I’m sitting in my comfortable chair, sipping some warm chai tea, and reading Acts 7 on this cool winter morning. This morning I’m fascinated by the way God orchestrates the small details of my life for the good of my soul. One of my closest friends sent me a text of his Bible reading thoughts on Genesis 12, and it read, “what faith it would take to just up and leave to go where God calls you.” He was writing about Abraham leaving the comfort and safety of his home to follow a God he had never known or worshiped. What a powerful testimony of faith! Stephen preached about this same faith in his famous sermon in Acts 7.

The connection between my friend’s Bible reading and my personal bible reading reminds me of a powerful truth from the first psalm. The blessed man delights in the law of the Lord and on it he meditates day and night (Psa. 1:2). Through the everyday habit of daily Bible reading, God brings me genuine delight. The year has just begun, but God has been meeting me here and bringing me joy.

I’ve recently experienced a blend of lament and rejoicing, and I hope to help someone out there who is struggling to read and enjoy the Bible consistently. You have hope, and God is holding out the promise of delight to all who seek Him and meditate on His Word. The God who spoke the Bible works in the hearts of believers, drawing us to His Word and giving us unexplainable joy.

Lament: I Let Life Steal From Me

Adrian Rogers once said, “If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy”. In C.S. Lewis’s Screwtape Letters, one demon wrote of humans: “Whatever their bodies do affects their souls. It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality, our best work is done by keeping things out”. For over a year, God’s Word was mostly kept out of my daily habits and routines, and my soul paid dearly for it. 

I started a new job in early 2021, and work was pretty busy. I often found myself gravitating toward health and wellness podcasts rather than the biblical episodes I used to download. Instead of reading Christian books during the cracks and breaks throughout the day, I read books on sleep and diet. Too often, I gave myself extra time for sleep, jumped straight into a coffee shop meeting or exercise, and then jumped straight into work. Rather than pursuing God and His presence to strengthen my soul throughout the day, I gave myself to working, googling things, scrolling social media, reading weather blogs, and chasing anything else that would distract my soul. C.S. Lewis’s words proved true for me. I was caring far more for my body than my soul, and God’s Word ended up being pushed to the side.

The scariest part about my year is that I hardly noticed that I was starving my soul. My body was languishing. I gained 17 pounds, got COVID, found out I had undiagnosed sleep apnea and insomnia, dealt with intense anxiety, and developed a skin abscess. I truly felt the weight of physical struggles and ailments in 2022, and these struggles took up a lot of my focus because they made my life difficult. But what about my spiritual difficulties? 
 
Last year, I had several spiritual highs which gave me a false sense of spiritual depth. I attended the final T4G conference, served faithfully as a pastoral resident, and took steps toward church planting. Those times were extremely fruitful and good for my soul. God was gracious in them all. He gave me the diligence to preach, teach, and lead in ways that are impossible without his help. 

Despite these blessed times, I lacked the devotional rhythms and ongoing communion with God necessary for the valleys that came between the peaks. I spent far too little time with God. I often neglected time for prayer, Bible reading, writing, fellowship, worship, and discipleship to do less important things. 

Rejoicing: God Gave Back What I Gave Up

God didn’t leave me last year, but He allowed me to starve my soul on a diet of junk food and quick-fix supplements for much of the year. By the grace of God, I finished out the year with a God-given desire to care for my soul in 2023 (Phil. 2:12-13). He got my attention and reeled me back in with a different perspective. Despite my being distant and distracted, Christ was always here. He didn’t let my soul shrivel up like chaff and throw me into the fire. Rather, my Good Shepherd struck my back with His gracious rod of correction and led me back to green pastures and still waters—the Living Water to be precise (Ps. 23:2). He knows more than any earthly parent how to give good gifts to those who ask Him, and I was desperate for His help (Mat. 7:11). 

I spent a short season praying for delight without pursuing it. God graciously sparked my hunger for communion with Him in ways that I couldn’t have imagined at the time. As my soul hungered for the Word, God drew me to the path of delighting in Him. Here’s what God did:

1. God used the Redeeming Productivity Academy. Near the end of 2022, Reagan—the founder of Redeeming Productivity Academy—and several users in the academy posted articles and tips for starting Bible reading plans in the new year. These posts and articles helped me get focused on growth in 2023. 

2. God used year-end reflections. I reflected on 2022 and lamented the state of my soul. After reflecting on my complete failure in setting and keeping the 38 goals and interventions I set last year, I decided to forgo my annual goal-setting and opt for emphasizing daily habits that would help me live the life I need to live in 2023.
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3. God used some of my closest friends. At the end of 2022, three of my closest friends committed to using Bible reading plans—one convinced me to read the M’Cheyne with him again this year. Another close friend stopped using drugs a year ago and began reading several pages of his Bible every day. His life is a testimony of devotion to God. Another friend, who is busy with a full undergraduate load, read the whole M’Cheyne plan last year. These men spur me on daily to read and seek God’s face in His Word. 

A Journey: I Haven’t Arrived

What does all of this have to do with reading Acts 7? I wouldn’t have been reading that chapter without God helping me cultivate the spiritual habit of daily Bible reading. 

He drew me back into the daily spiritual disciplines I had so quickly forgotten. For some, the word discipline screams legalism, danger, and red flags. For others, discipline feels like a spiritual straitjacket that robs people of their true freedom. I view the spiritual disciplines as the gutter guards at the bowling alley. I have a destination, and without discipline, I end up in the gutter. In the words of Don Whitney, “discipline without direction leads to drudgery, but discipline with direction leads to delight.” I thrive when I have discipline and direction because I can find delight in the right place—God Himself.

I want to reiterate that I haven’t arrived. I’m writing this on January 10th. I have 355 days to keep striving in Christ’s strength to commune with him.  I also have 355 days to lose focus and either follow the disciplines for fleshly reasons or lose sight of them altogether. My hope and prayer, however, are that God continues to teach me how to delight myself in Him. Only then will I truly have the desires of my heart (Ps. 37:4).

What about you? Are you delighting in the Lord in this season of life? What is holding you back? How is God at work to draw you back to Himself?

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I have often uttered the phrase, “New year, new you” in early January. I love it because it’s catchy, and it captures the idea that when the clock rolls over into a new year, I have a new chance to put off bad habits and put on new better ones. I love to plan and set goals, so the notion of a new me in the new year is exhilarating.

As I reflect on the previous 365 days (or 366 on leap year!), I often look back with sadness and negativity. Some people view the world through rose-colored glasses—not me. It’s not that I’m a complete pessimist who can’t see the good in a situation or season. It’s that I often battle seasonal depression, and my year end reflections are often grey and cloudy like the December skies I see when I peer out the window.

Far more often than I’d like to admit, melancholy and self-deprecation haunt my year-end reflections and stimulate me to pursue radical change going into January 1. Have you figured out yet how this could be destructive for me moving into the new year? Self-examination is vital for the Christian life, but only when the gospel is in full view and the lens we use is accurate (2 Cor. 13:5).

Deadly Resolutions

New year goals and habits are deadly when the gospel is missing.

Don’t breeze too quickly past that last sentence. Let me lean in, look you in the eyes, and say it again.

New year goals and habits are deadly when the gospel is missing.

When we only give lip service to the gospel, we may say that we create our goals and resolutions for the glory of God, but if we actually achieved them and stayed true to our words, who would get the credit first in our hearts and minds? Would attaining your goals in the next 365 days cause you to celebrate the goodness and grace of God more?

I’m hoping your answer is that God would get the credit first and foremost. I hope that would be my answer too. But if you’re afraid it won’t be, the Word of God has some encouragement for you today:

”…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.” -Philippians 2:12–13

Work Out Your Own Salvation

At first you may be wondering, “Where’s the hope in this?! If I have to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling, I better get to work!” However, don’t miss the gospel bomb in the passage: “For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.”

When Paul says, “Work out your own salvation”, he isn’t calling for Christians to save themselves. Some scholars argue that Paul is calling the Philippians corporately to work out their salvation by pursuing unity. Other scholars argue that the call to work out your own salvation emphasizes the individual call to pursue godliness. The big picture seems clear: putting on the mind of Christ and caring more for others than ourselves is a powerful way to work out our own salvation (Phil 2:3-4).

This is a call to radical obedience. To love others is to fulfill the entire law of Moses (Rom. 13:10, Jam. 2:8). It is the call to love our neighbors as ourselves—the second greatest commandment (Mat. 22:39). It means refusing to be irritable or resentful toward others (1 Cor. 13:5). The call to put on the mind of Christ and forfeit our desires, preferences, and opinions for the good of others is a monumental task.

Who is fit for this work? God is.

