Getting The Gospel Right – RC Sproul “To answer the question “What is the gospel?” is rather simple. The gospel is Jesus, the person and work of Christ—who Jesus is and what He did. The gospel also describes how the benefits of His ministry are subjectively appropriated. That’s why the doctrine of justification by faith alone was so pivotal at the time of the Reformation, because it wasn’t a secondary matter but rather had to do with the gospel. Essentially, the pressing question that the gospel answers is, “How can an unjust person become just in the sight of God?””
Marriage as a Picture of The Gospel – Hershael W York “If marriage is a picture of Christ and his love for his church, then much more is at stake than my happiness.”
23 Thing That Love Is – Paul Tripp
An Extra-ordinary Skill For Ordinary Christians – Tim Challis “ John Stott says it so well as he comments on Galatians 6:2: “To love one another as Christ loved us may lead us not to some heroic, spectacular deed of self-sacrifice, but to the much more mundane and unspectacular ministry of burden-bearing.””
Are You Too Sensitive? – Elisha Galotti “There really is a choice when we are hurt or offended. And there is such power and freedom in absorbing the offense and making the choice to pursue love instead of sinking into sadness or bitterness.”
To Speak Words That Bring Life – Tim Challis “Simple words, but well-timed words. Simple words, but words that carried divine power and authority. I took her words not as advice from a friend, but as instruction and assurance from God. They are, after all, a direct quote from Galatians 6. To me they said, “Yes, it has been a long and trying day. But don’t stop now, because there is still good to be done. You can do it.” Just like that, the words gave me a second wind.”
Women Stop Submitting To Men – Russell Moore “Indeed, a primary problem in our culture and in our churches isn’t that women aren’t submissive enough to men, but instead that they are far too submissive.”
3 Terrible Ways To Measure Your Ministry – Erin Davis “I've learned the hard way that when it comes to ministry, too often we use the wrong ruler to gauge our success.”
The Subtlety of Self-Justification - Leslie Ludy “When you hear a message of that brings conviction to your soul—even if it stings a bit—don't immediately try to justify yourself or start criticizing the person who is speaking truth into your life. Rather, come before God with a humble spirit, and ask Him to gently refine you, correct you, and make you more like Him.”
A Plea For Gospel Sanity in Missions - Aubrey Sequeira “In this first post, I will discuss one of the primary problems in missions in India—the Western drive for numerical efficiency. That is, the idea that large numbers are a validation of God’s blessing and ministry success. “
Are You Fighting The Sin of Comparison - Courtney Reissig “ There is much to celebrate regarding the gifts of the women around us. As Christian women who long to see God glorified in our lives, let us take the words of our Christ to heart when we feel the sting of jealousy rise up in our hearts over the giftings of another: "What is that to you [sister]? You follow me."”
When Glory in my Shame – Tim Challis “The thing that validates me is the thing I worship, the thing that momentarily takes the place of God in my life.”
Facebook Obsession And the Anguish of Boredom - Tony Reinke “For creatures like us, created to adore glory, we must find an object worthy of our worship. The cure for boredom is not diversion or distraction, but substantive enthrallment, says John Piper. We must encounter God, “to be intellectually and emotionally staggered by the infinite, everlasting, unchanging supremacy of Christ in all things.”” (this is an excellent article on boredom, not only as to where FB fits into that)
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Padkos–January 2015
God Is at Work in Your Unremarkable Days “Let the unremarkable years of Genesis speak to you. A few days of your life are remarkable, containing events and experiences where you see God’s providence with startling clarity and when your faith and life course are indelibly and memorably shaped. But the vast majority of your days — likely a day like today — will pass into obscurity unrecorded and irretrievable to your memory. But though today may be unremarkable, it is not unimportant. It is unique, priceless, and irreplaceable.”
Don’t Worry, Be Joyful – RC Sproul, Joy is not a choice, but a command. A fruit of the Spirit in our lives and directly linked to our maturity in Christ!
Count It All Joy – RC Sproul, continuing along the theme of ‘joy’ No matter what, my trust must be in the Lord.
