What does it look like to live out Philippians 4:8? "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things." Talk to yourself like God talks to you! In Dwell on These Things, pastor and author John Stange shows how, instead of living at the mercy of whatever thought pops into your mind, you can choose to 🙏 Replace feelings of…
Most people like the idea that their lives have purpose. We want to believe that our abilities, experiences, opportunities, and relationships can contribute to something larger than ourselves. Scripture affirms that desire, but it also redirects it. Our gifts weren't given primarily so we could build our own reputation. They were given so we could serve others and bring glory to God. . Please…
One of the clearest signs that we understand the heart of God is the way we treat people. It's possible to know a great deal about theology, attend church faithfully, memorize Scripture, and still struggle to love others well. We can become skilled at discussing truth while remaining impatient, harsh, unforgiving, or self-centered. I recently read an account of a man who was telling an employee at…
Many people think of obedience as the opposite of joy. Obedience can sound restrictive, demanding, or burdensome. Joy, by contrast, sounds freeing and satisfying. Our culture often teaches us that happiness comes from following our desires, resisting limitations, and choosing our own path. Jesus presents a different vision. In John 15, He teaches that obedience doesn't rob us of joy. Obedience…
Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John…
Most people are attempting to find joy, but I don't think they really understand what they're looking for. Real joy is a sincere contentment in Christ regardless of our circumstances. Happiness isn't the same as joy. Happiness is dependent on what's going on around us. I'm not opposed to being happy, but if I had to pick between happiness and joy, I'd select joy every time. Earthly happiness is…
One of the greatest misconceptions about Christianity is that it's primarily about learning a set of beliefs or following a list of rules. Biblical truth and obedience to God's Word absolutely matter, but there's more to the Christian life than some people realize. The Christian life isn't just about acquiring information and doing the right things. At its core, it's about entering into a…
There are few questions more important than this: Why am I here? Every generation wrestles with that question. Some spend their lives pursuing success, believing they'll find purpose through achievement. Others chase wealth, relationships, influence, or experiences, hoping one more accomplishment will finally satisfy the longing inside their hearts. Yet even after reaching their goals, many…
The book of Revelation is the grand finale of Scripture. It makes known to us God's sovereign plan for history and assures believers that Jesus Christ is and will be victorious. The book was written by the apostle John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos. It's a book that was given to help strengthen persecuted believers while at the same time remind every generation that no matter how…
Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John…
Luke 15 contains three parables that reveal God's heart for lost people. Jesus tells of a lost sheep, a lost coin, and finally a lost son. The third story is often called the Parable of the Prodigal Son, but it could just as accurately be called the Parable of the Loving Father. And even though the younger son in this passage usually receives the bulk of our attention, Jesus intentionally…
The Bible begins in a garden. It ends in a city. Between those two settings, the story of humanity unfolds. Sin enters the world, relationships fracture, creation groans, death spreads, and people spend their lives longing for something better. Every single one of us knows instinctively that things aren't the way they're supposed to be. Revelation 21 gives us a glimpse of the day when God will…