God is at Work

As a man who has been able to dunk a basketball since I was in 9th grade, it has been painful to reach my early 30s and not be able to bounce like I used to. I now have fight to get a clean dunk, and if I go a few months without working out, it will take me several weeks of training to be able to dunk again. Yet for many, slamming a basketball through the rim has never been attainable, and no amount of strength or willpower can get them to the rim. Hearing “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” is like trying dunk at 5’2 with a 30-inch vertical.

Not only is it impossible for us to work out our salvation on our own, but we reach the frustration point pretty quickly when we try. Paul knows this because when his eyes were opened to the gospel, he realized that his pharisaical ways were futile with regard to true righteousness. We can only be right with God in and through Christ. He reminded the Galatians that as our faith walk began with the Spirit, it must also continue by the Spirit. We are not perfected by the flesh but by the Spirit (Gal 3:1-6).

Therefore, Paul says to the Philippians, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling… for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2: 13). Christian, our great hope is that God will work in us to both will and work for His good pleasure! This doesn’t mean that we sit back and relax, waiting for the impulse to do good. Not at all! Rather, we strive with all of Christ’s strength to live fruitful and godly lives (Colossians 1:29). Yet, we give Him all the glory because it is He who works and wills the good that we do! This is encouraging and exciting!

For His Good Pleasure

Let us not move too quickly or we will miss a key phrase in this passage: for His good pleasure. God stirs up desires and brings fruit from those good and glorious desires in us for His good pleasure. Far too often, when the road gets rough we can feel as though God is against us rather than for us. Compare this mentality with Romans 8:31.

Our Bible reading plan gets to Leviticus and Numbers and the New Year’s energy has worn off. We yawn and doze as we try to our work our way through the passages. Then we hear the self-pity and mockery. You lousy person! How can you call yourself a saint when you can barely wake up and read the Bible each day! You’ll never reach your goals because you might not even be saved. God despises you because you don’t delight in Him or His Word!

Yet what does our text say? When we are pursuing the love of God and the love of others, it is God who is at work in us to will and to work for His good pleasure. This includes our Bible reading and prayer times! He is pleased to see us complete our Bible reading plan. He welcomes us to the throne of grace in prayer. He rejoices to see husbands love their wives. He gets glory when fathers love and lead their children. He delights to see His saints worship together.

When we believe that God works in and through us for His good pleasure, we have wind behind our sails that allows us to keep pushing when the going gets tough. When the days are hard and we don’t feel like working out our salvation with fear and trembling, God is still at work in us for His good pleasure. He’s not helping us begrudgingly, either! He is ready and willing to help us because our sanctification brings Him glory from start to finish.

God’s Grace in the New Year

In light of Philippians 2:12-13, here are three ways to glorify God as you plan your year and fight to meet your goals:

1. Prioritize obedience to God over personal preferences and goals. Setting goals for our jobs is good if our aim is to work heartily as for the Lord and not for men (Col. 3:23). Developing an exercise habit glorifies God if we are caring for our temple (1 Tim. 4:8). However, if you’re neglecting the time needed to cultivate love for God and others, you should consider prioritizing your spiritual goals first and foremost. It’s not that the others are unimportant. Rather, we are called to work out our salvation with utmost seriousness and reverence for God. Let today’s habits be reasons for rejoicing a million years from now.

2. Pray frequently and fervently for God to work in you. Too often we fail to reach our goals and keep our habits because we simply don’t pray. He have not because we ask not (James 4:2-3). We need to be often asking God to strengthen in order to persevere in our goals and habits. And if He is not granting us success, we may need to search our hearts, goals, and habits to see if God is truly at the center of our plans for the new year. James 4:2-3 says, “You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” Let us ask for help, and seek God’s help for the right reasons.  ​

3. Praise God regularly when you see success in your life. If we aren’t diligent in developing hearts that look often for opportunities to praise God, we will find ourselves excited as though we achieved righteous works in our strength. Jesus is clear that apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). By reflecting on our goals and achievements, we are able to see successes and failures. When we see failures, we can draw near to God in humility and earnest prayer. When we see successes and check off all the boxes, we can draw near to God in praise for His transforming and empowering grace.

As the new year begins, don’t neglect to establish good goals and habits. We are called to make the best use of our time (Eph. 5:18). Set grand goals! But in this new year, fight to obey God, rest in His power, and give Him the glory in your successes! And never forget that He’s working in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure and glory (Ps. 115:1).

As a pastoral resident, I've been very busy with ministry this spring. I was blessed with the opportunity to preach the gospel on Easter Sunday at Grace Church. If you're interested in hearing the sermon I preached on Easter Sunday, I pray it can be a blessing to your soul. 

You can listen or download the file here.

​Photo by NO NAME: https://www.pexels.com/photo/sunset-over-snow-covered-mountains-66997/

10 Tips for Stressful Times

A close friend of mine was recently going through a rough time. Having been through stressful times myself over the past couple of years, I thought it may be helpful to offer some biblical and practical help to overcome anxiety. Here's what I sent him:

1. Pray and cast your anxieties to the Lord.
   • “...casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7)
   • “Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Ps. 55:22)
2. Get some sunlight. Spending 30 minutes in the sunlight does a lot to lift your spirits and sync up your 24-hour rhythm.
3. Do some relaxing but engaging activities. Some examples are:
   • Read the Bible or a good book
   • Watch a good show or documentary
   • Play games with your kids
   • Warm bath or shower
4. Spend time with other believers. Fellowship can provide encouragement and a shoulder to lean on.
   • “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
   • “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2)
5. Break a sweat. Getting some exercise—especially in the sunlight—can help you feel better by increasing the feel-good hormones in your brain and getting rid of some excess energy.
   • “...for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Tim. 4:8)
6. Limit stimulants. Sugar, caffeine, and simple carbs (like white bread, crackers, and chips) can have a stimulating effect on the body. It’s best to limit these comfort foods when you’re dealing with anxiety and depression. They promise to make you feel better, but they often leave you feeling worse.
7. Eat good food! Eat colorful veggies, berries and other low-sugar fruits, and nuts and seeds for good fat. Throw in some brown rice, quinoa, or oatmeal to add healthy grains in the mix, too. Eat good quality, lean meats to keep your protein up and get more nutrients.
   • “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.” (Genesis 9:3).
8. Breathe. Taking 3-5 minutes throughout the day and before to take slow deep breaths can help you calm down. Try breathing in through your nose for three seconds and out from your mouth for six seconds. These breaths can be very calming.
9. Talk with your doctor about supplements to help with stress and sleep.* Adaptogens and nootropics can really help with anxiety and depression. L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, and Tulsi (Holy Basil) can also help stressed out adrenals. B vitamins, 5-HTP, and St. John’s Wort have also been shown to help with both anxiety and depression. Melatonin, GABA, and magnesium (glycinate, l-throenate, etc.) can help with restless sleep. Again, always talk to your doctor when starting new supplements, especially if you’re already taking other prescription medications.
10. Rest in the Lord. Sometimes we just need to rest. We don’t just need physical rest. We need soul rest too. When Elijah was depressed and wished he would die, God fed him and allowed him to get some sleep before carrying out the rest of his ministry (1 Kings 19:5-18). Rest is a gift from God.
    
    What are some of the ways you navigate stressful seasons in life? Let me know in the comments!

*DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.​

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At the end of each year, I like to think through priorities, goals, and habits as I prepare for the upcoming year. Over the years, I've stumbled over articles and sermons about Jonathan Edwards's Resolutions. Written when he was approaching his twentieth birthday, these resolutions reflect areas of focus and spiritual growth for young Edwards. As a young-ish guy (I'm 33rd birthday!) I want to be "making the best use of the time because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16), so I decided to embark on a more thorough study of Edwards's lifestyle and resolutions. In God's providence, I stumbled upon Matthew Everhard's Holy Living: Jonathan Edwards’s Seventy Resolutions for Living the Christian Life. Everhard is a pastor with a popular Youtube channel detailing his study methods, reviewing Christian resources, and sharing information from his scholarly studies on the life and ministry of Jonathan Edwards.

A Bit of Tension
As a black Christian in America—and yes, my Christian identity trumps my racial identity—I often wrestle with the tension of early American Christianity and slavery. There is clearly nothing deficient about the gospel or biblical ethics. Unfortunately, the rich theology proclaimed in Christian books and sermons from that era didn't always move from head to heart to hand—especially when those hands held slaves. Sadly, Great Awakening heroes like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield were guilty of supporting slavery either vocally or silently through their actions. I'm not trying to spark the discussion of how slaves were treated by Christian slaveholders, whether they were just products of their time, or if these men were genuine Christians. These are complex discussions that ought not be handled lightly via social media or blogs. For what it's worth, I hope to see both of these men in heaven worshipping the Lord alongside Africans and people from every other tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 7:9).

