Josh McDowell's Blog, page 20

Introducing Resolution: Overcome Struggles and Thrive

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Josh McDowell and Ben Bennett are launching a new initiative, Resolution, to help hurting youth find hope, healing, and freedom. Mark your calendar for the world launch of the  Resolution Podcast on May 4, 2020. Invite your friends to listen in!

Josh McDowell Ministry is launching its newest initiative, Resolution, to help reach the next generation with hope, healing, and freedom.
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I (Josh) was recently speaking with the youth pastor of a large church. I asked what he thought the number one epidemic is among youth. “Loneliness,” he replied. “I don’t know a kid in my youth group who isn’t struggling with it.” These were Christian kids with mostly Christian parents who loved them, yet somehow they all felt so alone and were hurting.

A few years ago, I (Ben) was mentoring a Christian student named Eric who was struggling with anger, poor self-image, and pornography. All the while, Eric was attempting to lead Bible studies, share his faith with others, and stop returning to his struggles. He wanted so badly to be free, and to overcome these issues that prevented him from loving others and enjoying life. Eric tried talking to his ministry directors, and memorizing Scripture about why anger and lust are wrong, but things didn’t get better. His faith was having little impact on his day-to-day struggles.

These are just two of the many stories we have witnessed around the globe in recent years.

Even before COVID-19, countless people were experiencing hurts and struggles at devastating rates. Many are struggling to survive, let alone thrive and experience the abundant life Jesus promises. We consistently hear of Christian influencers and leaders making headlines for their mistreatment of others, getting caught up in immoral choices, and struggling to live and lead from a place of wholeness. It’s common to witness our friends, Christian or not, struggling with their self-image, being reactive or defensive in relationships, and coping with stress through escapist behaviors.

Even those who hold deep Christian beliefs struggle to live in victory due to their painful life experiences. This, in turn, prevents them from experiencing the thriving life Christ has for them. It also prevents them from inviting others into a vibrant experience with Jesus.

Young People Are Struggling

Young people are really struggling as these statistics show:

70% of teens say anxiety and depression are major problems amongst their peers.
Those ages 16 to 24 are 63 times more lonely than those over 75 years old.
Only 4% of Gen Z hold to a biblical worldview.
76% of men and women ages 18-24 regularly seek out porn.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people.

I (Josh) experienced many of those struggles growing up. I endured an abusive and alcoholic father and a critical mother. And I was raped by a farmhand for seven years; the first time at just six years old. These experiences ultimately led to doubts about God, anger, and fear that I’d never be able to love or be loved. My childhood led me to develop unhealthy patterns that continued for decades.

I (Ben) also experienced many struggles as a child and teen. My parents were in full-time ministry with a large Christian organization, yet my dad was often angry, distant, and abusing alcohol. As I grew up, I lived in fear of him and struggled to fit in anywhere. By the age of eight, I was riddled with mental health issues, and a sense of worthlessness. Eventually I became addicted to food and porn. I began dealing with suicidal thoughts. I wondered if anyone would care if I ceased to exist. Yet all the while I was attending church, involved in youth groups, and reading my Bible. I suffered in silence and learned to hide what I was going through for fear of what others might say.

We are facing a global epidemic. Many are hurting, lonely, and struggling, and not finding the biblical answers that are available to them.
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If the church is not whole and thriving, it will struggle to be relevant and offer the hope of the Gospel to the world around it.

Many people today are no longer primarily asking if Christianity is true or how to get to heaven. They’re asking, “Is Christianity good?”
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They’re also asking, “How does Christianity offer a life of wholeness here and now?” These questions directly relate to their hurt and brokenness that need answers.

There Is Great Hope

Our struggles aren’t random; they’re signals that when answered, can pave our way towards a thriving life.
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Medical and mental health professionals confirm that much of the dysfunction and disconnectedness we experience in life stems from unaddressed or unresolved relational and emotional hurts. And the Bible confirms this as well. These hurts leave us with unfulfilled God-given longings that we seek to fulfill through unhealthy behaviors. Yet, our struggles aren’t random; they’re signals that when answered, can pave our way towards a thriving life.

When we experience the fulfillment of our God-given needs and longings (things like acceptance, love, affirmation, safety) by God and others, we start to heal at a root level. Just as negative experiences of unmet longings lead to unwanted behaviors, positive experiences of met longings lead to healing and thriving.

In the face of these challenges, there is great hope. Both of us have experienced freedom and healing through biblical, time-tested, and research-supported principles. We have witnessed God use these principles in the lives of tens of thousands of others and developed something we’ve deemed The Wholeness Apologetic–a biblical understanding of how we heal from brokenness, overcome struggles, and return to a life of wholeness. It’s time for these principles to be made accessible to the masses and for the church to see a movement of wholeness. It’s time for a Resolution.

