Kerusso Daily Devotional

Does your life feel out of control? Are you experiencing that common feeling of weaving down a busy highway, about to crash? It’s a metaphor for life that most internalize at some point. All of a sudden, what you were sure of isn’t there anymore. You might as well be behind the wheel of a fast car that’s heading into oncoming traffic. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” This isn’t some nice little bit of wisdom someone put on a greeting card. Th...

Life can be overwhelming sometimes, right? A huge wave of despair can come out of nowhere and push us toward disaster. Anita’s life was like that, growing up in Hong Kong, where revolutionary movements brought violence and loss of hope. She couldn’t see how the pieces of her life could be put together. She would ask herself, “How do you make peace with a potential that is frustrated? Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesu...

First Peter 5:6–7 says, “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.” These two short verses tell us several things: One, if we submit to God’s power by acknowledging we can’t solve our problems, He is strong enough to intervene and bring about the outcome we really want. Second, He does this in his own time, on His own timetable. Third, we are to leave our problems at His feet. ...

The prophet, Isaiah, lived during a difficult period for the ancient Israelites. Turning away from faith in God and under the control of corrupt kings, the nation entered a period of darkness. They needed hope more than anything. In our discussion this week, we will talk about this human condition. Today, we are really no different from people in ancient times: We all need a relationship with our Creator. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar...

In Christ, we experience peace that is so remarkable, it isn’t naturally part of this world. As we think about the power forgiveness has for us and others, let’s think about how forgiving someone lifts a huge burden off our minds. Matthew 5:23–24 says, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gif...

How much can one person take, and still choose to offer kindness? In Genesis Chapter 37, verses 12–36, 17-year-old Joseph is sent by his father to visit his brothers, who were tending the family’s flock of sheep in the countryside. Rather than the friendly check-in he expected, Joseph’s brothers initially plotted to kill him out of jealousy, but instead sold him into slavery to a group of Ishmaelites heading for Egypt. Among the brothers, only Reuben wished to leave Joseph unharmed, attemptin...

Is there someone in your life whose forgiveness you need? Legendary cowboy actor Roy Rogers said something profound. He said that sometimes it hurts to do the right thing, but afterwards, you’ll feel better. When it comes to forgiveness, this certainly applies to choosing to forgive someone who has wronged you. But have you considered that it can be even tougher to ask for someone’s forgiveness? Humans hate to fail, and most of us hate looking foolish. It hurts. Maybe you’ve hurt ...

One of the most corrosive elements in the human character is unforgiveness. Bitterness and fighting in relationships is really a drain. Physically and emotionally, we’re simply not wired to survive long-term problems in this area. According to Dr. Michael Berry, 61% of cancer patients have forgiveness issues. And Dr. Karen Schwartz of the Johns Hopkins Hospital confirms that the hurt and disappointment associated with forgiveness issues can spike incidents of heart disease, depression, ...

Even though most U.S. homes have at least one copy of the Bible, few know what’s in it. There are all sorts of things: wisdom for living, history, spiritual food. It’s the Bible’s practical value that hooks most people who read it. The Bible says a lot about money, how to raise kids, and even how to strengthen your marriage. It also tells us a lot about forgiveness. Forgiveness is mentioned dozens of times in the Bible. In Genesis 33, Esau forgives his brother Jacob’s treachery in steal...

One of the things that mark a healthy society is the consistency between generations. In other words, adults who care about the future for their children will invest the time to make sure tomorrow is bright. God the Father is the ultimate parent, and we would do well to model His love for us. Luke 18:1 says, “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Passing the torch, or training up the next generation, involves taking the time to do it...

Have you ever watched a war movie and realized that the actors didn’t know how the conflict would turn out? World War 2 movies are like that. When they filmed “Casablanca,” Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman weren’t sure whether the Germans would win or lose. Life can be like that. Matthew 28:20 says, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” In your own life, you might be facing some really serious stuff. And it’s not unusual to be staring at several problems at once.&nb...

Living life as though your cup is brimming over isn’t a matter of circumstance. It’s a matter of choice. Psalm 23:5 says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.” God promises bountiful blessings when we follow Him, but what about when times are tough? Nowhere does the Bible suggest we should wallow in misery when things don’t go our way. Instead, we should slow down enough to count and savor every blessing, even when ...

Today, we’re talking about grit and determination, which go a long way in helping find success in life. And they’re contagious. Winston Churchill was almost 70 when his country needed him most, when he stared down Hitler’s war machine. The British Prime Minister’s signature line was, “We shall fight on the beaches,” but the essence of his message came with these words, “We shall go on to the end.” Luke 18:1 says, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should alw...

Games and sports aren’t real life, but they often give a pretty accurate picture of how we can choose to face life. Imagine that your profession is on a national stage. You have the ball with less than two minutes to go, and your team is behind. Standing behind center and looking out at the defense, how many of us could even think? Then, imagine throwing the ball with any kind of accuracy, knowing you have to win the game. Most of us would be scared to death! Psalm 23:4 tells us, “Yea, ...

We “love” all sorts of things. We love a friend’s new hairdo. We love pistachio ice cream and travel to exotic places. Many times, the word itself loses all real meaning. It’s like homemade chicken soup without the chicken and without the soup. 1 John 3:16–18 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of G...

Love is in the air, as they say, and that is our topic this week. Love can be a broad term, but we want to refine it for our time together—at the same time, we are preoccupied with cards, gifts, and candy hearts. 1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” If we’re honest, that definition—God’s definition, really—is ...

Have you ever been hurt in a relationship? If you’ve been alive very long at all, the answer is an obvious “Yes!” Reality has shown us that love can be the most wonderful feeling ever…or it can be ugly and brutal. It can feel like your heart has been run over by a truck. We’re talking about loving like Jesus, and as usual, His Word unlocks the secrets of our hearts and shows us the way to healing. 1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, ...

When it comes to love, the secular world has plenty to say. Turn on the television, radio, or explore the internet, and you’ll find advice on every type of relationship, from friendships to getting along with your parents, and of course, advice on romantic relationships. People are clamoring to figure love out…but what does the Bible say about love? 1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it ...

In an age of technology booms and information-sharing, it’s amazing how lonely we have become. Everything and everyone is connected, but does all that online connection ever leave you feeling disconnected in real life? Do you feel alone? If you do, you are listening at the right time this week as we are reminded that God’s timing is always perfect. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God...

David, the giant-slaying boy who would eventually become king of Israel, is mentioned over 1,000 times in the Bible. The youngest of eight children, David grew to become a powerful king, and some say he was also the original pop star, penning most of the 150 psalms included in the Bible. These songs were the hymnbook for Old Testament Jews, and continue to inspire well-known musical works today, including Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” The 62nd Psalm was written by King David with a goal of re...

Since before the world was created, God has had a master plan to deliver people from evil. He cared for us so much that He was willing to endure pain to redeem us. In Acts 14:20, we read about Jesus and the disciples preaching in a city called Derbe. It says that, “Jesus then was busy strengthening the souls of his disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God.” God wants us to know that the journe...

Who are you, exactly, that God should know your name, or care to know your story? Have you ever wondered about the answer to that big question? In the great scheme of things, we sometimes feel like ants in an anthill: nameless drones, fetching and carrying, an unremarkable face among the masses. We are so much more than that to the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says simply, “Pray continually.” Written as a letter to early Christians by the Apostle Paul, this encouraging note doesn’t specify that...

Have you ever known someone who inherited something of great value from an obscure relative? It happens. The will is read by an attorney, and all of a sudden, the beneficiary goes from struggling to pay the rent to needing a financial planner. It can be an exciting time, even disorienting. The only downside to receiving a large inheritance is the knowledge that someday it will run out, or you die and can’t take it with you. That’s why the Bible’s revelations about eternal riches are so much m...

Do you struggle to wonder what God’s will is for your life? Many of us do. Although it isn’t a quick answer, the best way to find God’s will for your life is to read His Word. The Bible will tell you the answer to that question. Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Actually, finding God’s will isn’t the hardest part. Deciding to follow His will is where we get tripped up. People need the skill and discipline of being persistent. Too often, the impulse is to give up...

A common theme today is that people are just tired of chaos—both public and private. It’s exhausting sometimes dealing with bad relationships. Global problems are with us every day. And we wonder when it will end. There is good news for you, though. Literally, Good News. 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” This is a message to us that we don’t have to win the war ourselves. We don’t have to win a bat...

Rebecca knew just what Craig needed when he lost his job. She knew he felt ashamed that his job performance was a major contributing factor. In other words, he had failed in front of people. The hurried goodbyes and awkward pats on the back actually sort of made Craig feel worse. He threw the small box with his personal belongings in the backseat and drove as fast as he could away from the scene. Giving him some space for a day or so, Rebecca called to check on her friend; she had that wonder...

One of the things that marks a healthy society is the consistency between generations. In other words, adults who care about the future of their children will invest the time to make sure tomorrow is bright. God the Father is the ultimate parent, and we would do well to model His love for us. Luke 18:1 says, “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Passing the torch, or training up the next generation, involves taking the time to do it...

Today in America, two million men and women serve in our armed forces. More than 200,000 of them are deployed to various points around the world. Joshua 1:9 reminds us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” The Lord has told us directly not to be afraid. We aren’t even to be discouraged! He’s told us through His promises that He’ll be with us every step of the way. If we stop and t...

For most of us, being humble is easier in theory than it is in practice. Reaching out in Christian Love and kindness often means being a peacekeeper and letting go of the need to be right or to win an argument. God wants us to walk with humility at work, on social media, and at home. When we’re frustrated with someone across the table or online, considering the words and deeds of others through the lens of Jesus’ sacrificial love for us can bring clarity. Our scripture for t...

1 Peter 5:6–7 says, “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.” These two short verses tell us several things: One, if we submit to God’s power by acknowledging we can’t solve our problems, He is strong enough to intervene and bring about the outcome we really want. Second, He does this in His own time, on His own timetable. Third, we are to leave our problems at His feet. Ther...

I’m not sure where you’re at today. You might be angry at God. Something happened, maybe in your life, that has damaged your faith. If we live in the world long enough, it can happen to any of us. How you respond is really important. If you’ve listened previously, you know we are talking about how to live by faith. Having perseverance when we’re miserable is really, really hard. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re the only one. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, and not by s...

Even during times of calm and security, the honest truth is, there are very few examples of really strong and steady leaders. It’s a given then that when times are scary, brave leaders that reassure us are really needed…but really rare! The Bible speaks of one such person. Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua was an especially passionate and courageous l...

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three young men from Judah who found themselves in a heated situation. They were brought into the court of King Nebuchadnezzar II, and ordered to bow before the king’s golden image. The alternative was a one-way ticket to the fiery furnace. The king’s command would have been easy for these guys to follow, but their own King of Kings had already commanded them to place no other gods before Him, and to stay away from the evil of graven images. They may have ...

Are you the kind of person everyone looks at and assumes you are strong and you have it all together? You too, huh? Many of us look fine on the outside, but the human condition is often much different on the inside. Proverbs 31:25 says this of a godly woman: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” But the thing is, God did not make us to have a spirit of fear. He never planned for us to suffer from depression or anxiety. Look, life happens. Sometimes we ...

A positive in our culture today is that we can admit our shortcomings. In the past, it was sort of taboo to tell the world you were not exactly all together. Back in the day, a “hot mess” usually referred to an overturned pot on the stove. But today, the phrase “hot mess” has a whole new meaning. Our lives are often just a mess. Thank goodness the outcome is not dependent on us. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, i...

By some estimates, the beloved hymn “Amazing Grace” is performed over 10 million times a year around the world. Imagine not being able to hear this sweet song! Losing the ability to hear, or being born deaf, is unimaginable for many of us who have never experienced hearing loss, but there are some surprising upsides to being differently-abled in this way. Deaf people develop keener senses of observation, touch, taste, and smell to compensate for their loss of hearing. What the hearing world m...

Have you ever been really angry at someone, and had a tough time letting it go? Maybe a work colleague let you down, or got you in trouble with the boss. Maybe family drama is dragging you down, and there are unresolved hurt feelings. Maybe your spouse betrayed you, and you aren’t sure how to move past it. Unforgiveness in our lives is painful, and as believers, it can affect our prayer life, and even our relationship with the Lord. Mark 11:25 says, “And when you stand praying, if you hold an...

Do you ever worry you might not measure up? Sam was a fourth grader with a big problem: he left his homework at school, and he was so worried he’d be in trouble with the teacher, he could hardly stand to go to school the next day. In the car on the way to school, Sam’s mom explained the concept of grace, asking, “Sam, do you know about the idea of grace? Grace means even if we aren’t perfect, the people who care about us can choose to forgive us. I think your teacher will understand about you...

“Mom — I broke something! I’m so sorry!” Benjamin had slipped on the wet bathroom floor and managed to take down the shower curtain and the curtain rod in one fell swoop. His mom’s concern wasn’t the state of the shower curtain, but whether the broken something was an arm or leg. Thankfully, her son wasn’t hurt, and fixing the curtain was a lot easier than mending a broken bone. A reassuring hug from Mom was all the boy needed to mend his hurt pride. None of us are perfect, whether we’re 8 ye...

We look for things and stuff to make us happy, don’t we? Especially in the United States, where we are blessed with abundance, people from all walks of life look for more and more. That can bring us to an empty place. Spiritually and emotionally…we begin to look in the wrong places. But as we’ve discussed this week, that spark of joy we look for can be found only in Jesus. Everything else is, yes, clutter. John 16:24 says, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you wil...

As humans, we tend to have a problem asking for help. I think we can chalk that up to our proud hearts. Often, when we are really up against it, that’s when we resist seeking help. Jesus does away with all that. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Ask yourself: is my pride keeping me from asking for help? If so, mull that over. And then, take a step toward the Lord and ask for what you need. God opens doors when we ...

It’s interesting to watch the outcomes of people who refuse to give in to fear. Many years ago, while America was going through a severe economic depression and a world war, President Roosevelt told Americans that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Those listening over the radio said later that they felt a great sense of relief just from his words! Psalm 23:4 tells us, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod...

Today, just stop and consider that we’re talking one-on-one. We’re just talking over coffee. Go with me here. You seem like something is really getting to you. Are you about to give up on something important? If so, please listen—just for a couple of minutes. Luke 18:1 says, “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Let’s think boldly for a second. Whatever your problem is, God can fix it. He can. The Bible is full of these fixes,...

Humans were built for language and communication. It’s one of the bits of creative genius God used when He formed His highest creation. And apart from regular communication, whether it’s the written word or verbal, we have a great gift from a loving God: prayer. Prayer is an intensely personal way to communicate with our Creator, the One who knows everything about us. Jeremiah 29:12 says, “Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you.” All through scripture,...

Year-end stuff is upon us. That includes those infamous New Year’s resolutions. And as it happens, the Bible has things to say about how we lean into the near future. Matthew 5:37 says, “Let what you say simply be yes or no. Anything more than this comes from evil.” How many times have we pledged to do something and then followed through? Follow-through is important. Whether it’s weight loss, repairing relationships, or embarking on a new career, it’s time to actually do what we s...

Happy New Year! New Year’s stuff is beneficial in several things. We make resolutions and we might even stick to some of them. But it’s what God does that really matters. He’s in the renewal business—making broken things whole again, especially people. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he’s a new creation. The old has passed away and behold the new has come.” It’s great for us when this involves repaired relationships or even a career boost. Yet th...

Have you ever experienced a power outage? You pull out your favorite flashlight, only to discover the batteries are dead. Bummer, am I right? How about light bulbs? For some reason, they all seem to go at the same time, leaving you in the shadows and looking for that flashlight—you know, the one with the dead batteries! Light bulbs burn out, tires go flat, umbrellas turn inside out on a windy day, and batteries die. Many of the things we use on a frequent basis are designed to be temporary—an...

No one is immune from burnout. It comes in our jobs, friendships, and even our church life. Sometimes even our hobbies become dry and tedious! But in Scripture, God gives us hope for the future. John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Jesus is telling us that in Him alone is true life. He is always pointing us to the future, to a time when that dry creek bed will be filled forever. In Revelation 22, He showed John a r...

Beryl Markham could have given up on her aviation dreams after crash-landing in Nova Scotia. But she didn’t. Instead, this determined woman became the first person to fly from England to North America. She later said that in order to move forward, we can’t stay in the past. In fact, she said, “Leave it the fastest way you can!” This pioneer knew that staying stuck was not inevitable—that we must choose to keep our eyes on what it is we are yet to accomplish in life. Ephesians 4:31–32 says, “L...

Well, the gifts have been opened, the wrapping paper taken to the landfill. Leftovers are in the fridge, and maybe you’re feeling a little blue, a little depressed. Christmas is over, or is it? 2 Corinthians 9:15 says, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” In the West, we tend to have a letdown when the excitement and rush of Christmas is over, as if at midnight on December 25th, we’re ready to go into emotional hibernation. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Whether it’s some...

This is the day of days. While the exact day is unknown, what we do know is that 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ came to earth as a child to rescue us from sin. Christmas is a date on the calendar that literally quickens our hearts. Everyone understands the significance of it. It’s why hateful people behave differently for at least 24 hours. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us, a child is born. To us, a son is given. And the government will be on His shoulders, and He will be called Wonderfu...

Well, hey—Merry Christmas Eve to you as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We’d like to share the Christmas story from Luke Chapter 2, verses 4–20. And just a note, we’ve made some minor edits for length purposes in this excerpt from the King James version of the story. “Joseph went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed, along with his wife Mary, who was ...

Every December 25th, around the world, happenings are quite different and diverse, place to place. Celebrating Christmas is unique to each culture, but the meaning of it all we share. In Norway, Christmas Eve is the main event with bells ringing at five in the evening, followed by family dinners. In Mexico, Christmas begins on December 16th, and on the ninth evening, Christmas Eve, children walk to the local church to place a figure of the Christ child in a manger. Like nature, God put ...

Celebrating Christmas with family and friends is a great time of the year, but do we know how all this started? This observance of the holiday? We’re pretty sure Jesus wasn’t born on December 25th. There are clues in scripture that put the date more in the springtime. In ancient times, the winter solstice occurred on December 25th. Sometime early in the 4th century, the church fathers set the date as the one we now celebrate. Even factoring in the diverse cultures around the...

What was Jesus’ name? Most of us assume that if Jesus had a driver’s license, His listed name would have been “Jesus Christ.” That’s kind of funny, but as usual, our human perceptions can’t define Him and box Him in. The Bible tells us that Jesus has many names, each a shining facet of Who He is. He is called the Alpha and Omega—the beginning and the end. The Lamb of God. Elsewhere, He is referred to as the Prince of Peace. Romans 10:13 says, “For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the...

In general, humans as a species have a fair amount of self-awareness. And if we’re honest, we all know our weak points. Those places where character is lacking a bit. One of our biggest weaknesses is that we just want stuff. Bigger house, more expensive car—that kind of thing. In those moments, we’re missing out on a big prize. Our focus is wrong. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The Bible—the Word of God...

Does your life feel out of control? Are you experiencing that common feeling of weaving down a busy highway, about to crash? It’s a metaphor for life that a lot of folks internalize at some point. All of a sudden, what you were sure of isn’t there anymore. You might as well be behind the wheel of a fast car that’s heading straight into oncoming traffic. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” This isn’t some nice little bit of wisdom someone put on ...

Have you ever tried to follow God in a half-hearted way? You know what that means. You like the idea of God, but His perfect will for our lives can also feel very restrictive. That’s the moment that we walk along the highway of life completely alone. Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Notice the precise language in these beautiful verses. We are to trust Him wit...

In our humanness, we struggle at times to achieve peace. World War 1 ended 100 years ago, and all sides joined together as a League of Nations to make that conflict the “War to end all wars.” And then World War 2 happened. Our history is littered with noble attempts to make things right, but only God can bring peace to nations and to individuals. He has promised both! One day, He will make everything new, forever. While we wait for that great day, He also grants us peace in our daily lives. 2...

We all screw up. We all fail in some way. We fall short of goals, or get embarrassed in some kind of career implosion or other event. It’s easy then to feel like we’ll never win again. That is not how God sees you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Hope and a future. That’s what’s ahead, not depression and failure. The Bible is full of stories of people Go...

Let’s think about something deep today: What is the endgame? In this context, we’re talking about what comes after this life we are living now. Believers of course, look forward to an eternity with the Living God. And even unbelievers wonder about what comes next after you draw your last breath. It’s the most important element in our discussion this week. Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, c...

There’s a reason the Bible uses so many metaphors. The wisdom God has for us lends itself well to short narratives, and we learn much from stories. A famous passage from Isaiah we’ve been discussing this week uses a powerful mental image to convey deep truths from God. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” The sight of a majestic eagle, flying high above...

Whenever we have to overcome an obstacle in our lives, we are thinking about a million different things. Our minds race. We might even be aware that our Creator is there to help. But have you ever considered that even when life gets tough, you can still have joy? Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Sheila Walsh has said that what got her through a bout of depression was the knowledge that God the Father loved her and wanted the best for her. Toda...

O Holy Night is a well-known Christmas carol that began as a French poem celebrating the opening of a new church. The beloved song we know today was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight, an American minister and abolitionist, in 1855. This poignant carol reflects on the birth of Jesus as humanity's redemption. O holy night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth Long lay the world in sin and error pining ’Til He appeared and the soul felt its wort...

Are you comfortable in your life? This is a little different than asking if you’re always happy, or living in some sort of paradise. Comfortable just means you are relatively peaceful and content with your situation. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it can be dangerous in a spiritual sense. Jesus calls us to something more. Mark 16:15 says, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” Of the 200 or so nations in the world today, a good portion of them ...

Today, we’re continuing our series on sharing the gospel, and what we’re covering today is about the Great Commission. Have you heard that term before? Christianity’s great at using terms the general public isn’t familiar with, and sometimes we use terms even we aren’t familiar with as believers. A recent study shows that more than 50% of U.S. churchgoers don’t know what that term Great Commission means. And when asked if they had heard of the Great Commission, half of U.S. churchgoers ...

Have you ever known someone who inherited something of great value from an obscure relative? It happens…maybe in a movie or something. The will is read by an attorney, and all of a sudden, the beneficiary goes from struggling to pay the rent to needing a financial planner. It can be an exciting time, even disorienting. The only downside to receiving a large inheritance is the knowledge that someday it will run out, or you die and can’t take it with you. That’s why the Bible’s revelations abou...

Table salt today is so common, it becomes another thing we take for granted. You go to the store, pick a cylinder or jar of salt off the shelf, and then go home. You don’t even think about it. Now, consider that 1,000 and more years ago, if a person wanted to use salt on his dinner, this required some prior work. A lot of work! The Romans boiled seawater in huge, lead-lined pans. So valuable was salt in the Roman Empire, it was used as currency! Mainly, it was used as a critical food preserva...

