How to Find Peace in Life’s Storms
When mariners describe a tempest that no sailor can escape, they call it a perfect storm. Not perfect in the sense of ideal. But perfect in the sense of combining factors. All the elements, such as hurricane-force winds plus a cold front plus a downpour of rain, work together to create the insurmountable disaster. The ...
8 Bible Passages to Ease Your Anxiety
Diagnoses of anxiety have risen sharply in recent years, but the problem is anything but a modern epidemic. In fact, anxiety is one of the very oldest of human afflictions. The first recorded cases can be traced to the moment Adam and Eve discovered that they were naked and exposed to God (see Genesis 3:10). ...
Somewhere Between Yesterday’s Tragedy and Tomorrow’s Triumph
Your Encouraging Word fromMax Lucado’s Encouraging Word Bible, NIV How far can we go with verses like this one: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)? Does “all things” include tumors and tests and tempers and terminations? John ...
A Deeper Dive Into Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 29:11—with its references to God’s plans, prosperity, protection from harm, peace, and a future filled with hope—is often offered as a spiritual “security blanket” to people who are struggling. The verse has inspired and comforted countless believers who interpret it to mean that if they endure their immediate circumstances, they will emerge victorious, triumphant, ...
Nerves of Steel: 6 Questions with Tammie Jo Shults
When young Tammie Jo Bonnell first watched fighter jets race across the New Mexico skyline, she felt the desire to become a pilot but little did she know God was inviting her on a journey that would inspire countless of people through her commit to faith, courage, and family. Today Captain Tammie Jo Shults is a retired navel pilot, known for being one of the first female fighter pilots in US Navy history, and the storied captain of Southwest Airlines Flight 1380, which she safely landed after the aircraft suffered a major engine failure and rapid decompression....
Who Was Esther?
Quick Look at the Book of Esther: God’s hand of providence and protection on behalf of His people is evident throughout the Book of Esther, though His name does not appear once. Haman’s plot brings grave danger to the Jews and is countered by the courage of beautiful Esther and the counsel of her wise ...
The Christmas Story Teaches Us to Wait Well
The experience of waiting for Christmas as children was good exercise for us. Waiting builds trust, patience, and faith while we wait on God’s perfect will....
If You Saw Jesus in Glory
If you were to witness Jesus Christ in the fullness of His majesty, the brightness of His glory, how would you respond? Would you stand there unaffected? Would you run away? Or would you fall on your knees? A few highly blessed humans have seen Jesus Christ in glory. And when they did, they not ...
What Would You Do with Space in Your Life?
Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow. But what happens when we place ourselves in situations where we can’t help but worry about the unknown?...
Embracing the Hope of Our Identity in Christ
The apostle Peter offers a profound summary of our identity in Christ in 1 Peter 2:9-10. In the process, he uncovers a wellspring of hope for everyone who follows Christ. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you ...
