Take Heart

I do not know about you, but 2025 started off with a bang. Everywhere I looked on social media and the news, there was always something. We have the fires in Los Angeles that destroyed many homes including ones that belonged to celebrities. Just a couple of days ago, there was a helicopter that crashed in an American Airlines plane that killed everyone. As I write this, authorities are still gathering information as to exactly how this could have happened.

For many of friends and family, they have had trials which most of them have been the loss of a loved one. Our church has had two members passed within the last couple of days, and a former staff member shared a former member passed. One man shared he lost his home in a fire that related to the L.A. fires. 

My family and I have had our bumps in the first month of 2025. My wife's stepfather passed away one week after the new year began. A few days later, my wife traveled out of state to see my father-in-law who was recovering from back surgery, which that was no surprise. After the surgery, he was incoherent and looked like he suffered a stroke. I am thankful to say he did not suffer a stroke. What had happened was he was given too much pain medication by the hospital to the point of nearly overdosing. He made a full recovery and was released from the hospital. My wife stayed for a few days to make sure he was fine and help keep his house in order. As she came back, we got word one of her uncles was in put in assistant living as he was diagnosed with dementia.  

I am not sure how the first month of the year was for you. Maybe you had some trials. Maybe things when very well with a few bumps. No matter how this year has begun for you, Christians take heart knowing that God is still in control. We have been promised by Christ that tribulations will come, but we can take heart that He has overcome the world (John 16:33). James said that the testing of our faith will bring about perseverance (James 1:3).  The Apostle Paul tells us that all things work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28). What is the good? To be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

We can take heart knowing that whatever comes our way, God is still in control. He is still with us. 

To close, here is song from Emu Music, which happens to share the title to this post, "Take Heart."

The New Year has Begun

Last week we began a new year. With a new year comes goals that we have set aside to achieve. Most people will have made a New Year's resolution which includes losing weight, kicking a bad habit, or starting something new.

Also, with the new year comes a lot of challenges and the unknown. No one knows the future, nor can we predict what will happen although there are some things, we know that will take place this year such as the 2024 presidential election here in the United States. 

We can have confidence knowing that no matter what happens this year, God is still sovereign. He is still in control of all circumstances even though we may not understand what is going or why a particular event took place or will take place as the case may be as 2024 moves on.

The Bible we see Joshua who was given a word from Yahweh as he is about to lead the nation of Israel to the Promise Land:

Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh, that Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ attendant, saying,

“Moses My servant is dead; so now arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.

Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.

From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.

No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

Only be strong and very courageous to be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn aside from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be prosperous wherever you go.

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful, and then you will be prosperous.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be in dread or be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:1-9 (LSB)

A few things in this passage that we can apply in our lives as we continue through the new year. First, God is with us. "Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). We can take great joy and comfort knowing that just as God was with Moses and Joshua, He is also with us. Jesus promised He will be with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

Second, "Be strong and courageous" (Joshua 1:6). When things go wrong or new challenges come our way, be strong and courageous. Why? God is with us. 

Third, obey the word of God. "Only be strong and very courageous to be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn aside from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be prosperous wherever you go" (Joshua 1:7). God is commanding Joshua again to be strong and courageous but in obeying the words of the law that Moses gave him. In our context, we can be strong and courageous as we obey God's Word and to stand firm in the faith. Whether it is costs us a relationship, job, or a peace of mind because it was the easy way out, be strong and stand on the promises of God.

Fourth, mediate on the Word of God. "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful, and then you will be prosperous" (Joshua 1:8). As we obey God's Word, we should have our minds on God's Word. Biblical mediation is different than what the world believes especially in the New Age Movement. Worldly mediation is emptying your mind. Biblical mediation is filling your mind. We fill our minds with the truth of God's Word in the Bible. "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth" (Colossians 3:2). Those who mediate on the Bible are considered blessed: "How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of Yahweh, And in His law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2).

Finally, be strong and courageous. Hold on. Wasn't that already mentioned? God asks a rhetorical question, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!" (Joshua 1:9a). Joshua is told once again to be strong and courageous as he leads Israel to the Promise Land. For us, we are reminded throughout the Bible to fear not. We are reminded that God has us in His hands and nothing, including yourself, can separate you from His love. "Do not be in dread or be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9b). 

God is with us this new year. We are to stay strong and hold fast to His Word. 

Book Review: Don't Lose Heart by Jason Meyer

Jesus never promised that things will be easy. We will have disappointments in this life. We will face trials of various kinds. There maybe times where we might get depressed.

Discouragement comes to us unexpectedly no matter how long we have been a believer. We all need encouragement every now and again. Jason Meyer addresses how the gospel gives us hope when we are discouraged in his latest book, Don't Lose Heart.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part is talking about fighting for our sight. Meyer explains when we are discouraged we lose sight of all we have in Jesus. We also lose sight of Christ Himself and we only see things that are not even true. Meyer shows us what we need to do when we are discouraged and cannot see what Christ has done for us. The second part takes a look at the reasons why we get discouraged. Meyer says when we look at our past, present, and future circumstances, we tend to get discouraged especially from those events that have been harmful.

