Hobby Lobby Wins: Where Do We Go from Here?

Hobby Lobby Wins: Where Do We Go from Here? – Ed Stetzer weighs in on the Supreme Court decision and provides suggestions for “where we go from here”.

The Hobby Lobby Decision

The Hobby Lobby Decision: A Big Win for Religious Liberty — and a Very Revealing Divide on the Court – Al Mohler explains why it is a big deal to Christians.

5 Reasons to Rejoice, Not Worry

5 Reasons to Rejoice, Not Worry – How is it possible to “be anxious for nothing?”

Biblical Theology and the Sexuality Crisis

Biblical Theology and the Sexuality Crisis - Al Mohler writes, "Western society is
currently experiencing what can only be described as a moral revolution. Our
society’s moral code and collective ethical evaluation on a particular issue
has undergone not small adjustments but a complete reversal. That which was
once condemned is now celebrated, and the refusal to celebrate is now
condemned."

God Made Me This Way

God Made Me This Way – Phillip Jensen addresses the nature/nurture debate from a biblical perspective.

Putting Your City in Its Place

Putting Your City in Its Place – This article is a good word on missions and being on mission. Your mission has a name and a location.

A Rhythm of Remembering and Rejoicing

A Rhythm of Remembering and Rejoicing - “In Habakkuk chapter 3, we find a prayer that is 19 verses
in length. For 16 verses, Habakkuk remembers God’s past faithfulness to deliver
Israel from her enemies. In the final three verses, he rejoices over God’s
strength and majesty.”

What To Do When You Don't Like the Bible

What To Do When You Don't Like the Bible - All of us have had those moments when reading the Bible where what we read is not just hard to understand, but hard for us to like.

Confessing Our Sins Together

Confessing Our Sins Together – We avoid confession generally. This article gives three reasons why and challenges our confession of sin to one another as believers.

Worship Where the Wild Things Are

Worship Where the Wild Things Are – Sitting in the pew during my sabbatical make me appreciate this good word. “One of the unavoidable realities of corporate worship in this world is distraction. Our minds are already prone to wander completely apart from anything happening around us in that room. But anyone who’s been in church for more than a few minutes knows there are always more things going on than we can ignore.”

Slow-To-Anger Parenting

Slow-To-Anger Parenting - "It's Sunday morning and I'm rushing to get out the door on time. Breakfast is finished, the kitchen is cleaned, and the kids are ..."

Why My Family Doesn't Do Sleepovers

Why My Family Doesn't Do Sleepovers – Tim Challies shared this blog yesterday and found it had more hits on his site than any first day of any topic he has shared. The article begins, “James Dobson believes that children should not participate in sleepovers. The world has changed, he says, and has become too dangerous to allow your children out of your sight for so long.”

Sin Is Cosmic Treason

Sin Is Cosmic Treason – R.C. Sproul writes, “Every sin, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is an act of treason against the Cosmic King.”

Talking to Your Kids About Gender in a Gender-Confused World

Talking to Your Kids About Gender in a Gender-Confused World - As more of these conversations become necessary in our confused world, it's important to have resources.

4 Of The Best Pieces of Marital Advice I’ve Ever Heard

4 Of The Best Pieces of Marital Advice I’ve Ever Heard – Mark Altrogge shares some simple, powerful advice for marital success.

Preparing for the Storms of Life

Preparing for the Storms of Life –It’s storm season.

How to Be Content But Not Complacent

How to Be Content But Not Complacent - How can we be content without becoming complacent and lazy?

7 Good Reasons To Stop Looking at Porn Right Now

7 Good Reasons To Stop Looking at Porn Right Now – Tim Challies speaks well and strongly to the topic.

5 Prayers That Changed the World

5 Prayers That Changed the World – "Prayer does not equip us for greater works— prayer is the greater work."

The Seven-Year Itch and the Joy of Lifelong Marriage

The Seven-Year Itch and the Joy of Lifelong Marriage – “German politician Gabriele Pauli shocked her conservative party and sent waves through news outlets worldwide when she proposed in September 2007 that marriage should only last seven years.”