The Josh McDowell Ministry is launching its newest initiative, Resolution, to help reach the next generation with hope, healing, and freedom.
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Join The Resolution Movement

I (Josh) and Resolution Director, Ben Bennett, have started a worldwide movement to address these problems through a combination of neuroscience and the changeless truth of the Bible.

Even though we couldn’t have foreseen COVID-19 when we began planning the launch of Resolution a few years ago, it is amazing how God sovereignly orchestrated this content. Not only is Resolution relevant to the current state of our culture in 2020, but it is even more relevant in our new normal of sheltering in place, social distancing, and the rise of struggles many are experiencing due to COVID-19.

Through live events, a podcast, YouTube videos, and social/web presence, youth, parents, and youth leaders are equipped with biblical truth and brain science to overcome struggles and experience a thriving life with Christ and others.

Will you join the Resolution and help others find hope, healing, and freedom?

Here’s how:

Mark your calendar for the launch of the Resolution Podcast on May 4, 2020. Listen, rate, review, and share the podcast.
Check out resolutionmovement.org for more info and resources!
Share the Resolution Movement on social media. Use the Resolution Media Kit for images to post about the movement. Use the below sample post descriptions as a guide, with the provided hashtags:

Youth are facing high levels of anxiety, loneliness, and shame.  The @ResolutionMovement combines biblical truth and brain science to help them find freedom! #resolutionmovement #struggles #teen #youthministry

I’m excited to be part of the @ResolutionMovement launching 5/4 with @benvbennett and @joshdmcdowell. Check it out!

resolutionmovement.buzzsprout.com

#resolutionmovement #struggles #teen #youthministry

Our struggles aren’t random; they’re signals that, when answered, can pave our way towards a thriving life. @resolutionmovement #resolutionmovement #struggles #teen #youthministry

We are facing a global epidemic. Many are hurting, lonely, and struggling, but not finding the biblical answers available to them. @resolutionmovement #resolutionmovement #struggles #teen  #youthministry

Mark your calendar for the world launch of the Resolution Podcast on May 4, 2020. Invite your friends to listen in!

The post Introducing Resolution: Overcome Struggles and Thrive appeared first on Josh.org.

Is God’s Goodness Evident Amidst COVID-19?

Reading Time: 3 minutesWould you have guessed that you and I would spend our 2020 spring season fighting a global pandemic?

COVID-19 has done serious damage to the fabric of societies around the world. Some of us are batting unemployment, anxiety, boredom, loneliness — or the virus itself. For many, the situation goes even deeper; we are battling with the question of whether God is still good during this difficult time.

We have the philosophical dilemma of thinking that a good God will always remove bad things. But we also have the emotional realness of this time. The struggle to believe in God’s goodness is certainly understandable, as we consider all that has happened to us in the past month. How can God really be good, we ask, when there is so much hurt?

Continue reading, or click here to watch video.

Bridging the Gap blog #hurthealedwhole

In What Do You Tether Your Faith?

We would do well to consider what we have allowed to influence our belief in God’s goodness. For many of us, our theology of God is based entirely upon our own experience of life. 

> If things go well, we think God is good.
> If things don’t go well, we think God is not good. 

We tend to reduce the God’s goodness down to what feels good in our own experience, and we tether our belief about God based on that. But when that thing is taken away, our faith goes away with it, and we start to question God’s goodness.

God’s goodness influences our world, certainly. And His goodness has no doubt stopped many, many horrible things from happening — things we never know about. But God does not promise us a pleasant life, nor does He promise that our experience of life is going to get better. These are false ideas about God that we have invented and wield as indictments against God when life gets tough.

Rather than seeing the goodness of God linked against the troubles of this world, the Bible calls us to see God’s goodness as the answer to the troubles of this world. 

God’s goodness transcends our present circumstances, and points to the things eternal, the things unseen. “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows,” Jesus says in John 16:33,“But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

So What is the Blessing of God?

In Romans 8, the apostle Paul spends a great deal of time writing on the blessings of God. We might expect “blessing” to mean that our lives will be comfortable and work according to our plan. But this is not what Paul means at all.

Look at verse 35, which says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” Paul goes on to quote Psalm 44, to affirm that hardships will indeed come. But then he says, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” 

Notice that these trials are the exact circumstances by which we find victory! Today we struggle against the deadly coronavirus, yet it can’t overcome God’s love for us. In fact, the Bible promises that our eternal security in Christ will make us victorious through this virus.

> Even if it takes our homes.
> Our jobs.
> Our lives.

We can say this because of God’s goodness, not in spite of it! The fact that our world suffers, only goes to show how much greater God’s plan of redemption must be that He would allow bad things like COVID-19 to take place. Romans 8:18 says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us.” God’s goodness is magnified in these times, not diminished!

You and I can continue to pray that COVID-19 will quickly pass; I think we should. But we also can be confident that God is fully good and fully in control of everything that happens in our world. As it says in Psalm 112:7: “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.” 

