Free audio book: God’s Smuggler

One of the first Christian books I read as a young teenager was Brother Andrew’s account of ministry behind the Iron Curtain in God’s Smuggler. It was a great encouragement to me as a young Christian about the power of God to accomplish His purposes. God’s Smuggler is still in print and it is the […]

Comforting words: “You are a sinner”

“Luther taught that every time you insist that I am a sinner, just so often do you call me to remember the benefit of Christ my Redeemer, upon whose shoulders, and not upon mine, lie all my sins. So, when you say that I am a sinner, you do not terrify, but comfort me immeasurably.” […]

Necessities of life

What we deem to be necessary for our lives and what God deems to be necessary for us are often in conflict. We idolize simplicity and solitude and ease. God desires our sanctification and Christlikeness. And sanctification rarely happens in ease and leisure. So God — decreeing what is necessary for us (1 Peter 1:6) […]

Let’s do good to one another

“So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to […]

Standing against temptation

A father and son were on an errand to the grocery store for a loaf of bread. Of course the bread aisle was in close proximity to the donut case and very quickly the inevitable request was voiced. And that dad, being a “dad,” allowed him to get one. While they were getting into the […]

The mystery of marriage

Tim Keller: I’m tired of listening to sentimental talks on marriage. At weddings, in church, and in Sunday school, much of what I’ve heard on the subject has as much depth as a Hallmark card. While marriage is many things, it is anything but sentimental. Marriage is glorious but hard. It’s a burning joy and […]

Sanctified affliction

From “Of First Importance:” Sanctified affliction teaches the soul its utter destitution. The believer often commences his spiritual journey with shallow and defective views of the perfect fitness and glory of the Redeemer’s justifying righteousness. There is, we admit, a degree of self-renunciation, there is a reception of Christ, and there is some sweet and […]

It’s been 40 years

This coming week (Tuesday, Jan. 22) marks the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision by the Supreme Court, legalizing abortion. Since that time, some 53-55 million abortions have been performed in the United States, and perhaps more than 1.2 billion worldwide. Here are several articles worth reading to remind yourself of the importance […]

Some good ebook deals

There are currently a number of good ebook deals both at Amazon and elsewhere (but act quickly, several of these are for a very limited time): Paul Enns, Everything Happens for a Reason?: God’s Purposes in a World Gone Bad ($1.99). Crossway (the link to the sale page doesn’t appear to be working) has all […]

When cancer arrives, how will you be?

Several years ago, a friend of mine was diagnosed with late-stage multiple myeloma while in his early fifties. For about a year and a half he fought the cancer and received some measure of response from the treatments and was able to engage in many of his regular activities. And then he contracted spinal meningitis […]

Bible reading plans for Accordance

For 2013, I customized two chronological Bible reading plans — one for the Old Testament (plus two of the gospels) and one for the New Testament (plus the Psalms). You can download those plans here in PDF format. For those who use the Bible program Accordance — my favorite for the Mac, and one I […]

A Prayer for New Year’s Day

This morning, Tony Reinke quoted this prayer from one of my favorite devotional books, The Valley of Vision. It is fitting for the advent of a new year: O Lord, Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory. Give me a grace […]

The end of the year — a spiritual summary

This year, our church has read through the New Testament and Psalms. (In the coming year, the plan is to read the Old Testament, though we’ve also provided the NT plan coordinated with the 2013 dates.) Part of my desire was not only to read through the plan, but to blog every day about what […]

The tree in heaven

“And on either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Rev. 22:2; NASB) Heaven. What pictures come to mind when you hear that word? Streets of gold? Pearly gates? “St. […]

Praise the Lord

Indicators of skewed priorities in churches abound. Yet this morning’s newspaper contains a statement from a pastor of a “sound,” “evangelical” church that pinpoints the problems in too many contemporary American churches: “We’re really building a community center, more than we are a worship center.” It’s rare to read or hear such an open acknowledgement […]