Coram Deo (December 2013)

"Christ has already been raised from the dead as the firstfruits of the final resurrection of all who are 'in' Him. Now Christ is reigning, subduing His enemies. The very last enemy to be destroyed is death, and its destruction will coincide with Christ’s second coming and the resurrection of Christians." —Dennis Johnson from "The First and Second Resurrection" in this month's Tabletalk Magazine

"One of the most powerful ways to share the truth [of Jesus Christ] is personal testimony. Remember, a personal testimony is not necessarily evangelism, but it can be an instrument of evangelism. How many times in the Gospels do we witness converted people start sharing the gospel immediately after Jesus encounters them and draws them to salvation? From the woman at the well to the leper to the blind man and Zacchaeus at Jericho and others, they all heard the truth, surrendered to Christ, and began sharing their testimony." —Harry Reeder from his weekend study "Use Words. They are Necessary." in the August 2012 issue of Tabletalk Magazine

Coram Deo: As believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must always speak the truth, but we must always speak it in love (Eph. 4:15). Our default position should be to build networks with other believers and churches who are passionate for the gospel even when they may have different styles and priorities, not to work or act as if ministries and churches that do not do things the way we do are somehow unworthy of our friendship.

Coram Deo: Jesus solemnly warns us that He will deny before the Father those who deny Him before the world (Matt. 10:32–33). This should strike fear into our hearts and lead us to pray for the strength to confess Him in all circumstances. Yet His words should not cause us to despair, for His statement is not an absolute one. Christ will only deny those who continue to deny Him, but He will always receive back into fellowship those who have denied Him if they repent of their betrayal.

"I have learned after pastoring people for twelve years that in this life, some things do not just 'get better.' And people do not always just 'get over it.' Wounds heal, but scars remain." —Eric Watkins from "Comforting Eve" in this month's issue of Tabletalk Magazine

Coram Deo: John Calvin writes, “Nothing indeed can be more blessed than to live under the reign of God; and this highest happiness is ever promised to the faithful.” Because human beings rebel against God, however, His reign is not always acknowledged, and the church suffers attack. But God preserves His inheritance—the elect remnant—both now and in the future. We taste the “highest happiness” today in Christ, and will enjoy it fully at His return. Our enemies will lose the war.

"However wrong you may think others have been, maintain with great diligence and watchfulness a Christian meekness and gentleness of spirit." —Jonathan Edwards

Coram Deo: When Christ returns to consummate history, there will be no one left who tries to rely on his own efforts or foreign gods for redemption. Even those who are finally cast into hell will be forced to acknowledge that He alone is Lord and that He alone can save. Today, as we trust in Jesus alone for salvation, we join this group that will worship the Lord for eternity, content in His provision. Let us seek Him alone to meet all of our needs now and forever.

"Our labors in the here and now, insofar as they reflect and flow out of our commitment to the reign of Christ, no matter what happens between now and the end, will survive. Our work matters into eternity." —R.C. Sproul Jr. from "The End of the End" in this month's Tabletalk Magazine

Coram Deo: In Romans 9, Paul applies the election of the people of Israel to individual believers, telling us that those who are saved have been chosen from the foundation of the world. Divine election assures us of God’s love and that we belong to Him now and always if we trust in Him alone. If you believe in Christ, you are elect. And if you are elect, you have been elected and loved by God in Christ from all eternity. Nothing could be more secure than that.

"Although the evil one still has limited power in a fallen world, it is far less than what he had when he was able to bind and blind all nations outside Israel. And believers can still overcome even Satan’s limited power, for James 4:7 commands us, 'Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.'" —Douglas Kelly from "The Binding of Satan" in this month's issue of Tabletalk Magazine

Coram Deo: God wants all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength in all that we do, but particularly in the case of worship. If we are not endeavouring to worship according to His commands and with the right intent, it would be better for us not to worship at all. He does not seek perfect worship from us at the present time, which is impossible given our sinful condition. What He seeks is true, intentional worship that is a testimony to His great glory.

