Why Should I Keep My Heart Pure?
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). There are basically only two kinds of religion in the world: those based on human achievement and those…
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). There are basically only two kinds of religion in the world: those based on human achievement and those…
Are you married? Do you have opposite sex friends? Maybe you think it’s OK, but what does your spouse think? So, if you’re in the midst of an opposite sex…
Andy Stanley discusses how our behavior will eventually reflect the condition of our hearts. Hey, growing up in our home, and I bet your home was similar, there were certain…
I know what you are afraid of. I’ve been there myself. I understand what it means to have spiritual fear. Maybe you’e never heard it put that way before, but…
God alone is the author and definer of human sexuality and the context in which sexual intimacy is to occur. Sex, sexual identity, and sexuality were created for His purpose…
Our thoughts are powerful. They change our perspective, impact our decisions, and influence our habits. But what do we do when we become trapped by our thoughts, unable to escape…
This question was sent to me by the editor of crosswalk.com. Although it is an unconventional topic, I agree that it should be addressed. ASK ROGER What about Sex and…
New York Times bestselling author and former NFL quarterback, Tim Tebow, talks about being cut from the NFL, losing your identity, overcoming bitterness, his workout routine, and the joy of…
Week Four of “Substitute Identities.” God’s purposes for us are to have our identity rooted in his calling for us to be saints and to trust our sexual lives to…
I ALSO DO MY BEST TO MAINTAIN ALWAYS A BLAMELESS CONSCIENCE BOTH BEFORE GOD AND BEFORE MEN. ACTS 24:16 Folklore advises, “Let your conscience be your guide.” This has serious…
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word. . . . Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may…
It’s been a turbulent season. What has caused some to stay anchored during the storms and stresses of life, while others have lost their bearings under the same conditions? It…
James teaches us we need to examine the purity of our hearts and behaviors. Here’s why…
I shared the following notes with a pastor friend who was preparing a message addressing sexual immorality and gender confusion. It’s a different approach, a verse by verse brief commentary…
Our thoughts are important. Our minds are a factory of thoughts, some intentional, some not intentional. We strategize, reflect, and ruminate. And sometimes we experience intrusive thoughts, those thoughts that…
Technology is designed to be a tool that serves and informs us, not a master that dictates how we live. Through science, entertainment, and communication, technology makes our lives easier…
Satan has a trap. He wants us to think the word “idol” doesn’t apply to us. However, because sin affects everyone, so does idolatry. As Pastor Evans mentioned, “idolatry is…
If there is a being up in heaven right now that spoke the world into existence.. If there really is a creator, then why would I value my own opinion…
While speaking about sexual purity at my church several years ago, I told parents that if they’re going to let their children have unrestricted Internet access in the privacy of…
The term Beatitudes means ‘The Blessings’ or ‘be- attitudes’, as in the attitudes we should live by or be. These character traits, when observed by others within an individual’s life,…
Dear Roger, Our small group was studying the passage in John 21 where Jesus commissioned Peter to be a shepherd for His sheep. I hadn’t considered the next part before,…
“Conscience is what makes a boy tell his mother before his sister does.” ― Evan Esar “It is neither right nor safe to go against my conscience.” ― Martin Luther…
It’s ten o’clock, do you know where your husband is? Apparently many Americans are asking this question, judging by the sales and buzz generated by The Script: The 100% Predictable Things…
We understand intellectually that life isn’t fair, but our culture acts as though life should be fair. There’s been a convergence within our society between justice and fairness. Justice is…
One of our favorite games as a family is called Oh Heck. You might know it as Up and Down the River. The reason this simple card game is so…
We talk to a lot of parents who want to protect their children from pornography. But what should you do when your teenagers push back when you suggest accountability software?…
Would it surprise you to know that according to at least one study, 20.4 million Americans practice yoga?[i] Can Christians do yoga? Should Christians do yoga? When my wife approached…
Dear Roger, My pastor told me that I never have to sin again. How can that be true? Sincerely, Katie Dear Katie, The problem is a misunderstanding of what really…
God wants you to know which one is more important, the traditions of men, or the truth of God. And it’s about time for some of us to decide, are…
What do you want out of your Christian experience? If you’re like most people you might answer that you are looking for peace, strength during difficulties, or even some level…
I think I have been backsliding. I feel awful. How do I come back to God? Sincerely, Sad and Disappointed in Myself Dear Sad and Disappointed, The fact that you’re…
Christianity’s most controversial subject? Creationism. Forget the theories of the Big Bang and Evolution for a moment. Within the body of the Christian church there are at least six different…
The Book of Revelation recounts the events of the End Times, weaving God’s plan at the creation to the wrath of God, the final judgment, and the eternal reign of…
She was beautiful. Not in the “everyone is beautiful” kind of way but in the really, really beautiful kind of way. She had long blonde hair, flawless skin, and style…
I’m not sure if this is in a book somewhere, but it’s widely known that the easiest way to get out of a Christian dating relationship is to throw the…
