The Odd Notion of Church Shopping
Church shopping is weird. It seems normal today. But it’s a very strange idea, when you think about it. The notion of “church shopping” first became a possibility in 20th…
Church shopping is weird. It seems normal today. But it’s a very strange idea, when you think about it. The notion of “church shopping” first became a possibility in 20th…
We need to live lives that demand an explanation. Paul lived this life that didn’t make any sense. In Philippians 4, he is talking about joy and contentment while chained…
Early Christians before Constantine were both highly persecuted for being too exclusive, narrow, and strange, and yet at the same time they were fast growing, especially in the urban centers.…
Dear Roger, When I read the Bible, I see Jesus placing so much emphasis upon a full-blown commitment to him. His demands remind me of what Dietrich Bonhoeffer said: “When Jesus…
My wife loves to drive when we travel. Why? It’s not that she loves the steering wheel, it’s just that she loves to stay on track. My mind tends to…
Have you watched the pages of the calendar flip by or listened to the tick-tock of the clock counting out the hours year after year, wondering where God is in…
You probably already have some regrets. Not only as a leader, but as a husband, dad and friend too. Leadership is so complicated that sometimes it’s hard to know what…
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” 1 Peter 3:8 Pastors and Leaders, This is probably one of the…
This remarkable sermon is tremendous! Commitment to God is essential to develop any successful relationship. Joshua challenged Israel, “Choose you this day whom you will serve. As for me and…
The last thing we want someone to say about us is that we are “super needy.” We want to be independent, self-sufficient, strong individuals. The idea of needing people and…
We need to live lives that demand an explanation. Paul lived this life that didn’t make any sense. In Philippians 4, he is talking about joy and contentment while chained…
We need to live lives that demand an explanation. Paul lived this life that didn’t make any sense. In Philippians 4, he is talking about joy and contentment while chained…
Why is church attendance declining? Why are churches failing? Carey Nieuwhof reveals the hearts of many Christians today. He writes: SPIRITUALITY HAS BECOME AN INDIVIDUAL PURSUIT First, spirituality is increasingly seen…
Do you really know Jesus or simply know of Him? Is He a celebrity crush or Lord of your life? Lisa Bevere writes her observations: “Has there been a person…
I have two sets of parents. Both couples were wed during the Jurassic period (not really). Both were married almost 60 years. I watched each twosome grow old together. One…
Elisha gave up a profitable career to become a penniless prophet. What do we learn? Crisis can be catalyst for change, but how do we change in the absence of one?…
Hello Roger, I was just reading your teaching on divorce and remarriage and I find it very fulfilling because we are dealing with those issues in our church and this…
One of the most powerful tools any grandparent can utilize is that of asking questions. This simple act reaps so many benefits. Asking questions of your grandchildren shows your interest…
How do you recognize a great leader when you see one? Jon Acuff describes his day with Dan Cathy from Chick-Fil-A: “Jon, do you want to camp out in a…
Do your children run to your side when they come home from school? Do family members stare silently at their smartphones during meal times? Do you stop thinking creatively when…
God wants us to be addicted to Him. We can fall in love with doing good things, with resisting sin, with caring for the poor, with memorizing Scripture, but it’s…
Dear Roger, How do we know which Old Testament Laws should be acknowledged and which ones can be ignored? My pastor says that some laws were cultural (like eating…
What is the impact of the water we swim in in 21st century America? Consumerism can infiltrate our spiritual lives. The notion that you have any decision to make on the…
Dear Roger, I got emotionally involved with a man at work. One thing led to another and before I knew it, our relationship became physical. It didn’t last very…
I am surprised by, and sometimes frustrated at, some people’s submission to emotions. Emotions dominate their lives. Rational thought is ignored and facts are resisted. Like the lady with the…
The Tolerance of Jezebel in Thyatira (Rev. 2:19-24) people? 19 ‘I know your deeds: your love, faith, service, and steadfast endurance. In fact, your more recent deeds are greater than…
Velcro love sticks and stays. God’s HESED love causes us to act on commitment, not feelings first. Suffering is the context where true love begins. Christ’s sacrifice is the embodiment…
Courageous commitment doesn’t make sense and it never will. It didn’t in Daniel’s day and it doesn’t in ours-but as we learn in the unusual suspect of Daniel, because of…
God made both men and women in His image with equal worth and value. He also made them distinctive-equally different, and gave them the responsibility of ruling over creation. Gender…
Churchgoers can listen to a sermon and never apply it. If they trusted Christ when they were young, they often trust that one-time decision to keep them out of hell…
