John Piper | Desiring God

Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. We’re on a mission to change that. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ.

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John Piper

John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence.

Seven Reasons Not to Play the Lottery

Seven Reasons Not to Play the Lottery

Here are seven reasons, among others, I have often rehearsed to make the case that you should not gamble with your money by playing the lottery.

How to Glorify God at Work

How to Glorify God at Work

How can teachers, engineers, and cashiers glorify God in their jobs? A lot could be said, but here is a short list of ideas to get you started.

116 Been Real: Lecrae, “White Evangelicalism,” and Hope

116 Been Real

Lecrae, “White Evangelicalism,” and Hope

What is my main response to Lecrae loosening his ties with “white evangelicalism”? Thankfulness. And to thankfulness, I would add hope. I feel hope.

Legislating Morality for Women in the Seventh Century

As Dana Robert tells the story of the conversion of the Irish, lessons abound for our day. For example, here is a paragraph about the effect of Christianity on the condition of women in the seventh century. Although little is…

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When Depression Descends, Do the Next Thing

When Depression Descends, Do the Next Thing

Do not underestimate the power of preaching to your soul and singing to God when you can’t shake spiritual darkness.

How to Read the Bible for Yourself

How to Read the Bible for Yourself

When John Piper reads the Bible, how does he see the things he sees? Here are three steps to understanding and applying every passage in God’s word.

Embrace the Life God Has Given You (Two Minute Clip on Grief)

Embrace the Life God Has Given You

Two-Minute Clip on Grief

Grief must have its season, but it must never have the final word.

Should Christians Cremate Their Loved Ones?

Should Christians Cremate Their Loved Ones?

A Modest Proposal

Cremation has skyrocketed over the past generation, mostly for financial reasons. It raises the question whether Christians should burn or bury their loved ones.

Six Ways Jesus Fought Depression

Six Ways Jesus Fought Depression

When he was in anguish, Jesus rested his soul in the sovereign wisdom of God.

The Calvinist

A Poem by John Piper

Watch or read the tale of the life and death of a Calvinist in this video-poem by John Piper.

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When God Feels Distant, He May Want Us to Grow Up

When God Feels Distant, He May Want Us to Grow Up

When God feels distant, he may be calling us away from a flimsy faith to a tough, unshakable allegiance to Jesus.

What Does It Mean to Seek the Lord?

What Does It Mean to Seek the Lord?

Christians are told to seek the Lord, but many of us have no idea what that might look like today. Here’s a practical guide for how to pursue God.

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Your Suffering Is Working for You

Your Suffering Is Working for You

For every believer, we can know with complete confidence that God is not only with us sin our pain, but is producing glory through every ounce of our suffering.

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I Will Not Leave Jesus — But I’m Done with the Church

I Will Not Leave Jesus — But I’m Done with the Church

“I’m done with the organized church, but I still love Jesus.” If you walk away from the church, you walk away from Jesus.

If I Were 22 Again

If I Were 22 Again

When John Piper turned 22, he was in the middle of his senior year at Wheaton College. If he were 22 again, knowing what he knows now, what would he do?

Every President Will Be a Footnote

Every President Will Be a Footnote

One day America and all its presidents will be a footnote in history, but the kingdom of Jesus will never end.

Ambushing Satan with Song

Ambushing Satan with Song

Singing to God is not a nice little emotional trip to spice up a worship service. It is a matter of life and death.

God Wrote a Book

God Wrote a Book

Where Else Will We Run?

Where else will we run?

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Ten Reasons to Read the Bible Every Day

Ten Reasons to Read the Bible Every Day

If we are going to grow up into maturity in Christ, we need to feast on Scripture — and not just here and there, but every day.

Do You Pray Like a Nonbeliever?

Do You Pray Like a Nonbeliever?

Real love will not settle for the tragic life of mere earthly blessings. It prays for more.

Staying Married Is Not About Staying in Love

Staying Married Is Not About Staying in Love

Marriage is about keeping a covenant — just like Jesus does with his bride, the church.

Talk to Your Tears

Talk to Your Tears

Sheer sowing produces reaping. You must remember this, even when your tears tempt you to give up.

Six Things Submission Is Not

Six Things Submission Is Not

Leadership and submission in marriage are beautiful, but the roles can be applied poorly. John Piper shares six things submission to a husband is not.

World Vision: Adultery No, Homosexual Practice Yes

World Vision: Adultery No, Homosexual Practice Yes

World Vision made a tragic decision — which they later reversed — that would allow employees to engage in sexual activity with someone of the same sex, if they were married. Ultimately, they reversed their decision, but the lessons remain valuable for ministries moving forward.

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Will God Ever Give Us More Than We Can Handle?

Will God Ever Give Us More Than We Can Handle?

Many Christians say, “God will never give us more than we can handle.” But the truth of that statement depends on two key words.