Coffee and Creation This Morning

This morning I woke up and had a great time in the Word on our front porch with my coffee and a beautiful scene of God's handiwork:Psalm 19:1-6 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; Andtheir expanse is declaring the work of His hands. 2 Day to day pours forthspeech, And night to night reveals...

Read More

Apologetics 101

I'm convinced that Apologetics--though it is many-faceted--is pretty simple and straightforward. Here are six principles I'm giving in an upcoming Bible study that must be included when you want to share your faith with someone:1. You must know Christ Yourself (2 Cor 13:5)Hear Richard Baxter (16th century...

Read More

A marvelous manifestation of mutual encouragement and manly meat

Today was a great day--plain and simple. I arrived at school at 6:45 this morning and was able to read through 1 Peter 1-2 which was a tremendous way to begin the school semester of classes. Then I had my two classes for the semester--Advanced Hebrew Grammar and Seminar in History of Israel: Methodological...

Read More

My Bias of Biblical Accuracy

My Bias of Biblical AccuracyI am reading for one of my courses this Fall about the history of Israel. I must confess, I have a bias for biblical accuracy. It is so clear to me that 1 Kings 6:1 says:Now it came about in the four hundred and eightieth year after the sons of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv which is the second...

Read More

A way to live and surely end up in hell

A way to live and end up in hell“We must warn sinners to avoid those ways that lead to hell. If you would not come to those extreme torments, you must not walk in those paths that lead to them (cf. Ps 1). There is but one path that leads to haven (Matt 7:13–14), but there are many that lead down to the bottomless pit. Beware, therefore, of those paths. Multitudes are going on in paths that lead directly...

Read More

Hell is Real and God is Not Silent About It

Mohler has a blog today on the declining American belief in the existence of hell and the Bible's clear description and portrayal of it.The fact that I'm teaching through Revelation and we're studying the bowl judgments tomorrow night causes me to appreciate all the more these stalwarts in the faith who unswervingly uphold the doctrine of eternal damnation of the unsaved - like Mohler.Read his post...

Read More

Suffer for Christ

From one of my heroes: Today I'm requesting prayer for the couple pictured below.This past week they were arrested and put into prison for being followers of Jesus. This was the same couple whose 8-year old daughter was brutally murdered several years ago because she came from a family that loves Jesus....

Read More

Preaching Mediates God Himself

From Don Carson:“Granted that ‘preaching’ or ‘proclaiming’ in the Scriptures is notrestricted to something done behind a wooden pulpit between 11:00 and 12:00 onSunday mornings, it is nevertheless hard to avoid the strength of this emphasison proclamation in the New Testament. The reason for the emphasis lies in themessage itself. God has taken action, and the good news is announced, it isproclaimed....

Read More

Theological quote for today

I found this quote today and I like it:"From Eden to the final explosion of His eschatological wrath, a strangeparadox exists: God is busily working to save sinners from His own wrat...

Read More

The “Small Sins” Displease God, Too

The “Small Sins” Displease God, TooToday I went to Carls Jr. (it is the West Coast’s version of Hardees) for lunch and after I ordered my food I waited patiently until they called my number so I could return to church for a meeting. As I was waiting for my number to be called, a homeless person walked...

Read More

Is hell really "separation from God"?

Forgive me if I seem to have this topic of eternity on my mind, but I have noticed that since I have been preaching through Revelation and, consequently, doing much reading on heaven and hell, my life has changed -- for the better.Currently, I'm reading through Jonathan Edwards on the Torments of Hell by William C. Nichols. It's (can I say) a good book. It is scary, humbling, terrifying, and provoking...

Read More

Acts 6 - Godly Leadership

I'm studying now for Sunday's sermon on Acts 6. I have thoroughly enjoyed my journey of study through the book of Acts thus far.Here is where my preliminary study consists...Blessin...

Read More

Biblical perspective on budgeting and handling your money - part 2

Continuing from yesterday's post, I conclude with part 2 of my Bible study on How to handle your money:VI. PROTECT YOUR FAMILY WITH LIFE INSURANCEa. Principle: Proverbs 27:12 12 A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, The naive proceed and pay the penalty.b. Guys: 1 Timothy 5:8 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household,...

Read More

Biblical perspective on budgeting and handling your money - part 1

More than a few people have asked me to publish a recent Bible study I gave on "Biblical Budgeting: How to handle your money." I trust this will be profitable for many who check this blog. Since I cannot assume that people know how to handle their money (even if you're a college student with not a lot...

Read More

Acts 5:17-42 - God is actively involved in your life

Here is my sermon outline for today. I trust it'll be an encouraging (and convicting!) time for us all...IntroductionJob 42:1-6 Then Job replied to the LORD: 2 "I know that you can do allthings; no plan of yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, 'Who is this thatobscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did notunderstand, things too wonderful for me to know. 4 "You said, 'Listen...

Read More

Jonathan Edwards on the sin of selfishness

Man naturally has no other principle to direct and govern him in his actions, but only self-love … this being the only principle he has to govern him, all that aman is prompted to pursue is his own private and separate interest. Then he will have no sincere regard at all to the glory of God or the good of others.All sinfulness can be traced to selfishness as its source. Men never act from any worse...

Read More