Tuesday, December 31, 2013
10 Things on Thinking Ahead in the New Year
10 Things on Thinking Ahead inthe New Year – Ed Stetzer offers up
good questions to give focus to your priorities in the new year.
Your Most Courageous Resolution for 2014
Your Most Courageous Resolution for 2014 – Jon Bloom
suggests making love your aim and then offers suggestions for how to do it.
4 Godly Disciplines Unique to this Decade
4 Godly Disciplines Unique to this Decade - These are worth pursuing for all ages.
Trading One Dramatic Resolution for 10,000 Little Ones
Trading One Dramatic Resolution for 10,000 Little Ones – Paul Tripp shares an important observation on how
change really happens.
40 Resolutions to Consider Making in 2014
40 Resolutions to Consider Making in 2014 – If you need some
suggestions, this isn’t a bad list to explore.
Our Year with the Bible – Infographic
Our Year with the Bible – Infographic – Interesting stats from the YouVersion Bible
App.
Evangelizing Prosperity Gospel Adherents
Evangelizing Prosperity Gospel Adherents - The Prosperity Gospel is false teaching, it's popular, and it finds its way into our hearts more than we realize.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Your First Christmas Without Him/Her
Your First Christmas Without Him/Her – A good reminder with a
strong conclusion.
How to Read the Whole Bible in 2014
How to Read the Whole Bible in 2014 - This article offers a variety of Bible reading helps and resources for your 2014 reading plans.
How Do We Know the Holy Spirit Is a Person?
How Do We Know the Holy Spirit Is a Person? - A good, simple doctrinal lesson on the Holy Spirit.
Five Truths About the Incarnation
Five Truths About the Incarnation – Jesus came in the
flesh. What does the incarnation say to us?
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Five Things We Can Learn from our Children at Christmas
Five Things We Can Learn from our Children at Christmas – "There’s a reason Jesus tells us to come to him like
children. Trust is at the heart of how children experience Christmas. Here are
five ways we can learn this from our children."
A Prayer of Awe on Christmas Eve
A Prayer of Awe on Christmas Eve - Let this prayer prepare your heart for Christmas worship.
Monday, December 23, 2013
The Shocking Implications of Incarnation
The Shocking Implications of Incarnation - "The incarnation is shocking. It is outrageous to think that an infinite and holy God would voluntarily become finite to live with unholy sinners. In fact, the incarnation is so appalling that it separates Christianity from Islam and Judaism."
A Prayer for More Christmas Hush, Less Christmas Rush
A Prayer for More Christmas Hush, Less Christmas Rush - A prayer appropriate for this day.
World, Get With the Program: Joy! Joy! Joy!
World, Get With the Program: Joy! Joy! Joy! –
John
Piper writes a devotional thought on Joy to the World by Isaac Watts. “The song is indeed about the Christmas coming
— and the present reigning, and the final future coming
to renovate the world.”
5 Things Christians Should Stop Saying
5 Things Christians Should Stop Saying – This is a familiar
list of sayings and worth considering.
Celebrating Christmas in the Face of Grief and Sorrow
Celebrating Christmas in the Face of Grief and Sorrow – Al Mohler addresses those who know grief and
loss this Christmas. He writes, “The sentiment and joy of the season is often
accompanied by very different emotions and memories. At some point, every
Christian home is invaded by the pressing memory of loved ones who can no
longer gather—of empty chairs and empty arms, and aching hearts.”
Saturday, December 21, 2013
It's Not Us Against Them
Mary’s Model for Mothers
Mary’s Model for Mothers – “God
chose Mary, set this peculiar favor on her, and gave all moms a model to study
closely.”
The Soil of the Prosperity Gospel
The Soil of the Prosperity Gospel - How did an unbiblical teaching come to be so widely embraced in our culture?
Must Christians Believe in the Virgin Birth?
Must Christians Believe in the Virgin Birth? – Al Mohler
speaks to this key biblical doctrine that is often discarded. Why is it
important?
Friday, December 20, 2013
Race, Reconciliation, and Phil Robertson
Race, Reconciliation, and Phil Robertson - The GQ interview stirred considerable controversy regarding homosexuality in America. Less press has been given to Robertson's comments about racism in the South during his early years. The author of this article reminds readers of the responsibility Christians have for consistent testimony and always being prepared to share the truth in love..
The Greatest Blessing Mary Received
The Greatest Blessing Mary Received – Jon Bloom shares
a devotional thought on Mary’s blessings.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Christmas According to Luke
Christmas According to Luke - What does Luke teach us in his gospel account about the story of Jesus' coming?
Duck Dynasty?
