Lamp & Measure

    And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
(Mark 4:21-25 ESV)

Embrace More Affliction

If we know how to suffer well, and if we feel that "to die is gain" because of Jesus, then we will know how to live well. ...Suffering in the path of Christian obedience, with joy-because the steadfast love of the Lord is better than life (Psalm 63:3)-is the clearest display of the worth of God in our lives. Therefore, faith-filled suffering is essential in this world for the most intense, authentic worship. When we are most satisfied with God in suffering, he will be most glorified in us in worship. Our problem is not styles of music. Our problem is styles of life. When we embrace more affliction for the worth of Christ, there will be more fruit in the worship of Christ.

Piper, John (2008-04-07). The Hidden Smile of God: The Fruit of Affliction in the Lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd (Swans Are Not Silent) . Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition.

Union and Communion part 5 - Effectual Calling

    And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
(Romans 8:30 ESV)

Westminster Larger Catechism #67

Q. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God's almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto) he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit; savingly enlightening their minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills, so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein.

Living With God's Agenda

Jerry Bridges has some insightful thoughts on handling our careers that I have found to be rich, Biblical reminders as I go about my daily duties at work. Allow me to share a few from his book, Trusting God. And if you don't have this book yet, I urge you to pick up a copy. It is incredibly helpful for every Christian, young and old.

Our careers and destinies are in His hands not the hands of bosses, commanding officers, professors, coaches, and all other people who, humanly speaking, are in a position to affect our futures. No one can harm you or jeopardize your future apart from the sovereign will of God. Moreover, God is able to and will grant you favor in the eyes of people who are in a position to do you good. You can entrust your future to God. We should then look to God in prayer in all those situations where some aspect of our futures lies in the hands of another individual.

...Confidence in God's sovereignty in the lives of people should also keep us from becoming resentful and bitter when we are treated unjustly or maliciously by others.

...Now God sometimes allows people to treat us unjustly. Sometimes He even allows their actions to seriously affect our careers or our futures viewed on a human plane. But God never allows people to make decisions about us that undermine His plan for us. God is for us, we are His children, He delights in us (see Zephaniah 3:17). And the Scripture says, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). We can put this down as a bedrock truth: God will never allow any action against you that is not in accord with His will for you. And His will is always directed to our good. Why then do we suffer such disappointment when the hoped for favor that we needed from another person doesn't materialize?

...Why then do we suffer such disappointment when the hoped for favor that we needed from another person doesn't materialize? ...Is it not because it is our plans that have been dashed, or our pride that has been wounded? ...if we want to live less stressful lives, we must learn to live with a single agenda: God's agenda. He pointed out that we tend to live under two agendas, ours and God's, and that the tension between them sets up stress.

Gerald Bridges;Jerry Bridges. Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts (pp. 74-75). Kindle Edition.

Studies in Christology Week 6

We continue to look at the death of Christ this week. It's necessity and benefits to the Elect.

A Few Thoughts on Psalm 73:26

    My flesh and my heart may fail,
        but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
   
(Psalm 73:26 ESV)

Psalm 73:26 is a favorite verse of many including myself. As I often like to explore what the commentators have to say concerning this verse, I thought I would compile and share a few of their thoughts here.

John Calvin

I am rather disposed to think that there is here a contrast between the failing which David felt in himself and the strength with which he was divinely supplied; as if he had said, Separated from God I am nothing, and all that I attempt to do ends in nothing; but when I come to him, I find an abundant supply of strength. ...Accordingly, the reason why God is represented as a portion is, because he alone is abundantly sufficient for us, and because in him the perfection of our happiness consists.

Calvin, John; Beveridge, Henry; Anderson, James; King, John; Bingham, Charles William; Pringle, John; Myers, Thomas; Owen, John; Pringle, William (2011-11-15). Complete Commentaries (With Active Table of Contents) (Kindle Locations 114589-114591). Kindle Edition.

Charles Spurgeon

Verse 26. My flesh and my heart faileth. They had failed him already, and he had almost fallen; they would fail him in the hour of death, and, if he relied upon them, they would fail him at once. But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. His God would not fail him, either as protection or a joy. His heart would be kept up by divine love, and filled eternally with divine glory. After having been driven far out to sea, Asaph casts anchor in the old port. We shall do well to follow his example. There is nothing desirable save God; let us, then, desire only him. All other things must pass away; let our hearts abide in him, who alone abideth for ever.