Next Steps:

Watch my video on dealing with anxiety during COVID-19.
We’d love to pray for you! Please send us a prayer request via this form.
Do you want to have a relationship with God? Start here.
Print out these Bible verses about God’s goodness! Read them. Believe them. Memorize some!
Catch up on our Bridging the Gap  posts. Experience God in a deeper way!


Matthew Tingblad is a communicator at Josh McDowell Ministry with a seminary education from Talbot School of Theology.

The post Is God’s Goodness Evident Amidst COVID-19? appeared first on Josh.org.

Freely Trapped While Waiting

Reading Time: 5 minutes “For the Lord hears the cry of the needy;

He does not despise His imprisoned people.” Psalm 69:33 (NLT) 

Imprisoned. The word caught my eye as I read this verse. Now that a large portion of the world is under stay-at-home restrictions due to the pandemic — being stuck in the house for weeks, or seeing life barely creep forward — many of us are feeling feel trapped, imprisoned, suffocated. We’re all having to learn how to do life differently. But we can take heart!

Bridging the Gap blog #hurthealedwhole

For 50+ years, Josh McDowell Ministry has been leading seekers into a deeper knowledge of God’s truth and power. We offer you our accumulated knowledge and research to help you find truth and encouragement to live a healthy and whole life in Christ.

Three Concepts That Lessen Our Feeling Trapped

Over the past year I discovered three concepts that are now helping me to endure COVID-19 with less stress, anxiety, and frustration. To not feel so trapped as I wait for normal life to resume. I’d like to share them with you!

Here’s the first: This too shall pass.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

“Oh, it’s just a season, it will pass.” When we hear this phrase so often, it starts to sound like an excuse. But it’s true! 

Time and again, history shows us that our suffering will eventually pass. Even the Israelites, who roamed the desert for 40 years, finally entered the promised land. If our season of struggle is a national crisis, a sick family member, or even financial ruin, we can know that this season will eventually end. We are not stuck. We are not on our own. God has not forgotten us.

Here’s the second: One day it will all make sense.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. Since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

“We are all born with eternity in our hearts” is a very Christian phrase, but it’s true. We all long for more, for better. For the eternal, whole, and beautiful things that are unreachable in this life.

Until we reach heaven, we will struggle for understanding why things happen the way they do in life. So reminding myself that “One day it will all make sense,” helps me to reframe my thoughts. These words take the sting out of the frustration of the moment. They acknowledge that although I don’t have understanding now, one day I will. 

Years ago I worked for a ruthless boss. Her dictatorial management style, paired with her personal vindictiveness toward employees, was almost unbearable at times. I wish I had used the “One day it will all make sense” phrase back then! Today, as I reflect on that brutal experience, I realize that I learned an invaluable lesson from her: how not to lead. It was a good learning experience that certainly didn’t make sense at the time, but it has helped me since, and in a way that makes sense to me.

Here’s the third: Wait expectantly, soldier.

“Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:3

Do you imagine “waiting expectantly” to be like rocking in your porch rocker, as you patiently wait for normal life to resume? Not me! Even thinking about sitting still for too long gives me anxiety! But perhaps that’s not the way we’re supposed to “wait,” anyway.

Let’s suppose that we’re on assignment with the military. We’ve been sent to an international location, but we’re now stuck on the military base. We’ve put in lots of training, we’ve studied the enemy, and we’re ready to go. But we can’t. We have to wait for our orders.

And as the wait continues, it starts to feel hard, because we don’t know when it will be over. 

But as we wait expectantly, we continue to workout, prepare our plans and equipment, and conduct training scenarios with our teams to stay mission-ready. And we repeat this habit every single day until we finally receive our mission orders to go do what we’ve been waiting to do!

Ways to Wait Expectantly 

Enjoy our alone time.

Use the time you have to increase your praying, Bible reading, blogging/writing, and sleeping. Plan your future goals, hone your mission statement, or go for an extended prayer walk. Breathe deeply.

Relish our time with others.

In this stressful time, society is encouraging us to spend time with family and friends. So don’t feel guilty about doing so! Pump up the bike tires, and pull out the board games, and add them to your day’s margin. If you don’t have people sheltering in place with you, enjoy your healthy online communities. 

Learn new things.

With less time commuting to work every day, use that time to cook a new dish, doodle in your sketchbook, or perhaps plant in your garden. Do something that you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time to do. 

Dial down the negative.

Balance staying up-to-date with the news by finding positive stories that boost your mood. Try turning up positive music or writing a note to encourage a friend.

Stay grateful.

Savor a cup of coffee as you identify things for which you can be grateful: the sun (or rain), new time for hobbies, or perhaps a quiet house (or one bounding with energy). Start a “joy jar” to remind you later of happy moments during this time. They will be good reminders for you later!