Duck Dynasty? – David Moore speaks well to the cultural issues
surrounding Phil Robertson’s suspension from Duck Dynasty.
The Cost of the Twelve Days of Christmas
The Cost of the Twelve Days of Christmas – This is an infographic
to get you up to date.
For Christmas - 3 Quotes on God Becoming Man – Great quotes
from great men on the Incarnation of Christ.
When Nothing Created Everything
When Nothing Created Everything - Joe Carter writes, “This is what our culture has been missing for far too long—a creation story for young atheistic materialists.” It's a fun read.
The “Duck Dynasty” Controversy
The “Duck Dynasty” Controversy– Al Mohler weighs in on the larger
issues of the current controversy.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Survival Tips for the Divided Family Christmas
Survival Tips for the Divided Family Christmas – The article
provides helpful advice for navigating complicated family gatherings this
Christmas.
15 Ways to Bless Your Missionaries This Christmas without Paying Postage
15 Ways to Bless Your Missionaries This Christmas without Paying Postage - Many of us have personal relationships with missionaries. This list is a good starting point for encouraging them in service to the Lord.
Pope Francis, TIME's Person of the Year, and What Evangelicals Might Learn
Pope Francis, TIME's Person of the Year, and What Evangelicals Might Learn – Ed Stetzer
provides a good perspective on what draws the world’s attentions.
What Joseph Can Teach Us About Biblical Manhood
What Joseph Can Teach Us About Biblical Manhood - The article by Justin Neeley makes several good points for men to consider.
You Will Never Be the Same
You Will Never Be the Same – “Most
evangelicals these days just want a gospel Snuggie. Wrap us up. Hold us tight.
Numb us until we can feel nothing but hazy contentment.” The message of this
article by Owen Strachan is that God has more and better for you than that.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Can You Name These Christmas Songs?
Can You Name These Christmas Songs? – Here’s a list to test your
Christmas music skills. There are twenty-four of these. The answers are below. No
cheating.
1. Oh, member of the round table with missing areas
2. Boulder of the tinkling metal spheres
3. Vehicular homicide was committed on Dad's mom by a
precipitous darling
4. Wanted in December: top forward incisors
5. The apartment of two psychiatrists
6. The lad is a diminutive percussionist
7. Sir Lancelot with laryngitis
8. Decorate the entryways
9. Cup-shaped instruments fashioned of a whitish metallic
element
10. Oh small Israel urban center
11. Far off in a haybin
12. We are Kong, Lear, and Nat Cole
13. Duodecimal enumeration of the passage of the yuletide
season
14. Leave and broadcast from an elevation
15. Our fervent hope is that you thoroughly enjoy your
yuletide season
16. Listen, the winged heavenly messengers are proclaiming
tunefully
17. As the guardians of the woolly animals protected their
charges in the dark hours
18. I beheld a trio of nautical vessels moving in this
direction
19. Jubilation to the entire terrestrial globe
20. Do you perceive the same vibrations which stimulate my
auditory sense organ?
21. A joyful song of reverence relative to hollow metallic
vessels which vibrate and bring forth a ringing sound when struck
22. Parent was observed osculating a red-coated unshaven
teamster
23. May the Deity bestow an absence of fatigue to mild male
humans
24. Rose-colored uncouth dolf is aware of the nature of
precipitation, darling
ANSWERS
1. Oh Holy Night
2. Jingle Bell Rock
3. Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
4. All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
5. The Nutcracker Suite
6. Little Drummer Boy
7. Silent Night
8. Deck the Halls
9. Silver Bells
10. Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
11. Away in a Manger
12. We Three Kings
13. The Twelve Days of Christmas
14. Go Tell It on the Mountain
15. We Wish You a Merry Christmas
16. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
17. While the Shepherds Guarded Their Flocks By Night
18. I Saw Three Ships
19. Joy to the World
20. Do You Hear What I Hear?
21. Carol of the Bells
22. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
23. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
24. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
A Bible Reading Strategy for 2014
A Bible Reading Strategy for 2014 - This is a good article on ways to enrich and encourage your Bible reading for the new year.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Consider Your Ways in the New Year
Consider Your Ways in the New Year – This is a good self-evaluation
planning tool as you seek God’s direction for the new year.
Five Ways to Love Your Neighbor This Christmas
Five Ways to Love Your Neighbor This Christmas – “The whole Christmas season celebrates God
with us. Because God is with us and for us, we are not alone. And neither
should our neighbors be, as we have great opportunities during this season to
connect with them.”
You Can Be Hospitable Even with Little
You Can Be Hospitable Even with Little - Christians need to elevate the biblical value of hospitality.
