A single individual’s salvation is part of a much bigger story about God’s activity in eternity past to save sinners. Paul wrote, “He chose us in him before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4a). A believer can say, “God knew me and chose me freely and unconditionally before he ever created anything — before […]

“Each one of you must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). These words from Paul are often misunderstood to imply that one should give only when he feels an inner sense of joy prompting him to give — or […]

A well-known Christian philosopher, Francis Schaeffer, was asked this question: if you had only one hour on a train to tell someone about Christ, what would you do? He answered that he would spend forty-five minutes showing him the problem, and fifteen minutes showing him the solution. Do you have a problem? Perhaps it is […]

Two ladies named Mary went to Jesus’ tomb early Sunday morning (Matthew 28:1). They weren’t expecting to see a risen Jesus, but to anoint his dead body with spices. First, they would have to figure out how to get that giant stone rolled away from the tomb’s entrance.  Before they arrived, some dramatic events took […]

The wife of Charlie Kirk, Erika, said with much emotion that she forgives her husband’s assassin. “I forgive him” were words which powerfully impacted the thousands in the arena and millions streaming during the memorial service for her husband.  She meant, surely, that she would not personally avenge herself of her husband’s blood. That would […]

Christian persecution is any intentional hostility, opposition, or ill-treatment aimed at followers of Christ because they are seeking to obey the Lord Jesus by proclaiming his gospel, promoting his righteous ways, and/or conducting godly lives (Matthew 5:10-11; 2 Timothy 3:12). In the future it seems that unless God does something supernatural to change the direction […]

Have you ever discovered after-the-fact that you had offended another Christian? Maybe what you said or did was not intended in an offensive way, but you found out later it was misunderstood or taken out of context. Maybe you should have known at the time that your conduct was offensive, but you tend to be […]

In Romans 6:2, the Apostle Paul says that all believers have died to sin. At the time of our conversion, through our response to the gospel, we were united to Jesus. And in union with him we died and we were buried with him (Romans 6:3-4). Our old man was crucified with Christ, setting us […]

What do you hope becomes of your children when they are teens? If honest, some of you want your child to be a top athlete. Others might admit they hope their children do well academically and earn college scholarships. Those wishes are not necessarily bad. Most importantly, I trust that you really hope your teenage […]