Augustine said, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” We exist to pursue God. And we pursue God if and only because he has put that urge in our hearts. Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me … Continue reading Pursue God!
Author: jmarkfox
On January 5 of 2023, I wrote some thoughts about the elders’ prayer service we had the night before. This is where the elders pray over families or singles who ask for it as we enter the new year, and we will do the same at the beginning of 2024. I was struck last year … Continue reading Three Prayer Requests
Micah the prophet told the Old Testament folks about a New Testament truth hundreds of years in advance. I love what John Piper wrote about this: “Have you ever thought what an amazing thing it is that God ordained beforehand that the Messiah be born in Bethlehem, as Micah’s prophecy foretold, and that he so … Continue reading Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem
Jason Lehman, at 14 years in 1989, expressed a common problem well in his poem, “Present Tense”. It was spring, but it was summer I wanted,the warm days, and the great outdoors.It was summer, but it was fall I wanted,the colorful leaves, and the cool, dry air.It was autumn, but it was winter I wanted,the … Continue reading Feel Free to Share this Secret
Peter brings his first letter full circle at the end, reminding the elect exiles that their suffering is purposeful but temporary. “After you have suffered a little while,” he writes. Some of you might feel like your suffering has gone on for much more than a little while, and indeed there are people who suffer … Continue reading Our God Will Do It
Peter wrote, “Your adversary the devil…(is) seeking someone to devour.” We have an adversary and we need to know who he is. It’s the devil. Peter doesn’t say “Your adversary the pastor.” Or “your adversary your wife.” Or “your boss,” Or, “_________ political party!” No, we have a real and powerful adversary that hates us … Continue reading God Calls Us to Fight
J. Mark Fox 