Hardened By Sin

The writer of Hebrews warns in Heb 3.13-14, for his readers not to become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. This is such a dangerous trap. I do what I want to, and the more I do it, the less real God becomes. This is something which Dietrich Bonhoeffer saw clearly. He once wrote, "When lust takes control, then God becomes unreal." Just so. Beware, Oh Christ-follower that you do not become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Beware, O my heart, that you do not become hardened by the deceifulness of sin.

God and Mystery

3000 years after Solomon penned Ecclesiastes 11.5, we still have no clue how the spirit gets implanted into a child in the process of pregnancy, just that it does. Men have learned a lot about science and how the world works, and yet we still cannot understand the complete working out of God's plan for man. This is very humbling.

Trusting in "His holy name"

Bible reading highlight is from Ps. 33.21 today. Spurgeon comments: The root of faith in due time bears the flower of rejoicing. Doubts breed sorrow, confidence creates joy.

A Wise Heart

I love the way the ESV translates the last half of Ecc 8.5: The wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. While this is set in the context of interaction with the king, it is applicable to any person at any time. For this reason, we ought to cultivate a wise heart, by fearing the Lord, so that we will know the right thing to do, and the proper time to act. Lord, give me a wise heart!

Inhabiting the Praises of Israel

Reading in Ps 22.3 this morning and the ESV translates the second line as "enthroned upon the praises of Israel." This is not a very exact translation. It is put more literally as "inhabiting the praises of Israel." The point, however, is not changed. God inhabits or is enthroned upon the praises of his people. I like to think of it this way. Since it glorifies God to lift him up as the only infinitely holy and worthy being, in doing so God himself dwells or is enthroned upon those praises. When God's people praise him, God is glorified.

Christ, Our Hope

Reading in 1 Tim 1.1 this morning where Paul simply describes Christ as our hope. On this beautiful Easter morning, just so. Christ is risen! He is our (only) hope. He who knew no sin, became sin on our behalf. I praise God for the hope we find in Christ.

An Anchor in the Storm

Paul tells the Thessalonians in 2 Thess 3.3, that in contrast to wicked and evil men (who are not faithful), God is faithful. This is such a solid anchor of truth for us to lash ourselves to in the inevitable storms of life. God's character is that he is faithful. We can rely upon that. We can believe it. We can count on it.

Jesus Wants the Rose

This is a beautiful illustration from Matt Chandler's life of thinking correctly about the mercy and grace of Christ. Very moving. We need to really live out grace rather than preaching grace, but living law.

The Virtue of Patience

My Bible reading highlight was from 1 Thess 5.14 today. Paul tells the Thessalonians to admonish the idle, help the weak, and encourage the fainthearted. Then he says, be patient with them all. I believe that he says this because he understands men. Few people who have deeply rooted problems change quickly. It takes many starts with a lot of stops on the way; it takes failure; it takes starting over. Thus the virtue of patience. Patience means understanding that people are human and frail.

The Christian's One Calamity

I was reading 1 Thess 4.1 this morning and Chrysostom had a great comment on that verse:

There is only one calamity for a Christian, this being disobedience to God.

Fervent Prayer

Reading in Col 4.12 this morning and I was struck by Epapharas' fervent prayer for the church in Colossae. Paul calls him a "slave of Christ Jesus" and says that he was "agonizing in prayer" for the church. This humbles me because I struggle to "agonize in prayer" for my family, more less anyone else. Thomas Constable, commenting on this passage writes: Epaphras’ fervent agonizing in prayer (cf. Luke 22:44) reflects his understanding that God would provide illumination and continued growth in proportion as people requested these of Him (James 4:2). This is spiritual work that only God can do. Just so. However, if only God can do it, then why am I not praying more fervently for those to whom I minister?