WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CHRISTIANS SIN - We can turn God’s patience and mercy and reluctance to judge into licence to continue in sin. That's what God redefined for an indifferent, tolerant age looks like. The Word lovingly reminds us through various Old and New Testament accounts that God is still Judge and our actions have consequences.

WHEN YOU FEEL YOU ARE MISSING FULNESS OF JOY - Conversion is a matter of mind, heart, and will. No wonder Paul calls the entire church to examine themselves when they come to the Lord’s Table. Nothing marks the start of life in Christ like the cross and the embracing of the new covenant in Christ’s blood. So we aren’t just examining ourselves for horrendous betrayals in wickedness. We’re looking into our heart to make sure we’ve actually begun life in Christ on Biblical terms.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CHRISTIANS SIN - Only a belief in divine judgment fosters perseverance in the pursuit of righteousness in this world. Not because such a fear of God is the opposite of love for God, but because fear of God purifies and deepens our love for the majestic, mighty, righteous God who truly is, rather than the self-made God who pampers our fallen desires.

WHEN YOU FEEL YOU ARE MISSING FULNESS OF JOY - There are certain truths - certain absolute, non-negotiable principles, without which the Christian life simply cannot be lived. And no amount of religious activity or worship or prayer or benevolence can make up for. You don’t have to know everything. But some things can’t be ignored or overlooked. Make sure you’ve made an authentic start. It’s worth the effort and the examination.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CHRISTIANS SIN - What does the Biblical teaching on divine judgment do to the doctrine of justification by grace through faith alone? Does one doctrine cancel out the other? Beside that, people don’t like talk of divine judgment. Some church folk are angered by it and some honestly seem to think that the notion of God as a divine Judge was the antiquated hangover of a much more primitive brand of religion. More than any other New Testament figure, Jesus framed much of His teaching of God as One Who was the Judge to Whom we must all give an account. And, what’s more, He talked about His heavenly Father as One Who would avenge His glory by making all people accountable for their actions and attitudes in this world. In other words, in Jesus’ mind, God’s judgment had teeth in it.

THE THINGS YOU MUST PRAY ABOUT EVERY DAY- Only the Holy Spirit can use my life as a spot-light for the beauty of Jesus. I can’t possibly take the time to think through every single word and action, twenty-four hours a day. Life moves too fast for that. But every day, I can pray - must pray - that God will remember, when I forget, to use my life to bear fruit for His eternal kingdom. So church, lengthen your prayer lists, by all means. But don’t just make them longer. Make them deeper. And trace the hand of God in you and through you as you increasingly learn to pray according to the will of God.

THE FEAR OF MAN AND THE SNARE IT BRINGS - Whose praise do you live for? If God is the only one who knows about my sin, is that enough to make me forsake it in shame? And if God is the only one who smiles at my lonely trust in His will and way, is that enough to bring my whole being its deepest joy? That's the test of spiritual life.

SAVOURING THE GLORY OF JESUS THIS SUMMER - People are starting to think about summer being almost over, the circumstances of the week, the new job this fall, or where they’re taking their last few weeks of holidays. But what’s a stake right here? Why does it matter that we all proclaim the Gospel message from the rooftops? Jesus is coming back, that's why. Let that fill your vision. Let that be the framework for every decision. It’s His appearing that matters! It’s that final judgment that matters. That will be the greatest division of mankind the world has ever seen.

BAD RELIGION AND WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT GOD - Jesus is Lord of your time. He’s Lord of all of it. He longs for your worship and obedience every day. But each Lord’s Day He calls for your worship in a way that is detached from the rest of your life. It’s His day alone. It’s not your day to go to the office. Or paint your fence. Or go to the lake. It’s the Lord’s day. It’s a gift of His love. It’s the farthest thing from legalism. It takes nothing away from life. It’s foundational in your walk with Jesus. When you’re offering your life to the Lord, give Him this day first. And move on from there.

SAVOURING THE GLORY OF JESUS THIS SUMMER - Jesus tells His church He’s no cuddly teddy bear. When He comes into someone's life, He completely bursts old priorities and affections or He doesn’t come in at all. Use every opportunity to stay pliable and freshly moulded to the image of God. Never stop listening to the Spirit. Embrace times of inner tension and stress as the Spirit’s new life creates all sorts of tensions with the life you’ve grown accustomed to. Those times are for growth not simply for difficulty. If you give the Spirit His way, they are unspeakably precious!