So what reason could there be to read the Bible? Well, praise God, there are some very good reasons for reading this long, challenging book. Let me mention just three of them. Read because It Is God’s Word First, we need to understand that the Bible is not irrelevant. In …
Students of theology will find in this list helpful suggestions for where to start in reading works of systematic theology. Though not all these works are of equal value, and not all of them are Reformed in doctrine (though most are), they all are important sources for studying theology, and …
Here are a few guidelines that the Puritans provide us with for using God’s promises in Christ while encountering affliction: 1. Choose some verses that speak of Christ’s assurance of His presence and protection in trials and meditate on them so that you will not be at a loss for …
In life, it’s inevitable that we often compare people, especially during times of selection and voting. We engage in this practice during elections, determining who best suits a particular position in accordance with Scripture. We also do it in the church when we vote for office bearers and as …
The Puritans devoted scores of pages to the benefits, excellence, usefulness, advantages, or improvements of meditation. Here are some of those benefits: Meditation helps us focus on the triune God, to love and to enjoy Him in all His persons (1 John 4:8)—intellectually, spiritually, aesthetically. Meditation helps increase knowledge of …
The Puritans sought to bring every area of life consciously under Christ’s lordship and the direction of God’s Word. They believed that all of life is under God’s fatherly providence and that his infinite goodness is the source of every good thing we enjoy. They also believed that we constantly …
When the Lord saw His disciples rebuke those who were bringing young children to Him, He was “much displeased” and issued a strong double command: “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not” (Mark 10:14). Parents have a duty to bring their children to Christ, and …
Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-13 Before affliction comes it is difficult to get ready for it. After we go through affliction it can be difficult to have it sanctified the way it should be. But it is in the furnace of affliction – in the heartbeat of suffering – that we struggle …
Proverbs 23:22–23 says, “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” Solomon borrows imagery from the marketplace: parents are selling wares to their children. He urges the parents to …
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. — PSALM 46:1 In bible times God commanded that there be cities of refuge. There were six of these cities. A city of refuge was a place of safety where someone could run if they had killed another …
