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“There was just something in my brain that kept me going.” Those are the chilling words of Kavita Fisher, a 41-year-old mental health professional who struck it big in online gambling, winning close to $500,000. According to the Wall... Continue Reading »
It was a mildly chilly day in April when we got the call, “I’m taking myself to the hospital.” My grandmother had been in pain for a while, but she finally reached a breaking point. We held our breath... Continue Reading »
Chuck Kelley, president emeritus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College, spoke about his journey of grief after losing his beloved wife, Rhonda, in his first chapel message since his retirement. Kelley’s chapel address on Thursday (March... Continue Reading »
Many Christians have encountered seasons — perhaps even extended seasons — of doubt regarding assurance of salvation. These seasons can range from “annoying background distraction” to “all-consuming joy-robber.” Below are considerations regarding gospel-centered truth and beauty that may help... Continue Reading »
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Fourth Edition (Crossway, 2021) by Mark Dever This is a revised and updated version of the classic work that God has used to revitalize so many unhealthy churches over the past 34 years.... Continue Reading »
Lent may be on the calendar, but it’s not on the radar of most Americans. A traditional 40-day window of fasting before Easter, Lent is observed by around a quarter of U.S. adults, according to a Lifeway Research study.... Continue Reading »
I am grateful for the upsurge in interest in church planting that began in the 1990s. In my own personal journey toward planting a church in 2017, Tim Keller’s article “Why Plant Churches?” had massive impact in whether we... Continue Reading »
We, the undersigned, are Southern Baptist pastors and leaders who love our family of churches and who are grateful for the hard-won complementarian commitments expressed in the Baptist Faith & Message (BF&M). A recent decision by the SBC Credentials... Continue Reading »
I walked into the sanctuary and beside the pulpit sat a Lazy Boy recliner. I thought, “That’s interesting … I wonder what the preacher will do with that today?” About halfway through his message, to make his point, he... Continue Reading »
Across the street from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Bowman stand five tiny houses filled with stories of heartache and tragedy. Pleasant Grove hopes to use the buildings to turn them into stories of hope and recovery. Eleven years... Continue Reading »
I’ve found that many Christians, post-conversion, tend toward legalism or antinomianism in their pursuit of sanctification. I’ve seen this trend both in churches I’ve pastored and in Christian friends. One woman grew up in a strict Reformed Baptist home.... Continue Reading »
For many years I wondered why Paul called preaching “foolishness” in 1 Corinthians 1:21. Preaching is the glorious means by which the Spirit saves and sanctifies sinners, the method by which the Lord builds His church. So how could... Continue Reading »
(This is part 2 of a 2-part series) Not every sin requires public discipline. As I’ve said elsewhere, my wife might privately rebuke me for selfishly eating all the ice cream. I might even continue in this pattern unrepentantly.... Continue Reading »
“You understand that the Bible is very clear on this, right? It’s wrong to leave your wife for another woman.” “I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t think you get how hard our marriage has been. I’m sure... Continue Reading »
Members of the 1936 U.S. Olympic Rowing team depicted in the movie “The Boys in the Boat” were able to accomplish far more than anyone expected because they discovered what can happen when you work together in perfect unity.... Continue Reading »
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has released a practical guide designed to help pastors and church leaders navigate difficult ministry scenarios regarding the growing problem of gambling. The guide, titled “Pay to Play: A Practical Guide to Addressing... Continue Reading »
South Carolina Baptist pastors and leaders converged at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, S.C., for a time of equipping and encouragement at IMPACT. Breaking records with 1,284 in attendance, IMPACT is the South Carolina Baptist Convention’s largest gathering of... Continue Reading »
This year, March 16 falls on a Sunday, and the North American Mission Board’s evangelism team is urging Southern Baptist churches to plan a special outreach on that day with a campaign: “3:16 on 3/16.” “John 3:16 has been... Continue Reading »
During Hurricane Helene last September, a giant pecan tree fell across our driveway, pinning our cars underneath, and like so many, we lost power for days. My wife’s health issues necessitate use of an oxygenator, which may well have... Continue Reading »
Love, both God’s love and human love for one another, is, hands down, the most popular teaching of the Bible in 2025. Yet, if we would read Scripture carefully, it is one of the most misunderstood doctrines of Scripture.... Continue Reading »
Spurgeon: A Life (Reformation Heritage, 2024) by Alex DiPrima Asking, “Do we really need another Spurgeon biography?” is like asking if we need another Bible commentary. As long as the biography is excellent, the answer is yes, and Alex... Continue Reading »
Several years ago, Dr. Pepper ran a commercial featuring a young man demonstrating the extent of his love for a young lady through several undesirable actions. In the first scene, he feels the embarrassment of picking up “unmentionables” from... Continue Reading »
“God Moves in a Mysterious Way” by William Cowper God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform; he plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines, of never-failing skill; he... Continue Reading »
Year after year, one common New Year’s resolution among Christians is to spend more time — or even any time at all — in God’s Word. However, for many, it’s hard to know where to start. Pastors want to... Continue Reading »
As a pastor of 17 years and now Lifeway’s president and CEO, Ben Mandrell has seen increasing loneliness and a decreased sense of belonging among Christians. This growing trend is one of the main reasons why Mandrell wrote his... Continue Reading »
