Jonathan’s Robust View of God
God is big. He cares for us. He doesn’t need us, but He is willing to use us to accomplish his merciful intentions. This is the truth that Jonathan, the friend of King David, believed with all his heart. Jonathan…
Do You Bless God?
The practice of divine benediction has a long history. From the ancient stories of Genesis to the accounts of the early church, God’s people have consistently seen reasons to bless their Creator. Abraham’s servant exclaimed, “Blessed be the LORD, the…
John: An Introduction to His Gospel
Though remarkably different from the first three Gospels, the Gospel of John – the last Gospel to be penned – provides an important part of the story of Jesus. John is often described as an eagle, for “so high does…
What Was Sodom’s Sin?
What was Sodom’s sin? The answer may seem obvious, but in our society today, we need to move past our own preconceptions and presuppositions to see what the Bible says. The answer may be surprising. Sodom, as you may remember,…
How to Use Earthly Joy and Sorrow
1 Corinthians 7 contains principles for marriage and advice for unmarried and widowed people. Yet hidden in this chapter is an astonishing mindset for every Christian. This passage teaches us how to live in the world, and how to interact…
The Kings of Israel and Judah
Following the death of Solomon, the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms: the north, or ‘Kingdom of Israel,’ and the south, or ‘Kingdom of Judah.’ Much of the books of First and Second Kings and First and Second…
How God Hears Prayer
In Psalm 4:6, David cries out, “Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” Isn’t this a beautiful phrase – ‘the light of your face?’ The very countenance of God is warm and friendly toward us. Perhaps…
Gospel Discipleship
And Jesus said to them, “Follow me… (Mark 1:17a) When Jesus called his first followers, they didn’t know much about him. At least in Mark’s presentation, Jesus just entered his ministry, and he isn’t yet a well-known figure. So far,…
We Need a Bigger View of God
What do you need if you want to advance in your Christian life? Some people would suggest a theological book, a good church, more time in the Bible, or listening to more sermons and Christian music. Any or all of those…
How I’m Reading the Bible in 2018
Every year I’m forced into the dilemma of choosing whether to read through the entire Bible or read just a section. It’s a difficult choice, because neither option seems ideal. If I read through the entire Bible, I often feel…
