Michael J. Kruger
“What in the world is this Christianity thing?” A phrase like this would not have been unusual among Romans in the first couple of centuries. In the eyes of the average citizen, Christians were an o...
Meg Bucher
We are called to look for, find, and help each other—especially at Christmas. Paul helps us to understand the place from which we are motivated and able to give in fulfillment of others’ needs in Roma...
Madison Hetzler
When Jesus met John the Baptist in the rippling current of the Jordan River, he ordained for his church the holy act of baptism. As Christ-followers came to identify with Jesus as their Lord, they t...
Rebecca Gordon
In the grand scheme of things, we are always going to be bound to sin and repenting. Our prayers do not have to be perfect, but in repentance, they should come from our hearts and from the Holy Spirit...
Lia Martin
The Psalms are replete with hope in God for deliverance. Isaiah 40:31 assures us those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Even Job, in his inconceivable situation, proclaims “Though he sl...
G. Connor Salter
Each advent candle has some special meaning behind it and presents an opportunity to think about the Christmas season in a new way. The second advent takes us from thinking about hope to a related ide...
Feeling the eyes of judgement makes most people squirm. And yet, in our sinful minds it's so easy to jump to conclusions about people and sling words of judgement without a second thought. But what d...
Lisa Loraine Baker
1 John 1:9 tells us when we sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Yes, He is displeased, but He is a forgiving and just Father. ...
Eric Costanzo
There has been much debate regarding the “created order” and “the Fall” in Genesis 1-3, and how they relate to women preaching, teaching, and leading in the church according t...
Hope Bolinger
“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:30). Tetelestai, it is finished. We've no doubt heard these words during ...
Sheila Alewine
Discouragement is a part of life. We live in a fallen world. We are imperfect people, weak in our flesh – created beings who have little control over the circumstances of life.As followers of Jesus, h...
Debbie W. Wilson
We have been conditioned to submit to sin. Before we came to Christ, sin controlled our thoughts, emotions, and actions. And while Romans 6 says believers “have been set free from sin,” many of us bel...
Tim Pietz
Exhortation is filled with this same kindness and hope, but then it takes a second step—it incites its listeners to action....
Lisa Loraine Baker
Many think they can praise the Lord only in a corporate setting, such as weekly church services or along with others at a conference or worship music event. But there are so many ways we can praise th...
Joel Ryan
We know we live in an unjust world. So is it really possible to believe that God is just?...
Joel Ryan
In the first century, the Zealots were a notorious sect of Jewish patriots who sought to overthrow the Roman occupation of Palestine through violence, terror, and political intimidation, often resorti...
Lisa Loraine Baker
Concupiscence is one of those words which derives its meaning from the context—specifically the object toward which it is directed. At its core, concupiscence is desire or coveting (epithymia)....
Kristi Woods
The Bible uses the word “man” throughout its pages. All twelve disciples were men. Many of the stories we read center on males, including those of Moses, Abraham, Paul, David and Joshua. But what does...
Lisa Loraine Baker
What is not a mystery is that God will reveal what He wants when He wants to whom He wants (Exodus 33:19). God’s mysteries are Divine mysteries, and that truth makes them beyond the scope of our ...