The Wounds of a Friend

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“Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.” – Psalms 141:5 True friends who will lovingly challenge us toward Christlikeness are few and far between. Yet, for … Read more

Through the Bible in 90 Days – Day 35

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2 Chronicles 35 As the kingdom of Judah draws closer to judgment it is encouraging to see that even in those days there could be a revival. Under the godly reign of King Josiah, a Passover was held that was unequaled Israel’s history. 2 Chronicles 36 Surprisingly, the son of Josiah turned out to be an evil … Read more

Through the Bible in 90 Days – Day 34

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The plan continues in 2 Chronicles 23 today with the establishment of the reign of King Joash by the wisdom of the High Priest, Jehoida. 2 Chronicles 23-24 Jehoida impressed me earlier in the chapter when he spoke of doing “as the Lord hath said”. His focus was on God’s will and not his own … Read more

Through the Bible in 90 Days – Day 33

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Day 33 of 90 – Just over a month ago I began a Bible reading plan that will take me through the Bible in 90 days. Most Bible reading plans I have used have gone through the Bible in a year. Sometimes I have finished the plans, other times I struggled to keep up and … Read more

The Voice of Jezebel

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Concerning the church at Thyatira in Revelation 2, G Campbell Morgan warns, “Through the whole New Testament the call is to separation, to peculiarity, to a clear line of demarcation between the Church and the world. I fear that the voice of Jezebel is yet tolerated, and that the children of God are being seduced. … Read more

When Works, Labour and Patience are Not Enough

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Let me describe a church for you. This church was planted by a pre-eminent missionary and theologian. His own conversion had shaken a nation and his consequent ministry set the standard for generations. He is still the measure that many look to and his methods have been copied ever since his groundbreaking ministry. This church … Read more

Deacon, Evangelist, Husband and Father

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Many characters in the Bible appear out of nowhere, get a brief mention and then the Gospel narrative continues. Some only get described in one arena of life, they were a king, a prophet, a priest. We rarely get a deeper profile of a man. When we do, we can know the extra details God … Read more

“Unsanctified Knowledge of Christianity”

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“Let us beware of an unsanctified knowledge of Christianity. It is a dangerous possession, but a fearfully common one in these latter days. We may know the Bible intellectually, and have no doubt about the truth about its leading texts, and be able to talk glibly about its leading doctrines. And all this time the Bible may have no influence over our hearts, and wills, and consciences. We may, in reality, be nothing better than the devils.”

  1. Does our knowledge bear fruit in our lives?
  2. Does our knowledge of sin make us hate it?
  3. Does our knowledge of Christ make us trust and love him?
  4. Does our knowledge of the will of God make us strive to do it?
  5. Does our knowledge of the fruits of the Spirit make us labour to show them in our daily behaviour?

“Knowledge of this kind is really profitable. Any other religious knowledge will only add to our condemnation at the last day.”

– J.C. Ryle writing about Luke 4:34

Why I Would Prefer Guilt Over Bitterness

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Over the years we have all met bitter people and guilty people. More than likely we have all experienced bitterness and guilt at some stage to some degree. We quickly feel the weight of guilt, but I do not think we identify bitterness quite as well. Bitterness is one of those sins we see in … Read more

A Quiet and Peaceable Life

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(1) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our … Read more