Praying Specifically

Praying Specifically – Reflect on these benefits of praying specifically.

Facebook Marriage Quotes

Facebook Marriage Quotes – Here are quotes from different “marriage experts” giving marriage tips. You can use these quotes in a variety of ways.

Two Things We Must Say about the Transgender Debate

Two Things We Must Say about the Transgender Debate – “The challenge with the transgender debate is that Christians must say two very different things at the same time.”

How Do We Deal With Financial Trouble and Survive?

How Do We Deal With Financial Trouble and Survive? – This is good advice for overcoming financial struggles as a married couple rather than falling victim to those troubles.

The Blessings of Growing Up in a Christian Home

The Blessings of Growing Up in a Christian Home – “I consider it the greatest privilege, the highest act of God’s providence, that I grew up in a Christian home. I consider it no small responsibility to ensure my children, likewise, are growing up in a home that is distinctly Christian.”

Lord, Prepare Me to End Well

Lord, Prepare Me to End Well – “In other words, endings are usually more truthful than beginnings. A review of the day in the evening is more truthful than the caffeinated optimism of the morning’s good intentions.”

Fighting for the Next Generation Matters

Fighting for the Next Generation Matters – “Do I care enough about the next generation—and ultimately God’s glory—to fight for them even when there’s nothing in it for me? This is the question Hezekiah and Josiah’s stories have me asking myself.” 

7 Bible Passages to Know before Jehovah’s Witnesses Knock on Your Door

7 Bible Passages to Know before Jehovah’s Witnesses Knock on Your Door – “ Since Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the deity of Christ, and instead propagate the erroneous teaching of the early church heretic Arius who taught that Jesus is not God but the first creature made by God, I thought it would be helpful to remind us of these seven key Scriptures.”

4 Reasons to Preach Christ from the Old Testament

4 Reasons to Preach Christ from the Old Testament – You could title this article as “4 Reasons to Read the Old Testament.”

Purpose to Be An Encourager Today, and Every Day

Purpose to Be An Encourager Today, and Every Day – Here’s a good direction for a new week.

Behind on Bible Reading?

Behind on Bible Reading? – “If I get behind on a television show, it’s not hard to find time to catch up. Why is it so hard with Bible reading? What are the obstacles that stand in my way and keep me from faithfully reading Scripture January through December?”

5 Ways Porn Lies To You

5 Ways Porn Lies To You – “One of the foremost lies you may be tempted to believe when it comes to porn is this: It’s not that big a deal. If everyone else is doing it, it can’t be too serious a sin, right? The Bible begs to differ.”

The Secret to Raising Faithful Kids

The Secret to Raising Faithful Kids – How can we teach our children to obey God? The solution provided in this post is gospel-saturated and helps parents rest in the grace of God. 

8 Things North American Believers Can Learn From Believers Around The World

8 Things North American Believers Can Learn From Believers Around The World – Each of these lessons gives perspective to our American church life. We do not have categories for persecution and we struggle to make ourselves the center of the world. This helpful word sheds light on our American blind spots. 

Am I Really Ready for Heaven?

Am I Really Ready for Heaven? – “Nobody is fit for heaven. Nobody is ready for heaven. Nobody deserves heaven. Nobody can expect to go to heaven unless God steps in and provides a way by grace and by mercy that through faith.”

Three Benefits of Discipleship

Three Benefits of Discipleship – “We really need each other, though we often try to go at it alone. We truly need reproof and instruction, though we seldom seek it out. This is why discipleship is so important.”

Lights, Camera … Word Bomb!

Lights, Camera … Word Bomb! – “It’s been going on for more than 40 years. In time, maybe violent, abusive language will lose its punch and fade away, but that hasn’t happened yet. It infuriates me when I spend money on DVDs that bring it into my home. It instantly makes me dislike the movie.”

The Gift of Precious Providential Thornbushes

The Gift of Precious Providential Thornbushes – “Jesus, you love us so much that when we love you less, you come after us with bulldog-tenacity and uncomfortable providences. You are unrelenting in your commitment to rescue our hearts from broken cisterns and worthless idols—from anything to which we run and cling, when your love and grace don’t seem to be enough.”

