My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline, nor be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV God loves us so much that He disciplines us. That is not a fun statement. It is, however, no accident that discipline and …
Although I once gave little thought to church attendance, I now lean toward viewing serial church skipping as a sin against the congregation. If that sounds a little harsh, here are my reasons why. Consider for a moment secular organizations. No one is ever considered a part of a basketball team without having to commit …
Reading, like exercise, is something that many people do sporadically, a small population is obsessed with doing it, and almost everyone grudgingly admits to needing to do more often. With search engines, online encyclopedias, and every kind of website imaginable, information is constantly at our fingertips. But with all of these tools, I still believe …
With all prayer and supplication. Ephesians 6:18 ESV Paul’s next ALL statement is that we should pray with all prayer and supplication. Since supplication is a particular type of prayer, I believe that Paul means to use various kinds of prayer whenever we pray, with a special focus on supplication. Fortunately, throughout the Scripture, the …
Praying at all times in the Spirit… Ephesians 6:18 ESV Paul begins his discussion on prayer in verse 18, and within this verse, we find four all statements made about prayer. So we will divide our study and view prayer through the lens of these four declarations on prayer. The apostle first tells us to …
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 ESV In his book, Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper dedicates the second chapter to discussing the role …
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:39-40 ESV It is safe to assume that few people have much experience in reading ancient documents like the Bible; …
I was quite a metalhead in highschool. I never dressed the part (just jeans, sneakers, and tshirts for me, thanks), but as far as I was concerned, clean vocals (aka singing) were only reserved for wimps or strategically emotional bridges. Yes, I was, indeed, hardcore. Really what drew me most to the screamo/hardcore scene were the …
My first child is yet to be born, and I'm already dreading THE talk. Which is why my wife and I have decided not to have the sex talk with our children; instead, we want to have many talks with our kids, often including sex in the discussion. Easier said than done!, you might say. I know …
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people …
B. C. Newton 