The Unknown Minister | Thinking outloud in obscurity

Courage and Strength Through God’s Word

Every Christian is called to be strong and courageous, but not everyone is called to be boldfaced with courage before an entire nation. Maybe your thoughts immediately turn to men like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—and so they should! However, I want to draw your attention to some men you may have forgotten are in the…
The Church Basics…Get it Right!

Getting the basics right is essential in life. Unless we keep nailing those basics, everything else becomes a waste of time. Take a woodworker, for example. He might want to master the mortise and tenon joint, but if he doesn’t know how – or has forgotten how – to cut or chisel wood properly, no…
The Church Today and it’s Terrible Masters

Some things make amazing servants but terrible masters. Policy and procedure is one of them – especially in the Church! In recent history, the Church has bought into a massive societal push to establish health, safety, and protection policies in an attempt to safeguard the people within her care. The motivation behind this is generally…
Many Gifts, One Kingdom: Using Your Role in God’s Work

Are we all really needed in the kingdom of God? Surely atleast some of us can be passive bystanders and consumers? Consider what both the Old and New Testament confirm…
When Moses’ Grandson Became an Idol Priest

Hidden in the closing chapters of Judges is a verse that startles anyone reading closely. “And the people of Dan set up the carved image for themselves, and Jonathan the son of Gershom, son of Moses, and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the…
The Unknown Minister is Back

Just a very quick post to inform you that I have not died, nor abandoned my desires for this site. With a return comes a new site. I needed to migrate my website to a new home and it gave the opportunity to refresh everything. My goal, if the Lord enables me, is to get…
Living for One in the Midst of Many

Have you ever noticed that whenever you need to make a difficult decision, everyone around you immediately becomes an expert on what you should do? To make it worse, not only are they all experts and know exactly what you ought to do, they also all disagree! Wise counselors are a blessing, but what do…
The Foolish Shadow

It was a gloriously bright and sunny day. Edward was enjoying a casual stroll on the beach. He always enjoyed these days. The sun glistened on the foam-speckled waves, and the wind with its salty flavor blew in the air. Edward let out a big sigh of relief and mused to himself, “Not much better…
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last…

Like many young boys, I wanted to be a professional sportsman when I grew up. Maybe your dream was something different. Imagine for a moment that you attained it. Would you be quick to give it up? Meet C. T. Studd. He was a professional cricketer and was very well respected. He played in the…
The Burdened Life Under the Sun

“‘Alas! there are some wounds that cannot be wholly cured,’ said Gandalf. ‘I fear it may be so with mine,’ said Frodo. ‘There is no real going back. Though I may come to the Shire, it will not seem the same; for I shall not be the same. I am wounded with knife, sting, and…
The Natural Tendency to Complainy

Some things come very naturally to us. I have a friend who is a natural musician. It really makes no difference what instrument you give him; in an hour he will be playing it close to fluently. Maybe you’re a natural sportsman, singer, chef, baby whisperer, or animal whisperer; either way, it doesn’t take a…
The Destructive Nature of False Reports

Have you ever had the experience where you find out some fascinating new thing and tell a bunch of people only to discover that you had listened to a false report? It’s a pretty sad feeling, isn’t it? You end up feeling a little bit bad because, in a sense, you have misled your friends…
The Pain of Betrayal

“For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked…
Finding Hope as Elect Exiles

1 Peter 1:1, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia…“ Peter writes to believers spread across regions of the Roman Empire—exiles of the Dispersion. They are scattered, isolated, living as strangers in a hostile world. But Peter doesn’t begin with…
Is God a Tyrannical Lawgiver?

When you think of God the lawgiver in the Old Testament, what mental image comes to mind? When you think of the Lord declaring blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, what tone do you imagine that these are delivered with? I would imagine that for many of us, we hear it with the tone…
Love Covers; Sin Exposes…

The Christian Church in the 21st century has a problem. It’s a big problem—a social problem and a public problem—and yet almost no one is talking about it. It isn’t new; in fact, it’s been around for millennia. But it’s a problem that has been given peculiar opportunity to fester in today’s church. What is…
Transform Your Prayer Life: A Simple Technique

There is no such thing as a prayer-less Christian. If you are a Christian, by definition, you are a pray-er. This is because you are a child of Heaven, and therefore your heart beats to talk and commune with your Father through the Son by the Holy Spirit. Yet, though all Christians pray, is it…
Worship: Why Obedience Matters More Than Intentions