Battle Hymns for the Fight of Faith

Battle Hymns for the Fight of Faith – “Biblical wisdom longs to think about death rightly, to let the certainty of our deaths shape how we live now in the present.”

The Jewish Calendar

The Jewish Calendar – Here’s a little visual overview of the Jewish calendar and where religious observances fall.

Mom/Dad, I’m Not Sure I Want to be a Christian Anymore…

Mom/Dad, I’m Not Sure I Want to be a Christian Anymore… - Here is sound advice for having this conversation and supporting others who will.

When Christians Hurt You

When Christians Hurt You – “The hurt that occurs between believing brothers and sisters in Christ serves as a platform for the Gospel to be at work.”

The Forgotten Final Resting Place of William Borden

The Forgotten Final Resting Place of William Borden – The most influential missionary of the early 20th century who lived with  “no reserve, no retreats, no regrets” never made it to the mission field. It’s a powerful testimony.

The Book of Books

The Book of Books – From a book titled, The Book of Books, here are four ways not to read the Bible and six ways to approach it properly.

Why the Transgender Debate Is About Redefining Reality

Why the Transgender Debate Is About Redefining Reality – “Even if this issue was about nothing more than our children being exposed to opposite sex nudity in our schools, it would be a cause worth fighting for. But the true ramifications of the change are even more important and more worthy of our concern.”

God Shines Most in Our Messiness

God Shines Most in Our Messiness – “Christian community — in the local church, in small group, missional community, or wherever else — is messy.”

When Coffee Isn’t Enough: Reflecting on Relationships & Gospel Witness

When Coffee Isn’t Enough: Reflecting on Relationships & Gospel Witness – The most valuable resource we can offer is the Gospel.

The Key to Spiritual Breakthrough

The Key to Spiritual Breakthrough – “How much enjoyment of God’s presence and experience of his power for mission are we missing out on because we simply don’t ask long enough?”

Church Member! Fight to Attend Your Church Weekly!

Church Member!  Fight to Attend Your Church Weekly! – “My argument? Fight with all your might to attend your church weekly. I’ll provide 7 simple reminders.”

Is It a Sin to Be Obese?

Is It a Sin to Be Obese? – Gluttony must be conquered, not tolerated. My weight has not been my great struggle but over-eating, not caring for my “temple”, and eating for the wrong reasons is still gluttony.

Hallelujah! Jesus Has Defeated the Devil, Evil, and Darkness

Hallelujah! Jesus Has Defeated the Devil, Evil, and Darkness – “Lord Jesus, we’re so grateful eternal life includes a world completely devoid of all sin, evil, and brokenness. Though it will require your second coming, nonetheless, we’re grateful for that Day and long for it more than ever.”

Change the Question

Change the Question – “When confronted with direct questions about what the Bible teaches about sex, you probably need to answer a somewhat different question to give a good answer.”

The Christ-Centered Employer

The Christ-Centered Employer – “The apostle provides three directions to those who are privileged to own a business that employs others.”

When We Open the Bible

When We Open the Bible – “When we open the Bible, we are confronted not just with words on a page, but a person speaking through a page. We are confronted by God himself. To read the Bible is a risky thing. We cannot read it, put it down, and claim ignorance.”

Four Ways to Disciple Children in Prayer

Four Ways to Disciple Children in Prayer – “Our prayers can be theological lessons that reach the heart of our young listeners, training them in the gospel of grace.”

The Christ-Centered Employee

The Christ-Centered Employee – “Viewing work from a truly Christian perspective requires that we build our thinking upon four foundation stones. A biblical theology of work rests upon the following...”

A Journey of Evangelism in Scripture: The Temple

A Journey of Evangelism in Scripture: The Temple – “History reflects a God who deeply longs to be with His people.”

Rules Without Reasons

Rules Without Reasons – “I get this as a parent. There are times when I simply cannot explain everything to my children. And I don’t need to explain everything to them. At that moment I need their obedience and their trust.”

How to Not Be Just a Consumer at Church

How to Not Be Just a Consumer at Church - Two things that make your church a home.

The Priceless Gift in Every Trial

The Priceless Gift in Every Trial – “Few stories turn heads like solid joy in the midst of deep pain. Not only is this kind of unshakeable happiness a distinctively Christian experience, but it also amounts to one of the most powerful witnesses we can make before an unbelieving world.”

Why Relationships Are Worth the Risk of Getting Hurt

Why Relationships Are Worth the Risk of Getting Hurt – The rewards far outweighs the danger.

How to Build Lasting Integrity in Kids

How to Build Lasting Integrity in Kids – “Becoming a person of integrity is difficult because our society places so much emphasis on what we can see. Our talent. Our Facebook profile. Our selfies. Our appearance. It’s almost always about our image not our integrity.”

4 Frameworks for Fighting Fear

4 Frameworks for Fighting Fear – The Bible presents us with four unique frameworks for confronting fear.

When You Are the Old-Timer

When You Are the Old-Timer – “Here are a few ways we can practice hospitality for the visitors and newcomers in our churches.”

A Curious Clue About the Origins of the New Testament Canon

A Curious Clue About the Origins of the New Testament Canon – “Although most discussions about the development of the canon focus on the patristic period (second century and later), there is much canonical gold yet to mine from the pages of the New Testament itself.  Unfortunately, this step is often skipped.”

Jesus and the Victim Card

Jesus and the Victim Card –“One of the most sophisticated ways that we can excuse our sin is by hiding behind the painful experiences of our lives. It is actually quite easy to adopt the persona of a victim.”

Lessons from the Broken Road

Lessons from the Broken Road – “My oldest daughter was dead. Her struggle with drug addiction, that had robbed her of so much, had taken her life. The news took my breath away.”

The Unforgettable Beauty of a Titus 2 Life in Action

The Unforgettable Beauty of a Titus 2 Life in Action – “This vibrant woman had devoted her life to “Titus2ing”—intentionally coming alongside younger women to help them walk in the ways of Jesus (Titus 2:3–5).”

Angry Twitter and Confused Christians

Angry Twitter and Confused Christians – “In what follows, let me suggest four ways believers can, perhaps, retain their sanity in such a time.”

A Subtle Symptom of Legalism

A Subtle Symptom of Legalism – “But legalism always carries with it certain symptoms. It’s like a disease. It may not be easily detectable, but if you know what to look for, you can usually spot it and root it out. One of those primary symptoms? Becoming irritable and frustrated at God’s grace poured out to others.”

A Dad Talks with His Son about Masturbation

A Dad Talks with His Son about Masturbation – This topic gets overlooked and over-justified. Here is a short discussion in the context of a father/son talk. 

Satan Wants to Blackmail You

Satan Wants to Blackmail You – “That little secret you try to keep hidden from everyone, even from God. Satan knows about it. Satan has a dirt-file on you, and he will not let you forget the fact.”

What Will Your Children Remember About You?

What Will Your Children Remember About You? – “Most adults, when sharing memories of their parents, don’t typically remember too much of what their mom or dad said, but how they lived.” He shares a couple of things I’d want on my list too.

God Is Working in Your Waiting

God Is Working in Your Waiting – “While society makes every attempt to make our life easier and faster, God works on a very different timetable. In his mind, nothing is wrong with waiting. In fact, waiting can actually be a positive good that he often uses to make us more like his Son.”

Then and Now

Then and Now – I am always blessed and challenged by this missions blog: “We are convinced that missions is 98% raw endurance and 2% zeal.”

How Word Studies Go Bad

How Word Studies Go Bad – This is a simple example of how the study of a word in the Bible can take a wrong turn. It includes principles for staying true to the intent of the biblical author.

Do We Really Have to Politicize Everything? – “Remember when you could go to Chick-fil-a or Burger King without feeling like you were making a political point?”

Everyday Talk about Sex and Marriage, Part 2

Everyday Talk about Sex and Marriage, Part 2 – In this installment on parents talking to their children about sex, the discussion moves to sexual attraction. Biblical sexual attraction must involve at least these four qualities.

7 Trademarks Of An Unhealthy Friendship

7 Trademarks Of An Unhealthy Friendship – “Fire your inner defense lawyer and ask the Lord to show you areas of personal weakness in your relationships.”

The Shack

The Shack – Randy Alcorn shares his thoughts on The Shack movie and provides a call for biblical discernment.

