We human beings are social creatures. That’s not a bad thing. God quite intentionally designed us to be social beings. In Genesis 2:18, God comments on the fact that it isn’t good for human beings to be alone. And throughout the Bible, time and again, God insists that it is vitally important for human beings … Continue reading Bible Note #54: Colossians 3 Series–The Mind of God
Tag: sanctification
Quote of Note #138: Hope and Help in Christ
photo by GAC "In [Christ] the enslaved find redemption, the guilty pardon, the unholy renovation; in him are everlasting strength for the weak, unsearchable riches for the needy, treasures of wisdom and knowledge for the ignorant, fullness for the empty." Arthur Bennett, The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Carlisle, PA: … Continue reading Quote of Note #138: Hope and Help in Christ
Quote of Note #116: Running to God with our Darkest Miseries
Flagstaff, AZ; photo by GAC "[God] isn't like you. Even the most intense of human love is but the faintest echo of heaven's cascading abundance. His heartful thoughts of you outstrip what you can conceive. He intends to restore you into the radiant resplendence for which you were created. And that is dependent not on … Continue reading Quote of Note #116: Running to God with our Darkest Miseries
Quote of Note #103: Pride and Sinning with Words
"The mother of all sin is pride. Those who are being harsh and critical think they are right. In fact, they are certain they are right. Fools are filled with pride. 'I don't really care about you and what you think,' the fool tells himself. 'It's my view or no view!' As Proverbs 18:2 puts … Continue reading Quote of Note #103: Pride and Sinning with Words
Pastor Note #89: God’s Love–Undeserved and Uncomfortable
The love of God is a rich, warm, comforting promise that he assures us of in his word repeatedly. For example, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) What makes that promise of his love … Continue reading Pastor Note #89: God’s Love–Undeserved and Uncomfortable
Quote of Note #88: Sin as Self-Destruction
[In reference to sin as a "dangerous, predatory animal" in Genesis 4:7--"If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." NIV] "God is saying . . . … Continue reading Quote of Note #88: Sin as Self-Destruction
Prayer Note #59: Fleeing My Inescapable God
What savoriness sin has! It is so hard to leave it alone, Even when I know it for what it is. I come back to it again and again. But behind the savoriness, There’s a coldness, a darkness. Savoring my sin keeps me Far from you, Lord. I can’t savor my sin In your presence. … Continue reading Prayer Note #59: Fleeing My Inescapable God
Quote of Note #81: Sin, Guilt, and the Blood of Jesus
We have a strange illusion that mere time cancels sin. I have heard others, and I have heard myself, recounting cruelties and falsehoods committed in boyhood as if they were no concern of the present speaker's, and even with laughter. But mere time does nothing either to the fact or the guilt of sin. The … Continue reading Quote of Note #81: Sin, Guilt, and the Blood of Jesus
Quote of Note #75: God Is Not Always Gentle
"Anyone who has any experience at all of the living God knows that he is nothing at all like this Somebody who tut-tuts politely at our failings and lays a soothing hand upon our anxious little heads. The God, who lives in us if we allow him, is not necessarily always gentle: he can be … Continue reading Quote of Note #75: God Is Not Always Gentle
Bible Note #39: Blind to our Sin–Psalm 36:1-3
1 Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. 2 In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. 3 Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good. … Continue reading Bible Note #39: Blind to our Sin–Psalm 36:1-3
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 