Faith: January 2013 Archives

Five Promises for Your Bible Reading and Prayer - Desiring God

We are satisfied with trivialities and counterfeits when "exceeding joy" is promised to us. Five truths to remember when you're tempted to trade your morning devotions for a few more minutes of sleep: God is inviting me to exceeding joy. His word will strengthen my weak faith. His word will shine light on the darkness around me. When I pray, God will work. This is the one thing that can't be taken from me.

Things People Should Never Say They Never Heard at Your Church - Kevin DeYoung

From The Gospel Coalition website: "As a pastor, there are certain things I hope the people at my church will never say they never heard. These are not necessarily the most important doctrines of the faith (though some are). Rather, these are the things we easily assume our people know, but often still miss." They include: "Being a Christian is more than going to church and being a good person." "We must be born again." "We need to develop a personal relationship with Christ." "Mature Christians develop lifelong habits of Bible reading and prayer." "Christians suffer." "God can be pleased with me." "Beware of false teachers." "There is one God in three Persons." "There are many people in the world who don't think Christianity is true and some of them are very nice and very smart." "There is a reason we worship the way we do."

Isaac Newton's Fitzwilliam Notebook (Diplomatic Version)

Isaac Newton's catalog of his own sins from 1662, his expenses from 1666 and 1669, and notes on geometry.

Some of his transgressions: "Making a mousetrap on Thy day," "Contriving of the chimes on Thy day," "Squirting water on Thy day," "Having uncleane thoughts words and actions and dreamese," "Carelessly hearing and committing many sermons," "Setting my heart on money learning pleasure more than Thee," "Not living according to my belief," "Not turning nearer to Thee for my affections."

Some of his expenses: "ffor my degree to ye Colledg: £5 10s." "Making yt & turning my Bachelors Goune: £1 6d." "ffor oranges \1667/ for my sister: 4s. 2d."

I got angry at my daughter the other day - Rick Thomas

How sinful anger at a child's sin disqualifies a parent from helping that child to repentance and restoration, what's required to "re-qualify," and the consequences if you don't. Plus an important "heart check" at the end. If you asked your kids questions like this, what answers would they give?

• When you think of me, do you first think of my love for you or my displeasure in you?
• Which is greater in your mind, as it pertains to me: affection or correction?
• When I say I have something to say to you, what do you think first? I'm going to encourage you or discourage you?
• Am I generally a joy or a burden to be around?
• If you could choose a word that best describes my affection for you, what would that word be?

Adrian Warnock: Promises for those who read God's Word

The very beginning of the Book of Psalms contains a promise of transformation to those who read and meditate on God's Word:

Many reading plans which encourage variety will include beginning the Psalms today. How good it is then that on this first day of the year so many Christians will read these great promises from God himself. If we will but meditate on The Truth we are assured God will change our nature so we will be a well-rooted tree able to be firmly established and in due course being forth fruit.