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Ebola, ISIS, gay marriage, war in the Middle East, War in Eastern Europe, cultural decay, economic troubles and government mismanagement at home. It seems like everything is falling apart. The headlines can be very scary. In addition to the things we see in the news, we all have our own personal problems- financial problems, conflict in our families, health struggles, career challenges. With all these disturbing and frightening problems being shoved in our face every day, it’s easy to lose sight of God’s promises, to become agitated and anxious in our hearts and minds. It is very valuable to be reminded each week that GodRead More →

The continuing reality of sin in the believer’s life is a difficult part of our present existence. As believers, we have acknowledged the abhorrence of sin, realized its terrible consequences and affirmed that it deserves death. All of the comfortable illusions that the unbeliever can enjoy about not being as bad as the other guy have been stripped away; yet our sin remains, and the awareness of it is painful. Some Christians will act as if a certain amount of moral improvement is required of them or else their justification will be revoked; others have difficulty every really believing they are truly forgiven. Others willRead More →

9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! (Psa 119:9-11 NKJ) 21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (Jam 1:21-22 NKJ) The Word of God is the bedrock of the Christian life. Everything mustRead More →

1 Let thy blood in mercy poured, Let thy gracious body broken, Be to me, O gracious Lord, Of thy boundless love the token: Refrain: Thou didst give thyself for me, Now I give myself to thee. 2 Thou didst die that I might live; Blessed Lord, thou cam’st to save me; All that love of God could give Jesus by his sorrows gave me: (Refrain) 3 By the thorns that crowned thy brow, By the spear wound and the nailing, By the pain and death, I now Claim, O Christ, thy love unfailing: (Refrain) 4 Wilt thou own the gift I bring? All myRead More →

“Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.” (Psa 33:3 KJV) A big part of being creatures made in the image of God is that we are called to be in dominion- dominion over the creation, our bodies, our minds. Being in dominion means understanding what is put under our stewardship and using it according to its nature, as effectively as we can, to God’s glory. The Scriptures call us to do with our might whatever is given to us to do- that is, with effort, to do a good job. We should not be content with mediocrity in our lives.Read More →

Psalm 73:17- “Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.” I have a photo that I took of Devils’ Tower that I particularly like. It is difficult to get a feel for just how huge the Tower is from photos, but this one is of three climbers ascending the side of the formation. When you tell people there are climbers in the picture, they have to look hard and long before they find them, perched on a ledge a little over halfway up. They are just tiny, just little specks, and seeing how small they are gives one a feelingRead More →

…but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1Co 1:23-24 NKJ) 83. What is the Office of the Keys? The preaching of the Holy Gospel and Christian discipline; by these two the kingdom of heaven is opened to believers and shut against unbelievers. Heidelberg Catechism question 83-84 shows us how it is that the right preaching of the Word (along with Christian discipline) makes clear the way into the kingdom of heaven. When it says that theRead More →

1 Father, I know that all my life Is portioned out for me; The changes that are sure to come, I do not fear to see: I ask thee for a present mind, Intent on pleasing thee. 2 I would not have the restless will That hurries to and fro, Seeking for some great thing to do, Or secret thing to know; I would be treated as a child, And guided where I go. 3 I ask thee for the daily strength, To none that ask denied, A mind to blend with outward life, While keeping at thy side, Content to fill a little space,Read More →

20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (Rev 3:20 NKJ)” This statement was made to the Laodicean church, which had grown very complacent and prideful. It is an invitation to them, an offer of a wonderful privilege. Consider if you were a small-ranking employee at a large company, and one day the CEO sent you an email asking you to join him for lunch next Tuesday. Or if you received a phone call from the chief of staff of theRead More →