Reflections Posts

Glimpsing God

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Scripture Text: Psalm 99:1-9

You may worship him in Zion or by the pillar of the camp or at his footstool or on the holy mountain or on the Mercy Seat itself!

Let Go

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Scripture Text: Isaiah 43:16-21

You are a sinner, besieged with temptation. The weight of it worries you. Perhaps, you wonder, it is not well with your soul. Let go of it; give it to God. Take a breath; calm down and pray.

A Fortune of Joy

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Scripture Text: Psalm 126:1-6

The local bank began offering 5% interest on checking accounts. Many certificates of deposit do not offer that much. You would have to be crazy not to switch to a bank that offered such earning potential on a checking account.

Prudence

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Psalm 32:1-11 From the Reformer David, after enduring long and dreadful torments, when God was severely trying him, by showing him the tokens of his wrath, having at length obtained favor, applies this evidence of the divine goodness for his own benefit, and the benefit of the whole Church, that from it he may teach himself and them what constitutes the chief point of salvation. All men must necessarily be either in miserable torment, or, which is worse, forgetting themselves and God, must continue in deadly lethargy, until they are persuaded that God is reconciled towards them. Hence David here teaches us that the happiness of ...

The Right Focus

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Scripture Text: Psalm 85:8-13

He was convinced that he was no good because he could not keep the commandments of God perfectly. He did well most days but then fell down sometimes.

On the Run

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Scripture Text: Psalm 4:1-8

David was called to be the king of Israel yet was consigned to the wilderness instead of a palace, running from the present king and the whole army.

The Further Shore

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Scripture Text: Psalm 51:1-12

It is God himself who provides that further shore of salvation. Indeed, he is the shore. You must rise up and go!

Knock, Knock

Reflections on the Reformers

Scripture Text: Acts 11:1-18

“But I have always done it this way!” Nevertheless, now it is time to listen to how the Lord wants things done.

Credo

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Scripture Text: Acts 16:4b-15

Too often the Spirit is viewed as a tool or power. In fact, many believers refer to the Holy Spirit as an “it.” This is far from the truth.

Drawing a Crowd

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Scripture Text: Acts 2:1-21

It is curious that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit happened quite suddenly, even surprisingly, and at a point when the little Church was in one accord.

Longsuffering

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Scripture Text: Galatians 5:22-23

He was sitting in line at the drive-through of a local hamburger restaurant, waiting three cars back. Suddenly, he backed up a few feet, almost hitting the car behind him...

Our All and Everything

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Scripture Text: Psalm 111:1-10

You await nothing. There is no greater cause, no finer moment, no more wondrous event, no fuller teaching. Jesus is the One. He is the Only One.

Curses

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Scripture Text: Genesis 3:14-21

“I can’t stop sinning!” he complained to the pastor. “I keep asking God to help me but he doesn’t.” But God has indeed helped.

The Heresy of the Modern Spirit

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Scripture Text: Romans 4:13-25

The great heresy today is one shared long ago by Pelagius. That Celtic theologian, fueled perhaps by an excessively strong Irish individualism, relied not on the sacrifice or resurrection of Jesus but...

Everything You Need

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Scripture Text: Romans 5:1-5

God does not leave you alone in your struggles to live up to being created in his image. He gave you his example, his Spirit, and his Word.

Let Us Confess

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Scripture Text: Genesis 30:1-24; 1 John 1:1-10; John 9:1-17

When reading the story of Jacob and his wives, one would have to conclude that they were not quite walking in full light.

Convocation

Reflections on the Reformers

Scripture Text: Ezekiel 37:1–14

C. S. Lewis reminds us, “The Church will outlive the universe.” (The Weight of Glory) One day, when days are no longer counted, every member of the Body will be called together and joined with the Head of the Body who is Christ.

Momentous Trivialities

Reflections on the Reformers

Scripture Text: Philippians 2:2-8

A video was aired on a popular television program, showing a pastor baptizing a young boy. The pastor’s style was to scoop a small amount of water into his hand and as with a shell to pour water three times onto the child’s head.

Peace Restored

Reflections on the Reformers

Scripture Text: John 20:19-31

“I don’t believe it!” This is a common enough saying but in connection with the Lord’s promises, one is aghast that someone would doubt—especially one of the Apostles.

The Struggle

Reflections on the Reformers

Scripture Text: Acts 10:34-43

Go ahead; try to read it again. Do not skim over it; read it aloud; struggle to pronounce the words and their meaning will come to you (especially of you have spent much time in the King James Bible, for it owes much to Wyclif’s text).

Hearing Christ Alone

Reflections on the Reformers

Scripture Text: Luke 9:28–36

It is clear that the three disciples had yet to full awaken spiritually since they seemed to credit all three who appeared in glory as equal.

Providential Pasture

Reflections on the Reformers

Scripture Text: Psalm 23:1–6

It made no difference to David the condition in which he found himself. Certainly he wished for comfort and gave God thanks for ease. Yet he seems to have learned to give God thanks regardless.

Recovery

Reflections on the Reformers

Scripture Text: John 14:3–6

At first he would not admit he had a problem but then, he went to his father for help. He told him that he would have to do this on his own and that all he had to do was white-knuckle it.

Keeping the Commandments

Reflections on the Reformers

Scripture Text: John 14:8–17

Jesus laid a heavy burden upon his followers when he said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” How can they do this?