Theology is a work of faith.

On January 20, 2020January 15, 2020 By charlieIn Berkouwer1 Comment

“Theology is a work of faith, and all of its statements must be such as the believer can recognize as objects of faith ... Theology ... lives in faith and for this reason works in creative response to the Word ... A genuinely biblical theology is not simply a theology buttressed with proper proof texts, …

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Let us love another – and show the love of God to one another.

On January 20, 2020January 10, 2020 By charlieIn Lamentations, One Year Bible, Philemon, Psalms1 Comment

Lamentations 2:7-3:39; Philemon 1-25; Psalm 119:121-128 At the heart of the book of Lamentations, there is this great declaration concerning the love of God: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed” (Lamentations 3:22). His love reaches us not only directly but also through the love of His people - “Your love, dear …

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‘O Lord, listen to my prayer. Open your ears to hear my urgent requests. Answer me because you are faithful and righteous’ (Psalm 143:1).

On January 20, 2020August 15, 2019 By charlieIn Psalms1 Comment

The Psalmist doesn't say, 'Answer me because I am faithful and righteous.' He prays, "O Lord ... Answer me because you are faithful and righteous." God is faithful. We fail him. He never fails us. When we let him down, he lifts us up.

"Listen to the Lord’s Word, all you people of Judah who go through these gates to worship the Lord" (Jeremiah 7:2).

On January 20, 2020August 15, 2019 By charlieIn Jeremiah1 Comment

We worship the Lord. We listen to His Word. It's His Word that inspires our worship. How can we worship the Lord truly if we're bot listening to His Word attentively. We listen so that we might worship.

Thinking About Divine Election: Some Thoughts From G. C. Berkouwer

On January 20, 2020January 15, 2020 By charlieIn Berkouwer1 Comment

In any attempt to understand the nature of divine grace, five important observations require to be made. (1) Man only knows of grace through revelation. (2) Divine revelation comes to man in the form of human language. (3) The inadequacy of human language as a vehicle of divine revelation demands that due care be taken …

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The love of God, the salvation of God, the glory of God

On January 20, 2020January 10, 2020 By charlieIn Lamentations, One Year Bible, Psalms, Titus1 Comment

Lamentations 1:1-2:6; Titus 3:1-15; Psalm 119:113-120 “The Lord is righteous, yet I rebelled against His command” (Lamentations 1:18). “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another” (Titus 3:3). This is the story of …

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Praying Through God’s Word: 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 1:1-2:11 Lord, You “comfort us in all our affliction” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). You turn our times of trouble into times of great blessing. When bad things are happening to us, You keep on loving us. You don’t leave us on our own when the going gets tough. You’re with us in the good […]

Praying Through God’s Word: Acts

Acts 1:1-26 We thank You, Lord, for Your gift of the Holy Spirit. We are not called to serve You in our own strength. We come to You in our weakness. You give to us Your strength. This is the strength that we need – the strength that comes from You. Acts 2:1-47 We thank […]

Praying Through God’s Word: Galatians

Galatians 1:1-2:10 Lord, we thank You that You have given to us “a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12). Christ is the Gospel. He is our testimony. He is our message. Help us to keep Him at the very centre of our life. In our ever-changing world, help us to keep on saying, “Jesus Christ […]

Praying Through God’s Word: Judges

Judges 1:1-2:5 When things are going well, help us, Lord, to thank You. When things are going badly, help us to trust You. Judges 2:6-3:11 Sometimes, Lord, You say to us, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). Sometimes, You say to us, “This is not the way. Do not walk in it.” […]

The Kingdom will be the Lord’s … (Praying Through God’s Word: Obadiah).

OBADIAH ‘The Kingdom will be the Lord’s’ (21). When, Lord, Your Kingdom comes, there will be both salvation – ‘The house of Jacob will possess its inheritance’ – and judgment – ‘There will be no survivors from the house of Esau’ (17-18). ‘Not by works but by Him who calls’ – This is the great […]

Praying Through God’s Word: Hebrews

Hebrews 1:1-2:9 We thank You, Lord, for Your Son, Jesus Christ. He is our Lord. He came from heaven, where He is worshipped by angels (Hebrews 1:6). He is our Saviour. He came to earth where “He suffered death, so that, by the grace of God, He might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9). Help […]

Praying Through God’s Word: Job

Job 1:1-2:13 Lord, Your power is greater than the power of Satan. Help us never to forget this. Satan is “roaming through the earth”, “prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking for someone to devour” (Job 1:7; 1 Peter 5:8) – but he can only do what You allow him to do (Job 1:12; Job […]

Praying Through God’s Word: Psalms

Psalm 1:1-6 Lord, we thank You that Your way is the best way. It’s ‘make up your mind’ time. Every day, we must make up our mind – Will it be the way of the world? Will it be the way of the Word? It cannot be both. It must be one or the other. […]

In our own homes – let us praise the wonderful Name of Jesus.

