• Corporate Worship – Book Review

    Recently, I finished reading Scott Aniol’s book, “Biblical Foundations of Corporate Worship“. It is a relatively small book at 121 pages, but its conciseness is part of its strength. Across five chapters Scott lays out a Biblical case for what constitutes Biblical, corporate worship. Many today worship in a purely emotional way and then assess…

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  • God’s Word in Possession of Me

    The first book I preached through, verse-by-verse, was Ephesians. That was 17 years ago at Faith Baptist Church, Newtownabbey, in Northern Ireland. It has shaped my whole preaching ministry ever since. At that time I found a story and then lost it, until this morning when I found it again. It’s not enough for us…

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  • Genesis 10-11; Psalm 4

    Genesis 10-11; Psalm 4

    Genesis 10-11 Chapter 10 may seem to be one of those chapters to get through in order to get on with the rest of the story. After all, how does a list of names and nations compare to the devastating rebellion and judgment at Babel? But looked at another way, chapter 10 serves as one…

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  • How to Pray for One Another – Peace and Unity (3/4)

    Part 1 – https://martinwickens.com//2019/07/how-to-pray-for-one-another-thankfulness-1-4 Part 2 – https://martinwickens.com//2019/10/how-to-pray-for-one-another-wisdom-knowledge-2-4/ Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 Many years ago I remember my pastor…

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  • Book Review: Does God Desire All to Be Saved – #4

    Book Review: Does God Desire All to Be Saved – #4

    Part 1 – Introduction Part 2 – Piper’s Aim Part 3 – Two Wills How extensive is the sovereign will of God? This is the chapter title of chapter 3 in John Piper’s small book. The author asserts, Behind the complex relationship of the two wills in God is the foundational biblical premise that God…

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  • How to Pray for One Another – Wisdom & Knowledge (2/4)

    Part 1 – https://martinwickens.com//2019/07/how-to-pray-for-one-another-thankfulness-1-4/ A few weeks ago I began a series looking at how we can pray for one another. In the first part I focused on the blessing we have in our brothers and sisters in Christ and that we ought to constantly thank the Lord for them. In this post, we will…

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  • Because of, Not in Order to

    At times, the guilt and shame of acknowledged sin can leave us feeling crushed, speechless, and perhaps even wondering how we can recover. In these instances, I believe the Penitential Psalms can give voice to emotions and thoughts we cannot express on our own. The majority of the Bible cover God speaking to us. One…

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  • Who Wants Some Pi?

    Who Wants Some Pi?

    Happy National Pi Day! Let’s talk Math. And you know it, I’m having some kind of pie today. It has to be done. Have you ever wondered how many pounds weight of sugar there are in 232 hogsheads, if each one weighed 12cwt. 1 qr. 22lbs? If you haven’t guessed the answer, it is 323,408lbs.…

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  • New Mailing List

    On January 27th, 2019, Bedford Bible Church met and voted to invite me to be their pastor. This was my final step away from my role as a missionary. For that reason, I am sending out a final prayer letter and deleting the associated mailing list. If you would like to continue hearing from us,…

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  • Ready

    Simeon was ready.  Ready to see the purpose of his life fulfilled. “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost,…

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