Resources by Topic: Christian Life

A reader asked me, “I often hear the saying ‘I want to be ready to meet my Lord.’ Can you explain what exactly you mean by this, please?” First of all, and most importantly, being ready to meet the Lord means you’ve made sure of your relationship with Jesus Christ, and are trusting only Him to save you.

For those who are in Christ, God’s discipline is an act of love. I appreciated these thoughts from Ray Ortlund about how Scripture demonstrates that God can be both for us, and against us.

On Monday, Nanci and I received some challenging news about the results of her recent CT scan. Two different surgeons believe her cancer, which they saw no more sign of until recently, has spread to her lungs. While Nanci and I are disappointed, of course, we had talked beforehand and were prepared to accept this from the hand of a sovereign and loving God. God is in control, and we really are at peace. 

In the wake of Jarrid Wilson's death, much has already been said about suicide and mental health and the need to address them within the church. But I want to highlight some things Greg Laurie, the senior pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship, has said, and also share some more thoughts related to suicide.

Many people have asked me how Nanci is doing since our last update in early September on her CaringBridge page. There has been nothing new to report since the outcome of her last test, but she'll have another test soon. I rarely repost the latest updates and prayer requests from CaringBridge on my blog, but since this test is significant, I’m posting this one since we would love your prayers.

Time with God is the fountain from which holiness, joy, and delight flow. It reminds us who we are and whose we are.

I really appreciated this article by Joe Rigney, assistant professor of theology and literature at Bethlehem College & Seminary and author of The Things of Earth: Treasuring God by Enjoying His Gifts.  It’s a great and practical explanation of what it means to obey the command in James 1:22 to be a doer of God’s Word.

I have some besetting sins in my life that I commit on occasion, and I’m fearful that God has killed or allowed my dogs to die because of my sin as a way of punishing me. 

It’s been a long time since I’ve mentioned my wife Nanci’s health issues, and her battle with cancer. I share about it now because some of you have health issues, and most of you have spouses, children, parents, other family and/or friends who are facing them and all kinds of other challenges. I hope this will encourage you and give you some perspective.

I love these perspectives from Anglican bishop J. C. Ryle (1816–1900) on preparing for death by living well. With every passing year, each of us have more precious family and friends who have gone to be with Christ. As we look forward to the day when we too will see Jesus face to face, may we lean into and serve Him like never before. 

Time and again it was said of the people of Israel, “But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them” (2 Chronicles 15:4). It was in Jonah’s darkest hour, in his most stressful circumstances that he said this: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me” (Jonah 2:2).

If your closest friends don’t follow Jesus, you’ll have all kinds of daily reasons not to follow Him. If they do follow Jesus, positive peer pressure will hold you accountable to the life of discipleship.

My friend Doug Nichols sent me the following as advice to new missionaries. But as I read it, it struck me that 95% of it is good advice for all believers. So I’m changing the title and commend this for the reading of both missionaries and all the rest of us.

Question from a reader: In your Heaven book, you say that if we are looking for a Bible-teaching church to contact your ministry. I was brought up in church and have gone to several, but I find the focus seems to be more on social connections and entertainment. I study your books and listen to solid Bible teaching. I do not really understand why I need to find a church, but your book seems to say it is necessary. Can you explain why?