And while [Lot] lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside [of Sodom]. -Genesis. 19:16 If we find ourselves stuck in Sodom, God will lay hold of our hand. In … Continue reading Stuck in Sodom
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. He is mighty to comfort as well as to sanctify. His name is "the Comforter." His office is to console. In the discharge of this office He puts forth His power, not only mediately and indirectly through the Word, but immediately and directly upon the soul, sustaining and strengthening … Continue reading In the Day of Oppressive Sorrow
When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment. -John 16:8 Where the Holy Spirit is, there will always be deep conviction of sin and true repentance for it. It is His special office to convict of sin. He shows the exceeding holiness of God. He teaches the exceeding corruption and … Continue reading The Conviction of Sin is a Gift
1. Who wrote the book of Acts? 2. Why is it called the book of Acts? 3. What was the event called when the Holy Spirit arrived in chapter two? 4. The first half of the book of Acts follows which major apostle? 5. The second half of the book of Acts follows which major … Continue reading How Well Do You Know the Book of Acts? [12 Questions]
It is an absolute joy to follow our Savior, even when it is difficult. Many people caricature Christianity as a crushing list of dos and don’ts. As if God’s commands are overbearing and debilitating. When they speak this way, it is obvious they speak as outsiders, or they have been confusing onerous human traditions as … Continue reading 3 Reasons God’s Commands are Not Burdensome
May my prayer be set before you like incense. – Psalm 141:2 Throughout the Old Testament, we see incense playing a significant role in the worship God had prescribed for his people. It was so essential that there was an altar of incense in the Holy Place. As we consider this topic, it is important to … Continue reading 4 Ways Incense is a Picture of Prayer in the Bible
When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment! - John 16:8 The Holy Spirit is the only effectual reformer of the world! If He is absent, legislators may make laws against crime; philosophers may reason against vice; ministers may preach against sin; conscience may remonstrate against evil; the divine law … Continue reading The Holy Spirit is Our Only Hope
The past several days have been heart-wrenching. Not only are we dealing with COVID-19 and the restrictions and fallout related to it, but we have also witnessed what is clearly the wrongful death of a man at the hands of police officers. To compound that, we have had six days of violent protest across the … Continue reading Racial Tension, Riots, and a River of Living Water
When the Spirit would glorify Jesus, He humbles you. When He would glorify His fullness, He makes you feel your emptiness. When He would bring you to rely on His strength, He convinces you of your weakness. When He would magnify the comforts of Jesus, He makes you sensible of your misery. When He would … Continue reading Don’t Let Your Unworthiness Keep You From Jesus
The good times are to be expected, and the hard times are surprising and strange. Perhaps that unconscious assumption is causing us grief. Wendell Berry, in his book, Jayber Crow, describes the “old-timers” in a way that seems lost on many people today. He says: “As much as any of the old-timers, he regarded the … Continue reading The Great Depression, Pandemics, and a Benefit of Hard Times
The Fight of Faith 