OVERFLOW

I am back from "Spring Break"! For those of you in the book club, here is your next reading guide. I am praying for you all to be safe during this time and rejoice that you are growing in sanctification. Recommended Reading: Chapters 9- 13 (28 pages) Because this book is divided up into so many chapters, I am grouping chapters into like themes rather than creating reflective meditations on each chapter. Section 5: Public vs Private Temptations includes chapters 9-10 Section 6: Why Fear Temptations? includes chapter 11 Section 7: Detecting and Resisting Temptation includes chapters 12-13 Bible Study Questions Section 5: Public vs Private Temptations Read Proverbs 30:7-9 Why do you think the psalmist asked for those two specific things in his prayer? How do they relate to public and private temptations? What, in this prayer, is revealed to be the highest desire for the psalmist? What is yours? Section 6: Why Fear Temptations? Read Proverbs 6

Recommended Reading: Introduction-Chapter 8 (40 pages)  Because this book is divided up into so many chapters, I am grouping chapters into like themes rather than creating reflective meditations on each chapter. Section 1: Introductory Remarks includes the Author's Preface and the Introduction (Chapter 1) Section 2: Testing vs Temptations includes chapters 2-3 Section 3: Identifying Temptations includes chapters 4-5 Section 4: Our Duty and our Folly includes chapters 6-8 Bible Study Questions: Section 2: Testing vs Temptations Read Hebrews 2:14-18 Knowing that Jesus also has endured temptations and is able to help those who are being tempted, are there any places where you have not fully trusted in Christ to come to your aid? How does your worship to the Lord change knowing that he came to "help the offspring of Abraham"? Section 3: Identifying Temptations Read James 1:12-15 Considering the text, where do the sources of temptation come from

We asked Rev. Michael Brown, a pastor in Milan, Italy, how we can be praying for the Italian church amid the coronavirus situation. Here is his response: I am a missionary of the United Reformed Churches in North America serving in northern Italy, where I pastor Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia, an Italian congregation in the suburbs of Milan. As you have probably seen in the news, we have experienced a devastating outbreak of the coronavirus. In the past ten days alone, we have seen the number of reported cases in Italy skyrocket from 888 to 7985, and deaths have climbed from 21 to 463. In the past 48 hours, Italy has experienced more than 100 deaths to coronavirus per day. Almost 90% of the cases of coronavirus in Italy are in Lombardy, the region where my family lives. The entire country, however, is on lockdown. This means that no one is permitted to travel and everyone is encouraged to remain at home unless absolutely necessary. All schools and churches in the entire country are un

Hey everyone, New month, means new book! And I am really excited about reading this one with you all. Check out the description below. I'd also love to hear your thoughts on the new reading guide format, the book selections, as well as anything you learned/applied from the previous books! You can send those to me by e-mail: OverflowBlog@outlook.com Book Description In this abridged and easy to read edition of John Owen’s classic work, the famous Puritan theologian opens up Matthew 26:41, carefully explaining what temptation is and what is involved in entering into it. He then shows how Christ teaches two means for Christians to use to guard against this danger, namely watching and praying: ‘These two’, Owen says, ‘comprise the whole endeavour of faith for the soul’s preservation from tempation’, and he insists that it is the duty of every believer to follow diligently Christ’s instructions to avoid falling into temptation. Owen helpfully applies his teaching, showing us how we

For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?  Isaiah 14:27  Growing up, my family would take a lot of trips in our van across the country. I loved packing up the van and claiming my seat in the back row so that I could have a bit more space and comfortably listen to music or read a book. It was a lot of fun and the excitement always grew as we slowly, but surely, neared our final destination. Oh what adventures would await us. But that is not to say that every trip was without disappointments. For example, I vividly recall one long trip that involved us to cross through multiple states. Seeing as this was going to be a long one, I took a nap during the drive. Some time later, I woke up to the salty smell of McDonald's fries…mmm dinner was going to be great. To keep within the word count, let me tell you that it was not great. What had happened was that while orders were being taken at the Drive-thru for Mc

Recommended Reading: Section 2; Chapters 3-Conclusion (51 pages) Bible Study Questions Chapter 3 Read Acts 7:51-53 Do you think that the Jewish people had any legitimate reasons for why they would be excused by God for having hardening their hearts and resisting the Holy Spirit? What would be their consequence for doing so? Why do you think that they did so anyways? In what ways have you resisted the Holy Spirit when He has convicted you to do something? Chapter 4 Read John 15:1-17 What sort of instructions are given to those who would like to remain in Christ and to bear great fruitfulness? Where do you see those items most clearly in your own life? In what ways have you depended on yourself for fruitfulness apart from Christ? What steps will you take to remove that idol of self? Personal Reflection Questions: Chapter 3 What other objections have you heard been given for why a person will not submit themselves to Christ? What were your responses? In what ways you can

The month of February 2020 will be on the theme of Parenting. BUT before all of you single and married without children folks check out, I want you to know that many of the applications found in these articles will not only be useful for you in the future, but for the here and now and I will be putting some applications specifically for you in the last paragraph of each section. ********************************** Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  Ephesians 6:4 Before Monica and I got married, we had the talk. No, not the talk, but the talk about how we were going to raise and discipline our children. We were both in complete agreement that we would, when necessary, discipline them with the paddle for a variety of reasons (read on). Now, I know in today's day and age corporal punishment can be a controversial issue for some, but it really should not be at all. Some will argue that there are m

