This past Sunday, the Christian world entered the season of Advent. The word advent means arrival or coming. Advent is celebrated just before Christmas to remind us that Jesus is coming again. It was designed to help believers keep a forward-looking perspective. The celebration of Christmas is certainly a highpoint in the Christian calendar, but
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. This is one of the most popular verses found in the Bible. It is a statement of hopeful inspiration for anyone facing difficult or challenging circumstances. Athletes use it as motivation to overcome training obstacles and opponents. It is a prayer offered by
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 While we know it is God’s will for us, most of us would agree that sustaining a thankful spirit in all circumstances is not easy. Here are two reasons why we struggle: 1. Faulty theology—idolatry.
Ask most Christians, and we will tell you that knowing God’s will for our lives is a high priority — likely the highest. We put a lot of prayer, thought, and effort into the quest to know God’s will, and we often wonder if we are living within God’s will. We Christians often say that
The next hero of the faith introduced by the author of the Hebrews is Rahab. Rahab’s story is found in Joshua chapters 2 and 6. Here’s what the Hebrew writer says about this courageous woman: By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. Hebrews 11:31
The next hero of the faith presented by the Hebrew writer is actually the entire Israelite people: “By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.” Hebrews 11:29 The full story of the crossing of the Red sea and the
