Posts with the category “faith”

At its core, gratitude is "our heartfelt response when someone does something good for us that we didn't deserve or expect." This definition highlights the elements of surprise and unmerited favor tha...  Read More

For many, life is marked by moments of sickness, loss, and heartache. Broken relationships strain our hearts; illnesses test our faith. It’s in these moments that we can feel most distant from God, wo...  Read More

God's justice is not an abstract concept, but a passionate concern for the vulnerable. He consistently calls out injustice against widows, orphans, immigrants, and the poor. Jesus continues this focus...  Read More

The world doesn't need more Christians defined primarily by their politics, their denomination, or their cultural preferences. It needs believers who find their primary identity in Christ and demonstr...  Read More

When we begin to grasp the height, depth, width, and breadth of Christ's love, it changes everything. It creates space in our hearts for God's presence and blessings. It leads to the full, free, and f...  Read More

So let us learn from Paul's example. Let us boast in our weaknesses, knowing that in them, Christ's power is made perfect. Let us trust that God's grace is sufficient for every thorn we face, every pr...  Read More

The purpose of the church—and by extension, our individual purpose—is twofold: to worship God and to serve others. This dual focus keeps us vertically aligned with God and horizontally connected with ...  Read More

Jesus intended the church to be a safe place for people to grow in grace. Grace, the unmerited and unconditional love of God, is demonstrated through Christ's life, death, and resurrection. It's withi...  Read More

Despite our imperfections, God chooses to use his people as vehicles for healing. If you've experienced healing through this or any church, give thanks. If you're still struggling with church hurt, br...  Read More

Jesus concludes his Sermon on the Mount with a stark warning: those who hear his words but do not put them into practice are building their lives on sand, destined for collapse when the storms of life...  Read More

The teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount present a radical, counter-cultural path to the good life. It requires careful choices, discernment of false teachings, and genuine commitment beyond ...  Read More

Neither of us were consistently raised in a church. We were “that couple” who rarely attended and squeaked in just before, or after, service started. Once inside the Worship Center, we would sit in th...  Read More

There aren’t any words that will make the pain of betrayal sting less. But as a fellow soldier in the fight for marital restoration, I want to hold your face in the palms of my hands, look deeply into...  Read More

There is no one-size fits all, step-by-step approach to rebuilding trust after an affair. Trust me, I’ve looked. I couldn’t tell you how many books, blogs, podcasts, articles, and workbooks I have rea...  Read More

When Jesus tells us to ask for daily bread, it reminds us that we have limits as humans. Just as a good father delights in providing for the needs of his children, God happily provides for us as an ex...  Read More

Our mission is clear – Helping people find and follow Christ. We must have open hands to receive God's multiplying power, compassionate hearts for the Lord’s sheep, and willing feet to enter the field...  Read More

When we surrender our lives to Jesus, it removes today's worries and replaces them with hope for now and tomorrow. A life with Jesus hasn't taken my worry away, but it's given me a place to release it...  Read More

While Jesus' work gives us complete transformation, it doesn't make our lives easy or take away our need to choose to follow him. We must still decide to trust and obey Jesus, even through hard times....  Read More

The Lord's Prayer is not a formula to be recited but a profound framework for all of our communication with God. When we slow down and pray each phrase with intention, allowing the Holy Spirit to sear...  Read More

Instead of praying to a distant, reluctant deity, Jesus teaches us to approach God as a caring Father who wants what is best for us. This changes everything about the way we pray and relate to the div...  Read More

Here’s the thing, Jesus knows our hearts can be tricky. We might put on this whole "holier than thou" act outwardly, but inwardly, we're just craving that sweet, sweet approval from people. Jesus call...  Read More

Unlike hypocritical religious shows, authentic biblical fasting always produces real-life fruit. God shapes our character, prompts us to help others, and allows spiritual breakthroughs to happen. The ...  Read More

In one of his most challenging teachings, Jesus commands his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). This edict on how to treat our opponents goes against...  Read More

Divorce is painfully common today. When it happens, it raises hard questions around what scripture teaches. In Deuteronomy 24:1-4, Moses permits divorce as a concession, given the cultural realities o...  Read More

Advent is a season where we prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus and is a time for you dive deeper into God's word during a meaningful and often busy season. It is our desire to provide opportuni...  Read More

Many of you are wondering how you can be praying for Israel and the Middle East. As Christians our attention easily turns first to the people of Israel, and rightly so for many reasons. But we also re...  Read More

When we drift from God’s purpose for our lives, we need to be redirected. When we’re distracted, God has instructions on how to realign ourselves to do his will....  Read More

The beginning of a new year is an opportunity to set new goals and have new perspectives. It is important to have a vision for the new year that is spiritual and eternal. ...  Read More

Hope is expecting that what you believe will come to pass will actually happen. It’s more than crossing your fingers or wishful thinking. In times of despair, we must hold on to hope....  Read More

Jesus’ death impacted the world, the temple, his enemies, and his friends. When you discover his impact, you’ll find the source of your own story’s significance....  Read More

Jesus and joy always go hand in hand. The Holy Spirit wants us to experience the joy of Jesus every day in our lives, no matter what our circumstances....  Read More

The peace of Christ, which is the word shalom, is not a lack of conflict, but rather having a rich and full life that flows from a right relationship with God....  Read More

God’s big story of His love for mankind can be told in four simple steps or four beats. We can tell our story the same way: four steps, four beats, about how God changes our lives daily....  Read More

What would it look like if God used us to change the world so that His kingdom comes on Earth and so that his will is done on Earth? Leading forward is a way to take people into the future, not back t...  Read More

We don’t need to do anything to earn God’s favor or his love. But God created us to be productive, resulting in tension between doing stuff for God and doing stuff for ourselves....  Read More

When we hide behind a mask, we separate ourselves from God and from others. Only when we are truly honest and vulnerable with ourselves, God, and others, can we be free from condemnation and shame....  Read More

Jesus did three crucial things after His resurrection and before His ascension into Heaven. He left his disciples with instructions on their new mission, giving them the power to accomplish His work....  Read More

The resurrection of Jesus is the critical element of our faith in Christ. Without His resurrection from the dead, our hope for new life is not possible....  Read More

A genuine smile offers hope to those around us. It shows others that we welcome them and accept them as Jesus did with those considered the outcasts of society....  Read More

Our brains are constantly working and thinking. That’s why it’s important to think about your family first; making it a priority when making decisions....  Read More