As we wait out this pandemic crisis, you and I don’t need to feel trapped or imprisoned. Thankfully, we live in a time with so much information, innovation, and technology at our fingertips that we can be connected to others, even as we’re quarantined at home. As I use these tips in my daily life, my feelings of anxiety and being trapped alleviate. And as I talk to God and process where I am, I feel calmer. I begin to realize I’m going to be okay — whatever happens — and that eventually this hard time will pass.

One day this will all make sense. We’ll have a better understanding of what caused COVID-19, and how to best handle pandemics in the future. But right now, my daily goal is to focus, plan, and hone my skills as I wait expectantly for life to resume. I hope my suggestions help you, too!

NEXT STEPS:

Reflect on what you just read. Take a moment and breathe deeply: 1-2-3-4.
Submit a prayer request to us here. 
Meditate on this these scriptures: Psalm 69, Psalm 40, Psalm 5
Recommended reading: Father Connection , They Were Christians , Man’s Search For Meaning , Dee Henderson series , Get Out of That Pit , Quiet and watching: Creative Parenting with Josh McDowell , Jesus Film videos and Messiah . 


CHRISTINA IS PART OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM AT JOSH MCDOWELL MINISTRY.

The post Freely Trapped While Waiting appeared first on Josh.org.

Sharing Your Testimony During the COVID-19 Pandemic VIDEO

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For 50+ years, Josh McDowell Ministry has been leading seekers into a deeper knowledge of God’s truth and power. We offer you our accumulated knowledge and research to help you find truth and encouragement to live a healthy and whole life in Christ.

Who says your Christian testimony has to be huge for it to have value?

In this heartfelt video, Austin shares what our testimony is really intended to do in the lives of others: highlight Jesus, not us.

Listen as Austin shares guidance on how we can share our testimony with others during this high-stress period of COVID-19. Your hope in Christ might be the very encouragement a friend or family member needs to hear to get through this.

How Can We Help?

Do you want to have a relationship with Jesus? Start here.
We’d love to pray for you! Please send us a prayer request via this form.
Print out these Bible verses about prayer! Read them. Believe them. Memorize some!
Catch up on our Bridging the Gap  posts. Experience God in a deeper way!
We invite you to read Josh’s book, More Than a Carpenter. This short apologetics classic examines evidence about Jesus.


Austin is part of the speaking team at Josh McDowell Ministry.

The post Sharing Your Testimony During the COVID-19 Pandemic VIDEO appeared first on Josh.org.

Understanding Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic QUICK VIDEO

Reading Time: < 1 minute

For 50+ years, Josh McDowell Ministry has been leading seekers into a deeper knowledge of God’s truth and power. We offer you our accumulated knowledge and research to help you find truth and encouragement to live a healthy and whole life in Christ.

What is Your Emotional Anchor For Dealing With COVID-19?

In this quick video, Matt spells out the truth: that life is uncertain, and where we place our trust and hope matters.

Listen as Matt encourages you to be steadfast in the only source stronger than pain and death itself: Jesus. Even if we lose that which we hold most dear, we have His assurance that He will always walk through our trials with us. Take comfort in the truth that nothing — not even COVID-19 — is outside of His sovereign hand.

Do you know Jesus?

Do you want to experience a life-changing relationship with Him? Start here.
We’d love to pray for you! Please send us a prayer request via this form.
Print out these Bible verses about prayer! Read them. Believe them. Memorize some.
Catch up on our Bridging the Gap  posts. Experience God in a deeper way!
We invite you to read Josh’s book, More Than a Carpenter. This short apologetics classic examines evidence about Jesus and affirms that yes, He is Lord!


Matt is a communicator at Josh McDowell Ministry with a seminary education from Talbot School of Theology.

The post Understanding Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic QUICK VIDEO appeared first on Josh.org.

COVID-19, the Best and Worst of Times

Reading Time: 5 minutes


My ten-year old son, Asher turned to me in response to those who are struggling to make sense of the coronavirus: “…but Dad, this world is broken!”

Continue reading, or click here to watch video

Everyone is affected by the spread of COVID-19, particularly the most vulnerable members of society – it’s heartbreaking! However, it’s wonderful to see many moved to reach out to others with kindness, care and compassion.

Truly, it’s the best of times and the worst of times.

Fear and anxiety flows from the things we don’t know…

We don’t know the true impact of this pandemic.
We don’t know who has been infected – who will be infected.
We don’t know how this will affect the health and well-being of our loved ones.
We don’t know the economic outcome – for us and for the country.

Yet, the coronavirus highlights three things we do know – and must never forget to remember…

1. This world is broken!

The outbreak of COVID-19 could be described as a natural phenomenon. Despite this, we view it as an aberration – something that ought to be eradicated because the world would be a better place without it. It’s universally accepted as a problem – a symptom of a bigger problem: this world is broken!

