“I’ve been told that sin does not have dominion over me, but it doesn’t seem to be true. Perhaps I’m not really a Christian.” I can respond to this man in many ways to give him real hope, but one thing that can be of great help to him is some basic instruction on repentance.... Continue Reading

Paul advises the Ephesians that there are certain things Christians must put off and others they must put on. More specifically, he tells them (and us) to put on the Christian armor so we can be properly equipped to stand up to the assaults that inevitably come our way in this spiritually dangerous world.  ... Continue Reading

There are some pastors who have a lot of pastor friends. They are not typical. Most are very isolated from their peers, and often at odds with them. Why? They are the competition. And they feed into our darkest, least-talked-about disease: envy.   Can you think of the name of a fellow pastor you would... Continue Reading

Scripture often emphasizes our need to please God in all circumstances. The Psalmist hoped that his prayer would please the Creator (Ps. 104:34). Paul and his ministry partners aimed to please the Lord (2 Cor. 5:9). Christians who support the work of the gospel present a “fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable to God” (Phil. 4:18).... Continue Reading

We must become very familiar with the truth; therefore, we must become immersed in God’s Word. We must know what we really believe and why we believe it. I cannot think of better place to start than a study of our redemption through the blood of Christ.   3 Then Moses came and recounted to... Continue Reading

We shirk repentance when we agree with the truth of our sin (confession) without choosing the gospel-motivated response. To be sure, repentance is jump-started by confessing our sin to one another (1 John 1:9–10), but it must extend further. We must make no provisions for the flesh, viciously renounce temptation (Matthew 5:24–27), and eagerly walk the tangible... Continue Reading

I want to think about the dissonance which sin brings to me as a person, the cognitive and even physical effects of transgression, the holistic devastation that resisting God realises in every atom of my being. I’m considering this in the belief that my life (and possibly your life) with God can be enhanced and... Continue Reading

Without divine speech from above that gives the true facts about Jesus and the authoritative interpretation of his identity, Christology loses its integrity, uniqueness, and truthfulness, and it is set adrift to wander into the mire of pluralism. A Christology from below undercuts the epistemological grounds for a normative Christology. Only a Christology from above... Continue Reading

Do you cherish your life more than you do testifying to the gospel of grace? We probably cherish our jobs more, our money more, our reputation more, our status in the community more. I suspect we often make the grand claim that we would die for the sake of the gospel but then refuse even... Continue Reading

Are your days spent bouncing from one toddler tantrum to the next? Eyes up. Persevere, momma. Do the hard work. Make disciples in your home. Train these littles in the ways of the Lord. Is some other person living the life you want? Eyes up. Be thankful and be faithful where God has placed you.... Continue Reading