If you are someone who struggles with depression, you might appreciate the story of William Cowper who lived in the 1700’s.
Despite being a gifted poet and writer, Cowper struggled with depression so much that he was institutionalized. It was in an asylum that he read the Bible and understood that salvation is found in Christ.
We must be willing to talk about the wrath of God and the justice of God.
When I was a youth pastor, one of things I was determined to do was have a good relationship with the senior pastor of our church. To grow in that area, I memorized Proverbs 27:18,
Right now, at the end of the Holiday Season, how do you feel inside? Often at Christmas we sing about joy and peace. Is that where you are at? Do you feel a deep and abiding happiness that survives even difficult times? Do you have the calm assurance that all is well in your life?
If you are a Christian, don’t forget all the benefits of following Christ.
Psalm 103 verses 1 and 2 read,
“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-(Ps 103:2).”
I grew up on a farm in Southeast Iowa near the town of Keosauqua. When my parents first started farming, my dad had a second job, so when I was 8 and 9 years old I was responsible for taking care of the animals in the evenings. It was especially hard during short winter days. I can still remember cold, dark evenings, with the wind cutting into my face and wire bucket handles digging into my fingers. Sometimes water would splash onto my coveralls and freeze.
Let me give you a great gift idea for Christmas. It is a gift that will cost you nothing but an hour or so of your time. It will bless your entire family. It will encourage the leaders in your church. It will serve young parents. Jesus will consider it a personal favor. And, I can’t think of any better way to get into the Christmas spirit.
I am a former youth pastor and now I am the father of a teenager. In the next three years I will be the father of three teenagers. So, I find myself reflecting on my years of pastoral ministry, seeking to identify profound insights about interacting with teens.
Suppose that you want to get rid of some behavior in your life. It is never enough to stop doing the wrong thing. In order to defeat that behavior, you need to not only stop doing the wrong thing, but also start doing the right thing.
Exodus 34:7 raises interesting questions. Describing God, the verse reads:7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”
What does it mean that God punishes the children for the sin of the fathers?