Paul often begins his epistles with the phrase “grace and peace to you” (see 1 Corinthians 1:3). While we may be tempted to skim over these greetings, they reveal an important concept: The grace of God brings about peace with God—apart from His gracious work, we...
“Had I not gone through suffering, I don’t think I would have chosen or found my hope, my rock, in God.” Eliza Johnson had big dreams. She longed to have many children and play the violin with a prominent orchestra. But God stripped away those dreams—and gave her...
The cross must come before the crown, and mourning before joy. We see this typified in the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Booths. Day of Atonement This was a solemn fast, not a feast, because it was a day of repentance. The high priest entered the Most Holy Place...
It is easy to forget that we are called to have a personal intimacy with Jesus Christ. We may have head knowledge, but we need more than that. We can have religion without Christ. But He wants us to have a personal relationship with Him in which we trust in Him rather...
We are in a soul-forming world that often shapes us through suffering. But the joy that it will produce is boundless. John 20 gives us a glimpse into that reality. The very thing that caused the disciples to be full of sorrow and despair, Jesus’ crucifixion, now...
