All Religions Except Christianity, Have This in Common
What are you looking for in a religion? By involving yourself in religious belief or an organization, what do you hope to gain? My experience with people from all over…
What are you looking for in a religion? By involving yourself in religious belief or an organization, what do you hope to gain? My experience with people from all over…
The Good Father Luke 15:11-32 After my husband died, I was struggling to fall asleep at night and I was struggling to stay asleep. I had tried singing praise songs…
The ancient city of Jericho was a hotbed of wicked Amorite culture. It was heavily fortified with imposing walls. It was also Israel’s entry point into the Promised Land. Conquest…
The High Holidays are upon us, and my upcoming posts will be dedicated to the Fall Feasts. This month, however, I can still indulge myself with my favourite topic: showing…
“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a…
“God’s dwelling place will be among His people, and He will be with them” (Revelation 21:3). Let me share with you a few takeaways from the book of Revelation. Everyone…
Years ago, a mundane event turned into one of the more interesting and memorable moments of my life. I was flying from Los Angeles to El Paso, Texas, to speak…
Dear Roger, What is the “Book of Life” and how do I know if I’m in it? Sincerely, Paul Dear Paul, The Bible teaches that the Book of Life is…
BEGINNER’S GUIDE: SHARING YOUR FAITH IN JESUS Christianity is known as a missionary religion. This means that a fundamental part of our faith in Christ is to tell others about…
The Apostle Paul writes back to a church that he began to encourage them about remaining faithful amidst opposition and persecution. He celebrates what he’s hearing about indicators that mark…
Bob sat on a bench across from the courthouse deep in his thoughts. He was there to find his father. He had never met him, but he had heard many…
The Beauty of Being Forgiven… I wonder what it was like for the woman caught in the very act of sin in John 8:1-12. The overwhelming emotions she must have…
Dear Roger, I’ve been watching the Asbury Revival closely, as well as the other revivals that are breaking out around the world. Part of me is absolutely thrilled to see…
What was Jesus’ personality like? If our culture were to create Jesus’ personae, it might look like Mr. Rogers’s personality:[i] gentle, unassuming, two-dimensionally meek and mild. In short, a sweet…
During the earth’s greatest trial and tribulation will also come its greatest opportunity for salvation. Even after the church is raptured off the earth and ensconced in heaven, there will…
KNOWING YOU ARE SAVED Read: John 1:12-13; Romans 8:38-39; I John 5:11-15; We can know we are saved because of the promises in the Bible about our salvation. (Hebrews 10:23)…
Every Christian loves the story of Christmas. We love to hear about the angels and the shepherds. We love the think about noble Joseph and humble Mary. We love the…
As we shop, look up, seek out or ask for gifts in this season of the year — let’s do ourselves a favor and REMEMBER the GIFT of the Savior…
The Good Shepherd Luke 15:1-7 Psalms 23 was my father’s favorite Psalm. If you were raised in church like me, you can probably quote 75% of it from memory. As…
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…
My beloved parents believed dancing was a sin, all dancing. And, as I remember it their convictions caused me a little anxiety growing up. As I approached middle school…
We have all heard the famous Benjamin Franklin quip, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Given death’s sure nature, why is it…
INTRODUCTION There are many ways to fail in life, but the only way to succeed is to be intentional. We all have things in our lives we want to improve—yet…
No matter who we are we must find an answer to the ultimate question of life: “Who is Jesus?” Why is this the ultimate question? Because Jesus made some extravagant…
Perhaps my favorite nursery rhyme is Humpty Dumpty. Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t…
Dead air is a period of silence in radio or television in which the broadcast signal is interrupted and there’s no transmission. Throughout history, God has broadcast His truth to…
I remember an old episode of The Andy Griffith Show entitled, “Tom Silby Returns.” In that episode there is a funny exchange between Andy and Tom made so by a…
“He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3 NKJV A friend organized a Christmas cookie swap for our church office staff. The plan was…
How many of us have any idea the depths of God’s forgiveness? In June of 1983, a young woman named Karla Faye Tucker savagely murdered a couple as they slept. …
Dear Roger, Am I right in thinking that the Christian church is sliding farther away from its primary mission of evangelism? Do you know why? And what does that mean…
“Why do so many bad things happen to good people?” Open up to Mark in the New Testament, Mark, chapter 10. As you are doing so, I want to tell…
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin…
Dear Roger, I’ve been reading about the judgment seat of Christ where we will receive awards according to how profitable or unprofitable our lives have been on earth. It…
When I was a young Christian and didn’t yet understand much about my faith in Christ, I asked a friend who was in prison ministry, “Can a Christian lose his…
Introduction In our culture today, many philosophies and worldviews based on human wisdom compete for our attention. These ideas, however, are marked by deception and the absence of Christ. If…
If you find yourself in a dark place, Pastor Mark shares four helpful hacks:1) It’s always darkest before dawn2) Widen your aperture3) Live in day-tight compartments4) Let your light shine…
God has big plans for you. He plants dreams in your heart—and they can bloom when the soil is fertile. Set your sights on what’s ahead and prepare your soul to…
Dear Roger, What will happen to the people who miss the Rapture? Will they still be able to become Christians? Will the pain and suffering during…
Let’s do a little Bible study together in I John 2:3-11, and I John 2:15-17 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep…
Stand for Truth, a wonderful Christian news organization in the Philippines compiled these quotes. EVERY PERSON should read these chilling words: 1. CAESAR BORGIA—Italian nobleman, politician, and cardinal: “While I…
Introduction On a football team, there is a kicker and that kicker has one aim — to kick the football perfectly between the two goalposts and to score points that…
How do we prepare ourselves to be ready for the return of Christ? Jesus teaches us how in Matthew 24. Preached at Casas Church. Used by permission.
