Jesus called the crowd “hypocrites.” Usually, He reserved that sting for the religious elite—the “actors” who performed righteousness for an audience. But here, He addresses the everyday crowd. This rebuke is rooted in love, as the Scriptures state: “Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.” – Proverbs 27:5. Jesus offers a public rebuke... Continue Reading

That difference between Saturday and Sunday is easy to overlook, but it is not a small thing. It reflects something fundamental about the difference between the Old Testament faith and the New. The Sabbath points backward….The Sabbath commemorates the completion of creation. It says: look back at what God has made. It is a day... Continue Reading

A person’s identity is not linked to what he or she can articulate. Identity and humanness emerge from the imago Dei bestowed upon each person (Gen. 1:27). John Swinton reminds us that modern thinking often equates humanness with cognitive ability. But knowing about God is not the same as knowing God—and knowing God is not limited to memory or... Continue Reading

Each Christian lives in a different context, has different gifts, and is at a different point of sanctification. This being the case, we all need wisdom to know what we should do. Some should not become pastors, some should, and others should, but not right now. The dangers of building a platform are numerous. For... Continue Reading

Like in the book of Psalms, we need to lean into Him for strength, wisdom, and whatever help He is pleased to give.   Like me, you’ve probably heard this phrase before. And if you are like me, you get so caught up in what you’re fighting in your own little world, that you forget... Continue Reading

As Psalm 19:1 tells us, the heavens declare the glory of God. All humans at all times have access to this information. We refuse to recognize what’s obvious, as Paul tells us in Romans 1, because we actively suppress this knowledge. Ordinary life makes it all too easy to ignore or deny what God is... Continue Reading

God did not inspire paraphrases. He inspired words – specific words, given through human authors by the Holy Spirit, preserved for his people. Our task is not to improve upon them, but to receive them faithfully.     There is something profoundly simple, and yet profoundly neglected, at the heart of the Christian life –... Continue Reading

The complete control of God over the cosmos is the most comforting doctrine in the Christian faith—definitely for those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. “People treat God’s sovereignty as a matter of controversy,” Packer wrote, “but Scripture it is a matter of worship.” The sovereignty of God, as Packer mentioned... Continue Reading

How healthy it is to share a cellblock with a spiritual elder, to be under their accountability when you are struggling with sin, or to have an abundance of time to spend with a new believer you are discipling! For its transparency and the time together it allows, the prison environment is fertile ground for... Continue Reading

Tithing is not merely a financial act; it is a declaration of trust. Because God commands the tithe, we are called to obedience in this area of our lives. Many of us have publicly taken vows before God and His people, committing ourselves to faithfulness in all aspects of discipleship—including our stewardship.   Now consider... Continue Reading