How many of us have ever muttered these words, “Why does God allow suffering?” We all have when we see, experience, or witness tragedy. For Christians, though, these questions can be even more acute because we believe and proclaim that at the bright center of the universe, there is a good, loving, and all-powerful God. In fact, there is a classical argument against the very existence of God that g...  Read More

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)These words in 2 Timothy are often used as a prooftext for the inspiration and infallibility of the Bible. While I will be using these words as such this Sunday, it is important to remember that -...  Read More

I’m not the smartest person I know, and I’m OK with that. I’m also not the wisest, though I would like to be. God also knows I’m not the smartest or wisest person, but I am deeply grateful that his love for me is not based on how wise or foolish I am (Romans 1:14). Yet God does draw some lines that I need to understand.According to the Bible, God does reveal himself to all people through his creat...  Read More

It wasn’t that long ago that a certain something swept throughout our world that caused economic, political, social, and physical chaos. However, history is full of similar stories. Change is constant, and any hope we put in the status quo will be dis­appointed. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:24-29 that it’s not a matter of “if” those storms come; it’s a matter of “when.” Twice, he says, “The rain ...  Read More

The New Testament includes gospels and letters from a few of the first Christian disciples and believers, but have you ever wondered or imagined what some of the other early believers in Jesus might say if they were able to speak to us? What experiences and surprises might they speak about to encourage us to fully trust Jesus with an eternal perspective, even today?Perhaps I have an overactive ima...  Read More

As He nears the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus urges us to actually do the things He has been teaching. Last week, in verses 13 and 14, He told us to enter by the Narrow Gate and to walk on the Narrow Path. This week we’ll see that He is concerned that we pay attention to our steps – that we take actions to ensure that we remain on the Narrow Way. He gives us warnings, and He shows u...  Read More