Why is laziness so bad? Proverbs 6:12–19 looks forward to the sermon in this week's midweek meeting. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who aren't busy with good become busybodies, whom God hates.بقلم James Hakim

What should the gladness and prayer of a Christian look like? Psalm 122 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the gladness and prayer of a Christian should look like the gladness and praise of Christ.…

What is an indicator of spiritual life? Matthew 13:1–23 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these twenty-three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that spiritual life responds to the Word by hearing it, taking it in, prioritizing it, and multiplying it.…

What are we to learn from the ordination of Joshua? Numbers 27:12–23 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the ordination of Joshua displays God's grace to His church, even though they are sinners.…

What should we do with the book of Revelation? Revelation 1:1–3 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must read, hear, and keep the book of Revelation.بقلم James Hakim

What will the day of the Lord be like for those who think God loves whatever worship they decide for Him? Amos 5:18–6:14 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the day of the Lord will be death and darkness for t…

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 60—especially explaining how Sabbath refreshment via worship is different in kind from the most pious refreshment one can have in anything but worship. Q60. How is the sabbath to be sanctified? The sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worl…

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 121—especially explaining how praying for heaven means praying for holiness. Q121. What do we pray for in the sixth petition? That God would keep us from sin.بقلم James Hakim

What's the big deal with financial folly? Proverbs 6:1–11 looks forward to the sermon in this week's midweek meeting. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that financial folly must be urgently avoided as something that can destroy a man.بقلم James Hakim

If we do not receive Jesus as God, and rejoice to live as God's adopted children in Him, we are condemned as evil and adulterousبقلم James Hakim

Though our sin may be the cause of discipline and disaster, it is always God's own faithfulness that is the cause of any blessing that we enjoy (and even the faithfulness through which He often brings it!).بقلم James Hakim

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—considering the first half of Article 2, and the doctrine that worship must be given only to the true God... and that it is given to Christ!بقلم James Hakim

What sign does Jesus give that we should believe Him? Matthew 12:38–50 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus's resurrection proves His Word about Himself, and about everything else.…

How is the plight of the ladies Zelophehad central to the concerns of the book of Numbers? Numbers 27:1–11 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God is faithful to His promise to give the land to this generat…

Either godliness will be pulling you away from sin, or sin will be pulling you away from godlinessبقلم James Hakim

Why should we glorify God? Jude v24–25 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should glorify God because He is glorious, and because He has determined especially to glorify Himself by bringing us to glory.…

Why does the prophet lament? Amos 5:1–17 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the prophet laments over sin to teach sinners to lament over that sin, and to turn back to seeking the Lord and His good.…

Who is our help? Psalm 121 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the almighty God, Himself, is our help.بقلم James Hakim

Baptism marks us as members of the visible church, commands us to be members of the invisible church, and points us to Christ as our sure hope for this.بقلم James Hakim

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we began Westminster Confession chapter 21—considering Article 1, and the doctrine that God must be worshiped and must only be worshiped as He has commanded, commonly known as the Regulative Principle of Worship.…

By His Spirit, Christ has baptized believers into Himself, so that they are dead to sin and death but alive unto God.بقلم James Hakim

What keeps a man from being diverted to unauthorized women? Proverbs 5:15–23 looks forward to the sermon in this week's midweek meeting. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a man is kept from being diverted to unauthorized women by the promise and treasuring of his own wife, but especially by regarding his God.…

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 59—especially explaining how the nature and role of the Sabbath has progressed through the history of redemption. Q59. Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly sabbath? From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh d…

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 120—especially explaining how we should always be praying for our sanctification. Q120. What is the sixth petition? And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.بقلم James Hakim

For what does the Lord institute baptism? Matthew 28:16–20 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord institutes baptism as a sign of Christ's authority and power in His gathering church.…

What do we learn from the account of Sarai's name change? Genesis 17:15–27 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Sarai's name change points us to the unique significance of Christ, which is the only hope fo…

If we are going to be spared the death-bed horror of agonizing over not having listened to instruction, we need the humility to listen now.بقلم James Hakim

What is circumcision? Genesis 17:9–14 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that circumcision is a sign that points us away from ourselves and unto the grace of God.…

What do believers who have been stumbling along in their own strength need? Genesis 17:1–8 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers need to be turned away from themselves to the Lord Who covenants them …

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 58—especially explaining how we keep God's day as holy, which also means not treating common days as holy. Q58. What is required in the fourth commandment? The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as He hath appointed in His Word; expressly one w…

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 119—especially explaining how asking to be forgiven of our debts, and to forgive our debtors, is a comprehensive request against our sin and its effects. Q119. What do we pray for in the fifth petition? That God would pardon our sins for Christ's sake, and enable us to forgive those wh…

Why is hearing so important? Proverbs 5:7–14 looks forward to the sermon in this week's midweek meeting. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the humility to hear can spare us the horror of wasting our life in contradiction to God's design and Word.بقلم James Hakim

The way that Christ commands His church to operate is a foundational doctrine, together with basic doctrines of God and salvation.بقلم James Hakim

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 20—considering Article 4's biblical doctrine that, since true liberty embraces Christ's rule over us, true liberty submits to the authority that Christ has set over us for our good.…

Deacons are prescribed by Christ to support the ministry of the Word, by which He works powerfully in His churchبقلم James Hakim

What does God want, and use, deacons to do? Acts 5:42–6:7 helps us prepare to hear 6:1–7 proclaimed in the morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God wants deacons to facilitate the worship, discipleship, and evangelism of the church, and He blesses their faithful se…

How great is the power that is at work in believers? Acts 5:17–41 helps us prepare to hear 6:1–7 proclaimed in the morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these twenty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God works by His own almighty power in the church.بقلم James Hakim

بقلم Jordan Rouden

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 118—especially explaining how we must ask God, not just for our littlest needs, but even and especially for our greatest needs: deliverance from sin's guilt, power, and presence. Q118. What is the fifth petition? And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.…

بقلم Ben Rupe

When trials and storms come your way, where is your focus? Only Christ can help you weather all storms!بقلم David Rentschler

بقلم James Hakim

How does grace prepare the "faith" part of our salvation? Ephesians 2:1–7 helps us prepare to hear 2:1–5 proclaimed in the morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that there is a resurrection that must come before faith.بقلم James Hakim

What should believers pray to grow in? Ephesians 1:15–19 helps us prepare to hear 2:1–5 proclaimed in the morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that one thing that believers should pray that they would grow in is their theological understanding of God and His gospel.…

بقلم Charlie Mangum

What is God doing? Ephesians 1:3–14 helps us prepare to hear 2:1–5 proclaimed in the morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God does all things, to bring us into our inheritance with Christ, unto the praise of His glorious grace.…

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 56—especially explaining how the ultimate way of taking God's Name lightly is to reject the Son in Whom He has fully declared Himself, and is an unforgivable sin; so, God places a special emphasis upon punishing all blasphemies. Q56. What is the reason annexed to the third com…

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 117—especially explaining how the Hallowed King attends to our smallest (and greatest) needs, and teaches us to ask Him for them. Q117. What do we pray for in the fourth petition? That God would give us all things needful for our bodies and souls.…

What does Ephesians teach? Ephesians 1:1–2 helps us prepare to hear 2:1–5 proclaimed in the morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Ephesians, the gospel, the Bible, and the whole of reality, are all about Jesus.بقلم James Hakim

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 20—considering Article 2's biblical doctrine of God alone being Lord of the conscience.بقلم James Hakim