As I survey the state of Christianity, particularly in the Western context, I can’t help but ask, “What are we doing?” I read accounts of believers like Pastor Abhaya in Bhutan who may have to move to another country because the government won’t recognize his marriage to his wife because he is a Christian. This means his children are denied citizenship, which will prevent them from attending school or ever having a meaningful job. Because Abhaya follows Jesus, the authorities deny him not only his rights but also the rights of his entire family. Then I peruse social media in America and see ..read more

A few thousand years ago, Solomon wrote, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). It was true then, and it is still true today. Names and faces come and go, but people are still the same. Sin changes its appearance over time, but what was sin thousands of years ago is still sin today. We’re still falling for the same tactics Satan employed 6,000 years ago. There is nothing new under the sun. We are still a depraved lot in desperate need of a Savior, just as much today as ever. Historically, there have always been those who have stood and cried out against the sin of their da ..read more

I’ve written nearly a million words (true story!) since this blog began back in 2010. Today, as I sat down to write the next instalment, it occurred to me that for all that writing, the only value I can add to anyone is pointing to what is written in the Word of God. No matter how clever the phrase or profound the thought, it is utterly meaningless because all truth is found in the Word of God (John 17:17). There is no wisdom apart from knowing Christ (Job 28:28; Colossians 2:3). Nothing I write will ever save your soul. Only the power of God’s Word can do that (Romans 1:16). So, as much as ..read more

While doing some reading, I stumbled across this from J. I. Packer: “Live slowly enough to be able to think deeply about God.” It’s been some time since a statement hit me so hard. A myriad of health issues in my family have sent my life spinning like a top on steroids for the past year. Add keeping a small business afloat and the usual responsibilities of life, and there’s been little margin in my world for quite some time. I’m sure you can relate; we all go through these seasons. In the middle of these times, it’s easy to get lost as the competing urgency of so many things obscures your p ..read more

How often do we hear about the needs of another and say that we will pray for them? It’s a common occurrence in the life of every Christian. We know the best thing we can do for someone struggling is to pray. When friends are going through a rough period, we might pray for weeks to intercede on their behalf. It’s one of the beautiful things about the body of Christ. We love to pray for each other. Did you ever stop and consider how most of our prayers are reactive rather than proactive? How often do we pray for the spiritual vitality of our fellow believers? How often do we pray for their s ..read more

Consider the following quote from J. C. Ryle: “There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have enough – a cheap Christianity which offends nobody, and requires no sacrifice – which costs nothing, and is worth nothing.” What’s remarkable is Bishop Ryle died in 1900, yet his observation over a hundred years ago is as relevant today as it was then. A quick survey of modern churches reveals a group of pastors, elders, and lay people who are bending over backward to accommodate and avoid offending any and everyone. It’s never been easier to atten ..read more

“Choose your friends wisely” is an adage with profound spiritual implications. Many choose their friends based on shared interests in things in this world, be it sports teams, fashion, food, or entertainment choices. In my experience and observation, very few choose their relationships based on how spiritually nourishing they think they will be. This begs the question of why we would want friends who lead us into a deeper appreciation of things of the flesh rather than those who would help us grow closer to God. If our goal is to live wholly devoted to Christ, we’re going to need to surroun ..read more

The greatest burden of my life is the conviction that so many, perhaps even most people who proclaim to be Christians are not. It’s not the first time I’ve written about this, and it won’t be the last. That’s what happens when a burden is constantly crushing down on you. When I look around at the modern church, and even more broadly at the industries that have sprung up around it, my soul aches for those who think they are on one path but in reality are on another. To quote J. C. Ryle, “According to the men of the world, few are going to hell; According to the Bible, few are going to heaven ..read more

Why do you love Jesus? Don’t say, “Because of all He has done for me.” That’s lazy and robs us of dwelling on how awesome He is, as well as robs Him of the glory He is due. Remember, each of us has sinned and fallen short of God’s standard of perfection (Romans 3:23). If we die in our sins, our eternal destiny is Hell (Romans 6:23; Matthew 25:41). Unable to save ourselves, we are helpless and lost. We need a savior and Jesus is that Savior. Because of our sin, we deserve to suffer the wrath of God, but Jesus chose to suffer in our place. He chose to die on the cross, enduring our shame, and ..read more

Jesus lived a life so distinct from the culture that it got Him killed. By His life, we see we must cast aside the things of this world, no matter the cost. The world might imprison us. They might kill us. So what? They killed Jesus, but that wasn’t the end of the story. Jesus wasn’t just another man. He was and is the very Son of God (John 3:16). For those who deny everything for the sake of Jesus, for those who eschew cultural demands and norms for the sake of Christ, death is not the end of us either. Jesus lived the sinless life we could never live, He was crucified to pay a debt we nev ..read more