Sunday, September 27, 2009

For the Lord's Day

If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means he does not understand Christianity very well at all. – J. I. Packer, Knowing God

Sunday, September 20, 2009

For the Lord's Day

“I have no hesitation in asserting once again that one of the reasons why the Christian Church counts for so little in the modern world is that so many Christians are in this condition [of spiritual depression]. The greatest need of the hour is a revived and joyful Church… Unhappy Christians are, to say the least, a poor recommendation of the Christian Faith”

Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in Spiritual Depression (1954)

Sunday, September 13, 2009

For the Lord's Day

The biblical motive for being a forgiving person may be deeper than being forgiven. It is true to say: The motive for being a forgiving person is that we have been forgiven by God when we did not deserve it (Ephesians 4:32). The bottom of this motive is not God’s forgiveness, but what God’s forgiveness gives. It gives us God. … God is the goal of forgiveness. He is also the ground and means of forgiveness. It comes from him; it was accomplished through his Son; and it leads people back to him with their sins cast into the deepest sea. Therefore the motive for being a forgiving person is the joy of being freely and joyfully at home with God. – Don’t Waste Your Life, John Piper

Thursday, September 10, 2009

The New Paganism and Politics

Dr. Peter Jones over at truthXchange (formerly Christian Witness to a Pagan Planet) has a wonderful new article about the marriage of politics and a new brand of religion; I cannot call it Christianity since Christ is absent from it. You may read it here . I would urge you to subscribe to the newsletter.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

For the Lord's Day (early)

John Calvin: On Learning from God Yet nothing shall ever hinder me from openly avowing what I have learned from the Word of God; for nothing but what is useful is taught in the school of this master. It is my only guide, and to acquiesce in its plain doctrines shall be my constant rule of wisdom. (From History of the Christian Church, Vol. VIII: Modern Christianity: The Swiss Reformation)

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Persecuted Church

Voice of the Martyrs reports that Christians in the Gojra section of Pakistan have been killed by radical Muslims. The Christians were alleged to have desecrates the Quran during a wedding. Eight Christians were killed, including women and children. More than 100 Christian homes were burned by a mob. The mob, which was estimated to be more than 20,000 people, also burned a church. Emergency personnel did not reach Gojra for more than five hours. Christians were forced to use vegetable carts to move their dead and wounded to the hospital. Responding to an international outcry, Pakistani government officials have now said no Quran was desecrated. The government promised to help rebuild the burned homes of Christian families. The incident took place August 1. Pray for the Persecuted Church.