The amount which you understand the gospel is measured by your ability to be joyful in all circumstances. If you grasp what a treasure the presence and acceptance of God are, then even when life goes really wrong you will have a joy that sustains you, because you’ll recognize the value of what you have in Him. When life punches you in the face, you’ll say, ‘But I still have the love and acceptance of God, a treasure I don’t deserve.’ And the joy you find in that treasure can make you rejoice even when you have a bloody nose. You have a joy that death and depravation cannot touch. (J.D. Greear, Gospel: Recovering that Made Christianity Revolutionary)

by Richard Shin

And we’re back with another set of weekly links. Enjoy!

• Albert Mohler has published an article in the CNN Belief blog. In it, he talks about what issues are important to evangelicals and to whom we are dangerous.
• Tim Challies continues his series on God’s will for your life. He explains to us how freeing God’s Word is when it speaks about His will for us. Confused? Read on.
• Over at the Ordinary Pastor blog, Erik Raymond has an article on expressing emotions. He walks us through a familiar passage in Luke 7:11-17 and magnifies Jesus’ compassion and sovereignty.
• Kevin DeYoung has a simple, yet very effective way in explaining the Christian worldview in four easy steps.
• Ray Ortlund has some fantastic articles here, here, here, and here. They’re all short, but very awesome. Be sure to check them out.
• C Michael Patton has an article on the difference between believing in God and believing God. And he draws a fitting analogy of where people place God in their lives.