Category Archives: Character

One another in James 4-5

Posted by on January 27, 2012 No comments

I’ve been reading through James over the last few days and I was struck by three “one another” statements in chapters four and five.

James 4:11 says “Do not speak against one another,” and James 5:9 tells us “Do not complain against one another.”  These two verses are another way of saying do not slander or gossip.  Yet, in every church there are those who slander and gossip – I know because I am occasionally numbered among them.  It is easy to say “I don’t gossip!”  Yet, how often do we speak against one another?  Or complain against one another?  We know that it won’t be with those who we are talking about, but it will be in the presence of friends and perhaps family.

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The hidden life of prayer

Posted by on March 30, 2011 Comments Off

The Hidden Life of Prayer (eBook)Last year I read through this little book and really enjoyed it. I noticed it is available on Monergism books in kindle format for US$2.45 which is chump change.

This is a very practical book that does a great job of pulling together the writings and practices of some of the great Christians throughout history including Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, David Brainerd, Martin Luther, George Whitfield and George Muller.

The book is organized as you’d approach prayer: beginning with composing our mind, then dealing with worship, confession, requests and finishing with how we can expect God to answer.

If you are looking for some encouragement in prayer, this is a great book for that purpose, and it’s short and easy to read.

If you don’t have a Kindle, you can either buy one (support this site by buying through this link) or purchase the paperback version instead.

Sermon: Psalm 16

Posted by on January 27, 2011 Comments Off

On Sunday I preached on Psalm 16 at Heretaunga Christian Center (and then again at Moera Gospel Chapel).

This Psalm is Messianic – that is it describes Jesus Christ.  In this case it provides insight into the spiritual life of both David and Jesus Himself that gives us insight into the commitment these men had to God and the benefits that they saw as a result of their walk with God. Read more »

He gave him no answer…

Posted by on June 29, 2010 Comments Off

When the Pharisees put Jesus on trial before Caiaphas, the final charge they brought against him was blasphemy. This was on the basis of Jesus claiming to be the Son of God and His sitting “at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matt 26:63-66). But for the unbelieving Pilate, this would be a hard accusation to put a righteous man to death for.

But this is exactly why the Pharisees delivered Him to Pilate – so that he could sentence Him to death. To be sure, they heaped other accusations against Jesus to make sure that Pilate would see Him as a threat. However, Pilate could see right through this ruse, and when he questioned Jesus, he asked him “are you the king of the Jews?” to which Jesus merely said “You have said so” (Matt 27:11). Read more »

Our need to see our sin

Posted by on April 18, 2010 Comments Off

In my last post I mentioned that we need to have a greater understanding of our own sin and depravity. Its only when we see this that we will see our need for salvation, but it also will illuminate the depth of Gods grace and may lead us to a deeper worship of God. Read more »

Faint and languid assent

Posted by on August 2, 2009 Comments Off

Our reading group is currently reading Henry Scougals “The life of God in the soul of man”. This is a remarkable book, which I recommend every follower of Jesus Christ read. Read more »

Meditations on Psalm 62

Posted by on June 27, 2009 Comments Off

This Psalm contains two key themes interspersed throughout the Psalm.  The first is contained in verses 1-2, 5-8 and 11-12 and consists of David’s explanation of the Lord and who he is. Read more »

David, Bathsheba and adultery

Posted by on April 20, 2009 2 comments

The story of David and Bathsheba is well known, but not known well enough.  We will often read it and not really check our own hearts as we ought and so we dont always take out everything that we can. Read more »

Ways to read the Bible – mastering the Bible

Posted by on March 21, 2009 2 comments

The term “mastering the Bible” is a hat tip to a very good little book by James Grey called “How to Master the English Bible”.  Which while it is a difficult book to purchase, it is a little book well worth purchasing.

This method of reading requires longer concerted periods of reading in many cases and is well suited to gaining a deep familiarization of a particular book of the Bible.

How?  Simply read the book (e.g. Ephesians) from start to end in one sitting – and then repeat.  If possible re-read the book several times in one sitting.  In some instances, this takes considerable time and concentration (e.g. Romans), but as you re-read you’ll find that you’ll see more of the meaning that the author intended and possibly more gaps (such as customs) that hide the intention.

Over time you’ll become very familiar with the book and have a deep understanding of the theme, intentions and characteristics of a book.

This is a great method to use to prepare to teach on a book of the Bible, or just to get a better understanding of a book or set of books.

There is only one better way of mastering a book than this method in my experience – and that is to memorize the book.

If you apply this method to (for instance) the entire new testament, you will indeed master the bits that you read over time and even the whole Bible.

Ways to read the Bible – devotional reading

Posted by on March 16, 2009 Comments Off

Devotional reading is purposeful reading that is focused on allowing scripture to help us interact with the Lord.  This is well described by George Muller of  Bristol:

 

The first thing I did, after having asked in a few words the Lord’s blessing upon His precious Word, was to begin to meditate on the Word of God; searching, as it were, into every verse, to get blessing out of it; not for the sake of the public ministry of the word; not for the sake of preaching on what I had meditated upon; but for the sake of obtaining food for my own soul.  The result I have found to be almost invariably this, that after a very few minutes my soul has been led to confession, or to thanksgiving, or to intercession, or to supplication;so that though I did not, as it were, give myself to prayer, but to meditation, yet it turned almost immediately more or less into prayer…

Now what is the food for the inner man: not prayer, but the Word of God; and here again not the simple reading of the Word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water runs through a pipe, but considering what we read, pondering over it, and applying it to our hearts… (Cited in “Desiring God” by John Piper, pp155-157)

This is a great way to start your day.  Wayne Grudem also uses a method like this:

Usually I just “camp” on a phrase or verse, sometimes writing it out and pondering application to my own life. I also keep a blank notepad beside me because God often brings to my mind things that I need to do and I make a quick note.

Typically with this method you wouldn’t necessarily read as broadly as you might with the time otherwise.  Alternatively you might also be more selective in where you read from – for example spending more time in Psalms than in perhaps the first five books (the Pentateuch).

Slowly moving through the text allowing ourselves to soak in it and respond to what we find there is a great practice, however, it may not be for everyone.  Personally I’ve found this more effective the longer I’ve been a Christian.  If you are new believer, you might prefer the hunger based method for the moment.