23 Tuesday Feb 2021
Posted in Theology
Tags
Christianity, God, Gospel, holiness, Incarnation, Jesus Christ, Salvation, Sanctification, Theology, Tuesday Tea-ology
Further musings today on the awesome holiness of God–the Holy One in the midst of His people! Also, English breakfast tea, presumably not from Yorkshire.
18 Thursday Feb 2021
Posted in Meditations
Tags
Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, God, Hope, Love, Pandemic, Salvation, Strength
“Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love” (Psalm 62:11-12, ESV).
At the end, David underlines the twofold basis of trust in God: His power and His love. Why wait upon the Lord (vv.1, 5)? Why rely upon Him as your stronghold against danger (vv.2, 6, 8)? Because God is able and willing to save. With a little poetic crescendo, David extols God’s might and mercy.
Trust in the Lord, who is strong beyond measure, who is abundant in steadfast love. Make the character of God your confidence—the unchanging, uncontestable might and mercy of your heavenly Father, not the shifting circumstances of this life. Fix your faith upon God, who is able and willing to save.
16 Tuesday Feb 2021
Posted in Theology
Tags
Christianity, God, holiness, Salvation, Tea, Theology, Tuesday Tea-ology
Another fine and frozen Tuesday brings its Tea-ology. Today we begin to consider the majestic holiness of God.
15 Monday Feb 2021
Posted in Meditations
Tags
Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faith, God, Hope, Pandemic, Protection, Redemption, Salvation, Security, Trust
“On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God” (Psalm 62:7, ESV).
In this verse, David elaborates on the theme of God as fortress he has been repeating (vv.2, 6). God is the center of his hope. Trust is expressed in two dimensions: declaring God the focus of his future, and describing God as the place of safety from danger. Turning aside from all vain glory and all passing hopes of deliverance, true confidence is to be found in the unfailing, invincible God.
God is able to protect and provide, to rescue and redeem, to free and fulfill, in every time, in every place, in every situation. Make God your total trust. He will save and glorify those who place their faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. He will be a stronghold of hope for those who call upon Him.
01 Monday Feb 2021
Posted in Meditations
Tags
Christianity, Comfort, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, God, Pandemic, Redemption, Salvation, Strength
“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life” (Psalm 54:4, ESV).
Psalm 54 emphasizes God’s power to protect against the schemes of the wicked. David calls out to the Lord for rescue from the hands of those who conspire against him (vv.1-3). Verse 4 is the hinge, where the psalm turns from petition to confidence in God’s protection (vv.4-5); the expectation of grateful worship follows (v.6), built on assurance of God’s salvation (v.7).
You are not alone, whatever you may face. Christians have the greatest possible comfort in this life, knowing that God Almighty cares for them and will carry them through every danger, and shield them from every fear. Take heart, and trust in the Lord.
28 Thursday Jan 2021
Posted in Meditations
Tags
Christ, Christianity, Compassion, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, Forgiveness, God, Gospel, Grace, Mercy, Pandemic, Salvation
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17, ESV).
Psalm 51 is a penitent psalm, as David cries out to the Lord for forgiveness. His plea is based upon the unfathomable mercy, the “steadfast love” of God (v.1). The king confesses his sinfulness, recognizing that God is ultimately the one against whom his sins offend (vv.3-6); yet God is able to forgive, restore, and cleanse the guilty conscience (vv.7-12). David looks for His salvation with hope for the future (vv.13-15), recognizing that it is not truly outward sacrifices that please God (v.16), but repentance of the heart (v.17)—yet we must read this in the context of the whole of Scripture, and recognize that a penitent heart is not enough unless it takes hold of the true sacrifice for sins, the cross of Christ.
God is merciful to those who call upon Him. No gifts can really enrich God, no works really benefit Him; but He has compassion on those who humbly seek His grace. In love, God sent His own Son to sacrifice for our sins; in mercy, He will receive those who come to Him. Keep your trust fully fixed upon the wonderful love of God.
26 Tuesday Jan 2021
Posted in Theology
Tags
1 Peter, Bible, Christianity, God, God the Son, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Salvation, Theology, Trinity, Truth, Tuesday Tea-ology
Another Tuesday rolls around! With the invigorating help of Scottish Breakfast Tea, we continue to explore the sacred mystery of the Trinity: how do we understand the distinction between the three Persons of the one God?
19 Tuesday Jan 2021
Posted in Theology
Tags
Culture, God, Gospel, Islam, Love, Postmodernity, Salvation, Theology, Trinity, Truth, Tuesday Tea-ology, Union with Christ
Tuesday Tea-ology: Continuing to contemplate the divine Trinity, and all the difference it makes in life now and for eternity. Also, the quest for the greatest Earl Grey continues!
13 Wednesday Jan 2021
Posted in Meditations
Tags
Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, God, Gospel, Grace, Hope, Love, Mercy, Pandemic, Power, Redemption, Salvation
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Psalm 42:5, ESV).
The psalmist follows his statement of longing for God (vv.1-2) with words of mourning and anguish, reflecting on a joyful fellowship with God that seems broken (vv.3-4; cf. vv.9-10). Then he comes to this question and corresponding charge (v.5), which may be taken as the key theme in the psalm, for it recurs exactly at the end, in verse 11. He interrogates his soul, searching for the reason behind its anguished grief; and he points himself to the hope of all the righteous: the redeeming power of God.
Hope in God, when you are downcast; call out to Him in the depths of your sorrow, and even in despair. God is able to save. God is able to redeem, restore, and heal. With God, the future is always bright with possibilities, for no one and no situation is beyond the power of His redeeming love.
07 Thursday Jan 2021
Posted in Contra Mundum
Albert Mohler offers some good reflections on the evil of the riot in our nation’s capitol yesterday. It was a grim and tragic moment in American history.
Freedom is good for humanity, and anarchy is just as much an enemy of freedom as is totalitarianism. The corruption of our democratic institutions is no excuse for desecrating them, and assaulting democracy does not lead to human flourishing.
The headlines are one more call to repentance and revival, if we will read them right. Jesus is Lord. The Prince of Peace offers hope, life, and healing. Without Him, we are lost.
