There are two sides to the issue of savings. On the one hand, Scripture tells us that the wise man anticipates future needs, while the foolish man spends and consumes all his resources with no thought for the future: “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has” (Proverbs 21:20). Even ants store up provisions for the coming winter (Proverbs 6:6-8). It’s a shortsighted person who fails to... Read more
Do you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist? We have no guarantees about how our circumstances will turn out in this life. But when it comes to eternity, Christians have every reason for optimism—we know how the story will end! The following is from Charles Spurgeon’s sermon “God Rejoicing in the New Creation,” given on July 5, 1891: It is a present and a lasting joy: “Be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create” (Isaiah 65:18). Be... Read more
The fact that a term or phrase can be used by one person one way, and mean something completely different to another person, is nothing new. But as people who believe that words matter—because God communicated to us using precise words, right down to the smallest jot and title—we as Christians should be especially thoughtful in how we use terms, and educate ourselves about what others mean when they use them. We’d be wise to carefully articulate what we do... Read more
As we enter the Advent season, there’s no more worthy subject to set our minds on than Jesus Himself. He is “the Alpha and the Omega…the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13), the One this Christmas season is all about. (And the One the rest of the year should be about too!) Christmas is about Jesus pouring Himself out and condescending to be truly one of us. His humility in His incarnation and atonement is beautifully reflected in Philippians 2:6-11,... Read more
Please take nine minutes to watch this video, beautifully produced by Desiring God, featuring a woman crippled because of a doctor’s mistake, who lost her child’s life because of another doctor’s mistake, whose husband left her for another woman, and who has surely faced far more than her share of grief. If that sounds depressing, watch it anyway, and see your heart encouraged: Please don’t skip the video, or if you read first what I’ve written below, end by watching it.... Read more
In describing the New Jerusalem, the apostle John writes, “The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass” (Revelation 21:21). The pearls John describes are gates set in walls that are two hundred feet thick. Commentators routinely suggest, “Of course, these are not actual streets of gold.” But why do they say that? In part, at least, because of their christoplatonic assumptions. Disembodied spirits... Read more
The following is an excerpt from my new book Giving Is the Good Life. I hope it encourages you to look today for God-given opportunities to experience the adventure of giving! The popular expression “random acts of kindness” is catchy and good hearted, but as believers in a sovereign God, we should see how He orchestrates our lives, including the people we know and the needs He brings across our path. Cathy Osbun, a friend of EPM (our ministry), told me... Read more
I wrote this article years ago, but I’m sharing it again on my blog as it’s still timely, especially as we enter the holiday season. From mid-November to early January, our lives change, bringing many things that are delightful, but which increase our pressure and fatigue! May this article remind you to focus on what’s truly most important in this season, and to take time to sit at Jesus’ feet. —Randy Alcorn There was work to be done. After all,... Read more
“‘Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!’ You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” (Psalms 30:10-12). Here’s my 90-second response to a question from Greg Laurie about whether we can be happy when going through suffering and hard times: In my understanding... Read more
November 3, was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. But there are still plenty of opportunities this month to highlight the plight of our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world and spend time interceding for them. (Open Doors USA offers some free resources.) Supporting organizations that work with persecuted believers has always been a focus of EPM. Those who are familiar with my books know that I wrote my novel Safely Home to open readers’ eyes to the persecution... Read more
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