We are living through a moment that will be written about in history books. You will tell your grandkids about the time the world shut down. Documentaries will retell the story for generations to come. It’s tempting to dwell on the weight of the global pandemic, but I would encourage you to step back. There is a far greater historical moment that you should be thinking about this week. It’s the most significant event in the history of the universe. It’s the bodily... Read More

When you’re experiencing a crisis in your life, it’s natural to dwell on that crisis more than anything else. Whether it’s a small personal dilemma or a global pandemic like we’re currently living through, the spontaneous response of our hearts is to meditate on the anxiety. Does this sound like your daily routine? When you wake up every morning, the first thing you do is check the news to discover the latest stats and developments: How many cases of COVID-19... Read More

Like most of you, I’m hunkered down in my house, not going outside, and distancing myself from everyone except my wife. It’s particularly crucial for me to observe strict isolation orders because I fall into the high-risk category. I’m no longer a young man, but more significantly, I live with a compromised immune system. After my kidney damage back and the six surgeries that followed, I’ve had to accept that I will never be a fully healthy person for the rest of my... Read More

We find ourselves in a time of unprecedented trouble. Faced with a global pandemic, we need to take a moment to think biblically about our response to COVID-19. I only have one thought that I will repeat in today’s devotional: Be afraid, but don’t give way to fear. That statement may seem contradictory, so let me explain. Fear is one of God’s good gifts to us. I think there are three types of spiritually healthy fear: 1. Fear of God. This is a holy reverence of... Read More

Has your personal study of the Word of God informed and enlarged your brain without convicting and transforming your heart? When I was a younger pastor, I was exegeting my way through Romans, engulfed in an intoxicating world of language syntax and theological argument. I labored over tenses, contexts, objects, and connectors. I studied etymologies and the Pauline vocabulary. Countless hours of disciplined private study were represented by page upon page of notes. It was all very... Read More

I’m concerned with the level of functional atheism that exists in the church of Jesus Christ. Yes, we believe that God exists, that he created the heavens and the earth, that the Bible is accurate, and that paradise awaits, but we often live—at a functional level—as if there is no God. We worry too much. We control too much. We demand too much. We regret too much. We run after God replacements too much. We do all these things because we have forgotten God’s... Read More

Between the “already” of our conversion and the “not yet” of our final home going, few things are more important in our Christian life than a practical and functional level of biblical literacy. But if you’re anything like me, disciplining ourselves to increase that literacy will be a struggle. So here are four more reasons to study the Bible, even when you don’t “feel” like it: Gospel Worldview You are a theologian. Not an academic... Read More

I have a confession to make. It’s embarrassing and humbling, but I’m willing to make it publicly. Why am I disclosing this struggle? Because first, there is nothing you could discover about me that hasn’t already been covered by the blood of Jesus. And second, I know I’m not the only one who wrestles with it. I hope by making this statement, I encourage you to be honest as well. Here’s the confession: I’m not always excited or motivated to read the... Read More

I’m sure by now that you’ve received a dozen emails, Facebook posts, or push notifications encouraging you to start a Bible reading plan for 2020. Praise God! I love how technology has evolved to place the Word of God in front of us all the time and everywhere! But I have a confession to make: reading the Bible consistently this year will be a challenge. Like it has been every year... So go ahead and pick your next Bible reading plan, but you’re going to need the... Read More