A few days ago, a friend texted me. Apparently a Christian band had been publicly ripping on him and he needed some advice. Now at the bare minimum, that’s not…
Guest author for Covenant Eyes, Nate Larkin teaches on the insidious nature of lying as a lifestyle: “There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but…
Fifty-four percent of American couples are choosing to live together rather than to be married. We must ask ourselves: Which “benefits” of cohabitating are you most tempted to believe? How…
Dear Roger, I am a high school senior and I got into a discussion about Jesus with my best friend. She is not a Christian and I’ve been…
There is a girl in church (or group of girls who wear totally inappropriate clothes to church. What do I say? Drop Your Stone For those of us who…
What are the idols of your heart? What are the ways in which you have allowed your heart that is intended to worship God, to worship the golden calves that…
What is Noah’s Ark? The Ark of Noah is at the very heart of this story. Therefore, it is the Ark that becomes God’s prophetic message to future humanity. At…
I woke up in Hell. Really. It was that hot. Open heart surgery was finished and my thirteen-year-old body was racked with pain. It’s easier today. Open the chest and…
Christian character has always been important, but it seems like it’s never been as important as it is now. Ephesians 5:1-4 states: ” Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk…
“What would you do if you were 22 again?” I was recently asked that question as part of a conference on world missions. I turned 22 in the middle of…
Genesis 2:18 “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” NIV I will make….. …a helper…
First of all, remember that if you plant purity today, you will reap a rich harvest, free from shame and guilt. And, by the grace of God, you’ll look back on…
Dear Roger, Christians said that if you believe Jesus died for your sins, is the son of God and if you believe in him, your sins are forgiven. However, Jesus…
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…
How would you feel if distant relatives showed up unannounced on your doorstep with plans to stay for a week and were eager to take a tour of your house?…
According a University of Massachusetts study, 60% people cannot have a 10-min conversation without lying.We lie to impress, avoid conflict, get away w/something, shift blame, or to be nice. Satan,…
Was Queen Vashti, King Xerxes’ ex-wife, as shallow and stubborn as we assume? I want you to ponder and puzzle with me. Queen Vashti’s gripping story is told in twelve…
Do you care if your child texts while driving, wears a seat belt, rides in a car where the driver has been drinking alcohol, drives a car while drinking alcohol,…
A young mother whose son was killed in a fire started by outdoor Christmas lights expressed her fear of the upcoming first Christmas following his death. She did not have…
What difference is Heaven supposed to make in our lives now? Why do you think many Christians don’t look forward to Heaven anymore? What are some of the biggest misconceptions…
End-times Christians will be lovers of themselves, greedy, boastful, proud, abusive and disobedient to parents. We can stand out from the crowd by failing to conform to the decadence of…
“Anybody who acquires deep expertise does so at the expense of breadth. The challenge is to understand how much depth is enough, and how much is too much.”-Andrew Hargadon. Most…
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…
/Dear Roger, Can a church look good on the outside, and yet really lose their love for Christ? How can you tell? I never want that church to be mine,…
It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine… That’s a line from the chorus of a hit song by the band R.E.M. And I think,…
“Gary R. Brooks, Ph.D., describes what he observes as a ‘pervasive disorder’ linked to the consumption of soft-core pornography like Playboy.1 He mentions five main symptoms of this:” • “Voyeurism…
Pastor Francis Chan deals with the moral failure of a church leader in a wise, compassionate, godly fashion. Sin must be dealt with, but our focus in facing the issue…
Casas Church devotes a day to honor First Responders. In a culture filled with fear, we must trust God and pray for those who protect us. Remember who you are, where…
The relationship of homosexuality to Christianity is without doubt one of the main subjects of cultural conversation today. If you are a Christian in New York City, it is nearly…
Is the Word of God that should drive our discussions about modesty. What has God revealed about it? First and foremost, a biblical definition of modesty must focus on the heart.…
This past year, Barna Group has spent a considerable amount of time studying the unchurched—those who have not attended church within the past six months. Much of that research is…
An episode of ABC’s Modern Family captures the split in American opinions about porn. Claire Dunphy finds a dirty picture on one of their computers and assumes it was her…
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…
There’s no limit to the good thoughts God wants us to have. So, why do we waste so much time preoccupied with our doubts and fears? How are we supposed…
Laura’s Question: ?”The other day I was sharing with my husband about my day. It was a hard and long day. As I started to tear up, he launched into solutions…
In an unbelieving culture, Mordecai held an integrity that was used by God to deliver the Jewish people. Mordecai’s role as a peacemaker points forward to the complete peace and…
Dad, did you know that your relationship with your daughter is the most important relationship in her life? It is. Enjoy it. Encourage her. She is seeking your approval. A…
I didn’t want just a filter that was like a fence around my kids. Fences might be good for keeping dogs in, but they only provide a temptation for people.…
“Living together before marriage is one of America’s most significant and unexpected family trends. By simple definition, living together-or unmarried cohabitation–is the status of couples who are sexual partners, not…