Kerusso exists to tell people about the Good News of Jesus Christ, but somehow in our information-jacked world, culture has moved further away from understanding who the most famous person in history really is. Millions of books and articles have been written about a carpenter who lived in the Middle East 2000 years ago, and Jesus has been identified as anything from a desert mystic to God Himself. Historically, He was born into a Jewish family in Judea at the time the Roman Empire cont...

Psychologists and self-help gurus will all tell us that a grateful heart and a positive outlook will do wonders for health and relationships. A person with a heart of gratitude will be seen by others who will want to follow and see what he has going for him. Such a person is a magnet for sharing the Gospel, and the greatest source of wisdom has much to say on the subject. Dozens of times in the Bible, we read about the value of gratitude. Paul mentions it several times, including in the accou...

Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday — it’s an attitude we can choose to fill our hearts with every day. The Bible shares many examples of gratitude in the midst of challenging circumstances. Imagine Mary, a young Galilean girl, given the news that she was to be the mother of the Messiah. She didn’t panic or protest. Instead, she embraced the news and nurtured the One who would bring healing to the whole world. The story in Luke 17 tells us that of the 10 lepers who were healed, only one returne...

The lack of gratitude in our world can be contagious. It’s kind of like a negative “pay it forward.” How did we get to this place? Are we too prideful to thank each other, or even to thank God? Too busy? Too self-absorbed, maybe? As believers, we know life is a rich blessing from God. The clearest path to becoming a person of gratitude is to choose it. If we don’t choose gratitude, we choose ingratitude. Psalm 107:1 says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast lo...

Do you ever feel like life is passing you by, or worse — running right over the top of you? When we focus on unpleasant circumstances or people, life can really bring us down. And this perspective is a downward spiral — not a place we want to dwell. Author John Kralik was there, once. A long hike one day led him to an emotional crossroads; there, he decided to devote the rest of his life to being thankful. His life changed dramatically. John began to write thank you notes to everyone he could...

You’ve heard that every good thing comes from God, right? It’s true. He is our example, both of how to live and how to react to others. This week, we’re talking about practicing gratitude, and as usual, God shows us the way. Psalm 107:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Often, we can become disappointed if we don’t get everything we think we should have. But that’s a dead-end when it comes to true happiness and peace. And those are things that we all r...

Humans have a problem asking for help. We can probably chalk it up to our proud hearts. Often, when we are really up against it, that’s when we resist seeking help. Jesus does away with all that. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Ask yourself: is my pride keeping me from asking for help? If so, mull that over. And then, take a step toward the Lord and ask for what you need. God opens doors when we ask Him to. And ...

You’ve heard of heat-seeking missiles. They are weapons so sophisticated that they appear to have a mind of their own. The missile is launched and finds its target, and destruction happens. What if a heat-seeking missile could be used for good? What if one has been launched…in your direction? Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” If you open your heart to God—even if you aren’t a believer—then it’s as if Jesus i...

The story of the Prodigal Son is one we can all relate to. The Bible tells the story of a brash young man who leaves his home after asking for his inheritance. His loving father complies, and let’s just say the son learns some valuable lessons on his travels. Eventually, he humbles himself and comes home; he needs his father and his family. It is really a story of Jesus and us. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” We...

Have you ever seen the film, “Saving Private Ryan?” If not, it’s about a group of American soldiers sent into enemy territory during World War 2 to find one lost soldier. The order comes from top leadership. This small group has a single focus the whole mission. Eventually—at great cost—they locate him and return him to his loved ones. Much of it is difficult to watch, as we see the incredible sacrifice the many make to find the one. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you...

Have you ever hunted and hunted for something, maybe your car keys, and you finally find them? The old saying goes (it’s very unhelpful!) that you find them in the last place you looked. There’s a lot of truth to that, though. It also is very relevant to our walk with Jesus. Often, we work really hard to solve our own problems, then we finally give in and ask Jesus for help. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” As wi...

Have you ever watched a war movie and realized that the actors didn’t know how the conflict would turn out? World War 2 movies are like that. When they filmed “Casablanca,” Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman weren’t sure whether the Germans would win or lose. Life can be like that. Matthew 28:20 says, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” In your own life, you might be facing some really serious stuff. And it’s not unusual to be staring at several problems at once. Th...

Have you ever been fooled by someone? Doesn’t feel good, does it? But the absolute worst is when we fool ourselves. We try to manage some problem on our own, or analyze a situation gone awry. The Bible has a better way of thinking about it. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” We have to do two things here: give total control to God, and de-emphasize our own judgment. Sometimes our gut is wrong. Following our heart often ends in he...

The Bible is full of what many would call difficult stories. Some of them don’t make a lot of sense at first. Others seem contrary to what we think should happen. One such story is breathtaking if we follow it through. It involves a father trusting God more than his own instincts. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, and not by sight.” In Genesis, we read about Abraham being instructed by the Lord to offer his young son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. As a sacrifice?! Nothing could be more ...

Of all the gifts God gives His children, joy is perhaps the one closest to heaven on earth Who isn’t aware just how wonderful it feels to experience true joy? It is as if the Lord has freed a prisoner. When American POWs returned from captivity in Vietnam, the looks on their faces as they emerged from the planes carrying them to freedom…well, no one will ever forget that! Psalm 16:9 says, “Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.” Scripture tells u...

When trouble is on the horizon, it can be hard to trust in God’s promises, and to believe He has a plan for us. The book of Judges in the Old Testament gives us an awesome example of trusting God in the story of Gideon. God called Gideon to lead Israel into battle with the Midianites, who had a sizable army of 135,000 men. Gideon gathered an army of 32,000 men to battle with the Midianites, but despite odds in favor of the enemy, God told Gideon there were too many men in his army. Through a ...

You know, someone may have tried to convince you at some point in your life that we’re alone in the cold void of the universe, but that has never been true. It’s especially false for the believer who understands what God has done for all people everywhere. He, the Creator of the universe, formed us long ago, and His Word tells us clearly that He never takes a second off in His pursuit of us. Consider this: If you’re stuck in a bad relationship, you won’t find your way into t...

Today, we continue our series on healthy relationships, and we’re talking about managing difficult relationships. There's a wonderful scene in the classic film To Kill a Mockingbird, when the attorney Atticus Finch is confronted by the father of a girl who has accused a black man of rape, the father, enraged walks up to Finch, played perfectly by Gregory Peck. He spits in Finch’s face as the attorneys' children watch. You can see the anger in Finch’s face, but he slowly and calmly...

You’ve heard the joke about family gatherings, haven’t you? If you weren’t related to these people, you’d never see them. What a horrible punchline, really. 1 Corinthians 13:7 says, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” God’s Word has purpose in everything. Everything. He gave you a specific family for specific reasons. It’s super easy to be nice to people we aren’t around very much. Short-term “love” is pretty common. It’s when we get in close qu...

When we walk with God, we want to see that our relationships are healthy. It’s part of the command to love one another Few things are more heartbreaking than damaged relationships. When those linger, the Body of Christ is weakened. Churches split because of it. Families suffer for it. Joshua 22:5 says, “Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” Notice that we are to walk in all His ways. And what ...

When it comes to love, the secular world has plenty to say. Turn on the television, radio, or explore the internet, and you’ll find advice on every type of relationship, from friendships to getting along with your parents, and of course — advice on romantic relationships. People are clamoring to figure love out…but what does the Bible say about love? 1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it...

Jesus, the greatest teacher who ever lived, spent a lot of time giving out wisdom in the form of stories. Once, He told His disciples a story that illustrated the importance of understanding that God never quits us, and we should not quit Him. Luke 18:1 says, “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” That story was about a woman who didn’t give up in her pursuit of justice. Jesus then said that God hears our pleas for what we need, and ...

Have you ever been in such a dark place that you wondered if God cares about you, or if He even exists? Maybe it’s all some cosmic joke, right? We’ve all been there. Humans doubt. We doubt ourselves, we doubt product labels, we doubt our kids. We question everything. But the worst one is trying to figure out where God is in the middle of life’s great difficulties. Sometimes the world is just flat-out mean, and it seems like it’s an entity that’s trying to break you in half. It’s in this very ...

At an address in Columbus, Ohio, in 1900, former slave Booker T. Washington kept the room spellbound. This man, who had built Tuskegee Institute to lift blacks out of economic bondage, was revered around the world. But he said something that surprised more than a few in the audience. He said that one of his main priorities for the Institute was hiring more Bible teachers! Washington, who had been forced to work in an evil system, once felt powerless. Yes, an American president legally freed t...

Bill was a very successful businessman for a lot of years. About 10 years ahead of retirement, he decided to entrust a lot of money to the investment wizardry of Bernie Madoff. And when Madoff’s Ponzi scheme imploded, Bill joined many others who now had to wonder where their money went. And he thought of suicide. For fully two years, he struggled to get out of bed. He felt sapped of energy every waking moment. Then, on a park bench one afternoon, he met Mildred, who shared the Good News...

Are you the kind of person everyone looks at and assumes you are strong and you have it all together? You too, huh? Many of us look fine on the outside, but the human condition is often much different on the inside. Proverbs 31:25 says this of a godly woman: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” As believers, we can laugh in the midst of struggle because God did not make us to have a spirit of fear. He never planned for us to suffer from depression or ...

Our greatest example of kindness and compassion is our Heavenly Father. God’s Word, the Bible, is filled with examples of His loving-kindness, His grace, His mercy, His faithfulness...the Lord’s love for us is infinite and eternal, and His example is what we should strive to embody as we interact and react to the people around us. Lamentations 3:22–23 says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your fa...

How many of us would feed a hungry stranger with the last crust of bread left in the house? The prophet Elijah received a prophecy that the land would suffer a years-long drought, and this message from God had come to pass. The Lord sent him to a ravine east of the Jordan River, where He sent ravens with bread and meat in the morning and in the evening, and Elijah could drink from a brook, but eventually, the brook ran dry because there was no rain in the land. The Lord commanded Elijah, “Go ...

When God asks us to love our neighbor as ourselves, what exactly does He mean? In Luke 10 verses 25–37, Jesus shares the Parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate what it means to love our neighbors the way Jesus loves us. “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So ...

How much can one person take, and still choose to offer kindness. In Genesis Chapter 37, verses 12–36, 17-year-old Joseph is sent by his father to visit his brothers, who were tending the family’s flock of sheep in the countryside. Rather than the friendly check-in he expected, Joseph’s brothers initially plotted to kill him out of jealousy, but instead sold him into slavery to a group of Ishmaelites heading for Egypt. Among the brothers, only Reuben wished to leave Joseph unharmed, attemptin...

Carissa was having one of those days. Instead of hitting the snooze button on her alarm clock, she had turned it off. Now the kids were late for school, she was late for work, and the tone for the day was one mad rush — emphasis on the mad. As the day wore on, she thought about her impatience and frustration with her children as everyone got dressed and grabbed a granola bar on the way out the door. It wasn’t their fault the family was running behind, and she regretted sending them to s...

How many different colors can you name? There are seven colors in the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. As it turns out, the human eye is capable of discerning color to an incredible degree. According to laboratory tests, humans are capable of detecting a total of 10 million colors. That’s a pretty big box of crayons. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for ...

Identifying where our problems originate is one thing, but locating the Divine Healer is key in getting clear of obstacles in our lives. At each mile marker in our life journeys, God is standing alongside the road, smiling at us, and holding out His strong hand to guide us. And from the indispensable wisdom of scripture to stories of human triumphs over tragedies, He is always there reminding us we’re never truly alone. His grace and mercies begin to overshadow and overwhelm those...

We know that a consistent heart of gratitude keeps us in harmony in our relationship with God, but in a practical sense, how do we maintain it, and how can we be intentional? A first clue is the example of Paul. Philippians 4:12–13 says, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I’ve learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Notice that the famous preacher t...

Sudden or even long-term setbacks in our lives can disorient us, impairing our decision-making. Circumstances beyond our control leave us where we can’t focus, and we can’t see what’s behind our difficulties. It’s then that we can’t make good decisions. If we don’t know if our problems are caused by emotional, mental, or physical challenges, we can’t see our way out of the forest. Identifying the source helps us settle into God’s perfect peace, and He’s given us the ability to make good...

It’s been said that in the Fruit of the Spirit list, all of them collectively, practically define the nature of Christ. Even David the Shepherd knew his Messiah was coming. Remember what he said about following his loving God? He said, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life!” We instinctively know what goodness is. It’s a kind touch, a gentle word, a gift that was unexpected. Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of yo...

Celebrated songwriter Fanny Crosby wrote over 9,000 hymns in her lifetime, often writing as many as 6 or 7 songs a day. Despite being blind from infancy, she also played harp, piano, guitar, and other instruments, as well as singing soprano. She wrote the lyrics to many well-known hymns and while she did compose music to accompany a few of her songs, she partnered with many talented composers to write the music that accompanied her words. She used as many as 200 pseudonyms to publish her work...

How would you feel, if you suddenly lost the gifts so many of us take for granted, such as vision, hearing, or the ability to walk? Fanny Crosby was struck blind at just 6 weeks of age, but God had a plan for her. She was raised by her mother and grandmother after her father’s death when she was about 6 months old, and although she grew up poor, she was blessed to attend an excellent school for the blind in New York state, near where the family lived. Fanny enrolled at the New York Inst...

Fanny Crosby was a prolific songwriter and poet born in 1820, and she overcame challenges including blindness and poverty from an early age — but she didn’t allow her disability, or her circumstances, to hold her back. As a Christian, Fanny understood the importance of looking forward. When a preacher once remarked that it was a pity Fanny could not see because she had been given so many other gifts, she responded: “Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would h...

Francis was just 6 weeks old when she became ill in the spring of 1820. The family doctor was out of town, and a charlatan pretending to be a doctor prescribed a treatment that rendered the baby completely blind, although she recovered from the initial illness. A few months later, her father died, and her mother went to work as a maid to support the family. She was raised by her grandmother, a devoted Christian who taught her granddaughter from the Bible. At the age of 8, the little girl wrot...

Who is the author of your story? Is it your parents, or maybe a grandparent or special mentor who had a hand in raising you? Maybe your best friend gets some of the credit, sharing in adventures the two of you recall with laughter every time you’re together. Or perhaps your spouse is a co-author of your personal story, as you make decisions together that honor your partnership, or help your family grow and thrive. Psalm 102:18 says, “Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a pe...

Sharing our faith should be exciting to us. It is exciting. When we consider the free grace God gave us through His Son, telling others about Jesus should be on our priority list every day. For whatever reason, many find it very awkward to talk to others about Jesus. We can talk about just about anything else, though. That’s why it’s crucial that we look at sharing the gospel as an intentional thing we do. Intentionality is a great way to overcome our hesitancy, and let’s be honest, sometimes...

Keeping things simple is usually the best path forward. For Christians, that means following Christ’s lead in everything. This includes sharing and standing up for our faith. The Bible is full of examples of how Jesus did this. Occasionally, He got mad, as when He threw out the moneychangers. Other times, He just quietly sat and taught what His Father had shown Him. This is our model. When you share Christ with someone and that person believes, you have been given the privilege of watching th...

Think of what Jesus was asking of His followers. He had just risen from the dead. That doesn’t happen every day. His ministry had been destroyed, so they thought. He wasn’t coming back. But then He did. Only days after being killed on a brutal Roman cross, Jesus was standing in front of His friends, looking very much alive. And He was telling them their futures were dicey. Mark 16:15 says, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” Jerusalem at the time ...

Table salt today is so common, it becomes another thing we take for granted. You go to the store, pick a cylinder or jar of salt off the shelf, and then go home. You don’t even think about it. Now, consider that 1,000 and more years ago, if a person wanted to use salt on his dinner, this required some prior work. A lot of work! The Romans boiled seawater in huge, lead-lined pans. So valuable was salt in the Roman Empire, it was used as currency! Mainly, it was used as a critical food preserva...

Do you ever feel that you aren’t suited for sharing your faith in Christ? Maybe you’re not comfortable around people. Maybe you’ve encountered some who are hostile to faith. If so, then we are speaking to you about sharing your light in a dark world. Philippians 2:15 says, “Shine...like the stars in the sky.” Have you seen the movie, “The Ten Commandments?” It’s doubtful the real Moses looked and talked like Charlton Heston. And do we really think God looks for His witnesses among peopl...

We think of her as a genteel Southern lady, and she was that, for sure. But Ruth Bell Graham was so much more. While her husband was away so much, preaching to the masses, she was preaching to her own little flock. The result was children who became adults, and in turn, shared the Good News of Jesus with others. Anne Graham Lotz and Franklin Graham didn’t just fall out of the sky! Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” In their little home in the mountains of...

Some of the greatest stories of believers down through time have involved those who really studied God’s Word. These people have gone before us to show us the way. From Charles Spurgeon to a missionary mother in China, daily study of the Word and prayer prepared them to mentor entire generations. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” We also read in Romans 10 that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. We have to do it so that others know ho...

Have you had an experience in your life that has prepared you for helping others? Has life dealt you circumstances that speak to a situation in a younger person’s life? If so, you might be ready to help in such a way that will bring honor and glory to God. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” The apostle Paul suffered much for his faith in Christ. Beyond a dramatic shipwreck, prison, beatings, and hunger were part of his daily routine. Then, God set Timothy...

Do you struggle with being humble, and yielding to God’s will? Most of us do. This extends to accepting an iron-sharpening-iron relationship He has set in our path. Yet the benefits are so good for us. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Make no mistake, God sets people in our path for a reason. That Bible teacher in your church might have words of wisdom for you from her rich and varied life. Be open to that. If you are in fellowship with a mature, older ...

The Bible is full of wonderful analogies. One of the best is found in Proverbs, which paints a picture of godly mentoring and accountability. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” The idea is that as pieces of iron are drawn against the other, each piece becomes sharper. A further application is made in Hebrews 4:12, which talks about Scripture as being a double-edged sword, and it is with His Word that we are to sharpen each other. The goal is mutual accoun...

You know, someone may have tried to convince you at some point in your life that we’re alone in the cold void of the universe, but that has never been true. It’s especially false for the believer who understands what God has done for all people everywhere. He, the Creator of the universe, formed us long ago, and His Word tells us clearly that He never takes a second off in His pursuit of us. Consider this: If you’re stuck in a bad relationship, you won’t find your way into t...

Today, we continue our series on healthy relationships, and we’re talking about managing difficult relationships. There’s a wonderful scene in the classic film To Kill a Mockingbird, when the attorney Atticus Finch is confronted by the father of a girl who has accused a black man of rape. The father, enraged, walks up to Finch—played perfectly by Gregory Peck. He spits in Finch’s face as the attorneys’ children watch. You can see the anger in Finch’s face, but he slowly and calmly...

One of the richest gifts God has given us is healthy relationships. A marriage in balance, friends who mutually respect each other, and most of all a strong “God connection” can be the ticket to a healthy, whole life. The full life that Jesus spoke about! Hebrews 10:24–25 says, “And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another, especially as you see the ...

God’s Word shares powerful wisdom for dealing with harmful relationships. A damaged marriage, child-parent relationship, or friendship gone bad can cause us to spiral downward. Everything is affected. Work, sleep, even our prayer life. When a relationship sours, it’s important to remember we bear responsibility for doing everything possible to nurture healthy relationships. Our prayer life and resolve can go a long way toward repairing the damage. When King David’s advisor, Nathan, saw ...

God created humans with a spirit, soul, and body. And in order for each aspect of our being to function in harmony, our relationships should also be in harmony. From the beginning, God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, talking with them and nurturing a personal relationship with them. In fact, throughout the scriptures, God built foundational relationships, whether it was with the reluctant leader Moses or Hannah, the woman who wanted to be a mother more than anything. Ephesians 4...

Who do you put your faith in? In the 1930s, as war approached in Europe, the British loved their monarchs. The royal family has been beloved for generations, and King Edward the 8th was ready to take his place on the throne after the death of his father. The people loved the dashing young king, and he seemed to enjoy his role. Then he fell in love. Falling in love isn’t a bad thing, even for kings, but Edward loved an American woman who was divorced. In royal society, that just wasn’t done. S...

If Genesis describes the beginnings of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the book of Revelation finishes the story. Revelation 19 tells us that a descendant of Judah, Jacob’s son, will one day come and rule the whole world. And He will be unlike any other king in history. 1 Timothy 1:17, “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.” This verse tells us that the role of the greatest of all kings belongs to Christ alon...

In the Bible, we read of family records that were the original genealogy sources! People knew where they came from, knew their kin. The 12 tribes of Israel were first outlined in Genesis, and from these 12 came an entire nation. Even Jesus came from somewhere! One of the Bible’s patriarchs, Jacob, had a son named Judah. The father calls the son a lion’s cub, and blesses him. Judah is told he will have favor in the family. 1 Timothy 1:17, All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the ...

Have you ever heard of the legendary English king, Arthur? An iconic figure in history, he led a defense of his country against Saxon invaders around 1,500 years ago. He has also been immortalized in literature. Only one problem: we don’t know if he actually existed. We certainly don’t know where he’s buried. And it’s a sure thing that King Arthur, if he lived, wasn’t history’s greatest ruler. 1 Timothy 1:17, “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one...

Do you know who Jesus is? Do you really understand His identity? We know from the Bible that He is many things: a child, a carpenter, a leader of men. We know that He is our Savior, the One who went to the cross to take on our sin. He is also our King. 1 Timothy 1:17, “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.” In this letter to his young friend, Paul emphasized to Timothy that Jesus has dominion over everything ...

In the dark days of mid-20th-century Europe, a lone German decided to make political waves. His choices put his own life in grave danger. Oskar Schindler was a businessman with factories in countries occupied by the Nazis. Jews everywhere were being shipped like cattle to extermination camps. Some of Schindler’s employees were in danger. What did he do? He saved over a thousand of them by keeping their names on a list of employees necessary to conduct business. By war’s end, he had spent his ...

As a believer, have you noticed that it’s often easier to stay in God’s will when you’re at home? At work, it can get a little dicey. It’s at work that people see us, and our decisions can have such impact. Not being in God’s will in that setting can be catastrophic. Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Terry Looper is the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company. Once, he was negotiating a sale and was at the finish line when he realized he hadn’t sought God’s will i...

It’s no accident that Jesus chose as some of His apostles a group of fishermen from Galilee. These were men who could understand Him when Jesus told them He would make them “fishers of men.” He meant, of course, that they would share the Good News about Him with everyone they came in contact with. And that’s exactly what each of them did, for the rest of their lives! John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Fishing req...

