“Don’t question in the dark what God showed you in the light.”  (V. Raymond Edman) As we approach the end of 2012 and enter 2013 in just hours, I thought I would share a few brief year-end thoughts and quotes. For those of you looking for a good plan to read through the Bible in 2013, Justin…

“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for…

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 NASB) When Christians have different opinions over various issues of doctrine or convictions, humility and civility, as well as grace and kindness, should always…

“Paul, a bond-servant (lit. “slave” – Greek word is doulos) of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.” (Romans 1:1 NASB)  Several times a week I visit the Gospel Coalition website because of the excellent resources I find there. Recently Ray Ortlund posted this article on his blog (highlights and emphasis are mine)… Bill and Vonette Bright, who went on…

The longer I walk with God the more I realize how much I still have to learn. The longer I study the Scriptures, the more I realize how much of God I still don’t understand. Why should that surprise us? In Romans 11, the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Spirit, wrote… “Oh, the depth of the riches…

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” (Psalm 100:4 ESV) “Our culture is riddled with a poisonous spirit of entitlement. We always think we deserve more. We’re disappointed with our family, neighbors, church, the waitress, the sales clerk, and the department of motor vehicles. Ultimately we’re disappointed with God.…

Today, as Lisa and I celebrate 32 years of marriage, I thought I would share with you THREE truths (from an article by Pastor Justin Buzzard) that have formed the bedrock of our personal lives, our ministries and our marriage. I hope you are deeply encouraged and ministered to by these brief thoughts. #1. God is Sovereign God…

“…and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12 ESV) “Refusing to forgive someone is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” One of my favorite blogs is by Ray Ortlund (of The Gospel Coalition). Here is a recent post of his on “renouncing violence.” “Without entrusting oneself…

“He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53:3a NASB) Several years ago, I read Michael Card’s excellent book, A Sacred Sorrow: Reaching Out to God in the Lost Language of Lament. It ministered to me deeply then, and continues on to this day. Here is a brief description…

My question for you today is simply this: Do you really (really?) believe that Jesus “paid it all”…and that you now (as a believer in Jesus Christ) stand before Him totally and completely forgiven and clothed in the perfect righteousness of Christ? Here’s an excellent post I came across from Pastor Justin Buzzard on the “gospel…