I’ve had countless conversations in different countries, pointing out the fact this world is broken. No one has turned to me and said, “Oh no it isn’t!” It’s a profound statement – that deserves an explanation.

Author C.S. Lewis put it like this in Mere Christianity, “A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.” You call a line crooked because you have a standard for a straight line, otherwise a crooked line is not crooked, it’s just different.

In the same way, the coronavirus is a sign of something gone wrong in the world, so we must have an idea of the way the world ought to be – and this isn’t it! Suddenly the natural world doesn’t come naturally, which means we implicitly hold to a higher standard, above and beyond this world. In the face of the coronavirus, don’t forget to remember this world is broken. The second thing is this…

2. You’re not a speck, you’re special!

A pandemic puts lives at risk on a mass scale, and the common goal is to fight the infection and overcome it. It’s not about saving society. It’s about saving lives. We don’t want to weigh each person to see if he or she is worthy, we’re willing to fight for the weakest of the weak – those that cannot fight for themselves. You’re not a speck, you’re special!

Another profound statement – that deserves an explanation. This doesn’t follow from a purely physical world that suggests we’re less than a speck in this vast universe. This doesn’t follow from any evolutionary mechanism that suggests our selfish genes should drive us to survive at the expense of the weak.

The fight against COVID-19 is fought on the basis every person is stamped with absolute value, which means we implicitly hold to a higher standard, above and beyond this world. Don’t forget to remember this world is broken; you’re not a speck, you’re special; and finally, don’t forget to remember…

3. There’s got to be more to life than this!

The world has been changed by the coronavirus. It’s going to leave a deep scar on society. Still, there will come a day when it is no longer on the front page and it’s no longer a global threat. That will be a day to celebrate – but not for long…

Hospitals will continue to treat men, women and children who are seriously ill.
Lives will still be lost on a daily basis, families grieving the loss of loved ones.
Even the healthy know the clock is ticking, winding down toward the end of life.
Funerals are never easy, and the one thing guaranteed in life – death, is difficult to accept. There’s got to be more to life than this!

Another profound statement – that deserves an explanation. When someone dies, we feel sad. It’s as if this person ought to have lived longer. How much longer? The dream would be we finally figure out a way to live forever, because no matter how long we live, it never seems long enough.

The coronavirus reminds us of our mortality and the expectation there’s got to be more to life than this, which means we implicitly hold to a higher standard, above and beyond this world. In the face of COVID-19 we must never forget to remember..

This world is broken! You’re not a speck, you’re special! There’s got to be more to life than this!

Three profound statements – that deserve an explanation! Three profound statements that show we implicitly hold to a higher standard, above and beyond this world. Otherwise this world is what it is, and it shouldn’t be any other way. Every person is just an insignificant speck in this vast universe. Life is short and death is the end of everything.

Some argue, these sound disappointing but we need to grow up and face the facts. But why believe these are the facts if they don’t fit. Why is every person born with an expectation for so much more? Why ignore the pieces of the puzzle that take us in another direction?

I want to make explicit what we implicitly hold to be true: we hold to a higher standard, above and beyond this world. That’s why we know the world is broken. That’s why we know every person’s life is absolutely valuable. That’s why we know there’s got to be more to life than this.

I want to talk about the claims of the Christian worldview. The Bible is not a fairy story for the weak and uninformed. The Bible tells us God’s story, which is His-story and it rings true! The Bible tells us this world is broken – COVID-19 is not the way things ought to be, and we ought to do our best to eradicate it. The Bible tells us you’re not a speck, you’re special – we ought to fight for every life, since every person is made in the image of God.

The Bible tells us there’s got to be more to life than this – and there is! The Bible says, this life will never be long enough because we were created to spend eternity with God!

I often use the ordinary jigsaw puzzle as a tool to help make sense of the world, to make sense of others and to make sense of ourselves. Why? We know we’ll never find all the answers, but you don’t need every piece of a puzzle to see the big picture. The Bible is like the picture on the box. It is the right guide to life, and it helps us see enough to know the truth!

If you would like to learn more about the Bible and God’s love for you, you can reach me at alex@josh.org. Let us know how we can help and encourage you.

NEXT STEPS:

1. Find more encouraging messages from Alex .

2. Do you want to know God personally or need someone to pray for you? 

3. Consider meeting with an online counselor or exploring more counseling resources at josh.org/find-help

4. Connect with Alex on Instagram, Facebook or on our website to stay in touch.

Alex McLellan is a communicator at Josh McDowell Ministry. Learn more at www.Josh.org/Alex.

The post COVID-19, the Best and Worst of Times appeared first on Josh.org.

Why Did God Create Humanity?

Reading Time: 2 minutesGod knew that not all of humanity would accept Him, so why did He create us?

When God created humanity, He considered it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). God’s assessment can be difficult to understand, considering what people have done against God from the start.

