We often live as if we deserve mercy from the hands of the Lord. Some seem to believe He is obligated to provide it to us. Many people seem to assume he is at fault if he does not give equal mercy to all. All of these assumptions are wrong. A god who is required … Continue reading God’s Mercy Truly is Mercy
The following is by Pastor Rob Golding of First Artesia Christian Reformed Church. I have noticed a world of difference between visiting the depressed and visiting the physically sick. The physically sick will chat with you and will enjoy a prayer at the end of your conversation about their illness and the medical plan to take … Continue reading The Secret Benefit of Depression
When we read God's statement in scripture where he says, "For this very purpose I have raised you up," commonplace religion has conditioned us always to expect the reason to be something positive for the person addressed. Perhaps God raised this person up to save a group of people from genocide, like Esther. Maybe God raised this … Continue reading For this Purpose I Raised You Up
By affliction, the Master Artist is adding some new touch of loveliness to the picture He is bringing out in our souls. Afflictions, when sanctified temper worldly ambitions, burn out the dross of selfishness, humble pride, quell fierce passions, reveal the evil in our hearts, manifest our weaknesses, faults and blemishes, teach patience and submission, … Continue reading Afflictions, When Sanctified
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. - 1 Corinthians 2:2 The best sermons are the sermons which are most full of Christ. A sermon without Christ it is a horrible thing! It is an empty well; a cloud without rain; a tree twice dead, … Continue reading A Sermon Devils Love
I am proud of my son, Mark, who won first place for the film below at a competition at his university. The theme was grace. As you will see, my son is an avid hiker and has been to some beautiful places. The voice you will hear in the video is Dr. Chuck Ryor. Dr. … Continue reading A Monument to Grace: Short Film
"He knows our frame; He remembers that we are but dust!" - Psalm 103:14 God does not treat us as if we were strong, holy, and unfallen angels! He does not forget that we are weak, that it is hard for us to live right, that we are easily tempted and overcome. He is very … Continue reading God Does Not Forget We Are Weak
Attentively observe the instructive similitude: our sins are like a cloud. As clouds are of many shapes and shades, so are our transgressions. As clouds obscure the light of the sun, and darken the landscape beneath, so do our sins hide from us the light of Jehovah's face, and cause us to sit in the shadow of death. They are earth-born things, and rise from the miry
How depressed are our graces when means are neglected! What poor starvelings some saints are who live without the diligent use of the Word of God and secret prayer! If our piety can live without God it is not of divine creating; it is but a dream; for if God had begotten it, it would wait upon him as the flowers wait upon the dew.
I understand something of your warfare. Paul describes his own case in few words, "Conflicts on the outside, fears on the inside." Does not this comprehend all you would say? And how are you to know experimentally, either your own weakness, or the power, wisdom and grace of God, seasonably and sufficiently afforded, but by … Continue reading Keep Fighting the Good Fight of Faith
The Fight of Faith 