"And [Jesus] said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.’" — Mark 4:26-27 (NKJV)Have you ever felt like your efforts for God aren’t making a difference? Like no matter how hard you work, pray, or serve, the results just aren’t visible? This feeling is especi...  Read More

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." — 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)Discouragement is one of the enemy's most effective tools. When we feel discouraged, we lose enthusiasm for the work God has given us. We start to question, “Why am I doing this?” or “Is this even worth it?”The Bible gi...  Read More

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9) Discouragement may be satan’s number one weapon. Adrian Rogers says, “There’s a legend that tells about the devil one day, who was auctioning off his tools—you know, the tools that he wrecks every work of God with—and he had all of his tools out there. There was pride, and the pri...  Read More

Loneliness is one of the most common human emotions, yet it can be one of the most difficult to overcome. Even as Christians who know God is always present, we can still experience deep feelings of isolation. Dr. Gary Oliver, a Christian counselor, has offered five practical steps to help conquer loneliness: [see Real Men Have Feelings Too (Chicago, Ill: Moody, 1993), 153-162.]1. Look Up: Develop ...  Read More

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now." —Philippians 1:3, 5 (NKJV)There’s something special about working together to accomplish a shared purpose. Think of the friendships that form on a sports team or in a workplace. Paul described this kind of bond with the Philippian church. Even while in prison, he felt connected to them be...  Read More

"Be diligent to come to me quickly… Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry." —2 Timothy 4:9–11 (NKJV)The apostle Paul, nearing the end of his life, writes with vulnerability in 2 Timothy 4. He mentions that Demas has abandoned him, others have departed to fulfill their own callings, and only Luke remains by his side. Paul, the great missionary an...  Read More

"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted." —Psalm 25:16 (ESV)A pastor once shared the pain of loneliness during one of the busiest times of the year: Christmas Eve. He had gone through the heartbreak of a divorce after his wife left him for another man. While the church leadership supported him and he sought counseling, the sting of loneliness remained.That Christmas Eve, h...  Read More

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." —Psalm 139:7-8 (NIV)Mother Theresa once said, “The world’s greatest tragedy is unwantedness; the world’s greatest disease is loneliness.”[1]Philip Zimbardo, writing in Psychology Today, has said, “There is no more destructive influence on ...  Read More

"The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" — Psalm 27:1 (NIV) Sometimes, despite our best efforts, fear doesn't completely disappear before we need to act. In these moments, we can learn from Elizabeth Elliot, whose husband, Jim, was murdered by the very people he was trying to reach with the Gospel. She shared about ...  Read More

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." — 1 John 4:18 (NIV)Fear and love have an interesting relationship. When perfect love enters, fear must leave. They simply cannot coexist in their fullest forms. This is why understanding God's love for us is essential to overcoming fear. God’s love is...  Read More

We know the nativity story—Jesus, the babe born in Bethlehem; the manger; the wise men; the shepherds. But it’s vital to move beyond the imagery and recognize the truth: God came in human form. John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:1 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” These verses are clearly proclaiming that Jesus...  Read More

Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is… joyRichard Dawkins, a well-known atheist, has decried the fact that the cultural Christian influence that once existed in England has been disintegrating over the years, and in its place is a militant Islam that continues to spread throughout Europe and especially England. But he really is saddened by the cultural Christian influences that seem to b...  Read More