You and I, as objects of His love, have been created to worship and enjoy God, who is worthy of all praise. Though God desires that every person would be saved, as it says in 1 Timothy 2:4, He leaves the choice to us. So why did God create us, knowing that many would reject Him?

The Right Question?

The reason God made us has less to do with his foreknowledge of our individual response, and more to do with His nature and His ultimate end to receive glory.

Allow me to explain. From cover to cover, the Bible is about God. Specifically, Scripture tells the story of God being glorified.

One of the primary ways that God is glorified is through His gift of salvation to humanity (Ephesians 1:4-6, 12). But we must recognize that salvation is just one side of the coin. Salvation is always delivery from something. This “something” is judgment. So for salvation to work, there must be a fork in the road: one path leading to salvation — and the other to judgment. Both options must be real, if God is to be glorified through our salvation (Romans 9:22-23).

Humanity Given Free Will

This is where our free will comes in. God gifted all of humanity with free will, so that every person could personally choose his or her salvation — or judgment. God knew that many would reject Him, certainly. But God also knew that many would cherish Him as their friend and Savior. Our free will also makes it possible for us to gift God with glorify as we worship. If we had no free will, our worship would be forced. It wouldn’t be genuine.

God receives the maximum glory for creating a world in which He became our salvation from judgment. If you have yet to receive Christ, take the next step below. If you received God’s merciful gift, give Him praise! You can live free from shame as you look forward to spending eternity in His presence!

NEXT STEPS

Interested in knowing God personally? Get started with this really good info.
To grow your knowledge of the Bible, read 77 FAQs about God and the Bible  by Josh and Sean McDowell.
Also read Josh and Sean’s recently revised apologetics classic, Evidence That Demands a Verdict.
Or you can start by reading through our year-long blog series on Evidence. Learn why Jesus and the Bible are true!


Matthew Tingblad is a communicator at Josh McDowell Ministry with a seminary education from Talbot School of Theology.

The post Why Did God Create Humanity? appeared first on Josh.org.

Has the Bible Been Altered Over the Centuries?

Reading Time: 2 minutesTo declare that the Bible has been “altered” over the centuries could mean a number of different things.

For instance, you could talk about how later scribes added punctuation markings, lower-case lettering, etc., as their Greek language evolved over time. But that is of little concern. When most people say that the Bible has been altered, they mean that the original written text has changed in content over many years, is now corrupted, and the original meaning lost.

It is very common these days to hear someone say that the Bible has been altered. This might come from a skeptic, but it also might come from followers of other religions that have spun off the Christian tradition such as Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, or Islam. In asserting that the biblical text became corrupted, they add that their religion’s holy writings have corrected the problem. And they use their holy writings to provide new spiritual insights that support their religious view.

Understanding the term “altered”

Despite certain anti-Christian motivations to challenge the Bible, we don’t have compelling reasons to believe that the modern Bible is wildly different from what was originally written. Even though we don’t have the original writings, we have many copies of these original writings which scholars call manuscripts.

These manuscripts have some differences, and this is to be expected because of human error. But there are enough existing manuscripts that we can compare and cross-check them to reconstruct what the originals would have said. With proper technique, we can do this with a very high degree of accuracy. We can see what was altered.

But what if the original text was changed before a bunch of copies were made? If this happened, then all of our copies would have come from a bad text, and we would never be able to know what was originally written!

Some believe that the text of the Bible was intentionally changed during its early development, perhaps motivated by political or theological reasons. At best, this is a borderline conspiracy story. One of the main problems with this argument is this: people wouldn’t have known which writings really counted as Scripture until after they became widespread across many churches. Indeed, the fact that the writings multiplied so quickly across churches helped believers to realize that the Holy Spirit was on those texts. By then, because the writings had already spread across the early church, it would have been too late for anyone to maliciously change them! 

NEXT STEPS

For more on the origin of the Bible, check out God Breathed by Josh McDowell.


Download this PDF by Josh titled “ The Bibliographical Test .”
To further grow your knowledge of the Bible, we can suggest 77 FAQs about God and the Bible  by Josh and Sean McDowell.
To really dive into Josh’s decades of research, read Josh and Sean’s recently revised apologetics classic, Evidence That Demands a Verdict.


Matthew Tingblad is a communicator at Josh McDowell Ministry with a seminary education from Talbot School of Theology.

The post Has the Bible Been Altered Over the Centuries? appeared first on Josh.org.

Win Mentally & Emotionally During COVID-19

Reading Time: 6 minutes


Greater economic hardship. Relational disconnection. Loss of loved ones. Uncertainty. Job loss. Xenophobia. Racism. Lack of safety. The effects of COVID-19 are endless, and ruthless. These effects not only threaten our physical health but also our mental, relational, and spiritual health. They threaten our ability to win mentally and emotionally.