Five Ways to Protect Students From Social Media

Five Ways to Protect Students From Social Media – “as kids go through the stressful years of adolescence and begin relying on social media—it’s like allowing a kid the key to a bar full of alcohol and saying, ‘Have at it.’” 

Six Biblical Responses to Sex Trafficking

Six Biblical Responses to Sex Trafficking – “Here I’d like to simply ask the question: What does the Christian worldview bring to the table in responding to sex trafficking? How should we, as believers, be thinking about this issue in a distinctly biblical manner? I offer six brief points.”

Why I Support Capital Punishment

Why I Support Capital Punishment – Charles Colson makes his case for support. There is a link to another article that makes the case for non-support of capital punishment.

10 Prayers to Pray This President’s Day

10 Prayers to Pray This President’s Day – “Regardless of what the title POTUS evokes for you, President’s Day is a unique opportunity to reflect on history-past and anticipate our country’s future. But we don’t do this through worrying and fretting, nor do we become puffed up by national pride or confidence in man—We do this through prayer. We do this on our knees.”

It’s a Wonderful Time to Be Christian

It’s a Wonderful Time to Be Christian – “America is facing turbulent times. Political unrest is unceasing. The racial divide is deepening. Fear and frustration swirl frantically. This leads to only one logical conclusion: It’s a wonderful time to be a Christian.”

David’s Plea to His Son

David’s Plea to His Son – “Would you tell your children to pursue wisdom as their most important task in life? Would you be willing to go so far out on the proverbial limb and say even if it costs you all that you have – get wisdom?”

Thankful for His Keeping

Thankful for His Keeping – A parent reflects on the meaning of “The Lord bless and keep you.”

President’s Day 2017

President’s Day 2017 – Here’s an appropriate prayer for this day.

Why Monogamy? A Response to Polyamory

Why Monogamy? A Response to Polyamory – “From the outset, polyamory is a lie. Any love that refuses sexual exclusivity is no love at all. Rather, it is the rebranding of lust. It is the desire for both Eden and forbidden fruit.”

3 Ways Busyness Is Destroying You And Your Relationships

3 Ways Busyness Is Destroying You And Your Relationships – Things that seem good are actually destructive to the most precious things in our lives.

Everyday Talk about Sex and Marriage

Everyday Talk about Sex and Marriage – Here is the foundation for talking to your children about sex. It doesn’t start with biology.

Your Neighbor, Your Spouse

Your Neighbor, Your Spouse – We are told in God’s word to love our neighbor. It begins with our spouse.

Political Discourse, Facebook, Christians & the Inconvenient Truth

Political Discourse, Facebook, Christians & the Inconvenient Truth – There is a lot of truth here for times we live in.

How Not to Help a Sufferer

How Not to Help a Sufferer – “Of all the Bible’s many colorful characters, none are quite so exasperating as Job’s friends. Herod might chop off your head, and Judas might stab you in the back, but Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar will hurt you with Bible verses.”

Are You on the Right Side of History?

Are You on the Right Side of History? – “By seeking Christ, our perspective of justice changes from our own personal perspectives to God’s perspective. And a God-centered understanding of justice understands three things...”

Three M’s That Naturalism Can’t Provide

Three M’s That Naturalism Can’t Provide  - “As an atheist, I accounted for my experiences through the lens of naturalism. I believed everything I experienced and observed could be explained in terms of natural causes and laws. I never thought deeply about the inconsistencies in my view of the world, or the fact that my naturalism failed to explain three characteristics of my daily experience.”

Love and Care Beyond Valentines

Love and Care Beyond Valentines – “It’s not only romantic love that needs to grow in marriage, but also showing that you care. Too often we forget (in our everyday hectic lives) to do little things to show our spouse that we care.”

7 Gospel-Centered Principles for Protecting a Marriage

7 Gospel-Centered Principles for Protecting a Marriage – Whether for you or for others, these are helpful.

When Evangelism Really Isn’t That Hard

When Evangelism Really Isn’t That Hard – “Evangelism is harvesting where God has already plowed, sowed, cultivated, and nurtured. We go where He has gone before us.”

3 Commitments All Healthy Couples Make

3 Commitments All Healthy Couples Make – “These will help your marriage.”

Top 3 Needs of Children of Divorce

Top 3 Needs of Children of Divorce – “The breakup of the family unit changes the landscape of their childhood whether they are young children, elementary age, tweens, or teens.”

