Walking through a Psalm of Resurrection
Psalm of Resurrection and God’s Surprising Grace Psalm of Resurrection reveals dramatic reversals. David experienced God’s power turning near-death into life, sorrow into joy, and silence into singing. This psalm […]
What It Takes to Call Out Unrighteousness
April 2, 2026 What does it take to correctly call a beloved cultural custom “unrighteous”? To call a lewd TV show everyone’s watching unrighteous. To call a dishonest yet winning […]
Who Is Hannah in the Bible?
Hannah lived at the end of the period of the Judges (approximately 1100 B.C.) in Israel. The Bible records her story in 1 Samuel. Many women (and their husbands) will […]
Get ’Em in the River
Ever since I sat in a river named Río Espíritu Santo in Puerto Rico last year, my approach to discipleship has shifted slightly. The river’s name in English literally means […]
Hearing God in a Culture of Instant Answers
We live in an instant answer culture. Google has trained us to expect answers now! However, the answers it gives are based more on algorithm than truth. AI is training […]
My Church Has Small Groups—So We’re Doing Discipleship, Right?
This just in: The church’s mission is to make disciples. Not just programs, processes, or worship gatherings. The mission has always been the same since Matthew 28 . . . […]
Who Were the Pharisees?
Who were the Pharisees? Ask that question in a Bible study at pretty much any church and you’re likely to hear answers like: “Hypocrites.” “Legalists.” “Self-righteous religious leaders who opposed […]
What We Learn from William Borden (Borden of Yale)
“Lord Jesus, I take hands off as far as my life is concerned. I put Thee on the throne in my heart. Change, cleanse, use me as Thou shalt choose. […]
Choosing Small Acts of Courage
Sometimes in life it only takes 20 seconds of insane courage to do something extraordinary. At least that is the way the movie We Bought a Zoo summarizes it. In […]
Finding What Matters (It’s Different in Retirement)
If you have met me, chances are good that you also have met my ego. It’s hard to miss. It usually dominates conversations, going on and on about its accomplishments, […]
Masculinity Is Not Inherently Toxic…and Neither Is Empathy
We don’t do nuance very well these days… We tend to take complex realities, find their absolute worst expressions, and then decide the whole thing must be the problem. If […]
Having Cancer in the Name of the Lord Jesus
Colossians 3:1-17 is one of the first extended passages of Scripture I attempted to memorize. It’s worth spending time reading, praying, and reflecting on, whether you commit it to memory […]
Beginning with the Beginning in Mind
When I was a kid, my dad was a certified instructor for Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, primarily in corporate settings. As a result, nearly every car […]
Who Were the Twelve Apostles?
During Jesus’ ministry, great crowds of people gathered around him to listen to his teaching. Some of those in the crowds committed themselves to him and became his disciples. Then, […]
What Does “Set Apart” Look Like in a Regular 9 to 5?
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those chosen, living as exilesdispersed abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of […]
Marriage & Relationships: 20+ Resources
When marriages are loving and faithful, they point people to Jesus’ unending love for us (see Ephesians 5:25-33). When marriages fall, they propel debris and destruction like a crumbling tower […]
Where Christian Leadership Begins: Q&A with Jaron Scott
*Editor’s Note: Jaron Scott pastors Christ’s Church of Joplin and works on the faculty of Ozark Christian College as a professor of organizational leadership. Here, Jaron explains how Christian leadership […]
Costly Obedience and the Restoration Movement
The Restoration Movement emerged from a collective belief that Jesus’ prayer in John 17 called for obedience rather than admiration. Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell thought that Christian division […]
Is it my fault my adult children don’t believe?
Raising children carries an unavoidable companion: guilt. If you haven’t felt it yet, you will. I remember the first time I disciplined my daughter. She was five years old and, […]
Swallowed Up: What One Hebrew Word Reveals About Victory and Death
Many people associate the story of Jonah with a giant fish. If you look at most children’s Bibles, the fish fiasco seems to be the main point of the story. […]
Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is Near…and It’s Here
Have you ever looked for something all over your desk, kitchen counter, or workbench with no success only to see it magically appear right where you were looking one minute […]
What Does “God Fearing” Mean?
What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “God fearing”? One of the first things I picture is an old movie. Maybe it’s even black and white. And one […]
Transfigured by Beholding Jesus
When you think of God, what do you see? I know God is Spirit, but Jesus is God—and so when you think of Him, what does His face look like? […]
Seven Churches of Revelation: The Church in Pergamum
Going on the road north from Smyrna you would travel along the coast for 40 miles, then you’d go northeast up the valley. Ten miles east from the shore was […]
Eternal Life…Now?
Heaven. When Christians think of eternal life in heaven, we may think of the imagery of heaven: gold streets, pearly gates, mansions, other believers, and the presence of God. We […]
Bible Verses About Peace in the New Testament
Words Translated as Peace In the New Testament, many usages come from the Greek root eiréné (εἰρήνη), meaning “peace,” but other words include hésuchios (ἡσύχιος) and hésuchazó (ἡσυχάζω), both of […]
It’s Okay to Grieve More Than One Thing
January 28, 2026 I have an engineer friend whose art teacher noticed something peculiar about him in elementary school. When asked to draw a picture of their house, every student […]
The Last Will Be First, and the First Will Be Last
The week of Jesus’ crucifixion, beginning with his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, his parables and teaching grew increasingly sharp in his condemnation of the religious leaders. He also continued to […]
Fighting Apathy
Apathy means, “I don’t care.” Ignorance means, “I don’t know.” Complacency means, “I am satisfied with my current status.” Laziness means, “I don’t feel like doing anything.” There may be […]
Reflecting on the St. Paul Church Protesters
January 21, 2026 Minnesota’s Twin Cities have erupted again. A large deployment of President Trump’s ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents in the area met with icy resistance. Protests […]
The Sound of Silence: Being Still and Knowing God
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10, NIV) I am really […]
6 Ways People Read the Bible
People throughout history have done all sorts of things with Bibles. Some have bought them and left them on shelves. Others have burned them in book burnings. Bibles have been […]
Bible Verses About Peace in the Old Testament
Putting it lightly, the Bible has a lot to say about peace. In fact, in the King James translation, the English word “peace” appears about 470 times, making it one […]
10 Bible Verses About Forgiveness
Forgiveness is one of the core elements of Christianity. There is no other religion or supposed deity that offers forgiveness as God does. Forgiveness is the “intentional act of ceasing […]
When a Christian Leader Has a Moral Failure
What do we do when we see moral failure in a Christian, especially a Christian leader? Maybe you have seen news come out recently about Philip Yancey, a Christian author […]
Learning to Fight Like David
One of the best examples of fight comes from the famous story of David and Goliath. Even if you’ve never picked up a Bible in your life, you probably know […]
When Resistance Comes: 3 Options
The following is an excerpt from Josh Branham’s book What Are You Waiting For?: A Young Leader’s Guide to Changing the World, from his chapter on Fight. Everything fell apart […]
What Is God Like?
How would you answer the question, “What is God like?” Here’s the answer we’ll explore in this article: “The God of the Bible is perfectly loving and good, knows all […]
Words of the Wise
I wonder what percentage of the human population has been wiped out because of cancerous human words. I wonder what percentage of people’s souls have been crushed because of words—said […]
Politics Is Downstream from Culture? Exploring the Other Side of the Coin
December 30, 2025 Amen to the Warning About Political Idolatry First, a hearty amen to Daniel and Bobby’s recent and excellent article, “The Birth of Our King and Our Country’s […]
A Merry Christmas in a Divided World
Kids start learning long division in 4th-5th grade. This is also around the same time many of them will learn about even longer divisions that apply to our world. Maybe […]
Stolen Jesus
Stop me if you have heard this one before…. “Belgian authorities are mystified over a brazen theft over the weekend from a Christmas Nativity scene of an icon of infant […]
What Was Mary’s Song?
When faced with an unbelievable situation, we often fall back on our upbringing, education, or experience to deal with it. Mary’s reaction to the announcement from the angel in Luke […]
What Are Angels in the Bible?
What are angels in the Bible? Starting out, it’s helpful to clarify that the original words often translated as angel do not always refer to supernatural, angelic beings. The Hebrew […]
What are Seraphim in the Bible?
The Hebrew word śārāp̄ appears seven times in the Old Testament and is used to describe both a serpent and a class of supernatural beings (seraph/seraphim). References to a serpentine […]
Christmas & Faith for the Long Game
It’s not a regular feature in your average Christmas play narrative, but it should be. His name was Simeon, and we can only find him in Luke’s gospel, chapter 2. History […]
Why I’m Excited About the Future of the Restoration Movement
Full disclosure: I’ve been a part of a “Restoration Movement” church since preschool. If I sound like a “Campbellite,” it could be due to being dyed in the wool as […]
What Are Cherubim in the Bible?
Beyond the scope of angels/archangels are two other categories of beings that have rightly or wrongly been conflated with the descriptions of angels. Those categories/terms are cherubim and seraphim. Whether […]
Seven Churches of Revelation: The Church in Smyrna
The city of Smyrna is actually the only one of the cities of the Seven Churches of Revelation still around. It is modern-day Izmir, Turkey. Traveling from Ephesus, the first […]
The Vanity of Knowledge: Aiming for Wisdom in an Artificial World
With what set of assumptions do you begin as you open the pages of Scripture? I find myself in agreement with James B. Jordan, Protestant theologian, with Matteiu Paggeau, the […]
What Did Jesus Look Like?
Legend says that when Leonardo da Vinci painted The Last Supper he used a young man’s face as a model for Jesus’s that radiated the Christ’s nobility, wisdom, and gentleness. […]
Bible Verses About Anxiety
To understand what the Bible says about anxiety—and to understand anxiety itself—it’s helpful to look at the words that are translated as anxiety through Scripture. In the Old Testament, what’s […]
What is Spiritual Success?
While most people are chasing the idea of being “successful,” what if we got the definition of success wrong? What if we don’t even know what success really is? Which […]
Is Smoking a Sin?
It’s a question I’ve been asked more than once—especially since God moved our congregation into the heart of our city and we began walking closely with people experiencing homelessness, addiction, […]
Meekness: Strength Under Control?
December 6, 2025 Once upon a time, so the legend goes, there was a man named Xenophon who loved horses. He loved horses so much that he wrote an entire […]
Fear and Faith: Understanding Islam with Courage and Compassion
As someone who teaches, speaks, and trains the church to share Christ with Muslims, I often encounter two vital questions: “Can we be concerned about Islamic ideology without fearing Muslims?” […]
Pastors and Workplace Leaders: A Two-Way Street to Kingdom Impact
In today’s cultural seismic shifts, the boundary between sacred and secular continues to blur—and that’s a positive development. As pastors, we have a unique opportunity to extend our influence beyond […]
What to Appreciate About N. T. Wright
The following is an excerpt from John Whittaker’s N. T. Wright: A Theological Appraisal. For the full eBook, click HERE. Personally, I am grateful for the teaching of N. T. […]
Pray for India’s Persecuted Church
The early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42, NIV). Prayer was their lifeline, their strength, and […]
Do You Still Believe in God?
Today, during worship, my wife handed me her phone. She had received a text from an old friend from high school. Her friend was clearly exasperated, frustrated, and searching. “In […]
The Hazard of Comparing Ourselves to Others
One of the more charming elements of the modern workplace is the conducive environment it provides for comparing yourself to others. Sometimes it feels like we are all in one […]
How to Extend Your Thanksgiving Meal
What’s the most encouraging note a teacher wrote on your report card? Maybe it was, “Great job this quarter!” Or “Fantastic job bringing your math grade up!” The earliest comment […]
Summary of the Book of Enoch: Five Sections
1 Enoch naturally divides into five sections: The Book of Watchers (1-36), The Book of Parables (37-71), The Astronomical Book (72-82), the Book of Dream Visions (83-90), and the Letter […]
Have You Developed a Theology of Leadership?
Everybody who leads has a philosophy of leadership. Every leader from Michael Scott to Genghis Khan has absorbed principles and values that guide them. If you are a Christian leader, […]
When You Have Eaten and Are Satisfied: On Wealth and Forgetting God
Now that you have wealth, you’ve crossed over into the financial promised land. Or have you? From the days of Adam, God cursed man with the burden of painful toil […]
Leadership Without Vision?
When we talk about leadership we talk about vision. But is vision what truly makes leaders successful? The answer might surprise us. I recently did a deep dive into three […]
Seven Churches in Revelation: The Church in Ephesus
The book of Revelation is addressed to seven churches in Asia Minor, the first of which is the church in Ephesus. In this article, we’re going to take a look […]
30 Days of Prayer for Your Children
Prayer, as a spiritual discipline, requires time, effort, and consistency. The same goes for praying for your children. This 30-day prayer guide I’ve put together can help you cultivate the […]
The Deceitfulness of Wealth?
Wealth, like sex, drugs, and fame, has an unusually strong effect on people. Everyone knows sex, drugs, and fame will seriously influence us, but for some reason, we resist the […]
Summary of the Book of Enoch: Background and Purpose
A recent ad on X (formerly Twitter) promoted a tweet by the “Apostle John Welty” (if you doubt his apostleship, know his account is verified with a blue check). He […]
Why This Moment Calls for a Better Vision Than Christian Nationalism
In the days since we began working on this article, the public conversation about Christian nationalism has taken center-stage once again. The recent civil war between Tucker Carlson and Ben […]
Jesus and the Buddha: What Happened After They Died?
What happened to Gautama (the Buddha) and to Jesus after their deaths? While Christians have historically held that Jesus rose from the dead and then, forty days later, ascended to […]
Mark, Me, and the Making of Second Chances
The second book in the New Testament bears his name. However, he’s not the actual source of the original content for the narrative and teaching of Jesus. Most biblical historians […]
What’s Halloween Supposed to Be About?
What’s Halloween supposed to be about? It is difficult for 21st century Americans to comprehend why people persecute their neighbors for religious reasons. Nonetheless, people have persecuted others for religious […]
From Cornfield to City: How One Congregation Followed Jesus into the Heart of Middletown
There’s a moment every week that still catches me off guard because it’s so new. Unhoused men and women, some still recovering from addiction, gather alongside longtime believers on a […]
Barriers to Spiritual Growth in the Book of Acts
Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey that is often shaped as much by resistance as by resolve. The Book of Acts offers more than a historical account of the early […]
What Is Repentance and What Does It Look Like?
In the first-century Jewish world, large numbers of people were drawn to the simple message of repentance. Both John the Baptist and Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven […]
Battle-Ready Discipleship
Why do so many Christians crumble under cultural pressure? Why do churches so often resemble spiritual daycare instead of boot camp? The Church cannot afford to raise spectators. We must […]
Will the Real Saul of Tarsus Please Stand Up?
Updated October 24, 2025. One of the most important figures in the New Testament is the apostle Paul. Once a zealous persecutor of Christians, Jesus came to him in a […]
Young Jesus in the Temple: the Search (Part 2)
For Part 1 of this imaginative recounting of young Jesus in the Temple (“An Insuperable Assignment”), click HERE. The parents spent the Feast visiting friends and family and touring the […]
Who Were Naomi and Ruth in the Bible?
Naomi and Ruth lived during the period of the Judges, probably during the time of Gideon, around 1200 B.C. Their story is told in the Book of Ruth in the […]
Why Record-Breaking Moments Won’t Build Your Church—And What Will
Somewhere right now, a man is running across a desert without stopping. A teenager is holding his breath longer than most of us could survive. And a chef is stacking […]
Saying ‘No’ Can Sometimes Be the Right ‘Yes’
It’s amazing how often Jesus stopped to respond to the needs of others. He made time for a blind beggar calling out from the roadside, welcomed mothers who wanted Him […]
The Character of God: Compassionate
If you ask someone, “What is God like?” you’ll get a variety of answers. I posed this question on Facebook last year. From dense theological explanations to quick two-word descriptions […]
Devoted Thomas
Thomas gets a bad rap. History has labeled him “Doubting Thomas” for one moment when he had the bad fortune of not being present when the resurrected Jesus appeared. When […]
Os Guinness: Our Nation’s Survival and the Necessity of Revival?
Author’s Note: Os Guinness knows the history of revivals. He is an internationally respected author, social critic, and cultural analyst who has written or edited more than thirty books, including […]
Make Your Small Groups Like A.A.
Instead of church small groups looking and feeling like a classroom, small groups should look and feel more like A.A. That’s right…Alcoholics Anonymous. To truly make disciples of Jesus, people […]
Finding Our Identity in Christ—Not Our Personalities
We are all created in God’s image, but we each have a unique role to fill in his kingdom. Our identity is equally secure and beloved in Christ, yet our […]
Facing Cultural Hostility with Cultural Apologetics
October 6, 2025 @NeilShenvi – I understand the desire to “not mix Christianity and politics.” But open, vigorous debate about which policies *actually* align with biblical values seems vastly preferable […]
When a Famous Christian Dies
One of the sadder facets of building a personal library is pausing every few years to realize how many of your favorite authors are now dead. I recall the first […]
Hollow and Deceptive Philosophies: A Meditation on the Difficulty of Colossians 2:8
What I am going to try to articulate here is something that has been on my mind for some time. The seeds of these thoughts were not planted by the […]
Failing VS Falling Away
“But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32, NIV) Today, when we’re on the […]
You Shall Not Make Idols
“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not […]
Spiritual Blessings: Seeing the Gifts We’ve Already Received
From AD 54-68, the Roman emperor was Nero. Here are some of the hallmarks of his reign: He married five people (three women and two men), having one of his […]
What’s Sunday Really For?
Back in the 1950s, the Austrian zoologist Konrad Lorenz discovered a fact of nature everyone should know: ducklings, it turns out, are gullible. Arriving in the world without any innate […]
You Can Evangelize.
*This article was adapted from Dylan Kirkland, Starting Your Journey with Jesus: A 30-Day Devotional for New Christians. Evangelism is a spiritual rhythm that every disciple of Jesus can and […]
Worship Leaders and Identity
For those of us that are musicians and worship leaders, where does our identity come from? Is it in our musical talents? Our artistic spirit? Our ability to lead a […]
VIDEO: Review of Jordan Peterson’s ‘We Who Wrestle with God’
In We Who Wrestle with God, psychologist Jordan Peterson weighs in on the meaning of foundational stories from the Hebrew Bible. According to Peterson, what are the messages we should […]
Questioning God: 5 Questions Asked of God in the Old Testament
How well do you handle unresolved questions? When the answer is as pointed as a ball of spaghetti noodles—“Well, that’s a good question . . . various answers have been […]
Dear Divorced Christian
Dear divorced Christian, You are not what was done to you. You are not the choices you made in the fog of sorrow or survival. Divorce may be a chapter, […]
The Killing of Charlie Kirk: A Tragedy in Three Dimensions
Updated September 13, 2025 Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed this week while speaking at a university in Utah. The 31-year-old was fielding questions on his “Prove Me […]
Spiritual But Not Religious? Reflections on Balaam
Have you heard the phrase or maybe even said it yourself: “I’m spiritual but not religious”? It’s a description that has become so widely used in America and the West […]
Dear Disciple, It’s Okay to Grieve What You’ve Lost
Dear young disciple, You have come so far in your journey with Christ, and I am proud of you. I know it doesn’t feel like you’ve developed and grown much, […]
Review of Jordan Peterson’s ‘We Who Wrestle with God’
Jordan Peterson is a cultural phenomenon. His books are bestsellers (12 Rules for Life has sold over 10 million copies!). His online video lectures and in-person lecture tours have captivated […]
In the Wake of Minneapolis: Why We Must Be Honest About the Mental Health Crisis in the LGBTQ Community
On the morning of August 27, 2025, during Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, a 23-year-old transgender individual, identified as Robin Westman, opened fire through stained-glass windows, killing two […]
Pastoral Burnout: Intentional Times of Reflection
Author’s note: This is my sixth and final article in a series dealing with pastoral burnout. Recent Barna research revealed that 33% of ministers had given serious thought to quitting. […]
Jesus and the Buddha: How Did They Die?
Both Jesus and the Buddha anticipated their deaths and then died. What can we learn from these two deaths about the respective religions they founded? And, since everybody values the […]
How the Ordinary Becomes Holy
We say Jesus began his ministry at thirty—but the Greek text never says that. Luke 3:23 reads, “Jesus, when he began, was about thirty years of age…” Most English translations […]
Why Connect with People of a Different Worldview?