Recommended Reading: Part 2; Introduction- Chapter 2 (30 pages) Bible Study Questions Introduction Read Romans 1:18-21 Do you think that it is fair for God to punish all mankind even if they have never heard of the Bible or much of its content? What does this passage reveal about man's knowledge of God? Chapter 1 Read Matthew 7:21-27 Many today declare Christ to be Lord of their lives, but many will find that they were never truly saved. How can you examine yourself to ensure that you are of the faith? When you hear the Word proclaimed each Lord's Day, would you say that you are a wise builder who hears the Word and does them? What two things this week could you do in order to apply the sermon you heard this week? Chapter 2 Read Isaiah 55:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 What does it mean to come and "buy wine and milk without money and without price"? In what ways have you been buying bread that does not satisfy? What areas need a reorientation back to G

The month of February 2020 will be on the theme of Parenting. BUT before all of you single and married without children folks check out, I want you to know that many of the applications found in these articles will not only be useful for you in the future, but for the here and now and I will be putting some applications specifically for you in the last paragraph of each section. ********************************** 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  Deuteronomy 6:5-7  One of the things that I still recall from my time at WestPoint is how to clear my weapon should I encounter a jam. I remember training the procedure so many times that it became second nature to me. And e

Recommended Reading: Chapters 4-6 (38 pages) Bible Study Questions Chapter 4 Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 From the reading, what sort of activities does Paul express that new creations are engaged with? Do you find that you are attempting to accomplish all of those things on your efforts? Is this right? Is this wrong? What does verse 18 say? Chapter 5 Read Luke 18:9-14 What differences do see between the Pharisee and the tax collector in their prayers and approach to God? What does this parable seem to stress as God's desire? How can you grow in this area? Personal Reflection Questions: Chapter 4 What areas in your life needs further pruning from the Lord? Have you come to depend on the Spirit and His Word on these matters? We all know that we fall short of the glory of God. In what ways have you made that an excuse for you to not live the renewed life that God has called you into? Chapter 5 Why do you think it can be so difficult at times to differentiate bet

The month of February 2020 will be on the theme of Parenting. BUT before all of you single and married without children folks check out, I want you to know that many of the applications found in these articles will not only be useful for you in the future, but for the here and now and I will be putting some applications specifically for you in the last paragraph of each section. ********************************** ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.  Isaiah 58: 3  I am a very light sleeper. I wake up every time the sound of my baby making his little shriek noises or cries, when Monica gets out of bed to feed him, and even when she climbs back into bed. And last night was no different. At about 7 am, Monica was just climbing back into bed, exhausted from caring for the little guy and it was 7:05 when he started to

Recommended Reading: Introduction-Chapter 3 (42 pages) Bible Study Questions Chapter 1 Read 2 Corinthians 13:1-10 Why is it important for us to "examine ourselves, to see whether [we] are in the faith"? By what measure are you examining yourself? As we are all called to make disciples, do you have this much boldness to call them to examine their own hearts? Have you lacked in obedience in making disciples? Have you lacked in standing firm on the Scriptures with them, gently leading them to truth? Chapter 2 Read 2 Corinthians 7:10 and John 16:4-15 Why is it so dangerous to confuse temporary convictions with true Spirit-led convictions? If the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts the world of sin, does the world need more knowledge, information, or experiences in order to learn that they are sinners? Chapter 3 Read 1 John 5:13-21 What promises do you find are given to those who believe in the name of the Son of God? How can we walk with greater confidence that

The month of February 2020 will be on the theme of Parenting. BUT before all of you single and married without children folks check out, I want you to know that many of the applications found in these articles will not only be useful for you in the future, but for the here and now and I will be putting some applications specifically for you in the last paragraph of each section. ********************************** "Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish…Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."  Ephesians 5:25-27, 6:4 As much as I would like to say that I grew up in a family that practiced family worship for many generations a

Hey there everyone, I hope that you have been reading a lot of good books this year! I alluded in my last post that I have restructured the format for the Reading Guides and I will talk about the new format at the end of this post. But for those who are ready to get started on the next book club pick, go out an grab a copy of The Christian's Great Interest  by William Guthrie. Below is a description of the book itself: Book Description All of Guthrie’s teaching and pastoral experience were poured into The Christian’s Great Interest – his only book. The remarkable fact that it has gone through more than eighty editions and been translated into several languages testifies to its value. This book describes in a clear and attractive style what it means to be a Christian, and how to become one. This book is all about Christ: the Christian’s great interest should be Christ; the unbeliever needs to develop an interest in Christ. It describes in a simple, clear, and attractive st

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35 Alex is back! After a nice month-long hiatus, I am back and am excited to grow in our love for God and in His Word. You probably have already noticed that this year is very different than last year with the first difference being that there are not the regular Old Testament/Wisdom/New Testament Articles. The reason for this is because I have started a new Bible in a Year Plan which is slightly different than last year's plan. If you want to grab a copy of the plan I am using, you can find it here: ( Bible in a Year Plan ). Which sort of leads us into the second difference, cadence of articles. Never fear though, articles will not be on an irregular schedule. Here is what you can look forward to: Sundays: I will post the week's reading guide for those who are a part of my awesome Book club! If you are not a part of the club, you really need to join it! I

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  1 Corinthians 12:4-7  New Decade, New Year, New Goals, New You. Perhaps that was you 28 days but you have since lost your vigor and are trying to just make it through each day. Maybe in the last few days of December you were energetic, organized, and excited to take on the new decade and close out some projects that have been open for several years. This was going to be the year when you finally lost those pounds or hit that physical fitness goal, or perhaps completed your Bible in a Year. But now that we are 1/12th of the way through the year, your enthusiasm is waning and you are just trying to keep up with the several responsibilities that you already have. And while I do not want to pile on t