As you look at the manger—whether liturgically or just historically—do not see a sentimental story. See the warlike wisdom of God. See the “One and the Same Son” who breached the fortress of the enemy not by power, but by humility.   As a good Presbyterian who holds to the Regulative Principle of Worship, I... Continue Reading

Ruling Elder, you are not a second-tier shepherd. You are a man set apart by God and His church to care for souls. The Lord has given you His Word, His Spirit, and His people to serve. He has called you to counsel, not in your own strength, but in the sufficiency of Scripture and... Continue Reading

The deepest problem is not that the Bible is a dead book. The deepest problem is that by nature we are dead in sin, and therefore we can handle even God’s Word without love for God, without submission to God, without faith in Christ.   It is a phrase you will hear often in charismatic... Continue Reading

We are to make decisions and formulate strategies in missions based upon Biblical presuppositions. “Strategy must be a servant, never a master, to the mission of God.”   As Christian leaders, we must make our plans for doing missions based on theological presuppositions. Missiological decisions must be rooted theologically. Theology provides “the purpose, the focus,... Continue Reading

Jesus Himself took the castle of heaven first. It cost Him blood to get in and break open the doors. Now He stands in the entrance and cries, “Come in! I have broken the gate, I have won the city. Don’t be afraid!”   Heaven is very far away, and the way there is strewn... Continue Reading

Your faith doesn’t have to be unreasonable or blind. It can be forensic—evidence-based, thoughtful, and defensible. The question isn’t whether you have enough faith, but whether you have the right kind of faith.   As a detective, I’ve spent decades analyzing evidence, evaluating testimonies, and building cases that can withstand scrutiny in a courtroom. This... Continue Reading

We have the assurance of Scripture that all believers will survive the fire of testing and be raised. But it is not only ourselves that will outlast this world and be carried over to the new one. It is what we do with our lives. Our righteous works will follow us to Heaven (Revelation 14:13).... Continue Reading

Is it not striking that the gospel is often framed as a last will and testament? It takes effect after the death of the testator. The beneficiaries receive what is in the will—unless they reject it. The gospel, then, is the last will and testament of Jesus Christ. Do you want to be an heir?... Continue Reading

Older men are responsible to model Christlikeness to the younger men. However, growth in their part also happens when they start applying the things that they have learned.   Discipling younger men is both a challenge and a delight. It is a challenge knowing that these young men have so much room for improvement so... Continue Reading

Time marches forward, whether we use it well or not. Let us be faithful stewards of the time God has given us and make the new year and however much of it we are given a fruitful and edifying period of life with God in Christ.   Christmas Day is past, but Christmastide continues. For... Continue Reading