What does it mean for Christians to connect with people of a different worldview? Here’s what we mean: it’s cultivating relationships with and learning from people whose perspective differs significantly […]
What Does a Maturing Disciple of Jesus Look Like?
“That I be so transformed in your beauty that we may be alike in beauty, and both behold ourselves in your beauty, possessing then your very beauty; this, in such […]
More Thoughts and Prayers, Please
August 29, 2025 “No more thoughts and prayers. We need action.” It’s beyond disturbing how mass shootings have become all too frequent in the U.S. (Even one is too many.) […]
What is the Gospel: And How Do We Respond?
It may be the most important word in Scripture. At its core, gospel means good news. In the ancient world, it marked a turning point—“Something has happened…and because it happened, […]
Out of Ur: Halfway Isn’t Home
We all long for home. Deep down, every one of us has a homesickness that nothing in this world quite satisfies. I’m not just talking about a familiar place or […]
Don’t Let Anger Preach Your Sermon
We often pray, “Your Kingdom come, your will be one, on earth as it is in heaven.” But what if the greatest barrier to God’s Kingdom being seen through us […]
Summary of Revelation: Understanding the Basics of Revelation in the Bible
Here is a short summary of Revelation: Revelation is a letter written to the seven churches of Asia as a prophecy in the form of apocalyptic literature. It uses drama […]
Does the Bible Say the Earth is Flat?
In study of the scriptures, even during the time of Jesus, there are some questions that are far more loaded than they need to be. Think back to when the […]
For Those Making Pilgrimage Through Spiritual Landscapes
I have always loved road trips. Mostly for the view and the scenery. It’s the adventure of discovering different landscapes I love most. That and traversing God’s good creation. On […]
Paul the Missionary: How Suffering Propelled His Mission
*Author’s Note: Paul’s encounter with Christ led him to a greater understanding of the faith, and from that encounter, Paul developed a theology of mission that affected everything about him, […]
Christformation and Embracing Forgiveness
What is God up to in our lives? When we look throughout Scripture, we see that, above all, God is restoring his image in us so we can be fruitful […]
Calvinism: Perseverance of the Saints?
The most well-known feature of Calvinism is its famous five points, often referred to by Calvinists as “the doctrines of grace” and represented by the acronym TULIP.[1] There is much […]
Is It a Sin to Be a Billionaire?
August 5, 2025 In this post, I’m going to do something very unpopular. I’m going to defend billionaires. Kind of. First, a little context. Recently, I’ve seen people—some who are […]
Wild at Heart After 25 Years
*Editor’s Note: How should Christians view masculinity? As something godly to be cultivated? As something toxic to be suppressed? John Eldredge’s 2001 New York Times bestseller Wild at Heart: Discovering […]
Jesus and the Buddha: How Did They Help People?
When people spent time with Jesus, how was he able to help them? When people interacted with the Buddha, in what ways did the interaction benefit them? In this article, […]
Chip and Joanna Gaines and the Quiet Drift of the Church
Chip and Joanna Gaines are a husband-and-wife duo best known for their hit series Fixer Upper, where they combined home renovation with warm, family-centered storytelling to win over audiences across […]
Build the Ark: Noah, Meaning, and the Church in an Age of Collapse
One of the first things the Bible teaches us—right there in Genesis—is that God is a God of order. God separates: light from darkness, sea from sky, meaning from murk. […]
What DID Jesus Do?
I was in middle school when I got my first WWJD bracelet. It was a black silicone band with white letters, and I can still remember how it felt on […]
Jesus Told Us to Go Bird Watching?
If I’m honest, I sometimes feel a little embarrassed going on walks with my parents. Why? Well…my mom and dad…are bird watchers. Mom, Dad, I know that you’re probably reading […]
Summary of Ezekiel: Understanding the Basics of Ezekiel in the Bible
The book of Ezekiel is titled after the name of the prophet Ezekiel, son of Buzi who was among the exiles of Babylon. What do we know about this unusual […]
Has Worry Replaced Wonder?
Sometimes fear crushes our imagination. Nearly 130 years ago, two young dreamers named Wilbur and Orville Wright ran a bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio. They came from an influential and […]
Just Over the Horizon
When the apostle John was just a small child, he likely made his first pilgrimage to the holy city of Jerusalem with his family. His father Zebedee, his mother Salome, […]
Who Is the Beast in Revelation?
Editor’s Note: There seem to be as many interpretations of the book of Revelation as there are readers. It’s true that we find core Christian truths in Revelation— truths which […]
A Case for Bible Words
Each culture develops its own language. This is true not only within ethnic cultures but within subcultures. Within the basketball culture there are words such as “cut,” “flare screen,” “zone,” […]
A Letter to My Fifteen-Year-Old Self
*Editor’s Note: If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would you say? How would you advise your younger self in navigating the difficulties? What would you […]
Calvinism: Irresistible Grace?
The most well-known feature of Calvinism is its famous five points, often referred to by Calvinists as “the doctrines of grace” and represented by the acronym TULIP.[1] There is much […]
The Heart Is Deceitful: Reflections on Pharaoh’s Divided Heart
“We are never better deceived than when we deceive ourselves.”[1] “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal [but not equal to God], that they […]
What do I do when tragedy strikes? Here are 5 action steps.
Bad news is everywhere. It’s easy to become calloused when you hear so many tragic stories of everything going on in the world. Our hearts can’t handle the constant barrage […]
Giving Your Family the Best of You
I’ll never forget a story I heard once about a father who had to stay late in the office to finish up some work. He felt so guilty about the […]
What Is Biblical Manhood? (Part 2)
Editor’s Note: We live in an era of confusion and hurt when it comes to the question of what it means to be a real man. Should we see manhood […]
Is Discipleship the Wrong Paradigm for the Church Today?
*Editor’s Note: Is Jesus-style disciple making the core mission of the church today—or was it meant to be a pre-Pentecost paradigm? Does contemporary disciple making work? Or does it leave […]
5 Ways to Pray with Your Kids
How do our children see God based on the way we pray? Do they picture Him as the almighty Creator of the universe, the Shepherd of their souls, the One […]
Transgender Interventions for Minors: Conversation with Senator Jack Johnson
June 26, 2025 *Editor’s Note: Can church leaders be a voice of wisdom to politicians—without being seduced by political power? Can church leaders speak up to their churches regarding pieces […]
Celebrating Unborn Life with Light
June 24, 2025 Three years since the overturning of Roe v. Wade When God said, “Let there be light,” He glorified the moments of creation with His own light. Light […]
Salvation: We Have Been, Are Being, and Shall Be Saved
When I was a kid, around ten years old, my mom took me to a big revival meeting in some large municipal auditorium in our city. I forget who was […]
Abiding Prayer: a Posture of Simply Being with God
Author’s note: This is my fifth article dealing with pastoral burnout. Recent Barna research revealed that 33% of ministers had given serious thought to quitting.[1] My own research for a […]
Calvinism: Limited Atonement?
The most well-known feature of Calvinism is its famous five points, often referred to by Calvinists as “the doctrines of grace” and represented by the acronym TULIP.[1] There is much […]
Sola Scriptura: Are the Scriptures Our Final Authority?
Understanding Sola Scriptura and Its Role in Church Authority Today Is Scripture the church’s ultimate authority? This article explores the Protestant view of Sola Scriptura, which upholds the Bible as […]
A Jesus-Centered Approach to Technology: Why This Article Was Not Written With AI
How Technology Shapes Us: Embracing a Christ-Centered Approach in a Digital World A Jesus-Centered Approach to Technology invites reflection. Explore how faith and discernment guide our use of AI in […]
Act Like Men?
Growing up, I thought the Marine Corps had the best recruiting commercials out of all the armed services. Maybe that’s why I spent so much time in the Marine recruiting office […]
What Is Biblical Manhood? (Part 1)
Editor’s Note: We live in an era of confusion and hurt when it comes to the question of what it means to be a real man. Should we see manhood […]
When I Find Myself Running Ahead of Jesus
“You’re not struggling to hear me, So I’m not striving to be heard I am sure the One who made me, Is catching every word When You’re this close, I […]
Teen Counseling Insights from the Book of Job: The Need for Listening & Encouragement
AUTHOR’S NOTE: One of the best ways we can learn what people in crisis need is by examining case studies of people who have successfully survived a crisis. The biblical […]
What Disciple Making Churches are Actually Doing
In my last article, I (Paul) shared stories from church leaders who are working to shift away from a purely attractional model and embracing a culture of disciple making. I […]
The Music of Worship: What Jacob Collier Reminds Us About the Heart of Discipleship
If you have not yet stumbled upon the musical phenomenon that is Jacob Collier, it is worth pausing for a moment to witness it. Collier, a young British musician whose […]
10 Reasons I Go To Church
I’ve heard it said, “We aren’t called to go to church. We are called to be the church.” Halfway true. Here’s the problem with that statement. Being and going strengthen each other. I can’t imagine how the being part […]
How Should Christians Think About the Law of Attraction?
Imagine this scenario: You’ve hit a tough season in your life. Maybe you feel spiritually dry because of it, and you’re tired of going through the motions each day only […]
Teen Counseling Insights from the Book of Job: The Need for Dignity & Presence
AUTHOR’S NOTE: One of the best ways we can learn what people in crisis need is by examining case studies of people who have successfully survived a crisis. The biblical […]
Disciple Making, Matthew Bates, and 5-Point Calvinism: Q&A with Bill Hull
*Editor’s Note: Our mission at RENEW.org is to “renew the teachings of Jesus to Fuel Disciple Making,” so we want to take note of an important debate that is currently […]
Worship That Walks: a Restoration Reading of Acts 3
It’s a small detail, easily missed, but it shows the power of worship to energize discipleship. Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, […]
Fasting in the Old & New Testaments
Fasting in the Bible is a setting aside of time to abstain from food to repent from sin and seek God. We see this practice span both Old and New […]
What Jesus Said About Fasting: When You Fast…
Growing up in Pakistan, I often heard from my Muslim friends that Christian fasting is incomplete and improper because Christians drink or eat during their fast. In Islam, Muslims are […]
Igniting Disciple Making Movements in North America: Four Crucial Steps
There’s a question I get asked. A lot. The question church leaders ask me is, “Josh, why do you think disciple making movements are happening in places like China and India […]
You Are Standing on Holy Ground
“Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your shoes, for you are standing on holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5, NLT) “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who […]
The Untapped Power of Prayer
“I’m praying for you” is a familiar phrase that you have either given to someone, or they’ve given to you, with the intent to bring comfort. While it is encouraging […]
Should We Use Generative AI Chatbots for Ministry?
Editor’s Note: Is generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) a morally neutral tool helpful for generating sermon outlines and small group discussions? Or is it something attractive on the surface but deceptive […]
Discomfort, a Missing Ingredient in Discipleship
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.” (John 14:15-16, NLT) As dean […]
Jesus Elevates Your Dignity
In the United States in the 1920s and 30s, life was very difficult for racially mixed children. This was especially true for a particular child, “Joseph,” born in 1928 to […]
Auschwitz and the Agnostic
It was in the spring of 2007, if I’m recalling correctly, that I first traveled to Slovakia. I was younger then, though not so young as to believe I had […]
Refusing to Believe: A Retelling of Jesus’ Appearance to Thomas
Young John escaped the ravenous agnosticism tormenting the other disciples by insightfully seeing meaning in the evidence Jesus left in the tomb: the nearly undisturbed shroud meant Jesus had levitated […]
The Shepherd
They come out of their gates each morning and follow him down the street because they know him. In the evening they slip back through their gates as he walks […]
I’ve Stopped Praying for Safety—And You Should Too
Growing up, I remember more than one man who, when appointed to lead Sunday morning’s closing prayer, would always conclude the final benediction along these lines: “and keep us all […]
Leading from the Subway: The Importance of Knowing Whom You Lead
Faced with one of the most daunting decisions to make, Winston Churchill found himself in a dilemma. One decision would plunge the United Kingdom into world war. The other choice […]
6 Tips from a Passionate Educator on Discipling Youth
*Editor’s Note: Dr. Tamara Turner is the Chief Executive Officer of Quality Education Academy, a premier public charter school in North Carolina. She is also a Christian who teaches Bible […]
Finding Your Way Again: Learning from King Josiah in the Bible
My wife and I were driving to a home we had never seen to help some friends who were preparing it for another family to move into. I typed the […]
What Does the Bible Say About Loneliness?
Before the pandemic, I think it’s safe to assume many people would not have thought of loneliness as a big issue. Maybe it was an unfortunate inconvenience, but one that […]
Roots and Renewal: Why History Matters
Over the greater part of a decade, I served as a missionary in Central Europe, where the currents of history run deep. If you have ever traveled through that part […]
What Does the Bible Say About Grief?
Let’s start with a little bit of Bible trivia. Do you know what the shortest verse is in the Bible? It’s John 11:35: “Jesus wept.” I’m willing to bet you […]
What Is Logic & Why Does It Matter? A Q&A with Dr. Winfried Corduan
*Editor’s Note: As Christians, we ought to strive to be the best thinkers we can be. Why? It’s because thinking reasonably is one of the hallmarks of humanity as God […]
The Purpose of Lent? An Invitation of Decrease and Increase
I never quite understood Ash Wednesday when I was younger. My home church never emphasized anything about Lent, or even Good Friday for that matter. In my experience growing up […]
A Lesson from the Church in Croatia
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35, NLT) In the years since Croatia’s break from the Socialist Federal Republic of […]
Why I Chose To Preach on Sexuality and Gender (Part 2)
My wife and I are blessed to have raised four children. I remember when we just had two. It seemed manageable at that point. We could play man-on-man defense. Then […]
The Importance of Reading Scripture Out Loud
It is a fascinating fact of intellectual history that, in antiquity, reading was not the silent, solitary endeavor we assume today, but rather an event of the spoken word—aural, communal, […]
Who’s on the Throne?
I’m going to be honest. I am hit—way more than I care to admit—with the realization that my agenda is my agenda and not God’s. I might have just preached a sermon […]
Summary of Joshua: Understanding the Basics of Joshua in the Bible
The book of Joshua is named after the primary character and likely author, Hoshea, son of Nun to whom Moses gave the name Joshua (Numbers 13:16). The title is the […]
Remembering Saint Patrick and Hope for Today
“Kiss me. I’m Irish!” That was the phrase on my friend‘s coffee mug. When I saw it, I thought, “I have no idea what that means, but I sure could […]
Preaching: The Importance of Context and Clarity
Middle school students have a way of humbling you. I was speaking at our student ministry’s midweek gathering and closed with a reference to the apostle Paul. Running short on […]
The Scoop on Happiness in Church
I believe summer nights should end with ice cream. And I don’t just mean frozen desserts; I mean ice cream. Frozen custard counts. Same for gelato. In a tight spot, […]
God’s Judgment: A Summons to Repent
One of the most important questions you can ever wrestle with is this: Which judge of your life matters most to you? Lots of people will have this or that […]
UFOs and the Bible? An Interview with Astronomer Dr. Hugh Ross
Do UFOs and the Bible have any business being in the same article together? Interstellar travel, interdimensional beings, aliens, hoaxes—what are Christians to think of UFOs and UFO reports? Does […]
Who Was Miriam in the Bible?
Miriam was one of the three siblings whom God appointed to rescue the Israelite nation from bondage in Egypt. A little background will help us understand Miriam’s place in time […]
Who Was Barnabas in the Bible? Reflections on Being a Man of Encouragement
“A personal relationship with Jesus Christ” has been a popular catchphrase in Western Christian circles for over a century. Theologically, there is merit in the phrase as we all must […]
What Is the Book of Enoch?
The Book of Enoch is perhaps one of the most widely known pieces of literature from the corpus known as the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. It purports to be the work […]
Don’t skip this step in evangelism!
There is one thing we are likely to skip when it comes to evangelism and discipleship but which makes all the difference: prayer. Okay, you may be better at it […]
God Does Not Give Us a Spirit of Fear
A meaningful conversation is like lightning. You never know when it is going to strike. On the way back from Dairy Queen, I had a conversation that changed the course […]
Idolatry in the Bible (and in Our Own Hearts)
Satan is always scheming and making efforts to tempt us, to dishearten us, and to break us with many other things that can take away our focus from God. The […]
The Book of Revelation Explained Simply
Do you ever like to experience the thrill of a good scare? For some of us growing up, that was what the book of Revelation was for. Perhaps as a […]
Bringing Our Expectations in Line with God’s Truth
“But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.” (Luke 7:30, NIV) What expectations have we placed […]
Why Does God Harden Pharaoh’s Heart?
Summary: Why does God harden Pharaoh’s heart in the book of Exodus? This article will explore how There is hope when we listen to God and unharden our hearts to […]
Relearning the Forgotten Art of Possibility
The following is an excerpt from Josh Branham’s book What Are You Waiting For?: A Young Leader’s Guide to Changing the World, from his chapter on Possibility. I don’t know […]
Bible Sales are up 22%. What Does That Mean?
I recently saw some good news in a Wall Street Journal article explaining that, according to book tracker Circana Bookscan, Bible sales have increased 22% since last fall, and signs […]
What We Must Learn from Andrew Tate Even If We Don’t Want To
What do you do with a man of arrogance and rebellion who inspires the hearts of countless young men and boys in a world deliberately set against them? What do […]
Sermon on the Mount: What Is Love in Christianity?
What is love in Christianity? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us about the love God has for us and we are called to have for each other. […]
How to Have a Successful Sabbatical: Timing, Structure, and Flow
Planning a pastoral sabbatical? Here’s your go-to guide, packed with wisdom gleaned from seasoned practitioners and personal insights from my recent transformative three-month renewal. Whether you’re seeking rest, clarity, or […]
What Kobe Bryant Taught Me About Following Jesus
As Christians living in the USA, we hear truths so often that they can lose their luster and impact. We hear that Jesus died for our sins and rose from […]
Why I Chose to Preach on Sexuality and Gender, Part 1
It is no secret that one of the most explosive topics of our day is sexuality and gender. For many decades, there has been a concerted effort to change the […]
2 Fundamental Reasons to Pray
In what follows, we want to share with you two of the most fundamental reasons we pray. God Calls Us to Pray The first reason to pray is that God, […]
How Can We Treat the Bible like Jesus Did?
In times of increasing skepticism about the Bible’s authority, we need to return to who Jesus is and how He viewed the Bible. (See articles 1 and 2 here.) How […]
Where Is God in the Fire? Reflections on the California Wildfires
January 27, 2025 Long Beach, CA “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a […]
Our Summer Sun and Winter Fire
Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter are seasons that we walk through, both literally and figuratively. The most evident seasons are winter and summer. The summer season of life is easy […]
The Quickest Path Isn’t Always the Best
Here is something I’ve learned about myself over the years: I tend to have a certain way I like to do things! I have a routine, a set pattern that […]
Esther: A Book of Reversals
“Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good […]
Renew Review: ‘The Anxious Generation’ by Jonathan Haidt
In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt describes how GenZ is overprotected in the real world—and underprotected in the virtual world. Professor Chad Ragsdale explores Haidt’s thesis and describes […]
6 Reasons to Get Humble
What’s so great about humility? Surely, there are virtues which are more fun to get. So, what makes humility worth cultivating? Here are a few reasons to get humble: #1 […]
Jesus and the Buddha: What Was Their Diagnosis of Humanity’s Problem?
According to Jesus and the Buddha, what is fundamentally wrong with humanity? As we will see, Siddhartha Gautama’s diagnosis of humanity undercuts the human problem by changing our perspective about […]
No Laughing Matters: Why We Ought to Laugh
Hopefully we can agree that we’re anxious, worried, and preoccupied with worst-case scenarios that are unlikely to materialize. We are told we are in an existential crisis, journeying in uncharted […]
A Surprising Spiritual Benefit of Fasting: Preparation for What’s to Come
We experience a major spiritual benefit of fasting even if God answers no to what we’re praying and fasting for. Through fasting, God prepares us for what’s to come. Fasting […]
3 Steps for Choosing Obedience When You Suffer
When I contemplate human suffering, two words come to my mind: lamb stew. One winter evening I joined a friend in her home for dinner. I looked forward to it […]
Review of ‘The Anxious Generation’ by Jonathan Haidt
The title of Jonathan Haidt’s new book is not remotely controversial or debatable. That Gen Z is a uniquely anxious generation is demonstrated time and time again both in anecdotal […]
Rejoice in Suffering for Your Faith
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as […]
Preach and Normalize Being a Disciple of Jesus
In a previous article on preaching and normalizing “King Jesus,” I argued that we want to avoid the false dichotomy of “King Jesus” vs. “Savior Jesus” by integrating and synthesizing […]
Managing Your Life: What Happens When You Do and Don’t
How exciting could it be to “manage my life”? Does it sound a little, well, boring? Yet what’s truly boring is living life in a way that doesn’t work. It gets […]
Who Was Mary in the Bible?
