What an amazing statement! God not only sees us, but He has a specific plan- a GOOD plan- for each of us. It’s true that it doesn’t always feel that way… As it turns out, the prophet who wrote that scripture was delivering a message to the people of Israel at a time when they were feeling pretty hopeless. But God gave both them and us that clear message to help us all face the future with confidence no matter what.
Why do we go to church? The Bible teaches us to meet together to encourage each other (Hebrews 10:25), but is it simply a social gathering to get together with friends and do nice things? No, it’s much more than that. It’s meant to be a place we can go to get what we need to live the Christian life God has called us to. It is not just a Sunday meeting but the corporate body of believers gathering together to teach, learn, worship, and grow in faith so that we can put that faith into action. And God appoints certain men and women to provide what we need in order to be successful:
Did you ever think that it could be possible to actually help God? I mean, how could an omnipotent God actually need our help? Well it turns out, there is a way that we can offer assistance to the Lord Himself, and that’s by helping the people around us every day. Jesus put it this way:
When you hear the term, “investment,” what do you think of? Maybe real estate or stocks? Precious metals or digital currency or even education? Well, as useful as these things may be, we can’t take their benefits with us when we leave this life. Thankfully, God offers an investment strategy that persists into eternity, and we would be wise to heed His recommendations. Jesus said,
Our feelings can speak to us as loud as any truth or reason or evidence of any kind, which is why it is so important for us to know what we can hold onto when our feelings are running amok. I can feel worthless or superior, unloved or idolized, helpless or invincible. But no matter how I feel, the truth of who I am and how God sees me never changes:
Reading the Bible is an essential discipline for us to grow and thrive in our walk with God. But beyond simply reading the scriptures, the Bible instructs us to meditate on the Word. For example, God gave this command to Joshua when he was to take over leading the people of Israel after Moses died:
Ahh, freedom! What a glorious word. Take a moment to think about a time when you felt especially free. Now consider: Jesus died so that we can be totally free, all the time. That is part of His promise to everyone who believes in and accepts Him. But freedom from what, exactly?
When we understand that the Bible is true, then we understand that not only is God real, but so is the devil. He hates you and me and every single person who ever lived. We see his work in unspeakable acts of violence and destruction in the world around us. He perpetuates all manner of misery through disease, poverty, mental illness, war, hate, chaos and confusion. Whether it’s in the headlines or in our own private lives, the devil is on the prowl to torment wherever he can.
Being a Christian, according to the Bible, is the same as being a disciple, or student or follower of Jesus. And following Jesus means practicing His teachings in all we do. That includes putting God first, laying our lives down for others, telling people about the Gospel, enduring persecution, and even doing miracles, just to name a few things that Jesus taught and demonstrated during His life on this earth. Sound like a tall order? Yep, it is. In fact, on our own, it’s impossible. Which is why, at the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, He spoke of a very special gift God would give us: the Holy Spirit.
Do you ever feel like the truth is being pitted against kindness and compassion? Like standing for truth is equated with disregard for the struggles of others, and showing love and mercy is equated with compromise? The reality is that according to the Word of God, these are not at odds at all. God is Truth, and God is Love, and He expects His people to stand for both
So many scriptures and Christian songs refer to surrender, and to Jesus being Lord. But how many of us have really stopped to consider what all of that really means? It can be easy to gloss over this concept, consciously or unconsciously, to avoid the simple truth that being a Christian means giving God control of everything.
Did you ever stop to consider the difference between joy and happiness? Or even realize that there was a difference at all? Well it turns out, there’s actually a pretty important distinction that can have a big impact on how we live our lives. It has to do with what they are based on. Happy means to be joyous based on circumstances. Joy, on the other hand, is:
In construction, a solid foundation is key to building a sound structure. The well established practice of digging down to bedrock to place the foundation is as reliable today as in ancient times. This is because in order for a structure to be stable, it has to be secured to something stable. Even though the ground for a building site may seem suitable for construction at first, if it’s not solid rock, it will change when conditions change: in the presence of storm and flood waters, sand will erode, clay will swell and heave. If it is made from inadequate materials or not properly reinforced, the foundation itself will be the weak link.
There is something remarkable about the miracle of life. You know that feeling of awe when you see a newborn? Even when they’re all wrinkled and messy, it’s no less awe-inspiring to see that tiny person enter the world. It’s amazing!
Have you ever struggled with really praising God? Maybe, like me, you can’t carry a tune, and you feel a little out of place in a church service where everyone is singing together. Or maybe you’re so aware of all the bad things going on around you that you just aren’t feeling it. Yet, no matter what, God wants us to praise Him at all times. How are we supposed to do that?
According to multiple surveys, the average person spends something like 2 hours and 51 minutes on a smartphone per day, and among Americans in particular, 79% of adults daily spend 3 hours or more on a smartphone. (In both cases, this doesn’t count work-related usage.) As a matter of fact, chances are, you’re reading this on a smartphone! Given that these devices occupy such a significant part of our daily activities, it’s worth considering how they impact our lives.
Sometimes it’s amazing how totally opposite our thinking can be from what God teaches us in the Bible. Take, for example, the notion that as Christians, our lives are not about us at all…
Did you ever notice how we often look at what others are doing as more valuable or more important than what we ourselves are doing? Maybe we feel like we’d rather be out in front instead of behind the scenes, or we long for the big job instead of doing something we consider more mundane. Sometimes we may feel like it’s the opportunity that’s lacking, and other times we feel like it’s our own ability. But the truth is, nothing is lacking- God just has different callings for all of us.
Have you ever stopped to think about why it’s so important to read the Bible? It’s generally recognized as a common discipline for Christians, but the idea of reading the same book over and over can also be baffling to some. The thing is, it’s more than just a book- it’s the Word of God. Let that sink in for a second: the scriptures are actually a way God speaks to us personally. Whether it’s what’s actually written on the page or what the Holy Spirit reveals to us as we’re reading, God speaks into our lives. In fact, the Bible says,
The concept of choice is at the heart of some very heated debates today, but setting aside the current political climate, ultimate choice is about a different matter altogether. In fact, the central question that determines our eternal destiny is all about our choice -> “Who will we choose, God or the devil?” It is the same question God presented to the Israelites in the Old Testament:
It’s funny how everyday concepts can help give understanding to spiritual matters from the Bible. Take a skeleton key for example. When you have a skeleton key it allows you to open many different locks with the same key. It’s kinda the one to rule them all. So what does this have to do with spiritual concepts?
Do you ever think about the fact that we will all have to give an account for our actions one day? I know that’s a heavy question, but if we ignore the implications of that future appointment, we gamble with our eternal destiny. The Bible says,
Calling all bargain hunters: if you’re like me, you love finding a great deal… on anything! And that appreciation for savings doesn’t just apply to discounts and freebies. Shortcuts that save time or labor-saving devices that reduce effort are marketable for a reason. Who doesn’t like to get more from less? But when it comes to God’s call for us to walk in love, it’s not about savings, it’s about sacrifice. Sure, that’s counter to all the messages around us that emphasize things like “me time” and self care,” but in God’s kingdom, sacrifice is not a dirty word. On the contrary, Jesus said,
How can we know what’s true and what’s right when everything around us seems to be so subjective? People use phrases like “my truth” to emphasize the potential for all of us to see the same facts and circumstances differently. In fact, for some, the assertion that there is such a thing as right and wrong or an absolute, objective truth, is an outdated and offensive position that must be shouted down. So what can we do to be sure that we aren’t the ones getting deceived and off-track? It starts with staying anchored to the One unwavering source of 100% reliable truth: God. Left to our own devices, it is guaranteed that we will go astray.