John Piper

“God makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away.” Job 12:23 Let this global wonder make you bold.

“In the thought of one who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune.” Job 12:5 O Lord, make every blessing a cause of compassion, not contempt.

“Abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” 1 John 2:28 The branch that is drawing its life and joy from the vine will not be ashamed when the vine appears in glory.

“If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.” 1 John 2:24 Our vital fellowship with Christ depends on holding fast to the truth and preciousness of his message. His personal presence is known by his cherished word.

“The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.” John 10:25–26 If you believe on Jesus, be on your face with thankfulness that you were chosen to be his sheep. For that is why you believe. If you do not believe on Jesus, immerse yourself in his story until you see that he is true.

“The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:17 And the will of God is that we have desires that are not the world’s desires.

“Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.” Ezekiel 28:17 Spoken of a city. But pity the women and men whose life is their looks.

“Will you still say, ‘I am a god,’ in the presence of those who kill you?” Ezekiel 28:9

God’s word to the city of Tyre: “By your great wisdom in your trade you have increased your wealth, and your heart has become proud in your wealth.” Ezekiel 28:5 Smart. Rich. Proud. Dead.

“By this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.” 1 John 2:3 A knowing that infallibly produces obedience.

“God made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; he does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number.” Job 9:9–10 “Beyond number!” So, we will never run out of fresh causes for more amazement. God cannot be boring.

“How can a man be in the right before God? If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times.” Job 9:2–3 So, let us cry out to him with all humility and submission, “Why!” and, “How!” And if he does not answer, let us put our hands on our mouth, and trust him.

“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 Walking in the light is the necessary confirmation of saving faith without which there is no forgiveness of sins. So, walking in the light can’t mean perfection. Else there’d be no sins to forgive.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’” John 8:58

“The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” Ezekiel 18:20

“Do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness.” 2 Peter 3:8–9 Two days have elapsed between the first and second comings of Christ.

“Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me.’” John 8:42 Loving Christ, preferring Christ above all, treasuring Christ, cherishing Christ, finding pleasure in the presence of Christ, relishing the words and deeds and person of Christ — this is the sign that we are born again, and that God is our Father.

“Resolved, To endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.” Jonathan Edwards

59 verses of whoring unfaithfulness against God. Then this: “Yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed . . . and you shall know that I am the Lord . . . when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord God.” Ezekiel 16:60–63

“Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.” Ezekiel 16:49