Jonathan Ward

But God, I Know You

I tend to judge the children of Israel too harshly. I act towards God in the same way. I think I have him figured. I know how to give just a portion of my heart and obedience. Just enough to keep his…

Hosea 8:2 (ESV), Hosea 8:3 (ESV), Hosea 8:4 (ESV)

My Thoughts On Colossians 1:24

Not that Christ's afflictions needed addition of value or worth, but needed presentation to the unbelieving world. Paul rejoices as he fulfills Gods plan to share the sufferings of Christ with the world…

Colossians 1:24 (ESV)

Do I Deserve Rescue?

This is what Paul is giving thanks for the faithful brothers at Colossae. The gospel of Christ. We were under dominion. This means there was NO hope of rescuing ourselves. We who are under dominion are…

Colossians 1:13 (ESV), Colossians 1:14 (ESV)

A Day Unlike Any Other

Yesterday was probably the hardest day of my life. I lost something invaluable. Pain is hard to bear but pain from injustice is especially unbearable. These verses are comfort to my soul. I have no deep…

Psalm 56:3 (ESV), Psalm 56:4 (ESV)

Foolishness

For Christ was crucified as weak although he was the only truly strong. He was resurrected by the power of God so that you and I and Paul who are the truly weak may share in that life. God has given Jesus…

2 Corinthians 13:4 (ESV)

Manna

A quote I heard from my pastor this morning concerning 2 Corinthians 3:18 "Gospel transformation is like manna. Manna is bread you didn't bake, God did." We have heard Paul tell us to work out our…

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV), Philippians 2:12 (ESV), Philippians 2:13 (ESV)

Insufficient

The degree of sufficiency we believe on Christ is directly related to the degree of insufficiency we believe of ourselves. Not just a mental acknowledgment of being insufficient, but a functional deep…

2 Corinthians 3:4 (ESV), 2 Corinthians 3:5 (ESV), 2 Corinthians 3:6 (ESV)

Coram Deo

Everything we do is always done "before the face of God" Nothing is hidden from Him. All our thoughts, deeds, and desires will be seen. Will we choose to glorify God or claim we know best how to give…

Ecclesiastes 12:14 (ESV)

Spurgeon

I found this Spurgeon quote on Ray Ortlund's blog (http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/) . “I tell you, if he were to shut you out, dear soul, whoever you may be, if you go to him, he would…

My Real Problem

My real problem is not that I am sick, like a victim of a disease, not that I am a drunk or addicted to something, but my problem is that I am a sinner. I do not acknowledge the depth of my depravity…

Psalm 32:5 (ESV)

God's Voice

I remember the first time I heard this verse. I was deeling with deep conviction. I was trying to repent, but I still felt God owed me punishment or that He was still angry with me. I always felt like…

Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)

Righteous Shield

Earlier David reveals that God shows his true character in ways that are congruent with the position of our heart (vs.25-26) God is a Judge who proclaims blamelessness; a Refiner who purifies with heat;…

Psalm 18:30 (ESV)

The Called

Here we see that Paul believes and teaches that believing in the gospel doesn't necessarily change your circumstances. But God changes you with the gospel within your circumstances. So if we are spending…

1 Corinthians 7:19 (ESV), 1 Corinthians 7:20 (ESV)

Kings w/o Crowns

Paul paints a despairing picture of the Corinthians in this text. They seem to be complete in no need of more teaching. They are concerned with being respectable and comfortable. They have lost sight…

1 Corinthians 4:8 (ESV), 1 Corinthians 4:9 (ESV), 1 Corinthians 4:10 (ESV), 1 Corinthians 4:11 (ESV), 1 Corinthians 4:12 (ESV), 1 Corinthians 4:13 (ESV), 1 Corinthians 4:14 (ESV)

Nothing

I am redeemed and my deep debt of sin is NOTHING compared to His riches of grace in Christ.

Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)

Not What You Think

It doesnt seem this verse is as great sounding when the context is considered. God is about to judge rightly and strongly. Habakkuk was expecting God to judge the immoral nations. But God uses the immoral…

Habakkuk 1:5 (ESV)

Saints Together

Paul always sees the local church as an extension of the larger Church. Our faith is inter-connected because of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV)