Posts with the tag “faith”

Anybody who has taught a kid to ride a bike has said it: quit looking at the ditch. You steer where you stare, on a bicycle and in a life. Hebrews tells us where to look while we run, and it isn't down at our feet. Your circumstances will be loud today, and you get to decide what your eyes lock onto.  Read More

Paul had plenty worth looking back on, and he refused to. You cannot reach forward while your grip is still closed around what is behind you.  Read More

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10God has prepared specific good works for each of us to accomplish, and many of these are best done in community with others. When we serve together, we combine our different gifts and abilities to accomplish more than we could alone. This might involve p...  Read More

"For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." - Psalm 30:5Sitting in a tree stand an hour before dawn tests your endurance. The deep woods are completely pitch black, and the temperature usually drops to its lowest point just before the sun breaks over the horizon. Every snapping twig sounds like a massive t...  Read More

"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." - Proverbs 3:5–6Every experienced hunter or hiker knows the sudden, sinking feeling of losing direction in the deep woods. You spend the afternoon tracking through dense thickets and unfamiliar valleys. As the sun begins to set, the shadows stretch l...  Read More

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” - Isaiah 43:2If you spend enough time exploring the backcountry, you will eventually encounter a roadblock. Imagine you have been hiking for three hours deep into the woods. Your legs are tired, your pack feels heavy, and you are ready to reach your campsite. You turn a famil...  Read More

“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.” - James 5:7Anyone who has planted a food plot knows how much work it takes—clearing, tilling, and sowing, then waiting while the dirt still looks empty. Many days, you see no change, but you have to believe the seed ...  Read More

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” - Psalm 121:1–2Climbing a mountain is tough, especially when the path gets steep and you can’t see the summit. The same is true in our walk with God. We often start out strong, but when challenges get real, whether it is financial struggles, family conflicts, or questions...  Read More

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1God offers us peace that goes beyond understanding. In Mark 4:37–40, Jesus and His disciples faced a sudden storm on the Sea of Galilee. Even though the disciples were experienced fishermen, fear overwhelmed them and they thought they would drown. In the midst of the chaos, Jesus was asleep in the boat, showing His perfe...  Read More

"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.” - Proverbs 3:5–6Faith is a lot like walking through the woods in the dark.We live in a world that tells us to plan everything. We want to know the destination, the exact route we will take, and what the weather will be like when we get there. We crav...  Read More

"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." - 1 John 3:18John challenges us to move beyond mere words to authentic action. In a world skeptical of religious claims, our actions often speak louder than our words. People want to see truth lived out before they'll listen to truth spoken. Our deeds must match our creeds."Love with actions and in truth" combines...  Read More

"The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son." - Revelation 21:7 As we’ve looked closely at our identity, we look forward to the ultimate reality that awaits us. Our identity in Christ isn't just for the here and now; it is an eternal state. The struggles, questions, and confusion of this life will one day fade, but your status as God's child will l...  Read More

"And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart... And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.” - Luke 18:1, 7-8aWe have all experienced the discouragement of an unanswered prayer. We pray for a loved one’s healing, for a breakthrough in a diffi...  Read More

"For we live by faith, not by sight.” - 2 Corinthians 5:7As humans, we are wired to trust what we can see, touch, and measure. We want evidence, guarantees, and a clear view of the road ahead. But the currency of our new life in Christ is not sight; it is faith. Living by faith means we choose to trust God’s character and His promises more than we trust our circumstances, our feelings, or our own ...  Read More

“…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…” - Ephesians 3:17-18A tree with a massive canopy but shallow roots is a disaster waiting to happen. The first strong storm will topple it. In our spiritual li...  Read More

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above…” - Colossians 3:1 Life often feels like a scramble for what’s urgent. But resurrection resets our compass. When you belong to Christ, the eternal breaks into the here and now, and you start longing for what will outlast time itself.Paul urges believers to live with hearts set “above”—on Christ, heaven, and God’s prior...  Read More

“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile… If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” - 1 Corinthians 15:17,19What do you live for? The world pulls us to focus on results, accolades, comfort—now. Even Christian faith can be reduced to strategies for happiness and success. But resurrection beckons us further: What if your deepest hope outla...  Read More

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20We spend so much of life trying to answer one question: Who am I? Achievement, relationships, reputation, or failure can become mirrors in which we search for an answer. But resurrection doesn’t p...  Read More

"Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us." - Hebrews 12:1 The imagery of a race captures the essence of the Christian life - it's not a sprint but a marathon that requires sustained effort, strategic planning, and determined persevera...  Read More

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues him from them all." - Psalm 34:19 David's honest acknowledgment that righteous people face many afflictions might seem discouraging at first glance, but it actually provides tremendous comfort. This verse validates our experiences of difficulty while affirming God's ultimate faithfulness. Walking in truth doesn't exempt us from life'...  Read More

