All the different ways God has chosen to display his glory in creation and redemption seem to reach their culmination in the praises of his redeemed people. God governs the world with glory precisely that he might be admired, marvelled at, exalted and praised. The climax of his happiness is the delight he takes in the echoes of his excellence in the praises of the saints.

We need a Savior. Christmas is an indictment before it becomes a delight.

The ultimate aim of the gospel is the display of God’s glory.

The right creative act makes its own laws, and always will do.

We do not choose suffering simply because we are told to, but because the one who tells us to describes it as the path to everlasting joy.

Life and death! They seem like complete opposites-at great enmity with each other. But for Paul-and for all who share his faith-there is a unity, because the same great passion is fulfilled in both-namely, that Christ be magnified in this body-our bodies-whether by life or by death.

To be a Christian is to move toward need, not comfort.