Have you ever visited a construction site, or maybe lived near one? A construction site is a unique kind of mess. Dirt and mud mingle with piles of wood, shingles, and other building materials. Utility flags poke up from the ground like man-made weeds. Trampled grass and dirty sidewalks give further evidence of the work at hand. Eventually, what began as an empty field will grow into something more: a business, a medical facility, or a home. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have ...

Scores of people today, even in many of our churches, walk around aimless. They work their jobs and take care of their families, but they struggle to understand what it is that God wants them to do. He’s told us! As with every other situation, His Word speaks directly to our circumstances. Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” The Lord requires of us that we have the ...

It’s been said that grace is simply favor from God, and we didn’t do anything to earn it. Often, grace comes when we need it the most. The word grace is used about 170 times in the Bible. Most of those occur in the New Testament as the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ unfolds. His sacrifice for all of us, dying on the cross for our sins, was the backdrop for a lot of other moments in grace He gave to those He came in contact with. Jesus perfectly understood that there’s a lot of sufferi...

Jane was the last child to receive a handmade blanket from her great grandmother. Pink and blue, festooned with angels and sprinkled with stars that sparkled in the light, the much-loved blanket was the little girl’s constant companion. This childhood treasure became even more important when Gramma Ann passed away — a reminder of her love for her family, and her faith in God. Jane’s blanket kept her warm in sickness and in health, but the washing machine proved its eventual undoing. One day, ...

Theresa Rosenthal had a rough start in life. She watched her father abuse her mother, and then when she was six, a family friend sexually abused her. Like so many that suffered at the hands of a predator, Theresa pushed the pain down into a secret place, and for decades, she battled with depression and substance abuse. Finally, one day she was sitting in front of her house and just blurted out to God, “What am I supposed to do?” Within 24 hours, she had a Bible from a new friend who reached o...

“Mom—I broke something! I’m so sorry!” Benjamin had slipped on the wet bathroom floor and managed to take down the shower curtain and curtain rod in one fell swoop. His mom’s concern wasn’t the state of the shower curtain, but whether the broken something was an arm or leg. Thankfully, her son wasn’t hurt, and fixing the curtain was a lot easier than mending a broken bone. A reassuring hug from Mom was all the boy needed to mend his hurt pride. None of us are perfect, whether we’re 8 years ol...

Have you ever thought much about grace? We hear the word, but the concept itself might be a little elusive. That might be because it’s hard for humans to understand and embrace. Grace means simply that someone gives you something with no strings attached. Just for your good. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” The Bible tells a simple story, really. Mankind sinned and brought evil into the world. G...

Have you ever known someone who inherited something of great value from an obscure relative? It happens The will is read by an attorney and all of a sudden, the beneficiary goes from struggling to pay the rent to needing a financial planner. It can be an exciting time, even disorienting. The only downside to receiving a large inheritance is the knowledge that someday it will run out, or you die and can’t take it with you. That’s why the Bible’s revelations about eternal riches are so much mor...

No one is immune from burnout. It comes in our jobs, friendships, and even our church life. Sometimes our hobbies become dry and tedious But in Scripture, God gives us hope for the future. John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Jesus is telling us that in Him alone is true life. He is always pointing us to the future, to a time when that dry creek bed will be filled forever. In Revelation 22, He showed John a ...

Jesus has great compassion for everyone. Especially for those society considers unlovable or worth nothing. One day, He stopped by a well and had a conversation with a woman who had been married five times. When He spoke to her, He knew she was now living with another man. Yet Jesus spoke to her in a way that let her know He valued her as a person. He told her that people could drink the water from that well, but again, they would eventually be thirsty. He said to her that the water He gives ...

Researchers have long known that even when exploring new worlds, water is the key to life. Without it, nothing can live. Water is an image used often in Scripture. When Jesus emerged from the River Jordan having been baptized by his cousin, John, He used the imagery to help people understand that by trusting in Him, they would live forever. John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Did you catch that? You must believe t...

It’s no accident that Jesus chose as some of His apostles a group of fishermen from Galilee. These were men who could understand Him when Jesus told them He would make them “fishers of men.” He meant, of course, that they would share the Good News about Him with everyone they came in contact with. That’s exactly what each of them did for the rest of their lives! John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Fishing requires...

Only a person who is willfully blind could deny that miracles happen today. They didn’t end at the shore of the Red Sea. Malachi 3:6 says, “I the Lord do not change.” From this, we can logically see that the Bible’s powerful and majestic miracles didn’t stop in the first century. They’re still happening. God didn’t suspend the love He dispenses in the form of miracles. Taylor McCaffrey was an alcoholic as a teenager. He was also a preacher’s kid, and these combined to weigh him do...

A political science major at a major university was having coffee with a campus pastor. The pastor knew that the student was wrestling with doubt about the existence of God and said to him, “John, you know all of us wonder at some point if it’s all real or not. For example, there are quite a few stories in the Bible that are just hard to believe. Jonah and the whale and all that.” John smiled and said, “No, that’s not my problem. What I wonder about is how God could care about me. I’ve done s...

Have you ever gotten so tired of life that you wished you could disappear and start over somewhere else? Ever wish that fantasy would just pull you out of your circumstances? They make movies about things like that, but it’s not real. John 14:2,3 says, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be a...

Part of God’s unchanging nature is that He is sovereign and does things His way. In Isaiah 55, we read that God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. In other words, He’s infinitely more powerful than we are, especially when it comes to perspective. We read in the Old Testament that sometimes other nations mocked the Israelites when they were exiled from their homeland. Really, they were mocking God because it was said that maybe He couldn’t keep His promises....

Do you need a miracle? If we’re honest and open to the truth, miracles have always been a part of our world. In the beginning, God made a dazzling world full of diversity, beautiful animals, gorgeous sunsets, streams of water. He also made us to enjoy it all, and to keep it for Him. But just like the entrance of sin into our world which marred the original beauty, we sometimes get weighed down with worry and cares of life. We look up one day and the drudgery of our days overwhelms...

Congregations of faith all around the world use the word amen. Although many people use it in the right context, not everyone knows what this word means. “Amen” is an ancient Hebrew word, and Scripture uses this word in three primary ways: · At the beginning of a sermon or important statement, the word “amen” often means “verily,” or “truly.” · The Old Testament uses the word “amen” to describe God’s character as true and faithful. · ...

Joshua was called by God to lead the 12 tribes of Israel after the death of Moses. Those were pretty big shoes to fill, and the Lord chose Joshua because he was faithful. Joshua knew when he called on God in times of trouble, He would answer. In one powerful example, Joshua asked God to cause the moon and the sun to stand still so that he and his army could continue fighting a difficult battle by daylight. Joshua 10:12–13 says, “On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua sai...

Hannah, one of the two wives of Elkanah, was unable to have children. A woman in Old Testament times who could not bear children was viewed as cursed by God. Not only was infertility heartbreaking for her as a woman and wife, but Hannah would have been looked down upon by her community for her inability to bear a child. Many of us can sympathize with Hannah. She longed to be a mother, and she was a daily witness to the children of her husband’s other wife. But Hannah didn’t give in to despair...

Who are you, exactly, that God should know your name, or care to know your story? Have you ever wondered about the answer to that big question? In the great scheme of things, we sometimes feel like ants in an anthill: nameless drones, fetching and carrying, an unremarkable face among the masses. We are so much more than that to the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says simply, “Pray continually.” Written as a letter to early Christians by the Apostle Paul, this encouraging note doesn’t specify that...

Have you ever felt like you’ve just plain run out of juice? The book you’ve been reading seems pointless halfway through. That new sofa or lawnmower or set of wheels was pretty exciting last month, but now you’re not sure what the big deal was. Even your relationships feel lackluster. Human beings aren’t like cell phones or toy robots. We can’t rev up with a fresh set of batteries...we need other, more meaningful fuel to refill our tanks, and the energy we seek can’t be found at any store. 1 ...

If we’re honest and open to the truth, miracles have always been a part of our world. In the beginning, God made a dazzling world full of diversity—beautiful animals, gorgeous sunsets, streams of water. He also made us to enjoy it all, and to keep it for Him. But just like the entrance of sin into our world, which marred the original beauty, we sometimes get weighed down with worry and cares of life. We look up one day and the drudgery of our days overwhelms us. The supernatural seems far awa...

When Hurricane Katrina rolled through, the spinning white satellite image on TV screens actually looked evil. For residents of New Orleans, waiting for that hurricane that’s exactly what it felt like. Thousands of people were affected by the brutal storm that poured in from the Gulf. In many ways, the city still hasn’t recovered. But in the chaos, God was there. For more than 20 years, water pump operator Rufus Burkhalter and Bobby Brown had worked at pumping station number 6 along the 17th S...

In the Tom Hanks film “Castaway,” the main character, Chuck, finds himself in the ultimate terrifying situation. Chuck’s plane goes down in the ocean, and he finds himself stranded on a very deserted island. Years pass. Chuck’s family and friends long ago gave up on him, and why not? No one could have known he was sitting on a remote pile of sand in the Pacific Ocean. He learns to survive, but then reflects on the future. What happens if he gets sick? What happens if he’s injured? Staying put...

Hurricane Dorian caused a lot of anxiety and destruction. Many of us worried about the East Coast of our own country, but the Bahamas were hit really hard, with the storm basically stationary for many hours. Residents there hunkered down and sought higher ground, wondering when the onslaught would end, and the storm would pass. The physical damage left by the lengthy storm was devastating. When the winds of life blow fiercely, rain pours down, and the water rises, it is tempting t...

Have you ever gotten tired of treading water? Martha is a 20-something-old lifeguard in Los Angeles. Besides dealing with deck chairs purposely thrown into the water and parents asking her to babysit poolside, she’s noticed another aspect of the job that really tugs at your heart. “Kids pretend to drown in the pool so that I will pay attention to them.” Wow. Think about that. At a young age, humans need to be nurtured and cared for. They want to be loved. So, a young lifeguard becomes their e...

Have you ever wondered what your place in this world is? Of course, you have. That’s the human experience. Alone with our thoughts, we wonder who we even are, and what we are meant to do. It’s a mysterious journey, but the fog lifts and the way becomes clear when we get to know King Jesus. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” You were made for something! You were made to do ...

Sometimes life can be overwhelming. I think we can all agree about that. A huge wave of despair can seemingly come out of nowhere, and push us toward disaster. Anita’s life was like that, growing up in Hong Kong where revolutionary movements brought violence and loss of hope. She couldn’t see how the pieces of her life could be put together. She would ask herself, “How do you make peace with a potential that is frustrated?” Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply all your needs accord...

Have you ever noticed how much we love ritual and form as part of religion? We become so good at it, so obsessed with it, that we lose sight of the essence of what it means to be a Christian. To know God. That is the primary purpose of our journey, and it will be the end of our journey. It is so foundational to who we are as humans that even the great Moses basically begged God to let him see Him. So close were they that according to Jewish tradition, when Moses died, God drew his spirit from...

The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is widely looked upon as the most famous painting in the world. By some historical estimates, the Mona Lisa took as many as 16 years to finish! Capturing Mona Lisa’s famous smile on a poplar plank was no hack job; Leonardo accepted a commission for the work in the year 1503, and completed his masterpiece supposedly around the time of his death in 1519. Clearly, this level of artistic achievement takes time. When you hear the word “masterpiece,” what do you t...

Do you struggle to wonder what God’s will is for your life? Many of us do. Although it isn’t a quick answer, the best way to find God’s will for your life is to read His Word. The Bible will tell you the answer to that question. Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Actually, finding God’s will isn’t the hardest part. Deciding to follow His will is where we get tripped up. People need the skill and the discipline of being persistent. Too often, the impulse is to giv...

We live in a broken world, and humanity is the most broken and imperfect of all God’s creation. The world has a permanent OUT OF ORDER sign on it, and as a result, most of us are looking for answers to our questions and solutions to our problems in all the wrong places. We place our trust in ourselves, in shallow standards of beauty, in money, and in our relationships with other people, hoping for meaning and completion we will never find in these sources. We are lost people, following false ...

Family is a wonderful thing, and these relationships do so much to enrich our lives, but family makes a lousy god. People sometimes think...if only my relationship was better with my dad, or if only I found a husband or wife, or if only we had kids — then life would be complete. A picture-perfect family is a blessing, indeed, but this is not where God wants us to seek meaning in our lives. Family relationships are complicated, and since we’re talking about people, not God, we are sure to be d...

What are you worth? This is an ugly question you’d never ask in polite company, although you may be curious about the answer. “The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money.” This anonymous quote serves us well in our discussion of what happens when we choose to follow dollar bills, instead of the Lord. When we judge each other, and ourselves, by the value of our bank accounts, the size of our homes, or the luxury of the things we accumulate, we are cho...

Annual cosmetic industry sales in the United States are about $89.5 billion dollars. That’s nearly 90 billion, with a B, spent on makeup and personal care items including skincare, haircare, perfumes, toiletries, deodorants, and oral cosmetics. For perspective, of 148 nations tracked in 2019 by TheGlobalEconomy.com, 126 of them had annual national expenditures of less than 90 billion dollars, including Israel, Switzerland, and South Africa. We spend more in this country on lotions, potions, a...

Baal. Molech. Ashtoreth. Chemosh. Artemis. These names may not ring a bell for you, but back in biblical times, these false gods and others were known as competitors for devotion alongside our one true God — the God of Israel. If you aren’t a modern-day Bible scholar or a student of ancient history, these false gods may not be familiar, but make no mistake — just because we don’t use these same names for false gods today, doesn’t mean our culture doesn’t have any. We definitely do! Joshua 24:...

Have you ever paused and thought about how rarely people see you for who you are? Have you ever done something that you feel is almost unforgivable? You need to know that is not the way God wants you to feel. Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a pure heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Some of the most famous people in history were very unrighteous at times. King David, described as a man after God’s own heart—he was loved that much—did dreadful things. Guess what, though? ...

John Kralik was in a bad place. The LA attorney was generally miserable…divorced again, broke, and living in a dingy apartment with no air conditioning. He was also struggling to pay his employees because clients wouldn’t pay him. Not exactly glamorous, but then John did an amazing thing. He decided he would concentrate on things to be grateful for, and follow that up with writing a thank you note every day for an entire year. Over time, and not too slowly actually, John’s life began to impro...

With the tech boom has come concerns that we are constantly under surveillance, or being watched. And maybe that’s not all a conspiracy theory. But no one in the world knows everything about us. There is still some privacy, some places we can go away from prying eyes. Except… Psalm 69:5 says, “O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.” We know that we serve the One True God, the One that made everything we see. Part of His infinite knowledge is every single thi...

It’s almost universally believed that tech guru Steve Jobs floated into mega success with Apple, the company he co-founded with Steve Wozniak. Job’s first go-around at Apple didn’t end well in 1985, when he was forced out. His next effort wasn’t a home run either, yet Jobs put his head down like a fullback and plowed ahead. Next up for him was founding Pixar and finally, more than a decade after his humiliating exit from Apple, Jobs returned there as CEO and revolutionized the way people inte...

Honestly…sometimes, as Christians, we think things are going to be easy. After all, when Jesus saves you, it doesn’t get any better than that! The joy we feel is genuine, and lasting. But—that doesn’t mean we escape this world. Bad things can and do happen. This week, we’re talking about having enough grit to get to the glory. Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope...

Do you ever stop and think about the routine things you do every day? Buying detergent so you can wash your family’s clothes. Fixing a couple of boards on your deck. We even grind through staff meetings at work. All of this, of course, mixed with life, laughter, and love. But do you think about why you can do these things in our country? Primarily, it’s because of the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers—those men and women who have defended the homeland since Colonial times. Joshua 1:9 commands...

From earliest times, God commanded His people to see their national home through His holy eyes. In other words, countries around the world are to follow the Lord. Of course, many don’t. Jeremiah 30:22 says, “So you will be my people, and I will be your God.” Many great civilizations have risen, but few last beyond a couple hundred years. Although history is debated, the foundations of America see a people who wanted to live holy unto the Lord. Modern America is still an ongoing experiment, bu...

We, as Americans, tend to relish our history—and most countries do. Famous eras and the glory of battle and all that. Americans love the beautiful land that we’ve been blessed with, as well. The Bible tells us the true source of our blessings. It points us to the One who made all things possible. Psalm 115:1 tells us, “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” We are incredibly blessed in America for a lot of reasons. From sufficient fo...

Today in America, two million men and women serve in our armed forces. More than 200,000 of them are deployed to various points around the world. Joshua 1:9 reminds us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” The Lord has told us directly not to be afraid. We aren’t even to be discouraged! He’s told us through His promises that He’ll be with us every step of the way. If we stop and t...

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be one of the original settlers in America? As a person leaving the safety of England to come to the New World and start over? Those people came here for religious freedom and risked it all. When they landed in New England, they literally put down roots as they built and planted the beginnings of an amazing experiment that is still ongoing. Colossians 2:6–7 says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your l...

Identifying where our problems originate is one thing, but locating the Divine Healer is key in getting clear of obstacles in our lives. At each mile marker in our life journeys, God is standing alongside the road, smiling at us, and holding out His strong hand to guide us. And from the indispensable wisdom of scripture to stories of human triumphs over tragedies, He is always there reminding us we’re never truly alone. His grace and mercies begin to overshadow and overwhelm those...

When fear takes control, God just crushes it. None of us are immune from feeling unsettled at times. Circumstances have a way of knocking us off balance. How we respond not only affects our lives, but those who are watching us. In the film “The Patriot,” a Colonial militia leader sees the British kidnap his son. Taking the two younger sons with him, they wait in ambush in the forest. One of the sons is rattled and crying, so the father puts his hands on the boy’s shoulders, looks him in the e...

No one is truly alone. Some people have many relatives and friends, others just a few. Occasionally, someone will have no real friends or family, but all of us interact with humans, and that over time has proven to be dicey. The health of our relationships is one of the biggest factors in how we function each day. Turmoil and chaos at home or work, or both, puts us in emotional quicksand. On the other hand, healthy relationships in our lives improve our overall health and make us ...

A really cool thing about God is that He has a solution for literally every situation, and that includes mental health. We see this especially in the ministry of Jesus, who walked the land healing people of all sorts of terrible things. One day, He encountered a man driven insane by demons. Mark 5:15 says, “They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had the ‘legion’; and they became frightened.” The ...

Usually, when we’re looking for some kind of emotional lifeline to get us through the day, we only want to know what God can do for us. How do we get that peace of mind we desperately need? One component is simple obedience. At first, this sounds like a test that’s too hard. We need relief right now! Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing an...

Have you ever hunted and hunted for something—maybe your car keys, and you finally find them? The old saying goes (and it’s very unhelpful!) that you find them in the last place you look. There’s a lot of truth to that. It also is very relevant to our walk with Jesus. Often, we work really hard to solve our own problems, then we give in and ask Jesus for help. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” As with every other ...

The Bible tells us that King Solomon was a very wise man. He ruled over his kingdom from Jerusalem, and built the famous Temple there. He was also very human. This son of King David eventually let his wealth and power go to his head, and he began to follow other religions and almost seemed to enjoy sinning. And yet God loved him. In his later years, Solomon realized how wrong he had been to rely on his own strength. And so scholars believe that’s where the book of Proverbs was bor...

Do you feel like you’re falling apart today? It’s okay to say yes. Life is life, and we all have obstacles to overcome. Maybe your issue is ongoing, or maybe it’s a sudden thing. But please think of it this way: Jesus is alive and He knows who you are—and He cares about you and your problems. Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Jesus is not caught off-guard by problems in your life and most importantly, He truly cares for you and is able to he...

Do you find it hard to trust some people? Do you find it hard to trust anyone? Our society is full to the brim of people who have been hurt, wounded, and devastated. It puts up a wall and we live behind it in silence and fear. After the fall of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, the people of that captive country were free for the first time to tell their stories. One woman said that she had been driven nearly insane by the dictator’s torture chambers, but when he was gone, someone shared the love of Ch...

There is a common metaphor of life being like a road, and with good reason. We are in essence walking a path in life, from beginning to end. For each person, the journey is at different times joyous, grueling, and full of wonder. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, not by sight.” This week we’re talking about walking by faith, something us as humans find difficult to do—especially when times get tough. Yet that is exactly the moment God uses to ignite our faith, and show us things ...

Noah was far from perfect, but he was a humble man, and protective of his family. He stands out among fathers in the Bible as a man who remained loyal to God, in spite of the wickedness of the world around him. Doesn’t that sound a lot like life today? Fathers who choose to follow a life of faith are surrounded by temptation and downright evil in this world, but God is pleased by our devotion, and He has a plan for each of us — even when circumstances are frustrating or difficult. Genes...

Moses was the father of two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, and he also served as a father figure to the entire Hebrew people as they escaped from slavery in Egypt. He loved his people, and helped discipline and provide for them on their 40-year journey to the Promised Land. Imagine leading a frustrated, tired, hungry group of travelers through the desert—without air conditioning or handheld electronics—for four decades! So many aspects of Moses’ life story seem larger-than-life, and he was indeed...

Picture what it would be like to lose everything in one fell swoop. Your house burns to the ground. The stock market plummets, and all your money is gone. Worst of all, your children fall ill and die. Suddenly, you’ve lost not only your material possessions but your family, too. When people refer to someone as having “the patience of Job,” they say that for a reason. Job was a man of immense wealth, the richest man in the region, and was the father of seven sons and three daughters he loved d...

Adam, a first-time father, looked down at his newborn son with love. Adam and his wife had made mistakes in the past and suffered greatly for it, but this child, their firstborn, was a chance to start fresh. The new family didn’t have the support of friends or relatives, but they did their best, and figured it out as they went along. When the family was blessed with another son a few years later, they were so grateful to the Lord, and excited to watch their boys grow and play together. The fa...

The story of the Prodigal Son is one we can all relate to. The Bible tells the story of a brash young man who leaves his home after asking for his inheritance. His loving father complies, and let’s just say the son learns some valuable lessons on his travels. Eventually, he humbles himself and comes home; he needs his father and his family. It is really a story of Jesus and us. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” We...

A lot of us like action movies. And if they have a faith theme or element, even better. The iconic film “Raiders of the Lost Ark” comes to mind. In fact, the wild ride taken by Indiana Jones really typifies what we’re talking about this week: finding the grit to move beyond failure. As he pursues the famous Ark of the Covenant, Jones chases and fights Nazis, and his own doubts. Along the way, his physical and mental stamina are challenged like never before. Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only ...

Have you ever recorded minutes for a meeting? Whether you were taking notes at work or for a volunteer organization, such as the PTA at your child’s school, taking minutes and reporting on them at a follow-up meeting is an important responsibility. What ideas were discussed? How were those ideas followed up on? Who, including yourself, agreed to complete certain tasks before the next meeting? And were those tasks completed on time, and correctly? Recording minutes looks pretty mundane f...

Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ means that we don’t just sit in our houses and shut away the world. Scripture is an action item. Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” If the Bible is true—if God’s story intersects with our story—then a hurting world is in need of a Savior. The pain many are enduring will have no end until they meet the God-Man, Jesus. He is our healer, and His glory fills the earth. We all have different per...

We “love” all sorts of things. We love a friend’s new hairdo. We love pistachio ice cream and travel to exotic places. Many times, the word itself loses all real meaning. It’s like homemade chicken soup without the chicken…and without the soup. 1 John 3:16–18 says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can t...

As humans, we compartmentalize things. It’s in our nature to make lists, and rank priorities, and really box certain things in. We’ve got our work-life over here, and our family life over there, and our faith...somewhere else. And this can often lead us to confusion about which direction we’re supposed to go. This confusion even extends to our faith. We wonder: when am I supposed to pray, and when am I supposed to take action on my faith? Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times: ...

Humans tend to see the world from a me-me-me perspective: What can I get out of this situation? How can I benefit from this? It’s the same with being thankful. Not that we shouldn’t focus on all that God does for us. That’s important—even critical. But when you think about it, who should benefit most from our gratitude? The answer is: others. When we thank others and recognize the effort they took to do something for us, we should train ourselves to understand how it impacts them, not us. Tha...

Today’s message is really about taking the long view. The human attention span is short, like really, really short. Between the world wars, Winston Churchill warned Europe that Hitler was a threat to the continent at least, but people ignored him. And then when the Nazis turned violent, the people turned to Churchill as their prime minister. Having led the country through another costly war to preserve freedom, Churchill was defeated for reelection in the last days of World War II...

There is a famous story in the book of John and it involves an act of amazing grace by Jesus. It changed one man’s life forever. As we discuss walking by faith this week, make sure these stories find their way deep into your memory. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, and not by sight.” In our story, Jesus meets a man blind from birth. He tells His disciples that, incredibly, the man will be the catalyst for God’s glory to be displayed to all who know him. Jesus then puts mud on hi...

You’ve probably heard of the Ingalls family, or even met some of the clan through the Little House on the Prairie TV series, or beloved children’s books about pioneer life in the 1860s by author Laura Ingalls Wilder. The story of the Ingalls family is inspiring, whether you watch it or read it. The fun and camaraderie shared by Charles, Caroline, Mary, Laura, and little Carrie is heartwarming, and makes many of us yearn for simpler times—before technology and the hurried expectations of moder...

Most of us feel a deep respect in our hearts for those who have sacrificed so that we can remain free. Loving those who have paid the ultimate price is just something we do as people. We pause to remember each year. Isaiah 56:5 says, “To them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever.” God instituted the concept of maintaining memorials. He remembers, and so do we. Maybe you’ve...

When we think of bravery and self-sacrifice, we usually think of heroic acts during war. We focus on famous battles and epic outcomes. As we consider what it means to sacrifice for others, it’s fitting that we spotlight a woman who gave up much to save many. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Florence Nightingale was born into a rich family and lived in Tuscany. Not exactly a training ground for self-sacrifice! Florence, though, mad...

Most countries relish their histories…famous eras and the glory of battle and all that. Americans love this beautiful land, as well. But the Bible tells us the true source of our blessings. It points us to the One who made all things possible. Psalm 115:1 tells us, “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” We are incredibly blessed in America for a lot of reasons. From sufficient food to freedom to make our own choices, we have so much...

During the Civil War, Southern states relied on salt perhaps even more than their Northern counterparts. The commodity preserved various foods—such as fish—and allowed more people to eat and even keep food supplied for a rainy day. As the Union troops began capturing Confederate saltworks, the food supplies there literally began drying up. It was one of the things that led to the end of the war, as food supplies literally not only lost their taste, but their preservative qualities. Things got...

Matt Axelson was a smiling, sandy-haired native of California. In 2000, he entered the Army and became a Navy SEAL. Then 9/11 happened. In the sweltering summer heat of Afghanistan in 2005, Axelson’s team was told to capture a senior member of the Taliban. Unfortunately, the team was betrayed by locals sympathetic to the Taliban, and the SEALs found themselves surrounded by upwards of 100 enemy fighters. During a fierce firefight, Axelson was hit in the head and chest, but continued fighting ...

America has always acknowledged God. Sometimes, though, our devotion to faith comes and goes. Sometimes we get too comfortable, and forget who keeps us upright every day. Psalm 115:1 tells us, “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Whenever a person questions God’s goodness, or the path He has set for us, it’s good to go to the Bible. There, we find the answer to why we should honor our Lord. It’s because He has loved us. He has bee...

There is a movement in our society for a return to simple living. We might not want to give up all of our technology—much of it is wonderful and helpful. But it is true we want to quiet our minds and find some peace. This week, we are talking about the simplest, sweetest truth around: Jesus Saves. With that knowledge in hand, we can all find peace that the Bible says is from another world. Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” It seems we are mo...

A common theme today is that people are just bone-tired of chaos, both public and private. It’s exhausting sometimes dealing with bad relationships. Global problems are with us every day. We wonder when it will end. There is Good News for you, though. Literally Good News. 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” This is a message to us that we don’t have to win the war ourselves. We don’t have to wi...

Tribes usually think a lot of themselves, exclusive groups are sometimes arrogant. Even whole nations can be this way. In the 19th century, several European countries felt they were the descendants of the first people in the world. With religion, this can be infinitely worse with Christianity. Critics often say the exclusive nature of it is just unfair. They cite the Christian view that the only way to be reconciled to God is through Jesus Christ, and say that’s degrading to people of ...

Have you ever hunted and hunted for something, maybe your car keys, and you finally find them? The old saying goes (it’s very unhelpful!) that you find them in the last place you looked. There’s a lot of truth to that, though. It also is very relevant to our walk with Jesus. Often we work really hard to solve our own problems, then we finally give in and ask Jesus for help. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” As wit...

Humans have limited understanding of our world and the world beyond; not that we’re unintelligent—far from it. The Bible makes it clear that God gave man a sound mind, and from the beginning, people were capable of accomplishing amazing things. The construction of the great pyramids, modern scientific advances, and our knowledge of the cosmos is a testament to how much humans can know and achieve. We’re even capable of presenting truth in various ways through art, teaching, and moral agendas,...

Hers is the greatest motherhood story of all time. You know who she is: Mary! Her story has been told many times, but how grateful we are that it’s recorded in Scripture. Whatever God’s reasons for choosing this particular woman to give birth to Jesus, we know that she must have loved the Lord with all her heart. And just think how her head and heart must have been spinning when the angel visited her and told her the special job God was going to give her! Luke 1:46–48 says, “And Mary sa...

Discovered in East Asia by British mineralogist Arthur Pain, the so-called “Painite” gemstone can be found in several colors, and the various hues seen as light hits them give an uncommon view. Incredibly, only 25 such stones exist today, and the value per gram works out to $9,000! Despite the fact that many people have never heard of it, Painite is the rarest of rare jewels. And for the longest time, only two had been found in the entire world. That kind of rarity stands out in a crowd...

She’s not very well known, even though she’s in the Bible. But Jochebed…who’s heard of her? Go ahead, raise your hands. This great woman deserves a bigger story in our culture, because she modeled what it means to act with bravery, and to value all life. Exodus 2:3 says, “But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.” Jochebed, you see, was the mot...

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be close to Jesus when He was on the earth? It would have been amazing to be in His inner circle. We know of a remarkable woman, a family member, who would have been able to be around to watch that most amazing life unfold. Her name was Elizabeth. She was the aunt of Jesus, and she was also a mother, and this week we’re talking about extraordinary mothers. We read in Luke that everyone thought that the time for Elizabeth to become a mothe...

If you’ve ever been fortunate enough to hold a newborn, you know what it’s like to be thunderstruck by the delicate features. Everything is miniature. And then the eyes open…you’re in love. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” A baby is a blessing and a gift from the Lord. All life is precious; it doesn’t matter if the parents are famous or completely unknown and obscure. In that warm bundle is a whole lifetime waiting to unfold. Will he be adventurous? Will she ru...

When Isaiah the prophet wrote, the birth of Jesus was still almost 800 years away. Yet there is good reason to believe key parts of the book of Isaiah are pointing to the coming Savior. Near the end of the book, we see this clearly. Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” It’s reasonable to believe that this has dual meanings. One, the prophecy speaks of the wise men from the East seeing the star in the sky. And then, traveled to se...

Are you like a lot of people when it comes to the instruction booklet with a new item? We stare at it and eventually just toss it, guessing we can just figure it out. Yeah…that usually ends like dropping a carton of eggs. The Bible is there for a reason. God’s Word is healing and light and a guide for each of us. That’s why it’s important to read it, and meditate on the words. To the church at Philippi, Paul gave instruction from God, such as putting others before ourselves. Then the payoff. ...

As followers of Jesus, we are meant to be witnesses. And Christ’s majesty and power are meant to blanket our world. He is intimately aware of you, and where you are in life. Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” When we trust Christ—when we believe the Gospel—we’re called to get in the game. If you’ve been changed, and if you believe that, sitting on such Good News doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, does it? Are you guilty of fail...

One of the best benefits about flying at night is to look out the window and see all those lights against the black backdrop. The lights signal that a city or town is down there—a place where families live. Our spiritual lives are the same way. This world has its share of darkness, but God looks down and sees His lights. He sees the good that says, “Love lives here.” Matthew 5:14 says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”&n...

Don’t you love the nuances and uniqueness God put into this world? He created harmony and balance everywhere, including our individual “best time of the day” to be creative and productive. Some of us are up with the chickens, as they used to say. Others burn a candle late into the night. Whatever time is your time to connect in positive ways, God made you for His purpose. Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” Embrace your un...

Have you ever been the new kid at school, or the latest hire at work? Maybe you’ve been first-time visitors at church after a big move, or the newest neighbors on the block. Being the new guy or gal may be a little nerve-wracking, but it’s also an opportunity to reinvent yourself. It’s a chance to cultivate new habits, and build a great reputation without the baggage of your old life weighing you down. When we accept Jesus into our heart, we receive a new life. It’s a life that’s filled...

Do you know someone with a true boldness and eagerness to share Christ? Maybe you’re that person. If so, great! Your boldness is seen by God, and it pleases Him. Sometimes though, it can be frustrating, honestly. If it seems like not enough people are really getting it, or the message isn’t clicking. We want to see everyone find new life in Jesus! When we think about sharing the Good News, it’s important to remember that God is responsible for the harvest. We just have to be willi...

No one is immune from burnout. It comes in our jobs, friendships, and even in our church life. Sometimes, even our hobbies become dry and tedious! But in Scripture, God gives us hope for the future. John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Jesus is telling us that in Him alone is true life. He is always pointing us to the future, to a time when that dry creek bed will be filled forever. In Revelation 22, He showe...

Who, or what, are you living for? It’s a big question. You might be considering your spouse or children. Maybe your career is a high priority. If you are an artist, writer, or musician, you might feel you live for the pursuit of creativity. Today, we want to remind you of the beautiful message in 2 Corinthians 5:15, which tells us Christ died for everyone so that those who receive new life through Him will no longer live for themselves, but for the Lord. It’s easy to get caught up in ou...

Some scholars have believed that the suffering Job of the Bible was sort of a primate thinker who didn’t really understand much about the life beyond this one. But that isn’t true. Job 33:25–26 says, “Let their flesh be renewed like a child’s; let them be restored as in the days of their youth—then that person can pray to God and find favor with him, they will see God’s face and shout for joy; he will restore them to full well-being.” The Bible tells us elsewhere in Hebrews that God spoke to ...

Today, we’re talking about the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:18 says, “I am the Living One. I was dead, but look, I am alive forever. I have power over death and hell.” Jesus died on the cross and rose again three days later; even death could not overpower Him. The miracle of His resurrection is life-changing for believers now, and forever. In John 11:25–26, Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, ...

In John 19:30, we read about Jesus’ final words on the cross, “It is finished.” These final words before death signify the completion of His work on earth, but this isn’t the end of His story. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, triumphing over death and sin. As believers, we too have the assurance of victory over death and sin through the resurrection of Jesus. We can boldly face the challenges of life—even the most impossible-seeming situations—knowing that we have victory in Christ...

No one can ever say life in this world isn’t rich and varied. We take the good with the bad because honestly, we have to. Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. But through it all, we keep going, because our King is up ahead encouraging us. On a dark day long ago, Jesus didn’t look like a King. His life was ebbing away on the cross. His followers were distraught as they looked on. Their whole world literally passing away. But, thank God, we know what happened soon after. There is darkn...

Have you been saved by Jesus? Salvation is the deliverance from sin and death that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus overcame sin and death, and gave us the opportunity to have eternal life. Revelation 1:18 says, “I am the Living One. I was dead, but look, I am alive forever. I have power over death and hell.” As believers, we can have confidence that our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ. No matter what happens during our temporary earthly...

No one has ever been able to replicate human life, not in a lab or even theoretically. Humans are capable of much, but creating life is not on the list. And that’s one of many reasons that God is so amazing. Think about this the next time you have an insurmountable problem: Jesus’ physical body died on the cross. He was buried in a stone tomb, and three days later, God raised Him from the dead. And this is the one thing that gave the apostles their boldness in sharing the Gospel, a dang...

If you’re working your way toward belief and away from doubt, by now you must assume that God exists. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering or extraordinarily patient toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.” The cornerstone of the Christian faith is a belief that scripture is God’s Word. Psalm 138:2 tells...

When you think of ships, whether you’re thinking of the Titanic, pirate ships of yore, or trading vessels crossing the vast ocean to bring goods and services from one country to another, you probably picture them with an anchor—a heavy metal hook designed to catch on the ocean floor and keep a boat or ship in place. Wikipedia says this about anchors: There are two main types of anchors: temporary and permanent. A permanent anchor is called a mooring block and is not easily moved. A temporary ...

As humans, we compartmentalize, don’t we? By that we mean, it is in our nature to rank priorities, then even lose sight of some of them. This can often lead us to confusion about which direction we’re supposed to go. This confusion can even extend to faith itself. We wonder, “When am I supposed to pray, and when am I supposed to act on faith?” Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” When we get the Word deep in our hearts, we always ...

Many Christians wrestle with doubt, but who wants to admit that their foundational beliefs are not so firm? Not long ago, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, openly admitted that he’s questioned if God is real. When the head of the Church of England says something like that, it makes news. But something interesting came from Welby’s honesty. He revealed his humanity. It turns out that the Archbishop lost a baby girl in a car accident many years ago, and when he was a teenager, he had ...

In all the world, there are almost countless ways people try to find God. Some people are drawn to the mystical, while others chase after the practical. Does it work? God knew we would all look to fill the void in our spirits, the one put there when man first sinned. He also already knew what our escape route would be, the path back to Him. Romans 10:9–10 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For...

Have you ever had the pleasure of waking up in a cozy cabin…after you’ve let the fire go out from the night before? If you don’t get out of bed and put more wood in, the squirrels or raccoons aren’t going to do it for you! Much more serious is the tendency to get lazy about the fire inside us to share the love of Christ. After so many years of being a Christian—especially living in a free country—sharing the Gospel can be put on the back burner. Romans 12:11–12 says, “Never let the fire in yo...

Kerusso exists to tell people about the Good News of Jesus Christ, but somehow in our information-jacked world, culture has moved further away from understanding who the most famous person in history really is. Millions of books and articles have been written about a carpenter who lived in the Middle East 2000 years ago, and Jesus has been identified as anything from a desert mystic to God Himself. Historically, He was born into a Jewish family in Judea at the time the Roman Empire cont...

Some of the greatest stories of believers down through time have involved those who really studied God’s Word. These people have gone before us to show us the way. From Charles Spurgeon to a missionary mother in China, daily study of the Word, and prayer, prepared them to mentor entire generations. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” We also read in Romans 10 that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. We have to do it, so that others know...

Sweat was pouring off Peter as he moved to protect Jesus. As Roman soldiers held the one who had been labeled a heretic, Peter drew a sword and cut off a soldier’s ear. And he was stunned when Jesus told him to put the sword away. You see, Jesus knew infinitely more than Peter or anyone else. He knew the end from the beginning, and He knew He had an agenda to see through to the end. Peter couldn’t see that, and impulsively He moved to change the facts on the ground. And that’s so typical of u...

Sharing our faith should be exciting to us. It is exciting. When we consider the free grace God gave us through His Son, telling others about Jesus should be on our priority list every day. For whatever reason, many find it very awkward to talk to others about Jesus. We can talk about just about anything else, though. That’s why it’s crucial that we look at sharing the Gospel as an intentional thing we do. Intentionality is a great way to overcome our hesitancy, and let’s be hones...

Spring is the season of new life. As we finish up our series on the Psalms, we come to the most famous one of all. Psalm 23:1–2 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” This psalm contains some of the most famous words ever written. It has everything: beautiful language, a man’s raw honest heart for God, and a universal theme of love that God has for all people. It echoes in the univer...

Does your love for God make your heart sing? The psalms, many of them, were written as songs of worship. King David in particular loved to sing praises to His Lord. Whether he was tending his flock under a night sky, or sitting in his palace in Jerusalem, David had a heart for the Lord. Psalm 104:1 says, “Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.” In this kind of worship, we feel especially close to God. It is then we focus on His ma...

Watching little kids perform on stage at school or at church is the best, isn’t it? It can be quite entertaining. There are always a couple of shy violets, but many of them sing their hearts out, fidgeting with excitement and performing actions to accompany the songs with gusto. If Grammy awards were doled out based on sheer enthusiasm, kids in elementary and Sunday School programs would probably win every year. They simply can’t contain the feelings in their hearts when it’s time to make a j...

Nothing is more basic to life than creation itself. The Bible tells us that God alone has the power to truly create, and the beauty of language in Psalm 139 explains this fully. Some believe the psalmist was writing in part about the creation of Adam. Psalm 139:1–3 says, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” The writer of the Psalms m...

One of the greatest gifts God has given us is the collection of songs known as “Psalms,” originally written as music for worship, especially in the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, we celebrate them as prayers for the most part, and they give us a beautiful picture of who God is. Psalm 1:6 says, “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” Traditional authorship is assigned mostly to King David, who loved to worship God with music and ...

One reason people use for rejecting the claims of Christ is that there somehow isn’t enough evidence to prove that the events in the New Testament actually happened. In other words, some say the Bible isn’t true. We’re talking about the life of Jesus this week. So, what is the true story? Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” There are more than 25,000 ancient copies of the books of the New Testament, in various languages. There are only a handf...

Who is the most loyal person you’ve ever known? A parent? Spouse? Friend? Truthfully, we all crave loyalty. It gives us a sense of safety. We feel that if there is some loyalty in our world, it’s like a warm blanket on a cold night. Life seems less scary. As we discuss the role of Jesus in our personal stories, it is good to remind ourselves often of ultimate loyalty. In turn, it encourages us to be loyal to that One person we can always count on. John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am ...

In the book of Romans, Paul tells us the evidence for the existence of God is so numerous in nature that anyone can believe in God. Surely one of the most compelling examples is in our night sky. When we look up at the heavens, it takes our breath away. The twinkling lights are like our own personal message from God. All those stars… Philippians 2:15 says, “Shine...like the stars in the sky.” Astronomers tell us that each star is as unique as we are. We can see some burning dramatically, othe...

One of the biggest criticisms of those who follow Jesus Christ is that such a model is very exclusive. In other words, it seems on the surface that Jesus leaves some people out of the salvation plan, because He says that He is the only way to God. But what is He really telling us? John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” Jesus is actually showing us the way. He gives us the path to being reconciled with God the ...

When we as Christians talk about the saving power of Jesus, what exactly do we mean? In our discussion this week of this all-important topic, are we clear about who Jesus is? Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” The facts are that Adam and Eve broke their faith in God by disobeying Him. Some dispute that this even happened in history, or some are just upset that God would demand complete obedience. But if we believe He is the Creator, we unders...

It’s interesting watching the outcomes of people who refuse to give in to fear. Many years ago, while America was going through a severe economic depression and a world war, President Roosevelt told Americans that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Those listening over the radio said later that they felt a great sense of relief just from his words! Psalm 23:4 tells us, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Yo...

When Hurricane Katrina rolled through, the spinning white satellite image on TV screens actually looked evil. For residents of New Orleans waiting for that hurricane, that’s exactly what it felt like. Thousands of people were affected by the brutal storm that poured in from the Gulf. In many ways, the city still hasn’t recovered. But in the chaos, God was there. For more than 20 years, water pump operator Rufus Burkhalter and Bobby Brown had worked at pumping station number 6 along the ...

The worst of times brings out the best in some people. As we think about sacrificing for others this week, we find some extraordinary stories. One such story from 70 years ago spotlights a very brave woman. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” During World War 2, Romanian Princess, Catherine Caradja, defied her government’s alliance with the Nazis. When Allied bombers flew over, targeting oilfields, several planes were shot down.&nbsp...

Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor’s wife, and mom. She knows something of how fear can derail a person’s entire life. You see, Debbie wrestled with fear and anxiety for years. And her recovery didn’t happen overnight, but she did come to think about it all in a different way. She turned to the Lord, and He showed her practical things she could do to alleviate her fear. Now, for one thing, she began to notice something. When she thought about her fear and she studied her own patt...

Would it surprise you to know that God has always been interested in you? Did you know He knew you before you were born? He has a vested interest in how your life turns out. Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” He isn’t some remote deity. God doesn’t pay attention only most of the time. He doesn’t form His plans here and there. He is there for us all the time. The question is, where are we? Before you were born, it was God’s will that you would have a relatio...

From the time he was a young shepherd in the wilderness, David had deep relationship with God. He escaped enough dangerous situations to know that God was always with Him and was his deliverer. Psalm 91:1–2 says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” This psalm is famous for its descriptive language. We can see a picture of this in our minds. And the sp...

Are you angry at God today? Has something happened that has damaged your faith? If we live in the world long enough, it can happen to any of us. How you respond is really important. If you’ve listened previously, you know we are talking about how to live by faith. Having perseverance when we’re miserable is really, really hard. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re the only one. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, not by sight.” Listen to the words again: “For we live by faith,...

Do you remember the last time you laughed? Do you remember the last time you laughed from sheer joy? Many of us don’t. The weight of life presses down on us…it weakens us. Proverbs 31:25 says this of a godly woman: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Did you know that God means for you to be strong? He wants you to have dignity. You are a child of the King. You are a woman of faith. Or maybe you are a man who seeks God. That beautiful proverb r...

