The Christian is placed in many different circumstances while on this earth. Some are characterized by hardships and trials, and others are full of joy and peace. How should the Christian respond? Throughout the Bible there are numerous times where God’s people sang in response to their various circumstances. Singing in response to God’s ordering […]
As we examined the first eleven chapters of Genesis last month, we took note of the fact that the book of Genesis is theological, meaning it helps us to grow in our knowledge of God. In addition, we noted that the book of Genesis is historical, meaning that the events chronicled in it are the […]
Who am I? What is my purpose on this earth? Why is everything the way that it is? These are the kinds of questions that often trouble young people as they become more independent from their parents, enter the world of college or career, and make major life decisions such as choosing a spouse, a […]
The book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon to his young adult son. Solomon’s purpose in writing Proverbs was “that the generation to come might know them [God’s wonderful works]…that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments” (Ps. 78:6–7). Throughout the book, Solomon […]
The group of churches that John writes to in this trio of epistles had recently experienced a split because of doctrinal controversy. We do not know the exact content of the error that these false teachers were spreading, but it is apparent from John’s writing that their teaching somehow denied the truth of the incarnation—that […]
Have you ever thought about how amazing it is that we can pray? How incredible is it that we can come into the presence of God at any time and bring our needs to him? Prayer is a wonderful, miraculous gift of grace that God has given only to his children. Yet even though one […]
Every believer is fighting a battle—a battle within themselves. God has created a new, holy nature in each of his children. But even though elect believers are regenerated and sanctified, their old, totally depraved nature remains in them while they are still on this earth. Their old nature and new nature are constantly in conflict […]
What is the church? Do you remember the answer to this question from your Essentials catechism book? “The church is the elect body of Christ, which is revealed on earth as the gathering of elect believers and their seed.”[1] The epistle of Paul to the Ephesians elaborates on this basic truth by presenting us with […]
As the time of the judges came to an end, the people of Israel asked God to give them an earthly king like the heathen nations that surrounded them. God answered their request by raising up Saul to be their king. Saul’s reign, however, was marred by disobedience and rebellion against God. After Saul’s sin […]
Job had the perfect life. He was a godly man who was rich and successful. He had a loving family consisting of a wife and ten children. But in the blink of an eye his perfect life fell completely apart. In one day, he lost all his livestock and servants, and all his children were […]