A virtuous woman doesn’t look to society – or even people in general – for her worth, but to God and what He has called her to be as part of His plan. Even if it means that she is seen as an outcast for her choice to follow God, she does so because she knows God loves her and will provide.

What the author of this biblical passage is referencing here is that though we pursue the race of life believing we can get the upper hand, in the end death will still prevail. However, there is still hope in the verse as we explore the context of this Scripture and why we can still run the race before us with assurance and encouragement.

There he was, staring back at the eyes of ferocious lions. Probably not the way Daniel thought his day would go, being placed inside a lions’ den because of his refusal to bow down to anyone but God.

However, the story of Daniel in the lions’ den is one that recognizes the power and authority of God, as well as the faithfulness of one man of God. What should have been the sudden end to a man unworthy of his punishment became an example of how even in the most impossible situations, God will use the situation for good for all those involved.

Listed below are five lessons we learn from the story of Daniel in the lions’ den that can influence our own relationships with God and realization of His love and provision for us.

If He can shut the mouths of lions to keep them from injuring His servant Daniel, there is nothing God can’t do for whatever situations we are facing.

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The temple curtain or veil was meant to be a wall to protect God from those who were deemed not worthy of His presence. It continued in this way until Jesus’s sacrifice.

One of the greatest gifts you can give your friends is prayer. We can pray for their needs and for the blessing of God’s presence to guide them each day.

As we examine the Lord’s Prayer, we will be able to compare and contrast how our prayers hold up in regards to this exceptional prayer. We will see what Jesus was not only teaching His disciples, but all of us, about what it means to truly pray from the heart.

Some may view covenant like a contract, where you both sign on the dotted line and get your rewards for doing your part. However, a covenant in God’s mindset is more than just each party doing his or her part. A covenant with God is a promise that builds a lasting relationship between the Creator and His creation while redeeming those that were lost back to the Father who loves them.

God has shown Himself in a new light to me in this time and helped me most in learning that to grieve the best for my dad is to have a new understanding of control and what I do and don’t have in my control.

King Solomon said it best when describing a genuine friendship in the book of Proverbs:

“A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity” (Prov. 17:17).

Friendships are born in a variety of ways and are meant to withstand the hardships of life. Some friendships may be born from already being family, while others may come from work, hobbies, or even through our children’s schooling.

Yet when it comes to genuine Christian friendships, these relationships are more than just our bond over shared recipes, playing games of golf, or that we work with them eight hours a day.

Genuine Christian friendships employ the need to love others as Jesus Christ loved us, displaying to our friends authentic love that comes from the example of our Savior. 

These five characteristics represent the authenticity of Christian friendships that we all want to have but, may not know how to cultivate.

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Was Christmas originally a pagan holiday? Learn about the history and development of the Christmas holiday for Christians from the time of Christ to today!

Anger can come up in any situation in life. Sometimes we see it as passionate anger to make a change for the better, or bad anger that can cause harm to yourself and/or others.

Yet, in Ephesians 4:26, the apostle Paul talks about the importance of anger that doesn’t turn into sin, advising the church of Ephesus to “‘Be angry, and do not sin.’ Do not let the sun go down on your wrath.” A similar idea is also shared in Psalm 4:4, stating that we should be angry, but should not sin in the process.

Anger is something that will always be in us because we are made in the image of God, and He has His moments of anger. However, what this verse is conveying is that we shouldn’t let that anger turn into actions that are sinful. We should instead find ways that calm that anger or put it toward something beneficial for all, including ourselves.

As we read more about this verse in the book of Ephesians, we will see what Paul was advising the church, and subsequently us, to do when our blood boils because of the hurts and pains of this world.

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You might see the phrase adorning houses that have differing sports teams or political views: “A house divided.” Though it is mainly shown to be humorous about the conflicting opinions within the household, the origins of this phrase are very sound and biblical.

The words of Jesus are what sparked the sentiment. It is stated in Matthew 12:25: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” It is also expressed in Mark 3:25: “And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

While it is said in playful humor for certain situations nowadays, when Jesus stated these words, He was describing the division within the house of the Lord that would eventually lead to His sacrifice on the cross.

But what does it mean that “a house divided cannot stand”? In the eyes of Jesus, it is something we all can contribute to, knowingly or unknowingly, but we can also stop it before it is too late.

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