Ask Pastor John

Whether rock climbing or crosswords, hobbies can encourage or discourage a believer’s relationship with God.

Believers can boast in their weaknesses, but crush the sin that slithers through their hearts.

Pastor John encourages women to cultivate a beautiful heart for the God who truly sees them before laboring over a beautiful appearance for everyone else.

Although moms and dads should both discipline their kids, God calls husbands to be engaged leaders and servants in their homes.

Loving criticism must always work with heartfelt care for the good of another. Unloving criticism acts out of a prideful spirit unaware of the need for grace.

Christ’s glory shines most fully, most brightly, most durably by making a complete atonement for sin on the cross and interceding for us in heaven.

Sometimes, the aching desire to want to worship God is itself worship. But what happens when a Christian feels nothing at all?

When the eyes see God’s beauty and the mind understands God’s worth, the heart overflows in worship.

Leaving a church for any reason is a serious matter; when should I leave a church to find a wife?

Not only does abortion attack God’s image by murdering his image-bearers — it assaults God’s own Son, who came to earth by Mary’s womb.

The Bible doesn’t include a list of God-approved words. Christians should instead ask, Does my speech exalt Christ? Does it build others up?

Pastor John encourages listeners to settle on a single Bible translation and commends the ESV as his go-to and recommended one.

Andy Davis’s method for memorizing Scripture helps believers on their way to retain long passages one day, and one verse, at a time.

We don’t have to memorize the Bible — we get to. Lovers of God delight to read, know, and recite his precious word.

A happy home can empower ministry, but struggles at home can deplete its power. Pastor John shares six counsels for a joyful family and ministry.

Dads joyfully lead their households so that each member can flourish to the fullest extent God has planned.

Scripture does not promise deliverance from harm in the present age. But in Christ, we will all get the best healing in the age to come.

What should Christians do when their church’s elders hesitate to put them in a position of leadership?

When we consider definite atonement, we must always ask, “What do you mean when you say ‘Jesus died for all?’”

Billy Graham preached the gospel faithfully. But as he got older, he said some troubling words. So how should we think about our heroes as they age?

Despite controversy, Billy Graham, Bob Jones, and John Piper’s father shared a desire to see Christ glorified and millions saved.

Pastor John relates Billy Graham’s impact on his life, from their personal meetings, to his crusades, to his time at Bob Jones University.

We do not share in guilt, but we do bear the shame of past iniquity in America. We must respond now with a chastened gratitude for unearned blessings and with a zeal to remedy the shame.

Podcasts stir us up by way of reminder, provide a platform for raw, inviting experiences with God, and help us make the best use of the time.

Seeking God requires firm resolve. But should Christians wait until the New Year comes around before making any resolutions?

In using ghostwriters, authors hide their own weaknesses and put money before the truth. Therefore, ghostwriting is out of step with the way of Christ.

Help through tragedy. Global Impact. App Development. Pastor John reflects on past grace and anticipates future grace to and through the ministry of Desiring God.

Before it rings the bell of family, or charity, or gift-giving, or Saint Nick, Christmas sounds the trumpet of God’s salvation for sinners.

If God called human sexuality good, along with the rest of creation, then why did he send Jesus to be born of a virgin?

Tattoos may appeal to Christians, even for missional reasons. Pastor John weighs the costs of tattoos against any benefits they offer.

The question of tattoos involves more than law or culture. It touches the allegiance of our hearts.

Although emotionalism can lead churches into unhelpful practices and even abuse, emotionless churches are in greater danger. Pastor John explains why.

If God does not sit at the center of your theology, your worship will fizzle out. He made you to delight in him.

What factors led to the current rise in Calvinism? Where does Pastor John fit into the picture?

If you feel the slightest tug to go with the gospel to the unreached peoples of the world, here are seven steps to speed you on your way.

Whereas Allah can act capriciously, the Bible assures believers that God’s sovereignty works in perfect harmony with his justice and love.

Pastor John relays lessons from his trip to the Middle East — The harvest is plentiful, the pastors need teachers, and God has opened the door for the gospel.

We know the Bible teaches that homosexual behavior is a sin. Why is that so? Does Scripture give us reasons touching closer to the heart of the issue?

The “good news” of the prosperity gospel preys upon the poor and leads people into suicidal desires for wealth, all while missing the greater riches of eternal life in Christ.

Christians should not use pills that destroy a fertilized egg. But if children are a blessing from the Lord, should contraceptives ever be an option?

Although pastors should find their own rhythms for preparing sermons, the prayer remains the same: “God help me to see and say what’s really in your Word.”

Pastor John’s ability to preach rose up out of a heart that was satisfied and thrilled by the Bible.

Christ’s kingdom advances through the ministry of faithful mothers whose homes are light for their children, and for the world.

Pastor John walks through three lines of evidence that make a compelling case for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Proud hearts don’t know their need for grace, but humble hearts joyfully give thanks to the God who has given them everything, including salvation.

As believers become more and more like Jesus, they will come to love the things that God loves, in the way that God loves them.

In John 15, Jesus cuts off branches that bear no fruit. Does that mean that Christians can lose their salvation?

Pastor John offers cultural, practical, and biblical support for his encouragement for wives to take their husbands’ last names.

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks — but what if we stop the speaking? Have we still sinned?

All sin makes war on the Christian, so the Christian must make war on all sin — whether sexual immorality or self-pity.