Here is a collection of good reads gathered from across the internet this past week. Enjoy!
On finding wholeness and joy in Jesus: Only Christ can Truly Satisfy by Phillip Holmes
We reap the benefits of knowing, loving, and delighting in Jesus. The Father gives us peace that surpasses understanding and provides for all our needs according to his riches. No good thing is withheld from us and all things work together for our good. Living in light of these truths proclaims to a discontent world that Jesus is better than anything the world has to offer. As we look to Jesus to make us truly happy, we also proclaim to a world in need that only Christ can truly satisfy. (click here to read more)
On Jesus being infinitely greater than the offerings of the world: Only Jesus by Mike Leake
The Roman guards mock him. They spit on him. They twist together a tangled mess of jagged thorns and pierce his precious skull with this mockery of a crown. This will do. This somehow is the Father’s crown. This is the one He’ll wear. Unsatisfied with the luster and pomp of the world’s crown—He wear with pride His Father’s crown of thorns. (click here to read more)
On the joy we have in salvation: The Lion Roars, and We Are Free by Michael Kelley
What an astounding thing to think of. God, the One who paid the price for our deliverance, does not do so reluctantly, but instead surrounds us with joyful shouts of deliverance. In those moments when we think that God, because of our continued failings, is experiencing the pangs of regret, that He paid such a high price for such a half-hearted child, His shouts of joy in the gospel ring through our souls. He yells, and He yells again, “This one is mine.” (click here to read more)
On the importance of a table in a Christian’s life: Meet at the Table by Dustin Willis
My wife and I have a rugged wooden farm table. It’s not impressive—there are scratches, stains, and some cracks that make you wonder if it can even hold another plate. As a family of four, the table is probably too big for us. As a matter of fact, we don’t even have enough chairs to go around it so an old trunk that sits on iron cast wheels acts as a bench. Even though the table is bulky and awkward, it has become the most significant place in our house. It is our place of meeting. Around this simple piece of furniture we share stories, corny jokes, old memories, laughter and tears, joys and pain. Together we eat, pray, and live around this tattered table. (click here to read more)
On matching one’s way of life with the gospel: How to Commend the Gospel to Others by Mark Altrogge
People want to see if the gospel makes any difference in the way we live. In the way we treat others or go through tough times. Our lives can actually hinder people from believing in Jesus. A friend of mine had terrible experiences with his superior at work who claimed to be a Christian. The man’s life did not match his words at all. In 2 Corinthians 6 Paul said he was very conscious of commending his words by his lifestyle… (click here to read more)
First Baptist Church 