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(Editors’ note: this article was originally published at Revive Our Hearts) Last spring was intensely busy. Mothering four little ones ages five and under kept me on my toes from morning until evening, along with being a lay pastor’s... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: This article was originally published at Southern Equip.) In many people’s thinking, to ask, “How does systematic theology help us read Scripture more faithfully?” is wrongheaded and backward. Rather, should we not ask, “How does Scripture help... Continue Reading »
Who will we send next? This is the question that came to mind as I prepared to preach 3 John 1–8. While the main point of the sermon was to faithfully send and support gospel workers for the sake... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: This article was originally published at Radius International but was republished at Missionary.) The other day my wife and I were running (in the spirit of complete transparency, we were doing more walking than running) around a... Continue Reading »
It is easy for Christians to talk about unbelievers, atheists, and people of other faiths in ways that reveal how little we actually know them. I’ve seen this while serving in youth ministries, especially among students who didn’t attend... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: This article was originally published at Desiring God.) Every Christian who tries to read through the Bible encounters challenges along the way. There are unknown places, unusual customs, seemingly endless lists of names, apparent tensions, and other... Continue Reading »
On his final journey to Jerusalem — “constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to [him] there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to [him] in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await [him]” — Paul gathered... Continue Reading »
Iconic Gospel duo Bill and Gloria Gaither are releasing a first-ever album entirely of songs the two have penned during their marriage and partnership spanning decades. “You are Loved” features new recordings from the duo’s November 2025 historic “Homecoming”... Continue Reading »
Early in the second half of the 1st century AD, Jude, a believing half-brother of Jesus, eagerly began to write a warm, edifying letter to believers about “our common salvation” (Jude 3). What a joy it is to rehearse... Continue Reading »
God-given sexual desire is normal — and on this side of heaven, living without sex as a single Christian can be difficult. A common question might be, “Why did God give us sexual desire with no promise that He’s... Continue Reading »
Last week, my son left our home for Parris Island and boot camp to begin service in the United States Marine Corps. From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, the Marines are an elite group of... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: This article originally appeared at Southern Equip.) Don Whitney argues that “Many Christians look on the Spiritual Discipline of memorizing God’s Word as something tantamount to modern-day martyrdom” (Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, 41). We live... Continue Reading »
Introduction Ministry in the evangelical church is rooted in Christ’s commission to His followers to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all He has commanded (Matt. 28:18–20). Christian ministry rests on the foundation of Jesus Christ... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: This article was originally published at 9Marks and has been adapted from Jonathan’s book Word-Centered Church.) The preacher’s task is to hold up reality as the Bible presents it, and to ask how it compares to what... Continue Reading »
Christian mothers often spend tremendous time asking the wrong questions. We debate homeschooling styles, endlessly research curriculum, compare academic progress, and deliberate over co-ops. While these decisions are not insignificant, they are secondary to a far greater question. Am... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: This article was originally published at The Gospel Coalition.) In my ministry context, I have heard many versions of this notion over the years, phrased as both a question and also a declaration: “I don’t have to... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: This article was originally published at Baptist21.) A little over a year ago, I deleted my X account. I told myself it was because of what I was seeing: Christians speaking about other people with contempt. Cruelty... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: This article was originally published at Reformation21.) The thief who was saved on the cross has been the occasion of far too many unnecessary debates over whether one can be saved apart from baptism or without performing... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: This article was originally published at The Pillar Network.) “Coach, You Alright?” The 6’7” 315-pound high school senior and college football prospect, Kevin Wiggins, stared at me from the passenger seat. We had just finished an Elite... Continue Reading »
The Old Testament as a Portal for Seeing and Savoring the Heart of Christ In recent months, I had the privilege of reading through 1 and 2 Samuel. We (at least most Christians I know) don’t usually spend much... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: This article was originally published at 9Marks and was taken from Church Matters, the 9Marks journal for pastors, in the issue titled “The Pastor and Suffering.”) I will never forget the phone call from the chairman of... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: This article was originally published at 9Marks.) Must someone be baptized before he or she can join a church? I’ve been told by people who know history better than I do that Christians of almost all traditions... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: This article was originally published in Lexington Road, the magazine of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.) “And have mercy on those who doubt” (Jude 11) The Discovery of Doubt Around here, faith isn’t easy.... Continue Reading »
God and Country: Upholding Faith, History, and National Identity (B&H Academic, 2026) by John D. Wilsey Is nationalism always a threat to Christian faith? In this timely work, Wilsey argues that nationalism is a complex phenomenon with varied expressions,... Continue Reading »