The One Is the One You Marry

The One Is the One You Marry – “Marriage is a commitment to a person with flaws. You don’t ignore their flaws, you commit to them despite of their flaws. The flaws come with the marriage, with the commitment (Ephesians 5:25).”

How to Endure Suffering: When God Takes Away

How to Endure Suffering: When God Takes Away – “So we go, knowing the journey will not be easy, but that Jesus is worth it.”

Do You Think You’re the Exception?

Do You Think You’re the Exception? – “At the root of many of our sins is an assumption that we are exceptional...I mean exceptional as in what applies to most people doesn’t apply to me.

Tim Keller’s 4 Ways the Gospel Transforms Work

Tim Keller’s 4 Ways the Gospel Transforms Work – “Tim Keller started thinking deeply about a Christian view of work when a member of his congregation met with him to ask what it meant to be a Christian actor. Over years of thinking and teaching on work, Keller has observed four ways the gospel can transform work.”

Contentment in a Discontented World

Contentment in a Discontented World – “Discontentment may be the greatest trap in our culture. It may be greater than lust, greed, and even lying, because discontentment leads to all these other sins.”

Two More States Have Declared Porn a Public Health Crisis

Two More States Have Declared Porn a Public Health Crisis – “Each of the measures seeks to increase awareness about the dangers linked to porn as well as help lawmakers better understand issues linked to porn consumption.”

For Better Conversations

For Better Conversations – “Good conversation went fugitive with the invasion of electronic media. Yet you long for it, and so do those in your circle of acquaintances. Believers in Christ ought to be excellent at it.”

Time Management For The Time-Challenged

Time Management For The Time-Challenged – Here are some helpful hints.

Washington Florist Loses Discrimination Case

Washington Florist Loses Discrimination Case – This is significant for religious liberty cases: “State high court rules Barronelle Stutzman violated anti-bias laws by refusing to participate in a same-sex wedding.” (Also read David French.)

Will Trump Defend Religious Liberty Against the LGBT Agenda?

Will Trump Defend Religious Liberty Against the LGBT Agenda? – “From a florist in Washington State to preachers in the Bahamas, Christians are expressing concerns about how U.S. government policies are trampling on their rights of conscience.”

3 Commitments All Healthy Couples Make

3 Commitments All Healthy Couples Make – “These will help your marriage.”

How to Get Your Prayer to Work

How to Get Your Prayer to Work – Here are five things to think about when praying.

The Evil of Sin

The Evil of Sin – “We need to convince ourselves, each time, that our plan is better. That God’s plan is unkind and restrictive. Blinded by sin’s deceitfulness, we choose famine rather than feasting, brokenness over wholeness, death instead of life, wretched independence over.”

Americans Just Broke the Psychologists’ Stress Record

Americans Just Broke the Psychologists’ Stress Record – “If you are looking for some verses to calm your nerves, Amy Simpson and Ed Welch suggest the following passages...”

5 Things Singles Wish Married Couples Knew

5 Things Singles Wish Married Couples Knew – This is worth reading for singles and married couples.

Where Is God When Things Keep Getting Worse?

Where Is God When Things Keep Getting Worse? – “Where is God when things keep getting worse? He is with us. And he is always for us. And one day we will see how he has used our pain and losses to accomplish far more than we could ask or imagine.”

Never Abandon Hope

Never Abandon Hope – “God ministers hope to his people through faith in his promises.”

God Still Seeks Wandering Fools

God Still Seeks Wandering Fools – “Christmas is not about wise men seeking Jesus. It’s about wandering fools being found by Jesus. The incarnation glorifies the extent to which God would go to seek out those who were running from him.”

The Most Common Mistakes Parents Make

The Most Common Mistakes Parents Make – “We’ve been so intent on nurturing the self-esteem and safety of our children that we did too much.  We didn’t want to ‘mess it up.’ In fact, two extremes are happening in our homes today: abandonment and abundance.”

The Insensitivity of the Cross

The Insensitivity of the Cross – “God was mercifully insensitive to our feelings and desires at the cross. He was not insensitive in a rude or sinful way, but insensitive in a graciously holy way.”