We learn early on that life sometimes throws weird things our way. Coping with them in the right way is really key. Willie Myrick learned this lesson really, really young. In 2014, the 9-year-old was kidnapped in his own driveway. What followed is really remarkable. For three hours, the two drove around Atlanta, and for the entire three hours, Willie sang the gospel song, “Every Praise.” The kidnapper told him to stop repeatedly, and then he ended up letting Willie go. Imag...

The prophet Isaiah lived during a difficult period for the ancient Israelites. Turning away from faith in God and under the control of corrupt kings, the nation entered a period of darkness. They needed hope more than anything. In our discussion this week, we will talk about this human condition. Today, we are really no different from people in ancient times: we all need a relationship with our Creator. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will ...

Where are you headed, friend? Psalm 25:4 says, “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.” Whether you’ve lived in the same place your entire life, or you’ve been blessed to travel the world, each and every life is a journey. An opportunity to learn, grow, and impact others as we follow the path God has planned for us. Moses and the Israelites must have been expert travelers by the time they finally reached the Promised Land, and their journey was no pleasure trip. God sent 10...

It seems that a positive in our culture today is that we can admit our shortcomings. In the past, it was sort of taboo to tell the world you were not exactly all put together. Back in the day, a ‘hot mess’ usually referred to an overturned pot on the stove. But today, we know the phrase ‘hot mess’ has a whole new meaning—and our lives are often exactly that. Thank goodness the outcome is not dependent on us. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through fait...

When someone asks how you’re doing, what is your typical response? Many of us give a quick, “I’m fine, thank you,” or, “Doing great!” Even if we’re actually struggling. It’s easier not to dive into a verbal rundown of our discontent if we aren’t really fine, and things aren’t so great, after all. As followers of Jesus, we are called to curate contentment in our lives. That doesn’t mean we have to pretend everything is awesome if life feels like it’s falling apart, but it does mean our t...

Citizens of the United States of America have always acknowledged God. Sometimes though, our devotion to faith comes and goes. Sometimes we get too comfortable and forget who keeps us upright every day. Psalm 115:1 tells us, “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Whenever a person questions God’s goodness, or the path He has set for us, it’s good to go to the Bible. There, we find the answer to why we should honor our Lord. It’s bec...

Science. It’s pretty cool. Did you know what we think of as a day—how long it takes the Earth to rotate—isn’t actually 24 hours? According to NASA, it’s 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.2 seconds. A day on the planet Mercury—it’s a whopping 58 Earth days, 15 hours and 30 minutes. Can you imagine a Monday that lasts over 1400 hours? Our Creator God, in His infinite wisdom, gave us the perfect amount of daytime for work and play, and nighttime for rest. He gave us seven days for producti...

One of the things that mark a healthy society is the consistency between generations. In other words, adults who care about the future for their children will invest the time to make sure tomorrow is bright. God the Father is the ultimate parent, and we would do well to model His love for us. Luke 18:1 says, “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Passing the torch, or training up the next generation, involves taking the time to do it...

Have you ever watched a war movie and realized that the actors didn’t know how the conflict would turn out? World War 2 movies are like that. When they filmed “Casablanca,” Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman weren’t sure whether the Germans would win or lose. Life can be like that. Matthew 28:20 says, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” In your own life, you might be facing some really serious stuff. And it’s not unusual to be staring at several problems at once.&nb...

Living life as though your cup is brimming over isn’t a matter of circumstance. It’s a matter of choice. Psalm 23:5 says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.” God promises bountiful blessings when we follow Him, but what about when times are tough? Nowhere does the Bible suggest we should wallow in misery when things don’t go our way. Instead, we should slow down enough to count and savor every blessing, even when ...

Today, we’re talking about grit and determination, which go a long way in helping find success in life. And they’re contagious. Winston Churchill was almost 70 when his country needed him most, when he stared down Hitler’s war machine. The British Prime Minister’s signature line was, “We shall fight on the beaches,” but the essence of his message came with these words, “We shall go on to the end.” Luke 18:1 says, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should alw...

Games and sports aren’t real life, but they often give a pretty accurate picture of how we can choose to face life. Imagine that your profession is on a national stage. You have the ball with less than two minutes to go, and your team is behind. Standing behind center and looking out at the defense, how many of us could even think? Then, imagine throwing the ball with any kind of accuracy, knowing you have to win the game. Most of us would be scared to death! Psalm 23:4 tells us, “Yea, ...

We’ve all known kindness in our life. Think about someone who’s been kind to you; it might’ve been a Sunday school teacher, or maybe it was mom listening to our bad day. But how often do you actually think about the importance of kindness? Is it an active part of your day? If not, I think you’re missing the point. 1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It does not dishonor others. It is not self-seeking, it is not...

Forgiveness is mentioned dozens of times in the Bible. In Genesis 33, Esau forgives his brother’s treachery in stealing his birthright. And the most famous example is the forgiveness Jesus chooses on the cross as His accusers and executioners mock Him. Think about how hard that was! It gives some perspective on our own situations in life. When you think about it, the entire theme of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is one of forgiveness. Man chose to bring sin into the world, ...

When we walk with God, we want to see that our relationships are healthy. It’s part of the command to love one another. And few things are more heartbreaking than damaged relationships. When those linger, the Body of Christ is weakened. Churches split because of it. Families suffer for it. Joshua 22:5 says, “Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” Notice that we are to walk in all His ways. And ...

Have you ever wondered why the Samaritan from the book of Luke was called “good?” In the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, he stops and helps a man lying on the road who had been beaten and robbed. Jesus told his disciples this story to illustrate how they are to treat one another—how we are to treat one another. Micah 6:8 says, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” That’s it. Not difficult—and not even...

The Bible is famous for speaking in parables and metaphor. One of the most famous is found in one of Paul’s letters, in which he tells us the benefits of a life in Christ. The “Fruit of the Spirit” is a list of nine attributes that a person filled with the Holy Spirit will model for the world. It’s probably no coincidence that Paul starts with…Love. Galatians 5:22–23 says, “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and ...

Carl loved working on his farm. He loved the solitude, and the sense of accomplishment. One day though, working alone, he was injured severely. In fact, if he didn’t get to the hospital, he would likely die. So, he got in his old pickup and took off. He pulled into the hospital parking lot and lost what little consciousness he had. Waking up 24 hours later after surgery, he realized he remembered nothing of his injury or even getting to the hospital. In effect, the God he loved and trusted ha...

Have you ever been fooled by someone? Doesn’t feel good, does it? But the absolute worst is when we fool ourselves. We try to manage some problem on our own, or analyze a situation gone awry. The Bible has a better way of thinking about it. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” We have to do two things here: give total control to God, and de-emphasize our own judgment. Sometimes our gut is wrong. Following our heart often ends in he...

Gwen closed her eyes and didn’t dare to even breathe. Japanese troops were right outside her house, looking for her and other missionaries. It was World War 2, and American forces in the Philippines were nearby. Just when Gwen and her friends thought someone would throw open the trapdoor to their basement hiding place, loud voices began to get dimmer. The enemy troops were distracted, and they left in a hurry! Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the na...

Do you find it hard to trust some people? Do you find it hard to trust…anyone? Our society is full to the brim of people who have been hurt, wounded, and devastated. It puts up a wall and we live behind it in silence and fear. After the fall of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, the people of that captive country were free for the first time to tell their stories. One woman said that she had been driven nearly insane by the dictator’s torture chambers, but when he was gone, someone shared the love of Ch...

When trouble is on the horizon, it can be hard to trust in God’s promises, and to believe He has a plan for us. The book of Judges in the Old Testament gives us an awesome example of trusting God in the story of Gideon. God called Gideon to lead Israel into battle with the Midianites, who had a sizable army of 135,000 men. Gideon gathered an army of 32,000 men to battle with the Midianites, but despite odds in favor of the enemy, God told Gideon there were too many men in his army. Through a ...

A common theme today is that people are just tired of chaos—both public and private. It’s exhausting sometimes dealing with bad relationships. Global problems are with us every day. And we wonder when it will end. There is good news for you, though. Literally, Good News. 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” This is a message to us that we don’t have to win the war ourselves. We don’t have to win a bat...

Rebecca knew just what Craig needed when he lost his job. She knew he felt ashamed that his job performance was a major contributing factor. In other words, he had failed in front of people. The hurried goodbyes and awkward pats on the back actually sort of made Craig feel worse. He threw the small box with his personal belongings in the backseat and drove as fast as he could away from the scene. Giving him some space for a day or so, Rebecca called to check on her friend; she had that wonder...

One of the things that mark a healthy society is the consistency between generations. In other words, adults who care about the future of their children will invest the time to make sure tomorrow is bright. God the Father is the ultimate parent, and we would do well to model His love for us. Luke 18:1 says, “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Passing the torch, or training up the next generation, involves taking the time to do it ...

Today in America, two million men and women serve in our armed forces. More than 200,000 of them are deployed to various points around the world. Joshua 1:9 reminds us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” The Lord has told us directly not to be afraid. We aren’t even to be discouraged! He’s told us through His promises that He’ll be with us every step of the way. If we stop and t...

For most of us, being humble is easier in theory than it is in practice. Reaching out in Christian Love and kindness often means being a peacekeeper, and letting go of the need to be right or to win an argument. God wants us to walk with humility at work, on social media, and at home. When we’re frustrated with someone across the table or online, considering the words and deeds of others through the lens of Jesus’ sacrificial love for us can bring clarity. Our scripture for ...

Since before the world was created, God has had a master plan to deliver people from evil. He cared for us so much that He was willing to endure pain to redeem us. In Acts 14:20, we read about Jesus and the disciples preaching in a city called Derbe. It says that Jesus then was busy, strengthening the souls of His disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God. God wants us to know that the journey we are...

Many times over the centuries, earnest Christians have run out into the world to aggressively and passionately share Jesus, and the world doesn’t always want to hear it. John 15:19 says, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own and as it is you don’t belong to the world. But I have chosen you out of the world, and that is why the world hates you.” And this is a hard truth. It’s discouraging to missionaries at home and in other countries who want nothing more tha...

Charles Templeton was surging ahead in ministry. Converted at 21—by 1946 the Canadian evangelist founded Youth for Christ. Billy Graham was hired as the organization’s first full-time evangelist, and he and Templeton toured Europe together. A decade later, after a turn at Princeton Theological Seminary and after wrestling with doubt, Templeton began to identify as agnostic, and his world would never be the same. Colossians 2:8 says, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy...

There are different schools of thought about just how Christians should share their worldview in a world often at odds with God’s best. Some feel it’s best to jump into the deep end of the pool and look just like the world. Others view it very much the other way. Second Corinthians 6:17 says, “‘Come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord.” Whole denominations have used this verse to encourage believers to stay as much out of the world as possible. And this might include physically remo...

Sweat was pouring off Peter as he moved to protect Jesus. As Roman soldiers held the one who had been labeled a heretic, Peter drew a sword and cut off a soldier’s ear. And he was stunned when Jesus told him to put the sword away. You see Jesus knew infinitely more than Peter, or anyone else. He knew the end from the beginning, and He knew He had an agenda to see through to the end, and Peter couldn’t see that. And impulsively He moved to change the facts on the ground. And that’s so typical ...

There’s a reason the Bible uses so many metaphors. The wisdom God has for us lends itself well to short narratives, as we learn much from stories. A famous passage from Isaiah we’ve been discussing this week uses a powerful mental image to convey deep truths from God. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” The sight of a majestic eagle, flying high above ...

Does the future scare you? If it does, that’s understandable, from a human standpoint. After all, so much is unknown. And yet, God gave us His Word as a guidebook. The Bible tells us certain specific things that can bring us great comfort. Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” For the most part, we know the past. We are navigating through the present. But the Word tells us that Jesus is standing there at the end, bringing all things to their pro...

Part of God’s unchanging nature is that He is sovereign and does things His way. In Isaiah 55, we read that God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. In other words, He’s infinitely more powerful than we are, especially when it comes to perspective. We read in the Old Testament that sometimes other nations mocked the Israelites when they were exiled from their homeland. Really, they were mocking God because it was said that maybe He couldn’t keep His promises a...

We often hear that it’s harder to raise kids today than ever before. That isn’t true, of course. All eras down through history have been challenging. We live in a world scarred by sin, after all, and children grow up among all sorts of temptations. That’s why the role of a parent is something to take seriously, as a sacred duty. We’ve been discussing the best practical guide for living: the Bible. Nowhere is this truer than in its practical wisdom for raising successful children. Although we ...

Truth makes an appearance in the Bible right at the start, and it sets the stage for everything that comes after it. The opening scene, if you will, takes place in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve have been placed there in a perfect setting. No worries. Every need is taken care of. It’s hard to imagine that kind of harmony now, but it once existed…briefly. We’re told that a once beautiful being, Lucifer, had become corrupted through his own pride. The angel had become jealous of God, an...

We look for things and stuff to make us happy, don’t we? Especially in the United States, where we are blessed with abundance, people from all walks of life look for more and more. That can bring us to an empty place. Spiritually and emotionally…we begin to look in the wrong places. But as we’ve discussed this week, that spark of joy we look for can be found only in Jesus. Everything else is, yes, clutter. John 16:24 says, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you wil...

As humans, we tend to have a problem asking for help. I think we can chalk that up to our proud hearts. Often, when we are really up against it, that’s when we resist seeking help. Jesus does away with all that. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Ask yourself: is my pride keeping me from asking for help? If so, mull that over. And then, take a step toward the Lord and ask for what you need. God opens doors when we ...

It’s interesting to watch the outcomes of people who refuse to give in to fear. Many years ago, while America was going through a severe economic depression and a world war, President Roosevelt told Americans that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Those listening over the radio said later that they felt a great sense of relief just from his words! Psalm 23:4 tells us, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod...

Today, just stop and consider that we’re talking one-on-one. We’re just talking over coffee. Go with me here. You seem like something is really getting to you. Are you about to give up on something important? If so, please listen—just for a couple of minutes. Luke 18:1 says, “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Let’s think boldly for a second. Whatever your problem is, God can fix it. He can. The Bible is full of these fixes,...

Humans were built for language and communication. It’s one of the bits of creative genius God used when He formed His highest creation. And apart from regular communication, whether it’s the written word or verbal, we have a great gift from a loving God: prayer. Prayer is an intensely personal way to communicate with our Creator, the One who knows everything about us. Jeremiah 29:12 says, “Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you.” All through scripture,...

Year-end stuff is upon us. That includes those infamous New Year’s resolutions. And as it happens, the Bible has things to say about how we lean into the near future. Matthew 5:37 says, “Let what you say simply be yes or no. Anything more than this comes from evil.” How many times have we pledged to do something and then followed through? Follow-through is important. Whether it’s weight loss, repairing relationships, or embarking on a new career, it’s time to actually do what we s...

Jesus has great compassion for everyone. Especially for those society considers unlovable or worth nothing. One day he stopped by a well and had a conversation with a woman who had been married five times. When He spoke to her, He knew she was now living with another man. Yet Jesus spoke to her in a way that let her know He valued her as a person. He told her that people could drink the water from that well, but again they would eventually be thirsty. He said to her that the water He gives is...

Happy New Year! New Year’s stuff is beneficial in several things. We make resolutions and we might even stick to some of them. But it’s what God does that really matters. He’s in the renewal business—making broken things whole again, especially people. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he’s a new creation. The old has passed away and behold the new has come.” It’s great for us when this involves repaired relationships or even a career boost. Yet th...

Have you ever experienced a power outage? You pull out your favorite flashlight, only to discover the batteries are dead. Bummer, am I right? How about light bulbs? For some reason, they all seem to go at the same time, leaving you in the shadows and looking for that flashlight—you know, the one with the dead batteries! Light bulbs burn out, tires go flat, umbrellas turn inside out on a windy day, and batteries die. Many of the things we use on a frequent basis are designed to be temporary—an...

No one is immune from burnout. It comes in our jobs, friendships, and even our church life. Sometimes even our hobbies become dry and tedious! But in Scripture, God gives us hope for the future. John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Jesus is telling us that in Him alone is true life. He is always pointing us to the future, to a time when that dry creek bed will be filled forever. In Revelation 22, He showed John a r...

Well, the gifts have been opened, the wrapping paper taken to the landfill. Leftovers are in the fridge, and maybe you’re feeling a little blue, a little depressed. Christmas is over, or is it? 2 Corinthians 9:15 says, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” In the West, we tend to have a letdown when the excitement and rush of Christmas is over, as if at midnight on December 25th, we’re ready to go into emotional hibernation. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Whether it’s some...

During Christmas of 1944, American soldiers were dug in against the Germans. The dark, frozen Belgian forest added to the bleak atmosphere. Morale was low, ammo was low, and food supplies were low. But just when things looked the worst, General Patton’s Third Army showed up almost out of nowhere. The men who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and survived remembered many things about that strangest of Christmas holidays. Mostly they remembered the first hot food they’d had in six weeks! The st...

This is the day of days. While the exact day is unknown, what we do know is that 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ came to earth as a child to rescue us from sin. Christmas is a date on the calendar that literally quickens our hearts. Everyone understands the significance of it. It’s why hateful people behave differently for at least 24 hours. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us, a child is born. To us, a son is given. And the government will be on His shoulders, and He will be called Wonderfu...

Well hey—Merry Christmas Eve to you as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We’d like to share the Christmas story from Luke Chapter 2, verses 4–20. And just a note, we’ve made some minor edits for length purposes in this excerpt from the King James version of the story. “Joseph went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed, along with his wife Mary, who was g...

Every December 25th, around the world, happenings are quite different and diverse, place to place. Celebrating Christmas is unique to each culture, but the meaning of it all we share. In Norway, Christmas Eve is the main event with bells ringing at five in the evening, followed by family dinners. In Mexico, Christmas begins on December 16th and on the ninth evening, Christmas Eve, children walk to the local church to place a figure of the Christ child in a manger. Like nature, God put w...

What was Jesus’ name? Most of us assume that if Jesus had a driver’s license, his listed name would have been “Jesus Christ.” That’s kind of funny, but as usual, our human perceptions can’t define Him and box Him in. The Bible tells us that Jesus has many names, each a shining facet of Who He is. He is called the Alpha and Omega—the beginning and the end. The Lamb of God. Elsewhere He is referred to as the Prince of Peace. Romans 10:13 says, “For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the ...

In general, humans as a species have a fair amount of self-awareness. And if we’re honest, we all know our weak points. Those places where character is lacking a bit. One of our biggest weaknesses is that we just want stuff. Bigger house, more expensive car—that kind of thing. In those moments, we’re missing out on a big prize. Our focus is wrong. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The Bible—the Word of God...

Does your life feel out of control? Are you experiencing that common feeling of weaving down a busy highway, about to crash? It’s a metaphor for life that a lot of folks internalize at some point. All of a sudden, what you were sure of isn’t there anymore. You might as well be behind the wheel of a fast car that’s heading straight into oncoming traffic. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” This isn’t some nice little bit of wisdom someone put on ...

Have you ever tried to follow God in a half-hearted way? You know what that means. You like the idea of God, but His perfect will for our lives can also feel very restrictive. That’s the moment that we walk along the highway of life completely alone. Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Notice the precise language in these beautiful verses. We are to trust Him wit...

In our humanness, we struggle at times to achieve peace. World War 1 ended 100 years ago, and all sides joined together as a League of Nations to make that conflict the “War to end all wars.” And then World War 2 happened. Our history is littered with noble attempts to make things right, but only God can bring peace to nations, and to individuals. He has promised both! One day, He will make everything new, forever. While we wait for that great day, He also grants us peace in our daily lives. ...

202 years ago, “Silent Night” was first heard by villagers attending Christmas Eve mass in St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria. Joseph Mohr, the young priest who wrote the lyrics, played the guitar and sang along with Franz Gruber, the choir director who had written the melody. How did this simple tune, with its quiet words of comfort, become a beloved hymn of peace throughout the whole world? An organ builder and repairman working at the church took a copy of the six-verse song to his ...

Jesus is always our standard. Moments after He picked the 12 disciples, Jesus was standing at the base of a mountain, teaching the people. He told them many things, but one thing really stands out: He told them how to treat each other. Jesus had a way with stories. Narrative was the way He told people what He wanted them to remember. And it was then that Jesus used an image of the good gifts God gives to those that love Him. The book of Luke tells the story. Jesus looked at His followers and ...

Love is the essence of God. We know that. At the same time, we can say that there are different kinds of love; we’re talking about that this week. Love for family. Love for our fellow humans. Love for nature. But we can think of what is called agape love as “big-tent love.” Agape is an ancient Greek word meaning “Love of God for people, and of people for God.” 1 Corinthians 13:1–3 says, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal....

How many of us would feed a hungry stranger with the last crust of bread left in the house? The prophet Elijah received a prophecy that the land would suffer a years-long drought, and this message from God had come to pass. The Lord sent him to a ravine east of the Jordan River where He sent ravens with bread and meat in the morning and in the evening, and Elijah could drink from a brook, but eventually, the brook ran dry because there was no rain in the land. The Lord commanded Elijah, “Go a...

When God asks us to love our neighbor as ourselves, what exactly does He mean? In Luke 10 verses 25–37, Jesus shares the Parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate what it means to love our neighbors the way Jesus loves us. “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other sid...

Are you comfortable in your life? This is a little different than asking if you’re always happy, or living in some sort of paradise. Comfortable just means you are relatively peaceful and content with your situation. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it can be dangerous in a spiritual sense. Jesus calls us to something more. Mark 16:15 says, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” Of the 200 or so nations in the world today, a good portion of them ...

Today, we’re continuing our series on sharing the gospel, and what we’re covering today is about the Great Commission. Have you heard that term before? Christianity’s great at using terms the general public isn’t familiar with, and sometimes we use terms even we aren’t familiar with as believers. A recent study shows that more than 50% of U.S. churchgoers don’t know what that term Great Commission means. And when asked if they had heard of the Great Commission, half of U.S. churchgoers ...

Have you ever known someone who inherited something of great value from an obscure relative? It happens…maybe in a movie or something. The will is read by an attorney and all of a sudden, the beneficiary goes from struggling to pay the rent to needing a financial planner. It can be an exciting time, even disorienting. The only downside to receiving a large inheritance is the knowledge that someday it will run out, or you die and can’t take it with you. That’s why the Bible’s revelations about...

Table salt today is so common, it becomes another thing we take for granted. You go to the store, pick a cylinder or jar of salt off the shelf, and then go home. You don’t even think about it. Now, consider that 1,000 and more years ago, if a person wanted to use salt on his dinner, this required some prior work. A lot of work! The Romans boiled seawater in huge, lead-lined pans. So valuable was salt in the Roman Empire, it was used as currency! Mainly, it was used as a critical food preserva...