In Holy Living, Everhard doesn't shy away from this tension of slavery in Jonathan Edwards's life. In fact, he mentions it a couple of times in the opening chapter. I want to zoom in on one specific section where we see Edwards's disciples build upon his blind spots:

"Following his death, Edwards’s legacy continued to rise sharply. His disciples carried on some of his ideas, applying them more courageously than he had in areas of social concern, especially his concept of “benevolence to being in general, ”which meant a love for God and humanity. His son Jonathan Edwards Jr. and his disciple Samuel Hopkins applied their concept of “disinterested benevolence” to race relations and slavery, working toward the abolition of that horrific institution. Like their mentor, they were way ahead of their time. (p. 15; emphasis mine)"

Not Far Enough
Jonathan Edwards thought and wrote deeply on the concept of Christian love and the fruits it bears in the lives of believers. He also taught that all people were created in the image of God—even African slaves. He wrote of the "benevolence of being in general" which emphasized first love for God and then love for other people. Though this teaching didn't shift his practice of slaveholding, it did move and his congregation to receive black and Native American members into their congregation. He would eventually give his life to mission work among Native Americans before passing away from a smallpox inoculation. Though his views and action regarding race and slavery were likely countercultural for his day, we know that Edwards didn't go far enough in renouncing slavery and racism in word or deed. He failed. His whole life wasn't a failure, but he failed to defend the image of God in people who didn't look like him. Like Peter's ethnoreligious blunder in Galatians 2, we could easily say that Edwards's action was "out of step with the gospel" (Galatians 2:14). Perhaps this was a blind spot that was obvious to many in his day and nearly everyone today.

In God's remarkable providence, Jonathan Edwards was an abolitionist—Jonathan Edwards Jr, that is. At least with regard to Edwards's doctrine of benevolence, Jonathan (the younger) and Samuel Hopkins applied the rich theology of their mentor in order to fight against "that horrific institution" called slavery. I imagine young Jonathan looking at Venus, on of the family's slaves, with confusion and perhaps pain in his heart. Perhaps he had wondered why his father taught of benevolence toward all while keeping Venus locked away like a caged bird. Maybe he looked at the society around him and grieved at the atrocities faced by millions of Africans simply used as domestic and agricultural machinery by wealthy Americans. This, of course, is mere speculation. But it is clear that Edwards Jr. was driven by his inherited theology to fight against the ills of racism and slavery.

God is Gracious When We Can't See
Where does this leave us today? I can't speak for others, but I am willing to learn from Jonathan Edwards's life and ministry. I'm willing to learn from both his successes and diligence as well as his frustrations and failures. I'm becoming more willing to bear with the blind spots and folly of pastors and scholars today, too. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't acknowledge sin and unwise action where we see it. It definitely doesn't mean compromising sound doctrine in order to fit in with today's culture. Rather, I want to be more willing to see the good in someone's life and teaching despite being blind in areas that are easy to see. 

Most importantly, I'm reminded that I have my own blind spots. If King Solomon could be blinded by luxurious living and numerous wives, how can I expect to get everything right? If Jonathan Edwards kept most of his seventy resolutions but turned a blind eye to slavery, will the blue light from tiny screens blind me to the distraction and debauchery of our day? If those men can fail, so can I. But there is grace for those who stumble. It is God alone who can keep me from stumbling. He alone can prevent my spiritual legacy from being tarnished by my blind spots and weaknesses. God is light and in Him alone is there no darkness at all.

For more information on Jonathan Edwards and the complex issues of race, see Matthew Everhard's Article "Jonathan Edwards’ Complex Views on Race"

Affilliate Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate links in my content. This comes at no cost to you and helps me keep writing. Thanks for your continued support! 

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Temptation often meets us in our weakest moments. Maybe you're exhausted from a rough night of sleep, and your spouse says something that triggers a volcanic eruption of anger in your heart. Perhaps you both caught COVID while caring for your newborn child, and there's a civil war brewing in your home. Maybe you're on your phone past midnight and pornographic images begin flooding your thoughts and screen as you scroll. Perhaps you've been wronged by a close friend and feel the need to air your grievances about the situation. The combinations are endless, but you get the point. If we ask the Spirit to open our eyes, we'll see more temptation than we've ever realized.

What do you do in moments of temptation? Many times we are too oblivious to see Satan's snares as we dive headlong into sin. Other times we notice the temptation but simply lack the energy or the desire to fight against it. Still other times we grapple with the tempter seeking to win the upper hand before tapping the mat because his chokehold seems just too fierce. As we grow in our faith, though, we increasingly recognize the temptation, remember our armor, and put sin to death. How is it that we should fight temptation to sin?

No Confidence in Ourselves
Until we are saved, we don't have the new life required to put sin to death "by the Spirit" (Romans 8:13). God may have graciously restrained our sin or given us the natural temperament to abstain from certain sins when we were unbelievers, but we didn't have the power within us to truly fight sin to the glory of God. In fact, we were slaves to sin (Romans 6:17-18). Once we are saved we still sometimes still succumb to sin, but we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to actually put it to death. We are given the full armor of God by which we fight the spiritual enemies in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10-20).

We all have two choices when we face temptation. We can face it in our own strength using our own resources, or we can be imitators of Christ and fight temptation by the Spirit using the Word of God and prayer. The choice is obvious, but it's not always easy. When you think of fighting temptation, do you think of white-knuckled willpower or prayer-saturated warfare? Thomas Manton reminds us that we fight sin by faith which "[shows] us the truth and worth of heavenly things, and taking God's word for its security, masters our desires and carnal affections."¹

Let's look at two very different scenarios of temptation in the Bible. 

Cain Relied on Himself
Cain was a lot like his mother, Eve. He knew the rules but didn't have the heart to follow through. He heard the truth loud and clear, but the lie held more sway over him. When he and Abel had been making offerings to God, his offering was met without regard. Some speculate that his offering didn't have blood and therefore wasn't acceptable. That may be true. But it's also possible that instead of giving from the first fruits of his crop, he gave God leftovers whereas Abel gave the "firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions" (Genesis 4:4). Regardless of our speculations, one thing is certain: "by faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks" (Hebrews 11:4). Cain lacked such faith in God. Perhaps this is why he gave a lesser gift, and it's certainly why his gift was not regarded.

Cain's face fell, and he was exceedingly angry. At this crucial turning point, he had a choice to make: trust God and do well or flee from God and do evil. We can either run to God and heed His voice or run from Him. God gave Cain a solemn warning: "sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it" (Genesis 4:7). At this point, Cain could have repented of his anger and sought the grace to love Cain. Instead, he chose to harbor sin in his heart. Matthew Henry, commenting on this passage in Genesis 4, said, "If sin be harboured in the house, the curse waits at the door, like a bailiff, ready to arrest the sinner whenever he looks out"². In other words, carrying sin in our hearts is like hiding a wanted fugitive in our homes with the S.W.A.T. perched outside waiting to break the door down. God urged Cain to put the sin out of his heart through repentance and faith. He urged him not to listen to his sinful desires and the serpent's crafty lies like Eve did. But he refused to put his anger to death and killed his brother instead.

Jesus Relied on the Word of God
Any casual reader of Scripture will notice that Jesus's encounter with temptation went much differently than Eve's and Cain's (See Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12,13, and Luke 4:1-13). It would be easy to throw our hands up and exclaim, "He's Jesus for crying out loud! Of course the Son of God would do better than Eve and Cain!". However, it's still wise for us to look to Jesus' example as we face temptation of our own. He was alone and hungry after 40 days and nights of fasting—that ought to catch our attention!

Let's look at how Jesus responded to the tempter. Twice Satan questions Jesus' identity, and finally Satan offers him the world if Jesus will bow down and worship him. We aren't given many details, but I am confident that Jesus didn't ponder whether he was really the Son of God. He was sure of His identity and had many Scripture to verify it. I don't envision Jesus pondering whether he would actually bow down to Satan in order to gain something that was already His (John 1:1, Hebrews 1:10-12). He did everything to glorify His Father. Rather than ponder the words of the tempter, Jesus pulled from the storehouse of Scripture in his heart and replied three times with "it is written...". His delight was in the law of the Lord and on God's law He meditated day and night. His confidence was in the Word and worship of His Father. His food was the will of God as revealed by the Word of God. He beat Satan because He wielded the greatest weapon.

How Do You Fight?
If you don't have a weapon how will you fight? As we face temptation day in and day out, we have the Spirit of God at work in us (Romans 8:11). We have the living and active word of God as our sword (Ephesians 6:17). We have the "wartime walkie-talkie" of prayer at every moment (Ephesians 6:18). You can be confident in your victory over sin because God has warned you through examples like Cain (1 Corinthians 10:6). He has placed His Holy Spirit within you to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). As you fight sin, you can cling to these promises. Cling to the gospel hope that He who has begun a good work in you will bring it to completion. Proclaim boldly that God has a way of escape for you when you're tempted to sin!

