We know that we are to communicate the gospel — to speak it, declare it, articulate it, and defend it. Yet many of us miss opportunities to speak the gospel, as this chart demonstrates: Part of the reason we don’t tell the gospel is because we don’t know the gospel well enough to say it […]
Read More Declaring the GospelI had a really effective (and fun) history teacher in seventh grade. Her students did so well that observers from the school district and other educators came into her class to find out what made her so effective. By the time I reached seminary, all those fun days in history forgotten and replaced by prototypical […]
Read More Why reading Christian biography is good for the soulYou are in a spiritual battle — be aware of the wartime realities. Despite all that Christ has done, the battle against Satan’s influences still rages. That’s why Paul says in Ephesians 6, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that […]
Read More You are in a spiritual battleIt took 38 years of watching the Texas Rangers, but a couple of years ago I finally heard the words that every baseball fan loves to hear about his team: “The Rangers are going to the World Series.” I wanted to hear that so much, I’ve actually made it my ring tone on my cell […]
Read More When God changes a man, he lives to please the LordFor the next week, C. J. Mahaney’s booklet, Don’t Waste Your Sports, is available for free as an audio book at Christian Audio.
Read More Free audio book — Don’t Waste Your SportsA few years ago, Dennis needed to some same-day cleaning for some clothes that were necessary for a trip he was taking. Then he remembered a store on the other side of his hometown of Katy, TX — “One-Hour Dry Cleaners.” So he gladly made the out-of-the way trek to the cleaning company and as […]
Read More A worthy lifeIn the summer of 1956, a group of people spent an afternoon waterskiing on Schroon Lake, NY, when they decided to go out one more time. Though tired from the activities of the day, Dawson Trotman (the founder of The Navigators) got back into the boat for one more ride. Also on the boat that […]
Read More Our God is in the heavensThis week I’ve been thinking about the gift of our salvation, summed up in such simple words as “He saved us” (Titus 3:5). It was God’s kindness, love, and mercy that produced our salvation. We repeat those kinds of words frequently, but do we meditate on them and allow the weightiness of them to rest […]
Read More Father, How SweetSome helpful articles from the last week: Here are two helpful resources on Mormonism: Russell Moore writes how “How Christians Should Engage Latter-day Saints.” The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary hosted a panel discussion on the topic, “The Mormon Moment? Religious Conviction and the 2012 Election” (audio | video) George Lawson writes that, “Reliable Source Reveals […]
Read More Grab bagA well-known Christian chorus says: He is able, more than able to accomplish what concerns me today He is able, more than able to handle anything that comes my way He is able, more than able to do much more than I could ever dream He is able, more than able to make me what […]
Read More He is ableAuthor and professor John Patrick suggests that there are nine questions that every person must answer — Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? How do I come to terms with death? How do I make sense of suffering? How can I possibly believe in justice? What can I […]
Read More “But God…”Amazon has Kindle version of Steve Lawson’s book, The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards on sale for only $0.99. This is a terrific deal on a really excellent book. As always, Kindle prices are subject to change quickly, so this is a deal worth getting immediately. (I already own and have read the hard copy, […]
Read More Kindle book sale: The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan EdwardsHaving given a more detailed explanation of the blessings of God in Ephesians 1:3 already this morning, here is a brief summary of the contents of that verse: Who has given blessing? God the Father. Who has received blessing? Us — believers. When will God bless us? He already has blessed us! With what has […]
Read More A summary of Ephesians 1:3When sharing the gospel, it is tempting to emphasize the “blessings” that come from being a Christian — we want to emphasize things like, “God will make your marriage better,” or “you’ll be a better parent and have better children,” or “God will provide everything you need — you’ll never lack for anything” (which is […]
Read More The blessings of GodRandy Newman argues that perhaps we have minimized and diminished the gospel in our attempts to simplify it. Perhaps we have distorted the richness and wonder of its complexities and transcendence and in doing so have kept unbelievers from seeing their need to fall in worship of God who is greater than their comprehension. Maybe […]
Read More Keep the gospel complicated
Words of Grace 