"Our hearts should be set aflame when we really explore how the Father sent His Son into the world to save us, and then joined us to that Savior by sending His Holy Spirit into our hearts." —Gerrit Scott Dawson from "Theology and Doxology" in the January 2013 issue of Tabletalk Magazine

"God often uses providence, like the crowing of a rooster, to point our consciences to unsettled accounts with Him. The sound of a baby crying in the next room can be a painful reminder to the conscience of a woman who aborted her baby that God still has a controversy with her. Two people talking in front of you on a queue may touch on a subject that reminds you of an apology or restitution that you still need to make. Surviving a terrible car accident or an armed robbery may be a reminder that you need to be reconciled with God." —Conrad Mbewe from his weekend devotional "The Crowing of the Rooster" in this month's issue of Tabletalk Magazine

Coram Deo: When was the last time you spent a day or part of a day in prayer and fasting, reading the psalms, going deep inside yourself before God and crying out to Him? We all need this from time to time. Otherwise our lives become glib and our hearts become hard. Target those areas of your life, like envy, where you know God desires change.

Coram Deo: Scripture tells us that marrying someone who does not share the beliefs of the covenant community leads to trouble. For example, Solomon’s marriages to pagan women led him astray and gave paganism a foothold in Israel (1 Kings 11:1–8). If you are single and looking for a spouse, you must look for a Christian. Married couples should encourage one another in the Lord. If you are already married to a non-Christian, pray daily for your spouse’s salvation.

"Regardless of our method of evangelism, we need to clearly present the gospel within the storyline of Scripture. How did it all begin? What has gone wrong? Is there any hope? What will the future hold? These are basic worldview questions that every religion attempts to answer in some way." —J.D. Bridges from "The Story We Share" in this month's issue of Tabletalk Magazine

Coram Deo: Dr. R.C. Sproul has often pointed out that Malachi 3:10 is the only place in Scripture where God commands us to put Him to the test. It is otherwise sinful to test the Lord, but we may test Him with the tithe. When we give to the work of the Lord, He promises to bless us and meet our needs—not necessarily to make us rich materially but to satisfy us and make us content. Let us give to the Lord’s work that we might see Him keep His promises.

"Unbelievers seek their happiness in things of the world. Believers find their happiness in God. It is contrary to the nature of faith for a believer to seek peace in his earthly enjoyments." —Richard Baxter

Coram Deo: The hardest thing about the life of faith is that the Lord often seems slow to keep His promises. Sometimes we feel like we must wait, wait, and then wait some more for God to intervene. Faith, however, trusts that God is not slow but is working out all things in His time. It was hundreds of years after Malachi’s day that the Messiah came—but He came. As we wait for His return and for answers to prayer, we must remember that all this will come as well.

"Christ’s person is a greater gift to His people than His benefits. We do not merely receive from Christ, but, more importantly, we belong to Him." —Mark Jones from "Against the Law" in this month's issue of Tabletalk Magazine

Coram Deo: John the Baptist was the last prophet of the old covenant even though his story is told in what we commonly call the New Testament. Jesus tells us that John was the greatest prophet of the old covenant, but greater still is the least one who has seen the inauguration of the kingdom (Matt. 11:11). Our Savior is the Davidic King and fulfillment of the prophets. We must trust Him to bring all the prophetic promises to pass, for He will surely do it (1 Thess. 5:24).

Coram Deo: We do not believe that the office of prophet continues today. God established the prophets as the foundation of the church, and a foundation is laid only once. However, God’s people are called to build on that foundation alone (Eph. 2:19–22). Today, preachers and teachers who call people back to the Lord’s inerrant Word stand in the prophetic line, not as infallible spokesmen for God but as those who direct us to the church’s prophetic and Apostolic foundation.

Q: How can Christians grow in their assurance of their own salvation?
Joel Beeke: (1) Increasingly rest by faith in the promises of God in Christ Jesus for salvation. (2) Diligently and prayerfully use the spiritual disciplines God has provided us to grow, such as Scripture reading, preaching, meditating, praying, reading sound literature, communing with the saints, serving the church, and evangelizing.

