What is peace, really? We can look at it through a common lens and characterize it as calmness, quietness, tranquility, and contentment. Or, we can look at it through a Biblical lens and discover the true peace that God offers – the peace of God. In a world of chaos and instability, there is a
In all of history, there is not one more redeeming, liberating, or costly sacrifice than the cross of Christ. For many of us, it has made a powerful difference in our lives, both now, and for all of eternity. Yet the reality is that it can be very difficult to reflect on all that Jesus
When the apostle Paul—formerly Saul, persecutor of Christians—was converted, Jesus announced, “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:16). Indeed, the apostle Paul suffered much for Christ’s sake. And yet, he seemed to embrace, not resist, this suffering. For this reason, Paul can teach us
Prayer is our primary means of communication with God, and it is only through God that we have the strength, abilities and wisdom we need to face a busy day. But when we’re so busy, when is there time to pray? My answer may surprise you: Always. We don’t have to stop everything in order
There is a mystery to prayer—a way God works in it that we don’t fully understand. But God persistently invites us to pray, showing us through His word and Spirit how and why we should turn our voices to Him, exhorting us to never give it up. Even so, many of us only pray when
Making the Psalms a consistent part of our time studying the Bible is enriching and important. The Psalms are meant to be sung and prayed, and there are specific psalms that were written to help us when life it bleak and we feel miserable. The individual and communal laments are the largest category of psalms.
We seem to know very little about the existence and ministry of Angels. To most of us angels are more decoration than the reality. Angels appear on tombstones, the walls of nurseries, jewelry, Renaissance art, ordination certificates, Christmas cards, and Valentines. Angels are usually fat and naked and have little bows and arrows with wings
The thing that often makes tragedy overwhelming, incomprehensible, and soul numbing is just how unexpected it can be. Life is going according to plan, and suddenly your world is rocked and you are left reeling. That’s why it’s so important to have Truth stored up in your heart before tragedy strikes. By being in the
Sometimes praying feels like throwing darts – with your eyes closed. You hurl some words heavenward and wonder if you’ve hit the bulls-eye of progress. You hope something sticks. What have you been praying for? Do you wonder if God hears your prayers? If they matter? Lately, I’ve been thinking, I don’t want my words
Last night, as I was booting down the day in prayer, I realized something. Something kind of significant. I figured what it said about me just as important as what I actually believed about prayer. It struck me that while I often pray to stop worrying, I always pray mid-struggle – in the heat of
