Along with so many other “small” sins in our lives, self-pity is actually very dangerous and self-destructive. The good news, however, is that the Bible gives us some very insightful help regarding this age-old sin. Some time ago I preached a message on self-pity, as part of a series “Beware of Small Sins.” Let me share a brief outline of it with you. Here are four ways that self-pity distorts your perception of reality, with some biblical solutions. 1. Self-pity ignores the gaping ne...| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
It is important to recognize that the Christian life can be a series of ups and downs, confidence and doubts. However, the faith that God gives us in Jesus Christ is (praise God!) not based on our feelings or even on our faithfulness. Neither is God's love toward us. This is important to remember, b| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
When Jesus knew that his hour had come... he loved them to the end (John 13:1). The gospels are not only filled with actions and with history—they are also filled with romance. The romance of Jesus' love for his Church. We all want a passionate romance with the kind of person that will love you even| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
Imagine you are about to move to a new area. Not just a new location, but a whole new part of the world—surrounded by a new culture and new faces, and without any familiar friends or contacts. Besides the personal, emotional challenges of such a move there would obviously be some significant spiritu| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
The apostle Peter writes to hurting and persecuted Christian believers, who have been "scattered" from their homes and familiar surroundings, and tells them to cast all their anxieties on God knowing that God cares for them (1 Peter 5:7). This is not some puff piece, or academic lecture, or thoughtl| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
Not long ago our church studied through the Ten Commandments together. In preparation for considering this formidable and famous piece of Old Testament law, it was helpful for me to consider, or reconsider, the goodness of God in all that he does, including giving us the law. More than just a list o| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13). God is faithful. What a wonderful reminder! God| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
We know that “an idol has no real existence" (1 Corinthians 8:4). Paul, while addressing an immediate problem related to Christian liberty, simultaneously addresses a vital overarching point regarding idolatry. Idols are nothing; they are not just false gods, they are no gods at all. Of course the m| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
What does the church of Jesus Christ really look like? Of course, I am not talking about the architectural style of the building in which it meets, but what a local body of believers looks like. We know the church should be sound in doctrine and zealous in proclaiming the gospel. But how does a soun| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
In Ephesians 3:14-19, Paul gives us four specific prayer requests he had for the people of God. And all of them center around the person and work of Jesus Christ: that Christ’s Spirit give you strength, as Christ lives in you by faith, giving you an ever-deepening, familiar knowledge of Christ-love,| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4). We too often talk about God, without talking to God. We can give mental assent to certain Bible teaching – Jesus is Lord, Jesus is a Shephe| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
We sometimes make the mistake of thinking we must choose between knowledge and passion; but in fact the two feed each other, especially in relation to Jesus (2 Peter 3:11-18). The more we learn about Jesus, the more we will love and trust him; on the other hand, it is impossible to genuinely love or| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman