Peter wrote that we should strive to emulate Christ—especially when slandered and attacked (1 Peter 2:21b-23). Before reacting, seek God in prayer, for it brings wisdom and clarity (James 1:5). Allowing His Spirit to lead ensures that your responses reflect His righteousness rather than impulsive emotions.   Early in my ministry, when I was a student minister... Continue Reading

Adam and Eve woefully trusted themselves and not God for wisdom (Genesis 3:6), and that choice initiated all our troubles. Ever since, God has graciously intervened, directing his people back to Himself.   If we passively receive and actively seek wisdom, then two things will happen: We’ll start being wise, and we’ll keep becoming wiser.... Continue Reading

Wedding vows are more than window-dressing. They bring real, measurable, relational consequences. Too many young adults are unaware of those consequences and, as such, do not understand what marriage really is. The Church can help. In fact, it must, because the truth about marriage and cohabitation needs to get out there.   Even as the... Continue Reading

“Plenary verbal revelation requires that biblical style, as well as content, is inspired. Scripture’s inclusion of satire surely vindicates its prima facie legitimacy in Christian discourse.” If our speech ought to be Bible-saturated, we should seek to imitate not only the content we find in Scripture but the kinds of speech (including satire) and the proportions as well.... Continue Reading

The Old Testament contains a strong hope of resurrection, seen in texts like Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones coming to life, Daniel 12:2’s promise of awakening from death, and Isaiah 26:19’s declaration of the dead rising. These passages, alongside others from Psalms and Job, point to God’s power to bring life to the dead.  ... Continue Reading

This world is full of fake smiles, of smoke and mirrors and pretending. But the church should not be like the world around it. As Christians, we gather as a people that rejoices in God’s undeserved grace and that trusts that our great God and Savior will one day bring an end to all sin,... Continue Reading

God’s Word not only warns us about becoming bitter, but it also gives us clear instructions on how to respond to others who are bitter and perpetually contentions persons: “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned” (Titus 3:10-11).   There are several... Continue Reading

Remaining temptation is not a sign of God’s lack of care for us. Rather, we should see remaining temptation as God’s grace to us….Let temptations drive us to be watchful, to draw near, and to love grace more.    The Lord your God will clear away these nations before you little by little. You may... Continue Reading

Most people in the world believe that they are “basically good.” This false version of Christianity simply tells people what they want to hear about themselves. Some scholars have called it “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism,” with the central idea being that everyone is basically good but needs some therapy, that God wants everyone everywhere to be... Continue Reading

The assembly of Christians must not rest contented with the manifestation of the gift of tongues, the sign of judgment given over the unbeliever, If the unbeliever is to be convinced that he is a sinner, the spokesmen in the assembly must move on from tongues to prophecy (1 Cor. 14:24). Then the secrets of... Continue Reading