Here are some of the quotes from the book “Tactics” by Christian apologist Greg Koukl. If you enjoy this quotes, please feel free to share this post over your social media. God bless you and enjoy your week!
“Beware when rhetoric becomes a substitute for substance. You always know that a person has a weak position when he tries to accomplish with the clever use of words what argument alone cannot do.”– Gregory Koukl, Tactics #apologetics #christianconviction #defendingthetruth
“Always make it a goal to keep your conversations cordial. Sometimes that will not be possible. If a principled, charitable expression of your ideas makes someone mad, there’s little you can do about it. Jesus’ teaching made some people furious. Just make sure it’s your ideas that offend and not you, that your beliefs cause the dispute and not your behavior.”– Gregory Koukl, Tactics #apologetics #christianconviction #defendingthetruth
“To be of one mind biblically doesn’t mean that all have to share the same opinion. It means a warm fellowship based on communion with Christ in the midst of differences. It does not mean abandoning all attempts at refining our knowledge by enforcing an artificial unanimity. True maturity means learning how to disagree in an aggressive fashion, yet still maintaining a peaceful harmony in the church.” — Gregory Koukl, Tactics #apologetics #christianconviction #defendingthetruth
” We need to cultivate the ability to disagree with civility and not take opposition personally. We must also have the grace to allow our own views to be challenged with evidence, reasoning, and Scripture. Those who refuse to dispute have a poor chance of growing in their understanding of truth.” — Gregory Koukl, Tactics #apologetics #christianconviction #defendingthetruth
“This is a dangerous attitude for the church because the minute one is labeled mean-spirited simply for raising an opposing view, debate is silenced. If we disqualify legitimate discussion, we compromise our ability to know the truth.”– Gregory Koukl, Tactics #apologetics #christianconviction #defendingthetruth
“Arguments are good, and dispute is healthy. They clarify the truth and protect us from error and religious despotism. When the church discourages principled debates and a free flow of ideas, the result is shallow Chris tian ity and a false sense of unity.”– Gregory Koukl, Tactics #apologetics #christianconviction #defendingthetruth
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The Quotable Round-Up # 42
Here are some of the quotes from the book “The Gospel and Same-Sex Marriage” which is part of the series titled “The Gospel for Life”. If you enjoy this quotes, please feel free to share this post over your social media. God bless you and enjoy your week!
“If you are characterized by disgust over someone else’s sin rather than being overwhelmed at the forgiveness that God has given you, you are desperately out of touch with the gospel.”-J. D. Greear,The Gospel and Same-Sex Marriage (The Gospel for Life Series) #biblicalmarriage #samelsexmarriage #russelmoore #andrewwalker #jdgreear #thegospelandsamesexmarriage
“God’s design for sex, however, was intended to be a tangible representation of an entire relationship. It is meant to reflect a unity between two genders that are other, an image of God’s love for the other—us. Sex is not merely a physical activity, but a reflection of our Creator.”-J. D. Greear,The Gospel and Same-Sex Marriage (The Gospel for Life Series) #biblicalmarriage #samelsexmarriage #russelmoore #andrewwalker #jdgreear #thegospelandsamesexmarriage
“We need to recover that side of sexuality, preaching the positive and beautiful dimensions of covenant love and sex. Christians of all people should not be afraid of sex. God designed it and He delights in it. We must recover some of that delight.”-J. D. Greear,The Gospel and Same-Sex Marriage (The Gospel for Life Series) #biblicalmarriage #samelsexmarriage #russelmoore #andrewwalker #jdgreear #thegospelandsamesexmarriage
“Every generation inevitably establishes a standard for what is right and wrong. We’re all moral. The gay community is intensely moral. But the worst condemnation given in the Bible is that a certain generation did what was right in their own eyes. “They did what was right,” means a group of people was morally conscious, even morally fervent. But “in their own eyes” means their own sensibilities were the standard. Coming to Jesus means we stop using our hearts as the beginning point for determining what is right and wrong, submitting instead to His Word.”-J. D. Greear,The Gospel and Same-Sex Marriage (The Gospel for Life Series) #biblicalmarriage #samelsexmarriage #russelmoore #andrewwalker #jdgreear #thegospelandsamesexmarriage
“But if the biblical view of sexuality is true, how can it be loving to not tell them? If the biblical view is true, it would actually be hateful—or at least severely delinquent cowardice—not to tell them.”-J. D. Greear,The Gospel and Same-Sex Marriage (The Gospel for Life Series) #biblicalmarriage #samelsexmarriage #russelmoore #andrewwalker #jdgreear #thegospelandsamesexmarriage
