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I believe this person’s comments are right on target: “I think…that Satan is the ultimate egomaniac. That being the case, he might overestimate his ‘power’ (which is clearly under God’s control).” Let’s look at some Scripture that supports this conclusion.

God's Word is the source of correction, training, eternal perspective, and joyful rest from weariness and sorrow. Here are ten verses that have especially shaped my life and ministry.

If we understand what “a new heaven and a new earth” means, we’ll look forward to it. (And if we’re not looking forward to it, we must not yet understand it.) Anticipating our homecoming will motivate us to live spotless lives here and now.

Dr. Douglas Groothuis writes, “Don’t ask physicists about theology. Don't ask psychologists about history. Don't ask (at least one) New Testament scholars about abortion; that is, don’t ask N. T. Wright, who is dead wrong on the ethics of abortion as his recent podcast revealed.”

As God demonstrated in giving Paul his thorn in the flesh, He sometimes has better things in mind than our health.

What follows is an edited version of an email I sent to a friend who faced a heartbreaking situation involving a family member. I’m sharing it because it can apply to any faithful, godly person dealing with tragic events caused by a child’s, spouse’s, or parent’s bad choices.

Though all of us, if asked, might say that we don’t have any more right to a perfect and pain-free life than the next person, in our own hearts and minds, we tend to believe that we do. So, when forced to suffer, even mature believers can feel driven to question God’s motives.

We must become connected to the One who alone gives not only deliverance from sin, but meaning and purpose and personal relationship. This is what the Bible calls reconciliation.

As we befriend and spend time with unbelievers, we must carefully evaluate and ask ourselves: am I influencing them, or being influenced myself? Scripture tells us, “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity” (Colossians 4:5, NLT).

The primary passage of Scripture that talks about storing up treasures in Heaven is Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus tells us to transfer our wealth from one place to another.

I met and talked with author and psychologist David Powlison only once, but I will never forget the sweetness of his spirit, and how I saw Jesus in him. His insights were penetrating and gospel-centered.

Tomorrow, May 31, is Nanci’s and my 50th wedding anniversary. I thank God for His faithfulness and the time we had together.  I will not regret the years we might have had but be profoundly grateful for the years we did have—and not just the quantity, but the quality. 

One of my great heroes is William Wilberforce. He is credited as the primary human agent to bring about the end of slavery in England. He wrote, “The gospel freely admitted makes a man happy. It gives him peace with God, and makes him happy in God.”

Jesus says, “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1). The illustrations that follow include prayer and fasting, but begin with giving. When you give to the needy, He says, don’t announce it, as do the hypocrites, who want to be honored by men.