When Assurance of Salvation Is Fleeting

When Assurance of Salvation Is Fleeting – “Dear Christian, it is not the degree, quality, nor abundance of our faith that saves. Rather, it is the object of our faith that saves.” 

Good News for the Weary and Faint

Good News for the Weary and Faint – “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint” Jer. 31:25.

When Our Fantasy World Distracts Us from What’s Eternally Real and Important

When Our Fantasy World Distracts Us from What’s Eternally Real and Important – “It is a shame that many men are far too busy conquering fake lands, looking at fake women, and winning fake championships to follow Christ’s path of self-denying, cross-bearing, service.”

The Two Kinds of Romantic Love

The Two Kinds of Romantic Love – “One kind of romantic love leads to life–to marriage, fruitful sexuality, children, family, virtue.  The other kind of romantic love leads to death–to sin, sterile sexuality, abortion, family destruction, ruin.”

Unborn Babies Are Only Human When They Belong to Beyonce

Unborn Babies Are Only Human When They Belong to Beyonce – “I fear that, rather than being an exception to our culture’s pro-abortion philosophy, this celebration is simply another product of it. Leftists believe that Beyonce’s babies are real human beings not because all babies are human beings, but because Beyonce’s babies are human beings.”

Fake News and Other Traps Damaging the Church

Fake News and Other Traps Damaging the Church - Be careful out there.

Five Bible Verses About Love for Valentine’s Day

Five Bible Verses About Love for Valentine’s Day – “The Bible speaks strongly and often about what true love is. Sometimes the Bible speaks of romantic love—the kind of love we celebrate on Valentine’s Day. But more often, when the Bible speaks of love, it’s referring to something different and deeper—something that should form the basis for our relationships with everyone around us, regardless of our emotional connection to them.”

The ONLY Love That Is Better Than Life

The ONLY Love That Is Better Than Life – “Indeed, no human being (or any number of them), no great romance, no torrid love affair can fill the vacuum inside of us uniquely reserved for you. Our best relationships are just a hint and whisper of what belonging to you actually means.”

You Don’t Have to Get Married to Be Happy

You Don’t Have to Get Married to Be Happy – “You don’t have to get married to be happy. In fact, until we realize that we don’t have to get married to be happy, we’re really not ready to marry.”

Valentine’s Day Isn’t About You

Valentine’s Day Isn’t About You – “In Christ alone true love is found, and through Him alone true love is given. May He get all the glory. Happy Valentine's Day!”

Christians and the Realm of Desperation

Christians and the Realm of Desperation – “Desperation is a feeling of hopelessness. Of impending danger. Of despair. And that feeling results in rash or extreme behavior.”

When the One You Love Is Wayward

When the One You Love Is Wayward – “Real love is something deep and powerful, a committed faithfulness that is sacrificial and loyal. Love is keeping your promises, even when it hurts. It’s patient and kind, gracious and forgiving, and willing to speak the truth even when doing so is costly (1 Cor. 13:4–7). We know this love is tough.”

The Story Behind John Piper’s Most Famous Attack on the Prosperity Gospel

The Story Behind John Piper’s Most Famous Attack on the Prosperity Gospel – A three-minute video of Piper’s comments on the prosperity “gospel” (about three minutes” is included. It’s worth listening to again.

9 Big Myths About Forgiveness

9 Big Myths About Forgiveness - What you might misunderstand about something really important.

Biblical Marriage Advice For Valentine's Day

Biblical Marriage Advice For Valentine's Day – Paul Tripp provides some advice and a couple of videos. 

The 5 Weightiest Words of Love

The 5 Weightiest Words of Love – “It’s easy to focus on the decorations and dresses, while overlooking the most valuable moment of the day—the costliest words spoken between a husband and wife...Till death do we part.”

100 Words of Healing for Every Harmful Syllable

100 Words of Healing for Every Harmful Syllable – “May we speak 100 words of healing for every harmful syllable we utter today. And when our lips contradict the gospel, grant us quick repentances and more grace.”

How to Grow in Grace: Ask the “Why?” and “What?” questions

How to Grow in Grace: Ask the “Why?” and “What?” questions – “If lasting change is going to happen, you must begin to ask “Why?” and “What?” questions. Why do you do the things you do? What motivates you to do the things you do, either good or bad, helpful or unhelpful?”

