The following quote came from Martyn Lloyd-Jones, on 1 John 4:1. “The position of the Scripture is one that faces two extremes: The Spirit is essential, and experience is vital; however, truth and definition and doctrine and dogma are equally vital and essential. And our whole position is one that proclaims that experience that is…
All posts in Faith
On the worship of God
This quote (formatting mine) was taken from Warren Wiersbe’s book “Real Worship”, and was itself a quote from another author, William Temple. We find it hard to define worship, to understand it. We pigeonhole our worship into 15 to 30 minutes on any given Sunday morning when we actually make time in our busyness to…
Life in Christ
1 John 3:9 – “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.” Martyn Lloyd-Jones has this to say about it in explanation. “If a man does not abide in Christ, he is not a…
What we sing becomes what we believe
“The songs your church sings disciple the congregation. So give them good stuff. Feed them the truth. Teach them hearty doctrine. Remind them of what God has done. Tell them what they have to look forward to. But also give them songs that help them respond. Songs that shape the way they respond so they’re…
Great is Thy Faithfulness
We sang this great hymn to close the service at church yesterday. Every time I sing it I get a catch in my throat as I think of just how true the words are, as I reflect on God’s mercies in my life, which are indeed new every morning, as Jeremiah said in Lamentations 3.…
Confession – it’s good for your soul
I recently picked up (and read) a new book (actually a new reprint of an old one), written by John Stott on the reality of sin and the necessity of confession. “Confess Your Sins: The Way of Reconciliation” was written originally in 1964, and reprinted in 2017. One of the greatest snares to which Christians…
Exhortation to Prayer
By William Cowper What various hindrances we meet, In coming to the mercy-seat! Yet who that knows the worth of prayer, But wishes to be often there? Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw, Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw; Gives exercise to faith and love; Brings every blessing from above. Restraining prayer, we cease to…
On a Christian response
From Paul to Titus (Titus 3:1-2): “To slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness.” From C H Spurgeon to us: Kindness and gentleness are two of the ornaments of our faith. I would that some professed Christians would understand that unholy contentiousness is not after the mind of Christ.…
Take delight in the Lord
While reading this morning from Psalm 37, I came on this note by Charles Spurgeon on verse 4. I think it’s worth sharing. “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” The worldly person says, “I thought religion was all self-denial; I never imagined that in loving God we could…
Words to live by
From this morning’s reading… Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.…