The Christian life is often reduced to “dos and don’ts.” In our pursuit to be seen as righteous followers of God, we talk about all the things we should not do as believers. Don’t listen to that music, watch that movie, pay that much attention to nature, or wear certain clothes.

Acting with discernment is wise, but when we reduce Christianity to a matter of rule-keeping, we forget about the great joy that is found in knowing the Lord. It is not something we manufacture by adhering to manmade categories. Rather, it is a gift that we receive from the One who is the most joyful of all.

Our Lord takes delight in the work He does, in what He created, and in His children. If happiness is something that God expresses, then it is something He intends for us as well.

Scripture provides us with ways that we can choose joy each day.

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In the Dead Poets Society, Neil Perry is burdened by the pressures placed on him by his father. Although he tries to break free from these restraints to pursue things he is interested in, such as acting, his father sets a definitive rule. He must leave his beloved school and enter a strict military school to better prepare for his expected career in medicine. Crushed by these expectations, Neil takes his life in a desperate and tragic act.

The movie presents, in a dramatic way, the effects of being burdened by unrealistic standards and the subsequent need to be open with others. Like Neil, those who struggle with perfectionism feel pressured to reach unattainable standards that are either self-inflicted, placed by others, or placed by society. These standards impact a person’s entire life, as they can lead to serious mental health issues and relationship problems. Perfectionism may be considered by some as a personality quirk, but it can be debilitating.

Scripture has much to say about perfection and our association with it. In God’s Word, we are confronted with truths that can and should shift our perspectives and standards. Let us listen to the words of Him who made us and find healing as we strive toward wholeness – not unrealistic perfection.

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For one reason or another, lots of us can get into the habit of prayer being our only spiritual practice. We send a quick “thank you” to God before a meal or whisper a request for help during work. The hectic days drown out any other form of discipline, so we try to stay tethered to our Lord through simple prayers.

Such a scenario is understandable, especially when we consider the type of technological age we live in. And there is certainly nothing wrong with praying to the Lord throughout the day; we are told to pray continually, which includes the tidbit times of prayer we snatch during the trek through our schedules (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

But there is something wrong if we are unable to engage in other vital practices, like Bible reading and meditation, worship, meeting with other believers, and serving. Prayer is a significant discipline, but it alone is not enough to nourish us completely.

Even if someone devoted themselves to prayer in a cloistered life away from distractions and busy schedules, his or her spiritual life would still be hindered if this was all they did. Think what would happen if we took this mindset with other parts of life, such as making a recipe. Broth alone does not make soup. Neither is spaghetti a proper dish if there are only noodles or meatballs. Likewise, there are many other ingredients in the Christian life that we need if we are going to walk in obedience to the Lord, loving Him and our neighbor in the way He intended.

So, let us take a breath as we step away from the busyness and consider why we need prayer and other practices to have a strong relationship with our Lord.

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The first time I heard about Lent was while attending a Bible study at church. Other members were casually discussing what they were planning to give up in the upcoming season leading to Easter. One lady commented about her desire to give up caffeine. Others vaguely mentioned chocolate and other food items. Even today, the main topic I hear discussed is fasting, either from specific food items or giving up an activity. Lent is reduced to a time of merely trying to refrain from something (usually in reference to general wellness).

While I am sure those attendees at the Bible study meant well, I cannot help but think that many of us become numb to the deeper meaning and seriousness of Lent. Have we paused to consider why the church has historically promoted fasting, almsgiving, praying, serving, and spending time in contemplation? Do we notice the lack of normal adornment in the church, or the dark colors? What about the ash cross that many congregants receive on their foreheads at the beginning of Lent?

We might be tempted to lessen the discomfort this season of the church year brings by thinking we can cut something out of our lives for a short time and assume we are engaging in a spiritual practice. But Lent is somber for a reason – it leads us to the cross of Calvary where the innocent Lamb of God shed His blood for our wrongdoings.

All the practices, traditions, and symbols of Lent have meaning and are rooted in the greater sacrifice of our Lord.

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Christians can enjoy chocolates and flowers on Valentine’s Day, but they should remember that love is best defined by Jesus’ sacrificial death. On this holiday that focuses on love, we can point people to Christ, the One who loves us the most. 

If you have a garden or have visited a plant nursery, you have likely encountered the alluring power of herbs. The intricate design of the leaves. The beautiful but often overlooked flowering. And probably most memorable – the sweet and peppery smells. Herbs are known and loved for their scents and flavors, as well as for their history of medicinal use. Numerous foods and teas are deliciously flavored because of these plants.

Some might be surprised to discover that herbs matter in more areas than food. They are important in the Bible too. Multiple verses in Scripture show herbs being used, often in rituals and events that have significant history and symbolism.

