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
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 … Read more
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 … Read more