Barnabas Piper's Blog, page 24

Kindle Deals for April 29

A few Kindle deals worth your mind and money today:

A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again: Essays and Arguments by David Foster Wallace

$2.99 

Willie Mays: The Life, The Legend by James S. Hirsch

$1.99 

The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron by Howard Bryant

$4.99

Spiritual Warfare in the Storyline of Scripture: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach by William Cook & Chuck Lawless
$4.99

Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Samuel (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) by Heath Thomas & J.D. Greear

$4.99

 

Children of God

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)

Have you ever thought about what it means to be a child of God? It’s a phrase we often use in the church, but it’s easy to skip right over its amazing and beautiful significance. Romans 8 helps us understand. Verse 15 says, “you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

When we become Christians, something incredible happens: we become children of God. This isn’t like children of the Boys & Girls Club or children of the Boy Scouts. No, we are adopted into the family of God as his own beloved sons and daughters. God invented adoption, the embrace of a person into a family as one of its own. It isn’t temporary or incomplete. Adoption is final, complete, and permanent.

And it comes with all the family’s love, affection, and privileges. He adopts us into his delight, and he adopts us into familial rights. Romans 8:17 tells us we are “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.” As his children, we become inheritors of His glory, riches, kingdom, and joy for all eternity with Jesus, his Son.

This isn’t something we can earn. And once we get it, we don’t need to worry about losing our place or status. If we are in Christ, as believers, we are in the family of God–His children forever.

I originally wrote this post for my church, Immanuel Nashville, in our Daily Pulse email. If you want encouragement from God’s word delivered Monday thru Friday to your inbox, I encourage you to subscribe! 

Photo by Larm Rmah on Unsplash

Kindle Deals for April 27

A few Kindle deals worth your mind and money today:

Miracles by C.S. Lewis

$2.99

Ali: A Life by Jonathan Big

$3.99

2 Samuel For You by Tim Chester

$2.99

Hearing the Message of Daniel: Sustaining Faith in Today’s World by Christopher J.H. Wright

$1.99

A Doubter’s Guide to the Ten Commandments: How, for Better or Worse, Our Ideas about the Good Life Come from Moses and Jesus by John Dickson

$1.99

Kindle Deals for April 26

A few Kindle deals worth your mind and money today:

Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will by Kevin DeYoung

$2.99 (Month of April)

Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History by John Dickson

$3.99 (Month of April)

Gospel-Driven Ministry: An Introduction to the Calling and Work of a Pastor by Jared C. Wilson

$2.99

Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion by Rebecca McLaughlin

$6.99

Kindle Deals for April 25

A few Kindle Deals worth your mind and money today:

Exalting Jesus in Romans (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series by Tony Merida
$4.99 (Today Only)

The Making of C.S. Lewis: From Atheist to Apologist by Harry Lee Poe

$2.99 (Today Only)

Humble Calvinism: And if I know the Five Points, but have not love. . . by Jeff Medders

$2.99 (Today Only)

The Birth of Christ

Caesar Augustus was the most powerful man in the world. The Roman Empire touched three continents and had subjected numerous nations to its rule, including the little crossroads of a nation – Israel. When Augustus decree that a census be taken it was for historical purposes – to record and commemorate his power and worth.

When a dictator says “jump” his subjects say, like it or not, “how high?” and they hop to it. For Joseph, a carpenter in the town of Nazareth, that meant packing up his fiancée and making the seventy-mile trip to Bethlehem. Why? Because he had to be registered in the town his family was from, the place his roots were, the city of David, his ancestor, the great king from whom the Messiah would come.

So Joseph made the trip with his very pregnant fiancée, Mary. I’m sure the trip was difficult, what with her condition and the tenuous understanding he likely had about the nature of her pregnancy. He wasn’t the father, she claimed it was a miracle of the Holy Spirit, and an angel had told him the same in a dream – all very confusing. After seventy hard miles of walking over three or four days they arrived in Bethlehem only to find it swarming with people there for the same reason they were. The only place they could find to sleep was a stable alongside the animals.

Apparently a three-day walk is an effective way of inducing labor because Mary’s time had come. There, in that stable, she gave birth to a son, her mystery baby. She wrapped him snugly in cloth to keep him warm against the night’s chill and held him close like good mothers do. They laid him in a feed trough to sleep when the time came. It was the humblest of beginnings and a story to regale the family with at get-togethers for years to come. Almost unbelievable really, the sequence of events.