Imagine! The promised Savior would be born to an insignificant young Jewish woman, Mary, from an insignificant little town, Nazareth. Very little is revealed about Mary’s upbringing and circumstances other […]
How to Experience Joy
Bono once said, “Joy is an act of defiance.” I like the way he put it. A joy-filled disposition by a disciple of Jesus is an act of defiance against […]
Christmas & the Enemy
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV) Through all the wonder and […]
Summary of Hebrews: Understanding the Basics of Hebrews in the Bible
The book of Hebrews is a message written to a group of Jewish Christians who were on the brink of giving up their faith in Jesus and reverting to Judaism. […]
Our Identity in Crisis
From the moment we open our eyes and cry out for the first time, life sets us on this winding road where we begin trying to figure out who we […]
Jesus and the Buddha: How Did They Interact with Society?
It’s impossible to overstate the influence of Siddhartha Gautama over the Eastern world and Jesus Christ over the Western world. But how did they minister in society? In this article, […]
Seven Lessons from ‘The Confessions of St. Augustine’
“For Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it rest in Thee” (1.1). So begins the acclaimed memoir from St. Augustine of Hippo, the 4th Century […]
Come to the Water: Accepting Christ’s Invitation to Baptism
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do […]
Why Our Church Decided to Pray About the Transgender Bill
December 9, 2024 *Editor’s Note: When, if ever, should a church take a public stance over local legislation? Recently, the leaders of Harpeth Christian Church in Franklin, TN (located just […]
Letter to the Struggling Man in our Day
Hey brother, I heard you’ve been knocked around a bit lately, and I just wanted to stop by and see how things are going. Don’t worry, I won’t tell you […]
The Pitfalls of Winning
I am a sports fan. I admit it. I also admit that my mood can rise and fall with the success, or lack thereof, of my favorite teams. Some of […]
Carry Each Other’s Burdens
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NIV) We are living in the most connected age in history. The lightning-quick […]
The Surprising Power of Praying “Thank You”
The 2011 movie The Adventures of Tintin, directed by Steven Spielberg, was based on the popular European cartoon by Georges Remi (Hergé). Early in the movie, we are introduced to […]
What Does the Bible Say About Hell?
We live in a time when few people have difficulty believing in a God of love. Some central texts in Scripture emphasize this point. Here are a couple key passages […]
Sabbaticals: An Exploration on the What, Why, and How of Pastoral Sabbaticals
When I mentioned the idea of taking an extended sabbatical to our elder chairman, a man of proven character and wisdom, he hesitantly said, “Huh, okay . . . I […]
Fear and the Men without Names
If you’ve been around the church for a while, you’ve probably heard the names Joshua and Caleb. They were brave men who heard the promises of God and followed Him even in the […]
Which Definition of Love Do You Use?
Even if you don’t necessarily love New York, the odds are good that you or someone you know has one of those “I Love New York” mugs. If you don’t know what […]
The Prophecy of Simeon: How Jesus Causes the Falling & Rising of Many
Aged Simeon nestled the eight-day-old Jesus in his arms and murmured wonderingly to Joseph and Mary, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, […]
How to Preach with Consistency? Q&A with Dr. Jason Poznich
*Editor’s Note: With the demands of ministry and Sunday morning around the corner, it can be tempting to cut important corners in sermon preparation. Sometimes, it’s easy to emphasize what […]
Is It Possible to Vent without Gossiping?
We all need someone to talk to. And if we don’t talk about the things that bother us, we often internalize our angst in ways that can become debilitating and […]
Pastoral Burnout: How Silence and Solitude Restore Us
*Author’s note: This is my third article dealing with pastoral burnout. Recent Barna research revealed that 33% of ministers had given serious thought to quitting.[1] My own research for a […]
Revitalized Churches Pray, Preach, And Persist
I’ve wanted a Jeep Wrangler my entire life. In 2017, the stars seemed to align when I found the perfect Jeep and also stumbled across an argument that convinced my […]
What Does the Bible Say About Anxiety?
What comes to your mind when you think of the word “anxiety”? It reminds me of my first year in high school. I was (and still am) a small, 5’1”, […]
God’s Will…Period.
I’m sure you’re familiar with the Lord’s Prayer. I wonder if we get too familiar with the Lord’s Prayer. We know the words. We know them so well that if someone started […]
What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness?
My girls are ages five and eighteen months, and because we live in a bicultural US-Chinese home, the Nickelodeon show Ni Hao, Kai Lan (2007-2011) is a staple for our […]
Should Christians Watch Horror Movies?
His friends were aiming only to be able to laugh and say, “Made you look!” Yet Alypius would go a lot farther than one look. As his friends dragged poor, […]
Joy in Tough Times? 3 Reasons to Choose Joy from James 1:1-8
We all want what the Bible calls “joy.” We want that gladness that keeps going no matter what life throws our way. But in order to have joy in your […]
What Is the Day of the Lord? And So What?
Think of a problem, pain, or predicament you’re facing right now. What is it? Perhaps something related to a difficulty in your relationships? Or an inner struggle with sadness, shame, […]
Who was Jezebel in the Bible? It depends on your worldview.
Who was Jezebel in the Bible? She was a Phoenician princess who became a queen of Israel. As the wife of King Ahab, Queen Jezebel forcefully introduced Baal worship into […]
What Does the Bible Say about Mediums?
When I was younger, I didn’t believe in things like ghosts, psychics, and witchcraft. I believed ghosts and monsters were in the same category: figments of imagination and folklore meant […]
The Decisions That Transform Eternity
I never met the man, but I wish I could have. He was my great-grandfather on my mother’s and grandmother’s side of the family. I am told that he died […]
How Does Holiness Relate to Love?
How important is holiness? Isn’t it good enough just to be a loving person? And what does it even mean to be holy? The word itself means “set apart.” So, […]
3 Dead Mentors for Crazy Times
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, ‘Look! […]
God Parted the Red Sea. So, What Does That Mean for Me?
Which movie does the best job portraying the panic of seeing Pharaoh’s chariots closing in before God parted the Red Sea? Let’s do a multiple choice: The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton […]
My Cup Overflows
“My cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5c, NIV). These three simple words come from one of the most popular psalms in the Bible, Psalm 23. These words have given me so much […]
Legion in the Bible: An Army of Demons VS Jesus’ Authority
Author’s note: Jesus claimed that all authority in heaven and on earth was given to him (Matthew 28:18-20). Although his authority blazes from every text of the Gospels, perhaps his […]
Pastoral Burnout: Getting Below the Surface
Author’s note: This is my second article dealing with pastoral burnout. Recent Barna research revealed that 33% of ministers had given serious thought to quitting. My own research for a […]
Why Is the Bible So Hard to Understand? 3 Reasons
Why is the Bible so hard to understand? Here are some key takeaways from this article: The Bible can be hard to understand because we don’t take time to see […]
Who Was Zipporah in the Bible?
Zipporah lived approximately 1500 years before Christ and she was the wife of Moses. She acted decisively in a crucial moment to protect her family, and she helped her husband […]
4 Reasons to Pray that Go Beyond My Physical Needs
We usually think of prayer as asking things of God or at least talking to Him, thanking Him and praising Him. However, let me suggest that prayer is first of […]
The Family You Know You Need
Serenity often overruns the clock (and everything else) during my morning coffee. My deck provides the perfect spectator seat to the herd of deer that frequently visit the back field. […]
Which Character in Proverbs Are You?
Proverbs is a collection of sayings, stories, and metaphors that were used to train young men how to rule and govern themselves and others. Most proverbs are from Solomon teaching […]
Feeling Alone in Ministry?
“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that […]
Because You Say So, I Will
God’s ways are higher than our ways, so it’s no wonder that some of His commands don’t always make sense to us. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of people […]
Sabbath Won’t Just Happen
It feels impossible to find time to meet. Check your calendar for openings, notify me of availability, and see what might look good in the next few weeks. Six months […]
Is Tithing in the Bible? Q&A with Bobby Harrington
Is tithing in the Bible? What does the Bible teach about tithing? In this Q&A article, pastor, author, and Renew.org point leader Bobby Harrington explores what tithing is, why Christians […]
Practicing the Presence: Being Present with God and People in a Busy World
“I’m busy!” Those words are uttered so frequently that we do not even notice them anymore. Our culture wears those words like a badge of honor. “I’m busy” unfortunately doesn’t […]
Was It Loving to Affirm My Sin?
Years ago when I abandoned God and embraced sin, several Christians demonstrated their “loving like Jesus” by affirming my right to make my own choices, rallying around me as a […]
Accountability and the Bible: Are Christians Supposed to Hold Each Other Accountable?
Not too long ago, I attended church where I had been the senior minister/pastor many years earlier. After church, I had a conversation with a man about a Bible professor […]
Does Our Character Affect How We Understand Scripture?
Cultivating a virtuous character influences how we understand Scripture in three ways: it helps us understand Scripture’s relevance, Scripture’s requirements, and Scripture’s richness. Do our character and obedience play a […]
Who Was Potiphar’s Wife in the Bible?
The actual identity of the woman known as “Potiphar’s wife” has never been verified, though in the book of Genesis chapter 39, she is the woman who caused Joseph to […]
Church Is Boring? 3 Times It Actually Is
When someone says or thinks that church is boring, what is it exactly that they are bored by? Here are three times a church gathering actually is boring—to us and, […]
What Does the Bible Say About Demons: 10 Principles
This topic is an important one and not a topic to leave to speculation, especially today when spiritual and evil forces are often being discussed in significant ways by public […]
Singing the Song of the Lamb: A Review of Jonathan Young’s Commentary on Revelation
Sitting on the back deck of my home one afternoon, my young teenage son, Jonathan, told me that he no longer believed in God. I cannot say I was surprised. […]
David and Bathsheba and Affairs in Your Church
I recently preached through the story of David and Bathsheba from 2 Samuel 11:1-27 on a Sunday morning. There are several important learnings from within this story, as well as […]
Doctrinal Misalignment: A Relational Approach
*Editor’s Note: This article is a helpful illustration of how two people can confront doctrinal misalignment in a relational way. The specific scenario deals with the miraculous gifts of the […]
Gratitude and Meaninglessness
I’ve been doing some study from the book of Ecclesiastes lately. This is partly related to a book that I hope to write next year. I also spoke from Ecclesiastes […]
Sing to the Lord a New Song? Reflections on Psalm 98
Four times we are told in Scripture to “sing to the LORD a new song” (Psalm 96:1; 98:1; 149:1; Isaiah 42:10). Every song ever sung was new at some point. […]
Jesus Clears the Temple (and What He’ll Do to You Too)
Have you ever seen somebody get really angry who normally doesn’t get angry? It’s a little like, “Oh! Never seen that side of you.” You realize it must be really […]
Pastoral Burnout: Beating Burnout Before it Begins
Being a minister is hard. Being a lead minister in 2024, post-COVID in the United States, is harder than ever. Barna Research Group’s 2022 research revealed that 41% of lead ministers […]
Our Identity in Christ
Many within the church where I (Michelle) serve have adult children who are not walking with the Lord. The children were raised in the church, had daily family devotionals growing […]
What Does the Bible Say About Jealousy? An Introduction to the Scariest Sin
Why does “do not covet” make it into the Ten Commandments? To covet is to strongly desire what someone else has. What’s an internal compulsion to want someone else’s stuff […]
Do You Have Spiritual Heartburn?
They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32, ESV) […]
What Prevents Us from Life Transformation?
At a ministry conference recently, I commented that, when measured against the heart of God in the Sermon on the Mount, large segments of American Christianity seem to be going […]
What Does Our Faith Teach That Our Society Needs?
Christianity emerged in a world vastly different from the values espoused by followers of Christ. Slavery was assumed to be a necessary part of a functioning society, and slaves could […]
Pray for Reign in Africa
They told us not to expect much rain in Botswana during June. It’s their winter: the dry season for a country that is already dry. Miami will see as much […]
Preaching That Engages the Skeptic: How (Part 3)
This is my third and final article on engaging the skeptic in our preaching. Let’s take a second to review: First, why do we need to engage the skeptic in […]
Led by the Spirit: 5 More Ways to Listen to the Holy Spirit
We are told throughout the New Testament that the alternative to walking in sinful ways and in the same old errors of the world is to be led by the […]
Led by the Spirit: 5 Ways to Listen to the Holy Spirit’s Voice
Many people assume that the only “real” world is the one that they can observe with their five senses. Yet the Bible teaches that there is another reality just as […]
What We Learn from Two Hebrew Midwives
When I think of people who show and live out their allegiance to God in the Bible, I immediately think of Shiphrah and Puah. They are better known as the […]
What’s the Difference Between a ‘Convicted Felon’ and a ‘Political Prisoner’?
May 31, 2024 In C.S. Lewis’s children’s book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the main characters are sailing on a mission of rescue and adventure when they think they […]
When You Have to Regroup
Sarah had a plan. Then she convinced her husband, Abraham, to participate. Even though it succeeded, it made her miserable. And created a mess for everyone else involved. Jacob had […]
Household Gods: On Our Tendency to Worship Family
Have you noticed that parents have been acting a bit crazy? The parents getting ejected at youth baseball games for harassing the umpires; The parents losing their minds at school […]
Preach to Reach
Earlier this spring, I had the opportunity to lead a workshop at the Exponential regional roundtable in Boise on “Preaching as Evangelism.” Honestly, I couldn’t have been more excited about […]
6 Words for Your “What If” Moments
“What if…” are two words that can have paralyzing ramifications. It wasn’t too many years ago that I lived what could fairly be called a paralyzed life. I don’t mean […]
Overview of the Old Testament
The Old Testament begins with God creating a very good world. “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31a, NIV). Yet something happened after He […]
The Ministry of Shutting Up
It was excruciating, frustrating, even cringe-worthy. I was in a place of business, as a customer, talking with an employee about their services. Except… I wasn’t really talking at all. […]
Our Identity and the Enemy
I don’t even like capitalizing the word “enemy” in the title of this article. I get that it is an important word in the title, thus we capitalize said word, […]
What Prayer & Fasting Does for Us . . . and Beyond
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being […]
Do You Believe What God Says About You?
The world around us seeks to shape our identity into one that is unrecognizable from the one Christ gives us. It’s tempting to exchange the biblical truth of who God […]
3 Ways We Mishandle Our Minds
There are three mistakes commonly made by disciples when it comes to the mind. The first mistake is neglecting the mind. Neglecting the Mind In Mark Noll’s influential book The […]
Be Courageous
I have always admired those who show courage. My heart quickens to the story of the man or woman who, because of God-given conviction, goes against the crowd and peer […]
But God: Looking for “But God” Moments in your Life
Pain is bondage. Pain holds you captive. Pain changes who you are. Pain can hold what feels like absolute power over your body, actions, and thoughts. Pain prevents you from […]
Why Forgiveness Is Important: What Happens When We Do & Don’t
Since forgiveness isn’t usually easy, it’s worth pausing to ask why forgiveness is important. To help us think through the importance of forgiveness, here is what happens when we don’t […]
Sustained by a Story: An Invitation to Come, Die, and Preach
I grew up in a very hospitable home. There were always people at my house. When company would come over, all the furniture was moved out into a massive circle […]
How to Learn How to Love Well – Q&A with Marriage Expert Dr. Joe Beam
In this Q&A on marriage, Joe Beam, bestselling author and founder of Marriage Helper, gives practical advice on how to learn how to love well. Q: Let’s say I want […]
What Is the Lord’s Supper? Exploring Unity, Renewal, and Remembrance
What is the Lord’s Supper? On a Thursday night, Jesus was celebrating a Passover meal with his disciples when he shocked them by explaining how the wine and unleavened bread […]
Miracles, Tragedy, and Hope: The Testimony of Faith in the Midst of Suffering
I remember as a young missionary kid reading a gripping book called For This Cross I’ll Kill You, by Bruce Olson, which left me absolutely devastated. It tells the story […]
Do You Really Believe God’s Promises?
“Take things with a grain of salt” was often said to me as a young kid growing up in a rural farming community in north central Missouri. This phrase points […]
Rewards in Heaven: Is It Okay to Give to Get from God?
Some things seem absolutely crazy—at first. Harvey is a play written by Mary Chase (also a movie starring Jimmy Stewart) about Elwood P. Dowd, a friendly man who has a […]
The Bible and Modesty: Modesty Is About Putting on Christ (Part 4)
Editor’s Note: For Part 1 in this series on the Bible and modesty (“Where Modesty Starts”), click here. For Part 2 (“It’s About More Than Personal Choices”), click here. For Part 3 […]
What I’ve Learned from Spending a Little of Each Day in the Psalms
Starting in 2019, I started a slow journey through the Psalms. My goal was to reflect on 1 or 2 verses from the Psalms each day and write down those […]
The Best New Year’s Resolution: Step Into Scripture Daily
Of all the plans and goals that you can have for the new year, there is one that will make the biggest difference in your life, and it is often […]
The Fear of All Somes: Rethinking Our Fearful Reflexes
Fear is a necessary emotion. People who backpack in isolation in the mountains should worry about running out of water. Boaters should take precautions to avoid high waves. Drivers should […]
Liquid Prayers
When was the last time you cried? It seems like every day, there is a new tragedy to report. The world is full of pain, and our hearts overflow with […]
The Bible and Modesty: Modesty Is Not About Protecting Corruption (Part 3)
Editor’s Note: For Part 1 in this series on the Bible and modesty (“Where Modesty Starts”), click here. For Part 2 (“It’s About More Than Personal Choices”), click here. I listened […]
What Are Your 20s For?
Every fall when I give my “welcome to college” talk to our incoming class of first-year students, I tell them that they will likely experience more changes over the next […]
The Bible and Modesty: It’s About More Than Personal Choices (Part 2)
Editor’s Note: For Part 1 in this series on the Bible and modesty (“Where Modesty Starts”), click here. Have you ever seen someone do something really stupid, and then say, […]
Short Prayers to Fuel Big Love: See Others as Ourselves (Part 4)
God created our bodies with an in-built response to frightening situations. When we become aware of danger, we go into a survival mode. In this mode, our thinking becomes very […]
3 R’s of Reconciliation
As a guy who has spent many years in the military, I love acronyms. Physical training, or PT, is something we did five days a week in the military. The […]
Why Eat Turkey for Thanksgiving? (It’s Not Because of the Taste.)
Why eat turkey for Thanksgiving? It’s because of a mix of historical and cultural reasons, but for 21st century Americans, it also makes for an effective training in thankfulness. Turkeys […]
Jesus Healing the Ten Lepers & Our Need for Thanksgiving
In Luke 17, Jesus was passing between Samaria and Galilee when he saw ten lepers who begged Him to heal them. He told them to go and show themselves to […]
Short Prayers to Fuel Big Love: See Grace as Amazing (Part 3)
I can’t think of a more encouraging character trait to be around than gratitude. It’s why we train our kids from an early age to say “Thank you” when somebody […]
Generosity in the Bible
I’ve been in a formal leadership role in a local church for almost 30 years now, and there’s one sin that I’ve never had anyone confess (until I mentioned this […]
The E Word: How to Resist an Attitude of Entitlement
Our daughters know the word that I use. They would say overuse. My overuse became apparent one Father’s Day when our youngest daughter gave me one of those books where […]
Short Prayer to Fuel Big Love: See Sin as Sinful (Part 2)
Jesus said that outsiders will know that we are His disciples by our love. So how do we welcome and cultivate God’s love in a way that goes beyond just […]
The Bible and Modesty: Where Modesty Starts (Part 1)
In the first part of this series on the Bible and modesty, I first want to say a special thanks to all of the men and women who did the […]
Short Prayers to Fuel Big Love: See God as God (Part 1)
Jesus never said that outsiders will know we are His disciples by our friendliness. Friendliness is great. But in a capitalist country, every company that stays open year-to-year has to […]
4 Realities to Rest in for a Good Night’s Sleep
Wars. Threats of world war. Increase in secularization of culture. Political division. Threats on holders of faith and seemingly growing persecution. Not to mention the “old” threats of illness, disease, […]
Holy Halloween? 3 Approaches to Halloween
I’ve noticed in recent years that Halloween has been added to the growing list of polarizing topics in Christian circles. Although I grew up in church, I don’t remember people […]
Gifts of the Spirit? A Seeking but Discerning Approach
One of the important points of emphasis in Scripture is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, it is also a point of contention in many churches. What should we […]
How Can I Be Forgiven When I Sin Again and Again?
