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Near the end of his magnificent letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul calls early believers to live fixed on the most important things, not superficial things such as what we eat or don’t eat, what we drink or don’t drink, but true life in the kingdom. This is how Paul describes the Christian life …
Continue reading "What Does It Mean to Live in the Kingdom of God?"
My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord …
Continue reading "Finding Peace with God: praying Psalm 131"
In his comments on Isaiah 9:2-4, Dr. John Oswalt makes this astute reflection on the wholistic mission of Christ that the church must keep ahold of in talking about salvation in Christ. They [God's people] rejoice because the Lord has freed them. It is not necessary to look for some specific liberation which Isaiah has …
Continue reading "Jesus’ wholistic mission and the Church (John Oswalt on Isaiah 9)"
Have you ever felt worried, distressed, or anxious? Yes, I know that might seem like a ridiculous question. In one way or another, we have all experienced worry, distress, or anxiety. These real experiences of our lives are the sort of things we encounter throughout the Scripture. In fact, the writer of Psalm 4 expresses …
During Lent at Eastbrook Church, we continue to explore the soul-deep hungers in our lives planted there by God in order to lead us to Himself. The series, "Hungry for God," parallels the season of Lent, and has a companion daily devotional that you can access here. This weekend I explored the hunger for peace. …
Matthew Erickson 