Topic > Christian Living
Anchor your hopes in Jesus
Broken promises can hurt. But today on Discover the Word, the team will show us how to anchor our hopes in the one Person who will never let us down! Listen today as we learn from Simeon, a man who found true satisfaction and joy in the fulfilled promises of God. “A Christmas Promise” that […]
Thanks Journal
When I was a new believer in Jesus, a spiritual mentor encouraged me to keep a thanksgiving journal. It was a little booklet I carried with me everywhere I went. Sometimes I would record a thanksgiving right away. Other times, I would pen it at the end of the week during a time of reflection.
Taking note of praise items is a good habit—one I’m considering re-establishing in my life. It would help me to be mindful of God’s presence and grateful for His provision and care.
In the shortest of all the psalms, Psalm 117, the writer encourages everyone to praise…
Traditions and Christmas
As you savor a candy cane this Christmas, say “Danka Schoen” to the Germans, for that confectionary treat was first created in Cologne. As you admire your poinsettia, say “gracias” to Mexico, where the plant originated. Say “merci beaucoup” to the French for the term noel, and give a “cheers” to the English for your mistletoe.
But as we enjoy our traditions and festivities of the Christmas season—customs that have been collected from around the world—let’s save our most sincere and heartfelt “thank you” for our good, merciful, and loving God. From Him came the reason for our Christmas celebration: the…
A Thrill of Hope
Reginald Fessenden had been working for years to achieve wireless radio communication. Other scientists found his ideas radical and unorthodox, and doubted he would succeed. But he claims that on December 24, 1906, he became the first person to ever play music over the radio.
Fessenden held a contract with a fruit company which had installed wireless systems on roughly a dozen boats to communicate about the harvesting and marketing of bananas. That Christmas Eve, Fessenden said that he told the wireless operators on board all ships to pay attention. At 9 o’clock they heard his voice.
He reportedly played a record…
Everlasting Hope
The week before Christmas, two months after my mom died, holiday shopping and decorating sat at the bottom of my priority list. I resisted my husband’s attempts to comfort me as I grieved the loss of our family’s faith-filled matriarch. I sulked as our son, Xavier, stretched and stapled strands of Christmas lights onto the inside walls of our home. Without a word, he plugged in the cord before he and his dad left for work.
As the colorful bulbs blinked, God gently drew me out of my darkness. No matter how painful the circumstances, my hope remained secure in the…
More Than a Hero
As Star Wars fans around the world eagerly await the release of Episode 8, “The Last Jedi,” people continue to analyze the remarkable success of these films dating back to 1977. Frank Pallotta, media reporter for CNNMoney, said that Star Wars connects with many who long for “a new hope and a force of good at a time when the world needs heroes.”
At the time of Jesus’s birth, the people of Israel were oppressed and longing for their long-promised Messiah. Many anticipated a hero to deliver them from Roman tyranny, but Jesus did not come as a political or military hero. Instead,…
Putting your beliefs into action
We can say we believe something, but until we put those beliefs into action you have to question whether we actually do believe. Today on Discover the Word, the team continues their series titled, “The Call to Believe.” And answering the call begins by hearing. So listen today, as together we study the life-changing wisdom […]
The Cure for Anxiety
We were excited about moving for my husband’s job. But the unknowns and challenges leave me feeling anxious. Thoughts of sorting and packing up belongings. Looking for a place to live. My finding a new job too. Making my way around a new city, and getting settled. It was all . . . unsettling. As I thought about my “to-do” list, words written by the apostle Paul echoed in my mind: Don’t worry, but pray (Phil. 4:6–7).
If anyone could have been anxious about unknowns and challenges, it would have been Paul. He was shipwrecked. He was beaten. He was jailed. In…
When You’re Forced to Give Control to God
Written By Chelsie Washington, USA Control has always been something I’ve struggled with in a very subtle way. I may not always show that I want to control a situation, but I can sometimes make myself physically sick when things don’t go my way. Whenever thoughts of a situation going awry arise, my heart begins […]
Removing cultural blinders
Have you ever tried reading something upside down? Doesn’t usually work too well does it? But, flip it over and that change in perspective is all you need to see clearly! Well, today on Discover the Word, we wrap up a two-week discussion with authors Brandon O’Brien and Randy Richards. They’ve been helping us to […]
Unexpected Grace
It was an early Saturday morning in my sophomore year of high school, and I was eager to get to my job at the local bowling lanes. The evening before, I had stayed late to mop the muddy tile floors because the janitor called in sick. I hadn’t bothered to tell the boss about the janitor so I could surprise him. After all, what could go wrong? I thought.
Plenty, as it turns out.
Stepping in the door, I saw inches of standing water, with bowling pins, rolls of toilet paper and boxes of paper score-sheets bobbing on top. Then I realized…
How we miss the main point by reading Scripture out of context
We know that reading a verse out of context can lead to some wacky interpretations, but what if we’ve been doing that without even realizing it? Today on Discover the Word, authors Randy Richards and Brandon O’Brien look at a story in the Bible where we likely have missed the main point! Find out how […]
A Letter to My Past Brokenhearted Self
Dear Agnes, I know it feels like it’s the worst night of your life. Your boyfriend of two years just broke up with you. You’re crying and you’re lonely.