All (believing) humanity has been united in one body, the work of Christ removing the condemnation of the law for sin, winning access to God, and building believers together into…
Introduction Have you ever been involved with a remodeling project? It can be a very messy undertaking. Because the goal of remodeling is to make something better from its worn…
Introduction Life is full of battles, wars in both the physical and spiritual worlds. Even being a follower of Jesus, you may eventually come to experience what feels like nothing…
Are you really a Christian? How do you know that you are really a Christian? The scripture encourages us to test ourselves to see if we are really Christians (II…
To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. —Lewis Smedes Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven…
Dear Roger, What is the “Book of Life” and how do I know if I’m in it? Sincerely, Paul Dear Paul, The Bible teaches that the Book…
A rock opera written by Julie Barrier in the vein of Jesus Christ Superstar. In his classic allegory, Bunyan dreamed of a man named Christian, who was tormented by spiritual…
Can we not acknowledge that although there may be good and positive things in many different religions, they’re absolutely and completely not the same? Fair enough? Here is what I…
Dear Roger, What did Jesus do each day during his last week? Sincerely, Anna Dear Anna, Jesus’ last week began on Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday…
We tend to forget that crucifixion was the ultimate form of torture. The science of exquisite torture has never been equaled, much less exceeded, than in crucifixion. The crucifixion of Jesus of…
When I am on a jog I often find myself looking right in front of me. Whether it’s because I’m focusing on the path, getting lost in my thoughts, or…
Dear Roger, I’m puzzled. When Jesus said that we are to take up our cross and follow Him, what did He mean? What is the cross, and what does it…
Dear Roger, How young can you be to ask Jesus to be your Savior? Can a 3 or 4 year old truly believe? Sincerely, Liz Dear Roger, What…
The Samaritan woman from John 4 gives us a basis for what it looks like to navigate racial, ethnic and cultural differences. www.ocbf.org.
Roger Barrier began preaching at the age of thirteen. This evangelistic message is his very first semon. Be blessed. Preached at Northway Baptist Church on May 15, 1963, Dallas, Texas.
The very message of Christmas is the message of salvation.
A great author tells the beginning of the story to prepare the hearer for the end of the story. Charles Dickens famously starts A Tale of Two Cities with the…
Do we choose to be Herod, cling to our power, and our glory, and our sin, and ourselves? Or do we willingly humble ourselves before Jesus and find that in…
1 SAMUEL 17:1-47 INTRODUCTION Sometimes just one thing being wrong can mess up everything else. In 1 Samuel 17, Israel had a problem, and his name was Goliath. Today, we…
“Son of man, when a land sins against me…even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness”…
Peter Stoner, in his classic book Science Speaks, calculated the chance of any man fulfilling these prophecies, even down to the present time, to be 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000 (10 to the…
Introduction Gold: emblematic of Jesus coming to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Matthew 2:2 A metal fit for a king Frankincense: emblematic of the priesthood and…
God’s glory shows us who we are in relation to a glorious God. His glory drives out fear and replaces it with joy. God’s glory reassures us of the power…
Like Paul praying for the church in Ephesus, we should earnestly seek the things that God has promised to those who are in Christ. www.thevillagechurch.net.
Ours is a cocooning society. Politics and pandemics have isolated us. We sit dazed and mesmerized by our gadgets. But technology is no substitute for companionship. We have virtual friends…
Week 52 – Pray that, as this year comes to an end and we look forward to a new year, the Lord will help your grandchildren to grow daily in…
Dear Roger, I can’t imagine anyone choosing to be in hell. I’d rather think of hell as where God banishes people he chooses to punish. But, is it true that…
The story of Ehud the Judge in Judges 3 is framed by two statements about his mission to free Israel from King Eglon of Moab. The first is the statement, “[Ehud]…
Jesus Christ speaks to why having a future perspective, an eternal perspective, is absolutely critical for your earthly life now. You have two choices with your life. I have two…
Earlier today I noticed this meme on Facebook, posted by a friend of mine. It’s a challenge to the believer that the God he worships is self-contradictory and inconsistent. The…
When we talk about the chances or odds of something, we are speaking of the likelihood of the unfolding of a future event Some things are less likely to happen…
All of us have been shaped by the words of Billy Graham, whether we know it or not. Here are his most beloved words. Let them inspire and transform you…
On the night the disciples shared their first communion, Jesus prophesied that one of the twelve would betray him. Jesus’ prediction proved very inflammatory for the disciples. With all…
Dear Roger, How can I still believe God is at work and know that He is “working it all for good” when people are out of work, coronavirus is spiking…
“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7b (ESV) I want to invite you to journey back with…
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6…
The Christian faith is about a relationship, not religion. As Christians, we sometimes confuse the two and allow religion to damage and poison our relationship with God. We participate…
I commonly hear Christians and non-Christians object to missions on the grounds that missionaries have sometimes been the tip of the spear for oppression and cultural subjugation. People cite the…
“But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells” 2 Peter 3:13 In our Scripture text, the Apostle Peter warns believers…
For by their own sword they did not possess the land, And their own arm did not save them, But Your right hand and Your arm and the light of…
The widely stated notion “all sin is alike to God” is not grounded in Scripture. Yes, all sin is bad, separates us from God, and is deserving of God’s wrath.…
Lazarus and Dives: How to Live and How to Die People have differing ideas about what happens when we die. All of these confusing opinions must seem rather strange to…
Beloved apologist Ravi Zacharias spent his life and ministry reaching students around the world with the message of Christ. To honor his life, we have featured his powerful discussion of…
Tucson, Arizona was experiencing flooding in October 1983. I was out riding my motorcycle in the rain looking for work every day but getting nothing. I hoped to work in…
God’s rule had now entered history through Jesus the King – being both human and divine; He was to rule over all. It is critical for believers to understand the…
Dear Roger, When we think about the end times we think about the book of Revelation. The apostle John wrote the entire book of Revelation. Is there much scripture…
Dear Roger, I’m not even sure how to ask this question. I am terribly discouraged. I am so overwhelmed with what is happening in the world. I’ve prayed and prayed,…
Look at Jesus Christ. He despised it, ignored it, endured it to save you and me. SHAMEFUL REJECTION Luke 4:28-30: He came to his hometown – They kicked him out.…
Bible teaching on the resurrection, God’s purpose, and Christ’s victory over death.