Are you feeling defeated by sin today? Are you in a season of fierce and unrelenting temptation? Remember the Word of God. Remember the power of prayer. Live by the Word. Eat the Word. Drink the Word. Hide the Word in your heart. Strike the enemy with the Word. Pray at all times in the Spirit. Devote yourself to prayer. Keep fighting and don't give up! Do it all for His glory by His grace! God is with every one of His people in their time of need! 

Footnotes:
¹ The Works of Thomas Manton Vol. 2, p. 149; text slightly modified into modern English
² Henry, M., & Church, L. F. (1961). Matthew Henry's commentary: Genesis to Revelation. Zondervan Pub. House.

​Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

Merry Christmas! Today is a joyous day of celebration for Christians around the world. For us, Christmas is far more than a winter festival fit for exchanging gifts, feasting together, and enjoying the company of friends and family. Certainly these are blessed aspects of our celebration, but we have something far deeper and more eternity-shaping to rejoice in this morning.

This Advent morning, let's reflect on the love of Jesus for his people. There is a striking truth about Christ's first coming found in John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends". At first glance it would seem that this verse has little to do with Jesus' first coming, but that is far from the truth. The very truth of Christ's payment of sin (atonement) through His death necessitates His first coming. For how can one die who is not first born?

In order to show the " greater love", which is truly the greatest love, Christ had to be born and come to die. As I ponder this truth about Jesus's love for his people, I am reminded of a very powerful reality of Jesus’s first coming: Jesus came to die. He knew that if he would show the greatest love the universe has ever seen he would have to take on human flesh and give His life on behalf of sinful people.

Who could show such love? "No one". While the example he gave seems to point to the noble act of a person giving their life for another, even this is no comparison to the work of Jesus in the salvation of sinners. I can give my life to physically rescue my friend from death and still do it from a sense of pride or another false motive. Even with the right motive, I can give my life for a friend, but I can never ransom his life from the wages of sin (Romans 6:23, Psalm 49:7). Jesus's death for sinners is on another level.

He calls us his "friends”. There is nothing in us deserving of friendship with Jesus. In fact, while I was Jesus’s enemy, He died for us—ungodly, wretched sinners deserving of death (Romans 5:8,10). Yet, he calls us His friends, and that’s exactly who we are as children of the Most High God and Heavenly Father. All of this is through Jesus Christ. We have received life and adoption because He came and died for us. But to come and die, He first came in the flesh. 

This Advent morning we don’t just celebrate a man who was born. We celebrate God in the flesh—Jesus who “will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). 

Prayer points:
1. Ask for grace to reflect the love of Christ by sacrificing your comforts and preferences for others.
2. Ask the Lord to teach you to rest in the love and work of Jesus for your eternal hope and joy (John 15:11).
3. Rejoice in the grace and love of God for sinners like you and me.


Image credit: ​Photo by David Bartus from Pexels​

Jesus, The Eternal Son Of God
December 1: Jesus, the Creator (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-3)
December 2: Jesus, the Eternal Word (John 1:1-18)
December 3: Jesus, the Foreknown Savior (Acts 2:23; Acts 3:18; 1 Peter 1:17-21)
December 4: Jesus, the Son of God (John 1:29-34; Luke 1:35; Matthew 14:33)
December 5: Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 6:22-56)

Sinners In Need Of A Savior
December 6: The Fall of Man (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-19)
December 7: The Effects of Sin (Genesis 6:1-8; Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 53:1-3)
December 8: The Wages of Sin (Romans 6:23; Psalm 49:7; Romans 3:23)
December 9: The Requirement of Justice (Proverbs 24:12; Job 34:10-15)
December 10: The Forgiveness That Counts (Mark 2:7; Matthew 9:1-8)

Prophecies Of The Messiah
December 11: Jesus, the Headcrusher (Genesis 3:14-15; Romans 16:20; Hebrews 2:14-18)
December 12: Jesus, the King (Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 2; John 18:33-38)
December 13: Jesus, the Forsaken (Psalm 22:1; Psalm 22:14-18; Matthew 27:45-56)
December 14: Jesus, the Risen (Psalm 16:8-11; Acts 2:24-32)
December 15: Jesus, the Light of the Nations (Isaiah 49:6; Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8)

Themes Of Immanuel
December 16: Joy in Christ (Romans 15:13; Philippians 4:4-7; 1 Peter 1:8-9)
December 17: Hope in Christ (Psalm 39:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
December 18: Peace in Christ (Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 4:4-7; Ephesians 2:11-22)
December 19: The Sacrifice of Christ (John 15:12-13; 1 John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 8:9)
December 20: The Presence of Christ (Matthew 1:23; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Revelation 21:3)

Unto Us A Child Is Born
December 21: Mary, the Virgin Mother (Luke 1:26-38)
December 22: Mary, the Joyful Mother (Luke 1:39-56)
December 23: Joseph, the Obedient Earthly Father (Matthew 1:18-25)
December 24: John, the Forerunner (Luke 1:67-80)
December 25: Jesus, the Savior, Is Born (Luke 2:1-38)

For a printable version of this guide, click here.

Apathy at Advent

The Christmas season is upon us. For many Christians, myself included, Advent is a season of excitement and joy as we celebrate the incarnation (putting on flesh) of the Son of God. While it's easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of gifts, food, family time, and fun, there's another subtle distraction that can keep us from enjoying Christ during the Advent season—apathy.

Who could be apathetic during such a joyful time of year? I can't speak for anyone else, but I know I tend to struggle with apathy. It's a sneaky little thought that creeps in every year: "I've read the Christmas story a million times. There's nothing more to get out of it. A virgin birth. Check. Shepherds. Check. Three wise men. Check." Some years I gloss over these magnificent and eternity-altering words without even a spark of excitement or joy. I can hear John Piper exhorting me to "LINGER....LINGER...LINGER!!" 

You may be thinking that Advent and Christmas aren't even biblical holidays, so we shouldn't even be worried about lacking holiday joy. You're right in saying that the Bible doesn't command Christians to celebrate Advent or Christmas. I've had some friends make a huge fuss about this, but you can't convince me that it's sinful to celebrate the Son of God coming in the flesh. However, I am fully convinced that there's something wrong with my heart when I don't get excited about Jesus.

The Gift of Gifts

I'm ashamed to admit that I get excited about lesser things. If you turn on a UK game, I'll find myself drawn to the screen. If you buy me a new tech gadget, I'll spend a day or two getting it set up and playing with it. If you hand me a new book, I'll spend some time flipping through the table of contents and reading the opening chapters. If those things bring me excitement, why doesn't Jesus?

Part of my problem is that I let lesser gifts capture my attention. Flame, a Christian rapper, once said that we are like a pig in a pin who will pass up a steak to eat slop. C.S. Lewis said we settle for mud pies. I don't want pig slop or mud pie faith. I want the joy of the Shepherds and the Magi who dropped everything to celebrate the Life and Light of men who burst on the scene to save His people from their sins and be with them. I want to rejoice in the God who came to be with sinners in order to save them.

For me, Advent is a time to be lifted from the miry bog and set on the firm ground. I find myself distracted more now than ever. Too often, my eyes have been set on this earth below rather than on the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Advent is a time to grab my Bible, a great devotional, and a notebook to feast on the glory of Christ. He is the greatest of all gifts.

6 Ways to Meet With God During Advent
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This year, my Advent plans are to:

1. Read The Dawn of Redeeming Grace by Sinclair Ferguson and the relevant Scriptures in the book.
2. Study some passages about Jesus' incarnation.
3. Eat dinners lit by oil lamp with my family on several evenings as we read a family Advent devotional and the Bible.
4. Help my kids set up Advent Blocks that will help us remember various aspects of Jesus' first coming.
5. Meditate and jot some short and quick prayers in my journal to stir up my affections for Jesus.
6. Listen to biblical, Christ-centered Advent playlists (along with my Christmas jazz playlist, of course!). 

I'm not doing every one of these things every single day. None of this guarantees that I'll be happier this Advent season. None of it earns me a spot closer to God. However, I want to do most of these on most days because they're simple ways to connect with God.

​I want to saturate my heart with Christ more than I saturated my mind with Covid-19 variants and social issues. I want to discuss the glories of Christ and His coming in the flesh more than I scroll social media. I'm not saying that any of those things is inherently wrong to think about and discuss, but it is wrong to be consumed by them, and we need seasons to stare at the glory of Christ and be transformed in that beholding of our Savior. Advent will be a much needed time to enjoy the Lord.

What are your Advent traditions? How will you celebrate Advent differently this year than other years?

If you need an Advent reading Guide, check this one out! 

