"Watch your life and doctrine closely"
‘Tis the season for “best of the year” lists! So, without further ado, here are a few of my favorite reads for 2021 in no particular order: Deep Discipleship by J.T English How can churches develop deep disciples in a time when so many are highly influenced by social media, the news, etc? English precisely…
Last week I preached the funeral of a dear friend and sister in Christ. The Lord used her as a constant reminder of his amazing grace to me and so many others. I knew her as Mrs. Jo, and she passed away at the age of ninety-eight. Every Thursday she came to Bible study eager…
We absolutely hate it. It’s vile and wretched and rarely the answer we want to hear. Yet, unfortunately, we often find it a regular part of life. What is this four-letter response that leads us to wince when we hear it? Wait. None of us like to wait. Whether it’s the DMV or the line…
One of the great encouragements of Scripture is that believers are said to be “in Christ.” Not only have we been forgiven and redeemed, we have been united with Christ. While this is great news, this doctrine can often be mysterious. The better we understand this great truth the more we’ll be encouraged in our…
As we pulled into the parking lot, I saw a little blonde dash across the playground like a gazelle. I couldn’t believe how big she had gotten in such a short time. In the backseat of the van my daughter squealed with excitement. We hadn’t seen our former foster daughter in over a year but…
Regeneration is God implanting a new life, a new disposition within us. In that moment, we go from our natural mindset that opposes God to a new spiritual mindset that knows and loves God. Such a change is so drastic, Jesus said it’s like being born again (John 3). A newborn shows signs of life…
Healthy competition can lead us to work harder and achieve more than we ever thought possible. However, competition’s ugly cousin, comparison, promises to help us achieve more but often leaves us in despair. It debilitates and discourages, leaving us feeling insignificant and purposeless. It reminds us there is always someone else who is more successful,…
A collection of links from around the web to encourage your growth in grace! The Gold Mine in the Local Church “God has uniquely gifted the local church to help the people of God reach the nations for God. Though you can mine the depths of the minds of great authors in their books, your…
Before beginning his ministry, many viewed Martyn Lloyd-Jones as the next “up and coming” doctor. He received the best medical training and others noticed his abundant abilities, including his instructors. Dr. Lloyd-Jones was no stranger to science and saw much value in it. However, he also saw its limitations. For example, Lloyd-Jones warned that many…
A collection of links to encourage your growth in grace! Why the Ordinary Means of Grace Must Be Central in Our Gatherings “It remains, however, a perennially pressing question as to what role these elements ought to play in any given Sunday service. Certainly, they ought to feature regularly in the life of the church….