The Lord spoke powerful words to the apostle Paul as he suffered with his painful thorn in the flesh: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). But what do these words mean in practice? In particular, how is God’s power made perfect in weakness? Before … Continue reading How is God’s Power Made Perfect in Our Weakness? (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Category: Personal
Praying God’s Word
Have you ever wondered what to pray? How about praying things you find in the Bible? The Bible doesn’t explicitly teach us to pray using the words of the Bible. But it does model the use of Scripture for prayer and assumes that the Bible will guide our prayers. When Jesus entered Jerusalem on a … Continue reading Praying God’s Word
Should Students at Christian Colleges go to Church?
(This is a repost of an article I wrote for the Good Book Blog in 2011.) “It really doesn’t matter whether I go to church. I have Christian friends, Bible classes, and chapels at Biola; why do I need a church?” I’ve heard some version of this statement at least three times during the past week. Although … Continue reading Should Students at Christian Colleges go to Church?
The Gift of Sleep: An Interview with Brett McCracken
This past Spring when I learned that Brett McCracken had written a soon-to-be-released book about sleep, I knew that I had to read it as soon as it came out. (I read it in one day this past weekend.) The name of the book is: The Wisdom of Sleep: How Rest Reveals God's Truth and Revives … Continue reading The Gift of Sleep: An Interview with Brett McCracken
What is My Calling?
I told Trudi this morning that one of the reasons I’m willing to work hard in ministry, lose sleep, and frequently end each day tired is because I have a strong sense of calling.[1] This has been true ever since God got a hold of my heart as a fourteen-year-old high school freshman. But after … Continue reading What is My Calling?
A Different Kind of Love Song: A Reflection on Marriage and Mission
This summer, Trudi and I are celebrating 40 years of marriage. Forty years ago, I vowed faithfulness, friendship, and my entire future to Trudi Lynn Wilson. Apart from following Christ, it was the best decision I ever made. Trudi has shown more love, compassion, and grace than I could have ever hoped for, and far more than … Continue reading A Different Kind of Love Song: A Reflection on Marriage and Mission
I Used to Think that Everything in the Bible Should be Easy to Understand
Following is the introduction to a message I preached on 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 at Redemption Hill Church on March 22, 2026 as part of the preaching series on 1 Corinthians. (That sermon is HERE.) In the introduction I raise the question of why everything in the Bible isn’t easy to understand. When God got a … Continue reading I Used to Think that Everything in the Bible Should be Easy to Understand
Snippets from God’s Purposes in Our Pain
For today’s post, I’ve extracted twelve brief passages from my new book (with co-author Keith Krell): God’s Purposes in Our Pain: 10 Ways God Uses Suffering for Our Good. I hope you’ll receive spiritual encouragement from these short excerpts—though, of course, the impact will be greater if you can get a copy of the book … Continue reading Snippets from God’s Purposes in Our Pain
God’s Purposes in Our Pain (Release-Day Excerpt)
Today is launch day for God’s Purposes in Our Pain: 10 Ways God Uses Suffering for Our Good. Keith Krell (my co-author) and I have been eagerly awaiting this day so we can share this book with you. (The photo is of students in my Romans class celebrating the release of this brand new book!) … Continue reading God’s Purposes in Our Pain (Release-Day Excerpt)
Predestined to be Conformed to the Image of Christ (Romans 8:29)
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Rom 8:29) Today's devotional thought is not really focused on predestination, even if that’s the first thing my students want to talk about when they encounter Romans … Continue reading Predestined to be Conformed to the Image of Christ (Romans 8:29)