I couldn’t breathe…

Another black man killed on camera. Yet, I was supposed to keep my mouth shut. With a knee on his neck—or maybe his back—I was told to pipe down and wait for the facts. Yet, I was gasping, unable to catch a deep breath. But I’m still alive.

More riots. More violence. I didn’t condone it, but I did believe our lives matter. I still do. Yet when I speak my mind, I’m slammed flat on my back, the wind is knocked out of me again, staring at my teammates who don’t seem to want to help me up. 

I couldn’t breathe.

With an angry heart and clenched fists, I was determined to speak my mind. I shouted. I yelled. I screamed.

Until I was out of breath. 

Yet my anger didn’t produce righteousness. As I looked at the carnage of strained relationships and hurtful words in the aftermath of my EF5 anger, I realized that I, too, was part of the problem. “They won’t listen to me!”, I screamed. God’s voice thundered, “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger”. “They don’t love me as they should!”, I cried. The Lord spoke again, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself”. 

Again, I was breathless.

This time I felt like Isaiah. As I beheld God in His glory, I was in utter silence. Though I was wronged, I had no reason to wrong others. Though I was hurt, I wasn’t justified in hurting others. Though I was angry, I had no right to sin in that anger. It was then that I remembered that in order to become more righteous, I needed to value Someone greater than the man in the mirror. The only way to be transformed is to keep beholding the Son of God in His glory, not by baling up my fists, furrowing my brow, and holding my breath.

I can breathe again. 

I hope to never see another breathless black man whose life has been ripped from him through injustice. But if I do, Lord willing, I will know how to catch my breath.

Just breathe.

Though I personally don't celebrate Lent (see Romans 14:5 for my views on this), I love the season leading up to Easter. These are some special days to reflect upon the glories of Christ as we await one of the greatest celebrations of the Christian faith. Just as Advent is a good season to reflect upon the coming of the King, so the 40 days prior to Easter—otherwise known as Lent—are perfect for meditating on the work of Christ leading up to His death and resurrection. Scripture is emphatic: without the resurrection we have no foundation to stand on. Just read Paul's words to the Corinthian church:

"Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied." (1 Corinthians 15:12-19)

Friends for the Journey

If you've kept up with Dwell With Christ over the years, you've probably heard of Tim Chester. He is one of my favorite present-day authors, and reading his books is like meeting with a friend for coffee. His writing is deeply theological, applicable, and devotional. He often taps into the old writers, and those gleanings are extremely good for my soul. His most recent book An Ocean of Grace: A Journey to Easter with Great Voices from the Past is yet another wonderful resource for meditating on the glorious truths of Easter. 

The truths of Easter haven't changed, so why another book? Chester's aim is not to bring us new information. Rather, his hope is that "familiar truths will come with fresh power to capture our imaginations and captivate our hearts" (p. 9). After a year of COVID-19 and everything that has unfolded since then, I could certainly use a strong dose of Christ's glory. I need to intentionally fix my eyes on Jesus, and Tim Chester has brought some old friends along to help me do just that.

A break from the norm, An Ocean of Grace is full of poetry, prayers, and meditation from theological giants and saints whose faith has now become sight. In this rich devotional, we hear from the likes of Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390), Stephen Charnock, Augustine, John Calvin, and more. How often do you get a sampling of the early church fathers, Reformers, Puritans, and the Victorian Era in one place?

These short, heart-warming, soul-stirring reads are sure to point your soul to Jesus. Thankfully, Chester has lightly edited some of the wording so we don't have to do the challenging, and often daunting, work of decoding the complex old English that comes with reading the old writers.

If you grab this devotional, you're surely in for a treat. Grab your coffee, find a warm nook, and behold the Christ. As you do so, let your mind and emotions be stirred to pray and worship the King. As we behold His glory this Easter, we are being transformed into His image from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18)!

I heard the crash.

My stomach sank immediately. The splash of shattering ceramic sounded different, even at a distance. My mug was broken. My heart was a little broken, too.
But why? This one isn’t special, nor is it different than 3 other mugs in the cupboard. Its plain, black exterior has nothing flashy or worthy of extra attention.

This moment reveals my heart in a couple of unique ways. There’s a war going on inside. I’m more consumeristic than I'd like to admit. Yet I also appreciate the little things more than I realized—like my little black mug. Scripture calls us to hold onto things loosely (Matthew 6:19-21) while striving for contentment with what we have (1 Timothy 6:8).

The coffee mug says a lot about me. God is teaching me not to hold too tightly to the things of this world. Life is a vapor, and so is my health. Money will be useless when the Lord calls me home. Earthly relationships will all someday come to an end. Everything I contribute to this world will one day vanish. It’s all a vapor that’s here today and gone tomrorow. It will all pass away with this world (1 John 2:17), and the Lord is beckoning me, “Loosen your grip”.

At the same time, a simple, black coffee mug reminds me of contentment. I am learning to embrace the ordinary, mundane moments God has ordained for me. That simple sips of steaming, rich coffee from that insignificant Walmart mug reminds me of Bible reading, prayer time, meditation, good books, and spiritual warfare. A lot of spiritual growth has happened when I enjoy some coffee in the early morning hours with the Lord.

It also reminds me of discipleship and life with people. The presence of friends—a life lived in the fellowship with God and His people unrestrained by masks, social distancing, and viral load-- is something I so desperately miss. Time with others can be so easy to squander and so tough to savor in the everyday grind of life.

Long for contentment. Pray for community. Embrace the mundane. Cherish the moments. Remember the Master.

There's a young man I know who is very productive. In everything he does, he strives for success—and he often achieves it. He's a national champion triple jumper at a liberal arts college who is majoring in sociology and minoring in religion. He's deeply connected to other believers through college ministry, decently committed to a local church (though I'd counsel him to take membership more seriously!), and dedicated to sound doctrine and defending the faith.

He has one glaring heart issue—his prayer life is very weak. 

There's another young man I know in his mid-20's. He's not married yet, but he's searching for a wife. He works a full-time office job at a local factory and is pursuing a master's degree in teaching. In his free time, he hangs out and talks theology with the family who leads a small group in his community. Sometimes, he attends Bible study with his father at the home of an older couple down the street from his home. As a musician, he often spends his evenings and weekends working on songs that are rich with theology and glorify the Lord. He loves to read his Bible, and he's starting to build a decent theological library.

He, too, has a very weak prayer life.

One other guy I know is in his early 30's. He's a husband, father of 4, co-pastor of a small church, teacher, music producer, Christian rapper, tutor, track coach, writer, and mentor—it's exhausting to even write this list! He's also studying to be a health coach. He spins all of these plates, though there are times you hear a loud crash coming from the kitchen. In addition to this busy life he leads, he has an insatiable hunger for learning and usually reads and listens to 30-40 books a year. Making music and reading help keep him sane in the midst of all the chaos, but his doctor recently said he needs to get his stress under control and tone things down a bit. He's well-read on the topic of prayer, loves the Puritans, and his blog is actually about the importance of being devoted to Christ.

Ironically, this friend has a weak prayer life as well.

What About You?

If you're a close friend of mine, you'll know that the 3 guys are actually me. Each description is a different snapshot of my life since I've been a Christian. In the earliest days of my walk with God, I was a teenage boy with just a Bible and prayer. As I "progressed" in my faith, prayer has often been crowded out by less important duties and desires. Everything in me wants to defend myself and say, "My prayer life wasn't THAT bad!". I want to add a million qualifiers about how I did pray, just not as much as I want to. That is true, but it doesn't change the reality that my prayer life has indeed been very weak. There are seasons that prayer has been strong because I had nowhere to look but up. There are also seasons where prayer has been on the back burner. When I look back on the past 14 years of my faith, I see a man who has spent hours and hours making beats, reading books, hanging with friends, studying theology, staring at a mini-computer sending instant messages to my friends, and scrolling newsfeeds.

However, when it comes to prayer—one of the most basic aspects of my walk with God—I've struggled. My prayer life looks a lot like a roller coaster. Fits and starts, peaks and valleys dot the landscape of my prayer journey. But God is gracious, and He is calling me to more prayer. Is He calling you to do the same?

I'm not going to heap my sin on you. Some of you are genuine prayer warriors, devoted to prayer every day. I want to be like that. I don't want to spend an average of 1260 minutes (3 hours a day) on my phone each week while averaging a mere 35 minutes (5 minutes a day) a week in prayer. I want to be in prayer 36 times more than I'm on my phone, not vice-versa. God deserves more than that. Satan is overjoyed with that.  My flesh is weaker because of it. The more I preach, read, and learn about prayer, the more I realize that I haven't prayed much. I haven't prayed enough. I need to pray more. I'm admitting it. 

God is Better

If I could say anything to those 3 guys above, I'd say this: Stop being so productive and learn to pray.

