Why should you rejoice in the Lord? It’s true that He has given much to us, and every good gift, every perfect gift, is from His hand. But our grounds for rejoicing are about more than what He has given us or His general goodness: we should rejoice because He has claimed us as His own and is transforming our souls. We are His bride, and He is preparing us for Himself that we may be a pure bride without spot or wrinkle. That’s good for us–and good for Him! This means our reas...
At times we experience hardship, difficulty, and tragedy. This is often the result of living in a sin cursed world. It can feel as though your life has burnt down and is now slipping through your fingers as ashes scattered in the wind. During such times, we must recall the good news that Jesus not only heals the sick but also raises the dead, restores the broken, and breathes beauty into the lifeless heaps of ash that are sometimes our lives. A poignant and powerful illustra...
Our twenty-first century culture doesn’t equate a satisfying, fulfilling life with one that is lived for God. Why? Often God says “no” to pleasures that most people believe are the key to happiness in this life. But some of us know the truth, even if we had to learn the hard way, that the God of creation and redemption floods His children with a satisfaction and joy that doesn’t turn around and bite them or disappear and abandon them to debilitating consequences. Instead, Go...
Scripture tells us that God is a good husband, a faithful husband, to His people. Do you need an all-wise faithful companion? Do you need a husband? If you are reading this as a man or a married individual, you might be put off. But don’t we all need a protective, omniscient leader who knows the best path forward for us? God is a faithful and intimate companion whose goodness and wisdom rise above any human relationship. So, does this article apply to you? Most definitely! F...
As we use the word hope casually in our day, we often use it as just wishful thinking. "I hope it snows tonight," and "I hope there is no school tomorrow." And sometimes the hope runs deeper: "I hope my business venture goes well," "I hope my house sells," or "I hope I can beat this disease, this cancer." "I hope that he notices me," "I hope she says yes." Often we use hope to refer to what we want in life. But when we pause to reflect about the deeper things in life, like, "...
Have you ever wondered why Jesus came to earth? Christmas has been so overtaken by human tradition and commercialization that few may even stop to wonder what it is all about. Surely something must be behind thousands of years devoted to an annual celebration that crosses continents and cultures. So what is it about the Jesus story that has kept the celebration alive so long? Why are devout Christians so vehement about protecting what has become a prepackaged holiday marked b...