Who Is the Subject of Your Bible Study?

Who Is the Subject of Your Bible Study? – “If that Christian book on your nightstand or if your women’s bible study points you back to you, then may I please encourage you to put it down and give it some thought?”

10 Articles on Pornography

10 Articles on Pornography – “Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, and, thanks to one surprising bestseller and its new film adaptation, the whole world is buzzing about pornography and deviant sexuality.” Here are some resources on the topic.

Singing Is the Language of Joy

Singing Is the Language of Joy – “Jesus is wonderful — so wonderful that all our challenges, disappointments, and weaknesses pale into insignificance. So wonderful that our hearts leap for joy over him.”

He Shall Give You a Comforter

He Shall Give You a Comforter – “Without him we can do nothing, but by his almighty energy the most extraordinary results can be produced: everything depends upon his manifesting or concealing his power.”

No Condemnation for Sin, but Plenty of Conviction by the Spirit

No Condemnation for Sin, but Plenty of Conviction by the Spirit – “We confess under-believing the gospel and over-trusting in ourselves.”

The Supernatural Ordinariness of the Work of the Spirit

The Supernatural Ordinariness of the Work of the Spirit – “The Christian life is, by definition, a Spirit-generated and Spirit-empowered life; there is no other kind of life. Christian ministry is done in and by the Spirit; there is no other sort of ministry.”

Pride Is Poisoning Your Happiness

Pride Is Poisoning Your Happiness – “Make no mistake, pride is perilous. The prideful person contends with God himself. That’s a battle you don’t want to wage and cannot win.”

We Live in a Very Fortunate Universe

We Live in a Very Fortunate Universe – “It is truly an exciting time to be a Christian. The science of the fine-tuning is giving us a glimpse, like never before, of the divine Architect, who thoughtfully designed this universe to support life.”

Christian Women and Erotica: the Silent Struggle You Cannot See

Christian Women and Erotica: the Silent Struggle You Cannot See – Fifty Shades Darker premieres this weekend and many Christian women are drawn to it. The author talks through the issues. 

God Hates Wicked People

God Hates Wicked People – “Clearly, God hates the thoughts, deeds, and desires of evil people. But further, in some way he hates the evil people themselves. His soul reacts to them with righteous revulsion as his arm extends toward them in holy fury. But who are the wicked? All of us.” 

What I Would Have To Deny To Deny Hell

What I Would Have To Deny To Deny Hell – “What would I have to deny in order to deny hell? If I am ever to come to the point of denying the existence of hell, what will be the doctrinal cost of getting there?”

“Social Media” Networks and the Christian Movement

“Social Media” Networks and the Christian Movement – This was an interesting historical perspective on the distribution of God’s word.

Why You Should Avoid the Gospel of Comfort

Why You Should Avoid the Gospel of Comfort - It's a subtle killer of active faith.

How the Order of the Beatitudes Could Change Your Life

How the Order of the Beatitudes Could Change Your Life – “The order of the beatitudes shows you how to make progress in the Christian life.”

Are You Not Ready to Worship?

Are You Not Ready to Worship? – “Don’t expect them to be ready. Expect them to be needy.”

Looking for Romance

Looking for Romance – “If you’re searching for romance in your marriage, chances are you’re ignoring the most romantic things about your life.”

Are You Paralyzed by Pride?

Are You Paralyzed by Pride? – “If you’re paralyzed by a bad view of yourself, you probably don’t realize how bad you truly are or how good the gospel is.”

Lord, Make Me More Bold

Lord, Make Me More Bold – “Acts is full of instances where boldness was given in situations where no doubt the speakers were tempted with fear.”

8 'Christian' Virtues That Aren't Really Christian

8 'Christian' Virtues That Aren't Really Christian - And the alternatives that actually are.

The God Who Heals

The God Who Heals – “We need healing from a sin-sick soul.”

How Can I Delight in God's Word?

How Can I Delight in God's Word?​ – “Maybe you feel bad about not reading it. Maybe you want to get to a place where you delight in it, you just don’t know how to make the switch.”

No Words, No Gospel

No Words, No Gospel – “They will only see Jesus in us if they hear about him from us. There is no gospel without words.”

