Christian Living / Spiritual Growth

  • Mercy Ministry by Elliot Grudem

    FROM TABLETALK | December 2010

    Christ has given His church deacons to lead the church in its ministries of mercy. Deacons serve those in the church by ministering to people in their times of need. Though deacons lead in this area, ministries of mercy are …Read More

  • Thriving at College by Alex Chediak

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2010

    College represents a minefield of temptation for the Christian student. It is often the first time a young person raised in a godly home is under the direct, ongoing infl uence of both professors with secular agendas and classmates with …Read More

  • The Cause and the Effect by Kim Riddlebarger

    FROM TABLETALK | April 2009

    Q. What is sanctification? A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto …Read More

  • Deus Pro Nobis by Burk Parsons

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2010

    As we enter the second decade of the twenty-first century, we have reached an all-time low in terms of our expectations for college students. Both parents and students seem to have ingested a lowest-common-denominator sedative that has led many to …Read More

  • Our Identity in Christ by Kevin Struyk

    FROM TABLETALK | December 2006

    Remembering all the personal identification numbers, passwords, login names, ID cards, and the like that are a part of my everyday routine gets tiring. In order to conduct any business on the Internet, enter my residence, pay bills, access email …Read More

  • Sowing and Reaping by Terry Johnson

    FROM TABLETALK | April 2009

    The words of the apostle Paul are ominous, fearsome, sobering, encouraging, and strengthening as he says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, this he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7). When I was a …Read More

  • Why Forgive? by R.C. Sproul

    FROM TABLETALK | December 2006

    When someone orders us to do something, or imposes an obligation, it is natural for us to ask two questions. The first question is, “Why should I?” and the second is, “Who says so?” The why and the authority behind …Read More

  • Forgiveness at the Feet of Jesus by Richard Ganz

    FROM TABLETALK | December 2006

    I remember opening the door of my office at the medical center and being greeted by a young, beautiful, desperate woman, who had been referred to me for psychotherapy. She was single. She had been living a carefree, and sexually …Read More

  • The Letter to the Church in Smyrna by Paul Gardner

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2009

    How wonderful it would be if our church received an encouraging letter from Jesus, especially if it contained no criticism. Jesus has no censure for the church in Smyrna but reveals His deep compassion for a people who are faithful …Read More

  • The Necessity of Reconciliation by Rod Mays

    FROM TABLETALK | December 2006

    Why do relationships have to be so complicated? Why do good friends get “wrapped around the axle” with each other? Why do family members become so alienated they may not speak to one another for years? It is because we …Read More

  • Overcoming Doubt by Scott Devor

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2010

    I began my college years ready to conquer the world for Christ. The reality of my journey, however, tells quite a different story. College, for me, was a roller coaster of peaks and valleys — from incredible joys to the most …Read More

  • Unqualified Christians by Burk Parsons

    FROM TABLETALK | October 2010

    Words mean things, and, if we’re not careful, words can easily die the death of one, two, or a thousand qualifications. As editors, we often deliberate the use of words in their contexts and the appropriate uses of qualifiers …Read More

  • Forgiveness: A Mark of a Healthy Church by Joseph Novenson

    FROM TABLETALK | December 2006

    Our Lord and Savior expects forgiveness to be constant, not occasional. In Matthew 18:21–22, Peter came to Jesus with a faulty view of employing forgiveness. He suggested merely “seven” acts of forgiveness as the maximum of mercy to …Read More

  • Hearts Aflame: Reformed Piety by Philip Ryken

    FROM TABLETALK | September 2005

    Calvinism is well known and widely respected for its theology. But can we say the same thing about its piety? It is sometimes said that Calvinists do not make very good Christians. According to one critic: “Nothing will foster pride …Read More

  • Doctrine Applied by Robert Rothwell

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2005

    On a dark Friday afternoon two thousand years ago, an itinerant preacher and miracle worker hung on a Roman cross just outside the ancient city of Jerusalem. A small crowd gathered to observe the agonizing death of this man who …Read More