“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”- 1 John 1:8-9 John Ortberg begins Chapter 5 (“Sin and the Soul”) of Soul Keeping by citing […]
“My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face.’ Your face, Lord, will I seek.”- Psalm 27:8 In Chapter 11 of Prayer, Timothy Keller writes that when we speak to someone, we address the person to his or her face. Thus, to seek God’s face is “to have our hearts enabled by the Holy Spirit to […]
In today’s blog Timothy Keller continues his discussion of the Lord’s Prayer (Chapter 6) with the next two petitions. 5. Give us this day our daily bread. Pastor Keller notes that while the first three petitions center on recognizing God as our true food, wealth, and happiness, Jesus now charges us to align our “prayer […]
“Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.”- Hebrews 2:11 In Chapter 2 “Christ’s Theme Song-Every Person”) of Next Door Savior, Max Lucado observes that most families make an effort to keep their family secrets a […]
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”- 2 Corinthians 3:18 Author and pastor Max Lucado begins Next Door Savior with the statement that Jesus is near […]
Kyle Idleman concludes Chapter 13 (the final chapter) of AHA by stating that both sons were in the wrong. Both had the responsibility of seeking out their father. Eventually the younger son did this- although the father ran to the younger son as soon as he saw him. Most patriarchs of that day would have […]
“The bad son was lost in his badness, but the good son was lost in his goodness.”- Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God Kyle Idleman continues Chapter 13 of AHA with two descriptions of what an older brother is like, because older brothers have a difficult time seeing themselves as someone in need of AHA. 1. […]
And Jesus said,, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”- Luke 23:34 In Chapter 12 (“Defeatism- It’s Too Late Now”) of AHA, Kyle Idleman observes that “life can reach a point when it feels like things have gone too far.” Like Humpty Dumpty, there are too many broken pieces to put together […]
Kyle Idleman continues his discussion of minimization in Chapter 9 of AHA by highlighting three phrases we often tell ourselves when we minimize the reality of a situation. 1. I’m just having fun. Pastor Idleman notes that this is a favorite saying of those in the Distant Country. We rationalize that as long as we’re […]
When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will go to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; […]
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God . . .”- Isaiah 59:1-2 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”- Romans 3:23 As Kyle Idleman continues Chapter […]
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.”- Revelation 5:12 As Charles and Janet Morris continue Chapter 1 (“Who is Worthy of My Life?”) of Missing Jesus, they tell of the time they were in a South Asian neighborhood of London, […]