While Christians “must live without regard to the opinion of the world” because our standards are Christ’s and not the world’s, we still “must always have in mind the opinion of the world”[7] because our brotherly love “would deprive outsiders of anything to criticize.”[8]   As we walk through this Resurrection season emphasizing new life,... Continue Reading

Though they are in agony of body or spirit, still they praise the Lord and proclaim his glories. Though they are broken, they rejoice; though they are heartbroken, they worship; though they have been brought low, they lift their voices high.     Every year, as winter turns to spring, I begin to look to... Continue Reading

In your waiting, what are you waiting for? Are you narrowly waiting for God to arrange a specific outcome or dispense a certain provision? Or are you diligently waiting upon Him, with your soul quieted and reliant upon the goodness of His character and His will (Ps 37:7)?   Surely you would agree with me... Continue Reading

You may be wondering, “But what if I don’t know what to say?” That’s a valid concern, but notice what the verse says: It says to rejoice. It says to weep. It doesn’t say give a dissertation. Just join them. You may not know what to say, but you can weep. You may not have... Continue Reading

The repentance to which God would have us bring words involves three phases overlapping each other: a motivating godly sorrow for sin, a decisive change of mind that turns from sin to God, and a committed outflow of loving obedience. The array we pack will contain fitting words to lead us to life, healing, and... Continue Reading

Immigration is as controversial as it has ever been in American life, particularly as patterns of migration from Latin America intersect with broader global movement and displacement.   Some cross borders fleeing violence or persecution. Others move primarily in search of economic opportunity and stability. According to the United Nations, an estimated 122 million people,... Continue Reading

No, it’s the definition of easiness, for Christ’s yoke is easy and His burden is light, and to the extent that our conversation is in heaven, to that extent we have true spiritual rest and repose of soul. It is what we leave behind in the world that makes the difficulty to get our spirits... Continue Reading

The Hebrew word for “too hard” is pala, which means too wonderful, extraordinary, or miraculous. God is asking, “Have you forgotten who is sitting at your table? Have you forgotten who created the womb in the first place?” God’s promises are never contingent on our potential; they rest entirely on His omnipotence.     Loved... Continue Reading

Transformationalism rightly drives us to aspire for more. We ought to educate ourselves; we ought to plan our way; whatever our trade, we ought to work for the glory of God and the spread of the gospel. And yet there are challenges.     You will spend around a third of your life working. You... Continue Reading

So much of the broader church views the term “heart” solely through the Disney lens. And Disney is only concerned about following your feelings. But when you read the word “heart” in the Bible, you get a very different picture. Thinking comes from your heart (Mark 2:6). Emotions come from your heart (1 Sam. 1:8,... Continue Reading