Contradict: They Can’t All Be True

Contradict: They Can’t All Be True - Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could simply (and legally) replace all of those COEXIST bumper stickers with another that reads CONTRADICT? High school teacher Andy Wrasman has recently written a helpful book that discusses the problems of pluralistic thought and why Christians should remember that even though religious believers of all types should coexist harmoniously, the essential claims of the major religions stand in opposition to one another. Here’s a review.

8 Reasons I was Wrong About Short Term Missions Trips

8 Reasons I was Wrong About Short Term Missions Trips – The author of this blog provides good reasons to be a part of short term mission trips.

10 Questions for a Six-Month Spiritual Checkup

10 Questions for a Six-Month Spiritual Checkup - It’s hard to believe that almost ½ of 2014 is now gone.
Rather than worry about days past, though, let’s focus on preparing for the
rest of the year. Use this list as a spiritual checkup to evaluate your
walk.

19 Simple Habits to Experience More Joy in Life

19 Simple Habits to Experience More Joy in Life - To experience less worry and more joy, you might want to consider these new habits.

Great Resume, Too Bad About Your Religion

Great Resume, Too Bad About Your Religion - The article shares the interesting results of a recent study.

Primer on Reading the Bible

Primer on Reading the Bible - The Bible is not an ordinary book, and we will never taste its choicest fruits if we approach it in an ordinary manner. Here are seven short pieces of counsel, from a lifelong Bible-reader, to help you make the most of your own study of the Scriptures.

Anger Disorders

Anger Disorders – Anger is a God-given emotion; it is part of being made in His image. It is a rising up of the human heart’s sense of right and wrong. How do we handle it well?

Why Would You Want to Be in Heaven?

Why Would You Want to Be in Heaven? - This simple illustration reveals a great deal about hearts.

A Prayer for Trusting and Rejoicing in Jesus

A Prayer for Trusting and Rejoicing in Jesus – Scotty Smith shares, “I feel liking singing the words of Luther, ‘And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us. The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him. His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure. One little word shall fell him.’”

Worship Like a Hedonist

Worship Like a Hedonist – David Mathis begins, “Let me encourage you to take a very hedonistic approach to worship this weekend, and to every corporate worship gathering.”

Are You Too Christian for Non-Christians?

Are You Too Christian for Non-Christians? - How much time do you spend with unbelieving individuals, and what is the quality of your social relationships with them? We will never live out the Great Commission if we don’t reach out to the lost people around us. Here are some suggestions.

What Is Hell?

What Is Hell? – R.C. Sproul answers.

PCUSA Redefines Marriage

PCUSA Redefines Marriage – This move is not a big surprise but it is a big deal.

God Doesn’t Play Soccer with You

God Doesn’t Play Soccer with You – A good devotional thought for the day.

Honor Your Father And Mother

Honor Your Father And Mother - A good word is offered here on a neglected commandment.

12 Questions to Ask Before You Watch ‘Game of Thrones’

12 Questions to Ask Before You Watch ‘Game of Thrones’ – The questions relate to many things we allow into our minds. John Piper writes, “Here are 12 questions to think about, or, 12 reasons why I am committed to a radical abstention from anything I know is going to present me with nudity.” 

Jesus vs. the World

Jesus vs. the World - Here’s a good comic from Adam4D.

Don’t Let False Security Dupe You

Don’t Let False Security Dupe You – The author begins, “Something I’ve realized lately is how, during favorable circumstances, I so quickly believe that I have control over my own life.”

Thoughts on Visiting Hospitals

Thoughts on Visiting Hospitals -  Here are some helpful directions for making hospital visits.

Baptist Polity and the Integrity of the Southern Baptist Convention

Baptist Polity and the Integrity of the Southern Baptist Convention – Al Mohler comments on Baptist life and the way our denomination handles biblical issues. It is of great interest in these times.

5 Horrible Pieces of Dating Advice

5 Horrible Pieces of Dating Advice – Think twice before taking these tips to heart—or dishing them out.

Why Some Churches Would Rather Die

Why Some Churches Would Rather Die – Tony Morgan comments on a hard truth.

Why You Need a Sabbath

Why You Need a Sabbath – We need to learn how to accept God's gift of rest.

A Prayer for Using Our Words to Help, not Harm

A Prayer for Using Our Words to Help, not Harm – How will you use your words today?

Bring the Bible Home to Your Heart

Bring the Bible Home to Your Heart - We all want to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).