As a church, we preached through 2 Corinthians during the 2025-2026 school year. Throughout the book, Paul defends his apostolicity and ministry in Corinth against false teachers whom he facetiously calls “super-apostles” (2 Cor. 11:5; 12:11). These super-apostles undermine... Continue Reading »
Martin Luther famously said, “Every week I preach justification by faith to my people because every week they forget it.” Even today, Christians easily drift into relying on their good works to make themselves acceptable before God. A clear... Continue Reading »
Recently, a man approached me with a three-fold statement regarding Christians who work for the government. The first argument was that those in public office were bound by the Constitution in a different way, primarily regarding the First Amendment.... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: The following is the final installment of a four-part series devoted to the role of Baptists in the development of religious liberty in America in recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary.) The passage of the First Amendment,... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: The following is Part 3 of a four-part series devoted to the role of Baptists in the development of religious liberty in America.) “This battle for religious liberty was fought and won largely by Virginia Baptists, but... Continue Reading »
What does it mean to “do” church in a way that’s human? This is the question I found myself asking after reading Carl Trueman’s most recent book, The Desecration of Man. The Desecration of Man Trueman argues that we... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: The following is Part 2 of a four-part series devoted to the role of Baptists, particularly South Carolinians, in the development of religious liberty in America. Additional pieces will run in recognition to the nation’s 250th anniversary.)... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: this article was originally published at Southern Equip) Whether at public school or in a workplace, we must equip teenagers to love their LGBT-identifying friends without sacrificing the truth. I’m a professor who is almost 40 years... Continue Reading »
So what is a Christian? In short, a Christian is a believer in the person and work of Christ. This means that a Christian has concluded in mind and conscience that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God... Continue Reading »
It’s the simple gestures and acts of kindness that sometimes mean the most and can brighten someone’s day — like receiving a handwritten note in the mail. That’s what Allison Bond realized. But little did she know the impact... Continue Reading »
If you want to get Mark Clifton talking, ask him about a church’s impact on its community and beyond. Want to see him find another gear? Call those churches “small.” “About 13,000 [Southern Baptist] churches last Sunday morning had... Continue Reading »
Pastor Mike Thompson has a picture in mind for what the body of Christ should look like. It comes from the Parable of the Banquet Table, where a master sends his servant out to invite more and more people... Continue Reading »
The Departure from Church-Based Soul Care For centuries, the church was regarded as the epicenter of personal care. Pastors and priests, using God’s Word, served as primary sources of wisdom, counsel, and confession for church members. In the early... Continue Reading »
This daily Bible reading plan is provided courtesy of Crossway. (Note: Bible reading plan goes through the New Testament twice.) July-Dec 2026 Bible Reading
1976 was one of my favorite childhood years. I was nine years old, and late that year the Lord began opening my spiritual eyes to my heart’s true condition — sin and self sat atop its throne, and I... Continue Reading »
Baptists have a confessional responsibility. In line with this confessional responsibility is an agreement about cooperation in the calling of training ministers of the gospel and planting of churches at home and abroad. The specific issue about confessional identity... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: This article originally appeared at The Gospel Coalition.) Just a few days after my grandfather died, I found a video cassette of our oldest son’s birth. I transferred the video to a digital file, and Corina and... Continue Reading »
Can you remember what your life was like before the iPhone? It was only 20 years ago, yet in the past two decades, culture change has shifted into overdrive. This constant change often makes the future seem dark, and... Continue Reading »
One of my favorite things is when our house is full of people. I love hospitality because, over the years, the Lord has taught me it’s not about my house, cooking skills, or picture-perfect decor. Instead, biblical hospitality is... Continue Reading »
When Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin finally wrapped his hands around the Stanley Cup and hoisted it over his head, he felt what every hockey player dreams about. “Pure excitement,” Slavin said nearly a week after the Hurricanes beat... Continue Reading »
It was a sunny Tuesday afternoon, November 2024. I was only three months into my new job when I had just finished our weekly Ladies Hangout, where homeless women would come for a shower and snacks. I put away... Continue Reading »
(Editor’s note: This article was originally published at 9marks.org.) Joe thought he’d be a better preacher. Did you? I don’t mean he had pretensions to glory, necessarily. Just that, of the range of things he knew he’d have to... Continue Reading »
As Americans celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, half of pastors say their churches will join in the festivities. According to a Lifeway Research study, 50 percent of U.S. Protestant pastors believe their church should do something... Continue Reading »
Southern Baptist Convention President Clint Pressley urged messengers to live with doctrinal clarity, gospel conviction, humility, patience and unity, saying Southern Baptists must “walk worthy” of the calling they have received if they are to remain faithful to the... Continue Reading »
Have you ever counted yourself out of the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 because you can’t relate to being the lost sheep? You admire God’s welcoming, loving heart toward the prodigal son, but you wonder if... Continue Reading »
(Editors’ note: this article was originally published at The Pillar Network) If you’d asked me 20 years ago, I would have told you that you would be wasting your breath speaking to me on the subject of zeal. An... Continue Reading »
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