God Calls Us to Find FreedomPsalm 9:9 proclaims, “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” God is there as our strong tower when we need help. He shows up in our time of need and is there to open the doors to bring us to freedom. Sometimes the road is long, hard, and ugly, but we have to keep moving towards his

Compare this with Jesus in the temple. He’s angry at actual sin. They are making the temple a den of robbers. But it’s not even about them turning the temple into a Wal-Mart. The bigger issue is they are blocking would-be worshippers out of the kingdom. They are trying to make a buck off the poor and vulnerable. Jesus’ words echo the heart of Jerem

Our work can be a means by which we love others, even strangers, as we were commanded to do by Christ (Mark 12:30-31). But it is only loving if we “do the job as well as it can be done.” (p.76) How can we manage such a commitment? When we recognize that our work is essential to other people, just as theirs is essential to us, its importance becomes

1. The Lord Alone Is PerfectThe One who is perfect in every way is the Lord God. Scripture tells us that, “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4). He never sins or fails to act in righteousness. As another verse tells us, there is no darkness in

1. Isaiah 9:6Whether on Christmas cards or in sermons, we often read or hear this verse around the holidays. Yet, despite the familiarity lots of Christians have with this verse, there is much in the words to draw encouragement during times of sorrow.A child was born and a Son was given on that night in Bethlehem. Jesus is “Wonderful Counselor, Mig

1. Seeking a Fresh StartThere are moments in life when we wish we could press a restart button. To have our past forgiven and be given a clean slate, no longer hindered by foolish decisions or hurtful actions. At these times, we long for a fresh start.Believers in Jesus have already been given this gift. When we place faith in Christ’s death and re

1. The Gospel Is Not Just about Salvation“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).The gospel is not just about salvation; it is about our eternal lives. And that eternal life begins right here, right now. The gospel is also about how we live our lives in this here and no

The rage and bitterness she likely felt in her heart were real and warranted. And like us, she would face the temptation to dull the pain by placing the blame on someone.It was Pharoah’s fault. It was her husband Amram’s fault. It was her own fault…maybe even it was God’s fault!We often turn to the blame game in order to relieve the burden and dull

Therefore, Jesus says we must be born again (born of the Spirit, of a different world and way) to both “see” and “enter” the Kingdom of God (John 3). Upon repentance to God, we become a new creation, and then the Kingdom can be seen and entered. Both are needed. How can we enter something we can’t see? The Spirit enables this. In other words, the K

Week 2 Peace — The Prince of Peace Dispels Fear and DoubtMonday“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, emphasis added).What does it mean for Jesus to be your Prince of Peace? What things or c

1. Remember the WhyOne thing that leads to burn out is feeling our service as an obligation. God serves others out of love and compassion, freedom and choice, not obligation. He seeks the same for us, his disciples and children. He created us for relationship, purpose, and meaning. Obligation gives us the opposite experience. Feeling we “have to” l

1. A Prayer for the Arrival of a New Baby Bringing a baby home from the hospital evokes a variety of emotions. First-time parents can feel excited for the journey ahead, but also struggle with nervousness. For those who have multiple children, the other siblings may feel happy to finally meet their little sister or brother whom they have waited so

What Are the Kingdom Prophecies in Isaiah?As the Messiah, Jesus spoke a great deal about the Kingdom of God. His Gospel was, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Along with the promises regarding Christ and future restoration, Isaiah writes a great deal about this kingdom in various ways. Isaiah 2:2-4 declares that “in the last days the mou

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).Jesus Models the Shoes of PeaceJesus did an incredible job living out the shoes of peace. Many times, he was attacked by other people or demonic activity, but He was able to maintain composure and stay focused on His mission. He spoke hard truths and

Joseph was put in prison because he would not break God’s commandment and commit adultery. Joseph shone a spotlight on God’s glory in Genesis 41:25, explaining “the dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.” He was a man of integrity, and God would reward his patient commitment to himself by exaltin

How Are Christians Supposed to Expose Darkness?Christians are to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we do, our light shines brighter, and sinful actions of darkness are exposed in their deep contrast to the light. The chasm between a believer and unbeliever grows; their darkness is intensified and our light is

Sometime later, as David and his men returned from the front lines, the Amalekites descended on Ziklag, the former shepherd’s temporary home. The raiding tribe secured a swift defeat, with the town bereft of protection. Ziklag lay in charcoal ruins by the time David and his warriors returned—every man’s wife and children a captive to the enemy.Dete

Now is the time for you to enter a new season. Now is the time to start again. Start to recapture your faith and take a step closer again to God. Not tomorrow. Now.Going Back to the Source“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

1. Your Body Is a Unique Gift from God“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes sa

St. Nicholas was one of the defenders of the true Gospel, clarifying Jesus' identity against Arius' confusing teachings. Some stories even claim Bishop Nicholas boldly confronted Arius face-to-face at the historic Council of Nicea (although there are no official records of Nicholas' presence at the Council.)Thanks to the devotion of Christians like