Kerusso exists to tell people about the Good News of Jesus Christ, but somehow in our information-jacked world, culture has moved further away from understanding who the most famous person in history really is. Millions of books and articles have been written about a carpenter who lived in the Middle East 2000 years ago, and Jesus has been identified as anything from a desert mystic to God Himself. Historically, He was born into a Jewish family in Judea at the time the Roman Empire cont...

Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday—it’s an attitude we can choose to fill our hearts with every day. The Bible shares many examples of gratitude in the midst of challenging circumstances. Imagine Mary, a young Galilean girl, given the news that she was to be the mother of the Messiah. She didn’t panic or protest. Instead, she embraced the news and nurtured the One who would bring healing to the whole world. The story in Luke 17 tells us that of the 10 lepers who were healed, only one returned ...

New York Times writer Arthur Brooks once cooked a Thanksgiving dinner for his in-laws in Spain. Over dinner, a couple of questions were asked. The first, “What does this beast eat to be so filled with bread?,” and then, “Should you celebrate this holiday even if you don't feel grateful?” The first question is just funny. The second should give us all pause. Being grateful is a state of mind. It’s intentional. Too many times, we get caught up in what we don’t have, and let’s be honest, as Amer...

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist working for education and women. In 2005, while riding on a bus, she was shot in the head by a member of the Taliban, and the attack was revenge for her activism. Incredibly, Malala recovered from her gruesome injury and today considers herself an ambassador of gratefulness. Here’s a quote: “I can speak. I can see you, I can see everyone, and today I can speak and I’m getting better day by day, it’s just because of the prayers of the people and b...

You’ve heard that every good thing comes from God, right? It’s true. He is our example, both of how to live and how to react to others. This week we’re talking about practicing gratitude, and as usual, God shows us the way. Psalm 107:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Often we can become disappointed if we don’t get everything we think we should have. But that’s a dead end when it comes to true happiness and peace. And those are things we all really, ...

Isn’t it fascinating that a secular definition of the word blessed is “made holy; or consecrated.” It seems the whole world really knows, even deep down, that blessings are from God. Psalm 107:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” As we focus on thankfulness and blessings this week, in this season of Thanksgiving, we are instructed to actually thank God for the ways in which He has blessed us. There are too many to count! The Psalm tells us several thing...

Since before the world was created, God has had a master plan to deliver people from evil. He cared for us so much that he was willing to endure pain to redeem us. In Acts 14:20, we read about Jesus and the disciples preaching in a city called Derbe. It says that Jesus then was busy, strengthening the souls of His disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God. God wants us to know that the journey we are on en...

That song, Are You Lonesome Tonight by Elvis was a mega hit. And it’s been around a long time. Why? Because it’s a universal story. Everyone gets lonely sometimes. God knew we’d battle loneliness. He knew our world would present a crazy number of challenges, and that’s why He spends so much time in His Word reassuring us of His love and commitment to us. The Psalms are largely about David’s loneliness and God’s provision for him in that season. Leaders get lonely too, as we see in...

Janet remembered how alive she had felt when she was disciplined in her prayer life and Bible study. She surprised herself one day when she blurted out, “I could think clearer, before I got mentally lazy!” Just saying it out loud kicked her out of the fog that she’d been in since forever. Joshua 22:5 says, “Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” The enemy wants to distract us from our God-given...

Kelly had felt alone for years. Since childhood, in fact. At 26, she didn’t like it anymore and she decided to do something about it. Not a naturally outgoing person, Kelly began volunteering in a local women’s shelter. She learned quickly to listen to other people’s problems she had herself never experienced, and she found that helping someone else made her feel better—physically and emotionally. Within a year, she decided to make a change, finish her degree, and become a counselor. She real...

It’s amazing how important the right perspective is in helping us maintain a healthy balance in every area of life. Alphonse Karr has said, “Some people grumble that roses have thorns. I’m grateful that thorns have roses.” Isn’t that amazing? It’s so common to gripe and complain about negatives, yet we don’t see the great things right in front of our faces. Derek Carpenter has written, “The benefits of practicing gratitude are nearly endless. People who regularly practice gratitude by taking ...

Charles McGee is one of those improbable heroes. Part of the reason is because he started life with obstacles to overcome—just because of the color of his skin. He is now the last surviving member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen. This was an incredible group of pilots made up of African Americans during World War 2. He pushed to achieve great things, and God was with him every step. 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the w...

Donna and Betty were sisters, but in midlife they were both tired of the fighting and the mistrust and the hurt. Each had their grievances. Both were stubborn. Luke 2:14 says, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” At one particular time of the year, Betty heard this verse spoken in a service. And here’s an ironic thing: of the two sisters, most people would agree she was definitely the most stubborn! But that day she did an amazing thing. She went home and s...

In May 1962, an intimidating figure delivered a final public speech at West Point Military Academy. Douglas MacArthur, who led America to victory in the Pacific during World War 2, addressed cadets. He told them simple truths, ones that define honor and glory. The hall was completely still as the old general spoke in hushed tones. Everyone heard him speak of the honorable soldier who must rely on “those divine attributes which his Maker gave when He created man in His own image.” Here was per...

Joshua was called by God to lead the 12 tribes of Israel after the death of Moses. Those were some pretty big shoes to fill, and the Lord chose Joshua because he was faithful. Joshua knew that when he called on God in times of trouble, He would answer. In one powerful example, Joshua asked God to cause the moon and the sun to stand still so that he and his army could continue fighting a difficult battle by daylight. Joshua 10:12–13 says, “On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, ...

Seventy five years after he landed in France to help the Allies liberate Europe from Nazi control, Russell Pickett stood at attention as the President spoke. A private in 1944, Pickett was now receiving the adulation of a grateful nation. He knew firsthand the reality that there is very little glory in war death. And yet here his country was honoring his service in that memorable conflict. The President even hugged him! He stood with several of his comrades, men now in their 90s, and they sho...

Have you ever been really angry at someone, and had a tough time letting it go? Maybe a work colleague let you down, or got you in trouble with the boss. Maybe family drama is dragging you down, and there are unresolved hurt feelings. Maybe your spouse betrayed you, and you aren’t sure how to move past it. Unforgiveness in our lives is painful, and as believers, it can affect our prayer life, and even our relationship with the Lord. Mark 11:25 says, “And when you stand praying, if you hold an...

In thinking about different kinds of love, it’s a beautiful thing to realize that God has placed certain people in our lives for specific reasons. Friendship is one of His greatest gifts to us, of all time. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Do you have someone in your life that’s not blood-related, but it sure feels like it? In fact, beautiful friendships often feel like a closer relation, than biological family! Notice what the writer of...

You’ve heard that joke about family gatherings, haven’t you? If you weren’t related to these people, you’d never see them. What a horrible punchline, really. 1 Corinthians 13:7 says, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” God’s world has purpose in everything. Everything. He gave you a specific family for specific reasons. It’s super easy to be nice to people we aren’t around very much. Short-term “love” is pretty common. It’s when we get in close ...

As citizens of the United States of America, our nation’s leaders have always acknowledged God, even if some of them haven’t always been model Christians. For one thing, no one can occupy the Oval Office and not lay aside some pride. And if our nation’s spiritual health has sometimes been less-than-desired, there is a unity that we all enjoy. This community spirit has made America a very interesting experiment. Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” We’re now more th...

You may have heard someone say before that they’ve put down deep roots. Usually, they’re not talking about gardening, but about the roots of their lives. Family. Friends. A career. A church home. We all want to belong. We want to be planted deep in the soil of community. Colossians 2:6–7 says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” If ...

Jesus, the greatest teacher who ever lived, spent a lot of time giving out wisdom in the form of stories. Once, he told His disciples a story that illustrated the importance of understanding that God never quits us, and we should not quit Him. Luke 18:1 says, “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” That story was about a woman who didn’t give up in her pursuit of justice. Jesus then said that God hears our pleas for what we need, and ...

Have you ever been in such a dark place that you wondered if God cares about you, or if He even exists? Maybe it’s all some cosmic joke, right? We’ve all been there. Humans doubt. We doubt ourselves, we doubt product labels, we doubt our kids. We question everything. But the worst one is trying to figure out where God is in the middle of life’s great difficulties. Sometimes the world is just flat-out mean, and it seems like it’s an entity that’s trying to break you in half. It’s in this very ...

At an address in Columbus Ohio in 1900, former slave Booker T. Washington kept the room spellbound. This man, who had built Tuskegee Institute to lift blacks out of economic bondage, was revered around the world. But he said something that surprised more than a few in the audience. He said that one of his main priorities for the Institute was hiring more Bible teachers! Washington, who had been forced to work in an evil system, once felt powerless. Yes, an American president legally freed the...

Bill was a very successful businessman for a lot of years. About 10 years ahead of retirement, he decided to entrust a lot of money to the investment wizardry of Bernie Madoff. And when Madoff’s Ponzi scheme imploded, Bill joined many others who now had to wonder where their money went. And he thought of suicide. For fully two years, he struggled to get out of bed. He felt sapped of energy every waking moment. Then, on a park bench one afternoon, he met Mildred, who shared the Good News...

Are you the kind of person everyone looks at and assumes you are strong and you have it all together? You too, huh? Many of us look fine on the outside, but the human condition is often much different on the inside. Proverbs 31:25 says this of a godly woman: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” As believers, we can laugh in the midst of struggle because God did not make us to have a spirit of fear. He never planned for us to suffer from depression or ...

Trust issues. Lots and lots of people have trust issues. Someone has hurt you in the past. Maybe it’s been multiple times. This world can be a painful place. But stop and think about how much your damaged trust affects your relationships now. Is there a way out of this long, dark tunnel? John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” People who hurt others tend to continue their hurtful ways. Bottom line: that person ...

When the last artillery rounds were heard on the Western Front and World War I ended, good men of conscience tried to create a global body that would bring lasting peace to the earth. Their hearts were in the right place. History teaches us though that real peace is elusive and rare. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” We see in Christ that there is no fixing ...

There are several stories in the Bible that tell us when God’s people obey Him, they are in better physical and emotional shape. Remember, Daniel and his friends refuse to eat the rich food sent by the king. After several weeks of their own diet, they emerged healthier than other young men in the Babylonian kingdom. So, too, do we learn that an attitude of forgiveness leads to peace. In Matthew 18:21–22, we read, “‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?...

Emily Dickinson, one of the greatest of American poets, attended seminary for a while, and then she went back home to Amherst. And for the rest of her life, she lived mostly in seclusion. That’s kind of weird, right? Maybe not. You see, God made each of us with a distinct personality. Sometimes it’s actually unhealthy to try and fit a square peg into a round hole. It hurts. We get more stressed out. Emily Dickinson lived a full life. Her relationships were in correspondence, a whole lot...

Dr. James Dobson has decades of experience coaching people to overcome fear and doubt, and put their trust in Christ. He relates a fascinating experience he once had when he learned that sometimes our fear is all in our head. It seems that he was preparing to graduate from Southern Cal with a PhD in psychology, and as he got ready at home that day, anticipating the happy drive with his family, a cold fear just came over him. He says now that he felt a growing dread, seemingly out of nowhere, ...

How many different colors can you name? There are seven colors in the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. As it turns out, the human eye is capable of discerning color to an incredible degree. According to laboratory tests, humans are capable of detecting a total of 10 million colors. That’s a pretty big box of crayons. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for ...

Identifying where our problems originate is one thing, but locating the Divine Healer is key in getting clear of obstacles in our lives. At each mile marker in our life journeys, God is standing alongside the road, smiling at us, and holding out His strong hand to guide us. And from the indispensable wisdom of scripture to stories of human triumphs over tragedies, He is always there reminding us we’re never truly alone. His grace and mercies begin to overshadow and overwhelm those...

We know that a consistent heart of gratitude keeps us in harmony in our relationship with God, but in a practical sense, how do we maintain it, and how can we be intentional? A first clue is the example of Paul. Philippians 4:12–13 says, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I’ve learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Notice that the famous preacher t...

Sudden or even long-term setbacks in our lives can disorient us, impairing our decision-making. Circumstances beyond our control leave us where we can’t focus, and we can’t see what’s behind our difficulties. It’s then that we can’t make good decisions. If we don’t know if our problems are caused by emotional, mental, or physical challenges, we can’t see our way out of the forest. Identifying the source helps us settle into God’s perfect peace, and He’s given us the ability to make good...

It’s been said that in the Fruit of the Spirit list, all of them collectively, practically define the nature of Christ. Even David the Shepherd knew his Messiah was coming. Remember what he said about following his loving God? He said, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life!” We instinctively know what goodness is. It’s a kind touch, a gentle word, a gift that was unexpected. Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of yo...

What would you think is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for us as we try to live our lives with integrity? How about pride? The Bible tells us that the sin of pride can lead to a whole range of bad outcomes. Micah 6:8 says, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Walk humbly? Man…that can be the most difficult part of living out this verse. We have to constantly check our spirits to make sure our motives are pure, and ar...

No one is truly alone. Some people have many relatives and friends, others, just a few. Occasionally, someone will have no real friends or family, but all of us interact with humans, and that over time has proven to be dicey. The health of our relationships is one of the biggest factors in how we function each day. Turmoil and chaos at home or work, or both, puts us in emotional quicksand. On the other hand, healthy relationships in our lives improve our overall health and make us more ...

1 Peter 5:6–7 says, “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.” These two short verses tell us several things: One—if we submit to God’s power by acknowledging we can’t solve our problems, He is strong enough to intervene and bring about the outcome we really want. Second, He does this in His own time, on His own timetable. Third, we are to leave our problems at His feet. There...

Micah had a tough job. The prophet that lived in the time of Isaiah warned the people in the land at the time that God was not pleased with their behavior. He was not exactly a popular guy! He told them that the rituals they performed did not bring them closer to God. Micah 6:8 says, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” In Micah’s time, foreign enemies did a lot of damage, but the message the prophet brought was that the Savior...

In the last century, a 4'10" woman from England answered the call of God to become a missionary in China. Her accomplishments there, especially in saving orphaned children during war and conflict, have made her sort of a legend. Near the end of her life, Gladys Aylward gave an interview in which she said the most amazing thing—something that could only have come from the heart of a truly humble servant: “I wasn’t God’s first choice for what I’ve done for China. There was somebody else…I don’t...

Have you ever had the pleasure of waking up in a cozy cabin…after you’ve let the fire go out from the night before? If you don’t get out of bed and put more wood in, the squirrels or raccoons aren’t going to do it for you! Much more serious is the tendency to get lazy about the fire inside us to share the love of Christ. After so many years of being a Christian—especially living in a free country—sharing the Gospel can be put on the back burner. Romans 12:11–12 says, “Never let the fire in yo...

Some of the greatest stories of believers down through time have involved those who really studied God’s Word. These people have gone before us to show us the way. From Charles Spurgeon to a missionary mother in China, daily study of the Word, and prayer, prepared them to mentor entire generations. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” We also read in Romans 10 that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. We have to do it, so that others k...

Sweat was pouring off Peter as he moved to protect Jesus. As Roman soldiers held the one who had been labeled a heretic, Peter drew a sword and cut off a soldier’s ear. And he was stunned when Jesus told him to put the sword away. You see, Jesus knew infinitely more than Peter or anyone else. He knew the end from the beginning, and He knew He had an agenda to see through to the end. Peter couldn’t see that, and impulsively He moved to change the facts on the ground. And that’s so typical of u...

It was once said that the sun never set on the British Empire. The island nation had expanded its reach around the world for hundreds of years, and the Union Jack flew over many countries. But as happens with earthly kingdoms, the sun did set. Today, the British are back to being basically just that island nation. The Bible talks about a kingdom that will have no end. What do we mean when we talk about that Kingdom? The Kingdom of God. The concept is found in the New Testament and refer...

A trait most of us share is a tendency to do things our own way, and possibly ignore helpful suggestions that might enhance our efforts. In business, it’s easy to see how this could waste time and produce counterproductive results. In other areas of life, the impact of going our own way has much bigger implications. As people of faith, we believe nothing is more important than sharing the gospel. Too many times though, we obsess over the process and perfecting the marketing. Yet two New...

The Apostle Paul wrote that believers are in a spiritual battle all the time against forces that are wickedly strong. He also maintains that we have the power of God with us in these battles, and this New Testament promise is an echo from the days of Joshua, the fearless Israelite commander in ages past. This mindset is a model for all of us. Dick Winters was a 27-year-old first lieutenant when he jumped into Normandy, France in 1944 with other paratroopers during the invasion of Europe...

Have you ever been in such a dark place that you wondered if God cares about you, or if He even exists? Maybe it’s all some cosmic joke, right? We’ve all been there. Humans doubt. We doubt ourselves, we doubt product labels, we doubt our kids. We question everything. But the worst one is trying to figure out where God is in the middle of life’s great difficulties. Sometimes the world is just flat-out mean, and it seems like it’s an entity that’s trying to break you in half. And that‘s the ver...

When Hurricane Katrina destroyed the church and home where E.J. Scott had pastored for 20 years, he and his wife found themselves living a bit like refugees in Dallas, Texas. After years of being strong for his flock, Pastor Scott needed something to strengthen his own faith. He was devastated. Joshua 22:5 says, “Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” When we walk with God through a storm, we a...

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be one of the original settlers in America? As a person leaving the safety of England to come to the New World and start over? Those people came here for religious freedom and risked it all. And when they landed in New England, they literally put down roots as they built and planted the beginnings of an amazing experiment that is still ongoing. Colossians 2:6–7 says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live yo...

In all the world, there are almost countless ways people try to find God. Some are drawn to the mystical, while others chase after the practical. Does it work? God knew we would all look to fill the void in our spirits—the one put there when man first sinned. He also already knew what our escape route would be, the path back to Him. Romans 10:9–10 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For i...

Beryl Markham could have given up on her aviation dreams after crash-landing in Nova Scotia. But she didn’t. Instead, this determined woman became the first person to fly from England to North America. She later said that in order to move forward, we can’t stay in the past. In fact, she said, “Leave it the fastest way you can!” This pioneer knew that staying stuck was not inevitable—that we must choose to keep our eyes on what it is we are yet to accomplish in life. Ephesians 4:31–32 says, “L...

There’s a wonderful scene in the classic film to kill a Mockingbird, when the attorney Atticus Finch is confronted by the father of a girl who has accused a black man of rape. The father, enraged, walks up to Finch—played perfectly by Gregory Peck. He spits in Finch’s face as the attorney’s children watch. You can see the anger in Finch’s face, but he slowly and calmly maintains his composure. He simply walks past the man, who now looks pretty small in everyone’s eyes. God has giv...

Paul was a stubborn man. He was completely committed to his job. The very definition of a zealot. More than anything, he hated religious people. In fact, he worked every day to make their lives miserable. You’re probably aware of who we’re talking about. Yes, this is the famous Apostle Paul, whose pen dominates much of the New Testament. Paul, or Saul as he was known when he was persecuting Christians, didn’t need anyone. He didn’t have friends. On his way out of town, Paul was knocked off hi...

Have you ever been hurt in a relationship? If you’ve been alive very long at all, the answer is probably, “Yes!” Reality has shown us that love can be the most wonderful feeling ever…or it can be ugly and brutal. It can feel like your heart has been run over by a truck. We’re talking about loving like Jesus, and as usual, His Word unlocks the secrets of our hearts, and it shows us the way to healing. 1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boas...

I’m not sure where you’re at today. You might be angry at God. Something happened, maybe, in your life—that has damaged your faith. If we live in the world long enough, it can happen to any of us. How you respond is really important. If you’ve listened previously, you know that this week we are talking about how to live by faith. Having perseverance when we’re miserable is really, really hard. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re alone. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, and ...

Standing in the door of the plane, with a fierce wind whipping his whole body, Curtis wondered why he’d volunteered for the paratroopers. It was glamorous, they said. It’ll make a man out of you, they said. Shutting his eyes, Curtis prayed the most honest prayer of his life. He stretched out his hands and took a step... Lamentations 3:25–26 says, “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Rolling ...

When you’re having a bad day, a run-in with an immensely cheerful person doesn’t always turn that frown upside down. Does it? Commiserating with someone else though—a word literally defined by two or more people wallowing in misery together—that can be a balm to an anxious and worried mind. Sometimes. The relief though, is temporary. Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” The apostle Paul was talking about more than mere cheerfulness in ...

Since prayer is, by nature, personal, we often want to know how things are going to turn out, even before we start praying. We wonder if God will actually answer our prayer. Maybe not as dramatic as some stories, but still if we’re honest, we would like an answer to our prayer. Why else ask? Luke 18:1 says, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” The fact is, of the 650 prayers in the Bible, 450 of them were answered, at least...

Most people at one time or another wonder who they should address when starting a prayer. The Christian concept of the Trinity has caused people to hesitate to pray. It’s like, “Who do I pray to?” Luke 6:12 says, “One of those days, Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Interestingly, when Jesus prayed, as recorded in the Bible, He prayed to His Father. This is a difficult concept for many to embrace. How can someone be God but pray to Himself? In some...

Have you ever felt without hope? It’s a pretty desperate place to be. It’s been said that hope is the one thing a human being can’t be without. Beth was once accused of some pretty terrible things. She wasn’t guilty of any of them, but it took two years and serious legal hurdles to clear her name. Her future was uncertain. In the end, she told reporters that her best ally was the Lord. Her story was itself a great witness. Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful...

In the dark days of mid-20th century Europe, a lone German decided to make political waves. His choices put his own life in grave danger. Oskar Schindler was a businessman with factories in countries occupied by the Nazis. Jews everywhere were being shipped like cattle to extermination camps. Some of Schindler’s employees were in danger. What did he do? He saved over a thousand of them by keeping their names on a list of employees necessary to conduct business. By war’s end, he had spen...

As a believer, have you noticed that it’s often easier to stay in God’s will when you’re at home? At work, it can get a little dicey. It’s at work that people see us, and our decisions can have such impact. Not being in God’s will in that setting can be catastrophic. Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Terry Looper is the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company. Once, he was negotiating a sale and was at the finish line when he realized he hadn’t sought God’s will i...

It’s no accident that Jesus chose as some of His apostles a group of fishermen from Galilee. These were men who could understand Him when Jesus told them He would make them “fishers of men.” He meant, of course, that they would share the Good News about Him with everyone they came in contact with. And that’s exactly what each of them did, for the rest of their lives! John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Fishing req...

Have you ever visited a construction site, or maybe lived near one? A construction site is a unique kind of mess. Dirt and mud mingle with piles of wood, shingles, and other building materials. Utility flags poke up from the ground like man-made weeds. Trampled grass and dirty sidewalks give further evidence of the work at hand. Eventually, what began as an empty field will grow into something more: a business, a medical facility, or a home. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have ...

