There are spiritual battles we, as Christians, need to fight that we are not ready to face. In his mercy, the Lord shelters us from them, but only for a while and only to train us up. There's a picture of this truth in the book of Exodus. Immediately after God sets Israel free from … Continue reading The Battles You Are Not Prepared to Fight
“Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” — Matthew 12:34 If we would speak Christlike words, we must first have a right heart. A bitter heart cannot produce sweet speech, and an impure heart cannot give rise to pure and wholesome words. Too many people talk far too much—words flow endlessly, yet … Continue reading You Can’t “Speak Life” with a Dead Heart
“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” — Malachi 3:3 This is one of the essential works of Christ in His saving mission—the Refiner and Purifier of His people. Redemption is more than deliverance from the guilt of sin; it also frees us from its power. It is not only our salvation, … Continue reading Why God Puts You in the Fire
She sifted through her memories and saw everything she had pursued—treasures she thought were of great value. They looked like discarded exhibits in a museum now overgrown with neglect. All their former glow had dimmed, and the rooms she had arranged felt more like a prison than the palace she thought she was building. The … Continue reading What Her Sin Had Built
Christian, do not let the days after Easter steal the joy you had when you celebrated the resurrection. He is still risen, and his resurrection is still the answer to all our problems. If you are like me, Easter is a cheerful morning. The house overflows with joyous songs proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus Christ … Continue reading Keep Your Eyes on the Risen Christ
The following is a guest post by Rob Golding, Pastor of First Artesia Christian Reformed Church. Couples who never have doubts about one another rarely make it because they don’t have an accurate understanding of each other; they’re in puppy love. “He’s perfect in every way” was said by more divorcées than lifelong couples. But … Continue reading Doubt Is the Propellant of Love: What It Means to Love God When He Feels Far Away
Owen Kincaid hadn’t been to the small town where he grew up in over thirty years. As he drove through his old stomping grounds, memories flooded his mind—things he had not thought of in a long time. One of the first places he visited was the church he attended when he was young. He was … Continue reading If I Ever Wander: A Story of Coming Back to God
“All we like sheep have gone astray” (Isaiah 53.6). If you do not see yourself in this statement, then you are not a child of God. If you have never felt the pangs of sinfulness wrapped around your soul, you cannot claim to understand the grace of God. We have all gone astray. “We have … Continue reading For Those of Us Who Have Gone Astray
Many people want power from God, but they do not desire the things that power is for. “You will receive power.” These are Jesus' words to his disciples as he prepared them for his ascension (Acts 1:8). He was speaking of the coming Pentecost. However, the possibility of receiving power still holds true for believers … Continue reading You Will Receive Power
And just like that, the world is better at writing. I have noticed lately that the emails I receive have improved in quality. Even scammers use perfect prose while trying to get me to hand over my login credentials. All of this is thanks to artificial intelligence. I have often used A.I. to clean up … Continue reading On Writing: The Personal Costs of Artificial Intelligence
The Fight of Faith 