The book of Ecclesiastes is occupied with the question: is there a thing in the universe that can satisfy the human heart? Up to this point, the professor has tried things like pleasure, laughter, advancement, and education, but has declared these things to fall short of providing the good life. In chapter 5, he turns…
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So what do I do with my kids for family devotions or one on one discipleship of them? (Please note: if your children are grown, keep reading). I’ve had that question a fair amount and my answer is simple and the same every time: buy and read Sally Lloyd-Jones’ The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name. I’ve read five or six children’s…
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You gotta love modern medicine! My first semester in seminary I came down with a nasty sinus infection. I went my local Urgent Care. The Doc prescribed some really potent antibiotics and I was back to my studies within 36 hours. Amazing and awesome!! But this must be frustrating for some docs because not every ailment can be treated with pills. I…
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A few years ago, NBA great, LeBron James did an interview with USA Today. Here’s a man who has won multiple NBA titles and MVP awards. He has more endorsement money than any human being can spend in a lifetime. But in this interview, James reveals something Ecclesiastes-like to us: “What really got to me…
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There’s a ton out there on parenting. Let me just cut to the chase on what I believe were the two best bits of parenting wisdom I’ve ever been given. 1. The greatest gift I can give my children is to love my wife as Christ loved the church. A healthy marriage will breed security in your kids. Children are…
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There is a really interesting scene in the movie, Groundhog Day, where weatherman Phil Connors is trying to figure out what is going on. He sits at a bar in a bowling alley with two local guys who are drunk, and he asks them this question: “What would you do if you were stuck in one…
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In John 6:1-15, we have the well-known story of Jesus feeding five thousand men (including women and children much more than that). How did he do it? With a little boy’s five small barley wafers and two fish. This illustrates emphatically what Jesus does with what we bring to the table. We bring the barley…
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“I’ve repented of my sin, put my faith in Jesus Christ alone for my salvation, but there’s still sin in my life. How hard am I supposed to fight against it? It’s not going to damn me to hell, so what’s the big deal?”Good question. If we are secure in our salvation, to what extent…
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Three observations to make from Titus 3: 1) Portrait of an unhelpful Christian life2) Portrait of a beneficial Christian life3) The factor that makes all the difference 1) Portrait of an unhelpful Christian life (vv. 9-11) In vv. 9-11, Paul lists four traits of someone who is going to be largely unhelpful in the church and…
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1) The foundation of Christian conduct (v. 1) The foundation of Christian conduct is: sound doctrine. “But as for you [Titus] teach what accords with sound doctrine” (v.1). As pastor of the church in Crete, one of Titus’ primary roles is that of a teacher. So should it be of all pastors. After Jesus’ death…
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