Trinitarian Sanctification
A couple weeks ago, I was unpacking boxes of books and files in my new office at Cornerstone Community Church when a lesson plan caught my eye. It was on the Tri-Unity of God, which I had put together in
Continue readingAuthor: Paul Tautges
The Holy Spirit’s Power to Convert Sinners
Continuing our thoughts from yesterday’s post on the brightness of gospel light in an ever-darkening world, let’s think about the power of the Holy Spirit to take that same gospel and employ it to rescue sinners out of sinful lifestyles
Continue readingGospel Light Is Brightest When It Gets Darker Outside
Last week’s Supreme Court decision in favor of homosexual marriage is one that grieves the heart of any true Christian. It brings grief because we know the Scriptures are true when it says that sin is a disgrace to any
Continue reading“Counseling One Another” Now Available as eBook
It’s a pleasure to inform you that a revised and updated edition of the book Counseling One Another is now published by Shepherd Press (originally 2009 by Day One Publications) and is available in eBook form. Print copy will be
Continue readingKeeping a Journal Is Like Filling Your Pantry
This past Saturday morning, I revisited Lamentations 3:22-25, which has been a significant source of soul food for me over the years. These four verses contain promises and statements about God which are simply amazing in their simplicity and yet
Continue readingSinclair Ferguson on Learning Contentment
It is not uncommon for one chapter to be worth the price of a book. I said that to myself when I finished reading “Learning Contentment,” the tenth chapter in Sinclair Ferguson’s Deserted by God? But then, right after I
Continue readingSovereign Over Us
No matter what valley the Lord is taking, or has taken, you through, let your heart and mind be counseled by the Spirit-filled lyrics of this song. Don’t be surprised if the refrain brings you to tears. There is strength
Continue readingWhy Did God Kill Jesus?
When the Old Testament prophet Isaiah predicted the suffering of Messiah he said, “But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief” (53:10). Why? Why would God the Father be pleased to kill His only begotten Son?
Continue readingThe Triune God Hears and Knows
In prayer we tell God nothing He does not already know. Instead, our prayers acknowledge our awareness of something He has always known and that we regularly forget—that we need Him and cannot live without Him. We need understand more
Continue reading10 Ways to Hate People – Expanded
Earlier this month, David Murray posted a list entitled 10 Ways to Hate People. The list struck me, especially since these sins are all too common among those who profess to know Jesus Christ. The list has come back to
Continue readingI Shall Walk in a Wide Place
“I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts” (Psalm 119:45). This verse struck me a couple weeks back when I was working through Psalm 119. “What does the phrase ‘walk in a wide place’ mean,”
Continue readingThe Test of Trials – Part 4
In the past few posts, we’ve been walking through James 1:2-12 and learning how God uses trials to test and grow our faith in order to lead us to greater fruitfulness. First, James taught us that trials test our posture,
Continue readingThe Test of Trials – Part 3
The Bible indicates that a person’s attitude toward material possessions is a reflector of his true spiritual condition. For example, when Jesus challenged the rich young ruler to leave his wealth and follow Him, the man “became very sad, for
Continue readingThe Test of Trials – Part 2
Nothing tests the sincerity of the heart motives behind our prayers like trials do. Why is that? Trials are custom-designed by God to reveal to us the idolatry that remains in our hearts, not so that He may gleefully watch
Continue readingThe Test of Trials – Part 1
In his excellent book, Trusting God, Jerry Bridges provides a compelling illustration of the necessary relationship between experiencing trials and growing toward spiritual maturity. He writes: One of the many fascinating events in nature is the emergence of the Cecropia
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Five Reasons I Love Being an ACBC Fellow
The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) is an organization that I’ve been pleased to be part of for many years; first, as a conference attendee, then a certified counselor, and currently a teaching fellow. ACBC has a rich, 40-year
Continue readingPaul Tripp on 5 Reasons God Answers Us
In Psalm 27:7, David pleads with God to answer him. But what is significant to recognize is that he does not base his request on himself, but on God’s grace and mercy: “Be gracious to me and answer me!” This
Continue readingSin in the Believer
This morning, after spending time in the Psalms, my eye glanced to my left and caught a volume that I’ve not pulled off the shelf in quite some time. So, I picked up A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life and
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