Occasions for discouragement are many. We live in a fallen world, and we are fallen. Every person experiences degrees of pain and loss, trouble and sorrow, sickness and weakness, betrayal and sudden, shocking setbacks. These do not happen to all in the same measure, but that they happen counsels us to have realistic expectations about our lives in this world.  We must take seriously God’s explanation for life and its troubles. Unbelieving men and practitioners usually assume

When offered his share of Nebuchadnezzar’s delicacies, Daniel “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s food.” Daniel did not think to himself: “When in Rome, do as the Romans.” He did not get himself a new set of convictions, as many do today when they leave home. Undoubtedly my parents were too strict. I suspect they abused me, for they would not allow me to live as I please. The church has her share of these “Dinah’s,” who leave the security o

Christmas exposes the deepening divide in our nation between those who hate Jesus Christ and all he represents, and those who love the Savior – or at least are positively haunted by him. There is no détente between these two sides, for God started this war (Gen. 3:15). He will finish it (Rom. 9:27). Every knee that does not bow to his Son will be crushed: not by us; not by ballot box stuffing; not by finding cutesy ways to make our faith sweet and inoffensive. God will crush