You have probably heard the all too familiar phrase at birthdays and Christmas, “It’s the thought that counts.” There is a noble element of truth in that in our human relationships. You might buy me a present I don’t need or particularly want, and yet I appreciate your love and effort in trying. However, the…
Embracing God-Given Gifts Without Envy

Sadly, another controversy has exploded in the Reformed Christian world. Recently, the minister of a long-established church and leader of a well-known public-facing ministry was removed from his post. The ministry held regular conferences, with recent years welcoming ~8,000 to 9,000 people. What happened that brought about the removal of this man? While interacting with…
Facing Life’s Challenges with a Clear Conscience

Most of you can remember moments when a parent has said, “I need to speak to you about something.” A few of you can probably think of times when the boss or the principal has said, “Come to my office, we need to talk about something.” Your heart feels the pressure of a guilty conscience,…
Longing for God’s Presence in the House of the Lord

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. We know this to be true in our human relationships. After a week away on a work trip, the glad husband and father returns to a joyful wife and ecstatic children. The same is true of those who are cut off from the house of God…
How to Make Decisions When Everything Seems Dark

The apocryphal tale is told of a particular minister in the midst of a church council debate. The debate was raging, and he could be seen hunched over his little table, writing at ferocious speed. For all the onlookers, it appeared that he was zealously preparing his next argument. When the time arrived, he quietly…
Faith and Courage: Embracing God’s Promises in Uncertainty

Security and safety are such common aspects of our lives that we cannot imagine living without them. This often dulls the razor-sharp glory of many passages in the Bible. Because of insurance, security cameras, door locks, and high-security fencing (all good blessings!), the richness of the promises of God does not quite ring with the…
Faith and Deliverance: Trusting the Lord in Battles

The Lord is mighty in battle. When the evildoer assails our life—our body and soul—it is good to remember that there is One who not only sees our plight but is powerful enough to come to our aid. The Lord, our warrior God, stands ready. And in the prayer Jesus taught us, he invites us…
Rediscovering Sola Scriptura: Its Importance in Today’s Church

The single most important rediscovery in the last millennium took place in the Reformation. Sadly, this rediscovery is quickly being reforgotten again. The early reformers and reformers rediscovered many things, but the one great rediscovery that undergirded them all was what is commonly called sola scriptura (Scripture Alone). The Lexham Glossary of Theology defines it…
Confessing Faith in the Holy Catholic Church

When using the Apostle’s Creed, we confess that we believe in the holy catholic Church. People balk at this statement. However, it is a wonderful thing to confess. Note that we are not confessing that we believe in the Roman Catholic Church, but one holy catholic church. We believe in one glorious body, under one…
From Seed to Flower: A Journey of Faith

A flower is a beautiful thing to behold. You plant the seed and tenderly watch it grow. You witness the first shoots dawning in the morning and the vibrant green leaves growing out. You rejoice as you see little buds pop out and then open up to produce a colorful, fragrant flower. Each step is…
The Dangers of Liberalism in the Church Today

Words matter. Our faith and belief are communicated through words. However, a speaker or writer’s words have precise meanings and intentions. One of the alarming aspects of liberalism in the church was the way in which they agreed to words while denying the meanings and intentions of those who wrote them. When liberalism was at…
The Relationship Between Theology and Worship

It has often been said that our doxology will only ever reach as high as our theology. That is because your adoration can only reach as high as your appreciation of the one you adore. You might be tempted to think that this is not true. Maybe you think of brand-new Christians who adore the…
Worthy is the Lamb on the Lord’s Day

Tomorrow, the sun will dawn on a new Lord’s day on the eastern shores. Once again, the people of God will gather from shore to shore to sing the praises of the King. Have you ever stopped to think that for some 2000 years people have been doing this week in and week out? When…
Understanding Power Religion in the Church

One of the chief besetting sins of the Church is playing power religion. By power religion, I mean the temptation to look for whatever end will yield the greatest power in order to achieve the desired results. Such concepts are seen explicitly in animistic religions, where one seeks to manipulate spiritual forces to obtain power…
John Newton’s Insights on Sin and Salvation this Easter

Easter is coming, tomorrow the Church begins to celebrate the death of its Saviour. Let these wonderful words of John Newton remind you of how precious that death was…and is: “I was formerly one of his most active under-tempters. Not content with running the broad way myself, I was indefatigable in enticing others; and had…
Hosea: A Reflection of Christ and His Bride

We delight in thinking about the love of Christ for his Bride. We think of those glorious passages in Ephesians 5 and Revelation 22, and can’t help but feel our hearts wooed towards our beloved Husband. It is a wonderful reality that we can gaze into a marriage and understand Christ and His Church. When…
Make Spiritual Hay While the Sun Shines