Easter is the time when we celebrate Christ’s power. We celebrate this verse in Revelation, when He says “I was dead, and now I am alive forever.” I hold the…
Self-help manuals might get you through a bad mood or a rough patch. But does God have a word for the dark nights of the soul? He does. The promise…
Encounter | Week 2: God seeks a loving union with you. The better the relationship the deeper the union. Join Matt as he uses Exodus to explain this in more…
Dear Roger, I see nations fighting an invisible enemy. Could these collaborative strategies mean we are headed for a one-world government to solve our problems? Isn’t this the very stage…
Jesus was more than a mere prophet – he was the sinless Son of God, the human-divine sacrifice for our sins. But he is a prophet nonetheless, and the greatest…
Every once in a while a new movement comes along that seeks to capture the attention of people away from traditional faith commitments. My attention was grabbed by one so-called…
“Make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among…
“Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go” (Exodus 5:2).…
Walking In Darkness “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do…
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…
What is the origin of Halloween? According to historians many believe it began with the ‘Summer’s End’ festival, or Samhain celebrated 2,000 years ago as the beginning of the Celtic year. During…
Dr. Russell Moore explains that sharing the Gospel is not complicated. In fact, he can clearly summarize it in three words: “Can you explain the gospel in three words? Someone…
Dear Roger, I have talked to many young pastors who say that to preach the simple message of salvation is outmoded and ineffective in our Post-Christian culture. Some say…
Every few days my youngest daughter, Whitney comes to me with a series of written questions about the Bible. We review the passages together, discuss her understanding of the issues…
This is a guest post from Tom Terry. How do I relate to non-Christians? Every few days my youngest daughter, Whitney comes to me with a series of written questions…
One night after I had gone to bed early, the phone rang, and when my son picked up he heard a woman weeping on the other end. She was crying…
Has there been a person in your life you thought you knew, but you really didn’t? Could that person be Jesus? Stay with me as we explore this pivotal question!…
Have you ever considered the significance of the appearing of Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration and what it might mean for your life? It may be obvious…
Have you ever considered the significance of the appearing of Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration and what it might mean for your life? It may be obvious…
Dear Roger, My husband and I were discussing how much you had to believe to be a real Christian? So that’s my question. Sincerely, Lanette Dear Lanette, Christianity is a…
Dear Roger, You preached a powerful sermon at our church on the importance of the blood of Christ. I never forgot it. I especially liked how you explained that it…
Dear Roger, It seems like many people use the phrase, “Don’t judge me,” to justify any sort of behavior. In Matthew 7:1-2 Jesus says, “Do not judge or you too will be…
“…on the day when according to my gospel God will judge the secrets of men through Jesus Christ” (Rom. 2:16) “He has fixed a day in which He will judge…
There is only one being created in the image of God, in all of creation, and that being is the human being, and that being is the object of God’s…
We all know what it’s like to do the right thing for the wrong reason. But what about the reverse? Have you ever done the wrong thing for (what you…
Dear Roger, Where do we go after death until the judgement? Sincerely, Betty Dear Betty, Death and dying are on the back burners of everyone’s minds, from preschoolers to the…
Dear Roger, The scriptures say to honor your mother and father. What if your parents are not the Godly examples they are supposed to be? (Divorced because of adultery (both),…
It’s a challenge you face as a church leader: what do you do with people who only occasionally attend church? Like at Easter or Christmas or special occasions? But infrequent…
Dear Roger, My brother-in-law, recently posted this query to me via e-mail: Question from reading John 12:39-41 – my commentary says, people in Jesus’ time would not believe despite…
It was a Red Letter Day. Bloody, beaten, and nailed to a cross, a dying Jesus looked at those around Him and spoke His final words as a man. What…
Dear Roger, I decided to read through the Bible from beginning to end. I just came to Psalm 22 and was struck by how closely this Psalm paralleled Jesus’ experience on the cross. Could…
All religions: Hinduism, Islam, New Age, Mormonism, Scientology-have some truth and beauty but are not the same. Christianity is far different because a holy, mighty God freely gives the gift…
As Americans, we live in a sanitized and antiseptic culture. Everything is clean, orderly, and has its place. Even our suffering. Most Americans don’t experience extreme brutality like Jesus experienced for…
I’d like to list a few ways the biblical idea of repentance can indeed be “hijacked” or stolen. Unhitch Method One way to hijack something would be to unhitch the…
Why do we call people without Christ “lost?” Dr. John MacArthur teaches us why the cross is foolishness to the unbeliever: “Unregenerate sinners are completely lost. Unaided and unilluminated, in his…
The idea of a resurrection demands our faith and absolute surrender. If Christ did not rise, there is no hope. There is no meaning apart from God. Because of what…
My first encounter with my daughter’s guardian angel was on a sunny summer afternoon in the back bedroom of our house. Curly-haired, chubby-cheeked Brianna was 10 months old. Brie could…
Dear Roger, Jesus said in John 10:10 that Satan has come to “kill, steal, and destroy.” I take that to mean that under certain conditions, empowered by Satan, or…
The Ark of Noah is at the very heart of the flood story. Therefore, it is the Ark that becomes God’s prophetic message to future humanity. At times people have…
“Preach the gospel at all times and, if necessary, use words.” This classic quote, misattributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, is both clever and catchy. It just isn’t biblical. Evangelism—communicating…
Repentance is no more a meritorious work than its counterpart, faith. Repentance is an inward response. Genuine repentance pleads with the Lord to forgive and deliver from the burden of…
Dear the many who’ve asked me to address the issue of civil disobedience, Once upon a time I walked the picket line holding a poster of a bloody, “fetus”…
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…
Most times the reason we don’t let go of worldly things is that we don’t seem to realize that there is something better and more important than what the world…
King David had no reason to invite Saul’s crippled grandson, Mephibosheth, to sit at his royal table. But David had made a covenant with Jonathan. Jesus has made a permanent…
One of my favorite biblical role models is Mary of Nazareth. In her life I have found a wealth of wisdom for my own walk with God. Her story illustrates…
When my children were young, one of my sons came into the kitchen while I was doing the dishes, and nonchalantly asked me, “Mom, do you know how to tell…
It’s rather shocking to examine the history of Jesus’ family tree- a lineage of prostitutes, scandal, adultery, murder, and idolatry– but all to prove that it doesn’t matter who you…
Dear Roger, I am shocked and disappointed. I have been to several dynamic, growing churches who end a service and asked if anyone in the audience wanted to “pursue a…
Dear Roger, I hear people talking about praise and worship. Are they the same? If not, how are they related? What is the difference between them? Sincerely, Liz …
Dear Roger, I have had a friend ask me a question about ghosts. They have stated that they have seen a ghost, a man who stands by a window.…
Dear Roger, Our Bible study group was discussing how and why God could justify sending good people to hell. We all agree that someone like Adolf Hitler ought to be…
Dear Roger, Recently I saw a bumper sticker with the letters, “WWJD” [“What Would Jesus Do?” I haven’t worn my bracelet in a long time and I am thinking about…
Amanda Todd became an unwitting spokesperson for despair at the age of fifteen after a predator had convinced her to pose topless for a photo, and then posted it online.…
Let’s be clear from the outset: The Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory is taught nowhere in Scripture. It was invented to accommodate Catholicism’s denial of justification by faith alone. And…
Dear Roger, Our pastor mentioned Enoch in his Sunday sermon. I’ve never heard of him. He was teaching on the book of Jude and I never read much about either…
Dear Roger, I have a problem and don’t know how to help myself. When I was about 6 or 7 years old, I was sexually molested. For a long…
Dear Roger, I really struggle with anger. It seems like I just can’t keep it under control. I know it’s not Christian to be angry, so what advice would…
Why do we need to let our voice be heard in government? To keep silent is to willfully relinquish treasured moral and religious freedoms. This is what author Trevin…
All of us have been shaped by the words of Billy Graham, whether we know it or not. Here are his most beloved words. Let them inspire and transform…
Social intelligence is properly assessing and relating to social environments. Social intelligence is expressed in terms like: Decorum-propriety and good taste in conduct or appearance Etiquette-the conduct or procedure…
Porn addiction is a man’s vice! Or is it? We know sexual voyeurism has exploded in today’s society. Approximately forty million people in the United States are sexually involved with…
Our neighborhood kids are in their yards gleefully decorating for Halloween. Cardboard witches, ghoulish ghosts and sticky spider webs cover the lawns. I have nothing against candy. Give me a…
How could younger people be more spiritual than their elders? The next generation sees God and the world more clearly than we do. Electronic Arts and Hollywood know their…
Hell is not a fad. It is not an optional theological premise. It is a spiritual reality. There are plenty of people today who don’t believe in the Bible’s teaching…
Unspeakable tragedies. Infamous acts. Brutal terrorist attacks even in Sunday church services. Unlike us, many Christians around the world risk their lives to go to church. In the face of such…
New pastor or leader, how do you build trust between you and your staff and church members? Here’s a cautionary tale, and a little advice on HOW to be an…
Dear Roger, My husband and I are planning to buy a house. Are there biblical guidelines for house buying? If so, could you please share them with us? We would…
‘Tis the season of Advent – the celebration of the coming, the appearing of Jesus Christ. Advent consists of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, and Christmas Day. Traditionally,…
Do you want to experience true happiness? God’s Word gives us seven ways to be happy in Him. 1. God’s Immeasurable Love for Us In Ephesians, Paul prays that the…
True peace is the fruit of being confident in God’s love; it is born of the revelation that, regardless of the battle, “Greater is He who is in you than…
Dear Roger, I was wondering about the things that really matter in life. I’d like to do all that I can to please Jesus. I know that you must have…
A perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends. —Proverbs 16:28 Jesus made a remarkable statement concerning Judas. He said, “‘Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve,…
How can we survive economic setbacks? Do you fear the economic future of our country? There are only two approaches for meeting future financial needs including emergencies. One way is…
Good is the enemy of great. Greatness is not primarily a function of circumstance. Greatness is a matter of conscious choice and discipline. Why do some companies, organizations and their…
I love history and I love America! Thought I’d share a little of both in a brief article. For the record, this isn’t a dissertation. It’s a blog. And I’m…
