occur throughout the Bible and in Jesus’ earthly teaching. In Revelation 14, those who reject Christ and instead worship the beast “will be tormented with fire and sulfur…and the smoke of their torment goes up…