The Bible teaches that God loves to forgive our sins. All we have to do is to confess them and, where necessary, turn from them (Luke 15:18–22). The most common […]
What Do You Say When Someone Dies?
What do you say when someone dies? When things get real, it can quickly get uncomfortable. This is why a lot of us like to keep conversations light. Why we […]
Praying with a Megaphone: Adding Fasting to Prayer
Toward the end of my father’s life, he suffered a stroke and became aphasic, meaning he could no longer speak. Since he could not communicate, it was very difficult to […]
Why Should I Pray?
We have a relationship with an omniscient God who already knows every thought we have. Why would we talk to him, then, to tell him things and ask him for […]
How Can a Good and Powerful God Exist with All the Evil in the World?
One common, and understandable, objection to the existence of the God of the Bible is the reality of evil. It’s not just an intellectual issue; it’s a very personal and […]
Andy Stanley, Albert Mohler, and Three Trajectories
October 4, 2023 – Daniel McCoy, RENEW.org Editorial Director There’s a lot I appreciate about Andy Stanley. In years past, I’ve led his small group DVD studies. I’ve gathered helpful […]
How to Love Your Neighbor
Jesus tells us to love our neighbors, but what does that look like? How do we practice it regularly? Paul Huyghebaert shares intentional steps to make this a regular part […]
4 Ways to Pray About the Morocco Earthquake
Late Friday evening, the country of Morocco was hit with a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 3.9 magnitude aftershock on Sunday evening. The epicenter of the quake was near […]
Practicing Periodic Disobedience
When you were a kid, did you ever find yourself saying, “You’re not my boss”? Hopefully not to your parents, but perhaps to a bossy older brother or a bossy […]
Making Room for Hope
Want to seem like the smartest person in the room? Then be cynical. But is cynicism the way to truth? Could there be a hopeful way to interact with the […]
Near Death Experiences and Proof of the Afterlife
“I felt so blissful and whole . . . full of the most love I had ever experienced. I thought to myself, ‘If this is dying, then it’s not as […]
Why Memorize Scripture? 3 Reasons
“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” (Ps. 119:15-16) “More to be […]
Gain Strength from Your Resolve
When I was in junior high school, the coaches in my physical education class decided to teach us several dances. I had been taught by my church that dancing is […]
How Does Jesus Teach Disciple Makers to Conquer Fear?
I am constantly trying to learn skills and tactics to help me be a better dad, husband, writer, teacher, and how to be a better disciple maker. In my reading […]
Live by Faith: What It Means and Doesn’t
What does it mean to live by faith? Living by faith in Jesus means living with belief, trust, and lifelong allegiance in him. Faith may start as an internal force, […]
What Your Prayer List Says About You
Prayer must surpass a sick list if we are going to be disciple makers. I believe our prayer life can be like looking in the mirror of our Christian life. […]
Offering Perpetual Forgiveness
What should our response be to God’s choice to cancel all of our sin debt? Lead minister Joel Singleton explains how grace is meant to work.
Why the Risks of Artificial Intelligence Should Disturb Us—and Inspire Hope
It has been fifty-five years since Stanley Kubrick sounded the alarm regarding artificial intelligence (AI). In his film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Kubrick envisioned a day when a computer could […]
Who Is to Blame When a Faith Deconstructs?
Deconstruction. Have you been hearing that word a lot lately, too? What does this trending term mean? Well, just like it sounds, deconstruction is the opposite of construction. When used about a […]
Practicing Spiritual Disciplines as a Family
No one should expect to be the world’s best football player the first time they step on the field. Likewise, no one can expect to be the greatest trumpet player […]
Renewing Your First Thought of the Morning
And the first thought of the morning is . . . What is that beeping sound? Wait a second. . . . The second thought is . . . Oh […]
Hospitality in Disciple Making
Little things can make a tremendous impact. I live in Michigan. This past winter, we had a storm that brought in a mix of rain, ice, wind, snow, and brutal […]
Two Effects the Word of God Can Have on You
What effect does the Word of God have on you? It’s not the same for every person. The following is an excerpt from Tina Wilson’s 365-day chronological Bible study Step […]
Formula for Growing Up Baby Christians
Do you have any Christians in your church who should be way past the baby stage, but they’re not? Unfortunately, this article is not mainly about them. The question here is, […]
How Do I Become a Better Listener?
You’ve heard the old joke: My wife told me I have two main faults. One is I’m not a good listener, and I don’t remember what the other one is. […]
Hope: The Best of Things
How would we define hope? Hope is defined as the following: Cherishing a desire with anticipation. To want something to happen or be true. To desire with expectation of obtainment […]
A Year of Fear & Formation
“We also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint….” (Rom. 5:3-5) I was outside […]
A Suffering Group We’ve Largely Forgotten
If I told you that there is an entire group of people within the United States that has seemingly been forgotten by the church, would I pique your interest? Maybe […]
Four Spiritual Lessons From March Madness
March Madness is huge in Kentucky. Traditionally, this region is well-represented in the NCAA tournament. For years, avid fans of the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Indiana University, and […]
God Renews Spirits, Minds, and Lives
God is a God who loves to renew things. Like what? Here are three. God renews crushed spirits. You ever been crushed underneath the weight of something dark you did […]
A Prayer for Forgiveness
The following is a prayer for forgiveness I composed during my own devotional times. The prayer itself is somewhat formal in nature—more so than my typical daily prayers—because I want […]
Developing and Cultivating Patience
“Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.” (1 […]
How Prayer Fuels Disciple Making
Roughly five years ago I had the blessing of sitting in a room with about 20 other lead pastors to listen as Shodankeh Johnson shared about the incredible Kingdom growth […]
Fasting and Prayer: 2 Stories
Fasting and prayer are often combined in Scripture. Both Old Testament followers of God (Ezra 8:23; Nehemiah 1:4; Psalm 35:13; Daniel 9:3) and the New Testament church (Luke 2:37; Acts […]
5 Biblical Responses to Anti-Christian Slander
Why isn’t my church in the 21st century more like the early church of the 1st century? Where are the 3,000 baptisms in a single day? The opportunities to preach […]
What to Do When Your Child Stops Believing
When he was about fourteen years old, my son, Jonathan, sat me down and told me that he had lost his faith in God. I was hurt, but I wasn’t […]
God Is in Control? Refining the Words of Comfort We Give
I suggest that we stop saying, “God is in control.” Now, before you get yourself into a tizzy and shout, “HERETIC!! BUUUURN HER!,” give me a chance to explain. It […]
10 Unromantic Bible Verses That Describe Real Love
Love can be celebrated in sappy ways. (That seems to be what Valentine’s Day is for.) Yes, the Bible celebrates romantic love and all that comes with it (have you […]
Learning by Doing: Preparing People We Lead for Action
Several important things changed for my son during the summer between his 8th and 9th grade year of school. Not only was that the summer we moved from Iowa back […]
The Turkey-Syria Earthquake: 7 Ways to Pray
Could you take a moment and pray for the people of Turkey and Syria affected by the recent earthquake? Here are 7 ways to pray for them. Early Monday morning, […]
What Are People Looking for in You?
I remember when I was a student pastor (we called them youth pastors in 2006) and I was taking my students to a district youth rally in a small rural […]
Spiritual Warfare: Getting Clear on Our Real Enemy
What is spiritual warfare? Spiritual warfare is what the apostle Paul calls “our struggle…against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm” (Eph. 6:12). When we say spiritual, Americans […]
5 Learnings from Participating in Deliverance Ministry
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. […]
What We Learn from Job’s Three Friends
The story of Job, from the Old Testament, is well known. He is the man who lost everything—family, wealth, health—and yet did not lose his faith in God. While in […]
What Is Holiness And Why Is It Such A Big Deal?
What is holiness, and why is it such a big deal? God’s holiness means that he is entirely unique, pure, and powerful, and to enter into his presence in a […]
The Symbiotic Relationship Between Prayer and Fasting
I really enjoy a good, robust cup of coffee in the morning. It’s a great way to get my day started. I love the smell, the aroma, and the warmth […]
The Greatest Thing You Can Do In 2023
Paul knew Jesus. He experienced him personally on the road to Damascus. Paul was inspired. Paul had the Spirit. Paul had visions. Paul knew Jesus but there was still much […]
Why Jesus? My Testimony of Being Found
Jesus will leave a herd of ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost (Matt. 18:12-14). Jesus will stay when the whole world walks away (John 14:18). Right before […]
Where Does Consciousness Come From? Reflecting on Emerging Technologies
Where does consciousness come from? A persistent fear many have is that emerging technologies will develop consciousness. Many wonder if what we create will eventually, sooner rather than later, gain […]
12 Bible Verses about Trusting God
Why take the time to walk through multiple Bible verses about trusting God? Isn’t it enough just to, well, you know, trust God? At first glance, trusting God would seem […]
A Simple Spiritual Growth Plan for the New Year
We like to make plans for a better future. Especially at the beginning of the year. We plan for health (exercise and diet), we plan for finances (401Ks), and we […]
Somewhere Between Now and Not Yet
A little perspective: Sitting at the coffee shop doing some studying and sermon writing is sometimes a mixed bag. It’s great coffee, and away from some of the distractions of […]
5 Reasons for Joy at Christmas
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the […]
How Is a Relationship with God Possible?
How is a relationship with God possible? Through the person and work of Jesus Christ, God has extended his hand in covenant relationship with us, fulfilling the promise that he […]
3 Questions to Help Us Awaken to the Spiritual Realm
In John 12, Jesus was praying to his Father in public at a festival. In response, God audibly responded from heaven. While some heard the voice, the crowd largely mistook […]
A Psalm of Thanksgiving: Reflections on Psalm 18 / 2 Samuel 22
A psalm of thanksgiving is a worship song which expresses gratitude for what God has done. In this article, we will reflect on the psalm of thanksgiving we call “Psalm […]
Making a 10,000-Year Difference
As summer was wrapping up and churches were ramping up for fall, I heard a couple of sermons challenging the church to make a difference in their communities. The question […]
The Devil Wears Sweatpants
We love to be comfortable. It’s easy; it’s convenient; it’s killing us. Comfort can be a great thing in the moment. But it can have terrible side effects. It promises […]
Walk by Faith, Not Sight: What It Means, What It Doesn’t
What does it mean to walk by faith, not sight (2 Cor. 5:7)? It’s common to think that, as inspiring as the phrase sounds, walking by faith would make a […]
The Definition of Holiness & How to Live It Today
What is the definition of holiness? Holiness is the divine dimension that exists in every single thing ever created. Using the language of Colossians 1:16-17, holiness describes everything’s divine origin […]
God Is My Strength: Reflections on God’s Faithfulness During a Dark Time
“The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like deer’s feet, And has me walk on my high places.” (Hab. 3:19, NASB) How was your high school experience? […]
Social Justice from the Left and the Right
Within the Church (broadly speaking), there are two groups of people. Not everyone in the Church fits into one of these groups. In fact, many people in the Church are […]
Prayer of Repentance: Learning U-Turns from Nehemiah
What’s a prayer of repentance? In the Bible, “repentance” means a change in mind and behavior so that we go from doing whatever we feel like to living for God […]
A Principled Approach: What DMMs Know and Are Teaching Us
In recent years many of us in church leadership have begun paying attention to what is happening in Disciple Making Movements (DMM). If you are unfamiliar with DMM, let me […]
Frankenstein & Monsters of Our Own Making
As a child, I enjoyed terrorizing myself by staying up late on Friday nights and watching scary movies. Most of the movies were old Hollywood classics and one such film […]
50+ Bible Verses About Modesty
The word “modest” is not prevalent in the Bible (most English versions of the Bible translate the original Greek to “modesty” twice or less!), but the concept of it is […]
What God Showed Me in My First Extended Fast
Our church did a 21-day fast in January. As I prepared for the fast (my first extended one) and prayed about what my focus should be, I asked God to […]
10 Reasons to Send a Student to Christian College for a Year
I have met innumerable donors, volunteers, lifelong ministers, and other Christian leaders who have this in common: They attended a Christian college planning to stay only for a year, and the […]
Navigating the Valley of the Shadow of Death
Psalm 23 is one of the most famous passages of Scripture. You can find these poetic lines everywhere, from sermons to pop songs, tattoos to funerals. The psalm is relatable […]
12 Key Prayer Points for Disciple Making Movements
Effectiveness in prayer is often related to knowing what to ask. This is the list of the top twelve prayer points used by Shodankeh Johnson and others in movements in […]
3 Decisions when Starting at a New Church
Walking into a new job can be exhilarating and exhausting. You have so many hopes and dreams as you are expectant of what God is going to do. With fresh […]
Why Fasting in the Bible? 11 Reasons
Why fasting in the Bible? The Bible gives numerous reasons for fasting, from repentance and mourning to preparation and power for God’s mission. When planning a fast, a believer should […]
What Is Faith in the Bible? What Faith Means and How to Live It
What is faith in the Bible? The Bible teaches us to place our faith in Jesus, which means to believe what Jesus says, trust in Jesus to save you from your […]
Rod Dreher and the Disciple Making Solution
In early September, I had the opportunity to interview and dialogue with author and cultural commentator Rod Dreher in a public forum about his latest book and the concerns that […]
Demons in the Bible & in Our World
What are demons in the Bible? They are fallen angels who serve the devil in alluring people to destructive behaviors, false teaching, and separation from God. What can we learn […]
Philosophy Questions: What Is Christian Philosophy?
What is Christian philosophy? As the “love of wisdom,” philosophy is thinking hard about life’s biggest questions of what’s real, true, and good. Christian philosophy is thinking hard about life’s […]
Christ the Victor: How Did Jesus Beat Our Worst Enemies?
Christ the Victor Meaning and How Jesus Defeated Death Christ the Victor means Jesus defeated the devil, death, and fear through his death on the cross. By dying and rising […]
Following Jesus In Between the Firsts and Lasts
Look around social media over the last few days and you’ll likely see all kinds of photos of smiling children headed off to their first day of school. Some little […]
Stuck in the Urgent, Sacrificing the Future
As an avid sports fan, I always enjoy it when each sport approaches draft season. Draft season is a time when professional teams assess which young players they can add […]
Sex at the End of the World
In Huxley’s dystopian novel, Brave New World, sex has been completely removed from any traditional constraints. Sex literally has nothing to do with procreation or love. In fact, these things are […]
God’s Love Is…Better Than What We Typically Want
Some people think that God’s love is a green light to do and be whatever they deeply feel they should do and be. Yet is that what God’s love is […]
Summary of Colossians: Understanding the Basics of Colossians in the Bible
Here’s a short summary of Colossians: Colossians was written by the apostle Paul to teach the Colossian church that Jesus is all they need to experience the fullness of God. […]
What Does the Bible Say About Cremation? A Thoughtful Exploration of a Hot Topic
What does the Bible say about cremation? The Bible includes three references to cremation, compared to hundreds of references to burial, the dominant form of post-mortem care in the Old […]
Grandma’s Last Amazing Grace: Reflections on How a Christian Dies
We knew the call would come but even so, it was a hard call to take. “Grandma is not doing good at all. She is struggling to breath. You should […]
Story of the Bible: Scripture’s Storyline in 7 Steps
What is the story of the Bible, and why is it important? The story of the Bible starts with God creating the world and ends with God recreating it after […]
Prayer for Protection from the “Spiritual” Versions of the Seven Deadly Sins
*Editor’s Note: The following prayer from Curtis Sergeant, international disciple making movement leader, reminds us that sin can take up residence even in our spirituality. We need to bring our […]
Thor: Love and Thunder Review and Reflection
Thor: Love & Thunder Review I will admit that I came into Thor: Love and Thunder with relatively low expectations, especially after watching other recent installments in the Marvel Cinematic […]
What, How, and Why We Pray for Our Nation
As disciples of Jesus, should we regularly pray for our nation? In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, the apostle Paul urged public prayers in church for public leaders. He described these as […]
Twisted Scriptures: 5 Bible Verses Taken out of Context
We’ve all done it. You’re having a rough day and need some inspiration, so you do a quick google search. Maybe you type in “most inspiring Bible verses” or “verses […]
The Afghanistan Earthquake: 9 Ways to Pray
Will you consider praying with us for the people of Afghanistan? Here are nine ways to pray for the Afghan people. Over 2,500 people were killed or injured in a […]
How the Spirit Helps Us Pray to Our Father Who Is in Heaven
How do we pray to “our Father who is in heaven”? It’s a process that involves God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. It is God’s Son […]
How to Make a Difference Starting with You: Be an Ambassador.
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20, NKJV) In the […]
Compassion: A Childlike & Christlike Response to a Broken World
What happens when you see someone in poverty? I remember a time years ago when I heard a student’s mom talk about the first time she saw it. She wasn’t […]
A Call to Prayer for Tulsa
The Tulsa community needs our prayers, so let’s unite together as a body and lift them up before the Father. Pain—literal, physical pain is said to be the reason Michael […]
Loving Your Actual Neighbor: Starting Where You Live (Part 1)
In 2017 on a return flight from Orlando back to Ohio, I sat quietly contemplating one main question posed at the Exponential conference I had just attended. And that question […]
10 Reasons to Remember the Dead
Why is it important to remember the dead? We remember the dead for many reasons, as doing so unearths lessons from their lives to guide us in the present. In […]
6 Reasons Why You Need to Attend Church in Person
Since the Covid lockdown, many churchgoers no longer attend worship services regularly, alleging it is easier and less time-consuming to stay home and watch an online service. When confronted, some […]
What Does the Bible Say About Death? 10 Truths About Death
What does the Bible say about death? The biblical writers give us a comprehensive and nuanced description of death. We learn that, from God’s perspective, death is both menacing and […]
Fearing the Waves, Trusting in Jesus
I like to blame my fear of water on the 2006 film Poseidon. In the movie, a cruise ship is hit by a massive wave, and nearly everyone drowns. It’s […]
Racism, Mass Shootings, and Our Enemy’s Strategies
If we want to truly understand racism and mass shootings, we will think through our enemy’s strategies. The same Devil who blinds a murderous person from seeing another person’s humanity […]
We Need Mutual Accountability in Three Crucial Areas
Christians need to cultivate mutual accountability in the areas of learning, doing, and sharing. International disciple maker Curtis Sergeant describes what this can look like. Accountability is often viewed as […]
God: Fighter for the Unborn and Forgiver of the Repentant
*Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from Countercultural Living: What Jesus Has to Say About Life, Marriage, Race, Gender, and Materialism. Starting with the death of Abel, God distinguishes between […]
Jesus and Your Suffering
I still remember seeing family members weeping, sobbing, and even wailing, but I had no idea why. My brother and I were here to visit my little sister, who had […]
Christian Education and Confronting Boredom
A number of years ago, I spent a week of my Bible class asking my students this question: “Would you describe your Christian life as exciting?” Out of roughly 150 students, I […]
Bible Genres: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?
If you want to understand the Bible better, one of the most important concepts is Bible “genres.” What are the Bible’s genres and why do they matter? The Bible’s “genres” […]
The World and the Way: Living in Hope When Facing Antagonism
The Way of Jesus is fundamentally loving. If you’re reading this as a follower of Christ, this is probably (hopefully) not a very new or controversial statement. In Jesus’ own […]
What Is Patience in the Bible? Exploring the World’s Toughest Virtue
Patience in the Bible is the ability to endure difficult people and situations without giving into anger or giving up hope. Because God continues to show us patience when we […]
Radically Ordinary Hospitality: Real Life Theology with Renée Sproles
This Real Life Theology conversation with Renée Sproles is inspired by Rosaria Butterfield’s book The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World. The […]
Why Do We Celebrate Easter? J.E.S.U.S. gives us 5 Easy-to-Remember Reasons.
