What Is “Freedom in Christ”?
In New York Harbor stands a giant copper statue, 150 feet high — mounted on a base that’s another 150 feet high, putting the torch Read more
Inspiration
When you don’t know, God knows
Right now, there’s a lot I don’t know. I don’t know what today will bring. Or tomorrow, for that matter. I don’t know how long Read more
Stuck Between the World and God: How I Almost Died in Indecision
Some texts mark you for life. Just as Jacob, you grapple with them, and though you come away with a blessing, you leave with a Read more
Discouragement Can Take You Deeper: Finding Christ in Our Failures
Many of us will walk through a life-altering tragedy at some point in this short life. But for most of us, most of the time, Read more
How to Entertain the Holy Spirit
Here’s a thought to make the soul stagger: if you are in Christ, then the God of highest heaven has made your heart his home. Read more
Me, Myself, and Lies: The Spiritual Dangers of Isolation In Digital Age
Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. (Proverbs 18:1) In March of 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first-ever Read more
‘My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?’ Didn’t Jesus Already Know?
Audio Transcript Welcome back to the Ask Pastor John podcast. Podcast listener Bridgette writes in to say: “Pastor John, I love the Lord deeply and Read more
Does God Delight in Justification or Holiness?
Audio Transcript Happy Friday, everyone. Today we talk about the pursuit of holiness as justified believers — something we must get right. It’s basically the question over Read more
Agony in the Garden: What JESUS Suffered In Gethsemane
ABSTRACT: In the garden of Gethsemane, as Peter, James, and John slept, Jesus engaged spiritually the forsakenness of the cross before he was actually arrested and Read more
Behold the Man Upon the Cross
A man is hanging on a wooden cross from stakes driven through his hands and feet. This is the most widely recognized and revered image Read more
CHRISTIANITY, AFRICA AND BEYOND
Christianity is 2000 years old. The whole faith began when Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, gave His life as a ransom for Read more
The Long History of God’s Love for Africa
In an episode of Ask Pastor John, Jason from Kampala (the capital of Uganda), asked Pastor John a pointed question regarding why Africans have suffered so much. Read more
The Best Sermon for Marriage: Seven Lessons for Lasting Love
Today marks seven years of marriage for me and my wife, Faye. Since our wedding day, I’ve learned that year seven has become something of Read more
How Does God Lead Us in Daily Decisions?
Audio Transcript How do I follow God’s lead in my daily decisions? I know he’s my shepherd. He’s leading me. I think so. But how Read more
The Subtle Way to Waste Your Life: Confessions of a Sophisticated Sloth
If you were told you had five years to live, would you live more in those five years than in the decades you might have Read more
Will I Trust God? Simple Prayer in a Desperate Moment
Had you been there that very moment, watching from a distance, you wouldn’t have observed anything dramatic. I’m talking about the moment Abraham (still called Read more
Lord, Let Me Die: Mercy for Those Tired of Living
Over the years, I have talked with several Christians who have told me they wanted to die. They were of different ages and different ethnicities; Read more
Talking Back to God: How His Promises Provoke Our Prayers
It is one of the most audacious, and awe-inspiring, moments in all of Scripture. In the wake of Israel’s shocking rebellion against God — blatantly Read more
Predestined for Adoption to the Praise of His Glory: Reflections on Being Adopted by God and Adopting Children
Adoption is one of the most profound realities in the universe. I say “universe” and not “world” because adoption goes beyond the world. It is Read more
Is Everyone a Child of God? – Three Vital Truths About Adoption
Audio Transcript In love, he predestined us for adoption. (Ephesians 1:4–5) So adoption is part of God’s predestining plan. It isn’t as though we got Read more
The Blissful and Trivial Life: How Entertainment Deprives a Soul
When we, as a society, stopped reading and started watching, we began thinking and talking less — at least with the same substance or effectiveness. That was the Read more
Leave Your Imperfections with God: How Remaining Sin Inspires Holiness
For a forgiven people, we can still be terribly bad at coping with our imperfections. I can be terribly bad at coping with the fact Read more
We Wish to See Jesus
“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Little did they know how well they spoke — not only for themselves, but for the whole human race. Read more
What Does It Mean to Cry, ‘Abba, Father’?
Audio Transcript We close the week with a question from me, Pastor John, about one of Paul’s most profound statements of applied theology — and Read more
The Light We Need to See: How Christ Dispels Spiritual Darkness
One recent early morning, I was reading Psalm 36 and savoring one of the sweetest doxologies in the Bible: How precious is your steadfast love, O Read more
How Jesus Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be every one who does not abide Read more
If Every Gift Comes from God, Why Thank Anyone Else?
Audio Transcript Well, Why do we thank anyone? It’s a great question, really. Candace writes in to ask it: “Hello, Pastor John and Tony! Thank Read more
Why I Read Aloud to My Children
Recently, I completed a long journey with my twin 11-year-old boys. The trek took us months, yet required no planes, trains, or automobiles. In fact, Read more
Our Hope: The Appearing of Jesus Christ
For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, Read more
Why Does God Hide Himself from Christians?
Audio Transcript Why does God hide himself from believers? It’s a question we have touched on, on the podcast, but we need to address it Read more