Yesterday I gave my attempt at preaching Psalm 128, a psalm I have commented on here various times previously. I have also commented previously on the difficulty of finding good resources for preaching on the Psalms. Our commentaries simply do not (and perhaps cannot) give the same sort of detailed exposition of the Psalms as …
I just came across this hymn by Martin Luther. From what I could uncover the translator (into English) is unknown. This is a good word in preparation for corporate worship in the morning. 1. Dear Christians, let us now rejoice, And dance in joyous measure; That, of good cheer, and with one voice, We sing …
“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.” (Psalm 128:3-4) “How beautiful to see the gnarled olive, still bearing abundant fruit, surrounded with a little band of sturdy successors, any one …
After commenting on Jacobus yesterday I discovered a book (at Google books) containing memorial addresses upon his death . The addresses are powerful and moving, evidence of a significant life of ministry. Two key things mentioned of Jacobus were his vast knowledge of Scripture and his care for people- 2 essential elements for a pastor. …
The fear of God is the corner stone of all blessedness. Let us cultivate that holy filial fear of Jehovah which is the essence of all true religion; the fear of reverence, of dread to offend, of anxiety to please, and of entire submission and obedience. This fear of the Lord is the fit fountain …
Today I have been studying a portion of Acts 10 and have been particularly delighted with Melancthon Jacobus’ Notes, Critical and Explanatory, on the Acts of the Apostles reprinted by Solid Ground Christian Books. I have commended this work but could not help doing so again. Jacobus, a 19th century author, makes theological comments as …
Dear Gentlemen, A dead ministry will always make a dead people. Whereas, if ministers are warmed with the love of God themselves, they cannot but be instruments of diffusing that love among others. This, this is the best preparation for the work whereunto you are to be called. Learning without piety, will only make you …
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Doug Baker, editor of The Baptist Messenger, has written a helpful article on how programs have come to dominate church life and ministry titled “Against the McDonaldization of the SBC.” Drawing from Richard Baxter, Doug hits some key points on how program efficiency too easily becomes the goal rather than community and ministry. Here is …
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“God did not intend that we study our Bibles in a mental vacuum. John Nelson Darby and G. Campbell Morgan both decided that for an extended time they would read only the Bible. They soon discovered that this plan was a mistake. The danger of reading only the Bible is that we do not then …
Today as I ran an errand I caught a portion of a popular old song. It had a drawing power to it, and it brought to mind some things I had been thinking about, pondering the work of Jack Collins (see his masterful notes on the Psalms in the ESV Study Bible). Songs by their …