How do you know you have a spiritual stronghold in your life? Max Lucado writes: “Does one prevailing problem stalk your life? Where does Satan have a hook in you?…
TIME magazine featured a cover story on a new initiative against Internet pornography. These anti-porn activists, though, aren’t the caricatured pursed-lip moralists. They are instead young men who say that…
God directed you to this sermon, I believe, so that you would know, first, that you don’t have to die, and, second, so that you would know that Jesus, who…
What labels do you apply to yourself? How do you see yourself? How do you define your humanity? Do you think of your limitations, your flaws of character, your sin? What do you…
Deep transformation is always connected to our deepest desires. In Christ we find the quenching of our thirsty souls. Just like the Samaritan woman, you can embrace the grace of…
The conclusion of a story reveals the transformation of the characters. To really live the spiritual life, we must die to those things that keep us from fulfilling God’s grand…
God knows everything. He knows what we do before we do it, what we think before we think it, what we say before we say it, what we need before…
The Bible tells us in Hebrews 9:27 that “man is destined to die once and after that the judgment.” We will all stand before the Lord. The the unbeliever, it…
Online giving certainly isn’t new in North American churches, especially congregations that are larger, growing, and/or drawing healthy percentages of young adults. But congregations such as First Baptist Church of Glenarden…
The truth about temptation is that it’s not a sin to be tempted, only to give in. Don’t blame God, others or the bait. When tempted run, don’t try to…
What are you looking for in a religion? By involving yourself in religious belief or an organization, what do you hope to gain? My experience with people from all…
Dear Roger, I volunteer in Sunday school and recently overheard some of the kids say they wanted to be baptized. I was baptized as a Christian when I was still…
Do you remember your “first kiss?” I hate to burst your bubble, but those “first kisses” you remember . . .whether it was a stolen smooch in the schoolyard,…
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…
“Happy Father’s Day!” Daughters, do those words invoke images of love and acceptance, or neglect and abuse? Here’s a Bible character who could be nominated for Worst Dad Ever. “Here’s…
We may not like the path God gives, but our eternal destination makes the scenery we see relevant to our desire to keep flowering in desolate places.
A Mother’s Day tribute to the indefatigable bravery and care a mother gives. The story of Moses, his biological mother and the daughter of Pharaoh brought great blessing to his…
A man’s life is a series of transitions. As he moves from one stage to the next, he often passes through a liminal state – no longer his old self…
God knows we are made of dust and our lives our muddy. The muddy mess-the challenges, struggles, sin and pain in our lives make meaning. In the stories where Jesus…
What changes in the world if you and I had never been born? What if Jesus had never come to earth? Isaiah 9 and Luke 4 tell us who Jesus…
Our ICU nurses, donned in red and green scrubs, smiled and cheered as we entered the hospital ICU. Angie, Jessie’s precious “angel nurse” had crocheted a colorful Christmas stocking…
(Author’s note: this is a blog post about the huge changes that are rocking Western society – and their impact on the church. I am not advocating these changes; I’m…
To my fellow humans who are entering that most precarious stage of human development. Let me begin by congratulating you on making it through the embryonic stage. Too many of…
THERE ARE SNOWSTORMS. There are hail storms. There are rainstorms. And there are doubtstorms. Every so often a doubtstorm rolls into my life, bringing with it a flurry of questions…
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…
My identity is not in what I see. “My identity is not in my future accomplishments or my past failures.” “I do not live a life of fear or anxiety.”…
Co-authored with Lisa Loden. The Story of Naaman is one of the most beloved and memorable stories in all of the Hebrew Bible. Believers easily identify with Naaman – commander…
Cain didn’t understand that pleasing God meant obeying Him. In a jealous rage, Cain murdered his brother. Jesus’ decried the Pharisees for the same sin: self-styled religion.
God declared to Noah that man was so sinful He had to destroy the earth: not just people, but all of the creatures and land He had entrusted to their…
God‘s sovereignty in salvation, justice in condemnation, His grace through Christ, His power through the Holy Spirit and His wisdom in committing such a vital task of preaching the Gospel…
In my book, Revise Us Again, I argued at length that the Christian life is becoming who you already are. In Ephesians, Paul says two times to “speak the truth…
Many pastors have nightmares about being naked in the pulpit. My favorite cartoonist, Gary Larson, sketched a cartoon with a deer standing on two legs, a target painted on his…
When I was a young man, it was widely believed the world would end in a thermonuclear fireball. The Civil Defense was everywhere. The “fallout shelter” logo was posted on…
The greatest moments in human history have been those of Christian revival-moments marked by great swelling crowds who flock to hear the preaching of the Gospel. Those are moments in…
In Psalm 127, we are encouraged to allow God to “build our house,” or build our lives. We can rest because He is in charge and nothing can be done…
Have you ever stopped to notice just how many phrases we use that refer to the part of our body that generates our physical pulse…..our heart? You can “listen to…
Is Jesus welcome at your house? Or are you afraid He’ll see the dust bunnies in your life? “Batten down the hatches!” I was happily brushing my molars early one…
The brutal battle Jesus fought to obtain our freedom from sin is described. Adam left us a death sentence: We are separated from God as a result of sin. Sin…
What are the implications of the resurrection for our lives? How will the Good News of Jesus impact the way you live?
