Posts by toowoombacrc (Page 3)

Posts by toowoombacrc (Page 3)

Do God and Satan Still Speak Together about Believers?

“In the two opening chapters of Job we read of encounters between God and Satan.  The angels appeared before God, both the good and the evil.  God challenges Satan with respect to Job.  He says in Job 1:8, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”  Satan replies with cynicism.  He insinuates that Job is just motivated by self-interest.  If…

Slot Machine Christianity

“Too often we approach the Christian life, relationships, and ministry with the expectation that if we put in enough time, effort, and faithful service—in the end it will turn out well for us. The payoff will come—and even in this life. But surely, we don’t think that way, do we? We who are heirs of the Reformation and its recovery of the doctrines of grace? Don’t be so sure. Consider, in your most honest moments, whether you’ve ever thought this…

Courage Inspired by the Martyrs

“”Grace leads to faith, hope, and power in weakness—all of these are rendered in the heart as courage. Courage can go back to a dream filled with death and retell it with confidence that Jesus will be with me in that moment of wavering. Courage prays rather than remains settled in fear. Courage allows what is good, right and wise to guide us even in the presence of fear. It enters a particularly difficult day with hope. It knows that…

2 Ways To Look at the People in Your Church

“It is a display of God’s wisdom that he binds us together in local church communities. We know it is a mark of his wisdom, yet sometimes it can feel so much like folly. Sometimes we grow weary of being around people who are sinful, who are selfish, who still have so far to go. In other words, sometimes we grow weary of being around people who are just like us. At times like these, we can benefit from a…

Faithful in Obscurity

“God may call people to the spotlight for a short time or for much of their lives. But many of us will live as 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says: “to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you.” We can serve Him in ordinary, everyday ways, hardly noticed by the rest of the world. Yet doing that ordinary service in love as unto Him, filled with His Spirit, makes…

What is Anxiety?

“Most of our sinful anxieties are tied to proper concerns. It is proper to do your job well, to support your family, to care for your children, to fulfill the duties that God has called you to do. We should be concerned with all of them. The question is, When do these proper concerns turn into sinful ones? When does godly care become godless worry?” Read more…

Shaking Off Some Lifelessness with the Psalms

“Sometimes we can drift through life, just going through the motions. We are passive more than active. Distracted—waiting to be entertained—instead of engaged and proactive. Jaded and not alive to the spiritual possibilities in front of us. We can feel like the functioning depressed. I noticed this recently when I was reading Scripture. I was in the early chapters of Acts, which are some of the most exciting stories ever, but I was just. . . going through the motions.…

Reflecting on Beauty

“Have you looked in the mirror today and told yourself you are beautiful? Have you jumped on the scales and congratulated yourself? Have you delighted in a mouthful of moist chocolate cake, savouring each mouthful without the aftermath of guilt? Frankly speaking, how is your relationship with your body—the physical body God has given you?” Read more…

In the Name

“When we pray, we usually end our prayers with “in the name of Jesus” (John 16:23). It is our custom. A habit. I heard a song recently that repeats—and repeats—a line about love for the name of Jesus. But if we repeat anything often enough, does it devolve into nonsense syllables? Psalm 23 uses the phrase, “for his name’s sake.” Does it slow you down or do you skip over it? A phrase like “in the name of Jesus” is…

Ten Reasons Why You Need to Belong to a Church

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) Read more…