Tom the Preacher

I was a senior in high school. I took a bold stand for Christ and some people didn't like it, and they told me so! What should I do in such a situation? What DID I do in that situation? Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to hear the story. I think you're going to like it. Scripture Used in Today's Message Luke 6:22-23 Have you read my book, "Takin' it to Thei...

There's nothing wrong with wanted to be liked and approved of. But sometimes by one person or group means rejection by another. If that's the case, we've got to be clear on who's approve we're seeking. Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn more. Scripture Used in Today's Message 2 Timothy 1:12 Hebrews 2:11 Proverbs 29:25 John. 5:44 Galatians 1:10 H...

Do you allow other people to determine what you believe and how you will behave? The world wants to squeeze us into it's mold, but we are called to be followers of Jesus Christ. Where do we find the power to stand firm as disciples of Jesus Christ? Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to discover what I've learned about this. Scripture Used in Today's Message Romans 1:16...

Churches gather to worship God. Did you know that God is also worshipped by those already in heaven?  We can learn what to worship God for from those who are already before God's throne. Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn learn more. Scripture Used in Today's Message Revelation 4:11 Psalm 100:3 Have you read my book, "Takin' it to Their Turf"? If not...

Amidst all the fearmongering, let's not forget that God calls us to stand for truth, be peacemakers, and to overcome evil with good. Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn more. Scripture Used in Today's Message Proverbs 22:3 Matthew 5:9 Romans 12:21 Have you read my book, "Takin' it to Their Turf"? If not, you may request a copy on my website, www. Tomt...

I've noticed something related to Islam on campus. First, even with the war in Gaza, Muslims debating me has dropped significantly. On the other hand, those who do challenge me claim to have been raised Christian. This is alarming.. Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to find out why. Scripture Used in Today's Message Acts 4:12 1 John 2:18-23 Have you read my book, "Tak...

I was recently asked how to keep from becoming discouraged when you try to share the gospel with your friends, and they just aren't interested? It's a great question. Our adversary wants to discourage us from doing good, including the good of sharing our faith with others. Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn how reminding myself of what God expects of me, and what H...

Sadly, the most common questions I get asked on campus have to do with homosexuality. It's not a pleasant topic, but we dare not ignore it. Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn how I answer some of the basic questions on this topic. Scripture Used in Today's Message Leviticus 18:22 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Titus 2:11-15 Have you read my book, "Takin' it to Thei...

People often ask me how I stay calm and patient when people interrupt me, curse at me, give me nasty gestures, etc. They usually ask because they have difficulty staying calm under pressure. Do you?  Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn five things that help me stay calm under pressure. Scripture Used in Today's Message Galatians 5:22-23 Ephesians 5:15-18 Ephesians 6:10-1...

Have you ever encountered someone with an unexplainably twisted view of God? This isn't unusual for me. But an outspoken fellow I encountered last week was more accusatory of God than is typical. "That's quite a God," he said sarcastically. "If you don't love me, I'll torture you forever in hell." How do you answer an accusation like this, and perhaps more i...

Does God take sides? Sometimes, perhaps, but in today's Daily Word & Prayer, we'll look at a far more relevant question Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn more Scripture Used in Today's Message Philippians 2:9-11 Joshua 5:13-15 Have you read my book, "Takin' it to Their Turf"? If not, you may request a copy on my website, www. TomthePreacher...

Does God take sides? Sometimes, perhaps, but in today's Daily Word & Prayer, we'll look at a far more relevant question Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn more Scripture Used in Today's Message Philippians 2:9-11 Joshua 5:13-15 Have you read my book, "Takin' it to Their Turf"? If not, you may request a copy on my website, www. TomthePreacher...

Does God have a preferred candidate? It might depend on who you ask, but in this election season, I've been asked this more than once. Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer if you want to hear my answer. Scripture Used in Today's Message 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Have you read my book, "Takin' it to Their Turf"? If not, you may request a copy on my website, www. TomthePre...

Is God obligated to stop evil before it happens?  Skeptics often pose this question as they build a case to directly attack the nature of God. They begin by asking if a person is morally obligated to intervene if they see a crime being committed against a helpless person. If we answer "yes," they immediately argue that since God has the power to stop evil, and since evil is present in th...

What does it mean to "have a personal relationship with God"? The term has become so commonplace that, depending on who you are talking to, it can mean just about anything.  But let me tell you one thing it most definitely does not mean. Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to hear what I learned through our dialogue. Scripture Used in Today's Message 1 Timothy 2:5 1 Joh...

I often exhort students to seek God. Today at Purdue, I met a man who seemed quite sincere in his search, and yet, he admitted, he had not yet found the answer. He had read the Bible, the Quran, the Vedas, and other religious texts. He saw many things in common with the various religions and wondered if they weren't all true in their own way. He emphasized a common morality taught by all reli...

I imagine the student who asked me about being 100% sure had heard Christians make this claim about what we believe. But he as being trained in science and was taught to question everything. Never be absolutely sure. This, he believed, was the only way to make progress. We had valuable (and honest) interaction about the nature of truth and how faith fits into this. Join me for today's Daily W...

Did you know there are over 45,000 Christian denominations in the world?  No? I didn't either, and I don't really care. But some people do. A student asked me about this last week. Not only did he wonder which denomination was the right one, he wondered how he could possibly know. If the theologians couldn't agree, how could he figure it out? Join me for today's Daily Word &amp...

Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, was different in the Old Testament times. You might be surprised when it changed and why, but the answers are very significant in what God is doing in our world.  But you can still join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn more. Scripture Used in Today's Message Leviticus 17:11 John 1:29 Matthew 23:37-19 Have you read my book, "Takin&a...

A bit different this morning as Roz and I are on a short retreat out in the wilderness of Hocking Hills, Ohio. But you can still join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer. Please do! Scripture Used in Today's Message Isaiah 40:18-31 Have you read my book, "Takin' it to Their Turf"? If not, you may request a copy on my website, www. TomthePreacher.com We send a copy to an...

Modern atheists argue that they "can be good without religion."  Of course, this presents many problems, the least of which is who and how defines being good. But this week at Iowa State, I encountered an atheist with a very different take on this question -- and he proved my point!  me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn more Scripture Used in Today's Message Proverbs...

Christians are accused of emphasizing certain Bible verses that align with the desires they already held. It is said we teach Bible verses against homosexaulity but not verses against eating seafood because we like seafood and not gays. Is this a fair accusation?  me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn more Scripture Used in Today's Message Acts 15 The entire book of Galatians H...

Can tolerance and pluralism exist along with the belief that Jesus is the exclusive way to receive eternal life? If not, are the exclusive claims of Jesus Un American? This issue confuses a LOT of people.  Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn how to clear up the confusion. Scripture Used in Today's Message John 14:6 Have you read my book, "Takin' it to Their Tur...

One thing you know about a person who claims all religions are essentially the same:  the don't know much about religion. It's also more than likely they don't really believe in God -- certainly not in the God of the Bible. And yet, this is a common belief that I often hear from "enlightened" people of all ages. Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn mor...

Should parents allow their kids believe whatever they want to believe about God?  More and more parents these days are raising their kids with this idea in mind. Is this how we ought to think? Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer what Scripture says about this. Scripture Used in Today's Message Deuteronomy 6:4-7 Have you read my book, "Takin' it to Their Turf"? If n...