But isn’t that often the case? When God moves the mundane and inconvenient becomes pivotal in His plan. The decision of an emperor to magnify his own glory led to the birth of the King of Glory. And not just the birth but the fulfillment of prophecies dating back centuries. Caesar decrees a census and the emperor of emperors is born. In seven short verses God reveals the difference between the world’s idea of kingship and His own – Rome vs. Bethlehem, royal robes vs. swaddling cloths, thrones vs. troughs. The wisdom of man is foolishness to God and God’s wisdom is revealed in the unlikeliest of times, ways, and places – like a small barn in a small town in a small country where the Son of God entered the world to save sinners and rule for all time.

This piece was originally published at He Reads Truth, a website of whose purpose is “To help men become who we were made to be, by doing what we were made to do, by the power and provision that God has given us to do it, for the glory of Jesus Christ.” They do this by providing scripture reading plans accompanied by reflections that can be accessed for free online or purchased as print books.

Image by Kathrynne from Pixabay

The Second Advent

The first advent came to fruition on a silent night when the star came upon a midnight clear in royal David’s city, that little town of Bethlehem when Mary laid her baby boy away in the manger. The herald angels sang and declared joy to the world. It’s easy to think of that first advent in soft hues, hushed voices, and sweet melodies, a sort of Rembrandt-meets-Thomas-Kinkade moment. 

But we would do well to consider the fearful, human circumstances of that day because to consider Advent is to consider a real-life event with all it’s pungent, raucous tangibility. And to consider the second advent is all that wrapped in heavenly beauty and power. When Jesus completed His mission on earth, Acts tells us that “he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). Jesus physically ascended. Then the text tells us “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven” (v.11). 

Did you see that? This same Jesus will come back in the same way. “The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God” (1Thessalonians 4:16). The first advent celebrated the humble arrival of an infant King. The second advent anticipates the glorious, overwhelming return of that King in all His splendor and power.

Revelation 19 paints a magnificent dual picture of what we have to anticipate. John describes a massive, rejoicing wedding party for the King as he arrives to wed His bride, the church, in all the glory he has given her. Then the passage describes the royal groom differently, riding a white horse, wearing a crown, adorned in blood-dipped robes and wielding a sword from His mouth. He leads an army and “with justice he judges and makes war…He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty” (Revelation 19:11,15). The second advent is one of deep joy and deep justice. Our King Jesus will return to make us His and make us whole, and He will wipe out all that opposes Him and oppresses. He will bring true and final peace on earth and good will toward men.

We wait eagerly for Christ’s return, but we do not wait passively. We’ve been told how we’re to live as we await this second advent: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). We have the presence of our King in us now, by His Spirit. That is the seal and proof of His promise to come back. And we live for Him as we await His return.

The first advent came to fruition on a silent night when the star came upon a midnight clear in royal David’s city, that little town of Bethlehem when Mary laid her baby boy away in the manger. The herald angels sang and declared joy to the world. It’s easy to think of that first advent in soft hues, hushed voices, and sweet melodies, a sort of Rembrandt-meets-Thomas-Kinkade moment. 

But we would do well to consider the fearful, human circumstances of that day because to consider Advent is to consider a real-life event with all it’s pungent, raucous tangibility. And to consider the second advent is all that wrapped in heavenly beauty and power. When Jesus completed His mission on earth, Acts tells us that “he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). Jesus physically ascended. Then the text tells us “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven” (v.11). 

Did you see that? This same Jesus will come back in the same way. “The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God” (1Thessalonians 4:16). The first advent celebrated the humble arrival of an infant King. The second advent anticipates the glorious, overwhelming return of that King in all His splendor and power.

Revelation 19 paints a magnificent dual picture of what we have to anticipate. John describes a massive, rejoicing wedding party for the King as he arrives to wed His bride, the church, in all the glory he has given her. Then the passage describes the royal groom differently, riding a white horse, wearing a crown, adorned in blood-dipped robes and wielding a sword from His mouth. He leads an army and “with justice he judges and makes war…He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty” (Revelation 19:11,15). The second advent is one of deep joy and deep justice. Our King Jesus will return to make us His and make us whole, and He will wipe out all that opposes Him and oppresses. He will bring true and final peace on earth and good will toward men.

We wait eagerly for Christ’s return, but we do not wait passively. We’ve been told how we’re to live as we await this second advent: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). We have the presence of our King in us now, by His Spirit. That is the seal and proof of His promise to come back. And we live for Him as we await His return.

This piece was originally published at He Reads Truth, a website of whose purpose is “To help men become who we were made to be, by doing what we were made to do, by the power and provision that God has given us to do it, for the glory of Jesus Christ.” They do this by providing scripture reading plans accompanied by reflections that can be accessed for free online or purchased as print books.