Jesus told her, “Do not cling to me, since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” - John 20:17When Mary realized who Jesus was, her instinct was to cling to Him. That response makes sense. The One she believed was gone forever was suddenly standing alive before her. Holding on felt natura...  Read More

And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:43Jesus’ response to the criminal on the cross is immediate and decisive. He does not hesitate. He does not delay. He does not require proof. He makes a promise.“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”That single sentence rewrote a lifetime of failure.The criminal could not save himself. He c...  Read More

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” – Luke 23:42This statement by the second criminal in today’s key verse may be one of the most remarkable statements of faith in all of Scripture. Hanging on a cross, gasping for breath, staring at his own death, he turns to Jesus and says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”Do not rush past that sentence.Jesus di...  Read More

But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” – Luke 23:40-41The second criminal responded very differently from the first criminal, as we discussed yesterday. Instead of mocking Jesus, he rebuked the other m...  Read More

Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:27-28The Last Supper was more than a meal. Jesus made it clear that night that the table was not just about remembering the past. It was about responding to the present.When Jesus spoke of...  Read More

As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:26-28Every year, the Jewish people celebrated Passover ...  Read More

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. – Psalm 139:23-24Encountering Jesus always involves an examination of the heart. When the disciples heard that one of them would betray Him, their assumptions crumbled, and fear surfaced. This was not just about Judas. It was about every heart at the table.We of...  Read More

Deeply distressed, each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?” – Matthew 26:22When the Titanic set sail in 1912, it was called the unsinkable ship. It was the largest, most luxurious vessel ever built. Passengers boarded with excitement, confident in its safety. One crew member even claimed that not even God Himself could sink it. Four days later, it lay at the bottom of the ocean.The disc...  Read More

While they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” – Matthew 26:21The disciples walked into the upper room expecting a good meal, meaningful fellowship, and a joyful celebration of Passover. They were reclining at the table, symbolizing freedom and rest, remembering God’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Everything about the night pointed toward joy and victory.Then ...  Read More

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:35 It is possible to talk about faith and still miss it where it matters most. You can know the right verses, say the right things, and even believe the right truths, yet still struggle in real life. Discipleship always shows up somewhere practical. It shows up in how you speak when you are tired. It shows u...  Read More

“For in him all the fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled by him.” - Colossians 2:9, 10 There are moments when faith feels electric. Worship hits deep. A sermon lands hard. Emotions run high, and everything feels clear. In those moments, it is tempting to believe this is what will finally change you. This time feels different. This time feels powerful. Then life settles back in...  Read More

“So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him.” – Colossians 2:6 It is easy to assume that growth means moving on. You start with Jesus, then eventually graduate to something deeper, more advanced, or more impressive. Faith can quietly turn into a ladder where Christ is the first step instead of the foundation. Over time, you feel pressure to outgrow what once b...  Read More

“Being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.” – Colossians 2:7 Storms are part of life. They show up without warning, linger longer than expected, and test what we thought was stable. When things start shaking, it is easy to blame the storm. But Scripture points us to a different issue. Storms do not destroy believers. Shallow...  Read More

“Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.” – Colossians 2:8 It is possible to look like you are doing great and still be falling apart on the inside. You show up. You know the language. You stay involved. From the outside, everything looks solid. Inside, something feels thin, dry, ...  Read More

“He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” – Psalm 1:3 It is easy to measure your life by what you can see. Progress feels real when results show up. Growth feels valid when something changes on the outside. When that fruit takes longer than expected, discouragement creeps in fast. You start wond...  Read More

“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20 Trying to look like a good Christian can be exhausting. You say the right things, show up when expected, and keep moving even when your heart feels tired. On the outside, things look fine. Insid...  Read More

“For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” – Colossians 2:9-10 Most people do not reject Jesus outright. They just quietly reduce Him. He becomes a piece of life instead of the center of it. A helper when things get hard. A spiritual option among many others. That sounds harmless, but it change...  Read More

“So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith.” – Colossians 2:6–7 Many people have had an experience with Jesus without ever submitting to Him as Lord. They felt something in a moment, made a decision, or responded to a need. Over time, when pressure showed up, their faith began to wobble. Experienc...  Read More

“Being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.” – Colossians 2:7 Storms reveal more than they create. Pressure does not invent weakness; it exposes what was already there. When life shakes, what we are rooted in is revealed quickly. Some faith looks strong in calm weather but collapses the moment hardship arrives. Other faith st...  Read More

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10 Every masterpiece begins with a vision. An artist sees beauty before anyone else can and shapes something ordinary into something extraordinary. That is what God is doing in your life. You are His workmanship, His personal creation. He did not just save you and move...  Read More