What if the most brilliant mind of the 20th century was completely wrong about the most important question in life? Albert Einstein was named “Person of the Century” by Time Magazine, and his influence is everywhere you look today— from the atomic bomb to your smartphone. But as brilliant as he was in scientific theory, he unfortunately missed it when it came to spiritual theology. Even though Einstein believed in a being with “superior reasoning power,” he said, “There is a God, but we could never know Him.” I’m certainly no Einstein when it comes to IQ, but I thankfully and joyfully disagree with what he said. There is a God, and His Word declares that He can be known. The incredible truth is this: You don’t have to be a pastor or have outstanding character to know Him. Anyone can know God. That is the beginning of understanding the truth about yourself and the world. But first, you’ve got to remove the one barrier that keeps most people from ever knowing God, discover the one thing God actually wants you to boast about, and understand exactly who this God is that you can know.

Little six-year-old Nick loved church, loved the Bible, and loved Jesus. One day, his mother was walking by his bedroom and saw her son reading the Bible to the cat. She thought to herself, “Isn’t that sweet?” Well, about an hour later, she heard this terrible racket outside. She ran out the door and saw Nick trying to dunk the cat in a bucket of water. She asked, “Nick, what are you doing?!” He said, “I’m baptizing Muffin!” She said, “But cats don’t like to be put under water.” He replied matter-of-factly, “Well then, he shouldn’t have joined my church.” While Nick’s method was a little off, his instinct was biblical. Jesus’ baptism is one of the few events that all four Gospel writers record. “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan” (Mark 1:9, NIV). Then Jesus commands you to do the same. Now, baptism isn’t necessary for salvation, but it is a big deal important to God, important to Jesus, and important for you. I’d like to answer the three most common questions I get about baptism: What does “baptism” actually mean? Does it matter how you’re baptized? And why should you be baptized? When you understand the answers to these questions, you’ll discover how to publicly declare your faith, visually preach the Gospel, and take your first step of loving God through your obedience.

Did you know that nearly 85% of Americans struggle with low self-esteem? I have been part of that statistic my whole life. Low self-esteem affects how productive we are at work and how we relate at home. It can even lead to violent behavior or suicide. In my years as a pastor, I’ve discovered that the root cause often lies in the trap of comparison: measuring ourselves against others who appear better off, better looking, or in a better situation. But the fundamental question isn’t how we compare to others; it’s understanding who you truly are. You are not who others think you are, or even who you think you are. You are who God says you are. The only one qualified to define your identity and worth is the God who made you. And in Ephesians 1, the Apostle Paul reveals three transformative truths about your identity in Christ that form the foundation for healthy, holy self-esteem rooted not in pride but in God’s declaration over your life.