Don’t Let Your Stuff Own You

Don’t Let Your Stuff Own You – They're just possessions. Hold onto them loosely.

Loving Muslims Enough to Reach Out, Globally and Locally

Loving Muslims Enough to Reach Out, Globally and Locally – What would it look like for Christians to love Muslims enough to share Jesus with them?

Where Satan Will Attack You Today

Where Satan Will Attack You Today - Do you know where the front of the battle is? It’s in your head.

Happy Are Those…

Happy Are Those… - In Matthew 5:1-12 we learn of ten marks of those who experience true happiness.

The 6 Ingredients of Jesus’ Bitter Cup

The 6 Ingredients of Jesus’ Bitter Cup – Isaac Ambrose captured so well the meaning of the cup when he set out what he believed to be the 6 ingredients that made it so burdensome a sight to the soul of the sinless Son of God.

Six Reasons to Live More Simply—and Give More Generously

Six Reasons to Live More Simply—and Give More Generously – A good word from Randy Alcorn.

Why We Neglect Our Bibles

Why We Neglect Our Bibles – This article is well done. It answers typical issues raised as excuses for not reading our Bibles.

A Prayer for Humbling Ourselves without the “Buts”

A Prayer for Humbling Ourselves Without the “Buts” – This prayer focuses on “no excuses” confession from Psalm 51.

Liberty, Knowledge & Love

Liberty, Knowledge & Love - John MacArthur shares a good word on grace and truth in our relationships with one another.

Coercing a Christian Couple to Host a Gay Wedding

Coercing a Christian Couple to Host a Gay Wedding – Such things are becoming increasingly common. The couple shares their story in a brief video.

The Unnatural Art of Contentment

The Unnatural Art of Contentment – A few ways to cultivate contentment in any circumstance.

10 Truths from Second Forgetting by Benjamin Mast

10 Truths from Second Forgetting by Benjamin Mast - Remembering the power of the Gospel during Alzheimer's disease

Three Things to Remember When You Read the Bible

Three Things to Remember When You Read the Bible – You can never just read the Bible.

4 Lies We Tell Ourselves About Christian Persecution

4 Lies We Tell Ourselves About Christian Persecution – We've become experts at directing our attention away from a real, horrible problem.

Encourage One Another: Giving Grace with Your Words

Encourage One Another: Giving Grace with Your Words - How can we create an environment of encouragement. The author offers up some good places to start.

How Busy People Make Time to Read

How Busy People Make Time to Read – “Haven’t finished a book since college? Between work, family, and social lives, trying to find time to read can be more effort than relaxing hobby. Here’s how to make more time for your favorite page-turners.”

When Someone Reaches Out, Reach Back

When Someone Reaches Out, Reach Back {Advice for When You're New} – Encouragements for connecting to a new church and connecting well.

6 Evil Effects of Sin

6 Evil Effects of Sin – We don’t sin without facing consequences.

Homosexuality as Dividing Line — The Inescapable Issue

Homosexuality as Dividing Line — The Inescapable Issue – “Homosexuality and same-sex marriage now loom as the great dividing line that will tear some denominations apart and lead others to define the terms of their convictional cooperation.”

6 Ways to Benefit from Reading Genealogies

6 Ways to Benefit from Reading Genealogies - This was an interesting article on a unique topic.

Busy is Blasphemy

Busy is Blasphemy – “The word busy is the symptom not of commitment but of betrayal. It is not devotion but defection. The adjective busy set as a modifier to pastor should sound to our ears like adulterous to characterize a wife or embezzling to describe a banker. It is an outrageous scandal, a blasphemous affront.”

Is Marriage “Just a Piece of Paper”?

Is Marriage “Just a Piece of Paper”? – R.C. Sproul writes, “The signing of a piece of paper is not a matter of affixing one’s signature in ink to a meaningless document. The signing of a marriage certificate is an integral part of what the Bible calls a covenant.” 

Police Stop ISIS Attack in Australia: Are Americans Next?

Police Stop ISIS Attack in Australia: Are Americans Next? - When the news is so disturbing, how should a Christian respond?