Francis Chan uses the television show “24” as an illustration to remind us that we must live for eternity. God is in control, and we must not be complacently. Many…
Just moments ago, she had enjoyed all the thrills of sleeping with a man she shouldn’t have. And only a short time later, she stood naked and beaten before a…
While I was getting my hair cut my hairdresser related to me a question one of her young children asked about whether or not poop smelled in Heaven. The…
Bleary-eye and pre-coffee, I stumbled into my bathroom and took a gander in the mirror. YIKES! All I could see were bags beneath my eyes and sags where I used…
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’…
Abraham learned that half-truths that deceive are still lies. Don’t be surprised when our children copy our actions, not our boundaries. Abraham’s deceiving ways were passed down to his son,…
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…
It all happened in one day. One day he could choose his tee time at the nicest golf course in the country; the next he couldn’t even be the caddie.…
Have you ever experienced betrayal? Well the first time it happened to me I was 17. We lived in Columbia, South Carolina, and I was very involved in basketball. I…
Her sparkling blue eyes lit up as I slipped into the dimly lit hospital room. Donna McClure, my dearest friend, was a platinum blonde cowgirl with a heart the size…
We must watch for the “danger of the drift” or slowly falling away from God. What is the power of hidden sin? It kills good judgment causing a downward spiral…
Each community of believers has been called by God to be something lovely together and to do something in our world. This togetherness, however, requires integrity from each of us,…
What if you are confused by God’s actions? “Joseph … did what the Lord’s angel had told him to do.” Matthew 1:24 The white space between Bible verses is fertile…
Since it is virtually impossible to identify and erase all of the misleading information in our mental computers, the only way to change our thinking habits is to input new…
Keys to overcoming temptations, according to James, are taking responsibility for one’s actions, avoiding deception, changing direction, getting help. The four stages of temptation are desire, deception, disobedience and death.
True humility is not self-focused, but filled with thoughts of God and compassion for others. How can we build them up? Do you want to brag about something? Brag about…
How many of you have had the experience of being stripped naked before a room full of strangers? Anyone here this morning ever been strip-searched? You have if you’re a…
Sexuality is designed by God as a way to know Him more fully. Knowing God is designed by God as a way of guarding and guiding our sexuality. By John…
Ungodly companions offer bad advice, encourage us to make unwise decisions and lower our ethical standards. Who advises me? To whom do I look for approval of my choices? What…
Temptation pushes us to fulfill a legitimate desire in an illegitimate way. Temptation attacks our belief that God can be trusted. It empowers us to be the sole owner of…
Lot’s selfishness, misplaced priorities and spiritual dullness cause disaster. He and his family barely escape certain death because of God’s amazing acts of mercy and grace. The lesson for us…
Open doors, chance meetings, fleeting moments with treasured family and friends may soon pass us by. Carpe Diem (seize the moment) is a Biblical principle. Solomon said it best: “There…
My faith is grounded in history, supported by historical evidence. Therefore, my approach to history is critical. The modern approach precludes the possibility of the supernatural. I see that I…
There is perhaps nothing I feel more uncomfortable teaching than prayer. If you were to list my spiritual gifts in order, the gift of prayer might eke out the gift…
The resurrection provides five things that make Christianity stand out as unique, remarkable, and superior to every other philosophy and faith. THE RESURRECTION REVERSES THE GARDEN CURSE We don’t often…
Just like the hedonistic culture that the Corinthian believers faced, Paul teaches that what we do on this earth has consequences in the next life. This life is not all…
As we mature, we take on the character of Jesus Christ and are different than worldly people. Spiritual adults draw others to Jesus. Preached at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship. Used…
A pure heart is essential to truly know God. A dirty human spirit impairs our ability to hear God speak.
The lifestyle art from the testimony of Enoch in Hebrews 11:5 is discussed. My faith means I creatively integrate the sacred into my everyday life. In Hebrews 11:5 the author…
We are God’s only marketing strategy, valued and entrusted with the gospel to shed the light of His glory and character on a world in darkness. We must be salt…
The Lamb of God is also the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. When Christ cleansed the Temple, He became furious at the blatant, presumptious sinfulness of God’s people. We…
A great start in our Christian walk matters little if we finish poorly. If we refuse to listen to the voice of God, ignore spiritual values and base our conduct…
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…
Joseph is described as a trusted slave, a tempted slave and a trusted prisoner. His purity is contrasted with the immoral behavior of his brother Judah. We must withstand temptation,…
There’s an important page in your Bible that, if you are like most people, goes completely unread. Chances are, you are like most Christians who rip past this page without…
Dear Roger, A friend asked me a question I could not answer as I have never seen the play called “Jesus Christ Superstar.” How does it relate to the Bible?…
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…
King Solomon learned that wealth, women, power and pleasure never bring satisfaction. Balance, simplicity and contentment may be gained by living a godly life. Pursue Me first, says God, and…