Continue reading, or click here to watch video. (Video coming today)

No matter what you are facing during this time, you are not alone. You were not meant to be alone. You were never intended to experience this reality. You were made to thrive, being created in the likeness of God with infinite worth, designed for healthy connection with Him and others. You were designed to experience the assurance of safety, to know that everything will be ok.

But the reality is, what we are experiencing in our world today doesn’t fit that bill, that need, that longing. So what do we do in this time of loss, pain, and hurt? How do we process what we are experiencing and not be doomed to our anxiety, hopelessness, and pain? How do we choose health rather than coping with our pain through binging netflix or endlessly scrolling social media, overeating or drinking, or viewing porn? How do we navigate what is going on inside of us amidst such pain, loss, and uncertainty? How do we not just survive, but find a way to move forward and thrive?

After years of experiencing anxiety, emotional turmoil, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts then finding hope and healing, I want to share a process that I have worked through that has helped me win mentally and emotionally. This is a process that shouldn’t be rushed, sometimes taking weeks or even years. But I want to lay this out to encourage you and remind you that there is hope. Things will get better. And there is a way to limit the pain of what you are experiencing, not in a way that minimizes it, but in a way that helps you not be alone and not fall into the lies and trap of the Enemy.

Grieve Losses

The losses during this time are immense. Loss of financial income, death of loved ones, uncertainty, disconnection from others, loss of normal routines, activities, or hobbies to name a few. The pain from the losses you are experiencing is real. Be honest with yourself about your fears, feelings, questions, hurts, and struggles. It’s ok to not be ok. It’s ok to grieve and mourn the reality of what you are experiencing.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds us there is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” It’s ok to not have it all together and to mourn the losses you are experiencing, in fact it is good to do so. I’m reminded of how Jesus wept in John 11 when his friend Lazarus died. If He, God, took time to feel and grieve, how important is it for us.

I encourage you to write down the losses you are experiencing. Let yourself feel the emotions those bring. Sit with those emotions and talk to God about them. Be honest with him about your hurt, frustrations, and questions. Visualize Him being right there with you, comforting you.

Identify The Messages

Loss, painful experiences, and uncertainty lead to messages we believe. These messages are often not true. Maybe you’re experiencing economic hardship–you’ve lost your job or business has slowed down. What messages have you believed from those experiences? Is it “God doesn’t care about me”, “I’m not good enough or gifted enough because others weren’t laid off but I was”, or “No matter how hard I try, I just can’t provide for my family. I’m inadequate.”

Maybe you’ve experienced loneliness–friends, family, or co-workers aren’t reaching out to you, or you feel so disconnected. What messages have you believed? Is it “People don’t care about me”, “I’m unwanted”, or “I must not matter.” Lies and losses come in all shapes and sizes.

This has been the enemy’s tactic since day one in the Garden of Eden. To twist the truth, deceive us, and get us to believe lies about God, ourselves and others. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve fell for a lie from the enemy and disobeyed God’s command to not eat of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve ate the fruit and immediately were filled with shame, believing not just that they had done wrong but that they were wrong. The lie that started about God ended in a lie about themselves as well. The enemy wants to use whatever he can to get us to believe lies, often using our losses and painful experiences. Let us not be unaware of this key tactic of his in our lives.

Reframe The Messages

Think through the painful experiences and losses. What is the truth about the situation?  For example, in economic hardship–remind yourself that events are taking place that are out of your control. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Remember that God will provide for you and that you are so valuable.

In loneliness, remind yourself that Jesus said “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Remind yourself that in Christ you are a loved child of God (1 John 3:1), chosen and wanted (John 15:16) and God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10), whether or not people acknowledge that. But also remember that others may feel lonely or unwanted as well, and that you have the opportunity to reach out to them and experience your needs being met in addition to theirs.

Sit with God and experience the truth intellectually and emotionally. Feel what it feels like to be loved, accepted, and adequate. Come back to these truths and experience them when sadness, shame, or the lies surface again.

Connect With Others

Share with safe people the losses and pain you are experiencing. Connecting with others releases dopamine and oxytocin in our brains, leading to a sense of connection and satisfaction. It also affirms the reality that we are not alone and that we are understood. Text or FaceTime a friend or loved one. Go for a walk with someone you know, while maintaining social distancing. Schedule an online meeting with a therapist, coach, or mentor. 

Remember, we need one another. In the creation account God said that it was not good for the first human, Adam, to be alone, or without another human being (Genesis 2:18). Hebrews 10:25 even goes so far as to instruct us to “not neglect meeting together”, because of how important relational and spiritual connection is for each of us. 

Hold On To Hope

Think back on challenges you’ve faced in the past and how God pulled you through. You’re still here. You’re reading this. You’ve made it through. Think of how you might be able to help others through their struggles in the future, as a result of what you’ve been through. Try to get a vision of what God might do in your life through this.