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. (Heb.13:4) No doubt, our culture is sex-obsessed…
Covenant marriage involves: personal commitment, public commitment, permanent commitment and private consummation. In Matthew 5, Jesus warns of the damage consumeristic sexuality has on our relationships with people and with…
What does the Bible say about gun control? More specifically, are the guidelines for the use of defensive weapons the same in the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus…
There’s always that one kid. The kid who won’t stay in his seat at the restaurant. The girl who has to have the last word. And the boy who’s always…
Dear Roger, Do you have to publicly become a Christian or can you do it in private? Sincerely, Anonymous Dear Anonymous, When I was growing up every worship service…
I used to be an atheist. In my teenage years I didn’t believe in God. It all seemed rather strange to me and I saw no evidence for God, so…
SIX MAJOR PERCEPTIONS This Short explores the top six major perceptions revealed from our research and the most common points of skepticism and objections raised by outsiders. Those six major…
Because of Jesus, we have been washed completely clean, set apart for God’s purposes, and declared just before God. All of these blessings come at the huge price of Jesus’…
Why does God put us on the shelf? Let’s look at Moses, Paul and Jesus and find out why… Just got home. Opened the frig. An odiferous gallon of…
Tips for parenting: 1. Watch your expectations, make sure they are positive and not negative! 2. Make sure your kids get enough Vitamin E (encouragement) and some very essential Vitamin…
What a great picture of the Christian life: Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15 “if there’s no life after death, then I’m the stupidest person on earth, because I’ve given…
Is the mission of the local church to evangelize and produce disciples? Or is it to do justice and transform culture? Or is it an equal emphasis and combination of…
Hundreds of ministers have admitted that when they get the phone call with the sobbing, furious, or panicked person on the other line, they do not know what to say. …
The miracle of the talking donkey is about obedience to Christ. When Balaam refused to listen to God’s commands, God used a donkey to prevent him from blessing God’s enemies.…
Why should we seek God’s wisdom in our lives? 1. Wisdom provides a sense of personal security, stability, andwell-being.“My son . . . keep sound wisdom and discretion . .…
“How was the night?” asked the nurse. The young man’s weary eyes answered the question before his lips could. It had been long and hard. Vigils always are. But even…
“Gabriel.” Just the sound of my King’s voice stirred my heart. I left my post at the entryway and stepped into the throne room. To my left was the desk…
When you need to make a big decision, don’t be hasty. Get the facts, inquire of the Lord. Once you’ve make a commitment, keep it no matter what the cost.…
God is always at work. We must join Him in His work and commit our daily tasks on God’s altar as an offering.
Vows originate with man, and we are wise to fulfill them promptly. Covenants begin with God. These are mutual agreements of solemn and binding force between two parties. Don’t make…
In neighborhood after neighborhood across America, the rows of rooftops conceal people whose lives in one way or another have experienced the impact of family disunity or divorce. Perhaps they…
The Christian leader that builds his role on Christ-centered bedrock is blessed with a sound foundation for setting priorities and is more faithfully followed because those he leads know the…
The Christian leader that builds his role on Christ-centered bedrock is blessed with a sound foundation for setting priorities and is more faithfully followed because those he leads know the…
Jesus commends the Ephesian church for its strengths, offers correction for its problems and encourages members to re-kindle their first love, the Lord Jesus. In the struggle to live passionate…
In previous discussions about admonishing others, we’ve talked about two important issues. If we’re going to love someone thoroughly, we must be willing to admonish if necessary. On the other…
The scene: A bunker on the front lines. Artillery shells are exploding all around. Machine-guns lay down a blanket of tracer rounds overhead. The drone of enemy dive-bombers is increasing…
iPods, iPhones, text messaging, e-mail, social networking, video and audio input are all screaming for our attention. It’s funny how the absence of something in your life causes you to…
Stephen is one of God’s overlooked, unsung heroes. But the New Testament is born because Stephen lives and dies for the glory of God. Being persecuted for our faith is…
Jesus teaches in Matthew 22 that our main priority is to love God and love others. We have a desire for devotion, but a drift toward distraction. We must become…
Like Job, we face times when Satan seeks to destroy our community with God — the loss of a job, death of a loved one, a fearful medical diagnosis, rejection…
When we suffer, we are transformed. Job finds peace in the pain of his life, a pain that forces him beyond mere living to a unique peace. Faith must be…