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)

Seven Things to Do to Prepare for Spiritual Warfare

Do you want to be ready when you face spiritual warfare? Do you want to be prepared when you encounter attacks from Satan and his host of demons? The Bible tells us to get ready (Eph 6:10-14a). How can you prepare for spiritual warfare? Here are seven things you can do to get ready. These … Continue reading Seven Things to Do to Prepare for Spiritual Warfare

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)

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?

Did the Author of Hebrews Really Not Know Where He Was Quoting From? (Hebrews 2:6 and 4:4)

I used to find a strange sort of comfort in two verses that seemed to indicate that the author of Hebrews sometimes didn’t know where he was quoting from. At least I wasn’t the only one! But you might ask: “That happens in the Bible? Where?” There are two places in the book of Hebrews … Continue reading Did the Author of Hebrews Really Not Know Where He Was Quoting From? (Hebrews 2:6 and 4:4)

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