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Nov 2015 30 Nov 30, 2015

Mark 11 and Matthew 21 together tell a rather dramatic, often intense, remarkably tender, and yet in places even violent story about who Jesus is. Continue reading . . . Mark 11 and Matthew 21 together tell a rather dramatic, often intense, remarkably tender, and yet in places even violent story about who Jesus is. I know of no better way of communicating the point of this narrative than by drawing you into it, as if you yourself were alive in the first century, physica...Read More

Nov 2015 27 Nov 27, 2015

I just finished reading an interesting article in today’s edition of USA Today (November 27, 2015). It was titled, “Be thankful for what many don’t have” and was written by Alan Gomez. Continue reading . . . I just finished reading an interesting article in today’s edition of USA Today (November 27, 2015). It was titled, “Be thankful for what many don’t have” and was written by Alan Gomez. Gomez reminds us of the incredib...Read More

Nov 2015 26 Nov 26, 2015

Luke’s account of the crucifixion of Jesus threatens to overwhelm the reader, as the details of his abuse at the hands of his executioners rush upon us like a relentless flood that leaves us helpless and emotionally wrecked (see Luke 23:26-49). Continue reading . . . Luke’s account of the crucifixion of Jesus threatens to overwhelm the reader, as the details of his abuse at the hands of his executioners rush upon us like a relentless flood that leaves us hel...Read More

Nov 2015 25 Nov 25, 2015

The final chapter of Peter’s second epistle has one overriding concern: hope (see 2 Peter 3:1-18). Continue reading . . . The final chapter of Peter’s second epistle has one overriding concern: hope (see 2 Peter 3:1-18). Whatever mockery the world may make of our confidence in the return of Christ, whatever delay we must patiently endure until we see him face to face, it is our rock-solid hope in the coming of Christ that sustains the Christian at all times....Read More

Nov 2015 24 Nov 24, 2015

Although the Book of Acts may now have ended; the kingdom of God has not! How fitting that Paul’s final days of ministry would be filled with proclamations of the “kingdom of God” and “the Lord Jesus Christ” (see Acts 28:17-30). But what did he mean by this? Continue reading . . . Although the Book of Acts may now have ended; the kingdom of God has not! How fitting that Paul’s final days of ministry would be filled with proclamations ...Read More

Nov 2015 23 Nov 23, 2015
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It’s important that I say something about the notion of repentance, and in particular whether it is biblical or even possible to repent for the sins and iniquities of others. Continue reading . . . It’s important that I say something about the notion of repentance, and in particular whether it is biblical or even possible to repent for the sins and iniquities of others. This latter notion has been variously called “representative” repentance or &...Read More

Nov 2015 20 Nov 20, 2015

All too often Christians envision divine healing as neat and tidy and socially sophisticated. They expect it to be much like a visit to the doctor: clean, clinical, and always in conformity with the standard practices of the day. Continue reading . . . All too often Christians envision divine healing as neat and tidy and socially sophisticated. They expect it to be much like a visit to the doctor: clean, clinical, and always in conformity with the standard practices of ...Read More

Nov 2015 19 Nov 19, 2015

All of us have stories of the way our children learned to pray. My daughters struggled to pray for everything at once, so at dinner they would slowly identify each piece of silverware and each item of food, pausing along the way to express their gratitude for them one by one! Continue reading . . . All of us have stories of the way our children learned to pray. My daughters struggled to pray for everything at once, so at dinner they would slowly identify each piece of s...Read More

Nov 2015 18 Nov 18, 2015
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Forgetfulness is the fuel for idolatry. Spiritual amnesia often leads to apostasy. Continue reading . . . “Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the Lord your God has forbidden you” (Deut. 4:23). Forgetfulness is the fuel for idolatry. Spiritual amnesia often leads to apostasy. This is the most important lesson for us in Deuteronomy 4:1-40. God’s concern...Read More

Nov 2015 17 Nov 17, 2015
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Many mistakenly think that if they could only witness a miracle, some sign or wonder, that their faith would forever remain strong and that they would never question God’s goodness or the certainty of his promises. Continue reading . . . Many mistakenly think that if they could only witness a miracle, some sign or wonder, that their faith would forever remain strong and that they would never question God’s goodness or the certainty of his promises. While sig...Read More

