The omniscience of God should bring great joy and increase the faith of the Christian. Though all the world plot against us we need not fear for God knows the plans of the wicked and He is able to deliver us. More than forty men made a conspiracy against Paul in Acts 23. They would... Continue Reading

Even for Christians who worship God on Sundays, it’s hard not to give in to promises that our doctors, or our politicians, or our favorite celebrity preachers, or our organic vitamin regimen, or our purity rings will fix the world, or at least allow us to control all the scary stuff in it. And, we... Continue Reading

Upon seeing the troubled look in his disciples’ eyes, Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God; believe also in me.”  He doesn’t say to believe in yourself or to think positively about your situation.  He also doesn’t say to believe in something.  He says to believe in him—that is, to trust him. ... Continue Reading

The Bible is being largely neglected by 40% of our attenders and our people are weaker for it. If you don’t shift any of your practices your church may continue in the status quo of Bible neglect. Your rhythms of church life and leadership may even reinforce it. But if you shift your practice your... Continue Reading

Your God upholds the righteous but brings to nothing the ways of the wicked. So hold fast to that which is true. Reject every wicked way and behold the salvation of your God.   Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said... Continue Reading

Recently, a Protestant seminary professor, supposedly evangelical, was quoted to me as having said that the doctrine of imputation—by which our sins are transferred to Christ on the cross and His righteousness is transferred to us by faith—is of human invention and has nothing to do with the gospel. I wanted to weep when I... Continue Reading

The one thing gospel encouragement isn’t is average, mediocre, ignorable. The ministry of encouragement is surprising, captivating, energizing. It does require effort and intentionality, but it also leaves us feeling exhilarated and uplifted. Is that how we walk out of our churches on a typical Sunday: exhilarated and uplifted? When the ministry of encouragement is allowed... Continue Reading

Making God’s Word our delight will transform our way of thinking so that, by the grace of God, we will look to God alone to give us wisdom from His Word and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to strengthen us to conduct our lives in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ... Continue Reading

The reason why God doesn’t make himself more obviously known than he has already is because people believing on the grounds he has given us already brings him more glory than if it was more obvious. Nonetheless, the Bible is clear that all those who would ever believe in Christ will believe in him (cf. John... Continue Reading

When men do not see something, there are two possible explanations of the fact: one is that there is nothing there to see and the other is that the men who do not see are blind. It is this latter explanation which the Bible gives of the failure of men to know God through the... Continue Reading