Some issues arise again and again, leaving no generation untouched. The continuing debates over evolution and Genesis are evidence of this pattern, with a score of generations forced to deal with the question of beginnings.The current debates among evangelicals have reached a vital point – the intersection of Genesis and the gospel. We must a

Respect is crucial to relational health. But you can’t respect others unless you respect yourself. You can admire someone if you don’t respect yourself. You can envy them. You can crave their attention. But you can never truly respect them.The reason? The degree to which you don’t respect yourself is the degree to which you will be unable to transm

(Adapted from John Gills's Exposition of the Bible.)A Thought to KeepMay your mind be on the Son of God this week as you celebrate His birth and remember His sacrifice for us.

1. Be quick to hear. James 1:19This can be hard to do because our emotions rise up and our minds begin to think of ways to refute the other person. To be quick to hear means we really do try to listen to and consider what the other person is saying. We don’t just write it off. Even if it seems unjust or undeserved.Photo credit: ©Thinkstock2. Be slo

We can only guess whether the fighting men chuckled or stood in awe at such a "flawed" battle strategy: "Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you" (v. 17 NIV). After all, many of these men had been in battle before. They had seen God work as they fought the enemy, but they had never conceived of dropping the

This reminds us of the need for our complete obedience to God's will. What good would it do for Sarah to have been blessed with the fulfilled promise and then have her husband fail to fulfill all the aspects of God's covenant?B. Sarah's Joy"And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. And she said, Who would

1. 1 Corinthians 10:13“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” -1 Corinthians 10:132. John 8:32“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." -J

1. 666 literally means a name.The number "666" is the number of the name of the coming Antichrist. Giving a number to a name is called "gematria," which is the Greek practice of adding up the letters in someone's name. In Latin this practice is called "isopsephism." Each letter in the Greek language has a numeral equivalent. Add up the letters and

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Or to say it yet another way: “He doesn’t make you go against your will, he just makes you willing to go.” I have often said that God will not force anyone to believe. He is a perfect Gentleman. But that is only part of the story. When the moment comes, God so arranges the circumstances that you are irresistibly drawn to Jesus Christ. He gives you

I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.That is the end of the prayer. What is Jesus' final goal for us? Not that we simply see his glory, but that we love him with the same love that the Father has for him: "that the love with which you [Father]

Our resurrection bodies are not merely immortal duplicates of our present ones. Consider Paul’s analogy of the wheat seed (1 Cor. 15:35–38). A mortal body is like the seed, while an immortal body is like the full-grown plant. Both are physical, with an intrinsic continuity between the two. But what a difference between the seed and the plant in app

4) Change the way you take in members into your church. The best, long-term solution to dealing with “Carnal Christians” is to make sure you guard the front door more closely for the future. Have an intentional process to take in members and do all you can to learn about their life, faith, conversion, and reasons they desire to join your church. T

Paul breaks out four areas of consideration: (1 Corinthians 13:1-7)"If you speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy, and have no love flowing through you, you're a rusty gate." There are many speakers, teachers, preachers, radio teachers, talkers, political leaders and celebrities in today's arena, but if we don't have the accepting love of J

Step 1: Select a scripture quote. Any Bible verse that seems to be calling your name. Don’t overthink this part. You can make it easy and choose my verse if you want!Step 2: Gather your supplies: a poster board or art journal; paint, markers or colored pencils; magazines, stickers or colorful paper; glue stick, rubber cement or craft paste; any ima

John Piper has been the Pastor for Preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, since 1980. He has authored numerous best-selling books, including The Passion of Jesus Christ, Don't Waste Your Life and Desiring God. You will find 25 years of online sermons, articles and other God-centered resources from the ministry of John Pipe

Some of my seminary professors and congregational listeners wanted to consign me to that room, and I must say I actually enjoyed myself there, but eventually it became evident when it was time to leave. In more cases than not, the ticking clock and the turning of the daytimer would force me out. I would then crawl over the wall to the next room of

1. The Trinity is something God wants us to know.If you believe the Bible reveals that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, then you ought to believe that God made this known because he wants us to know it. "The secret things belong to the LORD," but God's triunity is not among those secret things, or he wouldn't be talking about it and neither wou

1. Deflated Shock“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace” (John 16:33a). The guts of John 16:33 are surrounded by two leveling statements, the first promising us peace in a shattered world. God is not shocked by the earth’s engulfing downfall; in fact, He not only told us about it, but also how to prepare our souls to endure