Scores of people today, even in many of our churches, walk around aimless. They work their jobs and take care of their families, but they struggle to understand what it is that God wants them to do. He’s told us! As with every other situation, His Word speaks directly to our circumstances. Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” The Lord requires of us that we have the ...

The story of the Prodigal Son is one we can all relate to. The Bible tells the story of a brash young man who leaves his home after asking for his inheritance. His loving father complies, and let’s just say the son learns some valuable lessons on his travels. Eventually, he humbles himself and comes home; he needs his father and his family. It’s really a story of Jesus and us. Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you....

Who likes to wait for what we need or want? Basically, nobody. Of those nine elements that make up the Fruit of the Spirit, patience may be the hardest. Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” And patience is learned, which makes it one of the sweetest fruits the Spirit gives us. Waiting for a “payoff” of some kind makes the end result that much more rewarding. Life teaches us that. A childless Hannah endured mocking and ridicule, but the Bible...

Usually, when we’re looking for some kind of emotional lifeline to get us through the day, we only want to know what God can do for us. How do we get that peace of mind we desperately need? One component is obedience. At first, this sounds like a test that’s too hard. We need relief right now! Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfe...

Have you ever been downright stuck in a difficult situation? Maybe you’ve held a job with a colleague or supervisor you didn’t see eye to eye with, and other career opportunities were scarce. Maybe you’ve been halfway through the semester and realized you’re headed for a poor grade, but it’s too late to drop the class. Maybe you’ve struggled in a relationship with a spouse or close family member, and you are wading through heartbreak with every interaction. When the Apostle Paul wrote t...

Carissa was having one of those days. Instead of hitting the snooze button on her alarm clock, she had turned it off. Now the kids were late for school, she was late for work, and the tone for the day was one mad rush—emphasis on the mad. As the day wore on, she thought about her impatience and frustration with her children as everyone got dressed and grabbed a granola bar on the way out the door. It wasn’t their fault the family was running behind, and she regretted sending them to sch...

We all screw up. We all fail in some way. We fall short of goals, or get embarrassed in some kind of career implosion or other event. It’s easy then to feel like we’ll never win again. And that is not how God sees you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Hope and a future. That’s what’s ahead, not depression and failure. The Bible is full of stories of people God would...

Picture what it would look like to lose everything in one fell swoop. Your house burns to the ground. The stock market plummets and all your money is gone. Worst of all, your children fall ill and die. Suddenly, you’ve lost not only your material possessions, but your family, too. When people refer to someone as having “the patience of Job,” they say that for a reason. Job was a man of immense wealth, the richest man in the region, and was the father of 7 sons and 3 daughters he loved dearly....

Have you ever thought much about grace? We hear the word, but the concept itself might be a little elusive. That might be because it’s hard for humans to understand and embrace. Grace means simply that someone gives you something with no strings attached. Just for your good. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” The Bible tells a simple story, really. Mankind sinned and brought evil into the world. G...

As humans, we tend to have a problem asking for help. We can probably chalk that up to our proud hearts. Often, when we’re really up against it, that’s when we resist seeking help. The God of the universe does away with all of that. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Ask yourself: is my pride keeping me from asking for help? If so, mull that over. And then, take a step toward the Lord and ask for what you need.&nbs...

Would it surprise you to know that God has always been interested in you? Did you know He knew you before you were born? He has a vested interest in how your life turns out. Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” He isn’t some remote deity. God doesn’t pay attention only most of the time. He doesn’t form His plans here and there. He is there for us all the time. The question is, where are we? Before you were born, it was God’s will that you would have a relatio...

Part of the joy of being a believer is that we can share the Good News with literally anyone and everyone. And how we share that faith is often critical for the other person’s future. Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” As we share this week about holding fast to faith, it should be obvious that we are greatly blessed to be able to show others the way. And in ...

Have you ever gotten tired of treading water? Martha is a 20-something-old lifeguard in Los Angeles. Besides dealing with deck chairs purposely thrown into the water and parents asking her to babysit poolside, she’s noticed another aspect of the job that really tugs at your heart. “Kids pretend to drown in the pool so that I will pay attention to them.” Wow. Think about that. At a young age, humans need to be nurtured and cared for. They want to be loved. So a young lifeguard becomes th...

The prophet Isaiah lived during a difficult period for the ancient Israelites. Turning away from faith in God and under the control of corrupt kings, the nation entered a period of darkness. They needed hope more than anything. In our discussion this week, we’re talking about this human condition. Today, we are really no different from people in ancient times: We all need a relationship with our Creator. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar ...

Have you ever been in such a dark place that you wondered if God cares about you, or if He even exists? Maybe it’s all some cosmic joke, right? We’ve all been there. Humans doubt. We doubt ourselves, we doubt product labels, we doubt our kids. We question everything. But the worst one is trying to figure out where God is in the middle of life’s great difficulties. Sometimes the world is just flat-out mean, and it seems like it’s an entity that’s trying to break you in half. That’s the very mo...

The Bible is full of what many would call difficult stories. Some of them don’t make a lot of sense. Others seem contrary to what we think should happen. One such story is breathtaking if we follow it through. It involves a father trusting God more than his own instincts. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, and not by sight.” In Genesis, we read about Abraham being instructed by the Lord to offer his young son Isaac as a sacrifice. As a sacrifice?! Nothing could be more repulsive! ...

Only a person who is willfully blind could deny that miracles happen today. They didn’t end at the shore of the Red Sea. Malachi 3:6 says, “I the Lord do not change.” From this, we can logically see that the Bible’s powerful and majestic miracles didn’t stop in the first century. They’re still happening. God didn’t suspend the love He dispenses in the form of miracles. Taylor McCaffrey was an alcoholic as a teenager. He was also a preacher’s kid, and these combined to weigh him do...

A political science major at a major university was having coffee with a campus pastor. The pastor knew that the student was wrestling with doubt about the existence of God and said to him, “John, you know all of us wonder at some point if it’s all real or not. For example, there are quite a few stories in the Bible that are just hard to believe. Jonah and the whale and all that.” John smiled and said, “No, that’s not my problem. What I wonder about is how God could care about me. I’ve done s...

Life is a process. We know that if we’ve lived very long at all. And this week, we’re talking about the process of trusting God. John 16:24 says, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” Could Jesus meet our needs by just giving us something instantly? Of course. He made everything! And sometimes He does that; the miracles He performed that are recorded in the New Testament tell us that He often instantly met a person’s n...

Part of God’s unchanging nature is that He is sovereign and does things His way. In Isaiah 55, we read that God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. In other words, He’s infinitely more powerful than we are, especially when it comes to perspective. We read in the Old Testament that sometimes other nations mocked the Israelites when they were exiled from their homeland. Really, they were mocking God because it was said that maybe He couldn’t keep His promises. ...

Do you need a miracle? If we’re honest and open to the truth, miracles have always been a part of our world. In the beginning, God made a dazzling world full of diversity, beautiful animals, gorgeous sunsets, streams of water. He also made us to enjoy it all, and to keep it for Him. But just like the entrance of sin into our world which marred the original beauty, we sometimes get weighed down with worry and cares of life. We look up one day and the drudgery of our days overwhelms...

Today, we’re unpacking a powerful message in Scripture that reminds us of the unparalleled authority and majesty of Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:9–11 says, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” This verse tells us God exalted Jesus to the highest place and g...

The late writer Christopher Hitchens was a skeptic who claimed that miracles are born from nightmarish ignorance, and that they often are simply 10th-hand reports from illiterate peasants. Wow. The flaw in his argument, of course, is that it isn’t really an argument. It’s simply a rant against God, and the fact is unexplainable miracles happen every day in our world, but Hitchen’s views are shared widely by certain influential people in our time and their claims that miracles are impossible d...

Of all the human emotions, fear is perhaps the most paralyzing. Now there are what we call internal and external fears. While many people stress about relationships, depression, and self-doubt, there are also big issues affecting the world: natural disasters, political upheaval, wars, are just a few of the things that create fear. Sometimes it can feel like everything is unraveling, but our field guide for finding our way through life, the Bible, has much to say about fear. In fact, doz...

The most influential ruler of all time, the greatest king to ever walk the face of the earth, is also mankind’s greatest example of humility. Jesus may have been born in a stable, but the Son of our Creator God was anything but ordinary. He lived a humble life, but performed miracles along the way, and showed us what it means to be a humble servant leader among men. Jesus selflessly took human form, God incarnate, to become a living sacrifice for our sins. He did not profess His innocence and...

The giant redwoods of the American Pacific Northwest are among nature’s most beautiful scenes. As tall as skyscrapers, and big enough to drive a truck through. It’s said that the redwoods are so powerful and strong in part because even these plants have a sense of community. Separated, or as a single tree, the root system is much more vulnerable. But planted with partners all around, the picture changes completely. The redwoods become tall and strong. Colossians 2:6–7 says, “So then, just as ...

We think of her as a genteel Southern lady, and she was that, for sure. But Ruth Bell Graham was so much more. While her husband was away so much, preaching to the masses, she was preaching to her own little flock. The result was children who became adults, and in turn, shared the Good News of Jesus with others. Anne Graham Lotz and Franklin Graham didn’t just fall out of the sky! Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.” In their little home in the mountains of ...

Some of the greatest stories of believers down through time have involved those who really studied God’s Word. These people have gone before us to show us the way. From Charles Spurgeon to a missionary mother in China, daily study of the Word, and prayer, prepared them to mentor entire generations. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.” We also read in Romans 10 that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. We have to do it, so that others know ...

Have you had an experience in your life that has prepared you for helping others? Has life dealt you circumstances that speak to a situation in a younger person’s life? If so, you might be ready to help in such a way that will bring honor and glory to God. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.” The apostle Paul suffered much for his faith in Christ. A dramatic shipwreck…prison, beatings, and hunger were part of his daily routine. And then, God set Timothy in h...

Do you struggle with being humble, and yielding to God’s will? Most of us do. This extends to accepting an iron-sharpening-iron relationship that God has set in our path. And yet the benefits are so good for us. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.” Make no mistake, God sets people in our path for a reason. That Bible teacher in your church might have words of wisdom for you from her rich and varied life. Be open to that. If you’re ...

The Bible is full of wonderful analogies, and one of the best is found in Proverbs, which paints a picture of godly mentoring and accountability. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” The idea is that as pieces of iron are drawn against the other, each piece becomes sharper. A further application is made in Hebrews 4:12, which talks about Scripture as being a double-edged sword, and it is with His Word we are to sharpen each other. ...

Of all the themes of the Bible, God’s grace through His Son, Jesus Christ, is the greatest example. It’s the most critical element in a person’s life, and the choice to receive it is ours. The Bible tells us that before the world was created, God already had a plan to redeem mankind from sin. And because He knows all, He already knew what would take place in the Garden of Eden. Acts 15:11 says, “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are sav...

Corrie ten Boom made a decision at the height of World War II. She would hide Jews from the Nazis in her Dutch home, and she was found out. Surviving the war, she told people for the rest of her life about God’s grace. Though her sister, Betsy, died at the notorious camp called Ravensbrück, Corrie survived. One night two years after the war, she found out just how meaningful grace really is. After she had spoken to a group of Germans, a man approached her. She then realized that he h...

Theresa Rosenthal had a rough start in life. She watched her father abuse her mother, and then when she was six, a family friend sexually abused her. Like so many that suffered at the hands of a predator, Theresa pushed the pain down into a secret place, and for decades, she battled with depression and substance abuse. Finally, one day she was sitting in front of her house and just blurted out to God, “What am I supposed to do?” Within 24 hours, she had a Bible from a new friend who ...

It’s been said that grace is simply favor from God, and we didn’t do anything to earn it. Often, grace comes when we need it the most. The word grace is used about 170 times in the Bible. Most of those occur in the New Testament as the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ unfolds. His sacrifice for all of us—dying on the cross for our sins—was the backdrop for a lot of other moments in grace He gave to those He came in contact with. Jesus perfectly understood that there’s ...

“Amazing Grace” is one of the most recognizable hymns in the English-speaking world. Written almost two and a half centuries ago in 1772, the words for “Amazing Grace” were borne from the heart, mind, and experiences of the Englishman, John Newton. As a member of the Royal Navy, Newton faced many perils on the open sea. In the midst of a terrifying storm that almost sank the vessel he was on, he cried out to God. The vessel was spared, but Newton’s change of heart was short-...

Have you ever paused and thought about how rarely people see you for who you are? Have you ever done something that you feel is almost unforgivable? You need to know that is not the way God wants you to feel. Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a pure heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Some of the most famous people in history were very unrighteous at times. King David, described as a man after God’s own heart—he was loved that much—did dreadful things. Gu...

John Kralik was in a bad place. The LA attorney was generally miserable…divorced again, broke, and living in a dingy apartment with no air conditioning. He was also struggling to pay his employees because clients wouldn’t pay him. Not exactly glamorous, but then John did an amazing thing. He decided he would concentrate on things to be grateful for, and follow that up with writing a thank you note every day for an entire year. Over time, and not too slowly actually, John’s life began...

With the tech boom has come concerns that we are constantly under surveillance, or being watched. And maybe that’s not all a conspiracy theory. But no one in the world knows everything about us. There is still some privacy, some places we can go away from prying eyes. Except… Psalm 69:5 says, “O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.” We know that we serve the One True God, the One that made everything we see. Part of His infinite kn...

It’s almost universally believed that tech guru Steve Jobs floated into mega success with Apple, the company he co-founded with Steve Wozniak. Job’s first go around at Apple didn’t end well in 1985, when he was forced out. His next effort wasn’t a home run either, yet Jobs put his head down like a fullback and plowed ahead. Next up for him was founding Pixar and finally, more than a decade after his humiliating exit from Apple, Jobs returned there as CEO and revolutionized the way pe...

Honestly…sometimes as Christians, we think things are going to be easy. After all, when Jesus saves you, it doesn’t get any better than that! The joy we feel is genuine, and lasting. But—that doesn’t mean we escape this world. Bad things can and do happen. This week we’re talking about having enough grit to get to the glory. Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and...

Do you ever stop and think about the routine things you do every day? Buying detergent so you can wash your family’s clothes. Fixing a couple of boards on your deck. We even grind through staff meetings at work. All of this of course mixed with life, laughter, and love. But do you think about why you can do these things in our country? Primarily it’s because of the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers—those men and women who have defended the homeland since Colonial times. &nb...

From earliest times, God commanded His people to see their national home through His holy eyes. In other words, countries around the world are to follow the Lord. Of course, many don’t. Jeremiah 30:22 says, “So you will be my people, and I will be your God.” Many great civilizations have risen, but few last beyond a couple hundred years. Although history is debated, the foundations of America see a people who wanted to live holy unto the Lord. Modern America is still an ongo...

We as Americans tend to relish our history—and most countries do. Famous eras and the glory of battle and all that. Americans love the beautiful land that we’ve been blessed with, as well. The Bible tells us the true source of our blessings. It points us to the One who made all things possible. Psalm 115:1 tells us, “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” We are incredibly blessed in America for a lot of re...

Today in America, two million men and women serve in our armed forces. More than 200,000 of them are deployed to various points around the world. Joshua 1:9 reminds us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” The Lord has told us directly not to be afraid. We aren’t even to be discouraged! He’s told us through His promises that He’ll be with us every step of the way...

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be one of the original settlers in America? As a person leaving the safety of England to come to the New World and start over? Those people came here for religious freedom and risked it all. When they landed in New England, they literally put down roots as they built and planted the beginnings of an amazing experiment that is still ongoing. Colossians 2:6–7 says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, conti...

Have you ever hunted and hunted for something—maybe your car keys, and you finally find them? The old saying goes (and it’s very unhelpful!) that you find them in the last place you look. There’s a lot of truth to that. It also is very relevant to our walk with Jesus. Often, we work really hard to solve our own problems, then we give in and ask Jesus for help. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to...

The Bible tells us that King Solomon was a very wise man. He ruled over his kingdom from Jerusalem, and built the famous Temple there. He was also very human. This son of King David eventually let his wealth and power go to his head, and he began to follow other religions and almost seemed to enjoy sinning. And yet God loved him. In his later years, Solomon realized how wrong he had been to rely on his own strength. And so scholars believe that’...

Do you feel like you’re falling apart today? It’s okay to say yes. Life is life, and we all have obstacles to overcome. Maybe your issue is ongoing, or maybe it’s a sudden thing. But please think of it this way: Jesus is alive and He knows who you are—and He cares about you and your problems. Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Jesus is not caught off-guard by problems in your life and most importantly, He truly care...

Do you find it hard to trust some people? Do you find it hard to trust anyone? Our society is full to the brim of people who have been hurt, wounded, and devastated. It puts up a wall and we live behind it in silence and fear. After the fall of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, the people of that captive country were free for the first time to tell their stories. One woman said that she had been driven nearly insane by the dictator’s torture chambers, but when he was gone, someone shared the l...

There is a common metaphor of life being like a road, and with good reason. We are in essence walking a path in life, from beginning to end. For each person, the journey is at different times joyous, grueling, and full of wonder. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, not by sight.” This week we’re talking about walking by faith, something us as humans find difficult to do—especially when times get tough. Yet that is exactly the moment God uses to ignite our faith, a...

We often hear that it’s harder to raise kids today than ever before. That isn’t true, of course. All eras down through history have been challenging. We live in a world scarred by sin, after all, and children grow up among all sorts of temptations. That’s why the role of a parent is something to take seriously, as a sacred duty. We’ve been discussing the best practical guide for living: the Bible. Nowhere is this truer than in its practical wisdom for raising successful chil...

Noah was far from perfect, but he was a humble man, and protective of his family. He stands out among fathers in the Bible as a man who remained loyal to God, in spite of the wickedness of the world around him. Doesn’t that sound a lot like life today? Fathers who choose to follow a life of faith are surrounded by temptation and downright evil in this world, but God is pleased by our devotion, and He has a plan for each of us — even when circumstances are frustrating or difficult.&nb...

What is your relationship with your father like? That’s kind of a personal question, right? And for some people, it may be a topic they really don’t enjoy discussing. Sometimes people who don’t have a meaningful relationship with a father or father figure, struggle to grasp just how much God, our creator and provider, loves us. It can be challenging to develop a personal relationship with your Heavenly Father, if you’ve missed out on a positive bond with your father here on ...

Joseph was a hardworking tradesman who God hand-picked from all the men in the world to be the earthly father of His own Son, Jesus Christ. What an honor! And in some ways, what an incredibly challenging task. Joseph wasn’t a king, a politician, or a recognized leader of any kind when he was betrothed to a young woman named Mary. A simple carpenter, he was also a man of compassion. When he learned Mary was pregnant and knew the child could not be his, he intended to divorce her quiet...

One of the things that mark a healthy society is the consistency between generations. In other words, adults who care about the future of their children will invest the time to make sure tomorrow is bright. God the Father is the ultimate parent, and we would do well to model His love for us. Luke 18:1 says, “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Passing the torch, or training up the next generation, involve...

Are you struggling right now? Are you listening to this while gripping the steering wheel, wondering how you’re going to go on? 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, “May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.” He has a purpose for you; He really does. God wants to use you for things no one else can do. And He wants you to do these thing...

The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is widely looked upon as the most famous painting in the world. By some historical estimates, the Mona Lisa took as many as 16 years to finish! Capturing Mona Lisa’s famous smile on a poplar plank was no hack job; Leonardo accepted a commission for the work in the year 1503, and completed his masterpiece supposedly around the time of his death in 1519. Clearly, this level of artistic achievement takes time. When you hear the word “masterpie...

Do you struggle to wonder what God’s will is for your life? Many of us do. Although it isn’t a quick answer, the best way to find God’s will for your life is to read His Word. The Bible will tell you the answer to that question. Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Actually, finding God’s will isn’t the hardest part. Deciding to follow His will is where we get tripped up. People need the skill and the discipline of being persistent. Too o...

Roaming, travel, wandering…all have been part of the human psyche since the beginning. Because we all have that God-shaped hole in us, needing to be filled with Him, we search. Some find God, and some don’t. The sense of aimlessness and lack of purpose haunts some. We think of the classic novel “On the Road,” which is the story of two characters traveling the country. At first, the lure of freedom is fun to think about, but the truth is, if people don’t fill that God-shaped ...

Have you ever wondered what your place in this world is? Of course, you have. That’s the human experience. Alone with our thoughts, we wonder who we even are, and what we’re meant to do. It’s a mysterious journey, but the fog lifts and the way becomes clear when we get to know King Jesus. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” You were made for something! ...

We as people tend to be goal-oriented. Even if you think you’re not, you really are. Maybe you don’t have a burning ambition to work in finance on Wall Street, or you aren’t going to be a pro athlete any time soon. But you do want to earn a living for your family. Hey, maybe you even want to get your chores finished before your favorite show comes on TV. Sometimes, this love of goals can trip us up when it comes to eternal matters. We think we can make our own way. It’...

Francis was just 6 weeks old when she became ill in the spring of 1820. The family doctor was out of town, and a charlatan pretending to be a doctor prescribed a treatment that rendered the baby completely blind, although she recovered from the initial illness. A few months later, her father died, and her mother went to work as a maid to support the family. She was raised by her grandmother, a devoted Christian who taught her granddaughter from the Bible. At the age of 8, the little ...

Tim closed his laptop and wondered what to do next. He had a degree. Great job experience. Enthusiasm and passion for his work… But the job market was tough in his new hometown, and his savings was running out fast. “Lord,” he prayed, “please help me find a job. You know my talents, and what I need to help support my family. Please provide.” He’d been praying this same prayer daily, but no job had come along. Tim knew God’s promises were real, but the disappointment...

Judson Van DeVenter was an art teacher and artist when he became a layman in the Episcopal-Methodist Church. He was passionate about his work, but also actively devoted to the evangelistic meetings held at his church. Seeing his abilities, Judson’s friends urged him to quit his job and become an evangelist. For five years, he wavered between the ministry and seeking recognition as an artist. He felt God’s call on his heart, but it was a difficult choice to set aside his career ...

Nick Vujicic, born without arms and legs, faced obstacles few could fathom. Less than 10 people worldwide have this condition. He’s now a person of faith, and one of the top motivational speakers in the world. Oh—and he’s married with four kids. Oh—and he graduated from college with a double major. Nick, now 35, was born with a condition known as Tetra Amelia syndrome. Not surprisingly, he faced bullying as a kid, and it continued into adolescence. Then on...

The action of sharing the Good News—the Great Commission—means that we don’t just sit in our houses and shut away the world. Scripture is an action item. Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” If the Bible is true—if God’s story intersects with our story—then a hurting world is in need of a Savior. The pain many are enduring will have no end until they meet Jesus. He is our healer and His glory fills the ...

