• Topic > Christian Beliefs > God > Fellowship With God >

    Discover the two probing questions Jesus asked of those looking for mercy

    Jesus wants to shower you with His mercy. But first, He has some questions for you to answer. The two probing questions that Jesus asked of those looking for mercy reveal our faith and trust!

    Seeing God’s mercy in a whole new way

    Our world is a broken place. But there is an answer for the sin and failure we see in the world around us, and even in ourselves. Let’s explore God’s mercy, and find the abundant grace and hope we desperately need!

    Discover the comfort of the Savior in the midst of your struggle

    Pain is an isolating emotion. When we hurt, it often feels like we hurt all alone. Let’s begin a new study that offers biblical encouragement in times of distress

    How small acts of love can have a big impact

    We may never eradicate homelessness, feed the world’s hungry, or care for all the orphans of the world. But through simple actions, we can effect eternal change! Let’s explore Mary’s encounter with Jesus in Mark 14.

    Discover how God’s love frees us from the guilt of our past and allows us to make the most of the present

    Have you ever looked back with regret on missed opportunities—those the things you should have done, or words you should have said? We’re talking about Mark 14.

    Before And After

    What changes take place in a life of faith after severe testing? I thought of this as I read the tragic story of a Jamaican dad who accidentally shot and killed his 18-year-old daughter while trying to protect his family from intruders.

    The Night No One Came

    One winter night composer Johann Sebastian Bach was scheduled to debut a new composition. He arrived at the church expecting it to be full. Instead, he learned that no one had come. Without missing a beat, Bach told his musicians that they would still perform as planned. They took their places, Bach raised his baton, and soon the empty church was filled with magnificent music.

    Adoption

    My wife, Marlene, and I have been married for over 35 years. When we were first dating, we had a conversation I have never forgotten. She told me that at 6 months old she had been adopted. When I asked her if she ever wondered about who her real parents were, she responded, “My mom and dad could have selected any of a number of other babies that day, but they chose me. They adopted me. They are my real parents.”

    No Appetite

    When I was battling a bad cold recently, I lost my appetite. I could go through an entire day without eating much food. Water would suffice. But I knew I couldn’t survive long on water alone. I needed to regain my appetite because my body needed nourishment.

    Finding the balance between waiting patiently on the Lord, and taking action

    “One day Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to Ruth, ‘My daughter, I must find a home for you where you will be well provided for.  Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours.  Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor.  Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes.  Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.  When he lies down, note the place where he is lying.  Then go and uncover his feet and lie down.  He will tell you what to do’ ” (Ruth 3:1-4).
    - To trust in the Lord may not mean that we do nothing and God does everything.
    -  To help listeners understand what it looks like to trust in the Lord.
    When we say that we must “trust the Lord,” what does that mean or not mean?

    United Goal

    The spotted owl has been disappearing in the US. Originally it was believed that old growth logging was its greatest threat. But research shows that one of the owl’s relatives may be the problem. For the past 15 years, the barred owl has been rapidly migrating westward. Barred owls, which used to live exclusively east of the Mississippi, compete for the same food as spotted owls but are more aggressive and adaptable.

    Hope For Skeptics

    As a workplace chaplain, I’m privileged to be in conversation with many different people. Some are skeptics of the Christian faith. I’ve discovered three major hurdles that keep them from trusting in Christ for salvation.

    Overshadowed

    The assassination of US President John F. Kennedy stunned people around the globe 50 years ago today. The day after the shooting, an article in The Times (London) spoke of the reverberations being felt throughout world financial markets. It carried the headline, “All Other Events Overshadowed by US Tragedy.”

    Traveling Companion

    I looked up the members of my seminary graduating class recently and discovered that many of my friends are now deceased. It was a sober reminder of the brevity of life. Three score and ten, give or take a few years, and we’re gone (Ps. 90:10). Israel’s poet was right: We’re but strangers here and sojourners (39:12).

    Discover ways to determine God’s will for your life

    Some people look at horoscopes for guidance. Others follow their instincts or their gut reaction. Discover a biblical perspective on decision-making.