Jesus cried to the crowd, “All who are thirsty, come!” Christ, the Living Water offered to quench the thirst of people who were broken and hopeless that their Messiah would…
Loud. Proud. Living large and in charge. That’s me-Bossy. It’s my Achilles’ heel, my worst weakness. I struggle daily with being a control freak. The need to control outcomes and…
Your husband learned from an early age to deny his true feelings — and to be silent about his deepest needs. Most men long for greater intimacy with their wives …
Here are some amazing statistics that re-shape the stereotypes of faith among Hispanic Americans. George Barna gives us a glimpse of the paradigm shifts we are now experiencing. Hispanic Statistics…
Dear Roger, We have a friend (he was only 19) who took his own life about a month ago. He had a Catholic upbringing. We would like to know your…
Many of you have heard the tale of the mouse who rode the elephant across a bridge. After getting to the other side, the mouse said, “We really shook that…
Four great discoveries are revealed in Romans 6. We have evil natures and have committed sins against a Holy God. While we desire to do well, we always struggle with…
God gave us three kinds of glimpses of Jesus in the Old Testament that illustrate His ministry to us. PROPHETS: A prophet speaks for God. HIGH PRIESTS: A high priest…
“When Jesus was preparing to return to his father, he commissioned his friends to go—to astronomically expand the impact of their lives. He called them to action in Acts 1:8; …
There is a place of immunity for the believer, a spiritual fortress in Christ that shelters us from the attacks of the devil. For those who abide in this stronghold…
Jack woke up at dawn, sleepily padding down the hall to the kitchen to down some breakfast before work. As he lumbered toward the fridge to grab milk for his…
When is the last time you felt alive? I mean, really alive. Free to be the person you have always envisioned and hoped you could be? Free to be the…
One of my favorite cartoons features a young boy standing at Dad’s computer, while Dad looks blankly at the screen. The son says, “In return for an increase in my…
King Solomon teaches in Ecclesiastes that the time to surrender to God and serve Him well is in our youth, when we are strong and visionary. God can maximize our…
“Glory to God in the Highest! And on earth, peace, goodwill towards men!” Luke 2:14 KJV The angels proclaimed God’s glory as Jesus was surrounded by livestock and shepherds. I…
Why do women walk away from church? Most people assume that men are leaving church and the women remain to “hold up the pillars,” but George Barna’s statistics on female…
Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church wants Christians to consider the claims of Christ and ponder our choice to receive Him as Lord and Savior even in the…
Paul, in prison, pleads to keep his new convert, the slave Onesimus, to minister to him. Paul writes to his Christian brother Philemon that the reason his slave was separated…
Jesus was unrecognizable to his world because He had a simple birth to a poor family, a scary sojourn in a foreign land and a quiet upbringing in an obscure…
The Christmas classic, “Elf”is a perfect picture of reconciliation. God’s love always allows us to choose. God is passionate to find you. God’s will is that no one would be…
What do you do when a member of your church body falls into sin? How do you help them, rescue them, and not fall into the same temptation yourself. Grace…
Getting the gospel right matters. We must see God correctly, and teach the right view of God. When we model the Christian faith, our sheep see what a true believer…
You can learn to lead by making mistakes. I want to be vulnerable and share some of mine. #1 – I Was More About What We Were Going To Be…
The image of God on the earth should show in the lives of Christ’s followers. Others should be surprised to see the love, forgiveness and spiritual power in our lives.…
My father-in-law told his aspiring preacher-son that every sermon needed a “hooker.” Dad wasn’t referring to a woman of ill repute. Papa Roger was instilling in his son the value…
The picture of Ruth asking Boaz to marry her and become her “kinsman-redeemer” is a picture of how Christ became our “kinsman-redeemer.” he became our kinsman by choice. He paid…
Jesus asked this penetrating question to three seekers and His response forever transformed their lives.• A blind spiritual zero (the blind beggar) – became a blazing light of God’s power• …
1. Don’t go to a church potluck dinner with something that is not homemade. The church ladies will spot a Stouffer’s lasagna in a New-York minute. They will know at…
What are young adults looking for when they go to church? 1. “The need to believe that life is meaningful and has a purpose. During a time when sociologists observe…
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…
We have received all things by the grace, the unmerited favor of God, but all our work is done in the light of that truth and in the strength of…
The light of Christ that shines in us should reflect His love and magnificence to those around us. When we show genuine compassion to spiritually disconnected people, we fulfill the…
Most of us are suffering the consequences of believing lies. Those consequences include broken relationships, fear, depression, self-loathing, and guilt, to name a few. The results of believing a lie…
Paul teaches us that we can know that we are buried with Christ, and raised to new life with Him. We can count ourselves dead to sin and alive to…
Watch out for the “dogs” who teach works instead of faith by grace alone. We must count everything as loss for the sake of Christ, and always boast in Him.
A Good Dad Makes Godly Decisions The Lord made an agreement with Jacob and gave the teachings to Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children. Then…
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…
If we have a restoration mindset we’ll realize our job is to not state the Good News but to show up and be the Good News.Isaiah 58 says:…we will be…
Paul gives us a glimpse of man from God’s perspective. Without Christ, mankind is misguided, wounded and marred by sin. Suppressing the truth invites God’s tough love. Embracing the truth…
God’s big heart is passion-filled with love for His creatures. He’s called us to be an integral part of His redemptive plan. what fences do you need to jump to…
We can look at Thomas and label him the doubter – he has unfairly been labeled…this is a Bible snapshot of a time of questioning, wondering, searching for him…rightly so.…
The torn curtain in the Temple reveals the amazing power and grace of God to breach the chasm between God and man. Because the curtain is torn, we have full…
Is temptation the work of God, Satan or self? God’s free gift of salvation frees us to live pure lives in intimacy with God.
The three parables of the lost sheep, the lost son, and the lost coin all involve something or someone lost, found, rejoicing and celebration in being found. Jesus is the…
Genealogy.com is all the rage. In a society of people searching for significance, we long to know who we are and why we are here. So let me shake my…
Hi Roger, I have a small group I am teaching, actually three of my best friends, one a Catholic, one a Lutheran, and one an alcoholic. They really need…
We live in a tired society, a weary generation. Will you choose to go back to the slavery of Egypt like the faithless Israelites? God had delivered them. Will you…
When we sin, we need to come clean with God — without the attitude. Instead of wallowing in guilt. we should confess, change our ways and move on. God walks…
Ask God to help you prioritize loving others who need Christ by increasing your awareness of their needs, by praying for them and by listening.