Literally. Your soul depends on it.

Your family will be better off with a praying husband and father. Your church will profit more from you being a prayerful leader. Your employer will be better served if you take your prayer life seriously. Every realm of your life will be significantly better if you will simply commit yourself to being steadfast in prayer (Colossians 4:2). I don't mean easier, more successful, or perfect. Your circumstances may actually get worse, but your soul, frame of mind, and outlook on life will be shaped by that time in the presence of God. Your fruitfulness and soul satisfaction are tied to an abiding relationship with Christ (John 15:1-17). John 15 is one of your favorite passages, but you need to heed the words of your mentor: Don't be the guy who writes about abiding in Christ but doesn't abide in Him.

God is better than whatever is keeping you away from prayer.
He is better than your bank account.
He is better than your reading goals.
He is better than hip-hop success.
He is better than a fruitful ministry.
He is better than getting a book written.
He is better than being healthy.
He is better than your outreach efforts.
He is better than the church you want to plant.

If you want true satisfaction you must pray! The joy and happiness you work and long for is found in Christ alone. Be with Him. Don't waste your life, slaving away at dreams that won't ever satisfy you while Christ is standing at the door knocking. Be with God. He waits to be gracious to you and exalts Himself to show mercy to you as He did Israel (Isaiah 30:18). He is your shield. He is your rock. He is your help. He is your hope. He is who you will see and savor for all eternity when the Savior returns. Be with Him. Live today in the presence of God, and you'll have the longing for heaven that you have always desired and dreamed about. 

Perhaps this note-to-self will benefit you as well. By grace, in the Spirit, let's be a praying people.

Photo by Rakicevic Nenad from Pexels

New year, new you. Well, not exactly.

I'm a goal setter by nature. At the end of each year, I find myself naturally reflecting on the previous year. Sometimes, this is met with thankfulness and joy because I've seen some success in my life. Often, though, I find myself wishing I would've stayed the course a little better in March and April. Regardless of how I feel, I'm always ready to look through my priorities and develop my goal list for the following year. 

Different Perspectives on Goal Setting
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People respond differently to the idea of setting goals. One of my pastor friends said that making resolutions and setting goals is stupid because we don't usually make it past the shortest month of the year before we've jumped ship. We've all seen people losing weight for too many Januarys only to find it again by March and April, so he's got a point. But he's a bit too pessimistic. When goals are reasonable, specific, and measurable, we get closer to success.

Another one of my friends has a knack for systems and structures, and he is a diehard planner. He has his days mapped out with a plan for how he will use his time most effectively and move toward his goals. He takes goal setting seriously. Unfortunately, I'm not even disciplined enough to create a daily plan, let alone actually trying to keep it. He's showing me some ways to keep my goals in the forefront of my mind throughout the new year. This is helpful since I love setting goals and planning my year but don't always do such a great job following through.

Rethinking My Yearly Goal Setting Ritual

This year, I've decided to think differently about my goals. I'll still have my overarching goals with my shorter term objectives. I'm planning to have some monthly check-ins to evaluate how I'm doing. However, I'm considering how to turn my objectives into short, doable habits that can be added to my daily routines. This won't work for every goal, but it should get me moving in the right direction.

For example, if my goal is to write and record an album by June 2021, I won't plan to work on music every day of the week. That's not feasible because I get lost for hours when working on music. It would wreak havoc on my goals. However, one of my goals is to spend more quality time with my daughters. My habit can be to spend 15 minutes at the end of each day spending intentional, distraction free Daddy time with my girls. Will I spend more than that with my daughters? Of course. But if I add 15 minutes a day of quality time with my girls and hit that goal 80% of the time, I'll spend an extra 73 hours—over 3 days—of additional undistracted time with them.

2 Major Influences: Big Picture Themes and Priorities

I have some big picture themes that I hope will permeate all areas of my life. In flawless Baptist preacher alliteration, here are my themes for 2020:

• Prayer: I need to spend more time with God and less time seeking Google, friends, or family for everything. 
• Presence: I want to abide more deeply in Christ and be more present with the important people in my life.
• Passion: I want to pursue the Lord and His will with a passion—including all of the priorities listed below.
• Patience: If I don't want to make a train wreck of my relationships, I need to put on patience.
• Perseverance: With friends and ministry leaders falling away from the faith, I need to keep pressing on in the faith.
• Purity: I want to pursue purity of heart, thoughts, and motives in every area of my life.

I also prioritize key areas of my life. My priorities don't change much, though there may be dynamics that need to shift in some of these areas priorities. My priorities include:

• Spiritual Life
• Marriage
• Parenting
• Ministry/Fellowship
• Work
• Finances
• Health and Wellness
• Writing and Music

As you can see, I have a lot going on. I'm going to have to walk by the Spirit if I don't want to crash and burn. However, if I can chip away day-by-day, week-by-week, and month-by-month, with the Lord's help, I can make progress.

God Has the Final Say

Lest I be self-reliant and focus too much on my methods and plans, here are a couple of passages that I keep in mind this time of year:

With these scriptures in mind, one truth must undergird all of this planning and goal setting: without God, I can do nothing (John 15:5). Nothing means nothing. If the Lord doesn't sustain my life, I won't even wake up tomorrow. If the Lord doesn't empower me to do good, my efforts will be no better than the self-righteous Pharisees who patted themselves on the back as they waited for the praise of men.

This very morning I was tempted to look in the mirror and think about how great I am. I had to immediately repent and pray for the pure heart required to be a truly godly man. Then, during corporate worship, my pastor reminded me that I'm not righteous apart from Christ. I'm a lost sheep brought home on the shoulders of a rejoicing Savior (Luke 15:6). I need the gospel in all of my plans and pursuits.

The Lord has the final say on what goals I reach and what goals I don't. He gets the glory for every success and goal that I reach. And if I've set goals that aren't in line with His purposes, I should be praying that He would purify my heart and show me the goals He would have for me. All of this comes through time in the Word and prayer in the personal devotion and community with other believers. God's means of showing me His will are right here in front of me if I will open my eyes, humble my heart, and resolve my will to obey His Word.

Have you set any goals, resolutions or plans for 2021? What methods are you using to track them and keep yourself accountable? Let me know in the comments! Happy New Year!

Another year has come and gone, though 2020 is one for the history books. Think about that we've seen in the past 366 days—yes, 2020 was a long year! We saw impeachment accusations, Covid-19, lockdowns, racial strife, lockdowns, more racial tension, lockdowns, a tumultuous election complete with fraud accusations, more lockdowns, and a terror attack on Christmas Eve. Did I mention lockdowns? And that's just here in America! Others fared less well than we did. I didn't even mention deaths, sickness, family strife, canceled dinners, lockdown boredom, tense conversations, job loss, and other trials that come in everyday life.

As Christians, many of us had seasons of virtual church followed by socially-distant (a new phrase for 2020!) indoor or outdoor services. Some of our churches may still be having virtual services. Some of them never shut down at all. For most of us, small groups, potlucks, and get-togethers were also canceled indefinitely. Spending quality time with groups of people has seemingly come to a halt.

But is that all we should remember from 2020?

Though 2020 was a crazy year, there is plenty to reflect upon with joy and thanksgiving. How many relationships were you able to invest in through Zoom calls, Facetime, texting or calling? Were you able to spend time with your spouse, children, friends or families? Did you meet anyone new? Perhaps the Lord used these days of adversity to strengthen you and increase your faith. For me personally, 2020 is a good reminder of Ecclesiastes 7:14:

"In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him."

God was as sovereign in 2020 as He was in 2019 and as He will be in 2021. We can rest in the fact that He is with us in the days of prosperity as well as in the days of adversity. He will often use these lean times to prune us and prepare us to bear much fruit. Isn't that one of the benefits of abiding in the vine? Check out John 15:2.

Though 2020 was a crazy year, there is plenty of room for repentance and spiritual growth. 2020 revealed some sinful habits and attitudes buried beneath the surface of my heart. What about yours? There were moments of intense frustration and pride because people didn't agree with me. I experienced days and weeks of melancholy and discouragement from one-two punch of Covid-19 and race discussions. It's heavy being "the black evangelical friend" who doesn't fit the mold, but I need to entrust that weight to the gentle and lowly Savior who gives me rest. I've realized that while I want people to listen to me, I am often slow to hear, quick to speak, and quick to anger. Needless to say, I can take this all to the Lord in prayer in 2021.

God is still gracious to me in my sinfulness. If I draw near to Him, He will draw near to me. He will graciously grant me repentance when I come to Him with a broken spirit and contrite heart, because He is pleased with that. And it is by His Spirit and through His Word that He even draws me to conviction. 