Viktor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, showcased the power of a future vision. Frankl found strength to continue fighting for his life in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. Overworked, underfed, attempting to survive the bitter cold winter, with friends dying all around him, he began to envision one day being free from the concentration camp, lecturing to crowds on the psychology of concentration camps. All of his challenges became experiences that would inform his future work. He found purpose in his pain, and a greater reward to strive for.

In contrast, those who lost hope around Frankl began deteriorating, succumbing to illness and mental breakdowns, losing the will to go on, and surrendering to hopelessness and death. Frankl survived the concentration camps and was eventually liberated by American soldiers. He went on to write books, earn his Ph.D., and give lectures all over the world.

We also witness the power of vision in the life of Jesus in Hebrews 12:2, who “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” That joy was receiving “all authority on heaven and earth” (Matthew 28:18) and giving you and I the “right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

You can take heart because Jesus sees you, cares, and mourns with you. He has overcome the world (John 16:33), is ruling and reigning over all that is going on in this time (Psalm 47:8), and will one day make all things right and new (Revelation 21).

Lastly, let me encourage you to take these next steps to win mentally and emotionally during COVID-19.

1. Work through the five step process in this article, starting with one loss or painful experience.

2. Consider meeting with an online counselor or exploring more counseling resources at josh.org/find-help

3. Check out josh.org/resolution for more resources about our new global initiative to help people overcome hurts and struggles, and thrive.

4. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, or on our website and share how I can be praying for you.

The post Win Mentally & Emotionally During COVID-19 appeared first on Josh.org.

Devotional: Recognize God’s Majesty

Reading Time: 3 minutesAre we “woke” to the presence of our amazing God? Or are we guilty of doing life with blinders that keep us from recognizing God’s majesty all around us?  

Bridging the Gap blog #hurthealedwhole

For 50+ years, Josh McDowell Ministry has been leading seekers into a deeper knowledge of God’s truth and power. We offer you our accumulated knowledge and research to help you find truth and encouragement to live a healthy and whole life in Christ.

God’s Majesty is All Around Us

Whether’s it’s the giggles of a baby, or a hawk soaring through the air; the kind gesture of a loved one, or the setting sun closing out the day with a glorious display of reds, yellows, and oranges. God is there. 

Yet many people today choose to believe that the highly ordered, intricately detailed system that sustains life “just happened” to rise from chaos. They find it easier to believe in scientific theory, over that a loving Creator birthed us for specific purposes and His glory. That in Him alone is true love.

“Bring me a worm that can comprehend a man, and then I will show you a man that can comprehend the Triune God.”  ~John Wesley

The Bible, which continues to be proven to be a historically reliable document, tells us plainly that a man who denies God is a fool. If men fail to give God glory, it says, the very rocks will cry out. Like the stars are right now!

Yes, it can be hard at times — like right now during the coronavirus panic — to trust that a Creator we can’t physically see is in control and cares. But the Bible says that creation echoes the very nature of God: Its beauty. Its intricacy. Its intelligence. Its majesty. Its wonder.

Modern man likes to think of himself as the pinnacle of intelligence, but there is nothing that man has created that can compare to the mind-blowing majesty of creation. If we can find a night sky undiminished by city lights, the numerous stars show us how puny we are in context. Who are we, Lord, that you would be mindful of us? 

Noted pastor and author John Piper notes that creation is “about the greatness of God, not the significance of man. God made man small and the universe big to say something about himself.”

The great C. S. Lewis added, “A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell.”

Why would a God capable of creating such majesty give a hoot about us?!

In answering that question, we discover a love so wide and high and vast and deep that it should make us fall to our knees in thankfulness. God considers us — you and me — the highlight of His vast creation.

The Offer to Know Him Personally

I don’t know about you, but right now, as the coronavirus brings the world to its knees, I need to have the assurance that God loves me and is on the move. That He is, as His Word promises, working details out for my good.

If you haven’t given God your attention before, now is a good time to kick the tires of Christianity. No Christian is perfect, so don’t let a previous encounter with a Christian having a very human moment dissuade you. Even the most committed Christ-followers struggle with being selfless and kind and loving, like Jesus. Because they’re human. They sometimes also struggle with faith and fear and worry, just like you, if they allow their focus to turn from God.

But in acknowledging God’s power and love, they can lay their burdens at His feet and wait in trusting expectation. God delights in showcasing His majesty — for our good and His glory. Have hope!

“If God is the Creator of the entire universe, then it must follow that He is the Lord of the whole universe. No part of the world is outside of His lordship. That means that no part of my life must be outside of His lordship.”  ~ R. C. Sproul

NEXT STEPS:

Do you want to have a relationship with Jesus? Start here.
Catch up on our Journey Together posts. Experience God in a deeper way!
We invite you to read Josh’s book, More Than a Carpenter. This short apologetics classic examines evidence about Jesus.


Sheri writes and edits for Josh McDowell Ministry.

The post Devotional: Recognize God’s Majesty appeared first on Josh.org.