The Kingdom of God exists as a realm completely unlike anything humans have known in this fallen world, which is our whole experience up to some point of godly revelation. The Kingdom is spiritual, eternal, and heavenly — crafted from different materials and governed by God himself.

Our Heavenly Father tells us to “not be afraid.” This seems difficult to do, considering all that surrounds us. Yet God’s injunction against fear comes with a promise that he will protect us, guide us, and keep us safe. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/ChrisBoswell

When temptation comes our way, it often feels overwhelming. The seduction comes from the liar, Satan, and lies accompany every wayward desire we possess. Temptation lies to us that we need to do this, it will benefit us in some way, we deserve it, and other deceptive statements. In addition, since we have lived the first part of our lives (at least) in bondage to our own sinful nature, we easily believe we are still enslaved by sin. 

Christ’s work through his death and resurrection provides another way. Through our repentance and submission to him, the power of sin has been broken. We’ve been born again by the Spirit and become partakers in God’s very nature. Therefore, we have freedom in truth, love, and hope to live righteously and holy—not of ourselves but from Christ in and through us. 

Yet in the moment of temptation, these truths seem distant, possibly cliché. Our transformation happens through the renewing of our mind to these truths, however. And it is within the moment of challenge and trial that those truths are needed. It’s easy to believe God is for us when everything appears to be working out. Faith matters in the difficult moments or it matters not at all. 

When tempted, we must develop the habit of hesitation and reflecting on truth, recognizing the test from the Devil so we can replace those lies with God’s Word. Here are seven Bible quotes to help us when tempted. 

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The idea of the upside-down cross began with the Apostle Peter.

When crises arise, we become suddenly aware of our own vulnerability. No one stays immune from difficult times. The news cycles don’t help. More 24-hour news channels have arisen over the past three decades, and now podcasts giving perspectives on world events continue to gain popularity. Negative and fear-based headlines serve as “clickbait,” bombarding us with more evidence of the unsafe nature of our world and the people within it. 

At the same time, our Heavenly Father tells us to “not be afraid.” This seems difficult to do, considering all that surrounds us. Yet God’s injunction against fear comes with a promise that he will protect us, guide us, and keep us safe. 

The Psalms include several declarations to encourage and inspire us to rest in God’s security. Here are seven psalms about God’s protection.

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As part of an instruction communicating prayer’s great impact, the Bible tells us, “The prayer of a righteous man avails much.” This element of prayer challenges us and likely convicts us. What does this tell us about prayer and our calling to intercede for others?

The truth of the hypostatic union holds great importance for salvation and Christ’s work on earth and in heaven. Without this theology, Christ’s redemptive mission would be incomplete.

The dark night of the soul.

I first heard about this concept as a young man. Fellow Christians in the church often spoke of it as a common experience in a believer's journey with God—a season marked by profound doubt, spiritual struggle, and even a sense of God’s absence. People would share stories of their own dark moments, describing times of inner wrestling and testing, while encouraging others to endure their own trials in faith, trusting that God’s presence and purpose remained even in silence.

But is this dark night of the soul truly biblical? Does Scripture directly address such experiences, or is it more of a spiritual tradition shaped by personal accounts and theological reflection? Where can believers find answers in the Bible about these difficult seasons?

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What is the Apostle Paul trying to tell us when he talks about a reprobate mind?

Walking through a gift shop, I saw a great apron. Red and black, it had written upon it, “Let’s bake and watch Christmas movies!” 

For many of us, watching Christmas films remains part of our tradition. We might watch more on streaming services than TV. Some might even still use DVDs. For our family, we choose a combination of newer movies and the classics. 

Unfortunately, many of the classic or popular Christmas movies don’t talk about Jesus, the whole reason for the holiday. These secularized stories mention “Christmas spirit” and focus on general family traditions or Santa Claus. 

At the same time, any great story impacts us because it reflects God’s epic redemptive story, the one he’s telling and invites us into. Here we’ll explore how we can see the Gospel in the following eight Christmas movies. Important note: this doesn’t mean you have to watch these movies. But given their popularity, you might be able to introduce a spiritual conversation when others bring them up.

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Western Christianity has achieved much. From academic theology to apologetics, mission movements, and revivals, the European and American churches boast a rich history and heritage of faith. However, every culture has strengths and weaknesses. From a Hellenist foundation, the West has developed amazing theology and biblical intellectualism. At the same time, Western Christianity can view faith according to intellectual adherence to certain doctrines separate from how a person lives their life. 

In the Bible, most of the writers came from a more Southeast Asian or Eastern mindset. The Bible doesn’t separate what we believe with our hearts from how we act in life. They are one and the same. It takes a more Western philosophy to have a problem with “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). James doesn’t mean salvation comes from works, only that true belief leads to changed action. God doesn’t only believe in the good, he does it. His followers should be on the transformative process to live like our Father through the Son by the Spirit. 

When we live this active faith, we better experience the miraculous, have hope and peace, and know God better. 

Here are six ways we can grow a more active faith. 

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We were created to experience worship and wonder. 

At the beginning, God created all things, ordered the earth and designed a Garden for a special being. He made humanity in his image, and their abundant life centered around walking in constant relationship with and worship of God. Placed within a perfect paradise, humanity also wondered at God’s work. Then came the Fall, their disobedience, and now we struggle to dig in the dirt and survive. The life meant to cause joy brings pain. 

Jesus came to bring us back to that design. But unless we become like a child, we can’t enter the Kingdom of God (Matthew 18:3). Jesus doesn’t call us to be immature or childish but child-like. Babies and toddlers laugh at silly things, and the young express great wonder at nature, animals, and simple objects like trucks. They experience this world in new ways.  

We get older, and life beats us down a bit. We lose that wonder. Thankfully, God calls us back to a relationship where we have heavenly revelation and constant wonder through Christ and our Father by the Spirit. Despite the hardship of life, we have access to a transcendent person and reality untouched by the corruption of this world. God restores us back to our design: worship and wonder. The book of Psalms regularly expresses this. 

Here are six powerful psalms of worship and wonder.

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God doesn’t just provide peace. Just as “God is love,” he embodies peace. As the Lord of Peace, he alone holds authority over it and shares it according to his will and desire. No one can take his peace from him. As all powerful God, only he can share peace because it’s rooted within him.

Advent marks a season for Christians to prepare for Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus. During the four weeks leading up to the holiday, believers meditate on themes like hope, peace, joy, and love. The word “Advent” means “coming” or “arrival” in Latin and reminds Christians of the anticipation we should feel with Jesus’ second coming.

Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and many main Protestant churches like Presbyterians and Methodists observe Advent. A few Baptist and non-denominational churches also include some Advent elements. They practice lighting candles on an Advent wreath, reading Scripture, and giving messages along the four main themes.

Before I got married, I didn’t celebrate Advent and I knew little about it. My wife had some experience with German culture and more liturgical traditions, so we started doing the calendars together. Over time, our church participated in Advent, complete with sermons and lighting candles, and my wife and I do the calendars and activities with our kids every year.

Perhaps you’re like me. Your family doesn’t celebrate Advent. Maybe you’d like to, but don’t know where to get started. Below are six ways your family can start practicing Advent this Christmas season.

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