Insecurities have plagued us since sin entered the world. Your own insecurity may insult your intelligence, deface your beauty, or suggest you are not worthy of love.

Let’s be honest: have you ever read the story of Esther as the Christian edition of the quintessential “Cinderella” story? I know I certainly used to read it through this lens (see my name), and the stereotype did nothing to urge a true deep study of the real woman. In fact, it did quite the opposite.

While there are many inspiring female figures in Scripture and history to look to as examples of righteous walks with God and heroic deeds, only a small fraction of these women tend to get any attention in the Christian church. 

Even the most devout and faithful men and women of God have faced moments where their heart was...

While there are numerous figures in Scripture who suffered but were restored by God, one of the most notable examples is David. David’s story is recorded in great detail in his own words and in the words of others.

While many Christmas traditions originated in the Christian church, several prominent traditions come from ancient pagan ceremonies. The question is, if we celebrate Christmas with the intent to worship and honor Christ and not to fulfill heathen rituals, does God care? Does He, instead, expect us to follow the Feasts that He instructed the Israelites to follow?

Whether you’re looking at a new toy or a better job, wanting new things is part of being human. The pursuit of fulfillment in the world, however, can come between us and the Lord. The Bible tells us to prioritize our faith before anything else: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4 NKJV).

While joy truly does exist in the body of Christ, many of the people who wear a smile on Sunday are in pleasant circumstances. Some put on a happy face because it’s expected of them, but tragedy and hardship abound even among faithful believers. Now and again, everyone needs a friend to help lift up weary hands to praise God.

During a famine, life-giving rain ceases to fall and the people go hungry. In the famine of the inter-testamental era, God’s Word was not heard in Israel from Malachi’s time until Jesus’ ministry. Why did God’s people stop hearing from heaven during this 400-year pause? It was only after persistent rejection of revelation. His people would not allow His word to transform their hearts. When people reject His advances time and again, they eventually lose the ability to understand what He wants.

In a world filled with sin, slander, and ever more prevalent evil, it’s easy to become dismayed. Those who believe in the rapture may expect the return of the Lord at any time, while others foresee a very near tribulation. In either case, it’s crucial that we prioritize the commandments of the Lord above all else. No matter the season, we must remember Christ’s call to action; that is, the Great Commission

When someone you know and love breaks your trust, it can be earth shattering. You may feel like years of your life were wasted or that you never understood a person you were deeply involved with. So what do we do when a fellow believer in Christ does this to us? Do we treat that situation different other relationships? What does the Bible have to say about it?

We pray for peace not for our own comfort or because that means the kingdom of God has arrived, but because those times provide us an opportunity to work toward furthering the goals of that kingdom. Peace and prosperity by this life’s standards are not the ideal for which the Lord wants us to strive.