Martin Wickens
Speaking the Truth in Love
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How to Pray for One Another – Peace and Unity (3/4)
Part 1 – https://martinwickens.com//2019/07/how-to-pray-for-one-another-thankfulness-1-4 Part 2 – https://martinwickens.com//2019/10/how-to-pray-for-one-another-wisdom-knowledge-2-4/ Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 Many years ago I remember my pastor…
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Hymn Focus: "Weary of Earth, and Laden with My Sin"
In 1866 Samuel J. Stone penned a hymn that he later described as the one most dear to him. Samuel was born in 1839 and during his 61 years of life wrote some 57 hymns. The most famous being “The Church’s One Foundation”. His poems, such as The Knight of Intercession and Lays of Iona…
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Book Review: Does God Desire All to Be Saved – #4
Part 1 – Introduction Part 2 – Piper’s Aim Part 3 – Two Wills How extensive is the sovereign will of God? This is the chapter title of chapter 3 in John Piper’s small book. The author asserts, Behind the complex relationship of the two wills in God is the foundational biblical premise that God…
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How to Pray for One Another – Wisdom & Knowledge (2/4)
Part 1 – https://martinwickens.com//2019/07/how-to-pray-for-one-another-thankfulness-1-4/ A few weeks ago I began a series looking at how we can pray for one another. In the first part I focused on the blessing we have in our brothers and sisters in Christ and that we ought to constantly thank the Lord for them. In this post, we will…
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Contentment – the Antidote to the Poison of Comparison
In Psalm 73 the writer wrestles with the injustice he witnessed in the world. Three verses from this song will enable us to join the psalmist on his journey from comparison to contentment. 1. Comparison “…I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Psalm 73:3 In Proverbs and throughout…
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“Enough!” – Dealing with Discouragement and Depression
In recent months I have studied and preached on the life of Elijah. Most weeks I reference James’ description of him as a man of like passions. He faced the same highs and lows that do, he knew strength and weakness, joy and sadness, victory and defeat, peace and discouragement, and perhaps even depression. At…
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God to the Rescue
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31 In Psalm 107 we witness God rescuing sinners from themselves. Many times in other psalms the author describes God delivering him from his enemies, but here we see God saving…
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Gentleness
When I think of Elijah my mind usually jumps straight to his confrontation with the prophets of Baal on top of Mount Carmel. There the prophet of God stood alone against 450 sworn enemies! As they attempted to call down fire from heaven by the power of their false god, Baal, they danced, chanted, and…
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That Which is, Has Been
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you… Rudyard Kipling, “If” Does it seem like the world is going crazy? In 1895 Rudyard Kipling penned one of his most famous pieces, “If”. Every line of that poem is gold. But the opening two lines struck…
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Now is the Time to Get Ready for Church (Before Sunday)
Sunday mornings might be the worst time to get ready for church. Not just for preachers who need to have prepared a sermon, but for anyone. Now, if someone gets up Sunday morning and decides out of the blue to go to church then wonderful, get up and go. But if you have the opportunity…