Insisting Jesus Was White Is Bad History and Bad Theology
Insisting Jesus Was White Is Bad History and Bad Theology – This
article is partly a response to the statement earlier this month of a Fox News
host.
My Preferred Way to Read the Bible
My Preferred Way to Read the Bible – Jim Elliff provides some
helpful direction and encouragements for your Bible reading and how to make the
most of it.
A Fair Analysis of the New NIV
A Fair Analysis of the New NIV - WORLD magazine shares a simple comparison of the 1984 NIV with the new NIV. I mentioned in recent weeks my decision to move to the ESV as my preaching Bible. This is largely due to Zondervan’s decision to stop producing the 1984 version. The author writes:
“It has been seen that the NIV 2011 has many improvements and many regressions over the NIV 1984. While the improvements make the NIV 2011 a valid comparison Bible, the imposed egalitarianism and extreme gender-neutral translations makes this an unhelpful and perhaps misleading reading/study Bible.”
Moral Mayhem Multiplied—Now, It’s Polygamy’s Turn
Moral Mayhem Multiplied—Now, It’s Polygamy’s Turn – Al Mohler
writes about the next step in the erosion of marriage.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
A Prayer of Praise for John’s Advent Account
A Prayer of Praise for John’s Advent Account - Don't miss the Christmas story from the Gospel of John this season. It is my favorite account of the coming of Christ in the Gospels.
The Scandal of the Semi-Churched
The Scandal of the Semi-Churched - “These aren’t unchurched folks, or de-churched, or under-churched. They are semi-churched.”
Friday, December 13, 2013
Grace for Our Weakness and Need
Grace for Our Weakness and Need – “From birth to regeneration
through sanctification, all the way to ultimate glorification–from the cradle
to the grave–we are utterly, absolutely, entirely, always dependent on His
grace! God’s grace is His all-sufficient provision for every need we will ever
have.”
How to Get People to Read the Bible Without Making Them Feel Dumb
How to Get People to Read the Bible Without Making Them Feel Dumb - As you consider plans to read through the Bible in the new year, this article makes several good points to help.
Seven Messages In The Meals
Seven Messages In The Meals – “To the family to whom we are giving a meal because they
are going through a challenging time.”
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Christmas Generosity
Christmas Generosity – “How can we reflect God’s generosity
toward our family, our church, and our world at Christmas?”
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus - Nabeel Qureshi aims to help Christians better love their Muslim neighbors by providing an insider's perspective into a Muslim's heart and mind. This article is an interview with Qureshi about his book.
The Greatest Obstacle to Personal Happiness
The Greatest Obstacle to Personal Happiness – “Most people think
that sinning is the best way to happiness. Otherwise, why would so many spend
their days figuring out how to sin bigger and better? However, sin is the
greatest enemy to our happiness.”
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Rethinking Our Holly-Jolly Christmas Songs
Rethinking Our Holly-Jolly Christmas Songs – Russell Moore writes, “Even in the best
of times, we all know that we live in a groaning universe, a world of divorce
courts and cancer cells and concentration camps. Just as we sing with joy about
the coming of the Promised One, we ought also to sing with groaning that he is
not back yet (Rom. 8:23), sometimes with groanings too deep for lyrics.”...
Grace has Arrived on the Scene
Grace has Arrived on the Scene – A good word on the gift of God’s Son.
A Moral Revolution at Warp Speed—Now, It’s Wedding Cakes
A Moral Revolution at Warp Speed—Now, It’s Wedding Cakes – Just
so you know, same-sex marriage will affect you and your biblical beliefs. Here’s
another example…
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
The Allure of Middle-Earth
The Allure of Middle-Earth – This one is
for my fellow Tolkien fans.
The author of the article writes, “We were built for a king.”
Monday, December 9, 2013
Do Tummy Aches Disprove God?
Do Tummy Aches Disprove God? - This article is a part of a series on apologetics and biblical worldview.
A Prayer for Trusting God with the Impossible
A Prayer for Trusting God with the Impossible - Why not? We worship a God of the impossible.
Answering Four Street-Level Arguments for Sexual Immorality
Answering Four Street-Level Arguments for Sexual Immorality - Matt Chandler addresses four common things we hear about issues of sexual morality.
The Hopes and Fears of All the Years
The Hopes and Fears of All the Years – A devotional thought on the little town of
Bethlehem.
How Can Jesus Not Know But Still Be Divine?
How Can Jesus Not Know But Still Be Divine? - This article is from a series on Bible questions addressed by The Gospel Coalition writers. At the end, you can decide if the question has been answered. It’s complicated.