Two Big Reasons Evangelism Isn’t Working

Two Big Reasons Evangelism Isn’t Working – Why do most people find our evangelism unbelievable?

Sobering Up: The Prerequisite To A Good Prayer Life

Sobering Up: The Prerequisite To A Good Prayer Life – “Sobering up means that we see reality as it really is; that we recognize that time is short.”

Two Fruits of True Forgiveness

Two Fruits of True Forgiveness – In this devotional from Psalm 32 we find a litmus test for true forgiveness. 

How Parachurch Ministries Can Serve the Church

How Parachurch Ministries Can Serve the Church - Ed Stetzer writes, “I often find myself a bit frustrated
when parachurch organziations forget that the local church matters. This
article gives a helpful corrective.” I agree.

Why I’m Absolutely Not Islamophobic

Why I’m Absolutely Not Islamophobic - A Presbyterian minister calling Christians to wage war against our Muslim neighbors has Jesus all wrong - Bob Smietana

4 Reflections: Are We Using the Word “Brokenness” Biblically?

4 Reflections: Are We Using the Word “Brokenness” Biblically? - When speaking of “brokenness” and suffering, my
“brokenness” motivates me to turn to God as my only source of hope. 

Thank God For a Messy Church

Thank God For a Messy Church – This is a good word on the church on a Monday.

More Churches Accepting Gays Than Ever Before

More Churches Accepting Gays Than Ever Before - Helpful commentary from Jim Denison.

Praying for God’s Servants

Praying for God’s Servants – As we prepare for the Lord’s day, this prayer from Scottie Smith may help give words as you pray for those who serve in ministries around the world.

Lay Aside the Weight of Irritability

Lay Aside the Weigh tof Irritability - The reason irritability is unloving, unrighteous anger is that it is a selfish response to an obstacle to our desire.

How ISIS Works

How ISIS Works - Here’s an overview of ISIS.

What To Do When Your Church Changes

What To Do When Your Church Changes - For an old guy like me who doesn't really enjoy change, this article was convicting (and inspiring).

Life and Hope in a World of Loss

Life and Hope in a World of Loss – “The only sure thing about our lives is that we will lose many things—and eventually we’ll lose our lives. Life in a fallen world is essentially characterized by the experience of loss. And a world of losses is the world that Jesus Christ steps into—the world that ministry steps into.”

Don’t You Know Jesus Is Real?

Don’t You Know Jesus Is Real? – Whatever you are facing today, Jesus is real!

You Can’t Catch Sin Like a Cold

You Can’t Catch Sin Like a Cold – “And many Christians do live in cultural quarantine, shutting themselves off from what they see as sinful influences.”

Friendless Millennials in a Digital Age

Friendless Millennials in a Digital Age - This is an interesting article on generational issues.

Loving the Lost: Churches Without the Broken are Broken Churches

Loving the Lost: Churches Without the Broken are Broken Churches – It's easy for Christians to love each other, but it's important for believers to love others as well.

Do You Hate to Wait?

Do You Hate to Wait? – “Anxiety is the slave song of the human heart under the tyranny of insignificance. Impatience is an acute strand of anxiety — played in a certain key — that can mesmerize and trap a soul in an infinite loop of hypnotized idolatry.” 

Survey: Church Congregations More Racially Diverse, Open to Homosexual Members

Survey: Church CongregationsMore Racially Diverse, Open to Homosexual Members - An new survey reports several interesting and concerning trends in American church life.

The Art of Being Ungrateful

The Art of Being Ungrateful - Because it is so easy to forget what God has done.

Gospel Affection

Gospel Affection – Here are ten ways to show love for other believers. It has much in common with our current “Love Challenge”. Go for it!

Biblical Theology and the Sexuality Crisis

Biblical Theology and the Sexuality Crisis – Western society is currently experiencing what can only be described as a moral revolution. 

What’s All This ‘Gospel-Centered’ Talk About?

What’s All This ‘Gospel-Centered’ Talk About? - I don't mean Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The Ninth Commandment is About Much More Than Lying

The Ninth Commandment is About Much More Than Lying - In our digital age of pervasive punditry, instant analysis, and perpetual outrage, surely the breach of the ninth commandment is one of our besetting sins.

