God Doesn’t Get Tired of Answering Prayer
My need for him never ends—and he’s okay with that.
My anxiety over the problems in and around me is a heavy burden. It’s a burden that easily wears me out. But “the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired.” Psalm 121 reminds us that God does not “slumber or sleep.” Isaiah tells... Continue Reading
False Worship and the World
The exclusivity of Jesus Christ is a definitive break from the morass of undirected, blasé spiritual feelings and moral behaviors.
The impulse toward faith is God-given and good. But faith must find an object to rest on. The danger of our world’s false form of worshiping God through a nebulous spiritual connection is that, in the absence of a clearly defined object of faith, faith usually ends up resting back on the person himself. ... Continue Reading
Open Letter from a Cuban Pastor
No philosophy or earthly government will solve the problems of man.
Let’s pray for Cuba. Let’s not stop, let’s not rest, let’s not give up. Let us shed all our prejudices and pray that God has mercy on the people of Cuba and that, in this side of eternity, although we know that with imperfections, we can enjoy a little peace and harmony. I have... Continue Reading
Friend of Sinners
Jesus’ model of evangelism shows us that we must be willing to engage with the gospel those whom the world despises.
Jesus’ model of evangelism, then, shows us that we must be willing to engage with the gospel those whom the world despises. But it also shows us that we are not called to merely spend time with flagrant sinners, nor should we engage with them in a way that condones their sinful lives or participates... Continue Reading
When the Promises of God are All You Have
The author of Lamentations knows who God is and what he has promised.
In our distress or suffering, we must not rely on our health, our optimism, our bank account, our reputation, our friends, our safety, or any sort of harmony in our life. We can, however, look to the Lord and his promises! There are signature moments in our lives, markers between before and after. A... Continue Reading
Writing as a Spiritual Discipline
There is something about the process of writing that keeps the mind sharp.
Whether or not that writing ever sees the light of day is not the issue. The process itself helps set my mind on the heart of God, and the Holy Spirit uses that to conform me more closely to the image of Christ. I have been having more difficulty writing lately. I think it... Continue Reading
4 Reasons Why Entitlement is Destructive for the Christian
We know what it feels like to be entitled. But do we know the true destructive nature of entitlement?
Entitlement is banished when the Lord is your portion. Consider, for a moment, just how exhausting it is to live with that sense of entitlement. You are constantly evaluating others. You are always dissatisfied with who and what you have. You long, incessantly, for more. Asaph, the writer of Psalm 73, had a near... Continue Reading
A Common but Misguided Perception
Presuming you are acceptable to God on your own is perhaps the main barrier to becoming a true Christian.
The starting place for acceptance with God is a true understanding of grace, that is, that salvation is a gift that is entirely undeserved and is provided only because God is merciful. Acceptance before the Father is provided in Christ alone rather than any supposed worthiness. It is misguided and a dangerous misconception to... Continue Reading
Theology and the Church
The mature church listens eagerly to the Word to learn and be trained in discernment and righteousness.
The church needs theology to make disciples, both those who are brought into the church and those who are built up in the truth. Theology, the truth that is from God and about God, is for the life of the church. Jesus is building His church by making disciples who follow Him, confessing the... Continue Reading
Standing Up for God’s Word is Hard to Do
When you feel the hostility of the culture, remember that you are not the first one to go through this.
Don’t measure truth by popularity. There were times when the vast majority of the culture were convinced that the sun revolved around the earth, or that bleeding people with leeches cured all kinds of diseases. If you are a Christian, there is a great deal of evidence that backs up what you believe. In... Continue Reading