Resources to help you understand Scripture, grow in faithful habits, and discover more favorite passages.
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Christian Civility Among Political Insanity
1 Peter 3:13-17 – In a super-charged political society, our confidence is not in parties, platforms, or persons, but our hope is in Jesus. Prioritize your gospel witness in a hostile culture as you keep a clear conscience.
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Jesus Is Coming — Look Busy
If you are convinced that Jesus will return, are you busy with the matters He left you on earth to accomplish? The timing of His second coming may come as a surprise but its certainty should not.
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Introducing Bike for Bibles
Bike for Bibles is an initiative to raise awareness and support for Bible translation. For each mile you ride and fund, you can translate a verse of Scripture into another language.
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Handling Political Frustration
In hostile political times, Christians can get sucked into the vitriol that is consuming the United States of America. Instead of reflecting the words, attitudes, and actions of the culture, the Scriptures provide another path.
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Loving Others to Love God
Our love for others validates our love for God. It reveals our genuine spiritual condition. You can express your devotion to God through the songs you sing, the prayers you pray, and the verses you promote, but if you can’t love God’s children, He questions your ability to love Him.
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You Won’t Humble Yourself More Than Jesus Did
Jesus humbled Himself to be born as a man, live as a servant, and die as a criminal. If Jesus lowered Himself to the level of the cross, you will never outdo Him.
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2025 Sermon Planning Resource
Preparing to preach one sermon is daunting, and planning to preach a year’s worth can feel overwhelming. That’s why I created a simple resource to help you as you pray and plan for 2025.
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Fathers, Families, & Politics
With all the ethical battles being waged in our culture, many people remain in a state of political outrage and intense disagreement. While men may speak their minds on the issues, few discuss them biblically in the home.
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Jesus Came to Thwart the Enemy
Humanity has an enemy who seeks to keep us from God. Jesus came to earth to push back such dangerous opposition and offer us the freedom we need.
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Engaging a Cult
The “religious” practices of cults may seem close to the truth with their similar terminology. However, anything that deviates and twists the truth is a lie.
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The Failure of “My Truth”
A culture that defends its beliefs and behaviors on personal ideations of what feels true to an individual is one that is destined to fail. No matter how much “you do you,” you will ultimately have to make an account before God.
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The Danger of Sweet-Spot Ministry
We all serve more effectively and efficiently if we are working in line with our giftings and passions. But even if you can’t find the ideal way to help doesn’t mean you should wait to serve in any capacity.
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Dragging Behind the Wedding Getaway Car
Before you hop into the getaway car at your wedding reception, realize that you will have some unfortunate baggage. We each carry evidence of Eden’s eviction behind us.
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Why Pastors Should Post
Pastors can approach social media platforms as available pulpits by which to point others to Jesus. If they are growing personally, they should look for opportunities to share what they are learning.
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Be Disgusted by Your Sin (Or Be Prepared to Repeat It)
If your sin doesn’t truly upset you, you will continue to allow it in your life. Only when someone gets sick and tired of its presence does he or she actually start fighting it.
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Discipleship Requires Different Directions
While all true Christians will end up in the same place one day, none of us are in the same position currently. If every Christian is in a spiritually unique place surrounded by specific challenges, why do we think that a broad approach will work for every single one of us?
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When Nature Steals Our Song
While we were made to worship, we often neglect the blessed opportunity. If we look around us, we discover that even nature will sing our song if we refuse to do so.
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Can You Let God Down?
When we characterize our missteps as letting God down, we imply that we are holding him up in the first place. If God’s well-being is contingent upon our success, we are all in trouble.
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Don’t Pursue the Position
In our culture that encourages self-promotion to climb ladders of success, how should Christians seek to advance? While common sense tells us to put ourselves out there, Jesus’ uncommon wisdom tells us to humble ourselves.
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For Those in Need of Hope
When we look around us at the state of the world, we can easily succumb to fear and anxiety. In the midst of unsettling times, you can turn to God for the hope that you so desperately need.
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The Word of the LORD Was Rare
The Word The Word of the LORD Was Rare [1 Samuel 3:1-4:1] Samuel was called to be a prophet during a time when the Word of the LORD was rare. His ministry was established by God’s presence and determined by God’s Word. CONTEXT After 40 years of wilderness wanderings, the Israelites saw the Promised Land…
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Impatient Idolatry
The Word Impatient Idolatry (Ex. 32) Even though the people had gotten out of Egypt, Egypt hadn’t gotten out of the people. Growing impatient with God’s timing, the people used a gift from God as an idol for God. This passage focuses on the Israelites’ formation of the golden calf and God’s judgment of their…
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God Meant It for Good
The Word God Meant It for Good Gen. 50:15-21 Once Israel died, his sons feared Joseph’s retaliation. While Joseph had been hurt by their evil, he viewed his suffering role as critical in the good God was doing. CONTEXT Genesis portrays God’s promise coming true through Abraham’s growing family. Abraham’s great-grandson, Joseph, was favored by…
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There’s a Ram in the Thicket
The Word There’s a Ram in the Thicket (Gen. 22) God miraculously gave Abraham a son but later commanded to sacrifice him. Instead of Abraham having to go through with Isaac’s death, a ram in the thicket became the substitute. Context After the Fall in the Garden of Eden, sin escalated so much that God sent his wrath…
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Two Trees in the Garden
The Word: Two Trees in the Garden (Gen. 1-3) It didn’t take long before sin corrupted God’s good creation. While disobedience brought about brokenness, God revealed a plan to redeem what had fallen. CONTEXT God addressed formlessness and emptiness by stating, creating, and celebrating (Gen. 1:1-4). 1 – Light 4 –…
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The Story of the Bible
The Word The Story of the Bible (Rom. 1:1-6) The Bible is not a collection of disconnected, moralistic stories. It is the one overarching story of how the cross of Christ will rescue a fallen people. Outline God created the heavens and the earthMankind rebelled trying to prove their worthSin escalated to the shedding of bloodGod’s wrath displayed in the form of a floodYet one was blessed…
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For the Bible Tells Me So
The Word For the Bible Tells Me So Ezra 7:1-10 Similar to our context, Ezra the scribe lived in a time when the Word of God had been neglected. How are we to reorient our lives to what the Bible teaches? Karl Barth’s greatest theological truth: Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible…
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Mercy Is Free But Never Cheap
After God’s Own Heart Mercy Is Free But Never Cheap 1 Chronicles 21:1-22:1 King David’s sin brought about consequences for the entire nation. While God did provide mercy, it had a significant cost. Our own sin has cost us, and the only hope is in the sacrifice of another to pay the penalty. Sin’s Responsibility…
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When Goliath Is Yesterday’s News
When Goliath Is Yesterday’s News1 Chronicles 20:4-8 After God’s Own Heart: When Goliath Is Yesterday’s News (1 Chron. 20:4-8) – When David was king, his followers killed giants even larger than Goliath and it wasn’t even that significant of an event. Giant slaying leaders develop giant slaying followers. The Original Giant-Killer Israel put their hope in King…
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Broken Bones
After God’s Own Heart Broken Bones (2 Sam. 11; Ps. 51) When King David was supposed to be winning a battle on the field, he stayed home and lost a battle within his heart. Sin can start with being at the wrong place at the wrong time. CAUGHT (2 Samuel 11-12) Sin can start with…