If we are silent about what the gospel says about sexual immorality, we will not only lose our mission, but we will also lose the respect of those we are seeking to reach. They can read texts. All the gymnastics of the revisionists does nothing to silence what honest people read in our Scriptures. When... Continue Reading

By now, you have probably heard of the case in Michigan. A judge sentences three children to juvenile detention for refusing to have lunch with their father. They and their mother claim that the father is abusive. The father claims that the mother is alienating the children from him. I wish that the judge had... Continue Reading

Have we made any progress in equipping our women to discern truth from error in what they are reading? Do the women in your church actually have the skills to lead a Bible study? How come I talk to so many women who are under good preaching and have all the best intentions, yet they... Continue Reading

True sanctification begins with what we used to call “mortification,” which is a one-word way of saying “dying of the old man.” As I wrote under Heidelberg 88, this teaching is not complicated but it is not easy either. Death is never easy if only because it always entails loss. The truth is, to the... Continue Reading

In Luke’s account, Mary chose the “good portion” and demonstrated that her priorities were correct. Jesus commended her for it and told Martha that Mary would not have this taken away from her. If Jesus commended Mary, and did so for our instruction, shouldn’t we also commend her and teach the lesson Martha learned?   A Sunday-school teacher... Continue Reading

When we are discouraged we need to hear someone say, “Take Courage.”  Maybe you are facing an overwhelming situation.  Maybe you were recently been laid off or face an uncertain future.  Perhaps you are facing a serious health challenge.  Maybe you’re not facing a life and death situation but you’re facing several crazy kids who... Continue Reading

As we sing our old songs, and sit in humility under the reading and preaching of the Bible, brothers and sisters, let us not forget that God himself is at work, making of us a new humanity, no longer conformed to the pattern of this world. Instead we are being transformed by the renewal of... Continue Reading

Pastors all along the theological spectrum fall to sexual sin. Liberals and conservatives, Baptists and Presbyterians, Charismatics and Catholics have tarnished the name of Christ by their sexual sin. So, no single doctrinal system or error can be blamed for the problem of adultery among pastors. Nevertheless a robust doctrine of sanctification is vital for... Continue Reading

One of the more popular approaches to addressing worry these days is the suggestion to set aside a thirty-minute period of time to do your worrying. Have you ever tried this? It doesn’t work. Trying to confine worry to a time slot is about as doable as herding cats.   “What? Me Worry?” Those of us... Continue Reading

“Your family worship is not enough. Instead, do family worship and discipleship all the day long. From morning to evening, at home or abroad, whether seated or moving, in church, at school, or in business, disciple without ceasing. Such is the desire of God.”   It is true that there is something special about the... Continue Reading