Jason Soroski

There are other versions that are worthy of attention, but these five are universally considered great for several reasons. First, they are all translated by respected and diverse groups of theologians. Second, they all stay fairly close to one another in attempting to give the best meaning to what the Scripture has to tell us today.

Heaven really is forever, and we will spend that eternity in a place of perfect joy, peace, rest, and hope. It is a house unlike any we have seen before. We will never have to wait for something to happen to make us happy, or have to work in hopes that we will rest later.

When we become followers of Christ, we accept Jesus as our savior and as our king. 

Throughout Scripture we see God referred to as our king, and in our worship we proclaim him to be our king. There is no doubt that he himself is the perfect example of what a king should be: he is kind, compassionate, powerful, just, honest and always true. In the Sinai desert, after the exodus from Egypt, God made it clear to Israel that he would not only be their example for a king, he himself would be their king! 

Yet we know that the people rebelled against this idea, and there were many human kings over the Jewish people. The most famous of these kings was David, with his son Solomon following right behind him. Some kings honored God, bringing their people peace and security. Others turned away from God, bringing deep and horrible calamity on their people. There is a great deal we can learn from the lives and actions of these kings, and these lessons can have a powerful impact on us and those around us. 

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The Bible is the world’s most fascinating book. It is the best-selling book of all time and is widely considered to be some of the finest literature ever written. It has been translated into numerous languages and is the foundation of modern laws and ethics. It guides us through difficult circumstances, gives us wisdom, and has been the foundation of faith for centuries of believers.

I once played Linus in a first-grade performance of A Charlie Brown Christmas. But while working so diligently to learn those lines, there is one important thing I didn't notice then, and didn't notice until now.

The Jewish faith is one of remembrance. Practicing Jews celebrate and observe many days and seasons throughout the year that hold significant importance. As Christians, our faith is deeply rooted in the Jewish tradition – Jesus and His apostles were observant practicing Jews – yet most of us know very little about the meanings and symbols within these holidays that continue to be practiced.

Should Christians Celebrate Jewish Holidays?

The short answer is that as Christians we are not in any way required to celebrate Jewish holidays. However, there is a beauty and a richness that comes from at least a familiarity with them, and it is up to each family to decide whether to observe these or not. In Genesis 12:3, God speaks to Abraham, saying, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” As Christians, we are not bound to Judaism, but we do well to at least honor and respect these traditions that even Jesus Himself observed.

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Here Are 10 of the Most Important Jewish Holidays:

The Psalms are among the best-known and most-read sections of Scripture. In the Psalms, we are given testimonies of praise, lament, repentance, and worship. We are given a preview of who the Messiah will be, and how his salvation will reach throughout the world.

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Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32

These words from the Apostle Paul are easy to read yet difficult to live out. As forgiven people, it should take little effort to show kindness, compassion, and forgiveness to one another. So why do we struggle so much in this area?

In a world that seems to be increasingly polarized and angry, the Church should shine out as an example of how to live differently; how to live in kindness and compassion. Sadly, we as believers often share in and act upon the same anger, the same hostility, and the same social media mob mentality as the rest of the world. We jump right into the same mess and end up with the same emptiness. We even take this approach to our disagreements with fellow believers in Christ. Politics, worship styles, theological positions, even things as simple as what time the service should start (or in the COVID world, whether to wear masks or meet in person) are just some of the issues that continue to divide, conquer and bring pain to our fellowship in Christ. We can and must do better, and Ephesians 4:32 commands it.

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The popular version of angels turns out to be pretty far off the mark. The Bible describes angels as neither the chubby babies found in Renaissance art, or our deceased relatives who sit around playing harps all day. Angels in the Bible are messengers and warriors, and their appearance is apparently terrifying. But these heavenly beings were used by God then, and still are used now, to do incredibly powerful things.

We often hear this verse around tax season, and thus it isn't many people's favorite piece of Scripture. But Jesus was making an important point when he told us to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." What does this mean for the Christian's civic responsibility, and how can we live out this verse in our own lives?