This should not surprise us. God is the Creator of all things, including the plants that we use for scents and seasonings. He crafted these plants, with all their various properties, and chose to include them in His divinely inspired book. Some readers of His Word may quickly skim over the name of an herb, assuming it is unimportant. But nothing is haphazard in the Word of God. Details about these commonly overlooked plants can give us deeper insights into the events in which they appear – even helping us understand larger connections in redemptive history.

There are no insignificant details in Scripture. So, as you study the following herbs, take note. You might just find that you pay more attention to these plants, whether walking down the spice aisle at the store, stopping to admire flowering chicory in fields near a street, or inhaling the scent of potted mint.

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Gratitude transforms our hearts and minds, helping us find peace at the end of each day. By reflecting on God’s faithfulness, even on stormy days, we foster a habit of thankfulness that grounds us in His love and goodness.

Change is inevitable in life. And although you will continue to experience shifts in life, we are not always ready for news seasons. Even if the change is positive and brings new opportunities, it can feel unsteady. Sometimes, the new season isn't welcome at all. We long for the past but can never relive it because people, places, and circumstances are gone or have changed. 

Whether we are excited or sorrowful about change, we can take our feelings to God in prayer. He wants us to talk to Him as if we were close friends. As we pray about facing new seasons in life, we can trust that He hears and cares (1 Peter 5:7). Let's walk through these prayers with Scripture guiding our hearts and giving us strength.

There are many different opinions about what it means to rest. Is it a waste of time, and should we feel guilty about taking days off? Does it only refer to sleeping, or taking it easy during an illness? Is it the emphasis on self-care that we see so often in our culture today?

We do not have to get lost in the confusion of these questions or the endless examples we find online. Scripture presents us with instruction about rest. Based on God’s Word, we can understand what resting is and is not. And we can learn to distinguish between the opinions of others and what the Lord has actually taught.

For rest is woven into creation and reflects the priorities of our Maker. We would be unwise if we never pause to consider what it means to rest, or to search for the answers in the Book that God has provided. So, let us bring our assumptions and ideas and hold them up to the perfect light of His Word.

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The clock strikes twelve on New Year’s Eve and suddenly there is a new day that marks the beginning of a new year. We hang our calendars and see all the months spread out before us. Excitement bubbles up in our chest mingled with a pinch of fear. A new year has arrived. Things could be different, but will they? What new goals and projects will we accomplish?

Amid the flurry of feelings, plans, and hopes for the new year, we are wise to pause and take time to pray. What does the Lord have in store for us? What would He have us do, even if it is not necessarily on our wish list of activities and goals? As Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

We will benefit from praying over this new year and the opportunities it offers, seeking God’s will in our lives. And if a fresh start is what we are searching for, then talking to the Lord about this is vital as well. For the Lord is known for making things new.

Use the following 6 prayers for your own time with the Lord, adding on or adapting the prayers to fit the needs of your situation. May they serve as a guide and source of encouragement as you step into a new year.

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The first Christmas after my mother passed was sorrowful. I did not want to hang lights or decorate a tree. Every festive activity was loaded with memories of my mother, and I did not feel up to unpacking those reminders. It was all too painful.

Interestingly, though, I better grasped the message of Christmas that year, of Jesus’ coming into the world to save us. For He truly was the Light in my darkness. In Him there was hope even though I felt broken. Although I did not find enjoyment in the normal celebrations surrounding the holiday, I was comforted by knowing that Christ was with me, and He had come to destroy the darkness of sin and death. One day He will come again to bring fulfillment to all the promises of Scripture.

Perhaps you are facing something similar to what I experienced – the first Christmas without a loved one or friend. Or a family member has been given a dire diagnosis with not much time to live. Maybe the grief of losing someone many years ago is rising with a renewed ache.

May the following list of verses shine in the darkness. They are not meant to be magical sayings that instantly dissolve our pain. But they show us that we are not alone in our sadness and loss. There is a better day to come, one that is more beautiful and joyous than any holiday we have experienced. So, we grieve and hold out our hurts to the Lord who is with us as the Giver of life and hope. Through our tears, we can look forward to His soon return and an eternity where the darkness of evil and death will never again shroud us.

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Biblical scholars estimate that Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies throughout His earthly ministry. We should expect this too, as He is the fulfillment of all the promises of Scripture. What Jesus did provides powerful support that He is who He claimed to be – the Messiah and Son of God.

But to list all that Jesus did that fulfilled prophecy would require an entire book, if not more! In fact, many such books have been written detailing the promises that Christ fulfilled and will fulfill in the future at His return. A single article could not contain every prophecy our Savior fulfilled or every action He did. As the Apostle John wrote, “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25).

Instead, this article will examine five specific things that our Lord did that fulfilled biblical prophecy. So go ahead – grab a Bible or open a Bible app and follow along as we examine Jesus’ ministry and how He accomplished what was promised. This study will hopefully provide greater illumination as to who Christ is and what He did.

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