Coram Deo ~

Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview

THIS & THAT: A Weekly Roundup of Favorite Articles and Quotes

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  • Lessons from the Puritans in Grieving the Loss of a Child. Nancy Guthrie shares three truths that Puritan pastors impressed on those grieving the loss of a child.
  • Breathe in the Happiness of Heaven. Randy Alcorn writes “Experiencing daily happiness in Christ isn’t wishful thinking. It’s based on solid facts: God secured our eternal happiness through the cross and resurrection. He dwells within us, and He intercedes for us. Nothing separates us from His love.”

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

  • More interesting article links – good questions, thinking theologically, recommended resources
  • Favorite Quotes of the Week

  • What Would You Say to a Christian Who Rejects the Inerrancy of Scripture? Many Christians today are abandoning belief in the Bible’s inerrancy. How should we respond to them? From one of Ligonier’s live events, C. Sproul pleads with Christians to have a view of the Bible that is no higher than Jesus’ view—and no lower.
  • God’s Good Design in Our Suffering. In this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper answers the questions “What is God’s good design in our suffering? What’s he doing in us, and for us, and through us, in our pain?” in a message from Romans 8:12-17.   
  • Did God Choose Which People He Would Save? In this video, Stephen Nichols addresses the above question. He also states that in the findings of Ligonier’s 2020 State of Theology survey, only 38% of American evangelicals agree with the biblical doctrine of sovereign election.
  • Do My Past Sins Work Toward My Future Good? On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper addresses the question “Does the ‘all’ in the ‘all things’ of Romans 8:28 include my sin? I hate my sin. I long for the day I won’t sin! But is my sin, too, working for an eternal good in me?”
  • What is Your Favorite Moment in Church History? In this video, Robert Godfrey reveals his favorite moment from church history.
  • How Do I Know If I Am Saved? How do you know whether you are saved? From one of the Ask Ligonier events, Sinclair Ferguson illustrates how the evidences of salvation manifest themselves in the lives of God’s children.
  • 6 Questions about Money. Paul Tripp offers these helpful questions and answers about money, adapted from his book Redeeming Money: How God Reveals and Reorients Our Hearts.

  • A False Sense of Assurance.C. Sproul writes “The first and basic reason why people arrive at a false sense of assurance is that they have a false understanding of salvation. They think that they are saved by their good works.”
  • 4 Questions about the Trinity. Scott Swain offers answers to these questions about the Trinity from his book The Trinity: An Introduction.
  • Chance Has No Power. There is no such thing as chance. In this brief video, C.Sproul demonstrates why it is illogical to appeal to chance as the reason why events happen or as the source of the world’s existence.
  • 10 Key Bible Verses on God’s Sovereignty. When life feels out of control, it can be comforting to remember that we’re never out of the sight of our Creator—and he never loses control. Be encouraged by the following Scriptures about God’s sovereignty with commentary from the ESV Study Bible, and rest knowing he rules over all.

  • Study the Bible diligently, believe it savingly, trust it entirely, proclaim it fearlessly, and sing it joyfully. Alistair Begg
  • Don’t be discouraged today. You can leave your “what-ifs” and “if-onlys” in the hands of the One who loves you and rules all things. Paul Tripp
  • As you consider the Father’s heart for you, remember that he is the Father of mercies. He is not cautious in his tenderness toward you. He multiplies mercies matched to your every need, and there is nothing he would rather do. Dane Ortlund
  • God’s grace rarely operates according to our schedule. Tim Keller
  • Everything that concerns us, disappoints us or makes us afraid is under the care of the One who loves us and gave his Son for us. Paul Tripp
  • God will only give you what you would have asked for if you knew everything he knows. Tim Keller
  • Looking inside ourselves, we can anticipate only harshness from heaven. Looking out to Christ, we can anticipate only gentleness. Dane Ortlund
  • It is a good time to remember and be comforted by the amazing truth that, by grace, your citizenship is in heaven. Paul Tripp
  • God is not keeping score, granting or withholding blessings on the basis of our performance. The score has already been permanently settled by Christ.  Jerry Bridges

Author: Bill Pence

I’m Bill Pence – married to my best friend Tammy, a graduate of Covenant Seminary, St. Louis Cardinals fan, formerly a manager at a Fortune 50 organization, and in leadership at my local church. I am a life-long learner and have a passion to help people develop, and to use their strengths to their fullest potential. I am an INTJ on Myers-Briggs, 3 on the Enneagram, my top five Strengthsfinder themes are: Belief, Responsibility, Learner, Harmony, and Achiever, and my two StandOut strength roles are Creator and Equalizer. My favorite book is the Bible, with Romans my favorite book of the Bible, and Colossians 3:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 being my favorite verses. Some of my other favorite books are The Holiness of God and Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul, and Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. I enjoy music in a variety of genres, including modern hymns, Christian hip-hop and classic rock. My book Called to Lead: Living and Leading for Jesus in the Workplace and Tammy’s book Study, Savor and Share Scripture: Becoming What We Behold are available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon. amazon.com/author/billpence amazon.com/author/tammypence

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