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”
If you have been around the church for a while, you’ve probably heard about the ‘Ten Commandments’ or the Law that God gave to the Israelites. Introducing these Laws of the Old Testament brought about a great shift in the way people at the time lived their lives. Now, there was a clear line between right and wrong. Now they had to be mindful and self-controlled about every decision they made.
Continue reading “Why Don’t We Follow the Laws of the Old Testament?”
For a long time growing up, I had very little connection to the Bible. Since the only real Bible we had was a King James version, as a child my reading plan always fell apart by the time I got to the Tower of Babel. And a children’s picture book of Old Testament stories could only take me so far. My knowledge was…vague at best. I could maybe recite a few key points regarding events of the Old Testament– often confusing Jonah with Noah. Regarding Abraham, I knew he had a son named Isaac…or was it Jacob? Or was he the one with twelve sons?
Continue reading “A Closer Look: Abraham, the Father of Faith”
Why does God seem so angry in the Old Testament? And why does He always destroy the Israelites, the very people He created and chose? Why doesn’t He just forgive them? Isn’t He the God of love?
I’ve grown up hearing these questions my whole life when it comes to God. Things like this made me believe in the idea that there was the wrath of God versus the peace of Jesus. These ideas grew into assumptions that God was the one who was always full of anger and wrath, while Jesus was our friend, brought peace, and never acted out in anger…or at least not as intensely as God did.
Continue reading “Why Is God So Angry in the Bible?”
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?”
Most of us make countless promises throughout our lives.
Whether it was a ‘serious’ pinky-swear during elementary school or a legal business contract, there are many forms promises can take. However, the purpose is always the same. It is an agreement between two or more groups that is meant to be kept by everyone involved.
Continue reading “What is the Covenant and Are You Keeping It?”
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”
Trust. What does this word mean to you? Do you give your trust easily? Or does it take a lot of time and effort for you to even start thinking about trusting someone new? When we think about the ones we trust the most, think about what has led you to give it. Usually it has something to do with time. You’ve known them since childhood or their friendship has weathered the test of time. Or maybe they’ve proven that they are reliable again and again and will be there when we need them. For those that do have our trust, we could probably all agree that these people are the ones we would be okay sharing our important information or vulnerable feelings with. We trust these people to safeguard our secrets and the things we hold closest to the heart.
Continue reading “Is God Able to Trust Everyone?”
Have you ever picked up the Bible and wondered, “Where do I even begin? Which parts of the Bible apply to me?” I was once told that the New Testament was all that us Christians need to read. They even went as far as saying that the Old Testament was just history. Just references and laws of the past that have nothing to do with our future. The instruction was to start reading from the Gospels to Jude, neglecting the Old Testament and Revelation. Have you ever heard anything similar? It seemed odd that I was only being told to read parts of the Bible, with the assumption that the Old Testament didn’t apply to me.
Continue reading “Which Parts of the Bible Apply to Me?”
I always had many different ideas and questions about God. I would often wonder what it would be like if God spoke to me. Or, if I had a chance to meet with God, what would I want to ask? However, as I pondered more about these things, I began to seriously wonder how God communicates with us today. There are many people around the world who claim to receive visions from God or hear God’s voice through dreams. But I didn’t want to believe anything until it could be verified as true. So, I turned to the Bible for help.
Continue reading “Have You Heard God’s Voice Lately?”