"Most genealogies are written to show that there is no impurity in the bloodline. Herod the Great destroyed his genealogy so no one could compare his background with anyone else’s. But Jesus is not ashamed to call us His brothers. Jesus not only came to save sinners; He came from sinners." —Tedd Tripp from his weekend devotional "Grace Four Women" in this month's Tabletalk Magazine

Coram Deo: That the church is the Israel of God does not mean that every church member has authentic faith. Throughout history, the visible church has always included those who are not true believers because of their inauthentic faith (Rom. 9:6–7). However, in Christ, God is fulfilling all of the promises made to Israel. As the people of God, we must fulfil the task of Israel and proclaim God’s excellency (1 Peter 2:10). Seek to do this in whatever you do.

Coram Deo: Ultimately, God only demands one thing—our full commitment to Him. We were made for our Creator, and He will not share us with another. He will not have us as His if we try to divide our ultimate allegiance between Him and anything else. In Elijah’s day, many in Israel tried to serve God and someone else on the side. We are ever tempted to do the same. Let us remember the One for whom we were made that we might realize that we can be satisfied in Him alone.

"One of the primary themes in the book of Revelation is the paradox of the Christian life. Believers are united to Christ, the Lamb who was slain but now reigns as the Lion from the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5–6), and they are 'more than conquerors' even when they experience trial, persecution, and martyrdom for their testimony concerning Jesus Christ." —Cornelius Venema from "Reigning with Christ" in this month's issue of Tabletalk Magazine

Coram Deo: The gift of prophecy has ceased, so Jesus calls none of us to be prophets in the classical sense. However, we are called to bear witness to Him where we are and insofar as we are able. This is the mantle—or better, the cross—that all of God’s people are given in this new covenant era. We are called not to be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:16–17), to stand firm for His truth. Like Elisha, we can do that only in the power of the Holy Spirit given to us.

"We must go about making resolutions with genuine prayer and thorough study of God’s Word." —Burk Parsons

Coram Deo (November 2013)

Coram Deo: In His death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus has won the decisive battle against evil, and reigns over all things even if His enemies have not yet given up the fight. We are His people, and we benefit from His reign and His protection in ways that we can see and in ways that we will not know about until we are in glory.

Coram Deo: Only if God is thoroughly active in everything that ever happens can we be confident that He has an actual purpose for everything that occurs. From the acts of the greatest generals in history to the seemingly inconsequential casting of a stone into the sea, all that we see and experience occurs according to God’s perfect plan and wise governance. The little details of life really do matter. Why? Because they matter enough to the Lord for Him to work in and through them.

Coram Deo: In one form or another, God’s people will suffer under the exilic conditions of pain and difficulty until Christ returns. The exile of the Jews from the Promised Land is ultimately a picture of the exile of all humanity from the garden, and as with full restoration to the Promised Land, full restoration to the garden and face-to-face fellowship with the Lord will not occur until corporate repentance occurs—until all of the elect come to faith. Let us pray daily that this would happen.

Coram Deo: It is comforting to know that despite our best efforts, we cannot undo the Lord’s intent to bless His children. Still, we cannot take this as a license to sin, for our evil ways will inevitably cause us much hardship in this life. We should also note that a persistent, impenitent refusal to walk in the path of Jesus can indicate that we are not redeemed, and that if we do not turn from our ways, we forfeit the blessing promised to all those in Christ.

Coram Deo: The opening verses of Zechariah’s book contain warnings to the people for breaking the law, warnings that prompted the people to show repentance. When God warns His people of their sin, that is always His goal, namely, their repentance. Matthew Henry comments that the warnings of God’s law are the necessary prerequisite of the gospel. Let us not be afraid to hear the warnings of Scripture, but let us look to them that we might be pointed again and again to Christ.