Nov 2015 16 Nov 16, 2015

Look with me at Genesis 50:15-21. There is much for us to learn here about the sovereignty of God in our lives. Continue reading . . . Look with me at Genesis 50:15-21. There is much for us to learn here about the sovereignty of God in our lives. When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your fa...Read More

Nov 2015 12 Nov 12, 2015

Most of you are aware that for many years, while he was senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, John Piper would preach a sermon in January on Right to Life Sunday that addressed the epidemic of abortion in our land. Continue reading . . . Most of you are aware that for many years, while he was senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, John Piper would preach a sermon in January on Right to Life Sunday that address...Read More

Nov 2015 11 Nov 11, 2015

It is the singular joy and privilege of every Christian to be able to say, as did the apostle Paul, that Christ “loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). We could explore the depth and intensity of this love in countless ways, but consider what likely was in the heart of our Lord as his sufferings intensified and the cross grew ever closer. Continue reading . . . It is the singular joy and privilege of every Christian to be able to say, as did the apos...Read More

Nov 2015 10 Nov 10, 2015

The truth that God will persevere in the preservation of his people is one of the more comforting and encouraging revelations in Scripture. The ultimate and only reason why you and I will persevere in our faith and not fully and finally fall away into perdition is because God is committed to preserving us in the faith that he requires for salvation. Continue reading . . . The truth that God will persevere in the preservation of his people is one of the more comforting a...Read More

Nov 2015 9 Nov 9, 2015

Although I’ve read Desiring God by John Piper at least half a dozen times, I continue to be strengthened, edified, and encouraged by choice nuggets of truth from its vast treasure trove of biblical insights. Such was the case on October 31, Reformation Day, as I read the daily installment of Solid Joys, quotes taken from many of Piper’s works. Continue reading . . . Although I’ve read Desiring God by John Piper at least half a dozen times, I continue t...Read More

Nov 2015 6 Nov 6, 2015
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This past Saturday, October 31, 2015, marked the 498th anniversary of Martin Luther’s decision to post his 95 Theses on the church door at Wittenberg, Germany. As I’ve thought this week about the significance of the Reformation, and that we are fast approaching the 500th anniversary of that momentous event (1517), I thought it would be helpful to listen to one of evangelicalism’s greatest living theologians on the subject. Here is what J. I. Packer says...Read More

Nov 2015 5 Nov 5, 2015
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It was hard work but an even greater delight to serve as the General Editor for the ESV Men’s Devotional Bible. My responsibility was to read and edit all 365 daily devotionals that are tied to each of the 66 books of the Bible. Here is a list of the men who contributed these studies and the books on which they wrote. Continue reading . . . It was hard work but an even greater delight to serve as the General Editor for the ESV Men’s Devotional Bible. My resp...Read More

Nov 2015 4 Nov 4, 2015

As you probably know by now, Crossway recently released the ESV Men’s Devotional Bible for which I served as the General Editor. In addition to the 365 daily devotions, there are 14 articles devoted to issues especially relevant to men. Here is a list of the topics and the men who wrote the articles. Continue reading . . . As you probably know by now, Crossway recently released the ESV Men’s Devotional Bible for which I served as the General Editor. In addit...Read More

Nov 2015 3 Nov 3, 2015

This is the final article on the secret sin of prejudice and partiality as described by James in James 2:1-7. Here I want to address the five reasons James gives us for fighting this sinful tendency in the human heart. Continue reading . . . This is the final article on the secret sin of prejudice and partiality as described by James in James 2:1-7. Here I want to address the five reasons James gives us for fighting this sinful tendency in the human heart. First, preju...Read More

Nov 2015 2 Nov 2, 2015

We’ve been looking at the scenario described in James 2:1-13 and what I’m calling the secret sin of prejudice and partiality. As we continue it may be helpful to look more closely at how James portrays them. Continue reading . . . We’ve been looking at the scenario described in James 2:1-13 and what I’m calling the secret sin of prejudice and partiality. As we continue it may be helpful to look more closely at how James portrays them. These peop...Read More