Awestruck by the Sovereign LORD

I'm currently reading through the book of Job. One thing that stands out is that Job's friends always are speaking to Job whereas Job addresses both his friends and God. Here, there was no need for someone to speak on behalf of God, prosecuting Job. A wise man of God wouldn't speak of Job's alleged sin in general terms. In fact, Job's friends cannot speak about his sin because Job is blamelesss (at least at the beginning of the book). What Job really needed was someone to come alongside of him, praying with him. Job's friends shouldn't have spoken on behalf of God to Job. They should have spoken to God on behalf of Job (cf. Job 9:33 ). Praise God for Christ Jesus who is the true friend who will speak to God for us in our trials: Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who is interceding for ...

…that is the question. Andreas Kostengerger and David Croteau search the Scriptures to answer it. You may find their answer provocative. You can find links to their study (in two parts) below: “Will a Man Rob God?” (Malachi 3:8): A Study of Tithing in the Old and New Testaments Reconstructing a Biblical Model for Giving: A Discussion of Relevant Systematic Issues and New Testament Principles Thanks go out to a wiser brother for pointing this study out to me.

From Organic Church (p 211-212) by Neil Cole . While doing some teaching in Japan, I had a dream that Heather, my daughter, started a church. In the dream, a room was full of young people who were all seriously worshiping God. When I returned from the trip, I mentioned it to her just to let her know that she was on my mind and in my dreams while I was away. The next day she said, 'Dad, my friends all want to do it!' 'Do what?' I asked. 'Start a church.' I told her that she would have to do most of the work, and I would coach and lead only a little. She said that was fine. The next day she arranged a house to meet in, picked a night of the week, and found a worship leader; flyers were soon being passed out to friends on campus. After the church had been meeting for several months, I met with these students and we all sang praises to the Lord. I felt the Lord's pleasure. I asked the students what was the biggest church they had ever been to. L...

Here is a good article by Bill Mounce on 1 Corinthians 13.  In the season of weddings, the question of reading 1 Cor. 13 may come up.  What do you think?

Here is a good post on why we should seek to be hospitable rather than just falling into it.

D.A. Carson, in his remarkable commentary on the Gospel according to John, shares a poem of his on “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 I am the way to God: I did not come To light a path, to blaze a trail, that you May simply follow in my tracks, pursue My shadow like a prize that's cheaply won. My life reveals the life of God, the sum Of all he is and does.  So how can you, The sons of night, look on me and construe My way as just the road for you to run?      My path takes in Gethsemane, the Cross,      And stark rejection draped in agony.      My way to God embraces utmost loss:      Your way to God is not my way, but me. Each other path is dismal swamp, or fraud. I stand alone: I am the way to God. I am the truth of God: I do not clai...

There had never been a display like that before, and there never will be again.  The whole of life is to be spent in understanding the truth displayed that day.  The unparalleled mixture of grace and justice resonates throughout all eternity.  It is the echoes of this divine display that is to  fill the words and lives of Christians centuries later. Here are resources that I have used to help me to dwell on what occurred on that Good Friday.  I suggest that they be watched in this order.   The Other Cup – an excellent sermon by Ray Dillard A shocking video of a sacrifice with this commentary on it. “ Well, I Wonder If You Know Him ” ‘And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,  and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall re...