The Fruit of the Spirit Are Ingredients of Happiness

Last updated on: July 15, 2020 at 12:25 pm By Randy Alcorn

What’s our greatest source of joy? Paul pointed to the Holy Spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Commenting on chara, the Greek Word usually rendered “joy” in this passage, the United Bible Societies’ translation handbook advises, “In some languages joy is essentially equivalent to ‘causes people to be very happy.’ In order to indicate that this joy is not merely some passing experience, one may say ‘to be truly happy... Read more

A Tribute and Letter to J. I. Packer, Now with His Lord Jesus

Last updated on: July 22, 2020 at 10:57 am By Randy Alcorn

Two weeks ago, J. I. Packer, one of my favorite writers and favorite people, went to be with Jesus just five days short of his 94th birthday. I will always love that man. He had a huge impact on me, particularly through his books Knowing God and The Quest for Godliness. (Here’s a terrific biography from Justin Taylor, and a touching audio tribute to Packer from John Piper and Tony Reinke.) Four and half years ago Ivan Mesa shared an interview with Packer, who was losing his... Read more

Being Black in a White Culture

Last updated on: July 22, 2020 at 11:09 am By Randy Alcorn

In this excerpt from my novel Dominion, the main character Clarence reflects about life as a black man in America. I should mention up front that this dialogue uses the N word, for a specific purpose, which you’ll hopefully understand as you read. When people are actually talking in a novel, calling it “the N-word” doesn’t work, as it loses its force and repugnance and hence in the attempt to speak delicately it undercuts historical reality. (Ironically, Dominion has been banned from some... Read more

Black Lives Do Matter, But the BLM Organization Opposes Christian Values: So What Should We Do?

Last updated on: July 22, 2020 at 10:40 am By Randy Alcorn

Before you start, realize that this blog is far longer than normal, about the length of a book chapter. There’s a reason for that. It’s an in-depth treatment of a huge and controversial issue, and it’s resource-rich, with lots of links to videos and articles. But if I split it up, it will lose much continuity and balance and result in more misunderstanding. (Some is of course inevitable.) If it helps, just pretend it’s a book chapter, or in two... Read more

We’re Accountable to God for Every Word – Scripture Series Part 5

Last updated on: July 15, 2020 at 12:10 pm By Randy Alcorn

Today’s blog is the fifth and final in a series about the importance and impact of our words. The following verses tell us a sobering truth: we are accountable to God for every word we speak (or type). Here’s what Scripture has to say: But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken (Matthew 12:36). So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.... Read more

Our Words Are the Overflow of Our Hearts – Scripture Series Part 4

Last updated on: July 15, 2020 at 12:09 pm By Randy Alcorn

Today’s blog is the fourth in a series of five with Scripture on the importance and impact of our words (see the previous posts). The following verses focus on what Scripture says is the source of our words: our hearts. In other words, it’s not as simple as saying “I didn’t mean it that way” when we say things that dishonor our Lord. It’s true that Scripture is full of disheartening diagnoses, including that the heart is “desperately sick” (ESV). But... Read more

Words Full of Grace and Truth – Scripture Series Part 3

Last updated on: July 15, 2020 at 12:08 pm By Randy Alcorn

Today’s blog is the third in a series of five with Scripture on the impact and importance of our words (see the previous posts). The following verses remind us of the importance of speaking words full of both grace and truth. Read the gospels, and you’ll see that most sinners loved being around Jesus. They enjoyed His company, sought Him out, invited Him to their homes and parties. Today most sinners don’t want to be around Christians. Unbelievers tore off the roof to... Read more

Listen and Read Before You Speak or Type – Scripture Series Part 2

Last updated on: July 15, 2020 at 12:08 pm By Randy Alcorn

Today’s blog is the second in a series of five with Scripture on the impact and importance of our words (see part one). The following verses remind us of the importance of actually listening and reading before we respond, both in person and online. Sadly, many of us don’t know how to read, pay attention, listen, or think critically, and it shows in our conversations and online interactions. (Sometimes you’ll read comments on social media and it’s clear many commenters haven’t read or... Read more

Our Tongues Have the Power of Life and Death – Scripture Series Part 1

Last updated on: July 15, 2020 at 12:09 pm By Randy Alcorn

Years ago I put together a number of Scriptures on the power of our words. Their cumulative weight is stunning. In today’s world of social media, which allows us to publish comments to the world with the mere push of a button, more than ever we as God’s people need to read and meditate on Scripture, and examine our heart and habits. We need to be slower to anger and slower to speak, and quicker to hear and think biblically. Today’s... Read more

Happy, Grateful People Never Get Over God’s Grace

Last updated on: July 8, 2020 at 2:48 pm By Randy Alcorn

John Piper says, “Gratitude leaves no room for sin, because it comes out of humility, the opposite of sin. And for sin to flourish it must be dripping with pride.” Happy people celebrate their conversion not just once, but over and over. They are profoundly grateful for what God has done for them. In the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, when the younger brother returns home to much rejoicing, the older brother questions his father’s actions. The... Read more