Ligonier Academy (October 2013)

"Most high, most good, most potent, most omnipotent; most merciful, yet most just; most hidden, yet most present; most beautiful, yet most strong, stable, yet incomprehensible; unchangeable, yet all-changing; never new, never old; all-renewing, and bringing age upon the proud, and they know it not; ever working, ever at rest; still gathering, yet nothing lacking; supporting, filling, and overspreading; creating, nourishing, and maturing; seeking, yet having all things." - Augustine of Hippo

"Take note of how intimately the Lord Jesus is united to His elect. They have been given to Him by the Father, in order that, as His children, He would deliver, preserve, and lead them to felicity. Would He then not exercise tender care of them, and be compassionate towards them when they are in distress? They are His bride, children and members. He has their very own nature - "for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Heb. 2:11). When they are in misery and sorrow, they weep and long for Him, and cry out to Him for help and comfort. How can it be any different but that the Lord Jesus is greatly moved to compassion, especially since He is experientially acquainted with the feeling of their suffering?" - Wilhelmus a Brakel

"Pride only, the chief of all iniquities, can make us treat gifts as if they were rightful attributes of our nature, and, while receiving benefits, rob our Benefactor of His due glory." - Bernard of Clairvaux

"If we instil the characteristics of work, courage, and perseverance in our children but do not instil in them the grace of humility, they will be marked by the spirit of the Pharisee: virtuous in many ways but too proud to see their need of God. King Uzziah had perseverance and loyalty, but his empire and influence crumbled because of a lack of humility. "After Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall" (2 Chronicles 26:16)." - Alistair Begg 

Coram Deo (October 2013)

“Till the Lord opens them, the eyes of our heart are blind. Till the Spirit has become our instructor, all that we know is folly and ignorance. Till the Spirit of God has made it known to us by a secret revelation, the knowledge of our divine calling exceeds the capacity of our own minds.” —John Calvin

Coram Deo: By faith we “are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19). In the kingdom, one Christian is not “more of a citizen” than another Christian. There is not one class of believers that has access to the King in a way that another class of believers does not. In Christ, we have all that we need to be full members of the Lord’s people. Even when we feel like our faith is weak, we who trust Jesus have as many privileges in the kingdom as those whose faith is stronger.

"To venture upon the occasion of sin, and then to pray, 'Lead us not into temptation', is like one who thrusts his finger in the fire and then prays that it might not get burnt. There ordinarily is no victory over sin without also avoiding the occasion to sin." —Thomas Brooks

Coram Deo: The new Testament makes it clear that we are living in the period of restoration when God is calling His children back to Himself. Jews and Gentiles alike are hearing the gospel and running to Him in faith. Each of us who believes in Christ has an appointed inheritance—the whole earth (Matt.5:5). Each of us is being transformed so that the Lord can dwell among us permanently at His return. We now taste these blessings in part, and we look forward to their full realization in the age to come.

"God allows bad stuff to happen to His children, such as losing one’s job. The Bible doesn’t promise that we will never lose our jobs. We might. but if we are Christians, we know that the things that should really make us afraid—sin and God’s punishment—are taken care of. Our future is guaranteed." —Jonathan Leeman from "Fear of Job Loss" in this month's Tabletalk magazine

Coram Deo: We make real progress in holiness in this life as the Holy Spirit sanctifies us and conforms us to the image of Christ. However, we still await the Lord’s return in order for us to be fully perfected in righteousness. As we grow in holiness and the awareness of our own sin, we always see just how far short of His glory that we fall, and we are reminded that we need Him to set all things right. Let us pursue holiness, trusting that He will consummate His good work in us.

"The Spirit strives with the consciences of men, debating in their own hearts the case against them, and shows man his sin in all its ugly colors." —William Gurnall

"As we find our joy and treasure in Christ we are set free from debilitating worries about money and an insidious slavery to things." —Frank Cavalli

Coram Deo: In biblical categories, strength and service go hand in hand. Christian leaders do not seek out others to be their servants; rather, they serve the people who are under them, seeking to help them grow in their gifts and to assist them in doing good work for the kingdom (Mark 10:35–45). This principle applies whether you are an elder in the church, own your own business, serve as a manager, or are leading your own children in the things of God.

