Jesus knows your sins, your errors, your follies, and still He loves you tenderly. Your weakness does not repel Him; it gives Him occasion to show mercy. There are heights and depths, lengths and breadths of grace in Christ that far exceed all our sin and misery. He has brought countless souls to glory who … Continue reading Our Weakness, Christ’s Mercy
“Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” — Matthew 12:34 If we would speak Christlike words, we must first have a right heart. A bitter heart cannot produce sweet speech, and an impure heart cannot give rise to pure and wholesome words. Too many people talk far too much—words flow endlessly, yet … Continue reading You Can’t “Speak Life” with a Dead Heart
“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” — Malachi 3:3 This is one of the essential works of Christ in His saving mission—the Refiner and Purifier of His people. Redemption is more than deliverance from the guilt of sin; it also frees us from its power. It is not only our salvation, … Continue reading Why God Puts You in the Fire
The following is a guest post by Rob Golding, Pastor of First Artesia CRC. Evil is mysterious. Since the Edenic world was perfect, as an out-flowing impulse of the perfect Creator, whence evil? Satan is not the answer. If that answer is given, the next question refutes it—whence Satan? The most ingenious answer to the … Continue reading On the Metaphysics of Hell: How Can Evil Exist and What is Hell?
1. God allows His children to be tempted, to test their love. Our love to God is seen, when we can look a temptation in the face, and turn our back upon it. Though the devil comes as a subtle serpent, and offers a golden apple, yet the one who loves God will not touch … Continue reading 5 Reasons God Allows His Children to be Tempted
By Mark Eaton Down at 388 East Marigold StreetWhere grief of earthly loves shall meetWhere tears in somber eyes repleteOf charry, wounded, wandering feet Down at 388 East Marigold StreetWhere monolithic chimneys featTo stand amid berating heatDisposed to rise from blackened seat Down at 388 East Marigold StreetWhere pool sits black from ashy peatThe home … Continue reading No 388 E. Marigold St.
"Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you! Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God, and have no awe of Me!" declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty. -Jeremiah 2:19 Since all, more or less, have a sinful bent towards backsliding from God, it is of great importance … Continue reading 3 Ways to Examine Our Backsliding
By Rob Golding There is a time in every Christian’s life when God begins removing the things we love. Peace is replaced with anxiety. Health with sickness. Family with emptiness. Success with failure. Joy with depression. In these moments, the Christian clings to that which is left—God. He clutches and snatches but grabs only air. When … Continue reading The Dark Night of the Soul
-By Rob Golding Many Christians feel spiritually lethargic and weak, but they are unsure how they arrived at this state. They are surprised to feel so little desire for God when they have been doing, in their own estimation, pretty good spiritually. They aren’t watching sin-enhancing television. Their recurring sins are in check. They aren’t … Continue reading The Perfect Christian, Spiritually Starved
-By Rob Golding The Christian life is one of rejoicing and rest. We celebrate the victory of our Lord over death each Sunday and rest in His final proclamation that “it is finished” (John 19:30). We then walk the simple path He set out for us as He says, “Come to Me ... For my … Continue reading My Body, My Slave
The Fight of Faith 