We all encounter difficult times in our lives, times when we may feel like life is falling apart. But even in these dark and uncertain moments, God offers a way out of despair and fear through a growing trust in him. As you engage these four principles, may you find fresh assurance in God's constant love, care, and power to transform your circumstances, as you become more confident in him....
With each new technological advancement, our lives become more and more intertwined with the innovative products created as a result. Few areas of life are left untouched by the power of technology. While the tech industry expands at a remarkable pace, it can be hard to sift through the ethical implications of all these changes. As Christians, we must ask, “How should we approach the progression of technology?” As followers of Jesus Christ, we possess a unique responsibility to wisely consider the impact of any given subject, and this is no different with technology....
Christian fundamentalism is an aspect of evangelical Protestantism that emphasizes strict adherence to biblical inerrancy, as well as other traditional doctrines. To many, the term "fundamentalism" conjures images of rigid and dogmatic people who focus on legalistic rules and a rejection of all non-Christian religions. This perception often leads to negative portrayals of such believers and their way of life. Although parts of this portrayal may be true, the good that Christian fundamentalism provides should not be overlooked....
Increasingly, a new form of aid to churches in trouble has appeared—professional church consultations. These are often considered, even by other respected church leaders, as a last resort—sometimes the last ditch effort to turn a church back around, before it’s too late. The primary reason these consultations have come into being is that many congregations get mired in a rut, leading to the inability of current leadership to move the church forward in a positive way....
The concept of the end-times, or the "last days," is found in almost every Christian Bible. It refers to the time in the future when the sovereign Lord, Jesus Christ, will return to reign over planet Earth. How the end-times will unfold is a question that has generated much debate, but from the Scriptures, we can gather some basic truths. To correctly understand what the Bible teaches about God's end-times plan, we must first recognize the primary and foundational message that Jesus portrays in the four Gospels....
Many in our culture regard self-care as a selfish habit. One can sense the disapproval behind comments such as, “She’s so self-absorbed; she spends all her time at the gym.” We sometimes even hear such admonitions within church circles, as if the call to deny ourself (Luke 9:23) means total self-abnegation. Let’s explore the idea of self-care within biblical and psychological frameworks. The Danger of Extreme Neglect Excessive selflessness — particularly when it ignores one’s physical, emotional, or spiritual well-being — can be damaging....
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts according to them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house upon the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock" (Matt 7:24-25). Jesus used the illustration of a house on a firm foundation to emphasize the importance of building our lives on His words....
The concept of caring for widows and orphans is deeply rooted in Scripture and demonstrates God’s heart. In biblical times, these particular groups were at considerable risk due to a lack of social security, inheritance, and family to support them. Thus, the concept of caring for widows and orphans was a prominent theme in God’s commandments. In today’s world, social institutions have evolved tremendously. However, the underlying values of love, care, and compassion continue to be crucial....
The following paper, which was prepared for a conference on the relationship between church and state in the early modern period held at the University of Cambridge in 2009, takes a long view of this topic to explain why it is so important for the Church to take responsibility for its rights and liberties. The argument rests on the premise that the history of religious liberty and the liberties of the Church are deeply intertwined....
At the start of every new year, a lot of people start making new resolutions on the hopes of changing and improving their lives. Many of these goals are often specific to health, money, relationships, or career. While being new Christians, we may want to use the freshness and enthusiasm of a new year to resolve to focus on our faith journey and the development of certain spiritual habits. Here are nine lessons that can serve as a sort of spiritual resolution, whether we're new to the faith or we've been walking in it for a while....