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)

The Thirty-Minute Prayer Meeting

8 years 70 residential students More than 100 community dinners Hundreds of one-on-one meetings And approximately 350 morning prayer meetings Twice a week we have been praying with the college men and women who have shared life with us at the one-year residential discipleship program Trudi and I have led during these past eight years. … Continue reading The Thirty-Minute Prayer Meeting

Strategies to Memorize the Bible: An Interview with Josh Summers

A few weeks ago, I joined Josh Summers for an interview at Bible Memory Goal about my recently published book, The Bible by Heart: The Bible's Own Method for Scripture Memory. In the past few years, Josh has become an influential Bible-memory coach to lots of people through his online presence (HERE, HERE, and HERE) and … Continue reading Strategies to Memorize the Bible: An Interview with Josh Summers

Join Me in Suffering

Many American Christians think that Christians who suffer for Jesus live somewhere else—in nations where Christians endure imprisonments, beatings, and martyrdom for their testimony. But how can this be the only kind of suffering that the apostle Paul has in mind if he invites Timothy to join him in suffering? Physical persecution is something that … Continue reading Join Me in Suffering

Does the Bible Command Us to Memorize Scripture?

Yes, the Bible commands us to memorize Scripture. But the command probably doesn’t come in the form you think. Normally, people think of a biblical command as direct instruction to do a particular action. For example, they might look for a command like: “You shall memorize Scripture.” Since no such command is found in the … Continue reading Does the Bible Command Us to Memorize Scripture?

The Role of Emotion in Philippians: Discerning Affections

My colleague, Dr. Isaac Blois, who teaches in the Torrey Honors College at Biola University, recently published an academic book entitled The Role of Emotion in Philippians: Discerning Affections. I was intrigued, to say the least, when I learned last summer that he was almost done writing a book about emotions in Paul’s wonderful—and emotional—letter … Continue reading The Role of Emotion in Philippians: Discerning Affections

You Will Regret Your Public Outbursts of Anger

I am neither a prophet, nor the son of a prophet—and as I once heard Walter Kaiser, Jr. say, I have spent most of my working life employed by non-profit organizations. But I am prepared to make a prediction. There is coming a day—a day not far off—when you will regret your public expressions of … Continue reading You Will Regret Your Public Outbursts of Anger

Jesus is Coming Soon

Jesus is coming soon. Are you ready? This was one of the rallying cries of the Jesus People Movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s. But, you know, it’s been a while since I’ve heard anyone say it, much less boldly proclaim it. Some things, however, are worth repeating—as Paul once quipped, “To write … Continue reading Jesus is Coming Soon

25 Questions a Christian Man Should Ask Himself When Interested in a Christian Woman

(Note: Trudi and I wrote this post together.) A couple years ago, Trudi and I posted a list of 25 questions that a Christian woman should ask when a man starts to express interest in her. After we published that list, we received dozens of requests to draw up a similar list for men. Since … Continue reading 25 Questions a Christian Man Should Ask Himself When Interested in a Christian Woman

Memorizing Scripture the ‘Bible Way’: An Interview with Ken Berding

Exciting Announcement: My newest book, The Bible by Heart: The Bible’s Own Method for Scripture Memory is launching today! I’d love for you to pick up a copy for yourself and for a friend! Here is an interview about memorizing Scripture and this book that will be posted in a few days on The Good … Continue reading Memorizing Scripture the ‘Bible Way’: An Interview with Ken Berding