The saying, “Make hay while the sun shines,” is an appropriate reminder for our approach to the Scriptures. When times are good, we ought to store up for ourselves a spiritual repository from which to draw. Sadly, all too often, when the providential sun is shining upon our lives, we are found sunbathing rather than…
Understanding God’s Unexpected Choices

God’s ways, the Scriptures declare, are higher than our ways. It isn’t just that his ways are better, though they surely are, but that they are completely different. Consider one small little aspect of the work of God, his election. If you were to choose people to be a part of your kingdom and advance…
Spurgeon and Joseph: Theologians of Suffering

In a sermon on Romans 8:28, Charles Spurgeon said, “All things work together for the Christian’s eternal and spiritual good. And yet I must say here, that sometimes all things work together for the Christian’s temporal good. You know the story of old Jacob. “Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take…
The Power of Divine Reminders for Jacob

Jacob had been with Laban for twenty-one years. He had labored for fourteen years to pay the bride price for his two wives, and then he had worked seven years for his livelihood. His father-in-law had mistreated him and cheated him along the way. Sleep had fled from before his eyes, sweat had been upon…
Three Keys to Finding Unshakeable Joy

Joy can feel elusive. It’s something we all want and yet obtaining it seems like striving after the wind. Do you wish you could say with King David, “You have put more joy in my heart, than they have when their grain and wine abound.” Or with the Apostle Paul, to be able to say…
The Power of the Tongue: Choosing Words Wisely

The tongue is an incredible instrument. Think of all that it does. It helps with speaking, swallowing, breathing, and tasting. Imagine what your life would be like if you didn’t have a tongue! This incredible little instrument is a blessing given to us by our creator. He created you with a tongue that you might…
The Freedom in Declaring Innocence to God

Imagine you are sitting in a prayer meeting and you hear someone pray, “God, you are a righteous judge. Would you judge me according to my righteousness? In the past, you have dealt with me according to my righteousness; would you do it again?” What is your guttural reaction? I imagine some of you are…
Renewing Repentance: Finding Grace Weekly

One aspect I love about the Reformed tradition is the reading of the law, corporate confession of sin, and assurance of grace. Week by week, as we come into the house of the Lord, we are reminded that we fall short of the glory of God, and yet we come to Him and acknowledge our…
The Hidden Costs of Modern Biblical Tools

Modern tools are such a blessing for the Christian. Things like AI, Logos Bible Software, Google Search, Bible apps; they are amazing tools that yield a rich harvest. Consider how quickly and easily you can find what you need. Look at the tools at work for helping a depressed Christian: However, have you ever stopped…
Understanding the Fate of Lot’s Sons-in-Law: A Warning for Today

The story of Lot’s being rescued from Sodom and Gomorrah is a well-known biblical story. When you think of the story, what imagery comes to mind? The people of the town banging on the door? Lot running for his life? Lot’s wife becoming a pillar of salt? Lot’s daughters having children by him? Have you…
The Power of Christ’s Intercession in Your Prayer Life

Do you ever wish you were a better pray-er? I’m sure at times you have wished your prayer life was richer. In the book, “Praying Hyde”, Carre records the following words that John Hyde wrote the following, it is a wonderful reminder that the success of our praying is not based on our prayer life…
The Devil in Your Disappointment

Disappointment is a savage beast. It tears you down and leaves you broken on the inside. It’s like the schoolyard bully that never leaves you alone. What’s worse is that disappointment isn’t just a one-time action. It leaves a wound that easily festers and a scar that permanently marks us. Sadly, it happens all too…
Finding Surprising Delight in the Law of God

Do you rejoice in the law of God? Do you love God’s commandments? Maybe that seems like a strange question to you. For many Christians, the law is like a grumpy parent who wants to ruin all the children’s fun or like an executor whose sole existence is to condemn and destroy. These caricatures of…
How Will You Be Remembered?

