Peter concludes his second letter with a beautiful and rewarding challenge. He says, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). While most Christians realize that growth in the “knowledge of our Lord” results primarily from more committed Bible study, the exhortation to grow in grace may…

At the conclusion of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of two roads. “Enter by the narrow gate,” he says. “For the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads…

Boaz is a wealthy and morally upright farmer living in Bethlehem. Ruth, his future wife, is a young girl from the neighboring country of Moab. When they meet, he urges her to glean after the reapers in his barley fields. He promises his protection. “Have I not charged the young men not to molest you?”…

  Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a high mountain (probably Mt. Hermon, elevation 9,232 feet). His face shines like the sun. His clothing becomes a dazzling white. And then Moses and Elijah appear with him in glory, talking with him about his coming ordeal in Jerusalem. Overawed, Peter proposes making three booths (or…

The Jews plotted the death of Jesus, and the Romans executed him. The temple officers blindfolded him, mocked him, spat on him, and struck his face with their fists. The soldiers whipped him, crowned him with thorns, struck his head with a mock scepter, and crucified him. The suffering of Jesus was severe. No question…

The Sunday evening message (“Are Christians Hateful?”) introduced a six-part series answering questions asked by teenagers hostile to Christian faith. As noted, American teens confuse opposition to homosexuality with hatred. But refusing to wave the rainbow flag isn’t hateful. Homosexual behavior puts people at higher risk for depression, anxiety, domestic violence, and terminal illness. Worst…

Record temperatures and fierce storms always seem to focus attention on the theory of manmade global warming or climate change. Is the earth’s average temperature rising? Are diesel engines and factory emissions heating up our planet? Or do temperature fluctuations result from normal climactic cycles? And are environmentalists using climate change as an excuse to…

People with deep concerns about the legalization of same-gender marriage regularly hear themselves labeled “homophobes.” This insult aims at silencing debate. “The Supreme Court has already decided this issue. Let’s just move on.” But this tactic can never still the voice of a true disciple. In 1973, the same court legalized abortion. All these years…

Isaiah’s aim is to draw the heart of disobedient Judah back to God. Toward the end of his great prophetic book, he acknowledges that his people are religious. “They seek me daily,” the Lord says, “and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the…

On the Day of Atonement, the tenth day of the seventh Jewish month, Israel’s high priest entered the inner sanctum of the temple. In his hands was a golden censer filled with coals. The sweet incense burning on them filled the most holy place with fragrant smoke. The high priest also carried blood into the…