Summary Revenge is a natural but destructive response to being hurt. Forgiveness must become the Christian’s new normal. Scripture warns that refusing to forgive damages our relationship with God. By pausing before reacting, remembering God’s grace toward us, praying for offenders, and choosing to bless rather than retaliate, believers can dissolve bitterness and restore spiritual freedom. The Natural Pull Toward Revenge Our natural response to those who have offended us is t

Summary This article explores God’s light as the source of spiritual life, truth, and salvation. Once blinded by darkness, believers are rescued through Christ and enabled to see clearly, live righteously, and walk in fellowship. God’s light exposes sin, guides daily obedience, fuels hope, and transforms believers into lights for the world, now and eternally, reflecting His glory through faith, love, and righteous living. When Darkness Reveals Our Need for Light I had bandage

Summary This article explores why God Himself is the greatest reward for believers. Using Abram’s refusal of earthly riches, it shows that true treasure is not wealth, success, or recognition, but knowing God. Earthly rewards fade, but Jesus offers eternal wisdom, salvation, and friendship. As Scripture teaches, our hearts follow what we value most, and nothing compares to choosing Christ as our supreme treasure. Rewards That Shape Our Efforts Rewards motivate us to toil and

Summary This article warns believers against appearing before God empty-handed. Through personal experience and biblical teaching, it shows that God expects grateful obedience and fruitful living from His people. From Israel’s festivals to Jesus’ parables, Scripture reveals that living for self dishonors God. Jesus redeemed us from an empty life so we might bear fruit, glorify the Father, and faithfully steward what He has given us. A Childhood Lesson About Being Empty-Hande

Summary Pride distorts our use of God-given gifts and turns gratitude into bragging. Through personal reflection and Scripture, boasting flows from insecurity and misdirects God’s resources. God alone deserves the glory for our abilities, status, and success. He calls believers to humility, faithful stewardship, and service to others, reminding us that we will one day give an account for how we used what He entrusted to us. Using God's Gifts with Humility Our view of our gift

Summary This article challenges the popular belief that following personal dreams leads to a meaningful life. While culture celebrates dream-chasing, Scripture warns that pursuing our desires can distract us from God’s will. Using biblical teaching and personal experience, it shows that true fulfillment comes from serving God and others. Abundant life is found not in chasing dreams, but in faithfully using God-given gifts to accomplish His purposes. The Fear and Appeal of Fol

Summary True freedom is not doing whatever we want but living under Christ’s lordship. Psychological calls to abandon discernment lead to slavery, not liberty. Scripture reveals only two masters—sin or obedience to God. Real freedom is found in Jesus, who breaks sin’s chains and enables believers to obey God and serve others in love. True freedom belongs only to God’s redeemed people, guided by His truth and Spirit. What Freedom Isn’t “Richard Ragnarson, MD, Psychiatrist, wro

Summary God’s life is the source of all true life and the only path to lasting fulfillment. Human understanding is limited, but Scripture reveals enough to experience God’s life now and forever. God’s life surpasses self-centered living, empowers godliness, and is marked by eternal love and service. Believers who share God’s life find deep contentment, purpose, and the ability to reflect Christ through sacrificial love that brings life to others. The Limits of Human Understan

Summary God’s life is available now and is far more valuable than any earthly gain. Received by grace through faith in Jesus, this life comes through God’s word, the work of Christ, and the Holy Spirit. God’s life transforms believers from self-centered living to God-centered living, producing righteousness, joy, perseverance, and holiness that glorify God and endure forever. God’s Life Is Worth More Than Everything Possessing God’s life now is far more worth pursuing than be

Summary A deer-ravaged garden becomes a vivid picture of human sin. Like unseen deer leaving tracks, our self-justifying behavior is obvious to others but hidden from us. We instinctively excuse our thoughts and actions, assuming we are the standard. Scripture exposes this pride and calls us to humility, which opens the flow of God’s grace and leads us from self-deception into spiritual reality. A Garden Under Siege Gardening has been challenging in 2025. I planted green bean

