Tag: Christian Living
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Why Does God Bless Us?
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations” (Psalm 67:1-2). The first few verses of Psalm 67 have changed how I think about God’s blessings and his gracious favor to me and all his…
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How Do I Trust in God When Life Is Tough?
“My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:7-8). “Trust in [God] at all times . . .” I’ll admit, I don’t do that. Instead, I fixate on my fears. I…
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No Match for Our Savior
“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” This famous quote, often attributed to French poet and essayist Charles Baudelaire, has a lot of truth to it, doesn’t it? Mainstream media often portrays the devil as a cartoon character with a goatee, goat legs, horns, and holding a pitchfork.…
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You Are Blessed
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. Many Christians hear that at the end of almost every church service. Hearing it so often, are there times when it goes in one…
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The Hidden Strength of the Spirit
Faith isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it looks like quiet perseverance or restraint when no one else sees. In this episode, we talk with Bible study author Naomi Schmidt about two fruits of the Spirit that often go unnoticed: faithfulness and self-control.
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Where Is Peace in an Uncertain World?
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). In his 1841 essay “Self-Reliance,” famous author Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that “nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” As the…
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Jesus Prayed for You
I can’t even begin to imagine everything Jesus was thinking about on the night he was betrayed and handed over to Roman authorities for execution by crucifixion. Let’s be clear: Jesus knew what was going to happen to him later that night and throughout the following day. He knew he would suffer unbelievable physical, emotional,…
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Joy Amid Grief
“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child…