Mary Oelerich-Meyer

 Let’s look at six prayers to be positive that apply the Word of God to our negative situations or feelings to help us change our perspective.

Both the last trumpet in Revelation 11:15 and the last trumpet in 1 Corinthians 15:51–52 carry powerful meaning for believers today.

The story of Zacchaeus takes up only 10 verses in the 19th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, but there was so much meaning in those words.

The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath is a powerful demonstration of God's infinite love, mercy, and provision for those who trust in Him. In this remarkable tale, a poor widow is miraculously sustained by God through Elijah, teaching us that God is all-seeing, all-knowing, and all-compassionate, and that His demonstrations of love can be found in the smallest and most unexpected ways.

Let’s take a deeper dive into what is said about the children born to Mary and Joseph, learn how they fit into Jesus’ ministry story, and what certain faiths say about Jesus’ family.

While the exact wording of the Serenity Prayer is not found in the Bible, we can find verses that support the themes expressed in the prayer.

The story of Zacchaeus takes up only 10 verses in the 19th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, but there was so much meaning in those words.

It can never be overstated that Holy Week contained the most important series of events in the history of the world. Starting with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter, this is the week over 2,000 years ago when Jesus fulfilled God’s will for the entire world for all eternity. Therefore, as believers, we do well to take a very close look at the events that happened during Holy Week, the significance they had then and have now, and how we can pray on each day of that week to better engage with Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. 

Each day of Holy Week carries deep meaning, from Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem to His ultimate sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection. By walking through an 8-day devotional, we can reflect on Jesus’ journey, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the incredible love God demonstrated through His Son. This devotional will help guide you through Scripture, prayer, and reflection, allowing you to draw closer to Christ and experience the power of Easter in a more personal and transformative way.

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If we were to think of the first theme we associate with marriage, likely we would consider love. But there is so much more to marriage that we can mine from Scripture. There is loyalty, respect, and spiritual union/growth. Below you will find more than 29 verses that you can study with your fiance or spouse to strengthen your relationship with God and one another.

Many times in the Bible, God uses fire to demonstrate His power, whether He is using it to represent Him, or as a metaphor for how he refines His people.

It's easy to feel like reading the Bible is too daunting a task. First, there is history, culture, and customs which are hard to understand–or believe. Then there are books, such as Numbers, Leviticus, and Song of Solomon, that can be difficult to understand in terms of how they fit into God’s overarching story. There are stories that seem to show God as a vengeful deity and others where He is overwhelmingly forgiving and compassionate. And what about the major and minor prophets? How in the world do we understand what they were writing/predicting? 

It's easy to get bogged down in all these concerns and never actually open the Bible. But the good news is that there are ways to make reading the Bible more approachable and yes, even enjoyable. Let's look at some ways we can engage with the Bible, understand it better, and enjoy reading it more this year through the Holy Spirit's leading. Greater knowledge of God and His plan never disappoints.

I think the best way to get the most out of reading the Bible is to consider several questions first.

• Why should we read the Bible? 
• Should we read it alone or read through it with a friend or mentor? 
• Should we choose a particular version or method/plan, or read the entire Bible? 
• Do we need to reference other materials while reading? 
• Should we journal or memorize what we're reading? How do we stay consistent in our reading? 

The following seven suggestions can help you answer all of those questions and help you choose what will make reading the Bible the most enjoyable for you.

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Each year, Christians around the world celebrate the Advent season leading up to Christmas Day. It’s a time for slowing down and preparing our hearts and minds for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, both his earthly incarnation and his second coming in glory. 

A wonderful way to deepen your appreciation for and understanding of this season is to reflect on quotes and Bible verses about Advent. These quotes can be used as daily devotional readings for you and your family, filling you with hope, joy, peace, faith, and light as you wait for the arrival of our Savior.

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