Though 2020 was a crazy year, God is unchanging. God is unchanging. His character and attributes don't shift with wind of the times. When the earth crumbles beneath us, He hasn't lost control. The enemy wants us to fear that God is somehow out of loop or socially distant from us, but He is alive and well. Don't forget that. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present. He's here when we need Him. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are ever interceding on our behalf—we're in good hands!

As we usher in 2021, let's be mindful of God. We could face many more challenging days in 2021 than we did in 2020. If we send 2020 off with "Good riddance!", we may be in for a shock when 2021 arrives. I long for a "normal" year, even though I can hardly remember what that's even like. With continuing lockdowns, vaccine talks, presidential transitions, key verdicts, and unknown days ahead, we need to focus on knowing God. He is the only source of stability in all of this, and that gives us great hope. Though we'll still feel the weight of the days too, abiding in the vine is where our strength is found.

As we welcome 2021, keep dwelling with Christ. He will carry us through. 

Merry Christmas! Today is a day of celebration! As we spent the past 24 days (or more) remembering and rehearsing the anticipation of Christ's first advent, we now celebrate the Savior who was born. Today is a day of feasting and joy, for we know the rest of the story. We who have trusted in Jesus have received the greatest gift ever given to anyone on earth—the love of God.

In Christ's coming the love of God was made manifest among us. God's act of sending Jesus to the earth was the visible manifestation of the Father's love to us. Love is more than a feeling. It is action. And God acted! He didn't just tell us He loved us. He didn't just say He felt love toward us. He showed His love to us! And this love came to underserving sinners like you and me. God is love, and He shared Himself with us in Immanuel—God with us.

God sent his only Son into the world. He came to us in His Son. He didn't make us climb the ladder of good deeds, religious sacrifices, or sinless perfection. Who could actually do that? Don't you remember what happened in Babel? Haven't you read of Israelites who thought their law-keeping could get them to heaven?

We always fail. Every time. Epically.

Sometimes we praise ourselves with pats on the backs and religious trophies. At other times, we simply beat ourselves up with self-pity and self-hatred. But God already knew that and gave us a better way. He took the initiative and came to us. It's  far better to give than to receive. Yet, salvation requires that we receive a free gift without any sort of payment on our part.

Jesus came so we might live through him. He didn't come to be a good teacher, though He was that. He didn't come to give us more rules to follow—in fact, He gave us the spiritual essence of God's law in two great commandments. Though He is no less than a good example for us, He is even far more than that.

Jesus is a Savior. He came that we might have "life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). That sort of life is more than Christmas gifts. It's more than a nice, comfortable Christian existence. It's more religious liberty in a Christianized nation. Most Christians have never experienced that, nor will they ever have that luxury. Most importantly, He gave us eternal life (John 3:16).

Even as 2020 came crashing down on us, the candle of our security in Christ never flickered. When job security, health, relationships, and everything else are in upheaval, a mighty fortress is our God (Psalm 46)! Why? Because Jesus is here! Herod couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't either. His earthly enemies couldn't crush Him. Neither could Caesar. Not even sin, death, or Satan could phase Him. Jesus is more powerful. He is victorious. He is the Savior.

Merry Christmas from Dwell With Christ! Enjoy food, family, and fun. But most importantly, enjoy the love of God made manifest in Christ Jesus!

Photo by Dominika Gregušová from Pexels

Just before my alarm at 6:30 AM, I hear the loud creak of a door followed by the scurrying of little feet across the cold hardwood floor. As I register what's going on, I hear a peppy two-year exclaim, "Good morning, Daddy!". It's immediately followed by "Can you get my cheese?". I always shake my head at that request, but at least it's protein and fat rather than sugar in the morning! As I wipe the sleep from my eyes, muster up the energy to get out of bed and get my coffee going, my influence has already started. Whether I like it or not, those little eyes are watching my every move. They're learning what it means to be godly—at least that's my hope.

Though our children learn from our examples, they also need to learn from our words. Family worship is an amazing opportunity to pass on our faith. When Paul wrote his letter to Timothy, he mentioned the godly legacy of Timothy's grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5). They shared the message of the gospel with Timothy, a man who God used mightily to spread the gospel across the globe. Thousands of years before this letter was written to Timothy, we see that God values family worship. From the moment those warm, bright beams of sun break through their curtains to the dimly lit hours of bedtime stories, warm milk, and cuddles to finish off a busy day, God calls parents to teach their kids about the glorious truths of the gospel.

As a father, I have been greatly encouraged by the plethora of solid, biblical resources being written for children. One of my favorite publishers is The Good Book Company. They release a lot of great titles for the whole family! I recently received two books that I'd like to share with you and your family!

Moses and the Very Big Rescue by Tim Thornborough*
This retelling of the story of God rescuing Israel from bondage in Egypt is sure to keep your kids' attention. The illustrations are vivid but not scary. The story is told in a catchy way, even sneaking some counting in there for little ones who are learning their numbers! One thing that stood out to me was that Thornborough preserves the delicate balance between Pharaoh hardening his heart and God hardening Pharaoh's heart. It is good to know that they aren't afraid to let the tension between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility remain for our children (and their parents!) to wrestle through. Further, it shows a commitment to stay closely aligned with the actual story of Scripture. I also love the fact that Thornborough included Moses' and Israel's song as they celebrated God's very big rescue. This book is very appropriate for children as young as two years old. There are enough pictures to keep them interested and enough details to keep the interest of older children.

Deborah and the Very Big Battle by Tim Thornborough*
This rendition of Deborah and Barak's story is also an excellent storybook for children. To add to the engagement of this book, Thornoborough has some clever actions to accompany various scenes in the story. This is a great way to keep little minds from wandering while also getting them engaged in the story. My daughters absolutely loved acting out some of the scenes as they listened to the story. The illustrations are catchy and convey the appropriate emotions of the story as the people worshiped idols and faced the impending wrath of God for their sin. Thornborough did a great job of emphasizing God and His Word, even when pointing out the stories of Barak and Deborah.  Rather than overemphasize Deborah and her heroic efforts (which were indeed amazing), the focus is on the fact that Sisera and his army "could never beat God". Again, they included the song of joy and victory that Israel sang when the Lord brought them victory. The story is engaging and helps our children see the power of God as He brought about the physical and spiritual salvation of His people. 

If you've read this far, you've made it to the giveaway! We are giving away a free copy of Moses and the Very Big Rescue and Deborah and the Very Big Battle. In addition to those, you will also receive The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung and Family Worship by Donald Whitney.

If you're already subscribed to Dwell With Christ, you will be automatically entered. If not, sign up below for a chance to win some awesome books! Be sure to check your email to confirm your subscription! This giveaway will end on Sunday, December 27th, so be sure to sign up soon!

​*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review.

The Light entered the dark womb of a young virgin—a miraculous conception to say the least! Though the sun's rays could hardly pierce the skin of this unexpected expecting bride-to-be, she was as bright as she had ever been. The Light Who is the life of men was nestled within her body and soul.

She was dually filled with the Son of the Most High  (Luke 1:31-32). Not only had the Light entered her body through the miraculous, overshadowing work of the Spirit of God, but He had also entered her soul through the mysterious blowing of that same Spirit who blows where He wishes. She was lit up with joy from the inside out!

The Light didn't stay put for very long, though. The heavenly lights aligned on the night of His birth, and the magi followed it. They had been searching for the King. They wanted to worship, and they came prepared. Yet the luster of their shiny and aromatic gifts paled in comparison to the dazzling glory of the gift lying before them, wrapped in swaddling cloth.

A few shepherds also got a glimpse of the Light. The glory of God shone around them, brighter than the sun, bringing great terror. Yet the message they received was far from dreadful: "The Light of the world is here! This is good news! The Messiah, the Lord is here! He's lying in a manger in Bethlehem." They found Him and walked away with their souls glowing with beams of unspeakable gladness.

The Light who shined bright on that first Christmas night is the same God who said, "Let there be light." That's earth-shattering. The Son of God who created all things and who upholds the whole universe broke through the gloomy darkness once again to show us the love of God that would be shed abroad in the hearts of all who believe through the Holy Spirit! The Son of Mary is the Son of God. He is Light. He is Life. He is Love. He is God.

The Savior in the manger that night wasn't just for Mary, the shepherds, or the magi. He is our Light. We need Him to break through the sin in our hearts. We need the gleaming power of God's gospel to bring us forgiveness, hope, and joy—especially in these dark days.

Are you basking in the rays of the Son this Advent season?

​Publishers

The Good Book Company has some really good deals for the entire week—including some good Advent resources!
Reformation Heritage is one of my favorite publishers, and they've got some awesome deals!
WTS Bookstore has deals up to 80% off including study bibles, children's books, and theological resources.
Banner of Truth has a limited list of Black Friday specials, but their Christmas deals are phenomenal!
New Growth Press has some excellent deals on several good biblical counseling books including God Made Me and You by Shai Linne. Get 50% off Black Friday deals using BLACK50.