Why do we celebrate Easter? Easter is the most important event that has occurred so far in human history. It is the day Christians celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. […]
Losing My Faith in Progressive Christianity: The Fleeting Fulfillment of a Feelings-Based Faith (Part 6)
Progressive Christianity Part 1: Insights from Deconstruction Stovall recounts a season of doubt, questioning a culture built on the sinner’s prayer and feelings-based assurance. The narrative challenges easy-belief formulas, contrasting […]
Lord’s Prayer: Your Kingdom Come
What did Jesus mean we told us to pray, “Your kingdom come”? It’s worthwhile to pause and ask how this core concern ought to shape our prayers. Jesus’ discussion of […]
Discipling Minds for This Cultural Moment
Part of Christian discipleship is to disciple minds. In order to help us disciple minds for this cultural moment, we will explore three questions about current Western culture. You know […]
Some Positives of Christian Education
As I think about topics to address concerning Christian education, I often find myself focusing on cautions and pitfalls. Things that Christian educators should watch out for and work to […]
When Life Falls Apart: A Lesson from the Game of Jenga
When life falls apart, it can be a frustrating but fruitful time of reexamining what your life is built on. Ever played Jenga? The more fragmented and extended the stack […]
5 Ways We Can Pray for Ukrainian Christians
Far from a last resort, prayer is a powerful way of approaching God on behalf of people who are hurting. Here are 5 specific ways we can pray for brothers […]
Faith Didn’t Heal My Daughter: A Deconstruction Story (Part 3: The Aftermath)
Faith deconstruction sometimes begins with tragedy. Mandy Parsons recounts a personal tragedy and how it made her question everything. Here’s Part 1 and Part 2. Two lessons I learned rather […]
5 Reasons to Fast
Are there compelling reasons to fast as part of our relationship with God? Here are 5 reasons you should try this spiritual practice. Fasting is a forgotten spiritual discipline in […]
Inside the Invasion of Ukraine
Austin church leader Christian Ray Flores has lived in both Russia and Ukraine, and here he gives three snapshots of the unfolding crisis inside Ukraine. “This is the verdict: Light […]
An Easy Way to Learn Scripture Every Morning
We moved close to a burger restaurant which I immediately fell in love with. The first couple times I got their signature burger, I was in heaven. But a burger […]
Jesus Wants Your Monday Life
Kelvin Teamer, minister and author of Kingdom Life: Experiencing God’s Reign Through Love and Holiness, teaches that Jesus doesn’t want you only at your Sunday best, but also every other […]
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Why does God allow suffering? God allows suffering because it is a byproduct of sin. Sin happens because God gave us free will, even though he opposes sin and helps […]
Prayer & Fasting: Real Life Theology with Renée Sproles
Renée Sproles sat down with Michael Eagle, co-author of “Prayer & Fasting,” and his wife, Michelle. Together, they discussed the spiritual benefits, as well as the difficulties you may have […]
How to Make a Difference Starting with You: Be Holy
If you want to be a difference maker, you’ve got to be okay with being set apart in your lifestyle, or, as the Bible puts it, “Be holy.” How can […]
Sermon on the Mount: Why Philanthropy & Prayer in Secret?
Why would Jesus tell us to practice our righteous acts such as giving and prayer in secret? It’s a crucial test of the heart. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before […]
The Crisis in Ukraine – a Call to Prayer
To understand the current crisis Ukraine faces, it is helpful to look at its troubled history. Here’s a quick intro on what to know about Ukraine and how to pray […]
The Power of Stories: Real Life Theology with Renée Sproles
The second episode of Renée Sproles Real Life Theology series focuses on the hold that stories can have on all of us, whether we realize it or not. Author Paul […]
Is Christian Nationalism Faithfulness? 4 Lessons from the Constantine Years
What is Christian nationalism, and is it a current problem? A healthy patriotism becomes American Christian nationalism when it draws an essential connection between the US and Christianity and then […]
Three Things to Learn from Curtis Sergeant About Disciple Making Movements
Curtis Sergeant has had a tremendous influence in disciple making movements around the globe. The movement that started through his ministry in China reached 10 million people in a decade. […]
What’s the History of Valentine’s Day? And Here’s Why It Matters…
What’s the history of Valentine’s Day? Here are two historical reasons for the holiday as well as a radically appropriate way to celebrate the holiday in this era. Have you […]
Creating Order in the Chaos: Lessons From a Jigsaw Puzzle
We can learn important steps for finding order in the chaos of daily life by doing a jigsaw puzzle. I recently restarted a very spiritual discipline: putting together a jigsaw […]
Trusting God When Church Life Changes
When church life changes because of situations out of our control, how can we use the season as an opportunity to pursue God? Our church was regaining her rhythm, as […]
So, You Want to Spend More Time With God?
Is more time with God something you wish you had more of, but you’re just so busy? Here are 5 tips for spending more time with God for busy people. […]
Good News, Good Fear, and Good Change
The good news of Jesus brings good change, and that’s not always something that leaves us feeling warm and secure. For the last decade, I have been blessed to teach […]
Feeling Attacked? A Fight or Flight Response Is Too Weak.
When we as Christians feel our faith being attacked, it’s easy to get tense and slip into the natural “fight-or-flight” response. Doing this can narrow our focus to where we […]
Pride Cometh Before a Fall . . . So How Can You Fight It?
What does it mean that “pride cometh before a fall”? Pride is inordinate self-exaltation. Because it forgets God and distorts reality, pride puffs us up only to eventually burst, as […]
A Change for Better: Good News about Change for the Christian
We experience a change for the better as we submit ourselves to God’s grand story of making all things new. The older I get, the harder it is to change: […]
Storytelling: How to Share Stories for a Particular Audience
Continuing her series on storytelling and the Bible, author Taffeta Chime explores how to share stories for a particular audience. Other articles in this series include “Why Storytelling Is Important […]
6 Reasons We Are Drawn to Christianity’s Deconstruction Stories
Why are we drawn to deconstruction stories within Christianity? Here are 6 reasons many of us resonate with elements of these stories. The last several years have presented us with […]
Sermon on the Mount: Love Your Enemy and Pray for Those Who Persecute You
Jesus said to love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you. As sentimental as it sounds, this isn’t commonsense advice, and most people consider it bad advice. Yet, […]
Are You Living an Integrated Life?
What is an integrated life? Having an integrated life means bringing the segregated areas of life together into one harmonized whole. A life which isn’t integrated will end up a […]
The New Year’s Resolution That Matters Most
The New Year’s Resolution That Seeks God Above Everything Else Seeking God is the most important goal because it is the central purpose for which human beings were created. Rather […]
Contentment: Verses in the Bible and a Snapshot from Cambodia
Learning contentment can be challenging, but we find help from verses in the Bible as well as from stories of contentment amid difficulties. International disciple maker Andrew J describes contentment […]
Storytelling: Tips on Writing Stories in Layers
Continuing her series on storytelling and the Bible, author Taffeta Chime gives tips on writing stories in layers. There are three layers to keep in mind when crafting a story: […]
Faith Didn’t Heal My Daughter: A Deconstruction Story (Part 2: For unto Us a Child Is Born)
Faith deconstruction sometimes begins with tragedy. Mandy Parsons recounts a personal tragedy and how it made her question everything. For part 1, click here. “Would someone tell me what is […]
John Kotter on Leading Change: How Kotter’s 8 Steps Connect with the Mission of Jesus
Kotter on Leading Change and the Biblical Path to Church Transformation Kotter on Leading Change highlights eight strategic steps that mirror how Jesus formed disciples and launched a kingdom movement. […]
What I Learn about My Purpose from a Fisherman in the Bible
Learning from a fisherman in the Bible about God’s call for my life? Fisherman in the Bible highlights Simon Peter’s miraculous catch in Luke 5 and reframes evangelism as casting […]
Storytelling: What Metaphor Means
What ‘Metaphor’ Means and Why It Deepens Biblical Understanding “What Metaphor Means” explains how metaphor transfers meaning from concrete experience to abstract truth, engaging both the mind and the heart. […]
A Rare Prayer at Chicago O’Hare
Prayer at Chicago O’Hare and the Surprising Power of Divine Appointments “Prayer at Chicago O’Hare” recounts how a frustrating missed connection became a providential opportunity to minister to a grieving […]
Adolescent Drug Use: Why Do They Do It?
Adolescent Drug Use and the Hidden Motivations Teens Carry Curiosity and the thrill of the forbidden can look harmless at first, but they can open the door to real danger. […]
Storytelling: What Are Conflicts in a Story?
What Are Conflicts in a Story? Why Tension Matters in Great Storytelling Conflict gives a story momentum by creating tension, raising stakes, and moving the plot toward resolution. Scripture shows […]
Faith Didn’t Heal My Daughter: A Deconstruction Story (Part 1: Jesus, My Best Friend)
Deconstruction Story: When Suffering Challenged What I Believed About God Mandy Parsons recounts how early faith, Catholic practice, and charismatic teaching shaped her belief that obedience would bring blessing and […]
Fasting Defined
How is fasting defined? Fasting is taking something highly significant to us and deciding to lay it aside or postpone it temporarily for a spiritual purpose. It can involve abstaining […]
Should a Christian Celebrate Halloween? Two Bible Stories.
Should a Christian Celebrate Halloween? Two Biblical Lenses Halloween’s history blends Samhain practices with All Hallows’ traditions, which explains why Christians often disagree. Acts 8 and 1 Corinthians 8 offer […]
How to Pray When You Don’t Know How You Feel
How to Pray When You Don’t Know How You Feel: A 4-Emotion Prayer Practice How to Pray When You Don’t Know How You Feel begins by naming what’s sad and […]
7 Preaching Trends Needed in 2022 More Than Ever
7 Preaching Trends Needed for Bold, Authentic Preaching in 2022 Unity-centered preaching strengthens the church by calling people back to Jesus’ mission over cultural division. Kingdom-sized perspective fuels hope when […]
The Barbell Strategy and the Church in the New Covid World
Barbell Strategy: How Churches Can Thrive After Covid Churches can move beyond the lukewarm middle by structuring ministry for high-commitment discipleship instead of mediocre programs. Deep spiritual formation happens through […]
Storytelling: How to Create Good Characters
How to Create Good Characters: Relatable, Complex, Real Truth-based details make characters relatable when you draw from real people, keen observation, and solid research. Complexity grows when writers know the […]
You Are Unique!
You Are Unique with Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Worth Card-shuffle odds picture real uniqueness by showing how a never-before-seen order can happen every time you shuffle. Your life and personality […]
When the Burden Feels too Heavy: Maintaining Spiritual Health and Emotional Empathy amidst the Challenges of Full-Time Ministry
Spiritual Health: Avoiding Burnout in Full-Time Ministry Some days in ministry feel nonstop, and spiritual health means refusing the trap of carrying every crisis alone while still staying present with […]
It’s Time to Leave the Starship Enterprise for the Blue Origin.
Starship Enterprise and the Real-Life Clarity of the Gospel Billboard-style either-or messages may feel blunt, yet Scripture consistently presents stark choices like light or darkness and salvation or destruction. Shatner’s […]
3 Ways Fear Lies to Us
Fear Lies to Us by Distorting Our Trust in God Fear lies to us by paralyzing our faith, convincing us we are incapable and keeping us from stepping forward in […]
What Future Awaits the Unrepentant?
Unrepentance and the Painful Reality of Eternal Separation Unrepentant people who die without Jesus will suffer eternal separation from God, which Scripture describes as everlasting punishment. Our comfort-driven culture may […]
Blessed in Mourning: 3 Gifts to Give Someone Who Is Grieving
Grieving: 3 Gifts to Comfort Someone Who Is Mourning Prayers—spoken, written, or replayed—remind a grieving person they are being carried by the body of Christ. Friends who choose presence over […]
Persecuted Christians Are Lights in the Darkness
Persecuted Christians: Lights in the Darkness Persecution and Christianity go hand in hand, so Scripture calls believers to be ready to suffer and to live in a way the enemy […]
Theology Starts Here
Theology Begins with Abiding in Christ Theology starts not with abstract ideas but with abiding in Jesus, where love, dependence, and union shape how we think about God. Rather than […]
How Should We View Materialism?
Materialism VS the Countercultural Call to Treasure Christ Materialism is spiritually dangerous because it trains the heart to chase earthly rewards instead of the riches of life with Jesus. Jesus […]
Truth About God in Special Revelation
Special Revelation: How God Reveals Himself in History Knopp highlights that God’s miracles in real moments—like the Exodus, Mount Carmel, and Jesus’ works—aim to reveal the Lord’s unique identity. Scripture’s […]
Why Is the Second Coming of Jesus So Important?
Second Coming: Why Jesus’ Return Is So Important Johnson explains that Jesus promised to come again, and when He appears for all to see, it will be too late to […]
Why Storytelling is Important to the Life of a Christian
Christian Storytelling: Why It Matters for Faith Chime argues that storytelling is a constant part of human life, building connection, unlocking memory, and helping people make meaning. Scripture models God’s […]
Introduction to The End: The Return of King Jesus and the Renewal of All Things
The End of Time: Return of King Jesus & New Creation Gary Johnson explains why Jesus’ return matters: it ends the war with evil and brings resurrection and eternal life. […]
The End Author Q&A – Gary Johnson with Bobby Harrington
Eschatology Q&A: Must-Know Truths on Jesus’ Return Bobby Harrington and Gary Johnson frame the Bible as a “travel brochure” that helps believers understand what Scripture teaches about the end. Through […]
Learning to Pray: Yield (Part 4 of P.R.A.Y.)
Yielding to God: Powerful Prayer Lessons (P.R.A.Y. 4) Joshua explains that unanswered prayer can be the hardest part of praying, yet we can still trust God’s goodness and love. Jesus’ […]
When a Story Is Cut Tragically Short
Lives Cut Short: Trusting God With Unfinished Stories Stories that end too soon remind us how deeply loss disrupts our sense of meaning and leaves grief without easy resolution. Faith […]
Dr. Carol Swain on the Challenges Christian Face Today
Challenges Christian Face Today: Urgent Wake-Up Call Modern influences like social media, podcasts, and cultural voices can disciple believers into “self-inspired theology” that slowly weakens faith. Renewing the mind means […]
Dr. Carol Swain on the Challenges Christian Face Today
Dr. Carol Swain on Living Faithfully in a Confusing Age Through personal testimony, Dr. Swain recounts how her journey from academic success to Christian conviction reshaped her identity in Christ. […]
A Few Keys to Reconciling Broken Relationships
How to Reconcile: 3 Keys to Restoring Broken Relationships Begin by acknowledging the brokenness, because healing can’t start while the damage—or your part in it—is minimized or denied. Humility replaces […]
Answering Questions with Stories
Answering Questions with Stories: Powerful Truth Jesus often taught through stories, answering questions in ways that shape what we believe and how we live. Family narratives form identity, and Scripture […]
What’s the Point of Teaching the Bible?
Obedience-Based Discipleship: Unshakable Hope Teaching the Bible must lead to obedience, because the Great Commission calls us to teach disciples to obey everything Jesus commanded. Part-time learning can become on-the-job […]
The Power of Stories
Power of Stories: Unforgettable Stories That Reveal God’s Truth Instead of a theology textbook, Scripture unfolds God’s self-revelation through true stories that show who he is and what he has […]
2 Ways to Be Weird for God’s Glory
Only two? There are hundreds of ways Christians can be weird. Ah, but there’s a qualifier: weird for God’s glory. That means all kinds of pious-feeling postures, from the finger-wagging […]
How Should We View Marriage
Definition of Marriage: God’s Design for Covenant Love Carol M. Swain describes how marriage, grounded in God’s Word, is a sacred covenant for the permanent union of one man and […]
Learning to Pray: Ask (Part 3 of P.R.A.Y.)
Prayer Request: Ask Boldly and Expectantly Even when prayer feels awkward, the article reminds us that asking is central to prayer and invites discouraged believers to start asking again. Through […]
How Should We View Human Life?
Human Life: Why Every Person Is Sacred to God Facing debates over abortion, disability, and euthanasia, Carol M. Swain points to Scripture as the definitive guide for how Christians value […]
Introduction to Countercultural Living: What Jesus Has to Say About Life, Marriage, Race, Gender, and Materialism
Author Carol M. Swain introduces her new book Countercultural Living: What Jesus Has to Say About Life, Marriage, Race, Gender, and Materialism and gives an overview of the chapters.
Doubt and Knowing Truth About God
Faith and Doubt in Knowing Truth About God Faith and Doubt are not opposites, as Scripture shows believers can trust God while still facing intellectual uncertainty. Biblical examples like Thomas […]
9/11: A Scary Realization and a Needed Prayer
9/11 Prayer: A Needed Prayer in Scary Times 9/11 Prayer points readers from snapshots of horror and heroism to a sobering realization that hatred is real—and calls for a God-centered […]
5 Types of Miracles
Types of Miracles and How God Works in the World Types of Miracles include creational acts where God brings reality into existence, making the universe and its laws a profound […]
How Is the Bible Our Final Authority?
The Bible’s Authority: Why Scripture Is Our Final Guide Orpheus J. Heyward explains that Scripture is authoritative because it is inspired by God and intended to shape conviction and character. […]
How Do We Interpret the Bible?
Interpret the Bible: Proven Steps to Prevent Confusion Hermeneutics is presented as the art and science of interpretation that helps readers understand Scripture in its proper context. Three core principles—observation, […]
4 Ways to Wreck Your Understanding of Scripture
Understanding of Scripture Grows When You Avoid These Pitfalls Failing to read Scripture repeatedly undermines biblical meditation and weakens long-term comprehension. Unnoticed assumptions—about words, doctrines, or worldview—can force the text […]
5 Ways to Close to the Distance Between Us and the World of the Bible
The World of the Bible: Five Distances to Cross Time distance calls for humility, since centuries separate us from the original authors and audiences. Linguistic and geographical distance can be […]
When Evangelism Doesn’t Work
Evangelism: Hope When It Feels Like Nothing Works Silence after sharing the gospel can be crushing, especially when someone misunderstands Jesus or shows no sign of repentance. Unlike limited human […]
Introduction to God’s Word: The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture
God’s Word: The Inspiration of Scripture — Introduction This video introduces Orpheus J. Heyward’s book, God’s Word: The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture, part of the Real Life Theology series. […]
How Does the Church Express Love to the World?
Churches Express Love to the World by Living Out God’s Reign Love grows visible when believers practice holiness and reflect God’s character through their daily actions. Serving others becomes a […]
God’s Word Author Q&A – Orpheus J. Heyward with Bobby Harrington
God’s Word and the Inspiration and Authority of Scripture Bobby Harrington interviews Orpheus J. Heyward to highlight why Scripture is essential for faith, growth, and hearing from God. Manuscript attestation […]
What Is Love and Why Is It Important?
What Is Love and Why Is It Important? A Cross-Shaped Way of Life Disciples of Jesus show love through actions that glorify God and genuinely benefit others. Jesus defines love […]
5 Insights Jason Whitlock Has Given Me About Being a Disciple of Jesus
Jason Whitlock Christian Insights for Fearless Discipleship Today Fearless conviction is needed to call out deception and resist cultural pressure with biblical clarity. Ruthless honesty builds credibility when confronting sin […]
What Is Holiness and Why Is It Important?
What Is Holiness and Why It Matters for Kingdom Living Holiness is a lifestyle of separation from self-rule to God’s kingdom rule, marking what it means to live under God’s […]
Is Your Church Healthy? Let’s Be Careful…
Church Health and Returning to Your First Love Jesus’ evaluation in Revelation warns that a church can look strong in service and doctrine while still abandoning its first love. Even […]
Introduction to Kingdom Life: Experience God’s Reign Through Love and Holiness
Kingdom Life and the Questions That Guide God’s Reign Kelvin Teamer introduces Kingdom Life as living under the majestic rule of King Jesus. This series walks through five key questions […]
Kingdom Life Author Q&A – Kelvin Teamer with Bobby Harrington
‘Kingdom Life’ Author Q&A and Insights on God’s Reign Bobby Harrington interviews Kelvin Teamer about Kingdom Life and why the kingdom of God is central to Jesus’ message. Through their […]
How Does Faith Respond to the Enthronement of King Jesus?
King Jesus and Faithful Responses to His Enthronement Faith responds to the enthroned King Jesus by living faithfully and pursuing the Great Commission with compassion, hope, and worship despite hardship. […]
What Is Faith Without Works?
Faith Without Works and the Loyalty That Makes Faith Alive James declares that faith without works is dead because true belief must move into action. Rather than earning salvation, works […]
Learning Faithful Faith from the Church in Niger
Church in Niger and Faith That Serves Through Persecution After riots destroyed Christian buildings and homes, believers responded by caring for hospitals, prisons, and the very communities that harmed them. […]
Why Is Faith a Necessary Response to Grace?
