I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service. — 1 Timothy 1:12 NIV We give You thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the richness of mountains, plains, and rivers; for the songs of birds…
Finding Hope in the Valley of the Shadow of Death
A well-known writer once wrote, “The essential thing ‘in Heaven and in earth’ is… that there should be long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living.” Ask any marathon runner — it’s that seemingly endless run, that tiring stretch in the…
Real Christmas Trees
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. — Matthew 15:8 Nothing says the holidays quite like a Christmas tree. It’s the centerpiece of our Christmas decorations, swathed in beautiful lights and cherished ornaments Take a moment and picture the Christmas tree of your childhood. Was it prickly and…
You’re Invited to the Because of Bethlehem Online Bible Study
Believe it or not, Christmas is right around the corner! This year, we’re anticipating it all: the Christmas choir rehearsals, family photos all decked out in red plaid, the trip to the Christmas tree farm, dinners and caroling with relatives and friends, roast beef feasts, peppermint mochas, Grandmother’s walnut fudge, and hugs! Bring it all…
You Are God’s Temple
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? — 1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV The Spirit of God dwells in you. Maybe you don’t always feel as though you deserve to be treated well, but knowing that something as beautiful, wonderful, and powerful as…
Why Do Bad Things Happen If God Is Good?
If God is so good and powerful, why do bad things happen? As a person in ministry, I get asked some version of this question frequently. To be honest, I’ve pondered it as well. During this time of widespread crises, which has been characterized by so much loss, grief, and confusion on a global scale,…
Go Ahead and Cry
Growing Tears I waited patiently for God to help me; then He listened and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path, and steadied me as I walked along. — Psalm 40:1-2 TLB As a…
The Prison of People Pleasing
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. — Galatians 1:10 The gymnasium at the big brick elementary school in my neighborhood was the site of…
The Abundant Life Will Not Be Free of Trials
Life with Christ will not be pain-free. This is a prominent theme throughout Scripture. First, let’s just acknowledge how abnormal it is to embrace such a life. When traveling from point A to point B, we enter the destination into our navigation system, expecting it will provide us with the shortest route. The one with…
Be Kind to Yourself
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. – 1 John 4:16 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it…