When marriage is done right, it's one of the most beautiful experiences and relationships we can have. The commitment that marriage calls for is lifelong, and it's intense. And in Christian marriage, the vows we make at the altar aren't just to each other; we make them before God.
The abundant life Jesus offers you is a journey of faith. It won't happen by accident. Daily surrender is required, but it's not about letting go and letting God. It's about running to Jesus, holding on to him, and saying "Yes" to what he asks you to do. It's admitting that you can't do it without him — that you need the Holy Spirit to empower you.
As with any relationship, developing a relationship with Jesus takes time and energy. Whether you've just decided to follow Jesus, or have recommitted your life to him, this series of four articles will lay a firm foundation to help you grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus.
Many of us obsess about God’s calling on our lives. We may wonder what kind of career God is leading us to; we dream about making a difference, about falling into the exact and concrete will of God. And when things don't fall into place like we think they should, we may wonder whether or not we even have a calling.
Have you ever had someone tell you that your Christian faith is a crutch? Well, the best response we've heard to that is: "Absolutely." Our faith helps us see that we are all broken people who really need to borrow strength from a Savior, to lean on a deep and abiding faith. We are always growing, always depending on the grace of God.
Church. Its whole purpose is to bring glory to the Creator, to worship him, and to proclaim his message of hope and healing in this world. It's a community of people who do life together, who take care of one another, and who are family.
Connecting with like-minded people who genuinely care about one another is a gift we take for granted all too often. But it's not always rosy; sometimes, friendship gets messy.