Grace and Faith: The Response That Honors the Giver Faith answers grace with gratitude, because allegiance and faithfulness are the proper human response to God’s gift in Christ. John’s signs […]
What Is Faith?
What Is Faith: The Biblical Meaning Behind True Belief Faith is not a feeling, because it stands on the historic truth of the Bible and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. […]
Learning to Pray: Rejoice (Part 2 of P.R.A.Y.)
Rejoice Always: Learning to Pray with Praise and Thanks Thanksgiving and praise belong at the heart of prayer, because rejoicing honors God for what He has done and who He […]
How Do We Share the Gospel?
Sharing the Gospel: Witnessing to Jesus the Victorious King Obedience to Jesus requires sharing the gospel, even when culture resists through skepticism, narcissism, and false tolerance. Witness includes both history […]
5 Bible Verses on My Mind as I Watch Afghanistan Crumble
Afghanistan Christian: Bible Verses for Hope in Upheaval Scripture speaks to collapse and fear, echoing Jerusalem’s devastation and validating lament without denying God’s reign. Job exposes fragile trust, urging sober […]
Grieving, Praying, and Hoping for Afghanistan – Q&A with Chris Dewelt
Pray for Afghanistan: Grieving and Hoping with Afghan Believers Persecution is likely to intensify, so pray for Afghan Christians to be protected, strengthened, and faithful under pressure. Real stories make […]
Introduction to Faithful Faith: Reclaiming Faith from Culture and Tradition
Reclaiming Faith: A Roadmap for Faithful Faith Mark E. Moore introduces Faithful Faith as biblical teaching meant to empower the church to live authentically and make disciples. Five questions guide […]
Sermon on the Mount: Contempt
Contempt: Jesus’ Heart-Level Call to Reconciliation Jesus links contempt to the whole spectrum, from anger and “Raca/Fool” name-calling all the way to murder as its ultimate expression. Rather than policing […]
Who Is the God of the Gospel?
Trinity and the God the Gospel Reveals Explore how the gospel discloses the one true God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit within history—through the Son’s coming and the Spirit’s […]
This Person Has Enormous Power Over You
Not Ashamed and the King Who Rules Your Life Recognize that shame reveals your ruler—whoever can make you most ashamed when you disobey them has enormous power over you. See […]
What Does It Mean to Be Baptized for the Forgiveness of Our Sins?
What Does It Mean to Be Baptized? Clear Forgiveness What does it mean to be baptized? Bapism is described as the normative point where faith connects with God’s grace and […]
Your Reconstruction Story as Told by Jesus
Faith Reconstruction and Jesus Repairing the Foundation Faith Reconstruction highlights how Jesus deconstructs what cannot remain, leaving only what God intends to be truly foundational. John’s “I am” statements show […]
A Weird Way We Win
Meek: The Weird Way Christians Win Battles Instead of mirroring the world’s aggression, meekness wins by keeping strength under control and responding with humility. Scripture shows Jesus conquering through gentleness—riding […]
What Does It Mean to Repent?
Repentance: What It Means to Truly Turn to Jesus Genuine repentance shows up as a change in heart and behavior, not just an apology without follow-through. Paul’s dramatic turnaround and […]
Habitual Sin: Do We Want to Get Well?
Habitual Sin: Do We Truly Want to Get Well? Jesus’ question in John 5 exposes whether we truly want healing or keep waiting in patterns that never change. Habitual sin […]
It’s Easy to Fall Short of Faith
Faithful Faith: Why Admiring Jesus Isn’t Saving Faith Nicodemus knew the Bible and admired Jesus, yet his faith stayed at the level of affinity instead of full trust. Jesus pressed […]
What Does It Mean to Place One’s Faith in Jesus?
Faith in Jesus: What It Means to Truly Believe and Follow In John’s Gospel, belief is an action word, showing that real faith includes an outward response. Trusting Jesus means […]
Book Review: When Doctrine Divides the People of God by Rhyne Putman
‘When Doctrine Divides the People of God’ by Rhyne Putman: Book Review Jonathan Ciecka reviews Rhyne Putman’s core premise that imperfect people interpret a perfect Bible, urging author-intent reading and […]
How People Make the Commitment to Jesus in Baptism
Baptism Commitment and the Covenant Promise to Follow Jesus Baptism commitment is the formal covenant pledge where a believer repents, trusts in Jesus, and receives God’s promises of forgiveness and […]
How to Botch a Baptism
Baptism Fail and the Discipleship That Must Follow Baptism fail occurs when churches baptize someone and then abandon them without the training and relationships needed to grow as a disciple. […]
Why Is a New Birth Necessary?
New Birth and the Restoration of Our Relationship With God New Birth is necessary because sin disrupted humanity’s relationship with God, beginning with Adam and Eve’s choice to do life […]
New Birth Author Q&A – Anessa Westbrook and Michael Strickland with Daniel McCoy
New Birth Author Q&A: Baptism, New Birth, and Conversion Listeners will learn why many people misunderstand the need to be born again and how baptism connects to spiritual transformation. The […]
Learning to Pray: Pause (Part 1 of P.R.A.Y.)
Pause in Prayer: The First Step Toward Deeper Connection Discover how slowing down before you speak helps you center your heart on God and approach prayer with reverence. Learn why […]
How Should We Treat Those Who Disagree with Us?
Disagreements in the Church and the Balance of Grace and Truth Discern the difference between essential beliefs, important issues, and personal convictions before responding to conflict. Follow Jesus’ example of […]
How Should We Treat Elements of Our Faith That Are Not Essential?
Essential Elements And Important Faith Truths Recognize that beliefs not classified as essential are still important and deserve study, time, and devotion. Learn from Jesus, Apollos, and humble instruction how […]
Permission to Say No to a Fight
Say No To A Fight And Pick Battles Like Jesus Notice how Jesus repeatedly refused to be pulled into distractions and redirected people toward God’s deeper priorities. Discern which conflicts […]
When You Face Criticism in Ministry
Criticism In Ministry and Wise Leadership Responses Identify the difference between helpful critique and a critical attitude using Jethro’s counsel and the spies’ negativity. Evaluate negative feedback through biblical wisdom […]
What Are the Essentials of Biblical Christianity?
Essentials Of Biblical Christianity and Bullseye Beliefs For Salvation Identify the essential beliefs for salvation, such as God exists, Jesus is Lord, and Jesus is risen from the dead. Understand […]
Does Hebrews Teach We Can Lose Our Salvation?
Eternal Security and the Teaching of Hebrews on Falling Away Explore Hebrews 6 and 10, which describe believers who fall away and face severe judgment. Understand the “by grace through […]
What Is the Difference between Essential, Important, and Personal Elements?
Essential Vs Important and the Target Illustration for Faith Define how essential beliefs relate to salvation, important beliefs support orthodoxy, and personal convictions shape preferences. Use the target exercise to […]
The Best Thing about Essential Beliefs
Essential Beliefs and the Truths You Can Count On Picture how life’s storms can crush what you rely on, leaving you searching for something steady and true. Remember that core […]
Does It Really Matter What You Believe?
Christian Convictions and Why Beliefs About God Matter Challenge the cultural assumption that faith is mere preference by showing belief in God is personal and relational. Recognize why the “many […]
Is Faith Mainly about Feelings?
Is Faith Mainly about Feelings? Faith as Trust, Truth, and Loyalty Scripture shows that faith is directed toward Jesus as a person, grounded in believing who he is—not simply how […]
Introduction to Christian Convictions: Discerning the Essential, Important, and Personal Elements
Introduction to Christian Convictions for Discernment and Faith Growth Chad recounts how his dad helped him overcome baptism anxiety by affirming core beliefs and encouraging ongoing spiritual growth. This introduction […]
A Simple Definition of Grace? Yeah, About That…
Definition of Grace Through Charis and God’s Transforming Favor Charis reveals grace as God’s favor and gifts, shaped by patron-client culture and echoed in Paul’s greetings. Instead of one meaning, […]
How Do We Seek the Holy Spirit’s Leadership in Our Lives?
Holy Spirit Led Through Spiritual Practices and Daily Submission Prayer clears inner space so the spiritual dimension becomes visible again instead of being drowned out by constant physical distractions. Fasting […]
How Does the Holy Spirit Make Us like Jesus?
Holy Spirit Filled and Becoming Like Jesus The Holy Spirit unites believers in one shared life with God, building deep community and strengthening the church. Romans 8 highlights how the […]
Make Your Choice: Learning from the Chinese Church
Chinese Church Lessons for Faith Under Pressure Persecution in China reveals how believers endure surveillance and intimidation by standing firm in Jesus without compromise. Conviction grows when Christians count the […]
3 Stages in Our Fight against Sin (and How the Holy Spirit Wins It for Us)
Fight Against Sin Through the Holy Spirit’s Victory Lust describes the stage where sin feels exciting and rebellion against God’s law seems enjoyable. Disgust begins when you meet Jesus and […]
What Does It Mean for the Holy Spirit to Live within Us?
Holy Spirit Empowered Living Through God’s Immersion Baptism brings believers into relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, opening a Spirit-filled way of life beyond the flesh. Participation in […]
How Does the Holy Spirit Move Us toward Jesus?
Holy Spirit Move: Word, Power, and Conviction Holy Spirit Move through the Word as He inspires Scripture to reveal God clearly and invite us into a relationship with Jesus. Signs, […]
What Is a “Spirit”?
What Is a Spirit: Discovering the World Beyond the Visible Defining a spirit shows it as a personal being who transcends the physical world yet can actively influence events within […]
A Personal Culture That Leads to Discipling Relationships
Discipling Relationships: Shaping an Inviting Everyday Culture Ordinary routines become mission fields. Regularly visiting the same cafés, stores, and neighborhoods builds trust so natural friendships can grow into discipling relationships. […]
Warmth in Worship
Warmth in Worship: Creating Authentic Church Moments Relational warmth changes the atmosphere as churches prioritize welcome, hospitality, and genuine care over flashy programming, especially for youth and young adults. Thoughtful […]
Introduction to Holy Spirit: Filled, Empowered, and Led
Introduction to Holy Spirit: Entering a Spirit Filled Life This introduction to Holy Spirit invites believers beyond theology and into an immersive relationship where the Spirit fills, empowers, and personally […]
Let Go or Be Dragged: 4 Things to Let Go Of
Let Go or Be Dragged: Freedom from What Holds You Let Go or Be Dragged shows how clinging to the need to be right traps you in self-righteousness, while surrendering […]
The Rise of Christian Cancel Culture: Scandals, Heresy Hunters, and What We’re Known For
Christian Cancel Culture: What We’re Really Known For Christians often mirror the world’s outrage in Christian cancel culture by publicly shaming, dissecting, and permanently “canceling” pastors and ministries. Instead, Christian […]
The Bible Is Better Than Broccoli
Bible Is Better: Habits That Transform Your Walk Bible Is Better reveals that Scripture is a unified, God-breathed story that renews your mind and reshapes how you see yourself, others, […]
How Pride Month Taught Me the Power of Spirituality
Pride Month: Seeing Culture Through a Spiritual Lens Exploring the explosion of flags and identities during Pride Month, the article shows how even health sites like Healthline can shift from […]
3 Steps to Passing Along the Faith: Repeat (Part 3)
Shema and Forming the Next Generation in Faith Shema highlights a timeless pattern of hearing, obeying, and repeating, showing parents and leaders how continual remembrance shapes a child’s view of […]
The Holy Spirit Is on the Move
Holy Spirit Is on the Move Across the Globe Holy Spirit Is on the Move as explosive growth in Africa, Latin America, and Asia shows millions turning to Jesus through […]
Why Did Jesus Pick Fishermen? Answer: The Gospel.
Gospel for Fishermen: Why Jesus Started with Ordinary People Mark 1 shows the gospel for fishermen calls anyone to repent and believe as God’s kingdom draws near. Instead of choosing […]
How Do Disciples Live in This World?
Disciples Live in This World: Empowered by the Holy Spirit Disciples Live in This World by pursuing an immersive relationship with the Holy Spirit, not just routines or techniques. Acts […]
3 Steps to Passing Along the Faith: Do (Part 2)
Shema Part 2: Loving God Through Obedient Devotion Shema Part 2 shows that loving God is an action that forms disciples, not just a feeling. Moses calls God’s people to […]
Exposing Our Self-Deceptions: Review of Daniel McCoy’s Mirage: 5 Things People Want from God That Don’t Exist
5 Things People Want from God That Don’t Exist: Exposing Self Deceptions 5 Things People Want from God That Don’t Exist reveals how spiritual “mirages” distort what we expect from […]
This Pastor Doesn’t Know the Sky Is Falling. Is He Right?
Sky is Falling? Choosing Faith Instead of Fear Sky Is Falling anxiety fades when believers stop bracing for darkness and start battling it with gospel confidence. Instead of doom scrolling, […]
What Is the Result of Disciple Making?
What Is the Result of Disciple Making: Fruitful Growth and Generous Love What Is the Result of Disciple Making is a church that grows fruitfully as God brings the increase […]
Gardening and Spiritual Growth
Spiritual Growth: Cultivating Faith Through Gardening Lessons Spiritual Growth may start small like a seed, but God can multiply simple obedience into lasting impact. Gardening shows that what we sow […]
Why Is Disciple Making the Core Mission of the Church?
Disciple Making the Core Mission of the Church: Inspiring Purpose Disciple Making the Core Mission of the Church brings people to Jesus and helps them become fully mature in Christ. […]
A Spiritual Slaughter We Aren’t Talking About
Spiritual Slaughter and the Hidden War for Souls Spiritual Slaughter reveals how Satan’s most devastating persecution is often subtle, targeting souls through deception rather than physical suffering. Churches in the […]
What Is a Disciple of Jesus?
Disciple of Jesus Foundations for True Discipleship This teaching unpacks Mark 1:17 to show that a Disciple of Jesus is someone who follows him, is transformed by him, and learns […]
Can a Christian Lose Salvation?
Christian Lose Salvation Perspectives on Eternal Security The article confronts casual “once saved, always saved” attitudes, arguing that Scripture’s warning passages call believers to ongoing faithfulness. By summarizing the 1610 […]
Why Are the Teachings and Life of Jesus Important for Disciple Making?
Teachings and Life of Jesus in Disciple Making Teachings and Life of Jesus anchor the Great Commission, where making disciples means teaching people to obey everything he commanded, not just […]
3 Steps to Passing Along the Faith: Hear (Part 1)
3 Steps to Passing Along the Faith in the Shema Rooted in Deuteronomy 6, this first step Hear calls Israel—and us—to recognize that the Lord alone is God and deserves […]
On What Basis Will God Evaluate Our Lives?
God Evaluate Our Lives and the Teachings of Jesus Jesus’ words in John 8, John 12, and Matthew 7 reveal that God Evaluate Our Lives based on whether we build […]
Disciple Making Author Q&A – Bobby Harrington & Scott Sager
Disciple Making Q&A Perspectives on the Church’s Mission Bobby and Scott explain that disciple making is the core mission of the church, grounded in Jesus’ model of intentional relational formation. […]
Losing My Faith in Progressive Christianity: The Banned Books and Podcasts (Part 4)
Progressive Christianity Part 4 Lessons from Deconstruction Dave recounts a slow slide into progressivism. Influences like C.S. Lewis, Rob Bell, and The Liturgists shaped his doubts, loosening his trust in […]
Preparing for Something Far Better than the New Normal
New Normal in Light of Christian Discipleship Jeff Robertson contrasts the culture’s New Normal with the biblical call to fix our minds on unseen, eternal realities rather than temporary comforts. […]
Stop Comparing Your Church: Why Contextualization, Missiology, and Authenticity Matters
Contextualization in Your God Given Church Setting Contextualization counters comparison. When pastors are tempted to measure their ministry against other churches’ highlight reels, remembering their own unique context protects them […]
Sermon on the Mount: 7 Questions to Ask of Each Beatitude
Beatitudes Part 13 Pathway into Kingdom Living Beatitudes Part 13 unpacks seven probing questions that help you draw out the virtues, paradoxes, and promises woven into each Beatitude. Seeing Beatitudes […]
Are We Eternally Secure or Must We Have Faithful Faith?
Faithful Faith: Eternal Security and Obedient Trust Faithful Faith contrasts Calvinism and Arminianism, showing how both camps insist that genuine salvation must produce a transformed, persevering life. Dangerous distortions of […]
The Secret to Telling the World a Better Story
Telling the World with Better Stories Telling the world a better story begins by recognizing that God has already given the church the richest stories in Scripture. By using a […]
The People of God Refuel in the Desert
People of God Strength in Desolate Places Desert encounters with God show that the People of God can become strongest against temptation when they withdraw like Jesus to lonely places […]
Moving Mountains in Myanmar: A Guide to Prayer and Action for Myanmar
Pray for Myanmar Faith That Moves Mountains Amid violent crackdowns and fear, Pray for Myanmar reminds believers that the true enemy is the unseen powers of darkness, not the people […]
Worship Leader Q&A: What Happens When Worship Leaders Doubt?
Worship Leader Q&A: Leading Worship Amid Doubt Biblical models of worship in doubt show how figures like the desperate father, psalmists, and Abraham still turn to God even while wrestling […]
We’re about to Make a Big Mistake – Reflections on Rebecca McLaughlin’s “The Secular Creed”
The Secular Creed and the Cost of a Godless Morality McLaughlin’s book exposes a new secular religion in which slogans like “love is love” and “gay rights are civil rights” […]
When Life Doesn’t Go How You Expect
When Life Doesn’t Go How You Expect and Learning to Trust God’s Will Remembering a childhood dream of overseas missions, Naomi Jones describes how returning home left her grieving unmet […]
Worship Leader Q&A: What Steps Invite the Skeptic Back?
Skeptic Back in the Journey to Wholehearted Worship Honest stories from worship leaders walking through divorce, grief, and doubt help skeptics see that broken people can still sing about God’s […]
Q&A – 3 Questions We’ve Started Asking at Baptism
Baptism Q&A Lifelong Discipleship Commitments Through Baptism Q&A, new believers publicly affirm Jesus as King, trust His death and resurrection, and commit to follow Him without conditions for life. Emphasizing […]
How to Read Hard Bible Passages
Hard Bible Passages and Faithful Interpretation Hard Bible Passages start with context. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 5 must first be read in light of the original situation in Corinth […]
Q&A – What Habits Can Break Barriers to Building a Multiethnic Church?
Multiethnic Church Habits That Foster Unity Leaders build trust when they intentionally enter the daily spaces of people from different cultures, following Jesus’ example of going into others’ worlds. Christlike […]
6 Principles for Doubting Well
Doubting Well in Honest Christian Faith Readers learn to name different levels of doubt, from core questions about God to secondary church issues, so they don’t abandon faith unnecessarily. This […]
How to Read the Bible like a Progressive
Read the Bible like a Progressive with Clear Discernment Progressive reading is shown as rewriting essential Christian doctrines to fit Western cultural values while proudly selecting which Scriptures still apply. […]
What the Exile Can Teach Us about Returning to Church
Returning to Church with Exilic Hope and Joy Drawing from Israel’s exile and Psalm 126, this article pictures returning to Church as a joyful homecoming where God turns seasons of […]
Sermon on the Mount: The Persecuted
Persecuted in the Sermon on the Mount Beatitudes Drawing from Matthew 5, this article shows that being persecuted for righteousness marks believers as visibly different Kingdom people whose lives confront […]
Worry: The Acceptable Sin?
Acceptable Sin in the Form of Worry Jesus exposes worry as more than an acceptable habit, calling disciples to trust the Father’s care instead of living like fearful slaves. Anchoring […]
The Deconstruction Story That Makes the Most Sense
Deconstruction as the Work of Jesus in Our Lives Christ-centered deconstruction exposes false views of God and self, as Jesus analyzes human beliefs, judges them by God’s standard, and replaces […]
Q&A – Why Is It Worth It to Pursue a Multiethnic Church?
Pursue a Multiethnic Church as a Visible Witness Pursuing a multiethnic church follows Jesus’ call to make disciples of all nations, proving that His vision embraces people from every culture […]
Food Idolatry VS Living Water: Refreshing the Soul by Fasting
Food Idolatry VS Living Water in the Purifying Practice of Fasting Fasting exposes how food has become a modern golden calf, revealing misplaced cravings that should be satisfied in Jesus […]
Can Masculinity Be Non-Toxic?
