In the Bible, the book of Ruth is one that’s often overlooked by many people. If you have read it, you know it’s not very long – having only four chapters and less than 90 verses. Yet it’s a story that is very significant for us today. Ruth was a woman of love, faithfulness, and obedience. Let’s take a closer look at her story and how we can still learn from it today.
Continue reading “A Closer Look: Ruth, the Gentile Blessed By God”
“Make me know your ways, O Lord; Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”
Psalms 25:4-5
When I read these verses, I am reminded of my own past. I thought I knew God and His word. I thought I was on God’s path to salvation, but it turned out that I was actually lost although I didn’t know it at the time.
Continue reading “Please Lead Me to You, God – The Psalms Series”
One of the hottest topics within Christianity is the second coming of Jesus.
Ideas and speculations of how Jesus’s return will take place have been circulating for thousands of years now. Everyone seems to have their own understanding and expectations of it.
Continue reading “What to Expect for the Second Coming of Jesus”
As a kid, I loved the holidays, especially Christmas and Thanksgiving. We always had friends over and all shared a big meal. There were so many kinds of foods: turkey, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, buttery dinner rolls, and cherry pie. I didn’t eat much during the day so that I’d be especially hungry at dinner time.
Then by the end, I felt so full…almost too full. You know that feeling when you eat too much? The food coma that starts creeping up? Or that gross, sick-to-your-stomach feeling of having stuffed too much down?
Continue reading “Spiritually Full or Spiritually Hungry – Which is Better?”
At one point or another, most people have spent time considering the existence of God. It comes up in good times and bad, while we’re surrounded by other people in conversation or alone with our own thoughts. This thought, in some shape or form, has probably crossed everyone’s mind: Why can’t I see God? It would be so much easier to believe if He just came down and let me see Him.
I’ve lied awake waiting for that spiritual experience, a sign–anything. But I never saw God. They say that “seeing is believing” but perhaps that phrase needs some revision.
Continue reading “Why Can’t I See God? How to Believe in the One You Can’t See”
Jesus Christ. The Son of God. We love and respect him, and rightfully so. There are churches all over the world where people dedicate everything to Jesus. Today, he can come up in casual conversation and usually, nobody bats an eye. And if he came back today riding on a cloud, people would probably roll out the red carpet. Christians today often imagine Jesus being treated in this way…royalty that everyone adores. However, looking back at the first time Jesus walked the earth, do you think he received the same warm welcome? Jesus even referred to himself as a prophet without honor. Why do you think that is?
Continue reading “A Prophet Without Honor: Why Jesus’ Hometown Didn’t Believe in Him”
Angry shouts filling the air, curses, beatings, humiliation, pain. And then, the final words from Jesus, “It is finished”. The event of Jesus bearing the cross is a familiar one for most Christians. But how much time do we spend truly reflecting on this moment? Recently, I was reading through the book of Matthew again and came across the account of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Churches and media everywhere commonly refer to this event on Easter or in movies. But take a moment to really put yourself into that moment. Picture what it would’ve been like to be there.
Continue reading “It Is Finished: What Jesus Actually Completed”
Am I good enough? Does God care about me or listen to my prayers? Am I Iiving a righteous life? How do I know if I am doing things the ‘right’ way? If you’ve ever had these types of thoughts, then you’re surely not alone. I know I personally struggled a lot with these questions and negative feelings when I was growing up, despite always making sure to put on the facade of a good, happy, Christian daughter.
Continue reading “How Can I Live a Righteous Life?”
What do you think it was like 2,000 years ago when Jesus was here? Would you have recognized or believed in him?
Before Jesus came, God had prophesied the coming of a Messiah to Israel through the prophets. Then, Jesus came according to those prophecies. But the question is, did the Israelites accept him as their Savior? And I think most people know the answer to that question: No.
But let’s just sit back for a second and think about why they didn’t and then ask yourself,
‘Would I have believed in Jesus at that time?’
Continue reading “Do You Think You Would Have Believed in Jesus 2,000 Years Ago?”
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:14-17
“I have faith in God and Jesus.” Undoubtedly, this is something that many Christians proclaim. We say that we go to church and read the Bible, but oftentimes our works (and words) don’t match up. Just saying something without action leads to an empty promise.
We all know very well those people in our lives that claim to believe or want something but then don’t act on it. Maybe you wanted to get into better shape physically, so you tell your family and friends that you’re going to start working out. And then you continue to sit on the couch.
Like this, if we claim that we follow God and Jesus, have faith, and believe in them, then do our actions reflect our belief?
Continue reading “How to Have a Living Faith”