Genesis 3-5 “Yea, hath God said…” Satan’s opening salvo against God began with these words. He followed this initial question with simple, yet effective, tactics to deceive Eve and Adam. But to say Satan deceived them is not to remove any blame from them. Had they embraced the truth, the deception would not have worked. … Read more
The consistent themes that run through God’s Word point to a single author. Genesis 1 opens with a clear division between light and darkness. Genesis 1 also describes the natural order of each creature or plant reproducing after its own kind. Genesis 2 speaks specifically of the creation of humanity in God’s image. Genesis 2 … Read more
People seem hardwired to reflect on the past. It doesn’t take much for an individual or group to reminisce on the old days. As we approach the 2020’s I feel like we only just began the new millennium! A new year. A new decade. In what feels like what is still a new century and … Read more
“… at the first sound of ‘God bless you, merry gentlemen! May nothing you dismay!’, Scrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action that the singer fled in terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog and even more congenial frost.” A Christmas Carol, 1843 The carol that caused such terror in Ebenezer Scrooge dates … Read more
On Christmas morning of 1863, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow sat and listened to the bells of churches ring out in the traditional celebration of the day. Some 1800 years had passed since the time of Christ and the Gospel had spread far and wide across the globe. Much had been accomplished. In some places, you could … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more