Spurgeon, Charles H. (2011-04-07). The Treasury of David: Charles Spurgeon Commentary on Psalms (with Active Table of Contents) [Illustrated] (Kindle Locations 37418-37419). Niche Edition. Kindle Edition.

Matthew Henry

Observe here, [1.] Great distress and trouble supposed: My flesh and my heart fail. Note, Others have experienced and we must expect, the failing both of flesh and heart. The body will fail by sickness, age, and death; and that which touches the bone and the flesh touches us in a tender part, that part of ourselves which we have been but too fond of; when the flesh fails the heart is ready to fail too; the conduct, courage, and comfort fail. [2.] Sovereign relief provided in this distress: But God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. Note, Gracious souls, in their greatest distresses, rest upon God as their spiritual strength and their eternal portion. First, "He is the strength of my heart, the rock of my heart, a firm foundation, which will bear my weight and not sink under it. God is the strength of my heart; I have found him so; I do so still, and hope ever to find him so." In the distress supposed, he had put the case of a double failure, both flesh and heart fail; but, in the relief, he fastens on a single support: he leaves out the flesh and the consideration of that, it is enough that God is the strength of his heart.

Henry, Matthew (2010-11-07). Unabridged Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (best navigation) (Kindle Locations 110293-110301). OSNOVA. Kindle Edition.

Why Parables?

    And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that
    “they may indeed see but not perceive,
        and may indeed hear but not understand,
    lest they should turn and be forgiven.”
(Mark 4:10-12 ESV)

Union and Communion part 4

Today we look at faith in part 4 of our series, Union and Communion.

Financial Seminar at Redeemer Church (PCA)

Redeemer Church will be hosting a 13 week course using Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University curriculum. The classes will begin in February and take place on Saturday evenings. Learn more about FPU at their website and feel free to email or call us with any questions or to sign up for these incredible classes. Click here to read more about this great opportunity. Child care will be provided.

Studies in Christology Week 5

The Sower Mark 4:1-20

    Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
    And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that
    “they may indeed see but not perceive,
        and may indeed hear but not understand,
    lest they should turn and be forgiven.”
    And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”
   
(Mark 4:1-20 ESV)

Our response should be to

1. Hear the Word

2. Receive the Word

3. Bring forth the fruit of the Word

Studies in Christology Week 4

Trueman on Historical Methodolgy

Thanks to our friends at Reformed Forum.

Scottish Castles

Not sure if the music or photos are better...

Financial Seminar at Redeemer Church (PCA)

The deacons of Redeemer Church (PCA), Hudson, Ohio plan to host a 13 week course using Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University curriculum. The classes will begin in February and take place on Saturday evenings. Check out this video on FPU. More information is coming on how to sign up for these life changing classes. Stay tuned.

Our God is a Speaking God

Trueman on the importance of words...

The Lord's Family - Mark 3:31-35

    And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
   
(Mark 3:31-35 ESV)

More on Introverts

Do you believe any of the following statements?

1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
2 – Introverts are shy.
3 – Introverts are rude.
4 – Introverts don’t like people.
5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
7 – Introverts are weird.
8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.      

None of these are true. 

Being a world famous introvert myself, I found the above list of introvert myths from Carl Kingdom quite helpful. Read the whole article and remember that all the introverts in your life are just like you - only different.

9 Minutes of...

These guys are great...

Union and Communion Part 3 Repentance

    Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” But Peter began and explained it to them in order: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?” When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
   
(Acts 11:1-18 ESV)

Christology Week 3

We study Christ's humiliation this week with a special look at the kenosis issue of Philippians 2:7.

To Start the Year...

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 24-25

 
Heavenly Father, O that we may live the bulk of the next twelve months believing this little benediction from Jude. While many spend great energy “claiming” more blessings from you, may this be a year in which we simply come alive to the multiplied blessings you’ve already lavished upon us in the gospel. Already you have rescued us from the dominion of darkness and have placed us in the kingdom of your beloved Son, Jesus (Col. 1:13). Already you have blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3).

Already we are completely loved by you because of Jesus’ completed work on our behalf. As the year progresses, open the eyes of our hearts to see all these glorious riches more clearly and enjoy them more fully (Eph. 1:18-19).

All year long you’ll prove your covenant and capacity to keep us from falling. Though we may falter in the journey, the grasp of your grace is steady and secure. When we waver in our adoration of you, you will remain constant in your affection for us. When we are faithless and disobedient, you will remain committed and fully engaged with us. Even when you must discipline us this year, it will be in love, never in disgust or regret that you have adopted us (Heb. 12:7-12). We praise you for being the perfect Father to your daughters and sons.