If you’ve ever wondered what the best way might be to share your faith and defend it in the modern world, it might help to look at past examples. In the Bible, the husband-and-wife team of Priscilla and Aquila shared Christ with Apollos, who would become a famous early evangelist. In colonial England, the abolitionist William Wilberforce shamed his own government into freeing slaves. Jude 1:3 says, “Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvatio...

Defending your faith can sometimes be a subjective thing. As examples of extremes, we’ve seen the Crusades, and at the other end of the spectrum, it’s perhaps an aggressive “pitch” to someone who isn’t a believer. The thing is, it’s great to be zealous for our faith, but let’s also be disciplined. We don’t want to alienate a person who might otherwise listen. To put it simply: an angry Christian is usually a lonely Christian. Jude 1:3 says, “Dear friends, I had been eagerly ...

In every generation, it falls to believers to spend time in defending our worldview as Christians. And honestly, it’s not the nicest part of the gig—but it is part of the gig. Usually, it involves simply explaining what your faith is all about. Followers of other religions do the same thing, but for us, we’re sharing the person of Christ with someone who may not know Him. That makes it a big deal. Jude 1:3 says, “Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to yo...

Most of us feel a deep respect in our hearts for those who have sacrificed so that we can remain free. Loving those who have paid the ultimate price is just something we do as people. We pause to remember each year. Isaiah 56:5 says, “To them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever.” God instituted the concept of maintaining memorials. He remembers, and so d...

Who do you put your faith in? In the 1930s, as war approached in Europe, the British loved their monarchs. The royal family has been beloved for generations, and King Edward the 8th was ready to take his place on the throne after the death of his father. The people loved the dashing young king, and he seemed to enjoy his role. And then he fell in love. Falling in love isn’t a bad thing of course, even for kings. But Edward loved an American woman who was divorced. I...

If Genesis describes the beginnings of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the book of Revelation finishes the story. Revelation 19 tells us a descendent of Judah, Jacob’s son, will one day come and rule the whole world. And He will be unlike any other king in history. 1 Timothy 1:17, “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.” This verse tells us that the role of the greatest of all kings ...

In the Bible, we read of family records that were the original genealogy sources. People knew where they came from, knew their kin. The 12 tribes of Israel were first outlined in Genesis, and from these 12 came an entire nation. Even Jesus came from somewhere! One of the Bible’s patriarchs, Jacob, had a son named Judah. The father calls the son a lion’s cub, and blesses him. Judah is told he will have favor in his family. 1 Timothy 1:17 says, “All honor and gl...

Have you ever heard of the legendary English king, Arthur? An iconic figure in history, he led a defense of his country against Saxon invaders around 1,500 years ago. He has also been immortalized in literature. There’s only one problem: We don’t know if he actually existed. We certainly don’t know where he’s buried. And it’s a sure thing that King Arthur, if he lived, wasn’t history’s greatest ruler. 1 Timothy 1:17, “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the et...

Do you know Who Jesus is? Do you really understand His identity? We know from the Bible that He is many things: a child, a carpenter, a leader of men. We know that He is our Savior, the One who went to the cross to take on our sin. He is also our King. 1 Timothy 1:17, “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.” In this letter to his young friend, Paul emphasized to Timothy that...

Today we wrap up our series on finding contentment by discussing the source of true peace and happiness. John MacArthur once wrote a book called Our Sufficiency in Christ. In it, he revealed the path to finding true peace and contentment, and he says there’s a single word that encompasses all the riches we find in Christ: Grace. What a magnificent word it is. It’s used more than 150 times in the New Testament to speak of divine favor, bestowed on undeserving people. It is the m...

Today’s message is really about taking the long view. The human attention span is short, like really, really short. Between the world wars, Winston Churchill warned Europe that Hitler was a threat to the continent at least, but people ignored him. And then when the Nazis turned violent, the people turned to Churchill as their prime minister. Having led the country through another costly war to preserve freedom, Churchill was defeated for reelection in the last da...

The big question for today is, can we find contentment in things? Have you ever listened to a very successful person complain about the fact that his wealth doesn’t make him happy? How the success of life has left him or her empty? Of course, you have. We’ve all heard stories like that, but pay attention to that—because it’s really important. Watch people roll their eyes when they hear those stories. Why do they do that? Because they’re thinking, “Yeah, just give...

Today, our big question is, can we find contentment in relationships? How many times has this scene been repeated? A guy sees a girl he can’t live without. He thinks she will bring him happiness—and for a while, that's how it plays out. But then one day he’s melancholy just like he used to be. Or how about the woman who believes marriage will fulfill her heart’s desires, but then over time her husband isn’t so perfect? You see the common denominator in these two ...

The diversity of life on this planet is astonishing, good, bad, beautiful, painful. Our world is a place of blessing and it’s also a struggle for a lot of people. Each of us has a whole batch of issues to deal with every day, ranging from physical challenges to emotional needs. And a fascinating element in all this is how we see contentment. What is it? Where is it found? Is it lasting? Matthew 6:32–33 says, “For the pagans run after all these things and ...

Jane was the last child to receive a handmade blanket from her great grandmother. Pink and blue, festooned with angels and sprinkled with stars that sparkled in the light, the much-loved blanket was the little girl’s constant companion. This childhood treasure became even more important when Gramma Ann passed away—a reminder of her love for her family, and her faith in God. Jane’s blanket kept her warm in sickness and in health, but the washing machine proved its eventual un...

Sandra was a single mom with little family support. Her ex was not exactly helping repair a tough situation. Her days slowed down only late at night when everyone else was asleep. That’s when fear got into bed with her…and wouldn’t budge. Psalm 23:4 tells us, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Every human being in history is faced with trouble at some point. But h...

Are you a woman blessed with the gift of a wonderful mother-in-law? We can hardly think of a more important relationship. Through the ages, this mentoring friendship has sealed families and nurtured them. Likewise, we easily see the pain inflicted when this relationship isn’t good. In the Old Testament, we read of a really remarkable mother-in-law. She showed great kindness to a young woman at just the right moment. After returning home to Bethlehem after a famine is over, N...

She’s not very well known, even though she’s in the Bible. But Jochebed…who’s heard of her? Go ahead—raise your hands. This great woman deserves a bigger story in our culture because she modeled what it means to act with bravery, and to value all life. Exodus 2:3 says, “But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.” Jochebed, you ...

Everyone loves the beauty of nature’s gems. The greens, blues, and reds of natural gemstones have set apart jewelry since the beginning of time. These precious jewels are relatively rare, and desired by people from all walks of life. None more than the ruby. The second hardest gemstone, rubies have always been striking for their deep reds that flash in the light. They have been used in the crowns of monarchs for centuries, and for the rings and necklaces we can find in jewel...

Welcome to the Kerusso Daily Devotional. Good morning…good afternoon…whatever time it is where you are. Where are you today? I don’t mean on the way to work or your kitchen or a doctor’s office. I mean, is your life stable? Are you on the right road? Our topic this week is the perfect timing of God. You might be in an okay place, or you might be free-falling. As usual, God’s Word speaks to this. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He ...

You probably know whether you’re a morning or night person. Science has some good news for you early risers: Apparently, the early bird really does get the worm. In a study of early risers versus night owls, researchers at the University of Birmingham discovered strong connections in the regions of the brain that can predict better performance and lower sleepiness; these areas were significantly stronger in study participants who identified themselves as early birds. Whether...

Have you ever heard someone recall a tough time and be happy about it? Not very often, right? We all go through stuff we’d rather forget. When tough times hit us without warning, it’s natural to just wish it could all be over— immediately! Humans are built to run from trouble. How do you grind through when it’s so bad you want to die? Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, char...

In 1943, Winston Churchill wanted an invasion of Europe to defeat the Nazis, but the Americans weren’t ready. They were ready one year later. And when the Germans on the French beaches saw thousands of ships coming through the mist one morning, they knew Franklin Roosevelt, the American president, had been right to wait. Now the allies were at full strength and aiming for victory. Timing saved civilization. It’s like that in life sometimes, isn’t it? For all of u...

Science. It’s pretty cool. Did you know what we think of as a day—how long it takes the Earth to rotate—isn’t actually 24 hours. According to NASA, it’s 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.2 seconds. A day on the planet Mercury—it's a whopping 58 Earth days, 15 hours and 30 minutes. Can you imagine a Monday that lasts over 1400 hours? Our Creator God, in His infinite wisdom, gave us the perfect amount of daytime for work and play, and nighttime for rest. He gave us seven...

Since prayer is, by nature, personal, we often want to know how things are going to turn out, even before we start praying. We wonder if God will actually answer our prayer. Maybe not as dramatic as some stories, but still if we’re honest, we would like an answer to our prayer. Why else ask? Luke 18:1 says, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” The fact is, of the 650 prayers in the Bible, 450 of them were ...

Truett burst through the front door with exciting news one afternoon, anxious to share his latest find. “Mom! I found a praying mantis. Can you believe it! They’re pretty rare around here.” It was certainly one of the biggest bugs they’d seen in the fields around their home. The beautiful emerald green insect crawled from hand to hand, curious about its new environment. Considered a symbol of peace, contemplation, and prayer, the word “mantis” in Greek literally means prophe...

Communism kept half of Europe locked up for much of the 20th century. For 75 years, the oppressive system took most freedoms away from its ordinary citizens. The political system, responsible for tens of millions of deaths, seemed almost indestructible. Then, almost suddenly, the system built on restricting freedom just collapsed. The end came so quickly that all the most experienced analysts and diplomats were caught off guard. How did that amazing turnaround ha...

Jenna stopped in her tracks, sighing in frustration as she bent down to pick yet another rock out of her shoe. “Why on earth am I suddenly picking up rocks every time I walk the dog,” she wondered. They finished their usual route, and at home, Jenna slipped off her shoes and discovered the problem: she’d worn down those old slip-ons for so long that she wore a hole right through the soles of both shoes! Philippians 4:6 reminds us, “Do not be anxious a...

Humans were built for language and communication. It’s one of the bits of creative genius God used when He formed His highest creation. And apart from regular communication, whether it’s the written word or verbal, we have a great gift from a loving God: prayer. Prayer is an intensely personal way to communicate with our Creator, the One who knows everything about us. Jeremiah 29:12 says, “Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to y...

In the book of Romans, Paul tells us the evidence for the existence of God is so numerous in nature that anyone can believe in God. Surely one of the most compelling examples is in our night sky. When we look up at the heavens, it takes our breath away. The twinkling lights are like our own personal message from God. All those stars… Philippians 2:15 says, “Shine...like the stars in the sky.” Astronomers tell us that each star is as unique as we are. We can see some...

When we look at the amazing diversity all around us in nature, we see that no detail escaped God’s attention. He created all things to live in harmony. That includes our individual physical bodies. He intends for us to be healthy and whole—mind, body, and soul. Joshua 22:5 says, “Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” In order to fully serve God, we can’t neglect anyt...

Have you ever spent time out in the country? If you’re used to the noise of city life—neighbors coming and going, traffic, dogs barking...then spending a few nights in the country can feel almost too quiet. A brilliant sunrise without buildings to block the view, the most stars you’ve ever seen shining across the night sky, and a unique feeling of peace can all be found in the country, if you get the chance to enjoy these simple pleasures. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first ...

We live in an amazing world of rich diversity. In nature, we see almost countless stunning animal species. We linger on pictures of beautiful landscapes. And different cultures give us amazing experiences. There are also many different religions. Some of them offer a measure of peace. Some have reflections that can help us be better people. Today we’re talking about salvation, and that is one thing only Jesus offers. That’s a harsh thing to say in this day and age, but if we are true...

Have you ever talked to someone who doubted the existence of God? Someone who says God couldn’t have created everything in our world? Watch that same someone stare in wonder at a mountain range like the Rockies, the delicate bloom of a flower, or a sunset on a beach in Greece. It’s pretty hard to deny God in such a moment. In fact, all throughout scripture, we’re told that God’s majesty is seen in our natural surroundings. He made everything. Literally—all matter...

Spring is the season of new life. As we finish up our series on the Psalms, we come to the most famous one of all. Psalm 23:1–2 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” This psalm contains some of the most famous words ever written. It has everything: beautiful language, a man’s raw honest heart for God, and a universal theme of love that God has for all people. It...

One of the things that sets God apart from all others is His ability to tell us what is going to happen. We read about this in Isaiah 46, where He says only He knows the end from the beginning. An amazing example of this is found in Psalm 22, and it’s almost surprising how many people are not aware of it. Psalm 22:11 says, “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.” If you read the entire chapter carefully, you begin to realize that thi...

From the time he was a young shepherd in the wilderness, David had deep relationship with God. He escaped enough dangerous situations to know that God was always with Him, and was his deliverer. Psalm 91:1–2 says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” This psalm is famous for its descriptive language. We can see a picture of this in our mind...

Nothing is more basic to life than creation itself. The Bible tells us that God alone has the power to truly create, and the beauty of language in Psalm 139 explains this fully. Some believe the psalmist was writing in part about the creation of Adam. Psalm 139:1–3 says, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” The writ...

One of the greatest gifts God has given us is the collection of songs and poetic works known as “Psalms,” originally written as music for worship— especially in the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, we celebrate them as prayers for the most part, and they give us a beautiful picture of who God is. Psalm 1:6 says, “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” Traditional authorship is assigned mostly to King David, wh...

God chose Jesus, His Son, to make the greatest sacrifice mankind has ever known. The Son of God became a son of man, experiencing humanity in full as He was born, nurtured by Mary and Joseph, and ministered to and healed people He encountered. The miraculous birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our Christian faith. It is powerful to consider that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ shared our human experience. Jesus was chosen by His Father t...

Gideon was hiding from the Midianites in a winepress when an angel of the Lord came to him, saying, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” And Gideon… just wasn’t buying it. He questioned how the Lord could be with him when his community was under the thumb of the Midianites, and they had never experienced the wonders and miracles their ancestors spoke of in the past. He felt abandoned by God. Then the Lord Himself spoke to Gideon, saying, “Go with the strength you have,...

Isn’t it awesome to wake up on a Saturday morning with the whole day before you? Whether you decide to chip away at a big project, get your grocery shopping done, or enjoy a restful day around the house, your time is your own. When the Lord chooses us for His purposes, the timing of His plans may surprise us, big time. But following Jesus means prayerfully obeying His call, even if it’s not part of our personal agenda. Esther in the Bible was a hesitant leader, b...

When God chooses someone to be part of His work, sometimes it requires incredible courage to step up to what He is asking. God had heartbreaking news in store for Israel: the nation would face military conquest, and the people would be exiled from their homeland for many years, because of their sins. The entire nation would become a wasteland. Imagine delivering life-altering news like that to an entire nation. Isaiah 6:8 says, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord...

Throughout the Bible, God chose men and women to serve as part of His plan. Some answered eagerly, with hearts and minds prepared for the Lord’s work. Some were reluctant—hiding from God, or even disobeying Him. They came from all different backgrounds and classes, showing us that God can choose anyone, even you and me, to serve. Matthew worked as a publican, collecting taxes from his fellow Jews for the occupying Roman government; as you might guess, he was pretty unpopular in...

A really cool thing about God is that He has a solution for literally every situation. And that includes mental health. We see this especially in the ministry of Jesus, who walked the land healing people of all sorts of terrible things. One day He encountered a man driven insane by demons. Mark 5:15 says, “They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the ‘legion’; and they bec...

For some reason, people sometimes tell big lies when it comes to fishing. You know—what was really a small fry becomes a man-eating shark in the retelling of the story. But that is nothing compared to a really incredible story in the Old Testament book of Jonah. It seems the prophet didn’t want to preach in the pagan city of Nineveh, so he sailed away on a ship. He forgot that God controls the sea and everything in it, and Jonah found himself tossed overboard, and then swall...

One of the extraordinary stories in the Bible involves a young woman named Rahab. This story beautifully expresses God’s love for all people. Rahab lived in the Canaanite town of Jericho, which was near the border of the Promised Land God had promised to His people, who had been wandering for years in search of a home after slavery in Egypt. Because the Canaanites were so powerful, Joshua sent a scouting party into the land to see what they were up against. The men sent ahea...

The Bible is full of stories of God doing amazing things for those He calls. One of the most famous seems too good to be true—but it is! Daniel, God’s man in exile in Babylon, insisted on worshiping the Lord, and not a human king. This was against the law. When those who were jealous of him urged the king to punish Daniel, the prophet was thrown into a lion’s den overnight. And that was that…or was it? The next morning the king was so anxious about Daniel that he ra...

Have you ever gotten so tired of life that you wished you could disappear and start over somewhere else? Ever wish that fantasy would just pull you out of your circumstances? They make movies about things like that, but it’s not real. John 14:2–3 says, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you...

Few of us enjoy chaos. It’s just too...chaotic, right? The human mind needs order and peace, yet we live in this messy world. Stuff is flying by all the time, and we duck. Our relationships are a mess, and we have to schedule that root canal...while simultaneously making dinner and cleaning the house. Is there a way out? Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of t...

Jill felt like she couldn’t keep up anymore. Four years out of college, she was doing well in her chosen career. But it had not only taken her far from home, it took her away from the values she had known her whole life. This new place she lived in pressed in on her mind and heart. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” Burdened by her stresses, Jill realized something had to change. But in that unique way He has, God showed her t...

In the spring of 2014, Daniel and Colleen Jaquith, American missionaries to the Philippines, were awakened suddenly by the sounds of gunfire and shouts. Before they could react, a gunman appeared in their bedroom doorway, and he was holding a gun to the head of a pastor. Demanding money, the intruder was distracted when that pastor suggested he look in another part of the room for money. This gave the pastor just enough time to overpower him. This whole time, the...

When Richard Winters stood in the doorway of a huge glider in the pre-dawn over Normandy, France, he thought about a lot of things. The young army captain was preparing for the invasion of Europe, to free the continent from the Nazis. He knew one thing first: he could not survive on his own skill. Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” A d...

Do you get tired of being alone or afraid? Have you had enough of feeling like you can’t take any more stress? If you’re honest with yourself, there are times when you think you’re just going to lose it. The cares of this world can be like that. You stress about not having enough money each month just to pay your bills. You can’t sleep at night because your mind is racing, striving to create a workable plan for every possible scenario. And no one can actually do that success...

Sharing our faith should be exciting to us. It is exciting. When we consider the free grace God gave us through His Son, telling others about Jesus should be on our priority list every day. For whatever reason, many find it very awkward to talk to others about Jesus. We can talk about just about anything else, though. That’s why it’s crucial that we look at sharing the Gospel as an intentional thing we do. Intentionality is a great way to overcome our hesitancy, and let’s be ho...

Do you ever feel that you aren’t suited for sharing your faith in Christ? Maybe you’re not comfortable around people. Maybe you’ve encountered some who are hostile to faith. If so, then we are speaking to you about sharing your light in a dark world. Philippians 2:15 says, “Shine...like the stars in the sky.” Have you seen the movie, “The Ten Commandments?” It’s doubtful the real Moses looked and talked like Charlton Heston. And do we really think God looks for His ...

Some of the greatest stories of believers down through time have involved those who really studied God’s Word. These people have gone before us to show us the way. From Charles Spurgeon to a missionary mother in China, daily study of the Word, and prayer, prepared them to mentor entire generations. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.” We also read in Romans 10 that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. We have to do it, so th...

The Bible’s book of Daniel tells us that one day knowledge and innovation will increase exponentially in our world. And it could be surmised that the prophet was looking ahead to our day, but maybe he was looking even further. The technological advances of the 21st century are no secret. In the ancient world, an ocean voyage could take months. Now, a person can have breakfast in New York City and dinner in Paris. Communication is beyond anything our grandparents could have imagined. ...

Kerusso exists to tell people about the Good News of Jesus Christ, but somehow in our information-jacked world, culture has moved further away from understanding who the most famous person in history really is. Millions of books and articles have been written about a carpenter who lived in the Middle East 2000 years ago, and Jesus has been identified as anything from a desert mystic to God Himself. Historically, He was born into a Jewish family in Judea at the time the Roman Em...

Let’s think about something deep today: What is the end game? In this context, we’re talking about what comes after this life we are living now. Believers of course look forward to an eternity with the Living God. And even unbelievers wonder about what comes next after you draw your last breath. As it says in Ecclesiastes, He has set eternity in our hearts. It’s the most important element in our discussion this week. Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, but we als...

A huge benefit of being a believer is the knowledge that we can help others after going through the valley ourselves. It’s one thing to endure and overcome and find our joy, but it’s maybe even better when you see a friend emerge into the light because you were there for them. Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” When you’re in the middle of something difficult, it’s hard to even think. Scripture tells us the way out, bu...

When you think of ships, whether you’re thinking of the Titanic, pirate ships of yore, or trading vessels crossing the vast ocean to bring goods and services from one country to another, you probably picture them with an anchor—a heavy metal hook designed to catch on the ocean floor and keep a boat or ship in place. Wikipedia says this about anchors: There are two main types of anchors: temporary and permanent. A permanent anchor is called a mooring block and is not easily moved. A t...

We all screw up. We all fail in some way. We fall short of goals, or get embarrassed in some kind of career implosion or other events. It’s easy then to feel like we’ll never win again. That is not how God sees you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Hope and a future. That’s what’s ahead, not depression and failure. ...

Our world needs many things. We have political concerns, environmental concerns, broken relationships, and disease that still stalks too many countries. It’s also true that God doesn’t leave us in despair. He doesn’t allow our problems to overcome us, if we trust Him. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This is our anchor, the blessing of hop...

In Christ, we experience peace that is so remarkable, it isn’t naturally part of this world. As we think about the power forgiveness has for us and others, let’s think about how forgiving someone lifts a huge burden off our minds. Matthew 5:23–24 says, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer...

How much can one person take, and still choose to offer kindness? In Genesis Chapter 37, verses 12–36, 17-year-old Joseph is sent by his father to visit his brothers, who were tending the family’s flock of sheep in the countryside. Rather than the friendly check-in he expected, Joseph’s brothers initially plotted to kill him out of jealousy, but instead sold him into slavery to a group of Ishmaelites heading for Egypt. Among the brothers, only Reuben wished to leave Joseph u...

Is there someone in your life whose forgiveness you need? Legendary cowboy actor Roy Rogers said something profound. He said that sometimes it hurts to do the right thing, but afterwards, you’ll feel better. When it comes to forgiveness, this certainly applies to choosing to forgive someone who has wronged you. But have you considered that it can be even tougher to ask for someone’s forgiveness? Humans hate to fail, and most of us hate looking foolish. It hurts. ...