Eternally Minded

                                                   Recently our family drove from Nova Scotia to Ontario to visit family and friends whom we had not seen in a while. Before I went, I sent a message to a relative. It said, "Can I ask a favour of you?" The reply was "Of course!" I replied, "I was wondering if you could please read the following pamphlet at least twice before [we arrive in ON], and then we can we get together and talk about it."  I included 6 pictures: one for every page of John Piper's Gospel tract entitled Quest for Joy . Thankfully the reply I received was, "Ok. Looking forward to that." I was prepared for a different answer. I wish I could convey in words how encouraged I was to hear that the light was green. This would turn out to be the second (and hopefully not the last) conversation with this person about the Gospel. ...

Proverbs 10:29: The way of the L ORD is a strong hold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. It struck me when I was reading this verse in my devotions, that, indeed, this verse is so true. As Christians, the Christ who saved us is the same Christ who will punish the wicked and doom them to an eternity in Hell. But why? The truth is, God is holy [perfect/separate: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory! Isaiah 6:3 ].  Omnipotent [all powerful: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... Romans 1:16 ]. Omniscient [all knowing: Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God ! Romans 11:33 ] Just [judge: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just? Genesis 18:25 ] He truly is all those things; He hates sin. He can't be near sin, He is separate from it. Because we are sinners, He can't be near us. And sin must be punished. Something has becom...