Prayer stands at the heart of a thriving ministry. Long hours for the church, frequent pastoral visiting, vigorous study, and passionate preaching—unless the Lord gives his blessing, all these labors are in vain (Ps 127:1-2). God loves to bless his…
If we were reading the Gospels for the first time, what might we expect to happen immediately after the baptism of Jesus? It is a breathtaking moment. The heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father declares…
At a recent talk at the Shepherds Conference, Paul Washer spoke of his meeting with John MacArthur at MacArthur’s home some months (4?) before his death. Washer said that he spoke in a manner that ought to be done far…
Let me guess what is going through your head right now. Women: “Oh, wonderful, a discussion on modesty. Give me a minute while I prepare myself for another legalistic diatribe that tells us we have to dress like old-fashioned grandmas…
Amy and Julie live next door. They have a golden retriever, a backyard flock of chickens, two adult children from previous heterosexual marriages, and extensive PRIDE paraphernalia perennially decorating the front porch. Ten years ago, they were living in a…
We are a people who want things quickly and easily. We have moved from dial-up internet to immediate access to the world’s information in our pockets. We grow impatient when our devices lag, embrace the microwave and the instant pot,…
To what end has God given his church pastors? Certainly we can say that one end is that faithful under-shepherds shepherd the sheep well! That is, pastors are given by God to help church members know, love, and follow Jesus…
It has attained the status of a Christian motto: “Attempt great things for God.” Some people are surprised to learn that these words aren’t in the Bible but were spoken by the pioneering missionary William Carey. As disciples of Christ,…
On his first missionary journey Paul said something startling to the believers in Derbe. He said, “[through] many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”[1] Nearly twenty years later, toward the end of Paul’s life, while in his last…
One passage cherished for Advent reflection is Isaiah 9:6. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,…
