Are there two wills in God?

1 Timothy 2:3-4 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Some have seen two wills of God in this verse: 1) A determinative will; namely, what God sovereignly determines what will happen and 2) A desirous will; namely, what God wishes or wants to happen.For example, God wants (desirous will) all men to be...

Read More

Do You Commune With God - Do You Even Know How?

Martin Luther was one man who knew how to pray. I read Dr. Archie Parrish's book yesterday entitled A Simple Way to Pray: Life and Wisdom of Luther for Today. It was a very simple read, yet a very convicting, encouraging and challenging one. When I finished the book, I had a greater passion for prayer...

Read More

The Old is Obsolete, The New is Inaugurated

In my theology class today we were discussing how the Mosaic Law is no longer active in the life of the New Testament saint. The Apostle Paul testified to this truth in his own life with many Scriptures showing that he is not bound by this Mosaic Law.In studying this section, I came across this quote...

Read More

Great Gain in the Christian Life

1 Timothy 6:5-6 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. It is here that in verse five, Paul introduces the topic of the opponents' greed. Then in vv.6-10, Paul enlarges his discussion which is the second paragraph in this section....

Read More

Behold the King!

1 Timothy 1:17 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. It is here in this glorious doxology that the Apostle Paul breaks forth in a shout of jubilant praise and worship exalting the royal sovereignty of God. Pastor/Teacher David Guzik says, "Paul could not think of how bad he was, and how great the salvation of God was, and how great...

Read More

Mr and Mrs Geoffrey Kirkland

So I take it that no one cares about my posts except if they are about Elizabeth...is that telling me something? :=) Well, anyway, here are some pictures of our wonderful honeymoon in Mexico. When you arrive to a city called Tulum that looks like this, how can it not be a wonderful time:Most of our...

Read More

Conviction 101

Andrew Bonar (a good friend of Robert Murray M'Cheyne) said this:“Tried this morning specially to pray against idols in the shape of my books and studies. These encroach upon my direct communion with God, and need to be watched” (Andrew Bonar - Saturday, September 17, 1850).This impacted me in many ways this morning...

Read More

The Love of God is Mighty

This morning as I began my prayer time I meditated on Psalm 117. This is the shortest of the Psalms in the book. Furthermore, it is the shortest chapter in all the Bible.Psalm 117:1-2 Praise the LORD, all nations; Laud Him, all peoples! 2 For His lovingkindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD is everlasting. Praise the LORD!There are many interesting features of this Psalm, but I only...

Read More

The Expository Genius of John Calvin

I will resume to my study in 1 Timothy in coming days, but I want to blog about something that has been on my heart for quite some time and it was inflamed once again upon reading this excellent little work by my hero, Steve Lawson, The Expository Genius of John Calvin.In this book, Lawson gives a...

Read More

Service and Equipment for God. You Ready To Go?

This was a prayer in a puritan prayer book that I have and it expresses my heart as I approach marriage in a few days and a life of serving the Lord in full-time ministry - if that be His will.Here is the prayer:Thou God of my end,Thou hast given me a fixed dispositionto go forth and spend my life for thee;If it be thy will let me proceed in it;if not, then revoke my intentions.All I want in life...

Read More

I hope this doesn't happen at the wedding on Saturday...

This is an absolutely hilarious video that I found. The groom was...well, let's just say, a little excited to get married. It is worth the 1 minute and 21 seconds :=)Elizabeth, if it happens...I love you :=)Watch it H...

Read More

The Reality of the Unsaved in Hell

In his excellent and biblical work, Hell on Trial, Dr. Robert Peterson has this quote that I want us to think on this morning: "Shockingly, the wicked are happier in hell than they would be in heaven because 'the unsubmissive, rebellious, defiant, and impenitent spirit prefers hell to heaven" (Peterson,...

Read More

My Latest and Newest Hero

He's a good one, Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843) was a man passionate for preaching the Word, for holy living and for the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.Listen to this Song of Zion as written by McCheyne from the foot of Mt. Carmel in 1839:"Beneath Moriah's rocky side, A gentle fountain springs,Silent...

Read More

YOU MUST KNOW that Hell is Real

I finished last night an eight-week course that I entitled Basic Bible Introduction with my youth group at church. As I was concluding last night with eschatology (that is, the end times), I got to the part on heaven and hell and thought to myself, "If we as Christians really understood the TORMENTS...

Read More

Do Not Do This...

These were actually found in church bulletins. I call them Bulletin Church Bloopers:"Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community. Or...The eighth graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the church basement Friday at 7 p.m. The congregation is invited to attend this...

Read More

1 Timothy 5

It is here that Paul speaks to the church to declare to them that the teaching and preaching elder is worthy of double honor. It is clear from the context that this is speaking in terms of money, and not simply just "respect."1 Timothy 5:17-20 18 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "You...

Read More

In Honor of my Love

I want to post a few pics of my beautiful fiance. We only have about a week or so till the wedding. Things are crazy - but things were crazy in my life even when there were no wedding plans, but the Lord has been good. I have the best fiance ever. You better watch out though - she can play a mean came...

Read More

Loving the Widows

Paul's treatment of the widow's is the most extensive treatment on one issue in the whole book of 1 Timothy.Some of the active feminist advocates cling to this chapter to say that the women must play a more "up front" role in the church than what Paul previously stated in 1 Timothy 2:12-15.It is in this section that Paul goes into detail to show what genuinely makes one a widow. And he continues by...

Read More

Are you SURE you are saved?

In his book, The New Covenant Ministry of the Holy Spirit, Dr. Larry Pettegrew (one of my profs at The Master's Seminary) said something that really grabbed my attention this morning and it is worthy of a blog: READ IT CAREFULLY AND THOUGHTFULLY:"Of course, all Christians need to read the Scripture,...

Read More

Godly Respect in the Church

What we are called to here in the first few verses is to respect others in the church, that is, the local assembly of believers. This is what Paul writes:1 Timothy 5:1-2 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity. Paul begins by commanding young Timothy not to...

Read More