God formed us for Himself. The shorter catechism, ‘Agreed upon by the Reverend Assembly of Divines at Westminster,’ as the old New England Primer has it, asks the ancient questions what and why and answers them in one short sentence hardly matched in any uninspired work. ‘Question: What is the chief End of Man? Answer: […]
Give Up Our Heart’s Toys
“Father, I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all Those things which I […]
HOUSE RULES FOR GOD’S FAMILY
Be at peace with each other (Mk 9:50) Love one another (Jn 13:34) Be joined to one another (Ro 12:5) Be devoted to one another (Ro 12:10 Honor one another (Ro 12:10) Rejoice with one another (Ro 12:15) Weep with one another (Ro 12:15) Live in harmony with one another (Ro 12:16) Accept one another […]
Starting A Counseling Ministry
The wisest way to avoid these two ditches [moving too slowly, and not being prepared enough] is to follow an unhurried but steady pace, focused on organizing the organism. We have to be a community before we can reach our community. We have to minister to one another during the launch process if we want […]
Let Him Come Defenseless
The Christian who is alive enough to know himself even slightly will recognize the symptoms of this possession malady, and will grieve to find them in his own heart. If the longing after God is strong enough within him he will want to do something about the matter. Now, what should he do? First of […]
Begin in mercy
O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. 0 God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I […]
prepare God’s people
“Instead, we listen to the modern church culture that screams, ‘The pastor is the preacher, caregiver, and CEO!’ It’s time to listen to the Head of the church. ‘It was he who gave some to be… pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service’ (Eph 4:11-12). Christ’s grand plan for His church […]
deepest possible level
What is fellowship as defined in the New Testament? Just this: participating together in the life and truth made possible by the Holy Spirit through our union with Christ. Fellowship is sharing something in common on the deepest possible level of human relationship—our experience of God himself. (John Loftness in C.J. Mahaney Ed., Why Small […]
Fellowship
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Act 2:42) So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, (Phi 2:1) …and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become […]