An Old School Approach to 'Small Groups'

Modern evangelical churches are prone to herd their flocks into an organized small group system, often under the administration of a Small Groups Pastor.
It's a popular idea, even with leaders of smaller churches, to mandate some sort of book to follow or a curriculum as a basis for discussion in these small groups; the Purpose Driven Life being one of the most well known. Contrast today's small group methodology with these directions given by Robert Murray M'Cheyne, in an informal letter that he wrote almost two-hundred years ago. ... [Read More!]

Oscar Nominee For 'Best Christian Horror Movie'

If there were such a thing as a Christian "horror movie", it ought to be based on this ominous scene from
Pilgrim's Progress. Reason being, I can think of
few things on earth that would be more frightening
than being sin-trapped in John Bunyan's iron cage. ... [Read More!]

JC Ryle: Love to Christ - The Companion of Saving Faith    Link

Love to Christ is the inseparable companion of saving faith. A true Christian loves Christ for all He has done for him. He has suffered in his stead, and died for him on the cross. He has redeemed him from the guilt, the power and the consequences of sin by His blood. He has called him by His Spirit to self-knowledge, repentance, faith, hope and holiness. He has forgiven all his many sins and blotted them out. He has freed him from the captivity of the world, the flesh and the devil. He has taken him from the brink of hell, placed him in the narrow way, and set his face towards heaven. He has given him light instead of darkness, peace of conscience instead of uneasiness, hope instead of uncertainty, life instead of death. The great workers of the church, the men who have led forlorn hopes in the mission-field, and turned the world upside down, have all been eminent lovers of Christ. ... [Read Link]

Are Today's Christians In Pursuit of Holiness?    Link

Even in the 19th century, JC Ryle expressed concerns that would certainly be amplified in our time: I have had a deep conviction for many years that practical holiness and entire self-consecration to God are not sufficiently attended to by modern Christians in this country. Politics, or controversy, or party-spirit, or worldliness, have eaten out the heart of lively piety in too many of us. The subject of personal godliness has fallen sadly into the background. The standard of [Christian] living has become painfully low in many quarters. The immense importance of 'adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour' (Titus 2:10), and making it lovely and beautiful by our daily habits and tempers, has been far too much overlooked... [Read Link]

Silent When Charged With Your Iniquities, by James Durham    Link

James Durham (1622-1658) was a Glasgow minister renowned as a preacher and writer during his short life. In this excerpt from his writings, he encourages us to be amazed at the infiniteness of the grace of God, and at the heart-affecting and soul-ravishing love of the Lord Jesus Christ! Be in awe at the grace of God, that spared the debtor, and required payment from the Son of His love! From the Edwards and Friends blog... [Read Link]

The Inhabitants of Earth Are Accounted as Nothing

Photos like these make it vividly clear just how very small we are, and how big God is. And as this classic sermon on Daniel 4:34-35 reminds us - there was once a time when we were in deed "nothing", and if God were to will it, we would cease to be. ... [Read More!]

A Prayer From The Book That Started Puritanism

Dr. John Gerstner said it was the devotional book that started the Puritan movement (besides the Bible).
Here's a prayer from one of the most popular devotional manuals written by the puritans of the 17th century. ... [Read More!]

George Mueller: "Real Faith"

By life's end, a 19th century pastor named George Mueller had built five large orphan houses and cared for 10,024 orphans. The entire time, he depended on God's response to his prayer of faith to supply the needs of the orphans in his care. George Mueller shares his thoughts on "faith":... [Read More!]

Spurgeon: "We live unto the Lord"

If God had willed it, each of us might have entered heaven at the moment of conversion. It was not absolutely necessary for our preparation for immortality that we should tarry here. It is possible for a man to be taken to heaven, and to be found meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light, though he has but just believed in Jesus. It is true that our sanctification is a long and continued process... [Read More!]

Look Up! - Pray "Lord Increase My Faith"   JC Ryle

Do you belong to that class of persons who really profess Christian faith and Christian obedience, and are you trying, however weakly, to follow Christ in the midst of an evil world? I think I know something of what goes on in your heart. You sometimes feel that you will never persevere to the end, and will some day give up your profession of faith. You are sometimes tempted to write bitter things against yourself, and to believe that you have no grace at all. I am afraid there are myriads of true Christians in this condition, who go trembling and doubting toward heaven. However, in spite of all their groans and doubts and fears, they do not turn back, but press on, though faint. Now, my advice to all such persons is very simple. Pray every morning and evening of your life, "Lord, increase my faith." Cultivate the habit of fixing your eyes more simply on Jesus Christ, and try to know more of the fulness there is laid up in Him for every one of His believing people. Do not be always pouring over the imperfections of your own heart, and dissecting your own sins. Look up! Look more to your risen Head in heaven, and try to realize more and more that the Lord Jesus not only died for you, but that He also rose again, and that He is ever living at God's right hand as your Priest, your advocate, and your Almighty Friend.

The Privileges and Comforts of Christianity

The puritan pastor John Flavel believed that most Christians live far below the privileges and comforts of True Christianity. I recently found this excerpt from Flavel, on the Jonathan Edwards blog (a great blog to bookmark and visit often):... [Read More!]

Valley of Vision: "True Christianity"

Lord of Heaven,
Thy goodness is inexpressible and inconceivable. In the works of creation thou art almighty, In the dispensations of providence all-wise, In the gospel of grace all love, And in thy Son thou hast provided for our deliverance from the effects of sin, the justification of our persons, the sanctification of our natures, the perseverance of our souls in the path of life. ... [Read More!]

A Pastor's Heart: The Need of Personal Revival

From 17th century pastor Richard Baxter:

I know not what others think, but for my own part I am ashamed of my stupidity, and wonder at myself that I deal not with my own and others souls as one that looks for the great day of the Lord; and that I can have room for almost any other thoughts and words; and that such astonishing matters do not wholly absorb my mind. ... [Read More!]

Valley of Vision: "Confession and Petition"

Holy Lord, I have sinned times without number, and been guilty of pride and unbelief, of failure to find Thy mind in Thy Word, of neglect to seek Thee in my daily life. My transgressions and short-comings present me with a list of accusations, but I bless Thee that they will not stand against me, for all have been laid on Christ. Go on to subdue my corruptions, and grant me grace to live above them. Let not the passions of the flesh nor lustings of the mind bring my spirit into subjection, but do Thou rule over me in liberty and power. ... [Read More!]