Jesus’ words “let not your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1a) are comforting. But this it is not merely counsel. It is a command. What Jesus is saying is that in the face of trouble—terrible trouble—we must not allow our hearts to be troubled.

How is that even possible?

Jesus’ answer: “Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1b).

When Jesus spoke these words, he had just informed the disciples that one of them would betray him and Peter would deny him that night. On top of that he said he was going away. He meant death and later ascension. This was very troubling news. But it was not to trouble them.  Why? Because Jesus’ promise was that their brief sorrow would turn into indestruct…

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Why did Jesus still the storm? Imagine what the disciples might have been thinking a half-hour later.

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The sea was quiet now. And there was just breeze enough to push the boat along.

The disciples were quiet too. Andrew was steering. He had taken over for Peter, who sat wrapped in a cloak, exhausted and lost in thought. He had been soaked to the skin. Others were bailing out the remaining water.

Jesus was sleeping again.

James leaned on the bow gunwale watching reflections dance on benign waves. He was trying to absorb what he had just seen.

James knew this sea. He and John had spent most of their lives on or in it. His father was a fisherman. So were most …

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Today is John Piper’s 65th birthday. Join us in blessing a man for whom retirement from the kingdom work is not on the horizon!

Pastor John, in honor of your birthday the DG staff has compiled 65 reasons why we are thankful to God for you. (Many more were submitted!) And of course there are some similarities, but then again, some things simply bear repeating.

Heavenly Father, we really love Pastor John and are so grateful that you have made him a man who(se)

1. Really finds You, in all Your triune glory, to be his greatest treasure and points us to you.
2. Helps us see and savor Your Son, Jesus, more.
3. Relentlessly preaches Your supremacy in all things in a man-centered world.
4. Puts godlines…

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One kingdom-constant in this age is that those who are called to lead must at some point “entrust” what they’ve learned and built “to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). And that’s happening today at Desiring God.

On behalf of the DG board and staff, it is my great joy to announce that effective today Scott Anderson is the new Executive Director of Desiring God.

Scott is a DG veteran, having joined us in May 2001. He has served in a number of roles over the years, most recently as Director of Events & Partnerships. Some of you might recognize him as the emcee at our conferences and the host of our recent series of DG Live broadcasts.

It doesn’t take…

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At the end of every Passover Seder, the Jewish diaspora pronounce the wistful prayer: “Next year in Jerusalem.” It is the deep longing for the promised, peaceful Messianic Jerusalem with a restored Temple—a profound wish that the next year be a happy one.

It seems to me that Christians ought also to say, “Next year in Jerusalem!” rather than wishing one another a “Happy New Year.” For we have come to know the Messiah and he has given us a glimpse of what we long for:

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He wi…

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Like most non-profits in the U.S., December is a crucial month of financial support for us at DG. Historically, we receive about 30% of our annual gifts in December. This year we’re praying for $823,000 to help us meet budget.

To date we have received $327,000 toward that goal. Historically, the last day of the year is our largest receipting day. The Lord provided $226,500 on December 31, 2009. The Lord seems to like to supply in this way, since he does it so often.

We know the Lord will provide what we need. Our confidence is in him. We’re simply letting the need be known to those who care about our outreach.

Would you prayerfully consider helping us meet our year-end budget goal?

"You have exalted above all things your name and your word." (Ps. 138:2)

 

In the beginning was the Word
And the Word was with God and the Word was God
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory,
Glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Though he was in the form of God
He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
But made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,
Being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form,
He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him
And bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
…

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And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people' (Luke 2:10).

The Bethlehem shepherds were afraid of the holy angel. That’s understandable. Holy glory naturally strikes terror into the heart of sinful people.

But the angel told them they did not have to fear. He was bringing them good news! Christ the Lord, their Savior, had been born in the city of his father, David. And this Savior would bring peace among those with whom God was pleased—peace with God (Romans 5:1) through the forgiveness of their sins (Luke 1:77).

God had sent his holy Son into the world not to condemn it, “but in order that the world might be sa…

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And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers…[and] went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them. (Judges 2:12)

The ancient Israelites repeatedly turned to the idols of the surrounding nations despite God’s repeated warnings. What in the world was so compelling about Baal, Dagon, Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Molech?

Answer: the world around them worshiped them. The nations surrounding Israel had fruitful harvests and won wars. They grew wealthy, had many children, and flocks of livestock. Those nations mocked Israel’s invisible God and applied political pressure. These gods appeared to provide more immediate benefit than Israel’s God.

We mustn’t b…

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Imagine what Zechariah and Elizabeth talked about after their friends left the naming ceremony where Zechariah had miraculously regained his speech. What might he have learned in those silent months?

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“So… are you going to tell me?”

Elizabeth was ready to burst. She had waited nearly a year to hear what had happened in the temple.

Zechariah was looking adoringly at baby John lying on his lap. “Women. They always need the details about everything!” Zechariah looked up playfully at his wife.

“The Lord has freed your tongue, Zechariah. It needs some exercise. Out with it!”

In some ways being mute for ten months had made it easier. How does one even describe su…

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