Discouragement comes and goes which we all face in various ways. The gospel is our hope when we face discouragement, which is what I think Meyer is communicating in his book. There were times Meyer lost me in the book because of some of his wording, but understood where he was going.

Thanks Baker Books for letting me review this book.

Around The Web-December 21, 2018

What Is The Old Covenant? by John Young

2018: A Christian Music Review by Jeremy Howard

An Open Letter to the Depressed Christian at Christmas by David Murray

When Your Sin Finds You Out by David McLemore

Ask Pastor John: How Will Christ ‘Reconcile’ Unbelievers to Himself?

5 Myths about the Bible by Chris Bruno

The Statement on SJ&G Explained: Article 14, Racism by Darrell B. Harrison

Michael Lawrence speaks on the idea of belonging to a church before believing in Jesus

Around The Web-December 5, 2018

When We Understand The Text addresses Seventh Day Adventism

The 20th Anniversary of the 9 Marks Journal: Essentials

All ESV Bibles from Crossway are 50% off till the end of the year

The Reformation Study Bible is on sale at Ligonier till the end of the week

Is the Old Testament Still Relevant for Christians? with Michael Kruger from Credo Magazine

Overcoming Fear in Evangelism by Barry York

Depression, Discouragement, and Hope in Christ During the Holidays by Dave Jenkins

From the 1689 Society, what is a healthy church?

Book Review: Strength for the Weary by Derek Thomas

No one has ever life was going to be easy. Even Jesus said in this world, you will have trouble (John 16:33). James tells us to consider it joy whenever, not if, we face trials of various kinds (James 1:2-4). The Christian life is full of trials not matter how long you have walked with Jesus.

We can take comfort knowing that God is with us every step of the way no matter what life throws at us. Derek Thomas dives in the final chapters of Isaiah to encourage every believer who is going through a hard time in his latest book, Strength for the Weary. You have ever read or listened to Derek Thomas, you know this man loves the scriptures which is what points us to the One who gives us comfort, our Heavenly Father.

Thomas reminds his readers that when life is falling apart, we can take comfort that God is in control. He is still on His throne. Just as God has not forgotten the people Isaiah was speaking to, He has not forgotten us and that is where we can take great comfort. Even as we go through difficulty, we must submit to God's authority and trust in Him. We also must be holy as He is holy.

One of the greatest comforts that Isaiah has given us is the coming Messiah. God has given us One who was stricken by Him so that we might have peace. What is great about the gospel is that it is a message that does not go away after we are saved. It is the message that resonates in our hearts even after we are saved and reminds us that God has not abandoned us.

Thomas delivers a good book on encouragement which all of need from time to time because life does get hard. We need to remember that God is a God of comfort and He promised to never leave us nor forsake us.

Thanks Reformation Trust for letting me review this book.

Around The Web-March 23, 2018

16 Free eBooks by B. B. Warfield from Monergism

Remembering The Gospel by Edward Romine

Why I Choose to Be a Bivocational Pastor by Sam Whitehawk

Does Church Membership Really Matter? by Tim Challies

Faith That Moves Mountains: What Jesus Didn’t Mean by Thomas R. Schreiner

The Theology of Rob Bell and the Post-Evangelicals from the Center for Public Theology

The Dangers and Benefits of Revival by Justin Huffman

How The Internet Can Help Us Model 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 by Mike Leake

This is the second Q&A session from the 2018 G3 Conference

Trusting God in the Dark Times of Life and Ministry

All of us will experience times of difficulty and they come in various forms. Death of a loved one, fatal diagnoses, or your church is thinking about shutting down. The one comfort we can have in this world is that God is in control and we can trust Him.

Maybe you are going through some dark times right now whether you are a pastor of a church, a regular 9 to 5 working man, or a stay-at-home mom. I hope this message from Juan Sanchez will encourage you as you journey through a time of difficulty.

Music Monday: You Are With Me by Andrew Marcus

Around The Web-November 4, 2016

The complete 5 volume set of Reformed Dogmatics by Geerhardus Vos is now available and on sale

6 Marks of a Faithful Ministry by Tim Challies

A Few Brief Thoughts on the Hatmaker Hermeneutic by Kevin DeYoung

Love Your Neighbor Enough to Speak Truth by Rosaria Butterfield

Our Impoverished Imaginations: The World of Jen Hatmaker by Jake Meador

Is evangelical Christianity becoming more open to gay marriage? by Denny Burk

How to Practice Christian Encouragement by Jared Musgrove

Set Free by the Gospel: Navigating Between License and Legalism by Jonah Sage

If you are regular visitor to the blog, you know that I have shared Matt Redman videos time and time again during "Music Monday," which includes one of his most popular songs, "10,000 Reasons." This video is Matt leading people in that song which took place at Times Square.

How Does the Gospel Encourage Weary Men?

Crossway:




Books by Jared C Wilson:

Gospel Wakefulness

Gospel Deeps

The Pastor's Justification

The Storytelling God

The Wonder Working God

The Prodigal Church