Posts with the category “encouragement”

The church likes its heroes tidy. We like our narratives linear. We prefer Paul the trailblazer, Barnabas the encourager, Mark the gospel-writer. But when they collide—when a young man deserts his cal...  Read More

They are quiet, these two. Assumption and her sister Presumption move quickly, feeding on half-truths, imagined offenses, and misheard words. They do not announce themselves with loud accusations or w...  Read More

They desire to be seen as spiritual, as valuable to the community of the faithful, as useful to the movement of God—yet all the while, the intent of the heart is angled not toward Christ’s glory but t...  Read More

The weight of words is not in their fervor but in the obedience that follows. A glaze may gleam on pottery, but beneath—has the fire purified it? Or does the heat reveal fractures unseen? ...  Read More

Imagine a husband who tells his wife, “I love you,” but never seeks to understand her, never puts effort into knowing her deeper, never sacrifices for her. Is that love? If we claim to love the Lord b...  Read More

The tragedy of misplaced position is not just personal; it is collective. It is the church, the community, the family that suffers when someone remains where they were never meant to be. But the beaut...  Read More

Life resists our control. We draft plans, set expectations, and map out the trajectory we believe things should follow. But then reality intervenes—detours, delays, dry seasons. Growth does not arrive...  Read More

We count attendance, monitor engagement, track membership, celebrate addition. But the biblical model does not linger in addition; it presses into multiplication. What happened in Acts 6 was not simpl...  Read More

With great wisdom beyond his years, David made a profound choice: to face the giant not in the king’s cumbersome armor but with the simple weapons he knew so well: his staff and his sling. Why? Becaus...  Read More

When we bring our emotions under the lordship of Christ, we can navigate life’s challenges with grace and wisdom, in unwavering obedience to our unequally matchless Savior. Psalm 19:14 (ESV): “Let the...  Read More

While modern Christianity may not be bound to the legalistic regulations of old covenant Sabbath observance, embracing regular cycles of rest remains a prudent and advantageous practice rooted in God’...  Read More

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt a nagging sense of unease, a subtle dissonance that whispered, “Something is not quite right here?” Perhaps it was a relationship, a business...  Read More

The truth is, tithing is not about checking off a box or impressing others with your math skills. It is an opportunity for you to put skin in the game and joyfully invest your resources in what matter...  Read More

We live in a world that tells us to hold tightly to what we have, to grasp at security through our possessions and savings. But Jesus calls us to something radically different. He asks us to live with...  Read More

Of course, anytime you have a group of imperfect people living in transparency and speaking truth to one another, there is bound to be friction and tensions will rise. Disagreements and hurt feelings ...  Read More

When believers come together in unity, with faith and expectation, amazing things can happen...  Read More

Baal-perazim. It is not exactly a name you hear tossed around at dinner parties, is it? Yet, maybe it should be. This obscure place is a pivot point, a place where God’s power crashes through our real...  Read More

Living out countercultural, biblical love requires relying on God’s Word to light the path, aware of lurking pitfalls on either side. As society drifts, Scripture remains our unmoving anchor in the st...  Read More

The call to live a life worthy of God's purpose is not just for pastors or church leaders - it's for every believer. We are all called to be part of a priesthood of believers who impact the world arou...  Read More

Dear reader, the essence of worship lies not in what we receive but in what we offer. It is in the lifting of our gaze from our own concerns to the unchanging greatness of God that we find our lives t...  Read More

God calls us His friends, which should humble and overwhelm us. This friendship means that God wants us to know His plans and purposes. Every believer is invited into this intimate relationship, where...  Read More

As we live out our calling, may we not seek recognition for the sake of recognition, nor settle for mediocrity when God has called us to excellence in the areas He calls us to. Let us pursue a life of...  Read More

Knowing God is not just about religious rituals or attending church services. It’s about a daily relationship where we walk, talk, and hear His voice. Jesus died to restore the relationship intended f...  Read More

Understand this: we are not called to settle. We are called to pursue, and the time to begin is now. Will you answer the call or hold tightly to your half-eaten cookie?...  Read More

Many of us fall into the trap of treating our faith like a list of do's and don'ts. However, God calls us to something far greater—a relationship with Him....  Read More

your journey with God does not need to look like anyone else’s. It does not need to be validated by the latest Christian resource or ministry. It is already validated by the One who called you, the On...  Read More

How do we live the life that God has called us to? This question is central to our faith journey. Being a Christian is not just about attending church once a week; it's about a deep, transformative re...  Read More

Sometimes we even try to manufacture a response, hoping that by going through the motions, we will stir something deeper within ourselves, or perhaps even those around us. But in those moments, the qu...  Read More

Trusting God does not mean we neglect common sense or the responsibilities He has given us. Faith is not passive. It is not about sitting back and waiting for God to do everything. Faith is active. It...  Read More

It is not about never making mistakes. It is about knowing who God is and believing that He is good, even when life does not make sense. Trust Him. Not blindly, but with eyes wide open to His goodness...  Read More

How often do we measure success by what someone else is doing? We are surrounded by expectations, standards, and a culture that tells us to follow the patterns of others to find fulfillment. However, ...  Read More

My fellow sojourners, the paradox we must embrace is that while we may justly love our earthly nation, our supreme devotion and patriotism must be to the coming Kingdom of God. We are Americans, yes, ...  Read More

Amid the daily hustle and bustle, our minds never find true rest, as an inner voice provides ceaseless commentary on our lives. It chatters incessantly, often echoing doubts, fears, and insecurities t...  Read More

What fears, insecurities, or pride are holding you back from speaking the full truth? Take courage, for the Spirit empowers you to overcome....  Read More

Our God is faithful. He stands with us in our distress, strengthens us in our weakness, and works through us to accomplish His purposes. Finding our strength in God is our blueprint for navigating the...  Read More

So let us fling wide the doors to every bleeding dysfunction and unrent garment. No stigma or mistreatment is too severe to be outdone by the furious love of Christ in us. For this is why we were call...  Read More

David’s life echoes the very heart of the Gospel, the calling of the poor in spirit, the forgotten and reviled, to inherit the Kingdom...  Read More

Jesus constructively confronts and shuns inflammatory reactions. He calls us beyond instinctual self-defense into reconciling dialogue that heals breached trust through grace and truth spoken respectf...  Read More

The Key Question: Whom Do You Seek to Please?...  Read More

Decide today to no longer resignedly cope with the lingering sins and idols that subjugate you. Raze them to the ground without reservation or mercy, wielding the inexhaustible power available in Chri...  Read More