All year long you’ll be at work preparing us for the day when we come into your glorious presence. We’re confident and grateful as we face that day, because you have promised to complete the good work of the gospel you’ve begun in us (Phil. 1:6). Indeed, Father, if this should be the year in which you call me “home,” herein lays my humble confidence: I will stand before you without fault because you’ve placed me in the faultless Righteous One, Jesus.

Our hope is built on nothing less, nothing more, and nothing other than Jesus’ blood and his righteousness. Jesus is the only reason we can be sure we’ll stand before you with great joy. But you won’t just give us joy in that day; you give us joy in this day as well, for your joy is our strength (Neh. 8:10). Because of your great delight in us, we find great delight in you. Because you rejoice over us with singing, we will sing the new song of the gospel forever (Zeph. 3:14-17). What a gospel by which to live this year… what confidence and hope, joy and peace you have given us in Jesus!

Gracious Father, you are the only God, the only Savior—to you “be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!” (Jude 25). So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ merciful and matchless. - Scotty Smith

Scotty Smith blogs at the Gospel Coalition website here.

Christology Week 2

This week we delve into the Covenants of Redemption and Grace...

Thomas Manton on Psalm 119:32

    I will run in the way of your commandments
        when you enlarge my heart!
(Psalm 119:32 ESV)

The general enlargement is at regeneration or conversion to God. When we are freed from the bonds of natural slavery, and the curse of the law, and the power of sin, to serve God cheerfully, then is our heart said to be enlarged. This is spoken of in scripture: John viii. 36, If the son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.' There are two things notable in that scripture--that this is freedom indeed, and that we have it by the Son. That this the truest liberty, then are we free indeed.

   1. You may look upon this enlargement as the effect of wisdom and knowledge; and so Solomon is said to have a large heart: 1 Kings iv. 29, And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart even as the sand that is on the sea shore.'

   2. You may look upon it as the effect of faith, which wideneth the capacities of our souls, and doth cause us more to open towards God, that we may take in his grace; it doth enlarge our desires and expectations: Ps. lxxxi. 10, Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.'

   3. We may look upon it as an effect of comfort and joy, through the assurance of God's love; for that enlargeth the heart, but sorrow straitens it, and puts it in bonds.

   4. We may look upon it as a fruit of love. For thus the apostle doth express his love to the Corinthians, 2 Cor. vi. 11, O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.'

Manton, Thomas (2011-11-08). The ULTIMATE Collected Works of 19 Books (With Active Table of Contents) (Kindle Locations 69991-69993). Kindle Edition.

 

Ryle on Mark 3:31-35

    And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
   
(Mark 3:31-35 ESV)

J.C. Ryle comments on this portion of Scripture,

            It is interesting to mark the quiet, firm perseverance of our Lord, in the face of all discouragements. None of these things moved Him. The slanderous suggestions of enemies, and the well-meant remonstrances of ignorant friends, were alike powerless to turn Him from His course. He had set His face as a flint towards the cross and the crown. He knew the work He had come into the world to do. He had a baptism to be baptized, and was straitened until it was accomplished. (Luke 12:50.)             

J.C. Ryle

           So let it be with all true servants of Christ. Let nothing turn them for a moment out of the narrow way, or make them stop and look back. Let them not heed the ill-natured remarks of enemies. Let them not give way to the wellintentioned but mistaken entreaties of unconverted relations and friends. Let them reply in the words of Nehemiah, "I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down." (Neh. 6:3.) Let them say, "I have taken up the cross, and I will not cast it away."
            Let all true Christians drink comfort out of these words. Let them know that there is One at least, who knows them, loves them, cares for them, and reckons them as His own family. What though they be poor in this world?

Ryle, J.C. (2011-07-12). Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: The Four Volume Set [Fully Linked and Optimized] (Kindle Locations 6288-6290). Primediaelaunch eLaunch. Kindle Edition.

Struggling at Work?

    Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
(Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)

If you are like many of us who are struggling at work because it is boring, not suited to our talents or interests, it's repetitive nature or for numerous other reasons, I encourage you watch this brief video and take heart.


Morning Morning Motivation from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.


Matt Perman blogs here.

Enlarge My Heart - New Year's Day Sermon

Thinking about a New Year's resolution? Think on this...

    I will run in the way of your commandments
        when you enlarge my heart!
(Psalm 119:32 ESV)