Originally posted on Learning From God's Word:
? https://youtu.be/UyPT3lVSpmo We thank You, Lord, that You invite us to “come” to You and receive salvation – “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Along with Your promise, there is also Your warning: “if you refuse and rebel … ”…

We are sinners. We’re called to be servants. Jesus is our Saviour.

Originally posted on Learning From God's Word:
“I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12). We read the words of Paul…

Jesus – the King of kings and Lord of lords

Matthew 2:1-12 ‘King of the Jews’ (2). Jesus came from the Jews. He came for ‘all nations’ (28:19). He is the ‘King of kings’ (Revelation 17:14; 19:16). Here on earth, we are learning ‘to worship Him’ (2). We are being prepared for heavenly worship (Revelation 7:9-12): ‘Kings and queens and beggar men, presidents and servants, […]

Luke 2:1-20

‘A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord’ (11). The Name, ‘Jesus’, means ‘Saviour’ (Matthew 1:21). Focus your thoughts on Him: The Lord Jesus Christ. Here is a prayer to help you make your response to Him: ‘Lord Jesus Christ, You have come to us, You are one with us, Mary’s Son. Cleansing our souls from […]

Matthew 1:18-25

‘Immanuel…God with us’ (23). Think of what this means! Here are some words to help you. ‘He walked where I walked, He stood where I stand, He felt what I feel, He understands. He know my frailty, shared my humanity, tempted in every way ,yet without sin. God with us, so close to us. God […]

Stop protesting against the Lord! Start listening to the Lord!

Ezra 2:68-4:5; Revelation 9:13-10:11; Proverbs 30:24-33 At the heart of the rebuilding of the Temple, there was worship -“With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: ‘He is good; His love to Israel endures for ever” (Ezra 3:11). Those who worship the Lord are set within the context of a world that refuses to […]

Gold…

Ezra 1:1-2:67; Revelation8:1-9:12; Psalm144:9-15 We read of “gold” in both Ezra and Revelation (Ezra 1:4,6,9-11; Revelation 8:3; Revelation 9:7). In Ezra 1:6, “gold” is set alongside “valuable gifts” and “all the freewill offerings.” “Gold” is a valuable thing. The “gold” of our lives is truly valuable when it is given freely, as a “freewill offering.” In Revelation 8:3, “gold” is […]

A glimpse of heavenly glory

Malachi 2:17-4:6; Revelation 7:1-17; Psalm 144:1-8 Malachi 4:5 speaks of “that great and dreadful Day of the Lord.” The Day of the Lord will be a Day of Judgment. This is not, however, the full story. It will also be the great Day of salvation. This comes through clearly in Revelation 7 – “a great […]

How are we to come to the Lord?

Malachi 1:1-2:16; Revelation 6:1-17; Psalm 143:1-2 “Come!… Come!… Come!… Come!” (Revelation 6:1,3,5,7). The invitation is clear. We are to come to the Lord. How are we to come to Him? If we are to learn how we are to come to Him, we should learn also how we are not to come to Him. Malachi […]

One Year Bible: Day 347 – Esther 9:1-10:3; Revelation 5:1-14; Proverbs 30:11-23

Esther 9 speaks of days of feasting and joy (Esther 9:17-19,22-23,28). If the Jews had cause to rejoice in Esther’s day, we have much more cause for rejoicing in the Lord – “Do not weep! Se, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed” (Revelation 5:5). The praise of God’s […]

Towards the final victory and the glorious celebration…

Esther 6:1-8:17; Revelation 4:1-11; Psalm 142:1-7 In the book of Esther, we see the people of God in conflict. There were enemies against whom they had to contend. In this battle, there are victories which lead to “joyous celebration” (Esther 8:15). Such times of victory are times of “happiness and joy, gladness and honour” (Esther 8:16). […]

One Year Bible: Day 345 – Esther 2:19-5:14; Revelation 3:7-22; Psalm 141:1-10

There are doors which can only be opened by God – “See, I have placed before you an open door that no-one can shut” (Revelation 3:8). There are doors which must be opened by man – “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If any one hears My voice and opens the door, I […]