Summary Many people are physically alive but spiritually dead. Though appearances can deceive, values and behavior reveal spiritual condition. Spiritual death began in Eden and continues through self-centered living focused on pleasure and pride. Scripture teaches that God alone gives spiritual life through Christ’s resurrection. Does your life reveal evidence that you are spiritually alive? When Appearances Are Misleading Things are often not what they appear. Get-rich-quick

Summary This article traces the author’s journey from shallow church involvement to a transformed Christian life shaped by grace. A clear understanding of the gospel, modeled faith through mentors, daily Scripture and prayer, and intentional discipleship became defining influences. By slowing down to truly engage God’s Word and learning from faithful believers, the author discovered lasting peace, spiritual growth, and a lifelong calling rooted in grace rather than performanc

Summary This article explains how learning to be filled with the Holy Spirit and consistently memorizing Scripture transformed the author’s Christian service. Trusting the Spirit replaced self-effort, while systematic Scripture memory deepened spiritual power and readiness. God commands believers to rely on the Spirit and promises to answer such prayers. Storing God’s Word in the heart equips believers for fruitful service, sustained growth, and effective ministry. Power for

Summary Teamwork and spiritual growth are important for effective ministry. God designed the church so every believer contributes through spiritual gifts, not just one leader. A team-based ministry model multiplies fruit and impact. Reading Christian books deepens spiritual insight and guides mature believers across generations, strengthening faith and ministry effectiveness. Learning Ministry from a Team Sport I watch a high school television quiz show called “Brain Busters.

Summary This article reflects on God’s unpredictable but life-shaping guidance over decades of Christian faith. Through healing, inner promptings, rare visions, delayed promises, and deep community in small groups, God directed and multiplied the author’s spiritual fruitfulness. Though dramatic encounters were infrequent, each was transformative. The article highlights trusting God’s timing, valuing spiritual community, and recognizing that God often works quietly before prod

Summary This article offers encouragement for believers struggling with unanswered prayer. When God seems silent, trust is tested, but faith grows by remembering God’s character, trusting His timing, and staying rooted in Scripture and community. Honest prayer and reflection on God’s past faithfulness help sustain hope. Even delays serve a purpose, as God often uses waiting to deepen character and strengthen faith. God’s silence is never abandonment. He is always present and

Summary This article challenges common ideas of success and replaces them with God’s definition. While people measure success through performance and recognition, Scripture reveals that true success is accepting Christ’s sacrifice and serving God through Spirit-empowered obedience. Religious activity alone does not equal success. Only a surrendered life that bears fruit for God’s glory fulfills His purpose. Eternal success is not what we do for God, but what He does through u

Summary Jesus is both the Lamb of God and the Good Shepherd. As the Lamb, He sacrificed His life to remove sin and make us right with God. As the Shepherd, He provides, protects, and leads His sheep into abundant life. Scripture shows that salvation, security, and eternal care come only through faith in Jesus, the one Shepherd who knows His sheep and gave His life for them. An Unexpected Reversal of Roles It seemed strange to hear a seminarian say the equivalent of “My teache

Summary Human worth is not based on productivity. While culture measures value by performance, Scripture anchors worth in God’s declaration. Made in God’s image and redeemed by Christ’s sacrifice, people are valuable apart from what they produce. God measures believers by faithfulness, not spiritual results. Fruitfulness depends on God alone. Our worth rests securely in who God says we are, not in how much we accomplish. How Culture Measures Human Value Our culture’s message

Summary This article warns believers about the danger of spiritual drifting. Using an athletic illustration, it shows how drifting feels natural but undermines effectiveness. Hebrews urges careful listening to God’s unchanging message of salvation. Familiarity can dull devotion, but intentional attention keeps the gospel central. God confirmed Jesus’ message through miracles and the Spirit. Ignoring this great salvation carries serious consequences, making vigilant listening