Tag Archives: Jesus

He will dress himself for service.

He will dress himself for service.

What is he doing? The servant stared with bewilderment as his master girded up his garment and bent down to the bowl of water. He had done as his lord had commanded—he was dressed and ready for service; the lamps were burning, even though it was already the third watch. He was still awake. He… Continue Reading

Jesus Fulfills Old Testament Worship

Jesus Fulfills Old Testament Worship

In the Old Testament economy, God established particular means through which his people were enabled to draw near to him in worship, although since the sacrifices were not completely pure and the worshipers remained sinful, no one could enter God’s presence for free and open communion with him. Jesus enabled such communion by himself fulfilling… Continue Reading

Bible Narratives Devotional Week 45: Jesus Ascends and Sends the Holy Spirit

Bible Narratives Devotional Week 45: Jesus Ascends and Sends the Holy Spirit

This entry is part 45 of 52 in the series Bible Narratives Devotional You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Week 45: Jesus Ascends and Sends the Holy Spirit Weekly memory verse: 1 Corinthians 15:21–22 – “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” Weekly hymn: “Jesus Lives, and So… Continue Reading

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 44: Jesus’s Death and Resurrection

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 44: Jesus’s Death and Resurrection

This entry is part 44 of 52 in the series Bible Narratives Devotional You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Week 44: Jesus’s Death and Resurrection Weekly memory verse: Isaiah 53:5 – “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Weekly hymn: “Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted” (free download) Weekly catechism: What is the Lord’s… Continue Reading

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 41: The Light of the World

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 41: The Light of the World

This entry is part 41 of 52 in the series Bible Narratives Devotional You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Week 41: The Light of the World Weekly memory verse: 2 Corinthians 4:6 – “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. “ Weekly hymn: “O Splendor of God’s Glory… Continue Reading

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 40: True Repentance and Faith in Christ

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 40: True Repentance and Faith in Christ

This entry is part 40 of 52 in the series Bible Narratives Devotional You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Week 40: True Repentance and Faith in Christ Weekly memory verse: John 6:40 – “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” Weekly hymn: “I Sought the Lord” (free download)… Continue Reading

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 39: Jesus Heals and Forgives

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 39: Jesus Heals and Forgives

This entry is part 39 of 52 in the series Bible Narratives Devotional You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Week 39: Jesus Heals and Forgives Weekly memory verse: 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 – “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and… Continue Reading

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 38: Jesus’s Ministry in Galilee

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 38: Jesus’s Ministry in Galilee

This entry is part 38 of 52 in the series Bible Narratives Devotional You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Week 38: Jesus’s Ministry in Galilee Weekly memory verse: Colossians 1:18 – “And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” Weekly hymn: “When Morning Gilds the Skies” (free download) Weekly catechism: What is the church? The church… Continue Reading

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 37: Jesus’s Early Ministry

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 37: Jesus’s Early Ministry

This entry is part 37 of 52 in the series Bible Narratives Devotional You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Week 37: Jesus’s Early Ministry Weekly memory verse: John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Weekly hymn: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” (free download) Weekly catechism: What is prayer? Prayer is an offering up of… Continue Reading

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 36: The Birth of Jesus Christ

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 36: The Birth of Jesus Christ

This entry is part 36 of 52 in the series Bible Narratives Devotional You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Week 36: The Birth of Jesus Christ Weekly memory verse: Psalm 100:1–2 – “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” Weekly hymn: “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” (free download) Weekly catechism: Since you have been saved by grace alone… Continue Reading

Music Camp: A Report

Music Camp: A Report

Since coming as the Associate Pastor of Bethany Bible Church of Hendersonville, North Carolina, in 2010, I have seen first hand a unique ministry created by the vision of the senior pastor here, Greg Stiekes, and his wife Rena. Truly, the word “unique” is not used in vain in describing this week-long ministry to children… Continue Reading

The Lord is God (still)

The Lord is God (still)

As conservatives, it can be easy to grow discouraged. There are very few of us. It seems that all of American Christianity (sorry, David de Bruyn) is abandoning the way of worship that we understand to be reverent. The good, the  true, and the beautiful rarely brings in an audience. Our churches are shrinking. Fundamentalism… Continue Reading

On the Incarnation by Athanasius

On the Incarnation by Athanasius

This entry is part 6 of 18 in the series Books Every Conservative (and Liberal) Christian Should Read You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Getting the gospel right is near and dear to the heart of every conservative Christian. The integrity of the gospel is a non-negotiable. In this conviction, we find a true brother in our forefather in the faith, Athanasius. Hailing from Alexandria, the formative years of his youth were spent amidst the horrible persecution of Christians… Continue Reading

A Distinctly Christian Worship

A Distinctly Christian Worship

This entry is part 2 of 10 in the series Worship in Hebrews You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Synthesizing a theology of worship in the New Testament has been a struggle for Christians since the early church. In particular, how Christ’s coming, life, death, and resurrection altered and in some cases revolutionized the worship of OT Judaism has been the subject of considerable debate, and missteps in this matter have led to various—sometimes… Continue Reading

Rambling thoughts on corporate prayer

Rambling thoughts on corporate prayer

Matthew Henry said, “It is taken for granted that all the disciples of Christ pray. As soon as ever Paul was converted, behold he prayeth. You may as soon find a living man that does not breathe, as a living Christian that does not pray.” Luther said, “Prayer . . . is as strictly and… Continue Reading