There's No Such Thing as the Gift of Evangelism

There's No Such Thing as the Gift of Evangelism – Ed Stetzer takes on a popular excuse for disobedience to God.

The Secret in Every Circumstance

The Secret in Every Circumstance - Don’t be fooled by the popular locker room read on Philippians 4:13.

Nine Things You Should Know About Transgenderism

Nine Things You Should Know About Transgenderism - Last week the Southern Baptist Convention, America's largest Protestant denomination, overwhelmingly passed a resolution titled “On Transgender Identity.” Here are nine things you should know about transgenderism.

Why Your Church Needs the Trinity

Why Your Church Needs the Trinity – What the Trinity teaches us about being the church.

Let None Despise This Prayer

Let None Despise This Prayer – A good word on the Lord’s Prayer from Charles Spurgeon.

Man Enough to Be Yourself With Other Men

Man Enough to Be Yourself With Other Men – “If we want to be real men, we'll take the risk of being the real us in front of other guys.”

My Dad, Your Father

My Dad, Your Father – The author begins, “Father's Day can be tricky. I have many sweet beautiful friends who were utterly failed by their fathers. These friends struggle to know their heavenly Father.”

Working Around God: Technology, the Pace of Life, and the Shabbos Elevator

Working Around God: Technology, the Pace of Life, and the Shabbos Elevator – Having seen this, I still find it fascinating.

God Isn’t Your Vending Machine

God Isn’t Your Vending Machine – The article challenges a view popular in Christian culture.

A Prayer for Being a Friend Who Refreshes Other

A Prayer for Being a Friend Who Refreshes Others – A good word, thought, and prayer.

Defending the Faith is About Life, Not Just Doctrine

Defending the Faith is About Life, Not Just Doctrine – Trevon Wax writes, “What’s needed today is a robust understanding of the Christian faith that recognizes the multi-faceted meaning of orthodoxy.”

A Father Worthy of Imitation

A Father Worthy of Imitation – “We need fresh promises and testimonies of grace that will spur us on in our fatherly labors.”

25 Facts on the Importance of Fathers

25 Facts on the Importance of Fathers - “In Scripture the word "father" is found more than 1,100 times. Yet in America it's become increasingly harder to find a father in the home.”

The Treasure Makes All the Difference

The Treasure Makes All the Difference – Jon Bloom offers up a good commentary on Jesus’ shortest parable.

When Sin Looks Delicious

When Sin Looks Delicious – “Do you ever have those days where you just want to sin? What do you do on a day like that?”

4 Changes Jesus Second Coming Produces

4 Changes Jesus Second Coming Produces - “There are 318 references to Jesus’ second coming in the New Testament—roughly 1 out of every 13 verses mentions it. … Here are four changes that the imminent return of Jesus should produce in us…”

God’s Five Purposes for Your Marriage

God’s Five Purposes for Your Marriage – God has big plans for your marriage.

A Challenge to Tell Your Story

A Challenge to Tell Your Story - This article gives several great reasons why.

Committed to Marriage, Committed to the Church

Committed to Marriage, Committed to the Church - Wedding season is here. Are you committed to your church? That may seem like a rather abrupt shift in topics, but they are actually closely related.

Why 'God and the Gay Christian' Is Wrong About the Bible and Same-Sex Relationships

Why 'God and the Gay Christian' Is Wrong About the Bible and Same-Sex Relationships –“Matthew Vines rehashes older gay-friendly arguments for a modern audience. But those arguments still don’t square with Scripture” says Christopher Yuan.

No Prayer, No Power

No Prayer, No Power - We must be a people of prayer.

3 Ways to Avoid Getting Tricked into Volunteering for VBS

3 Ways to Avoid Getting Tricked into Volunteering for VBS – Monday morning of VBS fun from Jon Acuff.

9 Fascinating Facts About People Who Attend Megachurches

9 Fascinating Facts About People Who Attend Megachurches – This article shares several unique features of the megachurch.

Worship in a Selfie World

Worship in a SelfieWorld – “He must increase. I must decrease.”

Strengthen Your Faith Through Physical Exercise

Strengthen Your FaithThrough Physical Exercise – “Bodily training, after all, is of some value, but godliness is of value in every way. So let’s aim for both, at the same time.”