Naivete or Christian love? What is the balance? The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them” (Proverbs 12:6). This…
Childhood nights: shadows on the wall, boogey-men in the closet, and scary things going bump. Conquering the boogey-man was pretty easy back then—all it took was a plaintive “Mommee” or…
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…
Mary’s song, the Magnificat, reveals the fact that she knew two kingdoms existed: the kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God. King Herod could have chosen the path…
Dear Roger, Was Jesus a socialist? Sincerely, Wayne Dear Wayne, First of all, Jesus Christ is Jesus Christ. His beliefs transcend any economic or governmental system. His kingdom…
The world was captivated by the rescue of the Chilean miners. There hasn’t been such a risky and yet encouraging story in the news media for a long time. Here…
Do you remember the “Where’s Waldo” children’s books? Little ones (and their curious parents) search in the sea of faces for one nerdy little guy in a red and white…
Hello, I have been reading your IPOD [In “Ask Roger” in “preachitteachit.com.”] on the 4 types of people that pastors cannot change….the personality types….. My husband is not open as…
Paul describes his own religious credentials in Acts 22, and Philippians 3. However, when we read the story of his conversion, we know him only as a leader in a…
This blog is not an easy read. As a philosophy professor and dedicated Christian, I want you to take a journey with me into the human soul and discover…
I’m wondering how much of the creation/evolution debate is caught up in the labels of “Evolution,” “Creation,” and “Intelligent Design.” I say this because of the popularly understood notions of…
Heaven is the place where God will bring good from bad. The greatest stories have powerful beginnings and triumphant endings. In the middle, things go wrong. Jesus is the God-Man…
When Jesus went in the boat back to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him there. A leader of the synagogue, named Jairus, came there,…
The parable of the prodigal son illustrates the heart of God for His wayward children. The younger brother broke all the rules, felt he didn’t deserve his father’s love and…
The tighter we hold onto life, the harder it will be to let go. The believer sees death as a graduation, not the end!
Abraham Lincoln once listened to the pleas of the mother of a soldier who’d been sentenced to hang for treason. She begged the President to grant a pardon. Lincoln agreed.…
Dear Roger, I’ve heard that the Bible says that one of the ways we will know that the end is near is a dramatic increase in the number and intensity…
One of my favorite childhood memories is greeting my father as he came home from work. My mother, who worked an evening shift at the hospital, would leave the house…
Have you had a view of the high country? While in Colorado for a week’s vacation, our family teamed up with several others and decided to ascend the summit of a…
Cain’s bloodless sacrifice was a homemade religion. Six substitutes for genuine faith God won’t accept are good morals and deeds, clear conscience, sincerity, great theology, religious rituals, cut and paste…
No matter how evil our world may become, we must not allow it to harden our hearts toward the people of this world. When our hearts harden toward others, our…
Pandemonium means bedlam, chaos or confusion. Does that sound like Sunday morning at your house? If you know your Greek, pandemonium means daemonium (demons) and pan (all around). No matter…
Pandemonium means bedlam, chaos or confusion. Does that sound like Sunday morning at your house? If you know your Greek, pandemonium means daemonium (demons) and pan (all around). No matter…
Jonah became angry that God saved Ninevah. We need to remember the kind of God we have and the kind of people He invites. We must be caring, listening and…
Jonah, the reluctant prophet, is a picture of God’s mercy, love and grace provided in spite of man’s stubborn self-righteousness. This colorful tale of the man who tried to out-run…
Jesus’ goal is for us to follow Him and to do in the lives of others what someone has already done in our own. To follow Christ means to fish…
The Winter Olympics 2010 are upon us. Athletes across the globe long to skate like Ohno and ski like Mancuso. Even if they don’t win the gold, they hope to…
The dawn of the twenty-first century finds our world facing multiple crises. Headlines everywhere proclaim, “AIDS Crisis Mounts”; “Teenage Pregnancy Hits Crisis Level”; “Marriages and Families in Crisis.” Like a…
Dear Roger, Please tell me if I’m to worship the Holy Spirit. What format should a person use in addressing Him? Thanks, Larry Dear Larry, Let’s answer your second question…
Gratitude is the overwhelming response to God’s love and compassion. Our undeniable guilt plus God’s undeserved grace equals unbridled gratitude.
Genesis 43 recounts the reunion of Joseph and his long-lost brothers. The moving story in this chapter paints a picture of brothers expressing fear, guilt, grief and pain. Emotions are a…
The athiest says “there is no God.” The agnostic says “I can’t know there is a God.” Christianity claims that Jesus became a man embodying God’s love for humanity and…
Christians may suffer because of sin’s consequences, Satanic attack, or because we live in a fallen world. God uses suffering to make us like Christ.
When believers give the Bible its rightful place of authority in their lives, they intimately experience its Author in life-changing ways.