“After all, no one goes to hell for being homosexual. How do I know that? Because no one goes to heaven for being heterosexual. The only choice that puts a person outside of God’s grace is refusing to acknowledge their brokenness and submit to Jesus’ lordship.”-J. D. Greear,The Gospel and Same-Sex Marriage (The Gospel for Life Series) #biblicalmarriage #samelsexmarriage #russelmoore #andrewwalker #jdgreear #thegospelandsamesexmarriage
Precious Gems Found in 1st Chronicles
In 1st Chronicles we see the latter days of King David as he rules Israel. We can still see in his prime how God works as David subdue nations, made some blunders and pass the baton of leadership to his son Solomon. I now present you some passages that has caught my heart and spiritually nourished me through my daily meditation of His Word. “Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” –1 Chronicles 19:13 ESV
“David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in friendship to help me, my heart will be joined to you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, although there is no wrong in my hands, then may the God of our fathers see and rebuke you.” –1 Chronicles 12:17 ESV
“Yours, O Lord , is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord , and you are exalted as head above all.” –1 Chronicles 29:11 ESV
“But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” — 1 Chronicles 21:24 ESV
“There is none like you, O Lord , and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”–1 Chronicles 17:20 ESV
“At ikaw, Solomon na anak ko, kilalanin mo at paglingkuran ang Dios ng iyong ama nang buong puso mo at isip, dahil nakikita ng Panginoon ang bawat puso ng tao at nalalaman niya ang ating layunin at pag-iisip. Kung dudulog ka sa kanya, tutulungan ka niya, pero kung tatalikod ka sa kanya, itatakwil ka niya magpakailanman.” –1 Cronica 28:9 ASND
3 Self-Examining Questions Every Christian Should Consider (Part 2)
We can’t go further in our pursuit to please God if there is something wrong in us spiritually. That is why we should have a reality check. In this final part of our lesson we will see the last two questions that are penetrating. It will bring forth who we are in the light of the Bible and lead us to repentance to God. We need to be broken and humbled to be of much use in God’s kingdom. Let’s go back to the Book of Job to see the final two.
2. “what then shall I do when God rises up? When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?” – Job 31:14
“What if God ask you and what shall you say to him?” is a question about the weight of God’s demand to response to His inquiry. Or will we be able to answer Him. What if God ask you on why did you made those decisions that are not God glorifying? What if God demand you to answer those behaviors that are not Christ like? What will you say? Knowing this are we not to be more careful of what we say and do?
3. “Does not he see my ways and number all my steps?” – Job 31: 4
We as believers should not walk in the “counsel of the wicked” (Psalms 1:1) and consider the Bible as the lamp to guide our steps (Psalms 119:1) because as this verse in the Book of Job indicates that He can see our ways and the steps we take. It is therefore a call to be authentic and leave the sinful and superficial things we do in the name of Christ. We can easily play with the thought that God is omniscient and omnipresent in other things but not on us. Here God’s attributes must make us think and floored us with its truth. We must walk in humble obedience to Him because He knows everything about us. Let us focus on how to be true and let this question shake us and do the right thing. May our merciful God guide us as we desire to please Him in every ways.
More articles here: https://delightinggrace.wordpress.com
3 Self-Examining Questions Every Christian Should Consider (Part 1)
Self-examination is uncomfortable. In our sinful nature we don’t want to see ourselves for who we are. We often want to dwell in this illusion that we are fine and nothing is wrong in our spiritual life. Truth really hurts. But examining ourselves is a necessity if we want to check who we really are and where we are going.
Let us now go to the Book of Job to see these questions. The Book of Job is not just about the patience, sufferings and faith of Job. Rather the main story is about God and His sovereignty. The crisis Satan brought to Job crush everything in him yet he remains steadfast for God. In the midst of his conversations with his friends, you can see that it’s theological in nature. Some do have the right understanding on God and some misrepresents Him. But there are penetrating questions we should consider that are scattered in the Book of Job. We collected three of them. Here’s the first one and next week we will see the rest.
- “Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man?”—Job 13:9
This question shows the weight of how God searches us. I ask if it’s well or bearable for us if God checks us out. Our unfaithfulness, our secret sins and our deception might come in mind and we don’t want it to be found out by God. But the reality is He already knows it! We can’t deny what we already have done. This will drive us to be humble and come to Him with a sorrowful heart. Will we start cleaning our mess knowing how heavy this question is? I hope and pray we will.
