The essence of faith is being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus.

Don't follow a defeated foe. Follow Christ. It is costly. You will be an exile in this age. But you will be free.

Death is like my car. It takes me where I want to go.

The call of God does what the call of man cannot. It raises the dead.

Marriage is not absolutely for making children. But it is absolutely for making children followers of Jesus.

The murders of Newtown are a warning to me - and you. Not a warning to see our schools as defenseless, but to see our souls as depraved. To see our need for a Savior. To humble ourselves in repentance for the God-diminishing bitterness of our hearts. To turn to Christ in desperate need, and to treasure his forgiveness, his transforming, and his friendship.

Without extended, concentrated prayer, the ministry of the Word withers. And when the ministry of the Word declines, faith (Rom. 10:17; Gal. 3:2, 5) and holiness (John 17:17) decline. Activity may continue, but life and power and fruitfulness fade away. Therefore, whatever opposes prayer opposes the whole work of ministry.