We have a lesson to learn from Peter. It is not our resolve that wins the day, though we should have resolve. No. We should be more humble. It is the resolve of Christ to intercede for us so that our faith will not fail that causes us to persevere.   Now as they were eating, He said,... Continue Reading

God’s testing reveals before Creator and creature what’s really in our hearts. God’s testing refines our faith, purging away that which would hinder it. God’s testing reinforces our faith, strengthening our hearts.   I have some biblical tension for you to hold in your life that gets to the heart of prayer. Are you ready for it? Perhaps you should pray... Continue Reading

I advocate that we live Christian lives in the secular world. To do so requires mastery and competence of secular disciplines, the workings of the world, things over which Christians have no distinctive competence. Yet we are to direct these penultimate activities ultimately toward redemptive ends.    As a writer, it is a joy when... Continue Reading

Many will read of Christ this season and scoff at His salvation. They will listen to hymns, sing along, and not believe a word. They will look out at a world in peril and search for another man to solve the problems. Do not be counted among them.    And she will bring forth a... Continue Reading

He came to upend life as we knew it and to open the way to the kingdom that is not of this world. He blesses what we despise and declares woes on what we treasure.    Movies give us one picture of a hero. ChatGPT puts it like this: Heroes are strong, brave, confident, determined... Continue Reading

In the waiting we learn to turn to the God of all Comfort, the God who is our food, the God who is broken for us. We learn to long for the age to come. Waiting reorientates our disposition away from this fleeting moment to the eternities to come.   I’m experienced at waiting. I... Continue Reading

The advent season reminds us of what it means to be poured out on behalf of others. When the apostle Paul refers to Christ’s emptying himself, he pulls our gaze first to the baby in the manger (Philippians 2:7).   He awoke earlier than the rest of us. The night before had been filled with... Continue Reading

Spurgeon helps us navigate the Christmas holiday, whether we choose to participate in the festivities or not, by encouraging us that there are various reasons to gather on this day outside of tradition or superstition.   To most modern Western Christians, it might be a surprise to discover that Spurgeon did not celebrate Christmas with... Continue Reading

Celebrate Jesus with the world. Tell them he came to the world to “save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Joyfully point to “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). For “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”... Continue Reading

God is no killjoy. He wants us to enjoy ourselves. He gives us good gifts so we can enjoy them. But that joy is but a taste of the joy incomparable that is ours in Christ. One day, when Jesus comes again, we will have joy beyond measure.   As I’m in the mode of... Continue Reading