How Do You Spell ‘JOY’ ? – RC Sproul - Jesus Others Yourself
The Greatest Joy – RC Sproul – The joy of our salvation.
The Source of Joy – RC Sproul John 15, ‘I am the Vine, abide in Me that your joy may be full’.
How Involved is God in the Details of Your Life? Jon Bloom -“ The detailed narrative of Joseph’s life, among many other things, is a loving letter from your Good Shepherd (John 10:11) — the same Good Shepherd who guided Joseph through green pastures and the valley of the shadow of death, pursuing him with good all the days of his life (Psalm 23) — to remind you that no matter what you are experiencing, sweet or bitter, good or evil, no matter how long it’s lasting, he has not left you alone (John 14:18). He is with you (Psalm 23:4), he is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28), and he will be with you to the end (Matthew 28:20).”
20 Things I Want My Daughter to Understand About Being a Woman – Melissa Edgington “ Everyone you know is working hard and doing things that they don’t want to do on a regular basis. It’s part of being a grown up human.”
When Another’s Words Sting – Paula Hendricks. Quoting from Nance Leigh Demoss “ Rather, the Psalmist asked God to post a sentinel at his own mouth knowing that the greatest danger he faced was not what others might do to him, but rather, what he might say that would harm others.”
The Power of Cause and Effect – Mary Kassain speaking on the ‘Revive Our Hearts’ blog
Only Two Religions – Interview with Peter Jones Ligonier .org
Explaining Modern Culture – Peter Jones
Thinking With a Discerning Mind – Peter Jones
Righteousness Revealed – RC Sproul. Audio
The Eighth Decade of Life and the Ultimate Purpose of God – John Piper
How to Combat the Demonic – JD Greear “Is Satan filling your mind with discouraging thoughts? “You’re a failure; you’ll never be used by God." "You think with your past God still cares about you?” Don't listen. Instead, hear the gospel that says, “I have ransomed you, I have made you my own, I have given you a future and a hope.””
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
December Padkos
Bible Reading Plans For 2015 – this list is from the Ligonier site. I like the look of the in depth one on Matthew. But they are all going to be good!
10 Questions to ask at New Year/Your Birthday – I like the idea of looking back…and then looking forward. “So let’s evaluate our lives, make plans and goals, and live this new year with biblical diligence, remembering that, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage” (Proverbs 21:5). But in all things let’s also remember our dependence on our King who said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).”
10 Reasons For Writing Letters Oh yes yes and YES!
God’s ‘Small Still Voice’ Great article with significant insight.
Distractions Impairing Spiritual Growth
“There are plenty of things we can worry about or lust after today, aren't there? To fight this battle, I must constantly remind myself that this world is not my home. But I must also be faithful to pray for those who are so distracted by the world that they have missed the only One who will truly satisfy the longings of their hearts.”
“…dealing decisively with anything that pulls us away from what's supremely important—knowing Christ. I find the battle is ongoing as I strive to keep good things in their proper place, such as smart phones, Internet, entertainment, Facebook, Twitter, exercise, work, children and grandchildren, home repairs, meal preparation, laundry, being occupied with worldly affairs, and so on. Even things that are very good must not keep us from what is best for our souls.”
“We can be distracted by things we're sincerely doing to please Jesus. Good things.But Jesus doesn't want us to be doing for Him at the expense of being with Him.”
“Finally, God wants to teach us how to be at rest in the midst of the chaos and confusion of this world. That's what God is drilling down more deeply in me these days. Regardless of what distractions, pressures, trials, or sufferings are coming at me at any given moment, my heart will only be truly at rest when it's fixed on Christ. The more I put my trust in God's goodness and sovereign control over every circumstance of my life, the less unexpected or hard things can steal the peace or joy I have been given in Christ.”
Evil Spirits and Electricity Problems – Africa, what is the ‘real’ problem?
How Salvation Brings Freedom – Jen Wilkin. “Salvation from sin can be broken down into three categories: justification, sanctification and glorification. For the believer, our justification was, our sanctification is, and our glorification is to come. We were saved, we are being saved, we will be saved.”
