• The Difference Between Ben Sasse and So Many Other Saints. Tim Challies writes ‘Sasse encourages me to remember and praise God for all of his people, great and small, known and unknown, who have received their final diagnosis as their final challenge—their final opportunity on this side of the grave to testify to their love for the Lord and the peace they have in him. May you and I be equally faithful.”
• Dying in Public: The Witness of Ben Sasse. Megan Fowler writes “The truth is, “It is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:27). The way Sasse has stewarded this physical trial reminds Christians that we have all been entrusted with a brief window in which to live. Though our death may not be as public as his, our faith certainly can be.”

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• Practical Ways to Prepare Your Heart for Gathered Worship. In this short video, Paul Tripp offers practical advice for preparing your heart for Sunday.
• Sabbath is More Than Self-Care. Megan Hill writes “It turns out that the fruit of the Sabbath isn’t ultimately about our well-being. It’s about having more of God himself.”

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• • More interesting article links
  • Favorite Quotes of the Week

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• Delighting in a Holy God. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question which can be summarized as “Why is God’s holiness so essential for us as believers? And why don’t I feel drawn to God’s holiness like I know I should be?”
• When Obedience is Evil. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question “I live in India with my parents who strongly insist I marry a non-Christian woman for cultural reasons, but I am a committed Christian. Second Corinthians 6:14says, ‘Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.’ How can I honor my parents without compromising my faith? If I refuse, they threaten to disown me. Is there ever a point when obedience to parents becomes partnership in their idolatry? What should I do if God’s will conflicts with my culture’s traditions? I presume there are examples of this happening in the Bible. How do I know when obedience would be sin?”
• Why Your Mind Cannot Die. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the questions that can be summarized as “So, is consciousness the soul? Or part of the soul? And then what do we make of people whose consciousness is distorted by a brain in dementia and other degeneracies? What are the implications? Is there a deep, authentic me that is (for now) masked and distorted by physical limits?”
• What Does It Mean To Rejoice in Christ? In this video, Michael Reeves describes how Christians can understand the call to rejoice and find joy in all circumstances.
• Don’t Wait For The Pain To Stop. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question “After waiting ten years for a child, my husband and I were overjoyed when I became pregnant late last year. But at the same time, I discovered a lump in my breast. At eleven weeks, our joy turned to sorrow when we learned our baby no longer had a heartbeat, and I had to undergo a D&C procedure. Just one week after losing our long-awaited child, we received the devastating news that the lump was stage-2 breast cancer. I have just had surgery and am now facing this new battle, and my heart is overwhelmed. I often wake up in the morning consumed by anxiety. My questions for you are: How can I possibly have a heart full of joy and peace during such profound loss and fear? How can I continue to believe that God is good, and that I will see brighter days again?”
• Will Christians Who Have Been Forgiven Answer For Their Sins in Judgment? To be a Christian is to be forgiven. But will we still have to answer for our sins? From one of the Ask Ligonier events, Sinclair Ferguson looks at the final judgment.
• The God Over Dice. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question “I am trying to get my head around this whole concept of God’s sovereignty. I hear this term thrown around a lot in theological discussions, but I’m realizing I don’t have a clear understanding of what it actually means. When we say, ‘God is sovereign,’ what exactly are we saying? Is this a biblical concept, and if so, where do we see it taught in Scripture? I feel like there’s so much confusion and debate around this topic. Some people seem to think it means God controls everything down to the smallest detail, while others push back and say that undermines human freedom and responsibility. I’m getting lost in all the arguments. Could you help me understand what God’s sovereignty really means from a biblical perspective?”

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• Eight Myths About Heaven That Many Believe. Randy Alcorn writes “Based on countless interactions I’ve had with readers of the book (Heaven), and others over the past sixteen years, here are eight persistent misconceptions about Heaven.”
• What Role Do Covenants Play in Scripture? In this video, J.V. Fesko describes the vital role that covenants play in the Scriptures.
• “Lord, Do It Again”: Tim Keller on Revival. Tim Keller writes “The ordinary operations of the Holy Spirit are conviction, conversion, assurance, and sanctification. When those operations are intensified across a church, denomination, city, or country, you’ve got revival. And when you’ve got revival, three things usually happen.”

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• In the Library: Joel Beeke. On this episode of In the Library, Albert Mohler speaks with chancellor of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and pastor of Heritage Reformed Congregation, Dr. Joel Beeke. They discuss theology, the Puritans, books, publishing, preaching, pastoring, ministry in the local church, and more.

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• Repentance is a characteristic of the whole life, not the action of a single moment. Sinclair Ferguson
• As soon as we think God owes us mercy, we’re not thinking about mercy anymore. R.C. Sproul
• I didn’t invite Jesus into my heart; he gave me a new heart. Scotty Smith
• Don’t study false doctrine, don’t study sin, don’t study error, stick with the truth and godly obedience. John MacArthur
• A small leak will sink a great ship. A small spark will kindle a great fire. A little allowed sin will ruin an immortal soul. J.C. Ryle
• When theology does not begin and end with doxology, it becomes merely an abstract intellectual exercise and the soul is not properly moved. R.C. Sproul
• Pastors, parents, worship leaders: Are you teaching any songs that can be sung acapella around a hospital bed in 50 years? Kevin DeYoung
• No one ever said at the end of his course that he had been too holy and lived too near to God. J.C. Ryle
• For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ. He is altogether lovely. Robert Murray M’Cheyne