Today is Friday. In two days from now Christians all over the world will gather together to worship God. They will do so in simple church buildings or fancy ones. They will gather in storefronts or movie theatres. They will gather in someone’s home or out in a field.No matter what their surroundings look like, … Continue reading Are we coming to worship entitled or thankful?

Bryce Crawford is a young missionary in Los Angeles. He says that many people move to L.A., make mistakes, regret those mistakes, and then wonder what to do next with their life. Because of this, he says, people are hungry for Jesus.My sense is that this experience is not limited to Los Angeles!I recently saw a … Continue reading Whose voice is louder?

“You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).As the children of our God and King, we strive to live up to our royal pedigree. Are we sinful and broken? Absolutely. But with God’s help we try to grow in Christlikeness and reflect the one in whose image we are made.One of the ways we do this is … Continue reading Reflecting God or playing God?

Most of you have probably not committed murder. But you have probably been very angry at someone.Here’s the connection.In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that … Continue reading Anger. The sleeping giant.

In 1 Corinthians 15:33 Paul quotes the poet Menander: “Bad company corrupts good character.” The ESV translation says: “Bad company ruins good morals.” The NKJV puts it like this: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” You get the point.How are Christians to understand this?In Paul’s letter he is, in part, issuing a warning. If the Corinthians associate … Continue reading Picture yourself as a literal sponge

Today is Friday the thirteenth.There are a variety of theories about why this day is seen as “bad luck.”As Christians, we don’t believe in luck of course. We believe in the providence of God. The Westminster Confession summarizes some powerful biblical truth when it points out in chapter five that the God of infallible knowledge … Continue reading Eyes open on Friday the 13th

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).Just because we know something is good for us that doesn’t mean we do it.For example, we know that regular exercise and a full night’s sleep have powerful effects, both physically and mentally. And yet, these … Continue reading The one constant element in revival

When I say the word “sanctuary” what do you think of?Perhaps you think about a church sanctuary—a place where people gather for worship services.Perhaps a butterfly sanctuary—an environment created specifically so butterflies can thrive. Or maybe political sanctuary—what someone can receive in a new country if fleeing persecution.All of these examples include the idea of … Continue reading A sanctuary of time

Simplicity.Biblically speaking, simplicity is a good thing. In 2 Corinthians 1:12 Paul writes: “we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God…”Acting with simplicity involves pure motives. It involves honesty, being down-to-earth, and not buying into the extravagance, show and competition of the world.It’s … Continue reading Simplicity vs. Complexity

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).Bernard of Clairveax was a monk who lived in the early twelfth century. In his book On Loving God he talks about someone who is … Continue reading Like a drop of water poured into wine