Why should God answer your prayers? In his sermon “Order and Argument in Prayer,” Spurgeon gives four appeals, or “arguments,” that we can bring to God in prayer. As Christians, we certainly don’t believe our arguments can change God’s mind or tell him something he doesn’t know. At the same time, Scripture shows us how God’s people can make their requests by appealing to what we know about God...
Maybe you can remember the day that you found out who your new college roommate was going to be. In my case, because I went to college before the days of email, I got the news in a letter from the college that included a form that my roommate had filled out answering some questions about what they liked and didn’t like. As I hurriedly scanned through the list of answers, I found out that my...
For most of my adult life, King Solomon has been a constant conversation partner. It’s strange to say it, but he has always been there. Frustrating me. Tormenting me. Staggering me with his decisions. Surprising me with his sin and wisdom. Did you know that about 6 percent of the Bible is either written by or about King Solomon? I don’t know about you, but that surprised me. If you ask the same...
As a Christian woman, how do you make sense of your sexuality and sexual temptations? Questions about desire, pornography, masturbation, sex outside of marriage, or even struggles within marriage can feel confusing and deeply personal. It’s scary to open up about these issues, not to mention confusing at times to know what’s right. The world around us is loud with persuasive voices that tell us...
It’s coming up to that time of year where I stand in front of my church and overshare about my own struggles: “I have been going to a Bible study for the last forty years because without it I would be insane.” Those who know me well nod their heads. When I was twenty-five, the Lord picked me up, turned me around, and set my feet on his solid ground. I had a long seven-year odyssey away from faith...
