Now for Then
In light of God's command through Peter in I Peter 3:15, what would you say to someone who asked you about your hope in Jesus Christ? Are you prepared?...
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How the Apostles Might Encourage Us to Use a Church Directory
If [ancient church] directories did exist, and were made available to every believer in each local church, what might the apostles say in their letters about this kind of resource? As those who have just received a newly updated copy of our own church directory, this question is certainly relevant....
Who is the Object of Your Faith?
The 'faith emphasis' (or focus) of the New Testament doesn't direct us away from the God of the Old Testament. It fulfills it. But in doing so, it confirms that Jesus must be God, for only God is worthy of being the object of our saving and sanctifying faith....
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Our Advent Devotional
I'm excited to begin an Advent journey with you using Pastor John Piper's book, "Joy to the World: Daily Readings for Advent"...
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Now Thank We All Our God
How could Thanksgiving be the same in a year when almost everything else has been 'out of sorts'? Sadly, it won't be. But while many will understandably miss the familiar holiday habits and hugs, the troubling issues of 2020 cannot change the word that God has issued about giving thanks: "...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (I Thessalonians 5:18)...
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Seven Proverbs-Inspired Prayers for Our Leaders
Did you know Proverbs includes around fifty verses that mention (or are part of a passage that mentions) either a “king”, “ruler”, “prince”, or “noble”, or that speak to a royal context or function? If we desire healthy and effective leadership in our lives, prayer is one powerful way to genuinely make a difference. To that end, here are seven Proverbs-inspired prayers for our leaders....
Take Your Temperature
Every Christian is a disciple of Jesus. But that doesn't necessarily mean every Christian is walking in spiritual healthiness as a disciple... In light of [the reality of spiritual] unhealthiness, it is vitally important for every follower of Christ to take his or her spiritual 'temperature'....
Who are You Voting for in November?
Contrary to what you might be hearing (even from some respected, Christian leaders), who you vote for in the upcoming presidential election is not a biblical mark of genuine, saving faith, nor is it inherently an unrighteous act if you vote for the so-called 'wrong' candidate (whoever that is in your context)....
The Coronavirus Corrective
When we hold on firmly to the biblical definition of church, public health measures may force us to revise our plans, but they simply cannot restrict the church from being the church. Throughout history, and throughout the world, even today, the Church has always been flexible enough to adjust the form of its life together, without veering from the function of its life together....
That Time Jesus Referred to the Foreign Woman as a “Dog”
When we read often-neglected stories like this, we're reminded that it's very easy to slip into a mentality of, “Jesus? Oh yeah, I know Jesus. I know all about Jesus.” But God is so good to unsettle us in terms of the often unsettling truth about the real Jesus....
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Hamilton's Little-Known Ending
Faithful fans of Hamilton will certainly know how the play ends. But few people know how the final hours of Alexander Hamilton's life actually 'played out'... yes, “in the room where it happened”....
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Lessons from LeFou
But while some searching children and uncertain teens may find comfort in a character who is apparently questioning his sexuality, sadly, both the film and the general, cultural dialogue will never venture beyond the boundaries set by the 'new tolerance'. If they did, it might just expose the disturbing foundation that upholds the modern stance. ...
Keep ReadingGot Kids in Your Worship Service?
Kids in the worship service? Kids being kids in the worship service? What are we to do?...
Keep ReadingYour Faith, Your Vote
Every voter is a 'faith-based' voter. But if you are follower of Jesus, then the worldview that informs your vote should first be informed by God. That means the clear picture of reality painted by the words of Scripture should always be our first reference point when it comes to the candidates and issues for which we vote....
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Five Reasons the 2016 Presidential Election is Great for God's People
While cooler autumn weather begins to blanket our country, the political climate of the nation is still sizzling with confusion and conflict...But what if I were to tell you this polarizing and fever-pitched political atmosphere is not simply “good”, but is actually great for the Church....
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The Hardest Chapter in the Bible
Some thoughts on the challenges of interpreting Revelation 20....
Keep ReadingThe Power of Life and Death
The death of the prophet Ezekiel's wife is a shocking episode. Could God be to blame?...
Keep ReadingUnsearchable (Sorry, Google)
Not even Google or Bing could search out His understanding. Consider how Isaiah encourages us in our first memory verse of 2015-2016....
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Thank You, Supreme Court
Thoughts on the recent ruling of the Supreme Court regarding same-sex marriage....
Keep ReadingThe Deceiver and Accuser
Remembering the reality of Satan's frustration and fury....
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