Idols may have been more apparent during the time of the early church. Individuals could purchase idols of wood, silver, and stone from local craftsmen. Many cities even had large idols housed within temples, such as in Ephesus where the famous statue of Artemis stood.

These small shrines of Artemis were what brought Paul and his companions trouble when they visited Ephesus to preach the gospel. When Demetrius the silversmith noticed that many people in Ephesus were turning away from worshiping the silver shrines of Artemis that he created, he feared the loss of his livelihood (Acts 19:24-27). Stirring up the other tradesmen and people in the city, they rioted against Paul and his companions (Acts 19:29).

Believers often disposed of their household gods after placing faith in Christ. In many parts of the world today, this practice continues as new Christians remove idols from their home to demonstrate their devotion to Jesus. Yet, the problem of idolatry is not restricted to bowing down in front of carved images.

For many believers, especially those in the West, the temptation to worship an idol comes in abstract ways. We might not kneel before coins or dollars, but we can worship wealth and greedily grasp onto our money. Or we sacrifice all we have for the sake of a company or position.

Other idols, though, come in disguised forms. The casual observer may assume we are merely engaging with cultural practices or staying abreast of current trends. But there are times when we form idols from specific identities, roles, or activities. This form of idolatry can be unexpected, so we must be mindful of our attitudes and do as those early Christians did – dispose of the idols to demonstrate our devotion to Christ. For, as our Lord said, we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).

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This encouraging prayer reminds believers that their identity is rooted in God’s love, not performance, failure, or the opinions of others. Through Scripture and reflection, readers are invited to remember they are children of God through Christ.

There are moments when holding on to hope feels difficult, but Scripture reminds us we are not alone. These 20 Bible verses offer encouragement rooted in God’s promises and faithful presence.

There is a charming quality to spring that captures the imagination. We see the buds forming on trees, shoots from bulbs rising out of the earth, birds flitting around looking for material suitable for a nest, and the bright grass bursting with new life. No magical transition occurs at the death of winter, yet spring is lovely in its ordinary blossoming. It serves as a powerful symbol of hope.

For in the changing cycles of nature, we find images that capture gospel truth. Out of the deadness of winter springs fresh growth. Bare branches become enlivened again. In these examples, our focus is turned back to the cross and empty tomb – where Jesus’ death and resurrection brings new life. He is the living Savior and the basis for our hope.

As the first day of spring approaches, let us consider anew the passages in God’s Word that relate to this season and what it symbolizes. There are little lessons everywhere, from the blossoming of flowers to the festivals we celebrate. We can use the verses and examples from nature to fuel our prayers to the One who created all things and upholds it with His power.

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Not everything that looks wise truly is. Discover how to discern between the world’s polished philosophies and the deep, lasting wisdom that begins with fearing the Lord.

When life feels tight and there is no clear way forward, it is easy to panic. Be reminded that even in the waiting, God is not late and He has not forgotten you.

In a college course about serving in children’s ministry, I remember the professor describing the dangers of a child constantly hearing the gospel. “They can become inoculated to the good news of Jesus Christ,” she told the class. Like receiving a vaccine, which exposes us to a virus so our body can build immunity against a disease, a child who grows accustomed to hearing about Jesus may become immune to presentations of the gospel. It just becomes another part of reality to them––but not in a way that is life-changing.

The same danger applies to adults and, in a different way, to believers. We may be so familiar with the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection, have celebrated Easter for numerous years, that it starts to become overly familiar to the point of being unimpactful. Sure, we wave our palm branches on Palm Sunday, attend the Good Friday sermon, and even hold a vigil until the high and holy day of Easter, but there is the risk that our hearts become cold to the events.

Faith is not about feelings. However, there is an element in which we benefit from keeping wonder alive. We are called, after all, to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). And love inevitably involves emotion, even if feelings are not the sum of true, biblical love.

So, where can we start when Lent and Easter seem to be merely other activities in our schedules?

Prayer.

For prayer has a way of transforming our hearts as we align ourselves with the Lord’s will. The following five prayers and verses are a great place to spark a reawakened desire to grow in Christ and reflect on His salvation with a fresh perspective. May they stir within us the wonder of beholding the risen Christ and spur us on to greater love for Him.

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Paul and Silas did something odd as they sat in a prison cell – they sang (Acts 16:23-25). Being chained and locked away for following Christ are not cheerful events that naturally lead to singing. Of course, those who are happy should raise their voices in praise (James 5:13). But singing is not reserved solely for positive moments; we can be encouraged at any time by song, like Paul and Silas were on that day.

As the Apostle Paul wrote, “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts” (Colossians 3:16).

To sing, even in times of hardship and suffering, is to remind ourselves of the truth that remains steady even when everything around us is shifting. It is an act that serves to encourage us while simultaneously defying the darkness that tells us to despair.

Christians of old turned to song to bolster their faith in times of suffering. Saint Augustine sang hymns by Ambrose, and the oppressed slaves in America created beautiful spirituals to express sorrow and motivate others to hope. As a family of Christ followers, we have a rich history of singing to remind ourselves of truth and to hold onto hope.

The seven hymns listed here can help us to do just that; as we sing the words in worship to our Savior, we are encouraged to lean onto Him when pain tells us to turn away. May the songs help us to do what Lilias Trotter, the missionary who inspired the beloved hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” said: “Believe in the darkness what you have seen in the light.”

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The following prayer points can help direct your prayers and focus on specific concerns that are unique to Islam and Muslim culture.  

Flashy, colorful beads. Decorative masks. Parades and music. This is what many of us imagine when we think of Mardi Gras. With the general rowdiness of some of the celebrations, Christians may wonder if this holiday is merely secular in nature. They may be surprised to learn, though, that Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” is a historically Christian celebration that marks the end of Epiphanytide and occurs the day before Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent).  

Another name for this day, which is perhaps more well-known, is Shrove Tuesday. Whereas Mardi Gras emphasizes participation in feasting, Shrove Tuesday is connected to confession and prayer. However, both serve as names for the same day–– the final day of festivities before the penitential season of Lent.  

So, instead of shying away from a holiday that some may associate with negative actions, we can celebrate the goodness found in cultural practices and the historic Christian roots of Mardi Gras. The following five traditions are great starting places for Christ followers to observe the holiday:    

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This year, Valentine’s Day and the start of Lent falls on the same day. What does a day filled with heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and bouquets of roses have to do with a period of fasting and prayer in preparation for Easter?

After taking a spiritual disciplines and formation graduate class, I was convicted about the need to read the Bible more and to spend more time with God in general. How often had I carved out a day to spend an extended amount of time with the Lord, enjoying His presence? Did I even have a plan for Scripture engagement?

At that time, my practice was haphazard. I decided I needed, as my professor suggested, a Bible engagement plan because, as the saying goes, failing to plan is planning to fail. A closer study of God’s Word was not going to happen sporadically. Thus, I took steps to research reading plans, found the one that suited what I needed for spiritual growth, printed the plan, and started working through a three-year sequence to read the Bible with greater understanding and growth.

We all can benefit from thinking carefully about our spiritual life and being intentional about the habits we establish. This new year, we can––like my younger self––find ways to spend more time with the Lord in Scripture. The following six ideas provide a place to begin as we intentionally carve out space and time to invest in our relationship with the Savior.

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