How God Cares for Those Who Don’t

How God Cares for Those Who Don’t - Apathy does not trump the Redeemer. God engages apathy in a few surprising ways. 

What If the Worst Happens?

What If the Worst Happens? – an article about “what if” questions and “even if” answers.

Foolish Words

Foolish Words - This is a good reminder about our words.

Gospel Ripples

Gospel Ripples - This is a good word on why we should share and listen to the Gospel again and again.

Timing Isn’t Everything

Timing Isn’t Everything – We love to focus on “what time?” and “when?” God has bigger plans. The article contains this quote, “Since such matters are in his hands, his disciples are in no position to predict the time of the end, and it should not concern them. How foolishly this warning has been ignored across the centuries. What should preoccupy believers is the mission plan that Jesus goes on to reveal.” 

Can it Still Be Heaven?

Can it Still Be Heaven? - Randy Alcorn answers one of the most common questions people ask about heaven.

The Foolishness of Waiting Until Tomorrow

The Foolishness of Waiting Until Tomorrow – “The promise of tomorrow deceives because tomorrow always becomes today.”  

An Unsusual 9/11 Devotional

An Unsusual 9/11 Devotional - It is an interesting story with strong applications.

Why Not Sin?

Why Not Sin? - "As a Christian, why not sin? We could give a myriad of
answers to that question. However, the best answer is supplied by Paul in
Romans 6. Paul could have talked about the misery that sin brings, the pain
that it inflicts upon others, the consequences which flow from it, or the
penalty that Christ had to pay for it. But that is not where he first turns. He
wants Christians to understand that we cannot easily entertain sin, because of
our identity."

7 Leadership Quotes from Truett Cathy

7 Leadership Quotes from Truett Cathy - A great businessman who loved Jesus more than anything else.

A Prayer on the Anniversary of 9/11

A Prayer on the Anniversary of 9/11

The Pornification of the Church

The Pornification of the Church - Silence No Longer an Option.

Christianity's Uniqueness

Christianity's Uniqueness – In reply to the critics who claim Christianity was just a copy-cat religion among the ancient religions, it's helpful to take a look at how an ancient adherent of these pagan religions viewed Christianity.

What People Who Are New to Your Church Want You to Know

What People Who Are New to Your Church Want You to Know – Here are some good things to remember about the people who aren’t a part of the church yet.

The Church and Violence Against Women

The Church and Violence Against Women - Russell Moore to this issue making headlines.

"All the Law and the Prophets..." in a piece of fruit

"All the Law and the Prophets..." in a piece of fruit – What’s the big deal with the fruit?

How to Love People You Don't Even Like

How to Love People You Don't Even Like – 4 questions to ask when you're having a hard time loving someone else.

Regarded as ‘Intolerant Haters’: What’s New?

Regarded as ‘Intolerant Haters’: What’s New? – “In the midst of the high-octane cultural wars of the last several years—particularly the debate over homosexual marriage—evangelical Christians have been slapped with all sorts of pejorative labels. Words such as bigoted, arrogant, exclusive, dogmatic, and homophobic are just a few.” This article shows this isn’t a new thing.

Help for Those Who Feel “Disconnected” at Church

Help for Those Who Feel “Disconnected” at Church – This article ties in well with our “Love Challenge” from last Sunday.

The Op-Ed (Oprah Edited)

The Op-Ed (Oprah Edited) – Theologically edited java jacket quotes. This was really good.

9 Questions to Help You Steward All of Life for God’s Glory

9 Questions to Help You Steward All of Life for God’s Glory - Brad Hambrick shares some helpful personal, spiritual evaluation questions.

What Truett Cathy Taught Me

What Truett Cathy Taught Me - A good word about a good man.

New Every Morning, New Every Moment

New Every Morning, New Every Moment – A reflection on Jeremiah 3:22-23.

Getting Better at Meditation

Getting Better at Meditation – This article shares a helpful prompt for growing in the spiritual discipline of meditation.

