I’ve been studying the love of Christ, and my heart has been touched first by Scripture, and second by great thoughts from God’s people. Hope you find these truths encouraging! Why not write out a verse or two, and a quotation or two, and post it where you can see it daily? “For when we were still helpless, Christ died for the wicked at the time that God chose. It is a difficult thing for someone to die for a... Read more
The only appraisal of your life that will ultimately matter is God’s. One of the greatest things you can ever do is to decide that you’re not going to live for the applause of any particular group—not even well-meaning family members or friends who sometimes could get your eyes of the prize of following Jesus. You need to determine to live out your life before the Audience of One, doing what you believe is right in the eyes of your... Read more
Jesus told of a servant whose debt to his master was 10,000 talents, the equivalent of millions of dollars. The servant begged forgiveness. Though the master had every right to imprison him for the rest of his life, he offered full pardon. Then this servant went out and found a fellow servant, who owed him a much smaller amount—1/600,000 of what he’d been forgiven. He demanded full and immediate payment. The debtor fell to his knees and pleaded for mercy.... Read more
A great deal of evidence argues for God’s existence. In my book If God Is Good, I summarize just a few of these arguments. The cosmological argument cites the world’s existence as evidence of an uncaused, eternal being who created and sustains it. Either something comes from nothing (an unscientific notion), or a first cause or “prime mover” existed prior to everything else. Francis Schaeffer argued in He Is There and He Is Not Silent that a personal first cause, God, could account for... Read more
Last fall, I visited Shepherd’s House Bible Church in Arizona and spoke at their college/young adult ministry, The Fold. Though the focus was on young adults, many of the great questions I was asked are applicable to believers of all ages. I love this church, and this ministry in particular, which has been instrumental in one of my grandson’s lives as he attends college nearby! And this fall, his brother will join him at the same college and plans to also attend Shepherd’s... Read more
Proverbs 6:16-19 says there are six things God hates, seven things detestable to the Lord. “Hands that shed innocent blood” would apply to abortion. “A heart that devises wicked schemes and feet that are quick to rush into evil” could apply to both homosexual and heterosexual sin. But let’s not stop there. The passage also includes a “false witness” and one “who stirs up dissension among brothers.” Wouldn’t we all like to think that WE couldn’t be guilty of any of... Read more
Following is a modified version of my letter to someone who was experiencing intense physical pain and contemplated suicide. I share it because, though we are a small ministry without the capacity to give ongoing counsel, no doubt others may find themselves tempted to end their life and need to find hope in Jesus, or know someone who faces a similar struggle. My heart broke for you as I read about your situation. Life can be incredibly hard, and while... Read more
The battle for human souls pivots on the issue of Christ’s identity. He’s the watershed, the dividing line between Hell and Heaven. Jesus made that clear when He asked His disciples about His divinity: “‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ ” (Matthew 16:15). That question is the most important one we will ever answer. Our own eternity hangs in the balance. Who do you say Jesus is? Who do you believe, in your mind and deep in... Read more
After the exiles had returned to Jerusalem and the wall had been rebuilt, Nehemiah told the people to feast and celebrate. He said, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). The Good News Translation renders this verse, “The joy that the Lord gives you will make you strong.” The passage isn’t simply about our joy in God but about the way God imparts His joy to us. Note the jubilant enthusiasm of God when He says of... Read more
“An overwhelming majority of Americans continue to believe that there is life after death and that heaven and hell exist,” according to a Barna Research Group poll. But what people actually believe about Heaven and Hell varies widely. A Barna spokesman said, “They’re cutting and pasting religious views from a variety of different sources—television, movies, conversations with their friends.” The result is a highly subjective theology of the afterlife, disconnected from the biblical doctrine of Heaven. Our Radar Is Aimed... Read more
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