You Can Talk About Your Faith Without Being Annoying

You Can Talk About Your Faith Without Being Annoying – There are more effective ways.

The Deadly Deceit in Material Desires

The Deadly Deceit in Material Desires – “And with God’s help, I toss aside the lie that we find God’s blessing in easy circumstances, or in health, or in financial prosperity.”

Seven Costs of Disciple-Making

Seven Costs of Disciple-Making – “It’s essentially spiritual parenting — intentionally and relationally investing oneself in the spiritual growth and maturity of a few disciples — part of which is training those disciples to then disciple others who disciple others.”

Teachability

Teachability – “One of the great goals, to which each of us should aspire in our short lives, is that of becoming a teachable person.”

A Bridge or a Wall?

A Bridge or a Wall? – “Bridges are what we need right now, but there are three big reasons we don’t build them in our relationships.”

Treasuring Others

Treasuring Others – “Your brothers and sisters in Christ are one of your heavenly treasures.”

10 Myths About Africa Many Americans Believe

10 Myths About Africa Many Americans Believe – I’ve found this list to be true at every turn. If you would be interested in ministering in Zambia with me in July, there is an information meeting February 19.

A Double Remedy for a Downcast Spirit

A Double Remedy for a Downcast Spirit – “Is your spirit troubled today? Are you downcast in your spirit? Honestly cry out to God in prayer, turning your doubts into questions of faith. Then deliberately turn away from the messages your emotions are speaking to you and replace them with the unchanging truths of Scripture.”

Give Yourself to Constant & Committed Prayer!

Give Yourself to Constant & Committed Prayer! – “The goal of this essay is to exhort and plead with Christians to set daily aside to go into the ‘inner room’ and be alone with God -- to pray, to really pray, to call upon God fervently, passionately, unceasingly.”

Do I Really Need To Suffer?

Do I Really Need To Suffer? – “God means to bring out ‘the beauties and graces of true spiritual character’ in every one of his people. He does merely mean to, though. He also sovereignly arranges circumstances in the best possible way to bring it about.”

12 Trends That Shaped U.S. Religion Since the ’70s

12 Trends That Shaped U.S. Religion Since the ’70s – “What are the most significant changes and megatrends that have occurred in the U.S. since the mid-1970s? …Together, they constitute a remarkable revolution in the most basic assumptions of life — of family and intimate relationships, of work and residence, of thinking and speaking, of getting and spending.”

Photobombing Jesus

Photobombing Jesus – “Most of us don’t consciously desire to steal glory from God. Because we love Him, we want Him to be magnified. But if we are honest, we hope that when people see Jesus as amazing, they see us just as amazing.”

The Desire or the Opportunity?

The Desire or the Opportunity? – “The critical lesson is that if we crucify the desire, God will almost always shield us from the opportunity. And even if God may permit the devil to throw a spark of opportunity our way, there’s nothing in the heart that will easily catch fire.”

The FAQs: The Johnson Amendment and Political Speech in Churches

The FAQs: The Johnson Amendment and Political Speech in Churches – What is the Johnson Amendment (mentioned last week by President Trump) and what would repealing it mean for churches? 

Report: Global Spike In Cohabitation Is Destabilizing Children’s Lives

Report: Global Spike In Cohabitation Is Destabilizing Children’s Lives – “This study firmly shows that across the world marriage confers the best chances for stability for children. Yet adults are increasingly choosing not to provide their kids that optimal environment.”

The Headache and Hope of Multi-Ethnic Ministry

The Headache and Hope of Multi-Ethnic Ministry – Here is a good biblical perspective with practical applications.

What Are Some Important Things to Remember When Sharing the Gospel with Muslims?

What Are Some Important Things to Remember When Sharing the Gospel with Muslims? - This brief video provides some valuable insights.

Forgiveness Isn't an Option

Forgiveness Isn't an Option - What we get wrong about it

The School of Prayer

The School of Prayer – “I love reading books on prayer, but sometimes I wonder if I like reading books on prayer more than I like praying. Reading comes naturally to me, prayer does not. Reading is easy to understand, prayer is not.”

Living Each Day As a Come-to-Jesus-Meeting

Living Each Day As a Come-to-Jesus-Meeting – Here is a perspective worth offering to the Lord today.