20 Bible Verses About the Presence of God
When you think of heaven, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Do you imagine it’s golden streets, ever-fruitful trees, and crystal rivers? Are you most looking forward to being reunited with loved ones or experiencing no more death, sin, or suffering? The Bible tells us we can expect these things in our heavenly […]
20 Bible Verses About Spiritual Fruitfulness
Fruit is universally appealing. Our eyes behold its beauty, and our mouths enjoy its natural sweetness and varied flavors. Just as our mouths water for physical fruit, our souls long for the spiritual kind. Spiritual fruitfulness is a metaphor used throughout Scripture to describe the visible outcome of a life that remains connected to Christ. […]
Have Yourself a Blessed Little Christmas
In the mid-1940s, the Hollywood Canteen was the hottest and most unusual nightclub in town. The Western-themed club didn’t serve alcohol, but that didn’t prevent Hollywood A-listers from showing up en masse. Everyone wanted to go there, and you might expect it would cost a fortune to get in, but the admission, food, and entertainment […]
20 Bible Verses About Peace
This summer, we took our family to the beach for vacation. We stayed right on the water, and each morning we picked up bagels and lattes from a nearby café and ate our breakfast overlooking the water. The morning light cast hues of pink and orange across the sky, and we watched as pods of […]
20 Bible Verses for Overcoming Depression
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” (Ps. 42:5) Have you ever felt that way, or asked yourself that question? Perhaps you’re not sure why you’re so sad or depressed, but you feel a weight, a burden, and an unsettledness in your heart. Your malaise may […]
20 Bible Verses About Giving Thanks
Imagine for a moment that you were desperate for a miracle. Your whole life hinged on this one thing happening, and unless God intervened, you would die in isolation and misery. So you begged God loudly for his mercy–and then, one day, he answered. He healed you. Instantly. Completely. If that were your story, how […]
20 Bible Verses on Friendship
C.S. Lewis wrote that often the opening expression of friendship is, “What? You too? I thought I was the only one.” Have you ever had that experience? Something that you once thought was unique to you is shared with someone else, and you instantly feel like you’ve found a kindred spirit—someone else who shares your […]
Faith, Family, and the Beatles: The Stories That Shape Us
In every family, there’s that story—the one everyone knows by heart, and still makes us laugh. In my family, one such story resurfaces whenever someone mentions the Beatles. We all look at Mom, who smiles, and gets a faraway look in her eyes. We know what she’s thinking—she’s going back to August 26, 1964. That […]
20 Bible Verses on Unity
Few earthly joys compare to the sweetness of true unity. David wrote, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity” (Psalm 133:1). This psalm is part of a collection of psalms called the Songs of Ascent (Psalm 120-134). The city of Jerusalem sits high on a hill, and three times a […]
20 Bible Verses on Repentance
Ugh. I did it again. I can’t believe I did it again. Have you ever said that to yourself? You sinned, and the reality of that sin settles over you like a weight on your chest. You feel a deep sense of regret and remorse, and you groan—sometimes audibly. In Hebrew, there’s a word for […]