Some folks have hope, but their situation never changes. They give up and become cynical because they won’t know a different kind of future. Then some have hope that keeps them going regardless of unchanging circumstances. Their hope of the heart buoys them during the… Continue Reading …
Trials and disappointment are two unexpected ways the Lord blesses our lives. It’s a challenging way to think, but you know it’s true to the Bible’s narrative. The tension is that in those times in our lives where circumstances mount to such a degree, we… Continue Reading …
There is something about the title that sounds counterintuitive to our self-reliant and self-protective lives. Even so, doesn’t it have a biblical ring to it? You die to live (Matthew 16:24-26). You humble yourself to be exalted (Matthew 23:12). You give up something to gain… Continue Reading …
Everybody suffers. It does not matter who you are. It doesn’t matter who you belong to—the world or God’s family. Suffering is suffering, and nobody is exempt from it. The difference between Christian and non-Christian suffering is how we view and respond to it. When… Continue Reading …
Moving forward in faith is one of the hardest things to do, especially when the decisions are difficult. The main thing when moving forward is to make sure you have God’s perspective. To do that, you want to follow three sequential steps. Listen to the… Continue Reading …
There is a unique place where good and evil intersect in a Christian’s life. That place is personal suffering. What the world, flesh, and the devil mean for evil, the Lord God Almighty intends for our good (Romans 8:28). Listen to the podcast Our podcasts… Continue Reading …
“God is a God of second chances.” Have you ever heard that expression? It is one of those things we say about God. It is a Christian cliché, and it is a good one. If you are a Christian, you have received a second chance.… Continue Reading …
Salvation is a gift that we must steward. Managing it is not a matter of losing it, but a matter of sharing it with others. And God will go to great and mighty lengths for your good, so you can be His ambassador for Christ.… Continue Reading …
What do you think about when a storm comes into your life? When things are dreadful for you, how do you reflect on what’s happening? Where does your mind go? This article deals with those questions. Listen to the podcast Our podcasts are on iTunes,… Continue Reading …
How do you think about the trouble in your life? I counsel a lot of Christians who have a lot of trouble in their lives. In a way, they are modern-day representations of Jonah–they are being swallowed up by their difficulties. Listen to Rick read… Continue Reading …