DevotionsLeave a comment

The beginning of wisdom is…

joshnmarda

Biologists who study ants estimate there are one quadrillion ants in the world. The rarest, softest, and most expensive fabric on earth is vicunal, which comes from a llama like animal in Peru. The longest recorded duration for standing on one foot is 76 hours and 40 minutes.  And it only took me about one minute to find all that out.   We live in a world where we have access to an unbelievable amount of information. There are some ways in which this is a blessing of course. But there are also some ways in which it can be a … Continue reading The beginning of wisdom is…

Pastoral MinistryLeave a comment

From start to finish, the entire Old Testament is getting us ready to understand what the Messiah is going to do.*

joshnmarda

Genesis tells us to think BIG.  So, you are upset with the way the world is? Genesis is like, you are right! You were made for something more. What is it? It’s God big plan, the kingdom. And Genesis tells us the problem as well, it’s human rebellion and then it gives us the promise that God’s going to send someone to overcome Satan and reverse the curse and even explains later, that he’s going to be ruler of the universe.  This obviously is huge.  But can God do it?  Exodus makes clear no one can stop Him. It gives … Continue reading From start to finish, the entire Old Testament is getting us ready to understand what the Messiah is going to do.*

evangelism, QuotesLeave a comment

The Powerful Testimony of a Holy Life

joshnmarda

Charles Spurgeon speaks very strongly about the importance of holy living. “Believe me, there is no preaching in this world like the preaching of a holy life. It shames me sometimes, and weakens me in my testimony for my Master, when I stand here and recollect that some professors of religion are a disgrace not only to their religion, but even to common morality. It makes me feel as though I must speak with bated breath and trembling knees, when I remember the damnable hypocrisy of those who thrust themselves into the church of God, and by their abominable sins … Continue reading The Powerful Testimony of a Holy Life

John OwenLeave a comment

Have you been truly humbled before God?

joshnmarda

Are we humble? We are religious. We do certain things we are supposed to do. But are we humble? It is possible to say all the right things about God without ever truly being humbled before God. John Owen gives several questions we can ask ourselves to help us evaluate: Is the bottom of our obedience a deep apprehension and a full conviction of our own vileness and nothingness-of our being the chief of sinners, lost and undone; so that we always lie at the foot of sovereign grace and mercy? Is it so? Then, when, how, by what means, … Continue reading Have you been truly humbled before God?

Pastoral MinistryLeave a comment

How to Pursue Making the Most of Your Life for the Glory of God, part 3

joshnmarda

It is good to follow Jesus.  But that doesn’t mean it is going to be easy. There’s a reason Jesus calls it picking up your cross and describes the process as dying to self. Death can be very painful.  It’s painful when your circumstances don’t work out the way you want, definitely. But what may be even more painful is the criticism you will face for attempting to do the right thing.     What do you do? Stay humble, don’t make it about you, and look for opportunities. When we moved to Africa there were lots of things that … Continue reading How to Pursue Making the Most of Your Life for the Glory of God, part 3

Devotions, QuotesLeave a comment

Every glow worm must show its spark…

joshnmarda

“The fact is, the day is very dark. The heavens are lowering with heavy thunder-clouds. Men little dream of what tempests may soon shake this city, and the whole social fabric of this land, even to a general breaking up of society. So dark may the night become that the stars may seem to fall like blighted fruit from the tree. The times are evil. Now, if never before, every glow-worm must show its spark. You with the tiniest farthing candle must take it from under the bushel, and set it on a candlestick. There is need of you all. … Continue reading Every glow worm must show its spark…