facebook pixel

Daily Excerpt taken from Come to the Waters

Posted on by Kim

October 30

Victory through Christ

1 corinthians 15:51–58

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51

When Paul talks about the new body we are going to receive, he begins to think of our bodies’ transformation, and it occurs to him that transformation is to be seen not merely in the resurrection of those whose bodies have died, but also in those who will still be living when the Lord comes. Paul calls this a “mystery” because it was not known beforehand. One can imagine his saying, “But now it is known: Jesus is going to return, and when he returns he is going to usher in the consummation of all things. Some will be dead; their bodies will be transformed and raised to meet the Lord in the air. Some will be living; their bodies will be changed, apart from death, so that their status will be exactly the same as those who have died. When that happens, death will be swallowed up in victory, and sin will be defeated.”

Paul is not thinking of the kind of victory over death that we talk about when we talk only of Jesus’s resurrection. We say that because Jesus was raised from the dead, death was therefore defeated where he was concerned. He will not die again. That is true, but that is not what Paul is saying. He is saying, “True and glorious as that may be, when we talk about the saints being transformed at the final resurrection, there is an even greater truth, because at that time, death will be abolished forever. It will no longer exist.”

The conclusion is this: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (v. 58). If there is no resurrection, our labor in the Lord is in vain. There is no point to it. There is no point in serving a dead Lord, and there is no point in serving other people. But if there is a resurrection, then it makes sense to do what Paul concludes.

Stand firm; you stand upon the rock of God’s truth. Let nothing move you; there are things that will try. Give yourself fully to the work of the Lord; your labor is not in vain. So long as I know that—that my labor in the Lord is not in vain—then I will keep at it no matter what the difficulty, no matter what the persecution, no matter what the ridicule. I am going to keep at it no matter what the obstacles may be. The victory does not lie with the world; it lies with Jesus and the kingdom of God.

Excerpt taken from Come to the Waters: Daily Bible Devotions for Spiritual Refreshment by James Montgomery Boice.

Author Interview with Michael Gembola

Posted on by Kim

This week’s author interview is with Michael Gembola. He is the author of After an Affair: Pursuing Restoration in our 31-Day Devotionals for Life series.

    

  • Question #1 — Tell us a little bit about yourself: where you’re from, family, job, personal interests, unique hobbies, what you do in your spare time, etc.

I grew up in South Carolina, lived in Philadelphia for a decade or so, and then made it partway home by landing in Virginia. My time outside of work largely goes to my family – Kelly and I have two little boys who keep our house loud and fun. We try to get outside, see the mountains nearby, take walks, and drop into coffee shops and farmer’s markets, but more often we’re around the house playing basketball or sitting by the firepit.

 

  • Question #2 — When did you first want to write a book?

In high school I started writing a book of poetry, but I look back and cringe at all of it. In college I was an English major and went to a journalism school briefly after college, so writing has always been a part of the picture. Becoming a counselor led me to write in order to figure out how to understand new ideas for myself, but the only books I have the motivation to write are ones that I hope will fill a gap for people I’m caring for.

 

  • Question #3 — Which writers inspire you?

Some ancient and modern favorites who consistently inspire me are George Herbert, Augustine, Gregory the Great, John Perkins, David Powlison, and Diane Langberg.

 

  • Question #4 — What inspired you to write this book, about this topic?

I got advice early on as a professional counselor that I should find my focus area and build expertise. I certainly never planned for that to be adultery. But in those early years I found myself frustrated in trying to offer help. I didn’t feel that I was communicating well to people on this issue, and there were so many people wanting to be restored after affairs. I had an idea of what needed to happen to help put a marriage back together, but I was sobered by the challenge of how the person being restored can make the necessary transitions, from hiding and resentment to openness and care.

This challenge was further complicated by the fact that the people I met with frequently felt misunderstood by their spouses, and perhaps also by me. I hadn’t lived their experience. And though I figured I could get inside their perspective reasonably well, I knew that their perspective had to change in key ways if they were to going to speak healing words to their spouses. There had to be some kind of educational piece, and I became aware that it wasn’t likely to happen on its own.

So I wrote a short, informal workbook that I never intended to publish, just to print and let people use. P&R invited me to revise the material in the context of a devotional, which was exciting to me, since it made the material decidedly more oriented to the person’s relationship with God. It took my workbook and shifted the focus to spiritual growth, though not necessarily away from personal and marital growth.This shift was a perfect fit for what the people I counsel are looking for. The believers I’ve met with after adultery who want to restore their marriages are eager to reconnect with God. Sometimes they say they feel clueless as to what needs to change in their perspective or in their manner of engaging their spouses. But they have known they want to come back to God. My hope is that a topical devotional can meet them where they are and invite them to places they aren’t yet aware they need to go.

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

 

Daily Excerpt taken from Pornography: Fighting for Purity by Deepak Reju

Posted on by Kim

DAY 3

Walking by the Spirit

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Gal. 5:25)

Who is in charge of your life? Are you following the desires of your flesh and the pressures of this world? Or are you being led by the Spirit?

Living by faith through the Spirit and putting your sin to death are two sides of the same coin. But one drives the other. As you live according to the Spirit’s strength and direction, God gives you the power to put to death the sinful desires of your flesh.

When you were born again, the Holy Spirit took up residence in you. He gives you life. So we “live by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25).

Since we live by the Spirit, we need to follow his lead. Walking by the Spirit, as the verse goes on to instruct us, pictures walking in a row or marching in a line. Think about a soldier marching in step as his sergeant barks out orders. The cadence of the sergeant’s orders bellow out (“Step . . . step . . . step . . . step . . . step . . . step”), and the soldier’s every step is in accordance with his directions. The soldier stays in the formation, and all he needs to do is obey the sergeant’s instructions. The NIV appropriately translates this as “Let us keep in step with the Spirit.”*1 The Spirit leads, and all you need to do is follow his lead.

But you don’t do this by yourself. The apostle Paul is not barking out orders to you while watching from a safe, smug distance. He is marching in the same formation. Paul says, “Let us walk by the Spirit.” He includes himself. You’re not alone. In fact, in this line is a host of other believers fighting the same battle and marching in step with you.

We can walk in obedience if we let the Spirit lead. Do you believe that that’s true? Or have you given in to your sinful nature so often that you’ve given up hope? Consistent victory over the flesh is possible, but it comes only from the Spirit’s lead. “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16).

Who is setting the agenda for your life—your sinful flesh, or the Spirit? Be honest. When you wake up in the morning, how self-reliant are you? Do you walk into the day with your game plan, your desires, your dreams, your goals, your expectations, and your schemes charting the course? Or do you turn to God and say, “Lord God, I need your help”; “Holy Spirit, come and lead the way”; “I can’t do this on my own—only you can”? When’s the last time these phrases came out of your mouth? Do you pray these kinds of prayers in humility, pleading for the Spirit to direct your life?

Don’t wait any longer. Give up your own schemes and follow the Spirit’s lead in your life. You can’t defeat this problem through your own power; it can only be done through the Holy Spirit’s strength.

Grace Books: Order here for $6.49

wtsbooks.com: Order here for $8.99

 

Pornography

Fighting for Purity

Deepak Reju

*1. Other translations of this verse include “If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit” (HCSB) and “Let’s keep each step in perfect sync with God’s Spirit” (VOICE).

 

Author Interview with Richard Gamble

Posted on by Kim

This week’s author interview is with Richard Gamble. He is the author of The Whole Counsel of God, Volume 1: God’s Mighty Acts in the Old Testament and The Whole Counsel of God, Volume 2: The Full Revelation of God.

Westminster Bookstore is selling the two volume set for 50% off: HERE.

  

  • Question #1—Tell us a little bit about yourself: where you’re from, family, job, personal interests, unique hobbies, what you do in your spare time, etc.

I come from Pittsburgh, PA. After college and Seminary in western PA my wife and I travelled to Switzerland where she studied music and I worked on my PhD in Church History and Historical Theology. From there I began teaching at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia then taught at Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, then Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. In 2005 we moved back to Pittsburgh where I have been teaching Systematic Theology. We have been married for over 40 years, have five grown daughters and four grandchildren.

 

  • Question #2 — When did you first want to write a book?

I have been writing since I was a teenager. While at Seminary I knew that I wanted to earn a doctorate and write a dissertation. My dissertation on Augustine’s Trinity teaching became my first book.

 

  • Question #3 — Which writers inspire you?

British authors, in general, inspire me. They have a way with words that oftentimes transcend American writers.

 

  • Question #4 — Have you always enjoyed writing?

College or seminary professors have got to enjoy writing lectures or they would need to find another field of work. But writing is truly a lot of work. While I enjoy doing research and tracking down smaller theological details, editing for publication does not come easily for me.

 

  • Question #5 — What inspired you to write these books?

The background for The Whole Counsel of God volumes goes back to the 1980’s. The seminary where I was teaching was embroiled in controversy that involved the relationship between exegesis, historical theology, and systematic theology. It was out of that defining time that I saw a need to work on a systematic theology that was deeply informed by biblical theology.

 

BOOK HIGHLIGHT — Damsels in Distress: Biblical Solutions for Problems Women Face by Martha Peace

Posted on by Kim

Damsels in Distress: Biblical Solutions for Problems Women Face by Martha Peace

192 pages | $13.99 | Paperback

About

It’s not always easy being a woman.

Amid tangled relationships, hurt feelings, and hormones, we might wonder sometimes if men have it easier. Add on to that a culture that tells us to be flirtatious, shameless, and powerful. What’s a woman to do?

Covering issues from gossip and feminism to PMS and legalism, biblical counselor Martha Peace, best-selling author of The Excellent Wife, offers insight on problems women face—problems with others, ourselves, and the world. Mining the truths of Scripture, she helps us find peace in our chaos and embrace our Creator’s beautiful design for us.

Whether you are single or married, you will benefit from these practical solutions, ideal for personal reading or group study.

Endorsements

“Several years ago I was introduced to Martha Peace through her book The Excellent Wife. I remember then saying, ‘This is the best book I’ve ever read on the topic of the wife. Martha deals with real issues that wives face and offers real biblical solutions.’ Damsels in Distress is also a book about real problems with real biblical solutions. This is a must for women who are struggling with deep-rooted sin and for women who desire to help other women to live victoriously in Christ Jesus.”

—Susan J. Heck, Author, With the Master in the School of Tested Faith

“Damsels in Distress clearly reveals God’s principles for dealing with the common problems women face—first with others, then with themselves. Through its pages you will be stimulated to honestly analyze the problems through the grid of Scripture and then formulate practical applications that bring glory to God.”

—Pat Ennis, Professor, The Master’s College; Author, Precious in His Sight and The Fine Art of Becoming a Godly Woman

“In Damsels in Distress Martha exhorts her readers to an uncompromising standard of personal holiness. The chapters on the interpersonal sins of gossip and manipulation should be especially helpful for women who struggle with temptations to sinful speech.”

—Laura Hendrickson, M.D., Biblical counselor; Co-author, Will Medicine Stop the Pain?

About The Author

Martha Peace is a biblical counselor and conference speaker, as well as a bestselling author. She lives with her husband, Sanford, in Peachtree City, Georgia.