To be concluded next week. More articles here: https://delightinggrace.wordpress.com
Book Review: None Like Him by Jen Wilkin
Oh boy where do I start with this great book? Oops! Yes I already blurted out that this book is awesome. The character of God as a subject of a book might bring in your mind outstanding authors who made a name out of that subject. Wilkin did admit in her book that authors like A. W. Tozer, R. C. Sproul etc., who wrote books on the attributes of God, did influence her in writing the subject. However consider this book as a take on the attributes of God with a female perspective.
Wilkin discuss the 10 attributes of God (infinite, incomprehensible, self-existent, self- sufficient, eternal, immutable, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent and sovereign) and how we finite beings try to live a life that we think we have those attributes. There are lots of things going on in this book but Jen Wilkin manage to gather it up in one place to bring us a one of a kind book on attributes of God. As she goes further and further discussing the topic it goes deeper and deeper to the heart of everyone who is reading the book. She brings forth who God is an intimate level that will not just make us guilty but stand at awe with our sovereign Creator.
“None Like Him” is well crafted book on the attributes of God that will shaken and drive us on our knees. We will get to know our finite self more and trust an infinite God. As for Wilkin, she is an author we should watch out. If you already read books by Tozer, Sproul or Pink on the attributes of God, please include this. This book is highly recommended.
My verdict: 5 out of 5
Review copy of the book is provided by Crossway.
More book reviews here: https://delightinggrace.wordpress.com
The Quotable Round-Up #36
For this week we are featuring quotes from Gloria Furman’s latest book titled “Missional Motherhood”. Hope you’ll like it and please pick up a copy.
“The Bible is about Jesus Christ and what he did for us in order to restore us to a right relationship with God.”—Gloria Furman, Missional Motherhood
“Whether we see it or not, we creatures are ever on the receiving end of God’s emanating goodness. As children of God, we have been given the privilege of grace that no one could merit.” —Gloria Furman, Missional Motherhood
“Let us humble ourselves in awe-full, expectant, happy submission to this holy God. God created everything as an overflow of his fullness.”—Gloria Furman, Missional Motherhood
“The mercy God showed the man and the woman was for a purpose—that he might accomplish his plan through the offspring of the woman.” —Gloria Furman, Missional Motherhood
“Our past is all grace. Our future is all grace. And whatever circumstances you find yourself in today—its all grace.” —Gloria Furman, Missional Motherhood
“God’s power is made evident in our human weakness so that he is the one who gets the glory. It is his story.” —Gloria Furman, Missional Motherhood
“Our ability to provide for the people who are in our care does not come from our ability at all, as though we are anything. But our supply—energy, time, resources (coffee!)—comes from the Lord.”—Gloria Furman, Missional Motherhood
“For God’s people to truly love and obey him, they needed more than rules. They needed new hearts—hearts with his good law written right on them. God had to transform his people from the inside out.”—Gloria Furman, Missional Motherhood
Book Review: Missional Motherhood by Gloria Furman
Missional and motherhood might the last two words you’ll put together. Missional is a task of engaging the world with the gospel either in Zimbabwe or your next door neighbor. Motherhood in the other hand might give you pictures of a homebound mother feeding her children. However in Gloria Furman’s latest book, “Missional Motherhood” these two words convey the plan of God to His elect, how Christ work uphold this nurturing and the important role of “mothering” to the church and the world.
Part 1 of the book is the story of God’s grand plan for us. It’s a re-telling of the Old Testament stories which God despite of what sin has done to us, He is there as a nurturer. Even if the image bearers rebels over and over, God’s redemptive plan is unhindered. It’s a long read that might make want to skip because you already know some of it. Then again for those who are not familiar with the story (it’s either a new believer or a non Christian) this is a thrilling read. Imagine reading the OT in one sitting and understanding the big picture.
Gloria gave the last part of the book the solution to what seems to us a foiled plan of God for us. She showed how Christ intercedes to us as we become “nurturer”. We see here Christ as a creator, redeemer, prophet and more. It’s a well executed writing from Gloria Furman as she connects Christ roles to motherhood. It’s not a copy and paste thing then poof a book on missional. She knows what she’s writing.