Nine Things You Should Know About the Southern Baptist Convention

Nine Things You Should Know About the Southern Baptist Convention - This week the Southern Baptist Convention meets in Baltimore, Maryland for its 156^th annual meeting. Here are nine things you should know about America’s largest Protestant denomination.

Sharpen Your Affections with Fasting

Sharpen Your Affections with Fasting – What is the purpose and value of fasting in concert with prayer?

A Warning from the Death of Christian Britain

A Warning from the Death of Christian Britain – A book by Callum G. Brown titled The Death of Christian Britain should serve as both a warning and an encouragement to us.

How To Share Your Faith At Work

How To Share Your Faith At Work – “As a Christian, you are a fully credentialed ambassador of the empire of Jesus, High King of the universe. God has entrusted to you the message of reconciliation, the good news that Jesus reconciles rebels to God. That's as true from 9-5 Monday through Friday as it is for any other hour of your life.”

Map Shows the Most Popular Religions (Other than Christianity) Around the Country

Map Shows the Most Popular Religions (Other than Christianity) Around the Country

You're Getting Old

You're Getting Old - This was fun and sobering.

Not Number One, the Only One

Not Number One, the Only One - “You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

What To Do When Your Faith Feels Dry

What To Do When Your Faith Feels Dry – 5 steps to help revive your faith.

Why Was Judas Carrying the Moneybag?

Why Was Judas Carrying the Moneybag? - Jesus put a thief in charge of his moneybag. Has that ever struck you as odd?

Four Modern Versions of the Bible that Are Ruining the Bible

Four Modern Versions of the Bible that Are Ruining the Bible - “The Bible is not just another commodity — that the whole point of owning and reading the Bible is not so I can fit bits and pieces of it into my life, but so I can fit my life into its story.”

Unanswered Prayer

Unanswered Prayer – Tim Challies shares a helpful word on a hot topic.

4 People Who Successfully Argued With God

4 People Who Successfully Argued With God – A few dramatic prayers with dramatic results.

Sharpen Your Affections with Fasting

Sharpen Your Affections with Fasting – What does the Bible teach about this much neglected spiritual discipline?

Seven Signs You are Judging Others

Seven Signs You are Judging Others - “Judge not” is one of the most popular Bible verses in our society, especially among non-Christians. J.D. Greear writes, “It seems to fit in with two of our society’s most basic assumptions—that (1) religion is private and (2) morality is relative. People love “judge not” because it seems to be a handy way of saying, “You can’t tell me I’m wrong.” Begin to make a public assessment on just about any moral issue and you’ll see this verse swiftly pulled out as a deflective weapon. The problem is, Jesus—the one who uttered the words—didn’t share our presuppositions about private religion and relative morality.” 

Revisit the One Another Commands

Revisit the One Another Commands

The Question

The Question – Every Christian does the work of ministry. Jonathan Parnell notes that while there are all sorts of ways to discover your unique ministry, there is a question that always needs to be asked and answered first.

10 Things You Should Know About Evangelism

10 Things You Should Know About Evangelism – This article notes what it is and what it isn’t.

Things No One Tells You About Going on Short-Term Mission Trips

Things No One Tells You About Going on Short-Term Mission Trips – A few ways to make sure your mission trip is effective.

MissionTrends: 4 Trends for Churches to Consider

MissionTrends: 4 Trends for Churches to Consider – What trends must we consider when it comes to the state of the church in America?

Punishing or Pruning

Punishing or Pruning - What are God’s purposes in pruning?

Twelve Reasons to be Optimistic about the Future of Local Congregations

Twelve Reasons to be Optimistic about the Future of Local Congregations - Thom Rainer shares encouraging trends in church life.

Ordinary People, Ordinary Mission

Ordinary People, Ordinary Mission - There is great appeal in pursuing exotic or “extraordinary” mission. But the Bible calls us to look a little closer as we live out Jesus’ mission: those in need and our neighbors.

There Is No ‘Third Way’

There Is No ‘Third Way’ — Southern Baptists Face a Moment of Decision (and so will you) – Al Mohler writes on the decisions facing all Bible-believers and their churches. The "third way" language has become popular but there is no third way in God's Word.

A Prayer for Living at the Pace of Grace

A Prayer for Living at the Pace of Grace - Scotty Smith shares a good prayer word on living life well.