
What is real love actually
Valentine’s Day arrives every year with remarkable self-confidence. It assumes love should be obvious, effortless, and permanently exciting. Real love, actually, is nothing like that.

J.John is an evangelist, minister, speaker, broadcaster and writer. He has been in ministry for four decades. He has spoken in towns, cities and universities in 69 countries, establishing Philo Trust in 1982 to organize his various evangelistic ministry offerings. J.John’s weekly podcast, The J.John Podcast, features a range of interviews with Christians from all walks of life and talks by J.John. Click here to listen. J.John’s books are available to order via jjohn.com or through other online or physical bookshops.

Valentine’s Day arrives every year with remarkable self-confidence. It assumes love should be obvious, effortless, and permanently exciting. Real love, actually, is nothing like that.

This year marks the 500th anniversary of one of the most world-changing books ever printed: William Tyndale’s English New Testament. It was banned, burned and branded heresy, yet it ignited a movement that transformed our language, our literature and our faith.

Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, has already come and the darkness has not overcome him. Likewise, we can bring the light into the darkness of our worlds by the smallest of loving merciful actions if we have Christ in us, the hope of glory. Let us recommit to sharing this light into the new year.

Every December the world pauses, some willingly, some wearily, to tell the story that divided history in two. We call it Christmas, but heaven called it rescue day.

Every year Christmas seems to arrive faster, like a train thundering into the station before we’ve even packed our bags. We rush, we shop, we scroll and then sigh, "Did I really encounter Christ this Christmas?" That’s why we have Advent.

"Perspective turns pressure into praise, problems into possibilities, and pain into purpose, and sometimes the only difference between misery and ministry is the way you look at it." Evangelist J.John finds gratitude in a harrowing trip to Australia.

Gratitude is powerful medicine. It is like oxygen for the soul. We don’t thrive without it. We are hard-wired to say "thank you". Psychologists now confirm what scripture has always taught: grateful people are happier, healthier and more hopeful. In contexts of rising conflict, gratitude is a healthier way forward. Ask the Holy Spirit to form that fruit in you for your benefit and those around you.

The Tall Poppy Syndrome has been popularized and exported from Australia but it is endemic in us all and it literally makes us unwell. An antidote can be found throughout Scripture. Rather than drawing others to join us wallowing in misery, we can repent from the Tall Poppy Syndrome and flourish alongside the flourishing.

FOMO (The Fear of Missing Out) erodes our joy. It edits God out of our moments. J.John tells of an experience at a Greek vacation venue where he learned that choosing the "half-board" accommodation rate came at a cost, and it was one that provided him with a valuable spiritual lesson—one we can all learn from.

Proverbs declares that the tongue has the power of life and death. Words don’t disappear, they lodge. They shape memories, frame identity, and echo long after the sentence ends. Here are some insights into how we should use this remarkable muscle behind our teeth appropriately.

When life gets knotted, we often ask, ‘How on earth do I unravel this?’ The ancient world called this a Gordian Knot. While knots can be undone with brute force, followers of Jesus have numerous ways to unravel complex situations with scripture and the Holy Spirit's guidance. Here is some advice to help lead you forward.

This Father’s Day, if you’re a father, grandfather, godfather or father-figure, you are carrying a great and sacred calling. Heaven takes notice. You are modelling the heart of God every time you show grace, speak truth, forgive freely.