Old Testament shepherds sacrificed their sheep. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, sacrificed Himself for us, His sheep. False shepherds only care about fleecing the sheep and stealing away their lives and…
Our passion is to help people in their spiritual journeys so that they might become mature, passionate followers of Jesus. God is calling all of us to a greater pursuit…
Jesus’ perplexing story of the dishonest manager teaches us that non-Christians are often more diligent and wise in preparing for their futures than Christians. We must use earthly wealth to build…
In the concluding chapter of Malachi, the prophet teaches about the reward of the righteous and the return of the Messiah. Malachi points to the New Testament and John the…
Dear Roger, I recently became a Christian. The pastor told me that now I needed to be baptized. I told him that I was baptized as a baby and didn’t…
Many couples have personalities and interests that are very different. The first step in dealing with differences in a more effective way is to acknowledge that the differences exist. Early…
If I could teach my children only one thing, it would be to worship God. For when they truly worship God, my children will by nature attend church, seek prayer,…
In my own admittedly limited experience, I’ve found that one of the most important aspects in my walk with God is keeping my mind grounded in the truth of Christ.…
Rahab, the Jericho prostitute, is first known by her reputation but remembered by her faith. She fears God and bases her life on the promise that God will save her. Because…
God chooses us and we choose God. How do we understand the concept of election? How can we be sure that we are eternally secure? Jesus tells us in John…
We have established that there are abundant references to instrumental music in the Old Testament, specifically in the Psalms and under the Davidic tradition of worship, but what about the…
Christ also destroyed a wall between us and God so that we may know him personally and intimately. Christ can bring peace and reconciliation in our personal relationships as well.…
As it was in the days of Christ, so it is today: There are few true worshipers. Many believers work for God, perform Christian services, follow a disciplined ritual, but…
Three famous invitation stories are conserved in the Gospels for our meditation. Disciples who can truthfully testify to life-changing experiences with Jesus have the authority and power of Christ to…
How do we survive in an unstable economic environment as we plan for the future and invest in God’s Kingdom?
Christian financial analyst Bob Henry gives a clear overview of what is happening in the American economic climate today and how the story of Joseph lends insight into our response.
You can teach a child to pray in many creative ways. Here are just a couple: Prayer Picture Cards Things you need-Index cards, photos of people, pictures from magazines, glue,…
Years ago I learned a valuable, but painful lesson about admonishing the ones we love. I had befriended a young businessman who aspired to the ministry, and for several years…
To continue with my theme from the last week’s series of blogs about the resurrection, there’s one more entry I’d like to post about what the resurrection does for us.…
The man at the pool of Siloam needed rescuing. Helpless, desperate people find the healing power of Christ in this gospel story. The allure of grace is in stark contrast to…
I was thumbing through Brennan Manning’s book The Ragamuffin Gospel earlier this evening, finding myself completely enveloped in an oversized Barnes & Noble reading chair: the kind that never get…
I stopped off at a local bookstore with my daughter yesterday and picked up two seasonally published magazines about the Bible. One was published by U.S. News and World Report. The other…
Dear Roger, My kids are growing up to be teenagers. The way I have been disciplining them does not seem to work. They tell me I treat them like babies…
Christ taught that He was one with God the Father, the only way to heaven, the Truth and the Life. Though man would insist that there are other ways to…
Christ not only wants to save our souls for eternity, but He longs to redeem our lives here on earth by giving us a purpose in living. We can bring…
In this troubled world, we don’t have to look far to see hurting souls suffering from frustration, fear, loneliness, embarrassment, deception, grief, humiliation, disappointment or betrayal. Jesus even warned us…
Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king in the Persian winter palace in Susa. The king of Persia had previously stopped the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, possibly perceiving…
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?…
If God, Joseph and Mary went to such great lengths to bring salvation to us, so should we take the trouble to share the gospel with those around us.
Dear Roger, I am a pretty new Christian. I have some Bible studies that help me know about the facts of the Bible, but I am not sure how to…
The first part of the Hebrews seminar covers Christ’s role as king and priest after the order of Melchizedek. We are encouraged to grow up in the faith and encourage…
The test of faith is to stand firm and follow in the footsteps of Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 11 gives us a litany of faithful…
The parable of the “treasure hidden in a field” teaches that receiving Christ’s free gift of salvation is worth all that we have. Outward kingdoms only offer an illusion of wealth, power…
The parable of the ten virgins teaches us that we must focus on one thing: preparing for God’s kingdom. When we discover the value of a life, we recognize that…
Jesus does not emerge to start a new religion. He comes to offer us life in His kingdom where we can live free of guilt and shame because of His…
The story of Lazarus and the rich man teaches us that temporal rewards are far different than eternal rewards. Lazarus finds comfort and rest in the afterlife while the rich…
God is greater than any distance we create. He is all-knowing, all-powerful and everywhere all the time. Even though our inclination is to wander, God focuses on proximity. Jesus came…
Dear Roger, I moved to a new place a year ago this past June 11th. Since I moved here, I have met many people and have friends that don’t believe…
Bear market times prompt us to re-evaluate our priorities and remind us to trust God with our security and finances. When we are in our Heavenly Father’s hands, we can…
Isaiah foretells the birth of a Messiah who will free the Jews from oppression and will offer them a new beginning. Jesus came to earth so that we can experience a fresh…
Jesus invites us to join the marriage of Christ and His bride, the church. This parable teaches us to respond to Christ’s invitation and be prepared with our “wedding garment”…
Jesus describes a farmer who sows his seed in rocky, thorny and fertile soil. Like the seeds sown in fertile soil, the person who receives the message of Christ will…
The parable of the dishonest steward challenges us to examine our financial motives. Materialism can look like overspending, compulsive buying, hoarding, borrowing money on depreciating items, cheating on our taxes…
Jesus teaches that God is a giver at heart. When we change our financial thinking to the “give, save and live” model, we align ourselves to God’s principles for managing…
“Substitutionary atonement” separates Christianity from every other religion in the world. Simply explained, it describes the divine work of Jesus to pay the price for our sins. The plan of…
Wisdom is the ability to see and live with rare godly objectivity. Engage God’s wisdom through prayer and scripture. We can live wisely by seeking advice from godly people, by…