Christian persecution can include a wide variety of responses to believers—from scorn, hatred, and ridicule to physical violence, imprisonment, and death. But for such opposition, no matter how mild or severe, to be regarded as persecution in the biblical sense, it must be provoked by the believer’s devotion to Jesus Christ and His righteousness.  ... Continue Reading

How do we, as God’s people, react to such uncertainty? In the midst of fear and frustration, how can we exhibit to the world people who are fundamentally different? How can we draw comfort when everything around us seems to be changing? Perhaps we need to be reminded that our hope is in a God... Continue Reading

At the end of the day, science is simply really, really, educated guesswork, and sometimes we just don’t have enough information, the information changes, or we draw the wrong conclusions.   I’m obviously very thankful for science, I’m thankful for medical advancements that improve quality of life, I’m thankful for technology. However, what our current... Continue Reading

We get a hint of this relationship in pregnancy. The child in my womb right now is truly alive, even though his life is utterly contingent on mine. He moves freely within my womb. But he does not control his location: where I go, he goes. Likewise, I am truly alive and truly free not... Continue Reading

What allows us to embrace the humility of putting the interests of others before our own? It’s our relationship with Jesus. We are encouraged and comforted by his love. We are empowered by his Spirit. Love wells up within us as we consider the One who gave up everything to make us part of his... Continue Reading

Matthew Henry was right, humility does look good on humbled people. If the Lord’s typical pattern holds true, future generations will be able to trace much of the good he may be pleased to do to these hours spent in prayer.   It becomes us to be humble under humbling providences. —Matthew Henry The providences... Continue Reading

When a culture can’t agree on the very meaning or “why” behind many of the things that make up the culture, chaos ensues, and that is exactly what we’re seeing happen. Things are breaking down, and collapsing.    Why? In our capitalist society we’re constantly given a reason to do something. Normally it’s a reason... Continue Reading

The church has more beauty—and more value—than we can see with physical eyes. Like the Old Testament tabernacle that was covered on the outside with ram’s skins and goat hair but ornamented inside with gold and silver, the ordinary-looking church is actually much more than it seems.   Around the corner from where I live,... Continue Reading

We must pursue prayer and fasting as Daniel did. Daniel loved the Lord and served Him day and night. God mightily used him because of his faithfulness. He fasted and prayed and mourned for his people and God’s glory. Are we doing the same thing for our brethren?   10 Finally, be strong in the... Continue Reading

To serve the people well and be faithful to what the Lord has given us, we must look with vision at our new jobs. Grieve, yes. But to only bemoan the loss of what was will cause us to miss opportunities to serve people now.   Unless your industry has somehow remained stable and unphased... Continue Reading