Gloria Furman wrote not just another missional book but THE missional book about motherhood. She’s not jumping on the bandwagon but she sets something that everyone should give a second look. “Missional Motherhood” can set a bandwagon in itself because of its biblical and theological rich content that is engaging and accessible to everyone. Yes I said the word: EVERYONE. This book is not just written for “mothering” women but “mothering” men also. Men should not read this to understand women who are “mothering”but how men can be “mothering” too. Great book worth grabbing at Amazon or you local bookstore.
My verdict 4.5 out of 5
Review copy of the book was provided by the author.
My Goodreads review of the book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1653777109
More book reviews here: https://delightinggrace.wordpress.com
Precious Gems Found in the Book of Job
The Book of Job is not just about patience, faith and suffering of Job. The book is about the God of Job that despite what he allows to happen to Job, God is still in control. He is wise in all the decisions. He is still sovereign and no one can forfeit His plan to Job. In the end, Job has a happt ending and God gets the glory. I have been in my third time reading this book as part of my quite time. Nuggets of gold can be unearthed everytime I read and reread this book. So let me share some verses I find beneficial and soon will be part of my sermon:
“I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”– Job 23:12
“And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,”– Job 19:26
“Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man?”– Job 13:9
“You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.”– Job 10:12
“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.”– Job 40:4
“For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?” — Job 27:8
“Will any teach God knowledge, seeing that he judges those who are on high?”– Job 21:22
“Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind?”– Job 38:36
“what then shall I do when God rises up? When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?”– Job 31:14
And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” — Job 28: 28
“Does not he see my ways and number all my steps?” — Job 31:4
Get to read these verses by downloading these awesome Bible app: You Version and Olive Tree. God bless you as you read His Word.
The Quotable Round-Up #30
Here are the quotes for the week featuring the book by R. C. Sproul “What Is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics”. Enjoy and God bless!
“The call referred to in effectual calling is not the outward call of the gospel that can be heard by anyone within range of the preaching. The call referred to here is the inward call, the call that penetrates to and pierces the heart, quickening it to spiritual life. Hearing the gospel enlightens the mind, yet it does not awaken the soul until the Holy Spirit illumines and regenerates it. The move from ear to soul is made by the Holy Spirit. This move is what accomplishes God’s purpose of applying the benefits of Christ’s work to the elect.”
“What the unregenerate person desperately needs in order to come to faith is regeneration. This is the necessary grace. It is the sine qua non of salvation. Unless God changes the disposition of my sinful heart, I will never choose to cooperate with grace or embrace Christ in faith. These are the very things to which the flesh is indisposed. If God merely offers to change my heart, what will that accomplish for me as long as my heart remains opposed to him? If he offers me grace while I am a slave to sin and still in the flesh, what good is the offer? Saving grace does not offer liberation, it liberates. Saving grace does not merely offer regeneration, it regenerates. This is what makes grace so gracious: God unilaterally and monergistically does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.”
“Once we grasp the doctrine of total depravity, we know that no person will incline himself to faith in the atoning work of Christ. If God does not supply the means of appropriating the atonement’s benefits, namely faith, then the potential redemption of all would result in the actual redemption of none.”
“The ultimate aim of God’s plan of redemption was to redeem his elect. To accomplish this end he ordained the means. One was the atonement made by his Son. Another was the Holy Spirit’s application of this atonement to the elect. God provides for his elect all that is necessary for their salvation, including the gift of faith.”
“Faith is not something we conjure up by our own effort, or the result of the willing of the flesh. Faith is a result of the Spirit’s sovereign work of regeneration.”
“God certainly has the power and authority to grant his saving grace to all mankind. Clearly he has not elected to do this. All men are not saved despite the fact that God has the power and right to save them all if that is his good pleasure. It is also clear that all are not lost. God could have chosen not to save anyone. He has the power and authority to execute his righteous justice by saving nobody. In reality he elects to save some, but not all. Those who are saved are beneficiaries of his sovereign grace and mercy. Those who are not saved are not victims of his cruelty or injustice; they are recipients of justice. No one receives punishment at the hands of God that they do not deserve. Some receive grace at his hands that they do not deserve. Because he is pleased to grant mercy to one does not mean that the rest “deserve” the same. If mercy is deserved, it is not really mercy, but justice.”
“By definition grace is not something God is required to have. It is his sovereign prerogative to grant or withhold it. God does not owe grace to anyone. Grace that is owed is not grace. Justice imposes obligation, but grace, in its essence, is voluntary and free.”
Delighting Grace 