Wallpaper: Days of Old
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.”
Psalm 143:5
Topics: Weekly Wallpaper
Observations from Alistair Begg while Visiting Italy
Dear Friend,
I seem to recall a comment from the travel writer Paul Theroux that was along the lines of “When we travel, we not only see things, but we begin to see things from a different perspective.” It came to mind when I was asked about my reflections on our recent trip to Italy. The sunflowers had begun to bow their heads in anticipation of autumn. The vines were being harvested, and the olive trees were heavy-laden and preparing for the arrival of the workers in the groves. It is hard not to wish for the pace of life that seems to mark the routine tasks of the Tuscan hillsides.
Continue reading …Topics: Letters From Alistair Begg
10 Bible Verses about Jesus Christ
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”
Topics: Articles
Wallpaper: Rock of Ages
“While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.”
“Rock of Ages,” Augustus M. Toplady
Topics: Weekly Wallpaper
The Marks of God-Given Ministry, Part Two: Purpose and Pleasure
In Colossians 1:24–2:5, the apostle Paul invites the Colossian believers to examine the shape of his ministry, his goals, and the pleasures he takes from his labor. In the face of false teachers among them, he lays down a spiritual plumb line against which we may measure a ministry’s legitimacy as we ask, “Whom has God really sent to us?” In other words, who should become a pastor, what should their work look like, and what should they hope to accomplish through it?
Continue reading …Topics: Articles
The Marks of God-Given Ministry, Part One: Calling, Message, and Method
In the first verse of Colossians 2, Paul writes to the church at Colossae, “I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you.” “Struggle” is an apt description of pastoral ministry. It captures the rigorous nature of this calling, and it will resonate with all whom God has set to the task.
Continue reading …Topics: Articles
Wallpaper: Sends Trials
“God often sends us trials so that our graces may be discovered and that we may be convinced of their existence.”
—Charles Spurgeon
Topics: Weekly Wallpaper
The “Respectable” Sin of Slander
James 4:11 addresses one of the “respectable sins”1—that is, one of those behaviors that the Bible has so clearly condemned but that Christians by and large have learned to tolerate and sometimes even celebrate. We are prone to rage against what is wrong outside of our group while failing to pay attention to what is dreadfully wrong inside, turning a blind eye to our own sins because they are ours. Among these “respectable sins” is slander.
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Recommended Resources for Pastors
Truth For Life recommends the following assortment of books, series, and articles for pastors, church leaders, and others who teach the Bible. This carefully selected collection covers topics such as Christ-centered preaching, successfully leading a congregation, the dynamics of effective preaching, the importance of personal devotion to God, theological challenges, and family life.
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\nTopics: Monthly Resources
How Are We Saved? Read ‘The Beauty of Divine Grace’
Even if we’re believers, we might experience moments when we question, “Have I done enough?” or “Have I been good enough?” in order to feel secure in our salvation. The Beauty of Divine Grace challenges these insecurities and explores five essential truths about God’s role in salvation to help us grasp the depth of our total and complete reliance on God for eternal life.
Continue reading …Topics: Monthly Resources