Which Promises Are For Me? – Jen Wilkin. Good one! “Not many things are more comforting than a promise made and kept. And not many things are more hurtful than a promise broken. Knowing we worship a God who keeps his promises is a source of deep joy. But misapplied, this knowledge can also lead us to treasure-hunt Scripture for promises in problematic ways. How can we know which promises are for us? How can we lay claim to the promises of the Bible without overstepping their application?”
4 Seasons When You Will Face Temptation John Owens/Tim Challis
A Dangerous Passion For Growth
How to Change Your Mind A different Bible ‘Reading Plan’
“This doesn’t mean we can never cultivate the unique talents and personalities that He has given us. It is certainly possible to use our gifts to glorify God (in fact, that is why He gave them to us in the first place!). But first, we must ask some critical questions: Am I doing this for His glory or for my own applause? When people see this part of my life, are they drawn closer to Jesus, or are they merely impressed with me?
If we are more concerned with what others think of us than what they think of Jesus, then we have not learned how to be a faithful “friend of the Bridegroom,” as John the Baptist was. If we are pursuing our dreams in order to get what we want out of life rather than to lead others to the Source of true life, we are missing a crucial part of Christianity.”
When Risking it All for God Means Staying Where You Are
Well written and to the point. “As I’m reading Scripture, I see countless stories of men and women whose biggest challenge is not stepping out to go and follow God but continuing to follow Him.”
Monday, December 1, 2014
November Padkos
Stop Preaching to Yourself, Do Something
“Preaching the Gospel to ourselves is something of a novelty. Perhaps the traditional notion would be remembering the Gospel, reminding ourselves of its truths.Either way, it is a good exercise. It is a necessary effort. But it is not and end in itself.Reminding ourselves of the greatness of Christ and his salvation is faith-building. But it is not enough.The Gospel leads us to love God and love our neighbour, to keep the ten commandments. That is the point of James.”
We Are Not Our Own – Piper talks beautifully of life and death. “What matters is that we have been bought with a price. We are not our own. We live and we die and we suffer for the glory of Christ, our Lord. And we never forget the truth that makes everything worth it: “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).”
How Not to Use Greek in Bible Study
10 Questions on Prayer –with Timothy Keller and 20 Quotes from Tim’s book
The Wrath of God – 5 Truths
When was the last time you enjoyed your money? – Tim Challis. Especially this line : “When all you want to do with your money is seek indulgence, it will deliver ever-diminishing pleasures”
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Rules For Self Discovery
1. What we want most;
2. What we think about most;
3. How we use our money;
4. What we do with our leisure time;
5. The company we enjoy;
6. Who and what we admire;
7. What we laugh at.
A.W. Tozer
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Prayer
Grant us purity of heart
and strength of purpose,
that no selfish passion
may hinder us from knowing Your will,
and no weakness
hinder us from doing it;
but that in Your light
we may see light,
and in Your service
find our perfect freedom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Augustine, Bishop of Hippo (354-430)
Saturday, November 1, 2014
October Padkos
Children in Worship Services – difficult one to get right. I like what I read here.
A series by Tim Challis :
How To Get Things Done
How To Get Things Done: Define Your Areas of Responsibility
How To Get Things Done – Time, Energy and Mission
4 Things That Happen When You Study Leviticus For 10 Years
6 Great Reasons To Study Doctrine – Tim Challis
What is Discernment? (Sinclair Ferguson)
The Authority, Sufficiency, Finality of Scripture (Sinclair Ferguson)
GK Chesterton and his ‘What I found in My Pocket’
Cheerful Confidence After Christendom
When Our Theology Stifles Our Compassion
Video – John Piper, Romans 8- When God Himself Speaks to You
Pure and Simple Devotion – Ben Stuart
Timothy Keller – Prayer & Quiet Times
The Secret of Aslan – I remember well my first voyage into Narnia…
2013 CS Lewis Conference (video)
A Professor of New Technology bans technology use in class. – very interesting. I’m always interested to see what influences us and how.
100 Best Christian Books - some surprising titles there. I’m putting this here for easy reference as I read through their reasons for including the titles they did.
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