Masculinity in God’s Good Design for Men Scripture presents masculinity as part of God’s creation of male and female, giving men a unique calling to reflect His character in strength, […]
When God Disciplines You
God Disciplines You with Loving Purpose God Disciplines You to affirm your identity as his child, using hardship as loving evidence that you truly belong to him. Trials under God’s […]
A Brief History of the Bible: From Creation to Now
History of the Bible as God’s Living Word History of the Bible shows that God’s word begins with creation itself, where God speaks the universe into existence and continually sustains […]
A 3-Step Process for Reading the Bible – Q&A with Orpheus J. Heyward
Reading the Bible – 3-Step Process for Understanding Observation sees what the text says. By reading Ephesians 1:3–4 in several translations and in its chapter and book context, you become […]
There Are Two Crosses in the Life of a Christian
Life of a Christian – Walking the Path of Two Crosses Carrying the two crosses reveals true discipleship. Christ’s cross brings salvation, while our cross calls us to die to […]
Resurrection: From Fuzzy Hope to Living Reality
Fuzzy Hope to Living Reality – Meeting Jesus as Resurrection Fuzzy Hope to Living Reality begins with Martha’s fragile belief. Her vague hope in a distant resurrection is transformed when […]
What Are 5 Things People Want from God That Don’t Exist?
5 Things People Want from God – Exposing Impossible Desires 5 Things People Want from God uncovers five “non things.” Many people long for God to affirm every decision, fix […]
What Sets Jesus Apart?
What Sets Jesus Apart – The Hope of His Resurrection Resurrection makes Jesus utterly unique. Unlike any other religious figure, He passes through death into a new kind of life, […]
Good Friday: Buffet or Cafeteria?
Good Friday Reflections on Christ’s Sacrifice Jesus’ suffering reveals how every individual sin carried real weight as he bore griefs, sorrows, and transgressions on the cross. Isaiah 53 and Luke […]
Losing My Faith in Progressive Christianity: The Three Unforgivable Sins — Drinking, Smoking, and Cussing (Part 3)
Progressive Christianity Part 3: Lessons in Grace and Drift Progressive Christianity Part 3 traces how childhood taboos about drinking, smoking, and cussing slowly gave way to a “liberated” lifestyle that […]
The Historical Evidence for the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus – Evidence for Easter (Part 3)
Historical Evidence for Easter—Death, Burial, Resurrection Scholars from skeptical to believing affirm Jesus’ crucifixion, with ancient sources and archaeology detailing the practice and its brutality. In Jerusalem, the empty-tomb claim […]
Worship Leader Q&A: How Do You Lead the Skeptic?
Skeptic in Worship: Leader Guidance Expect and welcome seekers. 1 Corinthians 14 frames gathered worship to include people who don’t yet understand, so hospitality and clarity matter. Model honest praise […]
Pain and the Necessity of Pruning
Pain in Pruning: Lessons for Growth Amid cultural upheaval and personal loss, God is actively shaping character rather than promising a pain-free life. Scripture reveals that the Father prunes fruitful […]
Mirage #4: I Want to Find Peace through Trusting What I Can’t Trust
Find Peace in Trust — Lasting Assurance Chasing stability in possessions, people, or success only ends in disappointment because all earthly things fade away. Jesus alone has proven trustworthy through […]
A Microscopic Killer Gone Viral
Microscopic Killer in Isolation: Gospel Hope Linking the pandemic’s loneliness and loss to humanity’s deeper “infection” of sin reveals our universal need for Christ’s healing life. Through John 11 and […]
Everybody Is Recovering from Something
Recovering — Steps to Spiritual Health Powerlessness led to trust in God, beginning a Scripture-shaped transformation marked by honest surrender and dependence on His strength. Through the twelve steps—surrender, confession, […]
Righteousness: Given to You and Grown Within You
Righteousness — Gift and Growth in Christ Declared righteous by faith, believers stand in right relationship with God as His grace places them in Christ (Rom. 3:22). Transformation by the […]
Come to the Bible with Questions – Q&A with Orpheus J. Heyward
Bible with Questions — Practicing Sound Interpretation Start by examining context (before/after), genre, and language so a passage’s meaning isn’t lifted out of its setting. Recognize historical, linguistic, and cultural […]
Top Ten Forward-Thinking Trends for Disciple Makers
Top Ten Forward-Thinking Trends — Priorities for Disciple Makers Clarify definitions and mission, making disciple making the core focus while moving beyond Sunday-only to a seven-day relational approach with phygital […]
Noisy Minds and Honest Relationships – Reflections on “Chaos Walking”
Chaos Walking — Honest Minds, Healthy Relationships In Todd’s world of constant Noise, genuine control means disciplined thinking rather than hiding, allowing empathy to take root. Within trusted friendship, Viola’s […]
Mirage #2: I Want God to Fix Everything without Touching Anything
Fix Everything without Touching Anything — Why God Changes Us First Pharaoh’s “please…no thanks” pattern illustrates our habit of wanting relief while resisting the repentance God requires. Genuine help begins […]
Sermon on the Mount: Pure in Heart
Pure in Heart — Cleanness that Sees God Jesus moves past externals to the inner life, insisting a clean heart matters more than ritual performance (Mt 5–7; 15). Leviticus’ pattern—confession, […]
Small Beginnings for Discipling a Child
Discipling a Child — Small Beginnings that Last A simple bedtime song becomes parental witness across generations—imperfect, heartfelt, and consistent enough to plant truth. As repetition invites participation, a child […]
Restoring Our City – Q&A with Kelvin Teamer
Restoring — Spirit-Led Renewal in Atlanta Monthly prayer walks through City Hall, campuses, and shuttered business corridors ask God to heal disorder and plant the kingdom’s flag in the city. […]
Crossing the Invisible Fence: An Opportunity for the Church to Lead
Invisible Fence — Leading with Hope As restrictions lift, churches can model confident, responsible in-person worship to show life beyond the fence is safe and meaningful. Testimonies from congregations that […]
Friendship Evangelism in a Post-Christian Era
Friendship Evangelism in Everyday Neighboring Amid post-Christian skepticism, relationships built on presence, prayer, and kindness open doors to talk about Jesus naturally. Practical neighboring—yard conversations, simple help, and block-party hospitality—creates […]
Mirage #1: I Want God to Love Me by Affirming My Decisions
I Want God to Love Me and Divine Correction When Scripture corrects sin, it’s loving guidance aimed at our long-term good, not instant affirmation of every choice. Daniel McCoy’s dissertation […]
Do I Love People? Honestly?
Love People with Biblical Integrity Scripture grounds love in Mark 12:31, 1 Corinthians 13, and 1 John 4:19, moving believers from judgment to empathy shaped by God’s character. Through prayer […]
Sharpening Our Focus on the Great Commission
Great Commission and the Church’s Discipling Mission As Jesus frames it, discipling is the main command of the Great Commission, with going, baptizing, and teaching describing how the church carries […]
Fruitfulness in God’s Kingdom Takes This Uncomfortable Step
Fruitfulness in God’s Kingdom and the Pain of Pruning Carefully cultivated blackberries illustrate how intentional, repeated pruning leads to a far greater harvest than wild, unmanaged growth. Through John 15, […]
Bible Interpretation Is Closer Than You Think – Q&A with Orpheus J. Heyward
Bible Interpretation and Everyday Reading Skills Most of us already lean on context when we read texts and emails, and that same instinct helps us avoid pulling Bible verses out […]
The Truth Is Better Than My Truth (Because It’s True!)
My Truth — Anchoring in Jesus and Scripture Postmodern claims make truth a personal construct, but Scripture warns the heart deceives (Jeremiah 17:9) and defiles (Mark 7:21–23). Jesus declares, “I […]
Want to Do Something Eternal? Do Kids Ministry.
Kids Ministry — Building Lifelong Disciples Before adulthood, many choose to follow Jesus; intentional teaching at church and home plants convictions that endure. Parents who prioritize gathering and partner with […]
How I Went from Atheist to Bible Believer
Atheist to Bible Believer — From Veil to Revelation Drawn by God’s light (2 Corinthians 4:6), the heart’s veil lifts to see Christ’s glory and to trust Scripture. Rather than […]
A Resilient Church in a Cancel Culture
Cancel Culture — Practicing Church Resilience Grounded in disciple making, the church develops resilient believers who hold to biblical convictions with joy and courage. Facing cultural pressure, Christians reject timidity […]
An Invitation to Come in Out of the Dark
Dark — Pathways into God’s Light From Genesis to John, Scripture shows God’s presence bringing light that exposes deception and brings order to chaos. Turning to Jesus, the Light of […]
What Makes Life Meaningful? Reflections on Disney’s “Soul”
Soul — Discovering Purpose in Everyday Life Through Joe and 22’s story, the film uncovers that meaning isn’t found in talent alone but in embracing the beauty of everyday living. […]
When You Worry, Remember God Is at Work
Worry — Trusting God’s Work Today Remember Jesus’ call in Matthew 6 to release anxiety and fix your heart on the Father who provides. From wilderness sandals that never wore […]
What’s So Important about Context? – Q&A with Orpheus J. Heyward
Context — Handling Scripture With Integrity Rightly handling the Word (2 Timothy 2:15) guards us from bending verses to our will and keeps God’s will central. Examples like Ephesians 2:8, […]
Why Humans?
Humans — Purpose, Image, and Kingdom Work From Genesis and the Ancient Near Eastern backdrop, the story reveals a good Creator forming people to share His goodness and steward creation. […]
Thinking about an Extended Fast? Lessons Learned from My Gen Z’er
Extended Fast — Community, Conviction, Direction Participating with church or friends sustains resolve, even from a distance, as shared Scripture and stories strengthen obedience during fasting. As prayer deepens, the […]
What’s So Dangerous about Bible Misinterpretation? – Q&A with Orpheus J. Heyward
Misinterpretation — Context, Clarity, and Accountability Examples like 1 Corinthians 14:40 and Acts 17 show how texts detached from context become tools to police practices God wasn’t addressing. Reader-response approaches […]
Sermon on the Mount: Mercy or the Mob?
Mercy in a Culture of Outrage—Forgiveness Lived In Matthew 5:7, Jesus blesses the merciful, showing that mercy moves from seeing suffering to compassionate action, often expressed as forgiveness. Rather than […]
The Long March through the Institutions of Society
Long March in Today’s Institutions—A Discipleship Response Decades of university influence spread into media, corporations, and policy, advancing Critical Theory across culture. Marxist-rooted frameworks center power and suppression, conflicting with […]
3 Spiritual Boundary Stones to Leave in Place
Boundary Stones in Discipleship: Ownership, Identity, Actions Ownership belongs to God. Devotion stays “Wholly His” when believers reject external idols and deny inner desires that try to shift their hearts. […]
The Less We Use This, the More Relevant It Will Become.
Relevant in a Post-Christian Culture: Why Scripture Resurges Contrasting the raft with Noah’s ark, the article shows how Scripture can seem cumbersome until crises reveal its saving purpose. As secularism […]
Lessons from the Church in Eastern Canada: Get Creative
Canada in Post-Christian Ministry—Creative Lessons Healthy churches prioritize disciple making over size, channeling resources so disciples make disciples in any context. Bivocational and covocational models—like funding a coffee shop that […]
Youth Suicide Prevention: Risk and Response
Youth Suicide Intervention—QPR Actions Direct questions open the door: ask clearly about suicidal thoughts, using wording you can say, to surface real risk. Compassionate listening persuades toward help: avoid judgment, […]
Letter to Someone Struggling with an Anxious Heart
Anxious Heart — A Letter of Peace From racing thoughts to simple prayers, the writer brings fear to Jesus and invites family support to re-center trust. Scripture anchors courage: Psalms […]
Worship Leader Q&A: Can I Worship God in My PJ’s?
Worship and Authentic Connection in a Changing Church During livestream worship, leaders found freedom in rest, preparation, and embracing imperfection as part of authentic praise. Informality helped believers shed pretense, […]
Disciple Making Shift #4 – From Teaching Information to Teaching Obedience
Disciple Making Shift #4: Training for Obedience Obedience over information. Jesus commands us to teach obedience (Matt. 28:20), turning truth into lived practice. Use “I will” statements. Specific, measurable actions […]
Youth Suicide Prevention: Dos and Don’ts
Suicide Prevention in Youth Ministry Detect clusters of clues—behavior changes, withdrawal, prior attempts, and talk of hopelessness—and treat them as urgent. Start compassionate conversations by asking directly about suicidal thoughts, […]
6 Lies That Sink Marriages
6 Lies That Sink Marriages — Practical Guardrails Reject “greener grass” fantasies and fairy-tale expectations; intentionally nurture your spouse and grow together through every season. Seek outside support when needed—trusted […]
When the Foundations Are Being Destroyed
Foundations That Endure Through Faith Discover how Foundations grounded in God’s Word give strength when society feels unstable and divided. Explore David’s Psalms to understand why trusting the Lord offers […]
Disciple Making Shift #2 – From Going to Church to Going to Lost People
Disciple Making Shift #2 Inspires Missional Living Through Disciple Making Shift #2, believers learn to step outside church walls and intentionally reach the lost where they live and work. The […]
Losing My Faith…in Progressive Christianity (Part 1)
Progressive Christianity Part 1: Insights from Deconstruction Stovall recounts a season of doubt, questioning a culture built on the sinner’s prayer and feelings-based assurance. The narrative challenges easy-belief formulas, contrasting […]
Disciple Making Shift #1: From Church Members to Disciple Makers
Disciple Makers in Everyday Mission Identity reframed as disciple makers reshapes daily choices, moving believers from passive attendance to active obedience. Instead of “doing church,” followers reach the lost, train […]
Walking: More than Exercise for the Disciple of Jesus
Walking with God in Practice Enoch’s example in Genesis 5:24 shows that Walking with God means living in His presence, where life overcomes death. Amid ordinary neighborhood routes, Walking opens […]
Sermon on the Mount: Hunger and Thirst
Sermon on the Mount and Kingdom Life Jesus presents righteousness as visible obedience—the lived Kingdom way that surpasses mere status and calls for transformed conduct. Instead of legalistic perfectionism, the […]
5 Shifts to Return to Jesus-Style Disciple Making
Jesus-Style Disciple Making — Five Shifts in Practice Rooted in Matthew 28:18–20, this approach returns to Jesus as the Master Disciple Maker and His plan to go, baptize, and teach […]
A Tragic Choice for a Hill to Die On
Hill to Die On — Unity, Discernment, and Essentials Grounded in Jesus’ example (John 6; John 12), believers relinquish inferior battles to pursue the cross-shaped mission that bears lasting fruit. […]
Disciples of Jesus Choose Hope – Q&A with Michael Patterson
Disciples of Jesus Choose Hope — Practicing It When Life Feels Heavy Rooted in Scripture, biblical hope is a confident expectation in God’s promises, seen in Abraham’s trust (Romans 4:18) […]
Critical Race Theory: Check Box Identity
Critical Race Theory — Intersectionality, Essentialism, and the Church Examines intersectionality’s check-box identity framework and warns that, when detached from empathy and grace, it breeds resentment and entrenches victim/victimizer roles. […]
When You Compare, Beware.
Compare — Following Jesus Over Envy Drawn from Luke 9:46, comparisons among disciples ignite pride and conflict, draining love for neighbor. From 1 Samuel 18:7, Saul’s fixation on David spirals […]
A New Year…in the Eyes of the Lord
New Year — Reading Scripture, Seeing Right in God’s Eyes Through Old Testament history, the refrain “did right/evil in the eyes of the Lord” reshapes personal evaluation beyond comparison or […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: Go and Make Disciples (Part 5)
Disciple Making — Replication in the Great Commission Rooted in Matthew 28:19–20 and John 20:21, Jesus sends trained disciples to go, baptize, teach obedience, and remember His presence. Beyond conversion, […]
Critical Race Theory: Empathy and Narrative
Empathy and Narrative — Listening with Gospel Convictions Through Critical Race Theory’s storytelling lens, the article calls believers to hear marginalized voices with humility and compassion. It warns against turning […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: “Come Take Up Your Cross” (Part 4)
The Stages of Disciple Making — Phase 4: Come Take Up Your Cross At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus clarifies His identity and calls disciples to deny themselves, take up the cross, […]
Something to Behold
Behold — Restored Sight in Dark Times On the 2020 winter solstice, the “Christmas Star” pulled attention from fatigue and fear toward wonder and worship. In Mark 8:23–25, Jesus touches […]
Celebrating Christmas in an Assisted Living Facility
Assisted Living Facility — Christmas Resilience and Connection Residents weather lockdowns with decade-tested grit, drawing strength from community among peers who understand their season of life. Creative connections—Facebook Live feasts, […]
Try to Avoid a Star Wars Christmas
Star Wars — Choosing “With” Over Holiday Overload Drawing from the infamous Holiday Special, overstuffed plans turn Christmas into chaos instead of peace. Instead, the word with reframes the season […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: “Come and Be with Me” (Part 3)
Disciple Making Part 3 — Prayer, Selection, Coaching Through an all-night prayer (Luke 6:12–13), Jesus seeks the Father and then chooses the Twelve, concentrating especially on Peter, James, and John. […]
7 Rules Healthy Couples Set for Themselves
7 Rules Healthy Couples — Marriage Habits That Endure Community with peer and mentor couples offers honest support in hard seasons and keeps the relationship from isolating. Prioritizing dates, shared […]
Straightening Out Your Self-Talk
Self-Talk — Truth, Grace, and Renewal Scripture guides inner dialogue: 1 John 3:18–20 affirms that even when feelings accuse, God’s truth steadies the heart. Confession to trusted believers models grace, […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: “Come and Follow Me” (Part 2)
Stages of Disciple Making Part 2 — Come and Follow Me in Community After hearing “Follow me,” new disciples step into deeper teaching, witness Jesus’ works, and face real conflicts […]
God Is the Healer of Your Wounds
God Is the Healer — Jehovah Rapha and True Restoration From Psalms to Hebrews, Scripture affirms that God binds the brokenhearted, answers distress, and invites confident grace-seeking. In honest prayer […]
Discouragement & Dropout: Why Ministers Leave the Ministry
Why Ministers Leave the Ministry — Causes and Care Unrealistic ideals collide with reality, so mentoring that names failures and models growth helps ministers navigate weekly crises. Unhealthy leadership cultures […]
When You Talk to Yourself, What Do You Say?
When You Talk to Yourself — Core Insights Explore how self-talk shapes attitudes, resilience, and daily discipleship, with practical ways to bring thoughts under the light of Scripture. Recognize negative […]
Prayer and Fasting: the “Why” and the “How”
Prayer and Fasting — Practices that Shape Disciple Makers This webinar unpacks the biblical “why” and practical “how,” equipping both newcomers and seasoned believers to embrace this life-giving discipline. Jesus’ […]
The Lure of the Fruit…in the 21st Century
21st Century — Resisting the Lure of the Fruit Drawing from Proverbs 3 and Isaiah 55, the article contrasts confident curiosity with obsessive self-reliance and calls us back to trusting […]
6 Hidden Signs of an Unhealthy Marriage
6 Hidden Signs of an Unhealthy Marriage and What They Reveal Emotional distance often begins subtly, turning relationships into routines that lack real connection and spiritual intimacy. Neglecting forgiveness and […]
How I Learned to Look for “God Signs”
God Signs — Everyday Reminders of God’s Nearness A skeptic turns joyful after a “praying mantis” moment on her windshield, recognizing a personal nudge following talk of sparrows as signs […]
Developing a Prayer and Fasting Culture: A Q&A with David Roadcup and Bobby Harrington
Q&A with David Roadcup and Bobby Harrington — A Churchwide Prayer & Fasting Path Leaders emphasize that sustained prayer and fasting often precede revival and should become steady rhythms in […]
Reasons Why Adolescents Attempt Suicide
Suicide — Understanding Why Teens Consider It Motives range from escaping “intolerable” situations to punishing survivors or seeking attention—each still requiring serious care. Pressures like avoiding punishment or burdening family, […]
Church Leader, We Are So Thankful for You
Church Leader — Encouragement for Uncertain Times Through conflict, elections, and a pandemic, you pursued unity, protected the vulnerable, and kept people connected while trusting God. Scripture-shaped leadership preached truth, […]
Don’t Quench the Holy Spirit. Follow His Prompts.
Holy Spirit Guidance Prompted to help, the author returns to support a local shop owner as pandemic pressures escalate and uncertainty spreads. Listening to the Spirit’s nudge leads to compassion […]
What Does God Think about My Mental Disorder?
