Lord, thank you for responding to me. You’ve truly become my salvation! The stone the masons discarded as flawed is now the capstone! This is God’s work. We rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it! This is the very day God acted—let’s celebrate and be festive! Salvation now, God. Salvation now! Oh yes, God—a free and full life! (Psalm 118:21-25 …
Christ Is Everything: Resurrection Reality
Jesus said, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18) This builds on a previous post. You can read Christ Is Everything: I Need Him Our Historical Foundation Remember what we believe: God the Son became human through His miraculous …
Christ Is Everything: I Need Him
In Christ all the richest treasures of divine wisdom (insight into God’s ways and purposes) are stored up and safely kept. Jesus is the key who opens all the riches of spiritual knowledge and enlightenment. (Colossians 2:3, my expanded paraphrase) Introduction. I providentially stumbled onto the song, “Christ Is Everything; I Need Him.” I don’t know the author, but if …
Approved in Jesus: Christ Salvages Us
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up….Never get tired of doing good. (Galatians 6:9; 2 Thess 3:13) The Lord Jesus never promises us an easy time in following Him, only a safe arrival. We do believe in eternal security, but not in presumption. …
Approved in Jesus: Preserved and Persevering
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test [having been approved by God], that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12) This post builds upon our previous post Approved in Jesus: Justification and Sanctification. In Romans 16:10, Apelles is approved in Christ (ESV). …
Approved in Jesus: Justification and Sanctification
Jesus will say: Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:21) One of you asked: “Paul writes in Romans 16:10, ‘Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ.’ (ESV) What does that mean? Aren’t all believers approved in …
Hospitality Ministry (Part 2)
Note: I wrote this before the COVID-19 pandemic, but we still need to find ways to practice hospitality in creative ways despite the current troubles. Social distancing cannot mean social disconnection. Jesus taught us: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.1 …
Hospitality Ministry (Part 1)
Note: I wrote this before the COVID-19 pandemic, but we still need to find ways to practice hospitality in creative ways despite the troubles. Social distancing cannot mean social disconnection. My recent post about Dr. John Skilton, a life-long bachelor, reminded me how he preached and practiced the value of hospitality in evangelism. Some people who are not initially persuaded …
Thanksgiving to God for Dr. John Skilton
Dr. John H. Skilton (1906-1998) was my professor and friend in Philadelphia, PA and I remembered him again recently with gratefulness to the Lord. Moisés Silva wrote in appreciation: “Few and far between are those who combine, as Skilton has, an unshakable and fearless commitment to orthodox Christianity in its Reformed expression alongside a most gentle and patient spirit.” I …
Christ our Treasure (Expanded)
In Christ Are Hidden All the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge. (Colossians 2:3) We can also appreciate Jesus’ value by studying His many names in Scripture. You may also like Christ’s Wonderful Names, Part 1 and Part 2 and God’s Wonderful Gift, Part 1 and Part 2. Jesus is Wiser Than Solomon In Old Testament times, King Solomon had God-given encyclopedic insight …