November rings in the holidays and the season of thankfulness. But the Bible tells us that we should give thanks every day of the year! That can feel like a big ask sometimes, but whether it feels easy or difficult to be thankful, our Father in Heaven loves to hear our prayers of thanksgiving.

Grace is a free gift given to Christians at salvation. Despite our sinful nature, God’s grace and favor is available. Why is it important to receive God’s grace and view it as the amazing gift it is? It is important because it allows us to live and walk in a state of continual humility and repentance. God’s grace provides us hope that there is forgiveness and redemption for our sin, and that each day is another opportunity to extend that same grace to others.

Grace is not given to a select few, but to all who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Whatever season or situation you may currently be facing, God’s grace is available to you. Below are five comforting verses that encourage and remind us of the power of receiving God’s grace in our lives.

Like Hannah, we also face difficult challenges and difficult seasons in life, but being diligent in seeking God in prayer will guide, uplift, and encourage us to move forward in faith. Our circumstances may not always yield our desired outcome, but God wants us to continuously pray to Him with courage, boldness, and expectation.

Times are tough for so many of us right now. Whether it's financial trouble, health concerns, or anxiety over political issues and current events, there is plenty to worry about. 1 Peter 5:7 says to cast all our anxieties on Christ, but in the midst of so much stress, we could all use a little reminder. Here are five beautiful Psalms that offer comfort in chaotic times.

Our world, created intentionally and lovingly by a good Father, is broken by sin. We see its effects all around us, and especially in the issues of racism, disease, inequality, and countless others. But when the weight of the world drives us to our knees, we are in the perfect position to go before our loving God in prayer. He understands our pain, and He loves to hear from his children about their worries and concerns. Here are five powerful prayers for restoration of a broken world.

In the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic, it's easy to be overwhelmed with anxiety and grief. And although we were able to take a moment to reset at Easter and turn to the cross, it is so easy to forget that miracle with everything else going on. Here are four practical, everyday ways to keep your eyes fixed on the hope of the resurrection, even in the midst of the pandemic and social distancing.

We hear a lot about the male heroes in the Bible, but there are also plenty of stories of courageous women. Their bravery, leadership and faith in God can encourage both men and women today as they face trials and temptations everyday. Below are the stories of four incredible women in the Bible to encourage you in your walk. 

God’s love is constant, consistent, and steadfast. Despite our continual flaws, sin, and tendency to become distant from God, God’s love draws us closer back to Him. In a world where giving and receiving love is often conditional and fleeting, God’s love is stable, healing, comforting, and a source of refuge.

While we may not always “feel” God’s love, the Bible reminds and reaffirms to us that God’s love is unfailing, unmovable, and unconditional. God’s love cannot be compared to human, relational love because there is no comparison. When you need a reminder that God’s love is a powerful presence in your life, here are five beautiful verses that serve as confirmation.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Paul Calbar

Maybe it was a New Years resolution. Maybe it was an inspirational friend pushing you to do more. Maybe it was a convicting sermon. Regardless, you had high hopes to eat healthier, communicate better, work harder and pray more often. But unfortunately, many of those resolutions often fall through. What does the Bible say about pursuing God's discipline, and how can a disciplined faith positively impact our lives (even when it feels hard)?

Mary, Jesus' mother, is an almost larger-than life figure. But in reality, she faced many of the same doubts, fears and uncertainties as we do today. Here are five lessons from her story in the Bible, that can encourage us to trust God' plan for our lives more, and to draw nearer to Him in the uncertainty. 

We talk a lot about being thankful and giving thanks this season, but why? Is it really that important to spend time practicing thankfulness? The Bible is filled with verses that give praise and thanks to God for His many blessings, and this list of seven Psalms will help you see the power behind this simple discipline of thankfulness. 

The fruit of the Spirit are nine character traits: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Every believer has access to these traits, because they are products of the Holy Spirit of Christ working in them. Christ lived out these traits in His everyday life, and we are to strive to do the same as we spiritually mature.

Believers are not able to live out each trait or fruit without staying connected to Christ. Our flesh will fail us, and we will fall short in our attempts to live out the fruit that Paul lists in Galatians 5:22-23. We must rely on the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit to help us live out each fruit with courage, conviction, and boldness. Each fruit is produced, nurtured, and developed over time.

In order to live out each fruit consistently, we must continue to surrender our desires to God’s will and trust Him. As we grow and continue to imitate Christ’s nature, we will activate and strengthen living out the fruit of the Spirit each day. 

Society defines us by our accomplishments and what we do, but God defines us by who we are. Our identity in Christ and character is what will last. In order to strengthen our identity in Christ, we must first learn and believe who God says we are in Scripture. Strengthening our identity in Christ is a daily process that requires us to spend time in God’s word and continually develop our relationship with Christ, which will help us to overcome adversity.

When adversity and obstacles come, there is security and assurance from knowing that God is for us and we can find an anchor in Christ. In the midst of life’s challenges, we must begin to speak God’s word to encourage our spirits for the long haul.

Many times, we define ourselves by our occupation, marital status, or past mistakes. When someone asks you, “tell me about yourself,” our responses automatically default to include these tangible categories. While these are important roles, they don’t fully define you. God values you beyond any title and sees you as a beloved child of God. Your roles in life may shift, but your identity in Christ remains steadfast. God wants you to strengthen your character and remind you that you are strong, courageous, and fully capable of overcoming life’s obstacles.

This article will outline 6 ways to strengthen your identity in Christ and the importance of using your identity in Christ as a source of encouragement and hope for your life.

God is faithful, and we are called to walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Cor. 5:7). Despite the evolving and unstable seasons that life brings, we are called to trust God. Through times of joy and tribulation, God’s faithfulness remains consistent and steadfast. Life can be hard, challenging, and seem unfair. When things do not go according to our plans, we become frantic, but God remains faithful.