Originally published June 27, 2017
A lot of people don’t want to be in a church because?
Because the church is full of?
Hypocrites.
Churches are filled with hypocrites. (more…)
Category: Christian living
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Susanna Wesley’s brilliant description of sin
Susanna Wesley was the mother of 19 kids, but her two most famous, were sons John and Charles. The Wesley brothers, along with George Whitfield founded Methodism. John Wesley was one of the most prolific preachers of the 18th century, preaching an estimated 40,000 sermon in his lifetime. His brother Charles was a great hymn writer, considered by some the best ever. Charles wrote classics such as “Hark! The Herald Angles Sing,” “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” “And can it be that I should gain,” and “come thou long expected Jesus.”Incredible men raised by an incredible woman.
I’ve always loved this quote from Susanna Wesley on the nature of sin. (more…)
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Christians too often settle for less
In Numbers 32, the Israelites are pursuing the Promised Land when some of the tribes decide that they would prefer to stay outside the land.
The chapter begins with: “Now the people of Reuben and the people of Gad had a very great number of livestock. And they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, and behold, the place was a place for livestock (Numbers 32:1).” The passage goes to their request to stay in the land: “And they said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Do not take us across the Jordan (Numbers 32:5).”
They didn’t want to go to the Promised Land!
What they wanted was unwise. What they wanted was settling for less than God’s best, settling for a land that wasn’t the Promised Land.
It’s an interesting situation.
They do offer to support the other tribes in the pursuit of the land. So it’s not that they’re totally abandoning their brothers and sisters. But this is still them making a decision that undermines the wisdom and goodness of God. (more…)
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The gospel in Les Miserables
Originally published as “Jesus in Les Miserables” on December 24, 2012
Caught.
Jean Valjean had stolen silver from the Bishop and the local authorities had caught him red handed. On his own merits, there was nothing Valjean could do to rectify the situation. He didn’t have the money to pay for it. He was guilty. But then something amazing happened. The Bishop tells the officers that the silver was a gift. He reminds Valjean that the ex-convict had even forgotten to take two silver candlesticks with him. The sacrifice for Valjean was not made by himself but by the Bishop .
He let him go. (more…)
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I hope your wedding day is the day you love each other the least
I hope your wedding day is the day when you love each other the least.I hope the love is there.
But I hope a week, a month, a year, 10 years, 50 years later, that you love each other more than you did on your wedding day. I hope it’s a deeper, richer, fuller love.
Marriage and life together is a good picture of sanctification.
When you come to faith, you are saved. For the rest of your life, and eternity, the blood of Jesus washes away your sins. But the work isn’t done. It’s a lifelong process of growing and maturing in the faith which you believe.
How long does it take to be a Christian? A moment. And a lifetime. (more…)