The Abomination of Desolation

The Abomination of Desolation – Here is some food for thought on one of the Bible’s difficult passages. The author addresses the question, “What is the abomination of desolation referred to in Matthew 24?”

InterVarsity Now "Derecognized" at California State University's 23 Campuses

InterVarsity Now "Derecognized" at California State University's 23 Campuses – Will students with actual beliefs be allowed to have organizations on campus?

Six Major Implications of the Growth of Multisite Churches

Six Major Implications of the Growth of Multisite Churches - The trend continues to grow and it's important to pay attention to it.

7 Signs You’re Spending Too Much Time Looking at Your Phone

7 Signs You’re Spending Too Much Time Looking at Your Phone – A few warning signs that are not to be ignored.

He Must Increase; Our Churches Must Decrease

He Must Increase; Our Churches Must Decrease – To God be the glory.

11 Ways to Know You’re on Facebook Too Much

11 Ways to Know You’re on Facebook Too Much – Social media can help build community, but like many areas of life, there can be too much of a good thing.

Most Followers of Major Religions Are Concentrated in Just a Few Countries

Most Followers of Major Religions Are Concentrated in Just a Few Countries – The brief article contains a helpful set of world maps on the topic.

4 Things Jesus Didn’t Die For

4 Things Jesus Didn’t Die For – This will give you some things to think about.

Tim Keller on the Disappearing Umbrella Over Conservative Christians

Tim Keller on the Disappearing Umbrella Over Conservative Christians – Keller has some good insights here into the cultural shifts conservative Christians are experiencing.

Love That Will Complete You

Love That Will Complete You – He who began a good work in you — saving you and beginning to make you more like Jesus — he will complete that work.

A Gospeled Church

A Gospeled Church - Jared Wilson at his best: “You cannot grow in holiness and holier-than-thou-ness at the same time.”

Signs You May be Addicted to Busyness

Signs You May be Addicted to Busyness – 4 signs you need to learn to slow down.

A Prayer for Waiting on the Lord When Evil Seems to Win

A Prayer for Waiting on the Lord When Evil Seems to Win – As with most of Scottie Smith’s written prayers, he shares a good discipleship thought today.

10 Wise Leadership Lessons I’ll Never Forget

10 Wise Leadership Lessons I’ll Never Forget – Good reminders from Faith Whatley

5 Things Not to Do in Your Marriage

5 Things Not to Do in Your Marriage – Good and godly marriage advice is always helpful.

Jesus Is The Feast

Jesus Is The Feast – Jamie Brown speaks to those arguing over worship styles.

The Osteen Predicament

The Osteen Predicament: Mere Happiness Cannot Bear the Weight of the Gospel - Al Mohler writes, “If our message cannot be preached with credibility in Mosul, it should not be preached in Houston. That is the Osteen Predicament.”

7 Truths About Marriage You Won’t Hear in Church

7 Truths About Marriage You Won’t Hear in Church – This is an interesting read and you may have heard some of these at church. It begins, 'The Church provides a good foundation for marriage, but here are a few of the things you might not always hear."

4 Things God Says to Singles

4 Things God Says to Singles – This list is not the beginning and the end but it’s a start.

How to Find Strength in the Strength of God

How to Find Strength in the Strength of God – John Piper asks the question and addresses it, “How do you do a task in the strength of another? How do you exert your will to do something in such a way that you are relying on the will of another to make it happen?”

Jesus Cares About Your Words

Jesus Cares About Your Words - Jesus is Lord over all. And as the Cosmic Emperor, he reigns over Neptune, pinwheel galaxies, birds, blades of grass, and our words.

The Role of Singing in the Life of the Church

The Role of Singing in the Life of the Church - Christianity is a singing faith.

How the Church Could Help End Global Poverty

How the Church Could Help End Global Poverty – Mobilizing the Church's untapped resources to empower, educate and change the face of poverty.

7 Things You Don't Need to Know About Labor Day

7 Things You Don't Need to Know About Labor Day – Trevin Wax

Are We Passionate for People?

Are We Passionate for People? - In what ways might the “God who comforts” actually comfort his people?

Not Giving Up!

Not Giving Up! – An encouraging word for when you feel like tapping out.