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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The perfect gift for that special someone.

(A little Christmas humor from our SGM friend, Mark Altrogge.)

One of our dear small group members recently sent all of us this hymn by John Newton. It was refreshing to my soul. Thank you, God, for John Newton—and for my friend!

If you’ve been praying for greater faith and love and freedom from selfishness and more of God, you probably need to read this and take heart. Our Father “disciplines us for our good that we may share his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10).

Prayer Answered by Crosses
By John Newton

I asked the Lord that I might grow 

In faith and love and every grace, 

Might more of his salvation know, 

And seek more earnestly his face.

‘Twas he who taught me thus to pray; 

And he, I trust, has answered prayer; 

But it has been in such a w…

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In Luke 19, Zacchaeus the tax collector was converted. He vowed to give back fourfold to anyone he had defrauded. Imagine a conversation he might have had when returning the money. 

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"Dad, there's a man at the door. He said his name is Zacchaeus."

"Zacchaeus!" Judah's face flushed with sudden anger. "What does he want?" Under his breath he muttered, "The little vermin." His young daughter didn't need to hear that.

"I don't know."

Judah moved brusquely past his daughter, clenching his jaw. If the little weasel even hints at more money, I swear… a thunderstorm of violent thoughts broke in his mind.

When he saw Zacchaeus he exploded, "WHAT?" Zacchaeus reeled s…

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