Q: What do you mean when you say that “preaching is a dangerous thing”?
Paul Washer: Preaching is dangerous for both the preacher and the hearer. It is dangerous for the preacher because a great stewardship has been laid upon him, and with privilege comes great responsibility. Woe to us if we do not preach the gospel, and even greater woe if we preach it in error.

Coram Deo: Even we who believe in God can sometimes be guilty of living our lives as if He did not exist. How often do we drive around town, work at the office, dig in our gardens, read a book, prepare our food, and so on without thinking that our Lord is watching and sustaining us? As you go about your business this week, endeavour to keep yourself aware of the Lord’s presence no matter what you are doing. Remember that He loves you and is working through you.

"Fear and anxiety are not necessarily sin—that Jesus was anxious before His suffering upon the cross proves this to be the case. Fear of pain or danger is quite natural. Yet in the midst of Jesus' anxiety in Gethsemane, He nevertheless trusted His Father to see Him through the horrific ordeal to come." —Kim Riddlebarger from "Fear and the Sovereignty of God" in this month's Tabletalk magazine

True repentance demands that we own our sins. Despite the world’s pressure, we must accept that we were lured and enticed by our own desire, and that desire conceived and gave birth to the sin that looms large over us (James 1:14-15). . . . As long as we are blame shifting, God knows we are not yet ready to receive pardon solely on the basis of grace." —Conrad Mbewe from his weekend devotional "Owning Our Sin" from this month's Tabletalk magazine

Consider how amazing it is that God, who will not suffer any loss of His glory (Isa. 48:11), places His honour at stake in His plan to bring redemption to the world. What love is this? He condescends to us and assures us He will certainly do all that He promises! He pledges to do all that He swears to do, because if He does not, He would not be the one, true God of creation, nor would He be the faithful Lord of Israel. Rejoice in His covenant love for all of His people today. —From a Bible study in Tabletalk magazine

Coram Deo: Most of us would likely be considered ordinary people who will never make the history books. From a human perspective, we may not seem all that “great.” Yet from God’s perspective, ordinary is what we want to be. He brings about His will through the instrumentality of ordinary people making ordinary decisions such as the best way to teach their children the Bible or how they can reach their next-door neighbour with the gospel. The Lord uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary.

"God’s love is a powerful liberator. It frees us from the trap of self-absorption and opens us to the other. Love gives us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hands to extend to our God and neighbour." —Kelly Kapic from "How Then Should We Love?" in this month's Tabletalk magazine

Coram Deo: For the most part, God's hand of providence remains hidden, and we do not know how things will turn out for us before they actually occur. At times we must trust the Lord and do the right thing even if we know it might cost us our livelihood or even our lives. On these occasions, we must remember that God is ever working for our good and His glory, and we must trust Him to vindicate us for doing what is right even if this vindication may not come until after our deaths.

"The easiest way to summarize the Bible’s teaching on sexuality is to begin with God’s blessing of sex only within the marriage covenant between a man and a woman. Then, just remember that sex outside of that covenant relationship, whatever its form or expression, is explicitly forbidden." Albert Mohler from "The Challenge of Same-Sex Unions" in the April 2012 issue of Tabletalk magazine

Coram Deo: According to His humanity, our Saviour was often sustained by the ministrations of faithful women who loved Him more than their own lives. We have an opportunity to minister to Jesus today, not directly as these women did, but indirectly by helping out His body the church. As we care for one another, especially those who minister for His sake full time, we are showing love and concern for our Saviour. May we love one another and meet the needs of God’s people (Matt. 25:31–46).