Image by Jorge Guillen from Pixabay 

Light Overcomes the Darkness

When we read of “people walking in darkness” or a “land of darkness” it’s not hard to relate. That’s our reality. We feel the burden of the world’s evil daily—injustice, political upheaval, heinous crimes, greed, spite, dishonesty, exploitation, outrage, slander. And that’s all just in the morning’s headlines and a scroll through social media. It feels dark in our land. And in darkness we feel lost, like there is no obvious solution or way out. We struggle to even imagine a light that could drive out this darkness. 

But that is what Scripture promises. Or, more accurately, who Scripture promises. 

When Isaiah 9:2 says, “a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness,” it sounds pleasant, like the soft glow of morning. But does it stack up against the overwhelming bleak darkness of this world? Well, consider the following, then answer that question. 

This Light will increase the joy and rejoicing of the people (Isaiah 9:3). It will break the yoke and rod of oppression (v.4). It will turn war implements into kindling (v.5). It will establish a government marked by never ending prosperity, righteousness, and justice governed by the Prince of Peace (vv.6–7). That is no metaphor, and it is about as similar to pleasant as the sun is to a candle.

Christ (for, of course, He is the light prophesied about here as Matthew 4:15–16 explains) is no simple spark in the darkness. He drives out the darkness. Jesus is not a candle in a cave, He is the sun burning away the gloom and shadows of evil. That’s why Isaiah said a light has “dawned”—Jesus brought a new day of His perfect, everlasting kingdom.

Yes, it is still dark here, but it’s not pitch black. Jesus did come, that child promised in Isaiah 9. He did establish His kingdom of righteousness and peace. And He will one day return in all His blazing glory to drive out all darkness, forever. In the meantime the light of Jesus shines through His Word and His people by the power of His Spirit. We face evils daily, but we do not face them alone. “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom should I dread?” (Psalms 27:1)

Jesus is our light, today, in this dark world. He is our salvation from evil, that which surrounds us and that which lives in us. And that means the darkness will not overcome us. We need not fear. Like Micah, we can boldly say “the LORD will be my light” (Micah 7:8).

This piece was originally published at He Reads Truth, a website of whose purpose is “To help men become who we were made to be, by doing what we were made to do, by the power and provision that God has given us to do it, for the glory of Jesus Christ.” They do this by providing scripture reading plans accompanied by reflections that can be accessed for free online or purchased as print books.

 Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

The Power and Love of God

“Power belongs to God, and. . . to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.” (Psalm 62:11-12)

In this world, power is usually more frightening than it is good. Why? Because it is abused. In a sinful world, those with the greatest power are the greatest threat, especially to the weak and vulnerable. It’s why we have checks and balances in our government system, to mitigate the abuse of power by one person or group.

So when we hear in Psalm 62:11 that “power belongs to God,” it can easily sound frightening. An all-powerful God is a God with no limits on the damage he can do. Who could stop him? And sometimes it is tempting to view God this way, as a cosmic dictator who is out to get us.

But the passage doesn’t stop there. Verse 12 says, “to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.” So what kind of a powerful God is he? A steadfastly loving one. That means his love never wanes or fails or falters or changes. He is marked by love. 1 John 4 tells us that God is love. And his power puts that love into action in a way and to the extent that no one else can. It is all-powerful love!

God’s power is fearful if we choose to fight it, but when we put our trust in Him, he will simply powerfully love us.

I originally wrote this post for my church, Immanuel Nashville, in our Daily Pulse email. If you want encouragement from God’s word delivered Monday thru Friday to your inbox, I encourage you to subscribe! 

Photo by Gleb Lukomets on Unsplash

The Sheep of His Pasture

“But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.” (Psalm 79:13)

Psalm 79:13 describes God’s people as “the sheep of his pasture.” This conjures up peaceful images of rolling hills dotted with fluffy white sheep. And that is good, as far as it goes. It is a picture of peace with God. But there is so much more here too.

It tells us that we are his. We belong to God. And God will not lose those who are His (John 10:27-30). He will not carelessly misplace us or forget about us or trade us in or anything else that lets us out of his hand. We are his, forever. So when we feel anxious or afraid or like we are abandoned, remember we are God’s.

It also locates us in God’s kingdom and under his care and authority. We are the sheep of his pasture. This world is his. No part of it is outside his loving care and control. We are near God, located with God. Sometimes it seems like we are in the wilderness, surrounded by threats on all sides. But remember, we are in God’s pasture under his loving, watchful gaze.

Today you can trust that God is watching over you. You are never outside his reach or his gaze. And he cares for you as your loving shepherd.

I originally wrote this post for my church, Immanuel Nashville, in our Daily Pulse email. If you want encouragement from God’s word delivered Monday thru Friday to your inbox, I encourage you to subscribe! 

Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash