The Authority of Jesus and 3 Ways We Can Increase Our Awe of Him
Recently, I became the victim of a cold that came out of nowhere. One minute, I was talking, and a few hours later, my voice was gone. Bewildered and in awe, I did what any normal human would do in today’s culture: I asked Web M.D. Not only did my search results relay that I probably had a cold, Covid… or cancer, but it produced many at-home prescriptive remedies that could bring comfort.
We live in a time where I am grateful for doctors, modern medicine, and people who are working diligently to find cures for diseases that are running rampant. But did you know Jesus heals in a way that cannot be prescribed?
How to Overcome: 3 Lessons From Jesus’ Temptations in the Wilderness
We all will experience seasons of blessing and abundance that can quickly shift to what feels like abandonment and lack. In fact, the pathway to what God calls you to will almost always lead you to a season of wilderness.
But here is the good news – these times of isolation are the very places that will strengthen our character and faith. And we don’t have to endure them blindly. Jesus shows us how to press forward.
Who Are You Really: How the Identity of Jesus Impacts Who We Are
One reason the question of our identity is so difficult to settle on is that there are a myriad of voices trying to answer it.
These voices define our worth, how we should live, and the kind of person we are and aren’t. They are the thoughts of our parents and teachers, friends and rivals, bosses and co-workers, and our therapists and barbers. Everyone has something to say.
In this noise, it can be hard to know who you really are. But there is One in whom our true identity can be found, and that is Jesus.
4 Ways to Partner With God in Your Disappointment
Disappointment is more common than you think, especially when living out our faith.
We make plans and resolutions to be better, and a debilitating circumstance comes along and knocks the breath out of us.
We forgive the loved one who continues hurting us, only to be blindsided by the same behavior again and again.
We give our time and resources to our local church and are left feeling overlooked, unappreciated, and hurt by Christians.
So, how do we continue to cling to the promises of God when disappointment is so prevalent?
Why Trusting God Is Impactful to Our Lives
We live in an age that prioritizes self-care, albeit through counseling, breathing techniques, or general activities that fill our cups. While these things can have transformative effects, there is something holy and unique about trusting God that can transform you in the innermost part of your soul, heart, and mind.
God can do the miraculous through our grief, our weaknesses, and in every part of our lives if we only put our trust in Him.
Expectant Hope: 4 Ways to Embrace Hope in Seasons of Discouragement
When all you’ve ever known is disappointment, it can be hard to hope for something new. So many of us have experienced pain in our relationships and within our life circumstances that we have let that hurt hinder our hope.
Proverbs tells us that hope deferred makes the heart sick. Maybe your marriage is not what you thought it would be, or a relationship is causing more stress than peace. Perhaps you had a vision that turned out completely the opposite of what you expected, leaving you feeling tired, hopeless, and frustrated.
So, how can we rekindle our hope this Christmas? Let’s look at four practices we can implement in our lives that usher in a new perspective.
How To Be a Witness the Way Jesus Intended
Unfortunately, most of those within the church live in such a way that accepts and ushers in God’s Spirit on Sunday, but as soon as service is over, it is back to everyday life. However, I believe God longs for His people to experience a rebirth in Him.
What if we prayed a little more every day?
What would happen if we traded an episode of our favorite show for more time with God?
What if we dedicated time once a month to serve in a missional way, showing the world how God is making an impact in our lives?
What if we opened our eyes and hearts to those who are lost and invited them in?
How Jesus Changes Our Negative Thinking
There are characteristics within us that help us succeed, but there are also things that cause us to feel stuck, preventing us from living the life God calls us to. And while we are in good company, we also have been given a new identity that isn’t defined by our past mistakes or hang-ups.
Hearing the Voice of God in Prayer
Often, too many Christians are experiencing a lack of God’s sovereign power. We have heard every sermon, memorized every worship song, and solidified every spiritual practice down pat, but still, our faith lacks the transformation from within.
So what are we missing?
How to Pray Effective Prayers
I often wonder if the disciples had a similar human experience when witnessing the miraculous results of Jesus’ prayers.
Did they believe instantly, or, like most of us, did they struggle with the reality of doubt in the possibility of an answer?
Luke 11:1, in the NIV, says, “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’”
And in His response, Jesus reminds us that it is not about a magic blueprint to get what you want from God, but rather perspective and mindsets of when and how you pray that usher in encounters with God.