The early church took what was likely a familiar melody and infused it with bold Christian theology. It proclaims Christ’s supremacy in a dark time for God’s people. That’s what good worship music does. It doesn’t just sound beautiful—it shines a light on the truth.   A century ago, archaeologists digging through ancient ruins in... Continue Reading

We cannot completely control whether others trust us. But we can do everything within our power not to give people reasons to distrust us. We can aim to speak sincerely, mindful of God, in the way that Paul describes his ministry: “as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we... Continue Reading

Fill your cup with the good things of God! Thirst for Christ, even as a deer longs for streams of water. Worship God with your family, your friends, and on your own. Delight in the great things that God has done and is still doing.   There’s the cup that Benjamin found in his sack... Continue Reading

When we come to trust in Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, God credits our account with righteousness immediately. That means we are saved as of that moment; we are right with God when we believe.   Paul often refers to the Old Testament in his letters, and he uses a key verse from Genesis... Continue Reading

There is a glorying and boasting that is good, which man is naturally framed to have. This is what David expresses in Psalm 34:2, “My soul shall make her boast in God,” and Psalm 44:8, “In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever.”   When the things that give... Continue Reading

Sometimes, all it takes is one good question to start a meaningful, God-honoring conversation. Time together can be so much more fruitful with just a little bit of forethought.   We’ve got to move dialogue with believers beyond a superficial level if we are going to really know and encourage one another. But where do... Continue Reading

How will you answer someone who asks you what it means to walk with the Lord? Deuteronomy 10:12-22 is a good place to start. We are to give God our whole heart. Jesus said the same, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”... Continue Reading

God is at work in your waiting, purifying your desires by delaying their fulfillment—rubbing off the rough, self-centered, ungodly edges to expose an inner gospel-gleaming beauty. God is also developing a soul prepared to endure rougher waters.    Smooth rocks are marvelous things. I remember a day at the seashore when one of the young... Continue Reading

As Christians who have the mind (Phil. 2:5) and the Spirit (Eph. 1:13) of Christ, we can use technology in a way that acknowledges the Lordship of Christ and furthers his kingdom. Christ came feeding the hungry, and with technology, we have reduced the global undernourishment rate dramatically in the last 60. Christ came healing... Continue Reading

If we grant that Paul had some conception of a tiered-universe (however we want to define it), then we can gain some clarity as to why he might say: I was snatched up to the third heaven. By third, he may mean something like: the spiritual realm that exists in the heavenly places. It is not... Continue Reading