Mental Disorder and God’s Redemptive Purpose John 9:1–3 reveals suffering can display God’s works, reframing mental disorder from punishment to a place for His glory. Rather than hiding in stigma, […]
Sermon on the Mount: What Is God’s Answer to the Problem of Evil?
God’s Answer in Mourning and Hope Jesus enters human grief (Jn 11:35), walking with mourners so no one suffers alone. Through the cross and resurrection, evil’s curse is confronted and […]
On Gender and the Bible: One Church’s Real-World Fight (Part 8)
One Church Real-World Fight and Biblical Transformation Building a culture rooted in Scripture, One Church’s Real-World Fight recounts how obedience reshaped leadership and deepened faith. Through consistent discipleship and prayerful […]
Starting a Transparency Group Video Training: What’s Next in Disciple Making with Bobby Harrington
Disciple Making with Bobby Harrington Training Highlights Field-tested model equips churches to start small transparency groups (2–5), in person or on Zoom, for life-on-life growth. Leaders invite believers and seekers, […]
Exposing Some Common Myths about Suicide
Common Myths about Suicide and What Really Helps Research shows many who die by suicide do signal intent; learn to catch direct and indirect warnings. Pastors should ask plainly about […]
Learning a Grace-Filled Approach to Ministry: Sacrificial Love
Sacrificial Love in Grace-Filled Ministry Christ’s example in Philippians 2 shows love that surrenders status, modeling how leaders lay down preferences for God’s will. Practically, ministers restrain ego, accept correction, […]
Sermon on the Mount: Poor in Spirit
Beatitudes and the Poor in Spirit Desperation reveals our limits; the “poor in spirit” see that this world can’t save them and turn to Jesus for the Kingdom. Rather than […]
What Are Christians Doing on Social Media?
What Are Christians Doing on Social Media — Practices for Digital Witness Algorithms often inflame division, so disciples pursue humility, self-control, and allegiance to Jesus when posting or debating. Open, […]
An Election Day Prayer
Election Day Prayer — Peace, Wisdom, and Hope in Christ Rooted in 1 Timothy 2 and Jeremiah 29, the prayer seeks national peace so believers may live quiet, godly lives. […]
Church, You Can’t Lose on Tuesday
You Can’t Lose on Tuesday — Hope that Outlasts Politics Grounded in Joseph’s foresight, the church prepares in seasons of plenty and provides in famine, trusting God’s mercy in both. […]
What a Ghost Hunter Taught Me about Trust in God
Ghost Hunter – Faith, Scripture, and Inquiry A scientist-believer’s witness shows how investigation of the unseen can coexist with Scripture-shaped thinking and humble limits. Unanswered questions become invitations to trust […]
Learning a Grace-Filled Approach to Ministry: Understanding
Grace-Filled Approach to Ministry: Leading with Understanding A grace-centered leader seeks to understand people’s lives, trading legalism and pride for humility that blesses worshipers. Volunteer care calls for patience and […]
Are We Turning into Skeptics of the Bible?
Skeptics of the Bible – Cultural Drift & Gospel Remedy Enlightenment roots, failed institutions, and online echo chambers train people to distrust external authority—including Scripture. Real-life fallout appears in moral […]
Saving Christian Education
Christian Education in an Integrated Mission Resist mission drift by anchoring every discipline to Christ’s lordship (Phil. 1:9–11), choosing an integrated model over historical or value-added approaches. Deploy learning for […]
Should You Consider Prison Ministry?
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Peter Pan and the Fading of Youth
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Letter to a Woman Who Wants to Be a Missionary
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Do You Feel Forgotten?
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If I Had One Sermon to Preach to the American Church
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What Your Prayers Tell You about You
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How Not to Ruin a Legacy
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Stressed Out? Try Celebrating.
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The Joker’s Smile
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Why Do So Many Ministers Drop Out of Ministry? How We Can Help
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Why Pray if God Already Knows What He’s Going to Do?
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The Danger of Comparison
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Fasting: A Surprising Journey into Joy
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3 Reasons Why I (Still) Serve in Student Ministry
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Can ANY Christian Become a Disciple Maker?
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Devotion to Each Other
Devotion to Each Other and Its Role in Church Unity Devotion to each other shapes Christian identity. Believers are called to stay connected and work through relational tension as a […]
Is God Petty?
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Rip Current
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Do You Know What You’re Asking for Your Kids?
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Understanding the Impact: Why the World Does not Understand Sex The world’s view of sex feels hollow. Jon Sherwood reflects on how worldly pleasure left him empty and searching for […]
How Do You Remain Faithful to God When Life Has Been Terrible to You (Part 2)
How Do You Remain Faithful to God Part 2 When Life Feels Overwhelming and Hope Is Fading Discover how focusing on Jesus’ endurance on the cross strengthens your ability to […]
Russian Roulette with Your Soul
Russian Roulette with Your Soul – A Biblical Wake-Up Call What does eternal judgment really mean? Explore whether Jesus’s warnings of fire are literal or symbolic—and why either way, it’s […]
How Do You Remain Faithful to God When Life Has Been Terrible to You? (Part 1)
How Do You Remain Faithful to God When Life Has Been Terrible to You Part 1 — Finding Strength in the Struggle How Do You Remain Faithful to God When […]
Mark Moore on Life, Legacy, and Core 52
Core 52 By Mark Moore — Lessons on Legacy, Joy, and Discipleship Core 52 By Mark Moore connects biblical knowledge to daily life. The conversation highlights how Scripture can shape […]
Untangling Addictions with Marcus De Carvalho
Untangling Addictions with Marcus De Carvalho: Breaking Free Through Faith and Neuroscience Untangling Addictions with Marcus De Carvalho explores how addiction alters brain chemistry through dopamine and neuroplasticity. Discipleship can […]
What if Your City Had a Lower Percentage of Christians Than North Korea?
What if Your City Had a Lower Percentage of Christians Than North Korea? 3 Key Truths from the Gospel Front Lines Some U.S. cities are more unreached than nations like […]
Is Anxiety Interfering in Your Relationship with God?
Is Anxiety Interfering in Your Relationship with God? Understand Its Spiritual Impact Is anxiety interfering in your relationship with God through fear-based faith? When fear replaces reverence, even worship can […]
Advice for Scholars Who Are Trying to Remain Faithful to Christ
Advice for Scholars Who Are Trying to Remain Faithful to Christ: A Timely 3-Point Reflection Many Christian scholars lose their way not through heresy but through pride, subtly drifting from […]
3 Lessons I Learned from Norman Geisler
3 Lessons I Learned from Norman Geisler Every Christian Apologist Should Know Aim higher with confidence in your calling. Despite early setbacks, Norman Geisler’s relentless pursuit of excellence led to […]
What Happens When We Die
What Happens When We Die: Insights on Death, the Soul, and Eternal Life Death is not the end for believers. Scripture promises immediate presence with Christ for those who trust […]
Eat Fresh Crow
Eat Fresh Crow: Why Leaders Shouldn’t Delay Apologies Owning your mistakes builds trust. Humble leaders who admit fault quickly earn credibility and respect. Avoiding hard conversations makes things worse. Delayed […]
Your Shepherd’s Plan
Your Shepherd’s Plan: 3 Faith-Filled Takeaways from Psalm 23 God Provides and Guides – The Shepherd leads us to green pastures, still waters, and righteousness. His provision is rooted in […]
Tired of Living as Predictably as a Facebook Advertisement?
Tired of Living as Predictably as a Facebook Advertisement? Here’s What You Can Learn Jesus offers lasting freedom from predictable patterns. The Samaritan woman’s encounter at the well reveals that […]
Curious About CBD?
Curious About CBD: What Every Christian Should Know Before Using It Curious about CBD and faith? Dr. Sasha Noe explores how Christians can navigate CBD use with wisdom, discernment, and […]
Words
Words: The Role of Language in Transforming Lives Why is language powerful in the Bible? Scripture reveals that language has the ability to heal, harm, guide, and fulfill God’s promises […]
Snapshot of Hope: Flowers of Lebanon
Snapshot of Hope – A Refugee’s Story of Resilience and Joy Snapshot of Hope captures how a mother clings to dignity amid displacement. Even while grieving her husband’s death and […]
Rise Up
Rise Up: Embracing God’s Call to Courage and Action Rise Up is God’s call to act boldly. From the Book of Judges to today, God repeatedly urges His people to […]
Itching Ears.
Itching Ears: Understanding the Allure of False Teachings What does “itching ears” really mean? Paul’s warning in 2 Timothy 4:3 reveals a timeless tendency to reject truth in favor of […]
Getting Found in the Shuffle
Getting Found in the Shuffle and Joining God’s Mission Getting Found in the Shuffle isn’t accidental—it’s intentional. God is moving people across the globe so they can seek and find […]
What a Lousy Dad Still Got Right (And We Can Too!)
What a Lousy Dad Still Got Right Even flawed fathers can finish strong. David’s story shows that despite major failures, dads can leave a legacy that matters. It’s never too […]
Is Our Manhood in Crisis? – An Interview with Robert Lewis (Part 2 of 2)
Interview with Robert Lewis Part 2 What does authentic manhood look like today? In Part 2, Robert Lewis unpacks biblical principles for masculine identity that counter cultural confusion. Strong men […]
Is Our Manhood in Crisis? – An Interview with Robert Lewis (Part 1 of 2)
Interview with Robert Lewis Part 1: Addressing Today’s Manhood Crisis Why is manhood in crisis today? This interview dives into rising male struggles like addiction, isolation, and loss of identity. […]
Free Love (Reflections on Lukianoff & Haidt’s The Coddling of the American Mind – Part 3 of 3)
The Coddling of the American Mind Part 3 – How Love Defeats Toxic Tribalism Modern justice is often distorted by tribalism. “Us vs. them” thinking pits groups against each other […]
You Are With Me
“You Are With Me”: Finding Peace in God’s Presence Amid Darkness What does “You Are With Me” mean in Psalm 23? The Hebrew imadi highlights God’s intimate nearness, even in […]
4 Righteous Responses to Evil (and Which Ones Are in Our Job Description)
4 Righteous Responses to Evil That Honor God Hate evil without harming others. Scripture urges us to abhor evil while remaining rooted in love and humility. Grieve sin but skip […]
The Lord is My Shepherd
The Lord is My Shepherd: Understanding God’s Powerful Care God chose ‘shepherd’ on purpose. The title reflects His loving, guiding, and protecting nature toward His people. It’s a name of […]
It’s OK Not to Be OK: A Q&A on Mental Health and Following Jesus
Q&A on Mental Health and Following Jesus – What You’ll Learn from This Interview Mental health struggles don’t disqualify faith. This candid Q&A on Mental Health and Following Jesus reveals […]
Pornography: Everyone’s Battle
Pornography is Everyone’s Battle: Biblical Warnings and Steps to Freedom Pornography is Everyone’s Battle is invading homes, hearts, and churches. This article unpacks alarming statistics and the spiritual consequences of […]
Harding Commencement Address (Part 2)
Commencement Address – Key Takeaways Harding Commencement Address (Part 2) urges graduates and believers to live out the full mission of disciple-making as the heartbeat of the Christian life. Disciple-making […]
Discover It: Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture (Part 2)
Disciple Making Culture That Transforms Lives What is a Disciple Making Culture? The article explores how Jesus and Paul modeled a relational, life-sharing approach that built true followers—not just converts. […]
Your Worth as a Disciple Maker
Disciple Maker Insights – Why Your Role Matters More Than You Know Being a Disciple Maker is about more than mentoring others—it’s about reflecting the heart of Jesus in everyday […]
Harding Commencement Address (Part 1)
Commencement Address Part 1 – Why Disciple-Making Is Central to the Kingdom Jesus’ final command defines our mission. David Young’s Commencement Address Part 1 emphasizes disciple-making as the foundational response […]
From Hurt to Healing
Hurt to Healing – How God Transforms Pain into Purpose Those closest to us can hurt the most. Emotional pain often comes from those we love, but God offers restoration […]
Growing Deeper in Prayer
Growing Deeper in Prayer: What You Need to Know Prayer is a personal journey, not a destination. Sydney Clayton shares how growing deeper in prayer begins with recognizing God’s Spirit […]
A Gift of Sacrificial Love
Sacrificial Love in Action: A Call to Biblical Living Sacrificial love is rooted in biblical principles. Leviticus teaches that offerings vary based on one’s ability, but God honors the heart […]
Contrasting Measures
Contrasting Measures – Key Takeaways from the Gospel True worship is measured by the heart. Judas objected to Mary’s lavish act, but Jesus revealed that pure motives—not money—define genuine devotion. […]
9 Fears Related to the Alabama Abortion Law
Alabama Abortion Law: Crucial Realities Christians Should Know What does the Alabama Abortion Law mean legally? The law criminalizes most abortions, aiming to challenge Roe v. Wade and redefine federal […]
4 Ways to Treat the Prisoner as a Person
4 Ways to Treat the Prisoner as a Person in Light of Biblical Justice Treat the prisoner with dignity and compassion. Many incarcerated individuals are awaiting trial and deserve humane […]
Is it safe to follow my feelings? (Reflections on Lukianoff & Haidt’s The Coddling of the American Mind – Part 2 of 3)
Is It Safe to Follow My Feelings When They Distort the Truth? Emotional instincts may mislead. The article explores how modern culture promotes emotions as the ultimate authority, using The […]
Celebrating Your Loved One in Heaven
Celebrating Your Loved One in Heaven with Meaningful Acts of Remembrance Celebrating Your Loved One in Heaven can bring healing. Turning grief into purpose by honoring their memory on birthdays […]
Thoughts about Hell from Jesus Himself
Thoughts About Hell: What Jesus Actually Taught Thoughts about Hell rooted in Scripture: Jesus speaks more about Hell than any other New Testament figure, using vivid metaphors to awaken spiritual […]
Is it a virtue to be fragile? (Reflections on Lukianoff & Haidt’s The Coddling of the American Mind – Part 1 of 3)
Is It a Virtue to Be Fragile? Understanding Safetyism Through a Christian Lens Is it a virtue to be fragile? Explore how “safetyism” promotes emotional fragility, shielding people from growth […]
Book Review: Braving The Future, Christian Faith in a World of Limitless Tech by Douglas Estes
Douglas Estes Braving the Future Review: A Christian Guide to Navigating Emerging Technology Douglas Estes Braving the Future review explores how Christians can respond to rapid technological change with biblical […]
What Narrative Are We Writing in the Hearts of Refugees?
What Narrative Are We Writing in the Hearts of Refugees? A Call to Christian Witness and Compassion Hearts of Refugees are shaped by our witness. Many refugees encounter Christianity for […]
Start where Jesus starts…with respect.
Start Where Jesus Starts With Reverence: Responding to a Disrespectful Age Start where Jesus starts—with reverence. True relationship with God begins with honoring His name, just as Jesus did in […]
The Greatest Song You’ve Never Heard
Greatest Song: Discovering Life’s Divine Melody The Greatest Song You’ve Never Heard reveals how every season of life—both joyful and painful—forms part of God’s masterful composition. Life’s diverse movements create […]
Meals of Jesus
Meals of Jesus Reveals God’s Kingdom Through Table Fellowship Meals of Jesus highlights how Christ used shared meals to connect with outcasts, offering grace and belonging. Transformations unfolded as people […]
There’s No GPS for Leadership
No GPS for Leadership: How Godly Values Keep You on the Right Course No GPS for Leadership means godly leaders must navigate with prayerful intention. There’s no automated route to […]
The Problem of Addiction Today
The Problem of Addiction Today: How Emotional Pain Fuels a Growing Crisis The problem of addiction today is more personal than ever. What once felt distant now touches nearly every […]
How Do I Know My Love Isn’t Just an Act?
How to Know My Love Is Not Just an Act: 3 Biblical Truths My Love Isn’t Just an Act—but how do I make sure? Romans 12:9 reveals that true love […]
Forthcoming: ‘Baptism According to Scripture: A Clear, Short, and Unfiltered Guide’
Baptism According to Scripture: What This New Guide Will Help You Understand Baptism According to Scripture is more than tradition—it’s about transformation, repentance, and new life in Christ. This clear […]
Jesus Never Lost at Rock, Paper, Scissor
Jesus Never Lost: What Rock, Paper, Scissors Reveals About His Priorities Discover how Jesus ranked justice, mercy, and faithfulness over ritual. See why “Jesus Never Lost” applies to His moral […]
Grace as a Bop on the Head in the Middle of the Night
Grace as a Bop on the Head: 3 Insights on God’s Loving Conviction Grace as a bop on the head reflects God’s loving correction. He disciplines to align us with […]
First Century Tombs
First Century Tombs: Archaeological Insights on Jesus’ Burial First Century tombs followed a two-stage burial process. Jesus’ burial aligned with the common practice of laying the body on a stone […]
Caiaphas’ House
Caiaphas House: Uncovering a First-Century Historical Landmark Caiaphas House Discovered: Archaeologists uncovered a first-century palatial home in Jerusalem that aligns with Gospel accounts, believed to be the actual Caiaphas House […]
Introducing Renew
Why Introducing Renew Speaks to a Culture in Need of Biblical Clarity? Introducing Renew highlights the dangers of self-inspired theology. It calls believers to reject mixed messages from culture and […]
Does History Demonstrate that Jesus Existed? – Evidence for Easter (Part 1)
Jesus Existed: Historical Evidence You Can Trust Non-Biblical Sources Confirm Jesus ExistedAncient historians like Josephus and Tacitus documented Jesus’ life, crucifixion, and influence—independent of the Bible. Scholarly Consensus Backs Jesus’ […]
Discipleship
Discipleship: Why It’s the Greatest Mission on Earth Discipleship is relational, not just instructional. The article emphasizes that disciple-making often happens in everyday moments—like car rides or campfires—rather than only […]
How to Model Passionate Politeness
Model Passionate Politeness Model Passionate Politeness by Cultivating Christlike Civility: To model passionate politeness, we begin by embodying Christ’s kindness and gentleness. Reflecting God’s character in our conversations makes our […]
Illusory Truth Effect
Illusory Truth Effect: What Makes Repetition So Convincing in a Christian’s Search for Truth? Illusory Truth Effect is the cognitive bias where repeated information—whether true or false—feels more believable over […]
How Do I Make My Teenager Love Jesus?
Can I Really Make My Teenager Love Jesus? Here’s What Faithful Parenting Looks Like: Can I really make my teenager love Jesus? While genuine faith is ultimately a gift from […]
Abba.
What Does Abba Really Mean? Understanding This Sacred Name for God Abba is an intimate word Jesus used for God. In Gethsemane, Jesus cried “Abba, Father,” introducing a deeply personal […]
The Best Illustration of the Gospel That I Know
Discover the Power Behind The Best Illustration of the Gospel That I Know What is the best illustration of the Gospel? A veteran judge enters a jail cell to serve […]
Two Halves That Make a Perfect Whole
Why “Two Halves That Make a Perfect Whole” Captures the Heart of Discipleship? Discipleship flourishes when service and learning walk hand in hand. The article explores how “two halves that […]
Could the Way You Approach Change Be Short-Changing Your Results?
Short Changing Your Results? It Might Start with How You View Change Short Changing Your Results can happen long before you even realize it—often starting with how you approach change. […]
Serving God Doesn’t Mean Living Life in Fifth Gear
Why Living Life in Fifth Gear Leads to Burnout and Spiritual Depletion? Living Life in Fifth Gear isn’t sustainable. Ministry burnout often stems from constant overcommitment and the pressure to […]
On Heaven
What Makes Heaven Worth Looking Forward To? What is Heaven truly like? Kenny Boles explains that Heaven isn’t an endless choir session but a purposeful place where our God-given design […]
Renewing and the Spirit with Shodankeh Johnson
How Renewing and the Spirit Fuel Global Disciple-Making Movements Renewing and the Spirit empower lasting disciple-making. Shodankeh Johnson shares how Spirit-led renewal through prayer and fasting becomes the catalyst for […]
Leadership Matters
A number of years ago I made the trip back to my alma mater to serve as part of a think-tank. The school administration asked a small group of former […]
Training for More
Embrace God’s Purpose and Wholeness Through Training for More Training for More invites us to move beyond temporary fitness goals and embrace lasting transformation—physically, spiritually, and emotionally. When we shift […]
Inviting the Invisible: Why the Church’s View of Prisoners Matters
How the Church’s View of Prisoners Shapes Redemption and Restoration? Why the Church View of Prisoners Matters? The Bible calls believers to see the incarcerated as made in God’s image, […]