Jehoram had a wonderful father, Jehoshaphat. We are told that, “The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel.” Yet he did…
The Significance of Worship Gatherings

Some quotes for your Sabbath reflection: “Therefore, when God’s people meet together for worship, that meeting is of more significance than a summit meeting of heads of state to decide on a treaty of peace between great nations. It is more important than a meeting of the city council or the state legislature, more important…
Finding Freedom in Pleasing God

Who are you trying to please in this life? It’s an important question. Everyone lives to please someone. Some live to please themselves, others a spouse or family member, while others the world. But who are you trying to please? This question presses into the heart of the motivation for everything you do. The person…
The Point of Pointless Suffering

You’ve been facing a perculiarly agonising trial – death, sickness, persecution, rejection, or betrayal. The suffering is palpable, the tears are your food day and night, the grief hangs over you like a WW2 bomber, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Then someone asks the question, “What is God teaching…
Why Greatness Can Be a Double-Edged Sword

Many of us desire greatness, success, riches, or popularity. The reason the Lord does not entrust these things to us is because we can’t be trusted with them. Fame and fortune is one of the hardest crosses to carry. Not because it is painful or particularly difficult, but because it besets the individual with a…
Fighting the Frustration of Finitude through Faith

Have you ever felt the disappointment of incompletion? You set out with a list of tasks to achieve, but everything seems to fall through your hands. At the end of your day, you look back over what you have done and realize you have effectively completed nothing. This is the life of living a life…
The Comfort of God as Our Judge

The concept of God as a judge in the Scriptures provides comfort, especially during times of oppression. Unlike modern judges, God delivers, defends, and restores His people, assuring believers of divine justice amidst injustice.
The Dangers of Pragmatism in the Church

Pragmatism is portrayed as detrimental to the church, prioritizing expedient results over obedience to God’s Word. While it may seem sensible, this approach compromises Christian values and encourages moral shortcuts, exemplified by Caiaphas’ justification of Jesus’ betrayal. To combat pragmatism, faithfulness and scriptural adherence must be prioritized above mere outcomes.
The Blessings of Gathering on the Sabbath

The Lord’s house offers a unique blessing on the Sabbath as believers gather worldwide to worship and receive His grace. The Lord manifests His love especially on this day, inviting His people to connect through communal worship.
Finding Satisfaction and Joy in God’s Embrace

Every individual harbors a deep longing for approval from a loving Father, rooted in our creation by God for communion with Him. Despite this yearning, many turn to worldly distractions, only to find deep dissatisfaction. The true fulfillment lies in returning to God, who welcomes us as His children through His Son.
The Hidden Treasures of Suffering: Wisdom from George Matheson

George Matheson, a blind Scottish minister, believed that present suffering leads to future glory. Despite personal hardships, including losing his fiancée and becoming blind by twenty, he thrived as a hymn writer. His reflections highlight that trials often precede triumphs, echoing the idea that pain can transform into our greatest blessings.
Banishing Luck: Embrace God’s Sovereignty

That was lucky! That was fortunate! Luckily that didn’t happen! By some strange fortune! I am sure you have heard these phrases, and possibly used them yourself. They are part of most peoples every day speech and purely mean something worked out conveniently for the speaker. For that I want fault you if you use…
Finding Comfort in Psalms During Despair

Traditional advice offers little comfort during despair, true solace is found in the Psalms and should be sought there with God.
Understanding God’s Grace: Beyond Unmerited Favor

“Grace grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all my sin.” Grace is a theme that runs like blood through the Christian church. Without grace we have nothing. Yet do we properly understand what grace really is? What is grace? Have you ever stopped and thought? People will often say, “Grace is unmerited favour.”…
Understanding Envy: Why so Deadly?

Envy, one of the seven deadly sins. Why is it so deadly and perilous? Is it simply the lack of contentment, or is there something else that makes this sin so dangerous? While a lack of gratitude, thankfulness, and contentment is definitely at the root of envy, this is not what makes envy so disastrous.…
Faith Alone: The Core of Luther’s Gospel

Martin Luther asserts that faith alone, without works, justifies believers before God, resisting opposition from secular and religious authorities, emphasizing that Jesus Christ is solely responsible for salvation.
Remembering the Lord: Teaching the Next Generation

It is easy to forget. It isn’t just a problem for the elderly. It is a problem we all share. From car keys to birthdays, we all forget things from time to time. In fact, this very moment I have missplaced my favourite fountain pen, because I have forgotten where I placed it. However, none…
The Power of Prayer in Missionary Work

James Fraser was once described as “a strange chap who lives up in the mountains doing a kind of lone missionary work. No one seems to know much about him.” He was many things, but in order to know him one thing you must come to terms with was his utter dependence upon prayer. One…
The Importance of Gospel-Fueled Reconciliation

If you have been in the Church for any length of time it will be no shock for you to hear me say that churches have had their fair share of arguments, divisions, and problems. All of which require healing and reconciliation. If you haven’t seen this yet, I am fairly confident – sadly –…