The Reality of Our Present World

The Hebrew word avon is another word for sin, but with a different nuance. We also translate it as “iniquity,” which adds another dimension to our understanding. The biblical authors use avon to describe a twisted or crooked road (e.g., Lamentations 3:9) or a malformed back that’s bent out of shape (as in Psalm 38:6). Isaiah uses avon to mean “dazed and confused” (Isaiah 21:3). Avon is about distorting what was otherwise beautiful and good, and…

In the aftermath of the Marshall Fire, the most destructive fire in Colorado history, one ministry offered to help families search through the ashes for valuable items. Family members mentioned precious objects they hoped were still preserved. Very little was. One man spoke tenderly of his wedding ring. He’d placed it on his dresser in the upstairs bedroom. The house now gone, its contents had charred or melted into a single layer of debris at the basement level.…

Christians should definitely support the nation of Israel. We must remember that Israel, the nation, is very special to God. We read in Deuteronomy 7:6-8 these words: "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest…

Brokenness is God’s requirement for maximum usefulness.Who do you trust in more than the Lord? What is God stripping away from your life? The answer to these questions may explain why God is working so hard to break your dependence upon anything other than Himself—no matter how long it takes or how difficult the process may be. He’s committed to bringing you to a place of wholeness and spiritual maturity—conforming you to the likeness of His Son .…

The Bible tells us to “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials” (James 1:2). What a preposterous statement! Do you know anyone who thinks joy and trials fit together? But James is presenting God’s perspective—not a human one. Suffering has some surprising benefits that aren’t readily apparent to most people. It’s important to realize these verses are not telling us to be happy in our pain but rather…

A modern poet described the time we live in as an “age of anxiety.” Our lives have only become more anxious, in part because the world has become characterized by the need for “more.” Advertising and information flood our senses and emotions, so when it comes to material goods, enough seems to be just out of reach. We may think this is unique to our lifetime, but is it? In Luke 12, Jesus’ assessment of His audience could have been written.…

From a Christian perspective, our first reaction should be to take a deep breath and relax. At some point in time, this world is going to end (2 Peter 3:10). Christ will return (Revelation 19:11–13) at the time He is prepared for (1 Corinthians 15:51–52). And yet, every single person on earth is a split second away from a personal doomsday, right now (Psalm 39:5). Heart attacks, war, accidents, and such can bring us face-to-face with our Creator more readily…

In this desperate hour we have a crucial role to play. Of all the Eternal Truths we don't believe, this is the one we doubt most of all. Our days are not extraordinary. They are filled with the mundane, with hassles mostly. And we? We are...a dime a dozen. Nothing special really. Probably a disappointment to God. But as C. S. Lewis wrote, "The value of...myth is that it takes all the things we know and restores to them the rich significance which has been hidden…

When we encounter difficulties, we might wonder why God allows those painful situations. How do we reconcile our suffering with His love for us and His power to prevent or stop it? In order to understand what’s going on, we need to consider the possible sources of adversity. A Fallen World: When sin entered the world, suffering came with it. So we might wonder why God didn’t simply make us like puppets that were unable to choose sin. But if we lacked free will, we&rsquo…