One of my favorite stories that my Dad shares from when we were little is about how he used to sleep on the floor, at the top of the stairwell in our home, to keep us safe. This story stirs deep emotion in me because it gives me a striking picture of a father’s sacrifice.

In a moment, everything went dark. With a cry, the world fell silent. The curtain was torn. The Son of God was dead. For Christians, this is one of history's darkest days. For those who followed Jesus during His ministry, there could only be one question on their minds: "Is all hope lost?" Then, it was Saturday.

There have been many times in the past months when I have heard negative news and, in my mind, have momentarily panicked, thinking today’s news is also news to God. During this Lenten season, my hope is that you find God is closer than you think!

Recent history has revealed that Evangelicals are not typically first in line to observe Lent, but there is biblical wisdom in setting aside times of special observance and dedication for our personal and corporate growth during the season of Lent leading up to Easter.

I do not know about you, but I hate waiting. I think Americans in general hate waiting… and for the most part we expect not to wait. Sometimes we are forced to wait for things that are outside of our ability to control. But some of the things we wait for are far more profound, and perhaps even life changing.

Matthew 27:32-56, to this day, still brings me back to the night I accepted Christ. It does not matter how many times I have read this passage, how many times I have preached on it, sat in rooms, and listened to others share about it. The passage, every single time, reminds me of two things.

This week, we remember the ultimate sacrifice of our Redeemer. It is only because of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father, that holy justice could be meted out, and that like Dusty Miller in the Burmese Jungle, a life was taken that a life might be gained.

The ministry of Christ really has a lot to do with pointing out how everybody messes up. When I read Peter’s story in Matthew 26, I see the reality of the gospel of Christ. Jesus knew why He had to come to earth – to save sinners who would deny knowing Him in His darkest night.

How easy it is to be faithful to God when things are as we want? How easy it is to seek God when things are going our way? How hard it is to have faith when we face something that is not merely unpleasant but painful and hard?

As we all find ourselves in uncharted waters, in exile as it were, prevented from partaking of what we became so familiar with, I think it would be wise to remember what Israel did in times of exile.

Life has become magnified in the past month; our daily schedules and priorities have changed. But when we remember or see for the first time that life is not about us but about God’s desire for us to know Him, this Lenten season becomes even more magnified. Life is short and God is all we need.

Psalm 121 starts with a question: “Where does my help come from?” With this statement, the writer expresses a feeling that every person can identify within our own times of struggle. As human beings, we tend to look to man and seek help from sources that we can see, or by what we can gain for ourselves. But Psalm 121 offers us a different perspective.

As I read through Romans 8:11-25 today, I couldn’t help but see the current state of our world. The picture of our present reality couldn't have been painted more clearly. The Spirit that we’ve received from the Father does not make us slaves that live in fear but reminds us that we’ve been adopted to sonship! 

It is easy to read Romans 8 as a religious person and miss its challenge. At first, this passage seems to show the distinction between good people and bad people. If we read Romans 8 and think “there are bad people who just react to their flesh, and then there are good people like me,” we’ve missed the point. 

You may have heard it said that followers of Christ are in the world but not of the world. What this means is, through a relationship with Jesus Christ, we realize that this world is simply a stop on our way to the Kingdom of Heaven, our final destination.

John 17 is typically referred to as “Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer,” and in the section of the prayer we’re looking at today, Jesus prays for his disciples. After providing the Twelve with some of the most challenging and profound words He ever spoke to them, Jesus now prays to the Father for these friends He loves.

Have you ever blown it? I mean really blown it? And as a result, filled with regret, shame, and disappointment. The people of Israel knew what that was like. God repeatedly told them He would be their God and they would be His people. And yet, because of their continual idolatry and sin, God exiled them to Babylon.

After reading Psalm 147 over and over again, my absolute favorite part is the centrality of praising the Lord. But, in all honesty, when I feel the most broken, the last thing I think about or want to do is praise God.

Oreos topped with Cheese Wiz. What an incongruent pairing! Many people feel the same way about grace and truth, yet John reminds us here in the opening words of his gospel that Jesus brought these two elements together in unity.

What difference does Easter make if it is celebrated with the Easter Bunny as the central figure or Jesus? I mean, c’mon… who REALLY believes someone can rise from the dead? And what does it matter over 2000 years later anyway…?