Nelson Mandela and the Ironies of History
Nelson Mandela and the Ironies of History – Al Mohler writes about
Mandela’s life and avoids the extremes we sometimes run into.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Lay Aside the Weight of Christmas Expectations
Lay Aside the Weight of Christmas Expectations – “At Christmastime, it’s good for us to remember just how dangerous
fantasies are.”
Friday, December 6, 2013
Why Hobby Lobby’s Case Matters
Why Hobby Lobby’s Case Matters - Business people shouldn't be required to check their faith
at the door. This is a well-done op-ed piece from the Los Angeles Times.
12 Reasons You Should Pray Scripture
12 Reasons You Should Pray Scripture – It is a great practice to learn.
Errors of the Prosperity Gospel
Errors of the Prosperity Gospel - This false teaching is popular, common, and tempting. It also has a growing worldwide presence.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela Has Died: Thoughts and Reaction from South African Pastors
Nelson Mandela Has Died: Thoughts and Reaction from South African Pastors – A unique perspective on Mandela’s life and legacy.
9 Things You Should Know About the Council of Trent
9 Things You Should Know About the Council of Trent - Yesterday marked the 450th anniversary of the closing of the Council of Trent, one of the most significant series of meetings in Christian history. Here are nine things evangelicals should know about the Council and the decrees that it issued.
Let a Little Lent into Your Advent
Let a Little Lent into Your Advent – “We cannot keep Bethlehem and Golgotha apart
without losing what Christmas really is. There’s a place for focusing on the
stable, the shepherds, and the wonder of the incarnation, but to appreciate the
depth of what is happening here, we must keep Calvary’s hill on the horizon.”
Adultery Prevention
Adultery Prevention - Rebecca VanDoodewaard writes from a woman’s
perspective on how to prevent adultery in marriage.
Finals Week, First Things and Unfavorable Times
Finals Week, First Things and Unfavorable Times – This article
hits several key themes with insights from C.S. Lewis. Here is one of his
quotes in the article, “Never, in peace or war, commit your virtue or your
happiness to the future.”
The 5 Gossips You Will Meet
The 5 Gossips YouWill Meet – Likely you have met them. If not, you may be them.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
A Prayer in Praise of Jesus–the Lord of Advent
A Prayer in Praise of Jesus–the Lord of Advent - a prayer of reflection on Isaiah 9:6-7.
What Will You Say to Jesus?
What Will You Say to Jesus? – In this article from Jonathan Parnell, it’s all
about grace.
Defending the Faith – “How Can Jesus Be the Only Way?”
Defending the Faith – “How Can Jesus Be the Only Way?” – This is
the first in a series of brief videos by Michael Horton addressing common
apologetics questions.
Raising Kids in a Sex-Filled Culture
Raising Kids in a Sex-Filled Culture - “I believe the porn pandemic and
other forms of illicit sex are really a result of our failure to love God and
our neighbors. Consequently, we cannot merely fixate on ‘Don’t do this, don’t
do that’ instruction or on isolating our children. They need to know deep down
why we do what we do or don’t do.”
Stopping An Affair Before It Begins
Stopping An Affair Before It Begins - 6 “e’s” to describe the
“ease” with which people fall into extra-marital affairs. They are worth
considering.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
10 Secrets You Should Know About Marriage
10 Secrets You Should Know About Marriage – The things no one tells
you, but that everyone should know.
10 Ways to Show Gratitude the Rest of the Year
10 Ways to Show Gratitude the Rest of the Year - Simple suggestions for cultivating a thankful heart.
You Can't Turn Lemons into Lemonade
You Can't Turn Lemons Into Lemonade - A good spiritual perspective on an old saying.
Wholly Bible: Preaching Parables
Wholly Bible: Preaching Parables – This is a good article
for those of us who teach and preach from the parables of Jesus.
Countries That Are Bad for Christians Are Good for Distributing Bibles
Countries That Are Bad for Christians Are Good for Distributing Bibles - Where did demand for Scripture surge last year? Try Syria, Iraq, and
Laos, for starters.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Spelling Out Your Views for End-of-Life Care is a ‘Spiritual’ Act
Spelling Out Your Views for End-of-Life Care is a ‘Spiritual’ Act – This article highlights some preparations every person should make…and
not just when they are “old”. If you love your family, you will get this
settled.
The Expected One Advent Guide
The Expected One Advent Guide - Another advent guide you might consider for family devotions.
Five Things to Teach Your Children This Christmas
Five Things to Teach Your ChildrenThis Christmas – Simple lessons everyone needs to be reminded of.
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