Our Mission: Make More Disciples and Fewer Performers

Last updated on: June 24, 2022 at 1:38 pm By Randy Alcorn

The one indispensable requirement for producing godly, mature Christians is godly, mature Christians.” —Kevin DeYoung “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer” (Acts 2:42, NLT). A 1977 movie, Capricorn One, depicted NASA’s long process of targeting a mission to Mars. Because the program had become increasingly unpopular due to several failures, this mission would make or break the U.S. space program. Everything was in... Read more

Albert Wolters’s Creation Regained, and the Vast Redemptive Scope of the Gospel

Last updated on: June 24, 2022 at 1:35 pm By Randy Alcorn

While researching online about the New Earth for my book Heaven, I stumbled upon Creation Regained. I ordered it based on its title alone (which often proves to be a big mistake). From its opening chapter on worldview, I knew I had discovered a treasure. As I read what Albert Wolters had to say about creation, the fall, and redemption, I found myself repeatedly exclaiming “Yes!” Until then, I had read only a few other books that resonated with the vast redemptive scope... Read more

Expect Great Things of God, and Leave the Results to Him

Last updated on: June 24, 2022 at 1:32 pm By Randy Alcorn

In his article “Beware the Scarcity Gospel,” Andy Jones writes, Is it possible that some of us, having rightly rejected the prosperity gospel, have subtly succumbed to another insidious belief? I call it the scarcity gospel—the assumption that we should expect God to do little through our churches or in our lifetime. We don’t expect to see people come to faith in surprising numbers through our churches. We don’t expect to see a surprising work of God’s Spirit sweep through our churches... Read more

A Good Marriage Requires Work

Last updated on: June 6, 2022 at 2:27 pm By Randy Alcorn

I keep thanking God for Nanci’s partnership and companionship in the gospel. I first heard the gospel from Nanci, and we discussed messages I was hearing at church and youth group for eight months before I came to Christ as a sophomore in high school. Later, we went through Bible college together and were in most of each other’s classes. We discussed lectures and did our homework together. As the years went by, we discussed theology on the plane and... Read more

We Would Do Well to Dig Deep into God

Last updated on: June 24, 2022 at 1:30 pm By Randy Alcorn

Note from Randy: Here’s another precious insight from Nanci’s journal. One of the verses she shares, Jeremiah 17:8—the image of us being a tree with roots deeply planted in Jesus—is a favorite of ours. Dig. Dig down deep into God’s person, His character, His works, His promises. Plant yourself by streams of water. Dig your roots deep into the stream. Do this in order to know God. Do this as your only source of perspective, of understanding, of strength, of patience,... Read more

Bert and Colleen Elliot: Two “Average” Followers of Jesus Who Left an Example of Faithfulness

Last updated on: June 6, 2022 at 2:25 pm By Randy Alcorn

At my home church in January 2006—the fiftieth anniversary of the death of five missionaries in Ecuador—I interviewed Steve Saint, son of martyr Nate Saint, and Mincaye, one of the tribal warriors who killed the missionaries and later came to faith in Christ. Afterward, my wife, Nanci, and I, along with our friends Stu and Linda Weber, joined Steve McCully, son of martyr Ed McCully, and Bert and Colleen and other Elliot family members, including Gilbert and Susan Gleason, for dinner... Read more

He Will Turn Our Grief into Joy

Last updated on: June 6, 2022 at 2:20 pm By Randy Alcorn

God doesn’t only promise to replace our grief with joy, but to turn it into joy. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your... Read more

Nanci’s Death Isn’t the End of Our Relationship, Only a Temporary Interruption

Last updated on: May 23, 2022 at 5:56 pm By Randy Alcorn

I’ve been reflecting on the changes in our home with Nanci gone. The house is so quiet without the sound of her laughter. There is a profound sense of absence. Our double doodle Gracie clings to me and is by my side day and night. I think she misses Nanci as much as I do. We are grieving together. Someone said to me that it must be tough to come home to an empty house. But I don’t. I come... Read more

We Are Certain in Our Uncertainty

Last updated on: May 23, 2022 at 5:53 pm By Randy Alcorn

The following paragraphs from Oswald Chamber’s classic, My Utmost for His Highest, really connect with Nanci’s four years of yielding to God about all the things she was constantly uncertain about. While she never knew if the day’s diagnosis would change tomorrow, or if the cancer would spread or go into remission, or how long she’d have the strength to handle everyday situations, still she would say, “I am certain of Him, so I will be content with all those things I’m... Read more

We May Not Long for Death, But We Long for Heaven

Last updated on: May 23, 2022 at 5:48 pm By Randy Alcorn

Isaiah 25:8 says, “He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears… The LORD has spoken!” (NLT). God could have said death will cease or come to an end. Or fade away. But no, like a great lion, God is stalking Death as His prey. When the moment is right, He will attack, take death by the throat, break its neck, and consume it. Death will not die of natural causes. God will kill it... Read more