A WHOLE MAN

Psalm 111:2 "Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them."  During 2024, this verse was so sweet to me as I read though my Bible. It was a continual reminder to me of how marvelous our God is. From creation to regular daily occurrences, as Job says "[God] does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number." Especially, in the way that He works through His word in the life of His people. I have found that as I grow older, it is increasingly easier to become numb to the awe-ful. As we begin this New Year and continue to devote ourselves to reading, studying, and applying His Word, may we be a people who find great delight in doing so. Delight as we see how God providentially worked all things for His glory in salvation through judgment. Delight not that we checked off another box, but that our vision of God has been enlarged through our study. That is my prayer for you and for me this coming year.   What to Expect? Every Sunda...

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 f...

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...