Gentle and Lowly (Paid Link) by Dane Ortlund 

This is one of those must-read books on my list this year. Several of my closest friends and mentors have recommended it, and it has definitely lived up to the hype! It feels as though I'm reading a modern Puritan who is cross referencing the original Puritans to bring even more depth and rich biblical teaching on the heart of Christ. I dabbled in the Kindle version for way too long before I just had to purchase the hard copy to make it my own. If you're looking for a heart-stirring, Christ-focused read to stoke the fire of your love for God and your experience of His love for you, get this book. 

Reading While Black by Esau McCaulley

In a year of racial turmoil and political chaos, Esau McCaulley's Reading While Black offers a biblical, exegetical, and theological insights into how the African American Christian has found hope in such racially tumultuous times, both past and present. Esau is scholar who writes at the popular level. His bibliography and citations coupled with his compelling prose are evidence of this. Whether you're black or white, woke or anti-woke, you will benefit from McCaulley's rich study of God's Word as he seeks to show the hope of God in the life of the African American experience.

Anyone But Me (Paid Link) by Ray Comfort

Ray Comfort is a masterful evangelist who has reached thousands of people through his evangelism ministry. In addition to his own evangelism, he has trained perhaps thousands more who have also gone out to share their faith. Regardless of how you feel about his evangelism methods, this book is worth the read. He shows that he's not a super-Christian who can just evangelize without apprehension. He is a real guy with a real heart, and he's experienced a lot of hardship in his gospel work. However, he has learned numerous lessons and led many souls to trust in the Savior for eternity. Read my review of Anyone But Me. ​

Advent Reads

Advent is coming soon! In a turbulent and chaotic year, it's often difficult to keep our gaze focused on what's most important. Advent is as good time to prepare your heart to celebrate the birth of Jesus with your loved ones—even if it's socially-distant or limited in capacity. Here are a few Advent reads that have caught my eye this year!*

A Better Than Anything Christmas (Paid Link) by Barbara Reaoch*

After enjoying Barbara Reaoch's A Jesus Christmas (Paid Link) last year, I was excited to check out her latest Advent devotional! Just like her previous work, each chapter includes:

• an explore section that lets families get into the Word of God and answer some basic questions about the passage. I love this because it teaches children to get to the Bible before they get to the devotional material. The questions are simple enough that the children can answer them and even write answer into the blanks provided in the book.
• an explain section that covers the basic teaching of the passage as well as some relevant cross references. You're not just getting an overview of the Christmas story. You actually get a glimpse into the work of Christ after His coming.
• an engage section that provides questions that help apply the passage to everyday life. 
• an enter in section that features a guided prayer.
• a family journaling space with ideas and prompts to help get creative juices flowing. 

​
Reaoch doesn't bring cheap theology to the table. This Advent devotional allows us to teach our families about faith, freedom in Christ, forgiveness, salvation, atonement, union with Christ, true righteousness, etc. The best part is that it's in kid-friendly language and anchored in the actual text of Scripture!

There's a Lion in my Nativity (Paid Link) by Lizzie Laferton and Kim Barnes*

This captivating little book will remind our busy little ones that Christmas is not about us at all! With the Christmas play coming up, a little actress wants to be the star of the show. As she lets everyone know who she thinks the play is about, all sort of confusing and frustrating things keep popping up in the play. 

Each element proves to be more than some silly hijinks or distraction, and our little Mary finds out what Christmas is really all about! In the end, we get to understand why all of these random little items and characters show up on the scene. And I think you'll really enjoy why there's a lion in the nativity!

I'm a sucker for good illustration and rhyming books, so I have had a blast reading through this book with my little ones. If you want to help your children focus on the star of the show this Christmas, you'll surely want to let them know why there's a lion in Mary's nativity! The spotlight is always on Jesus!

​The Christmas We Didn't Expect (Paid Link) by David Mathis

I haven't read this one yet, but I'm really looking forward to digging into this one. I have been blessed by Mathis' Habits of Grace (Paid Link), and with endorsements by Sinclair Ferguson, Tim Challies, and Julius Kim, I'm expecting it to be a good one. Mathis' aim is to point out some surprises and turns along the way to Jesus' arrival. If you're looking for an Advent devotional, I'd say this will be a good one to check out!

​What are paid links? I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. 

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review.

Evangelism doesn't seem to come easy for most of the believers I know. Perhaps that's a Western problem, I'm not sure. If I were to ask you, "How have you been growing in evangelism?", you might get a little uncomfortable. I know I would. For much of my Christian life, it has been difficult to share the gospel with strangers and unbelievers I don't have a strong relationship with.

The temptation is to think, "People who me know I'm a Christian, and they'll see my life and wonder what makes such a difference".  This may be true in a tiny percent of cases, but most people never just randomly ask me to share the gospel with them. Part of the reason for this passivity is fear. Part of it is unpreparedness. Ultimately, my flesh is crying out, "Anyone but me!". 

Have you ever felt that way? If you have, you're not alone. Ray Comfort, a well-known evangelist and Bible teacher, recently published a new book titled Anyone But Me*. This is a book for people like us—people who struggle to with fear or feel unprepared to share the gospel. Filled with personal examples and anecdotes, Comfort walks us through 10 ways to overcome our fear and grow in our confidence to share the gospel:

1. Love in the face of hatred
2. Obedience
3. Decisive Love for the lost that leads to evanglism
4. Defiance toward our spiritual enemies
5. Focus on the cross
6. Preparation for the evil day
7. Truthfulness in our message
8. Practicing how we will preach the Word
9. Faithfulness Above All
10. Prayer

In each of these 10 points, Ray paints vivid pictures and gives a biblical foundation for sharing the gospel. He is a man whose heart is moved with compassion when he encounters unbelievers. He doesn't let his convictions end with simply feeling sorry for them. Rather, he gives them the only news that is powerful enough to change their hearts. He is a man who practices what he preaches.

I'll leave with this quote, which sums up much of what is shared throughout this book:

"If you become addicted to winning souls, you are being wise with your time. The world is filled with brilliant people who are spending their precious lives doing great things that only matter in this life." (p. 166).

I don't know about you, but I want to be addicted to the Great Commission. Perhaps this book can be a catalyst for reaching the lost and making disciples of all nations.

​
*I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

​Gravity illustrates a glorious paradox.

In the beginning, there was goodness and bliss. There were trees ripe with delicious fruit, unrivaled by the grandest of orchards. The vegetation was lush, unlike any garden we've ever been in. It was teeming with life, and it was good.

But something was missing.

From the dirt, God formed something he called "Adam". This man was unlike anything else in the garden. He wasn't a plant. He wasn't just an animal. God talked with him, walked with him, and gave him authority over everything around. God even made a beautiful woman from Adam's flesh. Eve was her name.

Things were very good.

One day, Eve felt a strange tug while talking to the serpent. She decided to eat the forbidden fruit. Adam ate it, too. Sin came in. Death came with it. Now they were rolling down a hill, hitting every rock and branch as they tumbled toward death.

Things were very bad. They took us with them as they fell.

Down, down, down. It’s a rapid descent as we spiral downward. At times, there’s the feeling that our stomachs are in our throats as we plummet so fast. We lament. We grab our fig leaves and try cover up. But God sees us.

Down, down, down. It’s a long way down as we float along the lazy river of ungodliness, feeling weightless. We see a few trout swimming upstream and wonder to ourselves, “What's their problem?”. As we enjoy the warm sunbeams of sinfulness, we don’t realize that rough waters are soon to destroy us.

As we nosedive toward death, by the mercy of God, the sinfulness of sin begins to take on an odious smell, like that of rotting flesh. Everywhere we go, there’s a faint stench that grows more and more foul until we can’t stand it anymore.

We are the ones rotting. The stench is coming from us, and this a grave situation. The gravity of our condition becomes unbearable. If we don't get help soon, we'll be lost forever! It feels like someone turned the gravity up a few notches, and we need a way out of this heaviness!

Then, suddenly our eyes are opened to a different sort of gravity. As we lament our depravity, crying “Woe is me! I am undone!”, the gravity of God’s glory is within our gaze. Suddenly, there's hope for us. The burning coal of God’s grace is placed on our tongues, and the glorious Son is revealed. He says, "Come to me, you who are heavy laden. I will give you rest."

The weight of sin is lifted.

Now the weight of God’s glory becomes our all-consuming passion. Our eyes are set where He is, in His abode. And yet He abides with us and in us until we get there. Day-by-day, moment-by-moment, we are becoming more like the One who opened our eyes and shined bright in our darkened, heavy-laden souls.

The gravity of this paradox compels us to share it with the world.