Jesus says, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” It is easy to minimize or trivialize this invitation, as...

These verses are a major turning point in Matthew’s account of Jesus. They are sandwiched between two statements that Jesus is in fact the Messiah. Just before it, his disciples say...

When Moses took his flock beyond the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God, he had come to a location between two places where people have been known to...

Those who are in bondage long for deliverance. Our bondage can be emotional, relational, physical, or spiritual. Jesus once asked his disciples who people said he was. Their answers included John...

Christ’s body, the church, has many parts, all arranged according to God’s wisdom. Through the Spirit, God gives believers diverse gifts for the work of the kingdom. Even when we possess...

Self-esteem is a hot topic. Some have too much of it, thinking more of themselves than they should, which leads to a prideful attitude. But others do not have enough self-esteem....

The word sacrifice normally has negative connotations. As a verb, sacrificing entails giving something up. If I want to lose weight, I must give up some unhealthy foods I enjoy. As...

Which side we’re on matters. Who can forget physical education classes where team captains selected teammates for a game? They wanted peers who were quick, agile, strong, and popular. Those who...

God had a purpose for Moses and quite famously told him exactly what it was. Long before Moses had his encounter with God at the Burning Bush, however, God had a...

Believers the world over experience oppression of one sort or another. Where Christianity is illegal, they risk imprisonment or death. Even in countries that legally protect the free exercise of religion,...