Churchgoers may hear the Bible preached every Sunday, but their pastors also want them to engage with Scripture during the week. Almost all U.S. Protestant pastors (99 percent) say they encourage those in their church to read the Bible... Continue Reading »
Decision Making and the Will of God: A Biblical Alternative to the Traditional View (Multnomah, 2004) by Garry Friesen Does God have a perfect will for each Christian? Can you be absolutely certain of God’s specific will for your... Continue Reading »
(Note on Read Through the Bible plan: Our plan, courtesy of our friends at Crossway, will take you through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice. We are publishing the January to June reading schedule in this... Continue Reading »
In college, it seems every decision is a catastrophe — at least it is for those trying to decipher God’s will as if we’re Nicolas Cage in “National Treasure,” always looking for another clue. Two decisions that seemed catastrophic... Continue Reading »
I remember when I was a senior in high school and was gearing up to go to college to begin my pathway to becoming a heart surgeon. This had been a lifelong dream. No. Really. I had planned on... Continue Reading »
A few years ago, we were moving some things from my mother’s house, and I found a letter addressed to myself to be opened after 2016. Evidently, I wrote the letter in the summer of 1991 for a career... Continue Reading »
I vividly recall two pivotal conversations with pastors shortly after I surrendered to gospel ministry in the late-1990s. The conversations were pivotal because in them I was exposed to two divergent approaches to ministry and the Lord used them... Continue Reading »
Imagine Mary’s surprise when Gabriel appeared, announcing she would conceive and bear the Son of God. This wasn’t an ordinary announcement; it was life-altering. Gabriel revealed that her child would be “the Son of the Most High” and that... Continue Reading »
People struggle from the end of November to the beginning of January. The holidays are difficult. Unrealistic expectations clash with cold, hard realities. Everyone around us is pretending and projecting the same false narrative: “All is merry and bright.”... Continue Reading »
As Americans make their Christmas plans, slightly less than half say they usually attend a church service during the holiday season. A Lifeway Research study finds U.S. adults are split on whether they’ll be at church sometime this Christmas... Continue Reading »
The holidays are a time of flavor. We walk into Grandma’s house on Thanksgiving or Christmas, and all the spices combine for amazing smells and delicious food — cinnamon, nutmeg, cranberry, butter, garlic, and much more. These are the... Continue Reading »
Ecclesiastes: Finding Meaning When Life Feels Meaningless (Crossway) (Bible study for women) by Lydia Brownback Ecclesiastes is a weird book. When I preached through it verse-by-verse a few years ago at my church in Louisville, I told my congregation... Continue Reading »
A story is told about William Randolph Hearst, the late newspaper publisher, who had invested a fortune in collecting great works of art. One day, he read about some valuable pieces of art and decided that he must add... Continue Reading »
Lifeway Christian Resources is launching its first-ever series of games by Lifeway Students, designed to deepen student ministry connections and conversations. “In this highly digital age that we live in, building authentic, meaningful friendships can be challenging, especially for... Continue Reading »
If the title of this column surprises or shocks you, you are not alone. When I read the data provided by Alliance Defending Freedom, it amazed me how South Carolina law does not clearly define parental rights and offers... Continue Reading »
The gospel of Jesus Christ is for all nations and ethnic groups. God makes this truth clear throughout the book of Acts. Each chapter reveals the Holy Spirit ensuring that the apostles would be witnesses “to the end of... Continue Reading »
I was recently posed a counseling-related scenario that forced me to think (which is always a good thing). If I’m putting the scenario into question form, it sounds something like this: “I have hurt my family through my selfish... Continue Reading »
All state ballot initiatives to legalize illicit drug use in the U.S. failed Nov. 5, and most gambling measures were also unpopular. But Nebraska approved the use of medical marijuana, and Missouri – the only state with a ballot... Continue Reading »
Florida became the first state to defeat a pro-abortion ballot initiative when voters on Tuesday (Nov. 5) rejected Amendment 4, which would have made abortion a constitutional right. Florida was one of 10 states with abortion initiatives on state... Continue Reading »
How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil (Baker) by D.A. Carson Personal tragedy and heartache. Accident, illness and infirmity. Drought, earthquake, tsunami. Terrorist atrocities. War, genocide, poverty, famine. All we have to do is live long enough,... Continue Reading »
First Baptist Church was far from needing extensive revitalization when Wayne Bray arrived as pastor in 2015. But there had been a drip-drip of decline in the preceding years. The small-town church that had grown to 2,300 people in... Continue Reading »
While most of the world will celebrate October 31 as Halloween or All Hallow’s Eve, some evangelicals will honor this day as Reformation Day. Why? On October 31, 1517, the soon-to-be great reformer Martin Luther nailed 95 theses—or debate... Continue Reading »
A coalition of doctors, medical professionals and healthcare policy leaders are urging dignified care for women and calling for accurate information surrounding pregnancy, pregnancy complications and state laws. The Women’s Healthcare Declaration urges professional medical organizations, state health agencies,... Continue Reading »
Two Cities, Two Loves: Christian Responsibility in a Crumbling Culture (P&R) by James Montgomery Boice In A.D. 410, barbarian hordes attacked Rome, besieging it for months, ruthlessly sacking it and ultimately ending the Roman Empire. Losing the empire to... Continue Reading »
Americans are growing increasingly progressive in several areas of morality while also growing increasingly concerned about the current state of moral values and pessimistic about the future. According to the latest Gallup survey on moral issues, U.S. adults are... Continue Reading »
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