"We must preach the gospel to ourselves. This demands that we keep our noses in the Bible, listening for God's voice, founding our confidence on Him and His promises rather than on ourselves. What we will find in the Word is that though 'our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything' (1 John 3:20)." —Kris Lundgaard from "Fear of Self" in this month's Tabletalk magazine

Coram Deo: God is the sovereign Lord of history who causes kingdoms to rise and fall according to His decree. Nothing happens apart from His having ordained it in eternity past, and this is a comforting truth. It tells us that everything in history has a purpose even if we cannot now discern what that purpose happens to be. All events great and small are being used of the Lord to advance His glory and our good, and His control over all things is the only way we can be confident of that precious truth.

"The imagination is a necessary component for reading fiction books, nonfiction books, and, of course, for reading the Bible. God’s book engages our imaginations by the parables of Jesus, the poetry of the Psalms, the adages of the Proverbs, and, of course, the apocalyptic language of the prophets." —Tony Reinke from "Dragons and Holiness" in this month's Tabletalk magazine

Coram Deo: Each of us faces unique circumstances that make it hard for us at times to know how we can best witness to Christ as we live in this world. However, the example of Daniel and his friends shows us that discovering how to serve God best is not an impossible feat. While there are many things from the culture that we can accept and enjoy, there is always a line to be drawn somewhere. Let us seek to live wisely in the world according to God’s word that we might not be of the world.

"Godliness, of all man's works, is of the greatest importance, and the one thing truly necessary. Earthly business, honours, pleasures, or whatsoever, are but trifles and baubles compared to this. If it were a matter of small moment, you might be lazy and loiter about it; but it behoves you to set your heart to it." —George Swinnock

"If you are not delighting in God in his Word, you will become enthralled and thrilled by something else, some lesser thing. Remember that you are hardwired for pleasure and delight. God has made you like that because He made you for Himself. You must be feeding the life of faith to grow strong, and you feed it through the Word of God." —Tedd Tripp from his weekend devotional "Flourishing as Christians" in this month's Tabletalk magazine

How do you feel when the name of the Lord is taken in vain? Do you shudder in fear for those who do so, or has this common sacrilege become unnoticeable to you? Perhaps you are guilty of profaning His name in speech or in how you come before Him in worship? Consider how you may have taken God’s name in vain recently. Pray that you would not blaspheme Him and encourage your friends to revere His glorious name in thought, word, and deed. —From the Tabletalk magazine Bible study "The Meaning of Holiness"

Coram Deo: Our Lord and Saviour is the rock not cut by human hands, the virgin-born Saviour who delivers the crushing blow to all of God’s enemies and whose kingdom then enlarges to cover the whole earth. As we see nations rise and fall, we are not to be alarmed but to be reminded that this is how the Lord manifests Himself in history so that one day God will be recognized as all in all. Jesus has triumphed and His kingdom is expanding even now.

"Any response to distant fears that emphasizes information and preparation over trust is ungodly to its core. Information and education are not wrong, but they are not our first response. God's people turn to Him first: 'We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you' (2 Chron. 20:12)." —Edward Welch from "Fear of the Future" in this month's Tabletalk magazine

Coram Deo: We serve God not because of what He promises us in the here and now but because of what He promises us in eternity to come. Let us serve God for who He is and trust in His wisdom to deliver us no matter how He sees fit.

"To publically pray positively for our leaders, whether liberal or Mormon, is not an optional extra—it is a command from the Lord." —David Robertson from "Praying for Politicians" in the March 2013 issue of Tabletalk magazine

Coram Deo: From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture commends humility and castigates those who are arrogant and proud, who believe that they are masters of their destiny and achieve greatness solely by their own efforts. May we never think of ourselves more highly than we ought in order that we might enjoy God's eternal blessing.

Coram Deo: God so often uses the meek, the powerless, and even the subjugated to show those who think they are mighty that they are not actually mighty at all. We should keep this in mind when we see the church in our day suffer ridicule and marginalization, and pray that the Lord would move the high and mighty to seek us out to learn about our God.

"If we want a new reformation, and such we ought, we should look no further than the very first of those theses, which reads, 'When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said "Repent," He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.'" —R.C. Sproul, Jr. from "Repentance and Reformation" in the June 2010 issue of Tabletalk magazine